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Most drivers know that the cost of car insurance in California varies, sometimes by hundreds of dollars. What you pay may be substantially different from what your friend pays, even if you have similar driving records and similar cars. That’s because there are dozens of data points that car insurance companies consider, from your age and Zip code to your insurance deductible and amount of coverage.

Keep reading to find out the average cost of car insurance in California, and how you can lower your premiums without sacrificing the coverage you need.

How Much Does Car Insurance Cost in California?

Drivers in California pay on average $1,782 a year for auto insurance, according to U.S. News & World Report. In a state where housing prices and the cost of living are so high, it stands to reason that car insurance is expensive as well. But what exactly goes into insurance companies’ calculations?

The California Department of Insurance weighs the following information in its estimates:

•   Coverage type. Liability Only vs. Standard.

•   Location. Divided into cities and, in bigger cities, into regions/neighborhoods.

•   Number of drivers covered. Single, couple, or family.

•   Years licensed.

•   Annual mileage.

•   Driving record.

•   Vehicle.

Average Car Insurance Cost in California per Month

Interested in getting car insurance in California? As you shop around, keep in mind that each insurance company has its own formula for calculating insurance rates. The table below shows how premiums vary among the ten largest insurance companies serving California.

Source: U.S. News & World Report

Average Car Insurance Cost in California By City

Your location has a big influence on the cost of car insurance in California. Insurance companies actually track traffic volume, accidents, and crime in different neighborhoods across the state. Drivers in more populated areas typically pay more than those who live in small towns or out in the countryside.

Here are average costs for standard car insurance in ten of California’s biggest cities.

Source: Insure.com

Recommended: Does Auto Insurance Roadside Assistance Cover Keys Locked in a Car?

Average Car Insurance Cost in California By Age of Driver

A driver’s age (or experience level, really) also plays a role in the cost of car insurance. A teenager who has just gotten their license is considered a greater risk by insurance companies. Higher risk translates to higher premiums. This is why many teens share a policy with parents. Once a driver hits age 20 (and still has a clean driving record), premiums often decrease. To find the best deal for younger drivers, compare quotes from an online insurance marketplace.

Average Car Insurance Cost in California After an At-Fault Accident

Your driving record has a major effect on your insurance premiums. Whether you’re involved in a fender bender or a more serious crash, chances are your car insurance rate will go up after an accident. According to U.S. News & World Report, California drivers who have one accident pay an average of $2,910 per year for coverage. By comparison, drivers with a clean record pay around $1,782 per year for coverage.

Recommended: How Much Does Insurance Go Up After an Accident?

Average Car Insurance Costs for Good and Bad Credit

In California, insurance companies can’t factor in credit scores when underwriting car insurance policies. So your credit history won’t have an affect on your ability to get or renew a car insurance policy — or how much you’ll pay.

Californians should be thankful for this. In New York state, drivers with excellent credit pay on average $2,096, while those with poor credit pay — whoa! — $4,088.

Recommended: How to Get Car Insurance

What Else Affects Your Car Insurance Cost?

As noted above, there are dozens of data points that insurance companies can use to estimate their risk and set premiums accordingly. One is marital status. Another is your car’s make and model, as well as its safety features and overall value.

Aside from the driver and the car, the type of policy impacts premiums. The more coverage you have, the more expensive your policy will be. Your state’s minimum car insurance requirements will get you the most rock-bottom premiums.

The type of deductible you choose also influences your cost. With a higher deductible, your premiums will be lower. The trade-off is that, if you get in an accident, you’ll be responsible for a larger share of the repair bill. In short, you can pay now or pay later.

How to Get Affordable Car Insurance

To find the most affordable car insurance for your profile and needs, it’s best to shop around and compare quotes. These days, online insurance marketplaces make that easy to do.

Once you’ve chosen one or two reputable insurers, it’s important to ask yourself how much car insurance you need. This goes back to the “pay now or pay later” dilemma mentioned above. A no-frills, liability-only policy with a higher deductible will have the lowest monthly premiums. But if you’re in an accident, you may wish you’d chosen more coverage.

Also consider bundling opportunities. Just as you pay less for Internet and TV when you combine services, you can save on car insurance if you purchase it from a company with which you have another policy, such as homeowners coverage.

And finally, ask about possible discounts through organizations and schools you’re affiliated with. Most insurers have a long list of companies they partner with to offer lower rates to customers.

The Takeaway

The average cost of car insurance in California is $1,782. Your premiums may be higher or lower depending on factors related to your background (age, location, driving record), your vehicle (make and model, safety features), and your level of coverage (liability vs. comprehensive, low vs. high deductible). Just remember that the lowest premium may not offer all the coverage you need in case of an accident.

When the unexpected happens, it’s good to know you have a plan to protect your loved ones and your finances. SoFi has teamed up with some of the best insurance companies in the industry to provide members with fast, easy, and reliable insurance.

Explore your options with Experian at SoFi, your personal insurance shopper.

FAQ

How much is the average car insurance per month in California?

Numerous factors go into the calculation of a car insurance premium, including where you live in California, the length and status of your driving record, the type of vehicle you have and its mileage, and more. The average statewide is about $1,782, but the best way to find the most affordable coverage for your situation is to shop around for quotes from multiple insurers.

How much does the average person pay for car insurance in California?

Several factors go into the calculation of car insurance for a California resident. This post breaks it down in multiple ways and offers sample averages based on certain demographics and situations.

Is $300 a lot for car insurance?

In many cases, the average monthly cost for coverage in California is well below $300. But remember, the amount you pay depends on a number of different factors. A 17-year-old, for example, could very well pay more than $300 per month largely because of her lack of driving experience.

Photo credit: iStock/gguy44

Auto Insurance: Must have a valid driver’s license. Not available in all states.
Home and Renters Insurance: Insurance not available in all states.
Experian is a registered trademark of Experian.
SoFi Insurance Agency, LLC. (“”SoFi””) is compensated by Experian for each customer who purchases a policy through the SoFi-Experian partnership.


Third-Party Brand Mentions: No brands, products, or companies mentioned are affiliated with SoFi, nor do they endorse or sponsor this article. Third-party trademarks referenced herein are property of their respective owners.

Financial Tips & Strategies: The tips provided on this website are of a general nature and do not take into account your specific objectives, financial situation, and needs. You should always consider their appropriateness given your own circumstances.

SOPRO-Q125-003

When shopping for car insurance, how much is too much to pay? The answer can vary based on your driving record, age, car type, insurer, and even where you live. But knowing the average cost of coverage in your state can help as you’re comparing quotes. Here’s a look at average prices in New York and how different factors can impact how much drivers there pay for protection.

How Much Does Car Insurance Cost in New York?

Drivers in New York pay an average of $1,808 per year for auto insurance, according to a 2025 U.S. News & World Report analysis of cheap car insurance companies.

Average Car Insurance Cost in New York per Month

The average monthly cost of car insurance in New York is $150.66. However, the amount you pay can vary by insurer, as the chart below shows.

Source: U.S. News & World Report

Average Car Insurance Cost in New York by City

Your location can influence how much you pay for car insurance in New York. That’s because when setting rates, insurers often consider the local volume of traffic, accidents, and crime. People living in cities tend to pay more for car insurance than those living in small towns or rural areas. But as the chart below shows, prices can also vary by city. Here are estimates for 10 of the biggest cities in New York:

Source: Insure.com

Average Car Insurance Cost in New York by Age and Gender of the Driver

Your age can impact your premiums. Younger, first-time drivers, for example, often pay more for coverage because they tend to have more accidents than older, more experienced drivers. Gender can play a role, too. In New York, women may end up paying less for car insurance than men because they tend to get into fewer severe accidents.

Source: U.S. News & World Report

Average Car Insurance Rates After an At-Fault Accident

As anyone who has been in a fender bender knows, car insurance rates tend to go up after an accident. New York drivers with a clean record pay around $1,808 per year for coverage. That amount rises to an average of $1,926 for drivers who have one accident.

But even traffic violations can cause prices to go up. A driver with one speeding ticket on their record pays an average of $2,064 for coverage, and one driving under the influence (DUI) offense causes rates to jump to an average of $2,559.

Recommended: Car Insurance Terms, Explained

Average Car Insurance Costs for Good and Bad Credit

Your credit score doesn’t just impact your ability to secure a loan. It can also play a role in how much you pay for car insurance. According to an analysis conducted by LendingTree, drivers with poor credit pay $4,088 on average per year for coverage, while those with excellent credit pay around $2,096.

What Else Affects Your Car Insurance Cost?

Here are other factors that can cause your car insurance rates to go up — or down.

Marital Status

Married drivers may qualify for more discounts than single drivers, since insurers often place them in a different risk category.

Make and Model of the Car

Your car’s safety features, accident rating, size, and overall value can all affect your insurance rates.

Amount of Coverage

The amount of coverage you need comes down to a number of factors, including your state’s minimum car insurance requirements, your budget, and your lifestyle. As a rule of thumb, the more coverage you have, the more expensive your policy will be.

The type of deductible you choose can also influence your overall costs. A deductible is the amount of money you’re responsible for after an accident before the insurance company pays its portion. With a higher deductible, you pay less money in premiums each month, but will be responsible for a bigger share of the expenses if you get in an accident.

Insurance History

Drivers who allow their coverage to lapse may be more likely to cancel their policy, so having a reliable history with one insurer may qualify you for a lower rate. In fact, it’s possible you’ll get a better quote when switching car insurance carriers than if you purchase insurance after going a few years without it.

Recommended: How to Lower Car Insurance

How to Get Affordable Car Insurance

The cost of coverage often varies by insurer. To find affordable car insurance, it’s a good idea to shop around and compare quotes. You can search online insurance companies and compare multiple car insurance rates.

You’ll also want to figure out how much car insurance you need. Keep in mind your state’s minimum car insurance requirements as well as additional coverage you may need.

If you’re looking to lower your car insurance, there are several strategies to consider. You may want to explore different policy options; look for bundling opportunities, such as getting your home and auto insurance from the same company; ask about possible discounts; and consider whether a policy with a higher deductible makes sense for you.

The Takeaway

Drivers in New York pay an average of $1,808 per year for car insurance. However, the amount you pay can depend on several factors, including your age, gender, driving record, credit score, marital status, and where you live. It helps to shop around and compare multiple quotes to find coverage that fits your needs and budget.

When the unexpected happens, it’s good to know you have a plan to protect your loved ones and your finances. SoFi has teamed up with some of the best insurance companies in the industry to provide members with fast, easy, and reliable insurance.

Find affordable auto, life, homeowners, and renters insurance with SoFi Protect.

FAQ

How much is car insurance in New York monthly?

The average cost of car insurance in New York is $150.66 per month. But you may end up paying a different amount based on a wide range of factors, such as age, gender, driving record, credit score, and location.

How much is car insurance in New York for a 25-year-old?

A 25-year-old man pays an average of $2,077 per year for car insurance, according to a 2025 analysis conducted by U.S. News & World Report. Women of the same age pay an average of $2,048 per year. Gender and age are two of several factors that can impact how much you pay for coverage.

Is $300 a lot for car insurance?

In many cases, the average monthly cost for coverage in New York is below $300. But premium amounts vary based on a number of factors. An 18-year-old male driver, for example, could very well pay more than $300 per month because of his age and lack of driving experience.

Photo credit: iStock/cmart7327

Auto Insurance: Must have a valid driver’s license. Not available in all states.
Home and Renters Insurance: Insurance not available in all states.
Experian is a registered trademark of Experian.
SoFi Insurance Agency, LLC. (“”SoFi””) is compensated by Experian for each customer who purchases a policy through the SoFi-Experian partnership.


Third-Party Brand Mentions: No brands, products, or companies mentioned are affiliated with SoFi, nor do they endorse or sponsor this article. Third-party trademarks referenced herein are property of their respective owners.

Financial Tips & Strategies: The tips provided on this website are of a general nature and do not take into account your specific objectives, financial situation, and needs. You should always consider their appropriateness given your own circumstances.

SOPRO-Q125-002

Almost 70% of nurses graduate with student loan debt, according to the American Association of Colleges of Nursing, and many of them owe a substantial amount. Nurses have a median student loan debt of more than $40,000, reports the Education Data Initiative.

Fortunately, there are a number of programs that offer student loan forgiveness for nurses, typically in return for a specific service commitment. Depending on the program, a nurse might have their student loan debt partially or fully forgiven.

Read on to learn more about loan forgiveness for nurses and the programs that may help you get relief from nursing student loan debt.

What Is Loan Forgiveness and How Does It Work?

If you borrowed student loans to pay for nursing school, student loan forgiveness can eliminate some or all of your debt, relieving you of the responsibility of repaying it.

It’s possible to receive nursing loan forgiveness for both federal and private student loans.

You must apply for forgiveness through one of several programs, and agree to the program’s terms, which may include working in a high-need area and committing to a certain number of years of service.

In the meantime, you will typically continue to make your student loan payments until you achieve forgiveness. You can factor those monthly loan payments into your financial plans as you’re creating a budget as a nurse.

Student Loan Forgiveness Programs for Nurses

Many of the forgiveness programs for nurses are available at the federal level. These are some of the top programs and their eligibility requirements.

Nurse Corps Loan Repayment

Offered through the Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA), the Nurse Corps Loan Repayment program pays up to 85% of eligible federal and private student loan debt for qualifying nurses.

To be eligible, you must be a registered nurse (RN), an advanced practice registered nurse (APRN), or a nurse faculty member who attended an accredited nursing school. In addition, you must agree to a full-time two-year service commitment at an eligible critical shortage facility or nursing school.

During the two years that you work, you’ll receive 60% toward your qualifying student loan debt. After you complete your service, you will have the opportunity to serve for an additional year and receive another 25% of your student loan balance.

Public Service Loan Forgiveness

The Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PSLF) program forgives the remaining balance on federal Direct loans, which include Direct Subsidized loans, Direct Unsubsidized loans, Direct PLUS loans, and Direct Consolidation loans.

To be eligible, borrowers must work full-time in public service for an eligible employer such as a federal, state, local, tribal, or military government organization or qualifying nonprofit, and make the equivalent of 120 qualifying monthly payments under an income-driven repayment (IDR) plan.

If you are a nurse working for a qualifying employer, you may be eligible for PSLF. To apply, log onto StudentAid.gov and sign up for an IDR plan if you are not currently on one. Then you can submit an application. The PSLF Help Tool can walk you through the process.

Perkins Loan Cancellation

Nurses with federal Perkins loans may be eligible for up to 100% cancellation of their loans after five years in a public service job through Perkins Loan cancellation.

Perkins loans are subsidized low-interest federal student loans for students with exceptional financial need. Although the Perkins loan program ended in 2017, the loans are still eligible for forgiveness.

To qualify for Perkins Loan cancellation, you must work full-time as a nurse and provide direct care to patients.

Perkins Loan cancellation takes place in increasing percentages for each year worked:

•   Years 1 and 2: 15% of the loan amount

•   Years 3 and 4: 20% of the loan amount

•   Year 5: 30% of the loan amount

To apply for Perkins student loan forgiveness for nurses, contact the school that issued your Perkins loans or reach out to your loan servicer to get the application forms.

Active Duty Army Nurse Loan Repayment Program/Health Professions Loan Repayment Program

The Army offers student loan forgiveness for nurses, including the following programs:

•   Active Duty Health Professions Loan Repayment program (ADHPLRP): Nurses on active duty for a minimum of two years can get up to $40,000 of their qualified loans repaid annually for a maximum of three years through the ADHPLRP program.

•   Health Professions Loan Repayment Program (HPLRP): Nurses in the Army Reserves Troop Program Unit (TPU), Army Medical Department Professional Management Command (APMC), or Individual Mobilization Augmentation (IMA) program may be eligible for loan repayment if they are a psychiatric nurse practitioner; family nurse practitioner; operating room nurse; or a nurse anesthetist, critical care and public health. Those who qualify can receive a maximum of $20,000 annually applied to their education loans for a total of $60,000.

Find out more about these Army loan repayment programs for nurses, including how to apply.

Faculty Loan Repayment Program

Nurses (RNs and APRNs) from disadvantaged backgrounds who are faculty members may be eligible for the Faculty Loan Repayment Program from the HRSA.

Those who qualify can get up to $40,000 of forgiveness for their federal and private student loan debt. In return, they must serve for at least two years as faculty at an eligible health professions school in a U.S. state or territory.

National Health Service Corps — Indian Health Service

Nurse practitioners and certified nurse midwives who work at Indian health service facilities, tribally operated 638 health programs, and urban Indian health programs may be eligible for student loan repayment through this program.

Because of the critical shortage of nursing professionals who provide primary care services in high-need areas, the National Health Service Corps (NHSC) has increased the award amount. Qualifying nurses can now receive up to $75,000 for a full-time, two-year service commitment, or up to $37,500 for a half-time, two-year service commitment.

You can get additional information and application instructions from the NHSC.

National Health Service Corps (NHSC) Loan Repayment Program

The NHSC Loan Repayment Program offers loan repayment assistance to qualifying nurses who serve at least two years at an NHSC-approved site in a health professional shortage area or designated maternity care target area.

Nurses can choose a full-time or half-time clinical practice at an NHSC-approved site for their two years. Those who provide full-time primary care can receive up to $75,000 for their federal or private student loans, while those in other nursing roles can receive up to $50,000 for a two-year term. Nurses who work half-time providing primary care can receive up to $37,500, and those in other qualifying roles can receive up to $25,000.

If you have Spanish-language proficiency, you may also be eligible for a one-time enhancement award of $5,000, in addition to your loan repayment award.

NHSC Substance Use Disorder Workforce Loan Repayment Program

To help fight the opioid crisis by recruiting and retaining health professionals to work in underserved areas and expand substance use disorder treatment and prevent overdose deaths, the NHSC launched this program.

To be eligible, nurses must work in primary care or behavioral health. Those who provide full-time direct clinical care can receive up to $75,000 toward their federal and private loans for a three-year service commitment, while those who work half-time providing direct clinical care can receive up to $37,500.

Any nurse interested in applying to the NHSC Substance Use Disorder Loan Repayment Program must also meet the following requirements:

•   U.S. citizenship (U.S.-born or naturalized) or a U.S. national

•   In an eligible discipline with qualified student loan debt for your nursing education

•   A provider in the Medicare, Medicaid, and the State Children’s Health Insurance Program

•   Fully trained and licensed to practice in the NHSC-eligible discipline and state you’re applying to serve

•   Work at an approved treatment facility

Nurses with Spanish-language proficiency may qualify for a $5,000 one-time award enhancement for a total loan repayment award up to $80,000 for full-time participants and up to $42,500 for half-time participants.

NHSC Rural Community LRP

This loan repayment program from the National Health Service Corps (NHSC) Rural Community Loan Repayment program in conjunction with the Rural Communities Opioid Response Program (RCORP) is for nurses who work to combat the opioid epidemic in rural communities.

Eligible nurses may receive up to $100,000 for full-time service and up to $50,000 for half-time service to repay qualifying federal and private student loans. In exchange for loan repayment, nurses must serve three years at an NHSC-approved substance abuse disorder treatment facility in a shortage area.

If you have Spanish-language proficiency, you may receive a one-time enhancement award of up to $5,000 for a total loan repayment of up to $105,000 for full-time service, and up to $55,000 for half-time service.

Alternatives to Student Loan Forgiveness for Nurses

If you don’t qualify for nursing loan forgiveness, there are other ways to make repaying your student loans more manageable. Options to explore include:

Income-Driven Repayment

Income-driven repayment (IDR) plans base your federal loan payments on your discretionary income and family size. This often results in a lower monthly loan payment. Under an IDR plan, you could qualify for forgiveness of your remaining student debt after 20 or 25 years.

You can apply for one of the income-driven repayment plans online through your loan servicer. You can select the IDR plan you’d like or ask your servicer to choose a plan for you based on the lowest monthly payment possible.

Student Loan Refinancing

With student loan refinancing, you replace your current loan with a new loan from a private lender. Ideally, the new loan will have a lower interest rate and more favorable terms that could reduce your monthly loan payments.

You can refinance federal student loans, private student loans, or both. However, be aware that when you refinance federal loans, they become ineligible for federal benefits like income-based repayment plans and forgiveness.

Using a student loan refinancing calculator can help you determine whether refinancing makes sense for your situation.

Borrowers interested in refinancing student loans to save money should compare lenders and offers to see what they can qualify for, and then choose the best option.

Recommended: Student Loan Refinancing Guide

The Takeaway

Nurses with student loan debt may be able to have some or all of their debt canceled through one of the many available programs that offer student loan forgiveness for nurses. To qualify, nurses generally must be employed in an eligible job in a designated location and make a commitment to work for a certain number of years.

Borrowers who don’t qualify for forgiveness programs still have options to help manage their nursing student loan debt. Methods to explore include income driven repayment plans and student loan refinancing to potentially help lower monthly loan payments.

Looking to lower your monthly student loan payment? Refinancing may be one way to do it — by extending your loan term, getting a lower interest rate than what you currently have, or both. (Please note that refinancing federal loans makes them ineligible for federal forgiveness and protections. Also, lengthening your loan term may mean paying more in interest over the life of the loan.) SoFi student loan refinancing offers flexible terms that fit your budget.

FAQ

Will student loans be forgiven for nurses?

There are a variety of student loan forgiveness programs for nurses. For instance, the Health Resources and Services Administration offers the Nurse Corps Loan Forgiveness Program for qualifying nurses who commit to working two years in a critical shortage area. The National Health Service Corps has several different loan repayment programs that nurses may apply for. And nurses who work in public service may qualify for the Public Service Loan Forgiveness program. Do some research to see what forgiveness programs you may be eligible for.

Do nurses qualify for student loan forgiveness?

Nurses may qualify for student loan forgiveness as long as they meet the eligibility requirements for one of the nursing student loan forgiveness programs. Many of these programs require you to work in certain types of jobs for a specific period of time in return for partial or full cancellation of your student loans. You can explore some of the popular loan forgiveness programs for nurses, such as the Nurse Corps Loan Repayment Program and the nursing forgiveness options offered by the National Health Service Corps Loan Repayment Program.

Can my student loan be forgiven due to COVID?

While your student loan cannot be forgiven due to COVID, your student loan payments that were paused from March 13, 2020 until September 1, 2023 because of the COVID-19 pandemic do count toward Public Service Loan Forgiveness as well as forgiveness under income-driven repayment plans.

Photo credit: iStock/Delmaine Donson

SoFi Student Loan Refinance
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