Tool for Comparing California Auto Insurance

The California Department of Insurance created a tool for comparing auto insurance rates. The premiums shown are based on a CDI automobile premium survey. The results are not premium quotes, but is provided to encourage Californians to shop around for insurance.

The tool asks if you want standard or liability coverage, where you live, your sex, how long you have been licensed, miles you drive a year, driving record for 3 years, and vehicle type. I noticed they do not have many vehicles to choose from, but you could select a vehicle that is most similar to yours.

I ran a few tests to see how rates varied depending on a few factors. I wanted see how much difference driving experience and sex made.

I selected standard, Los Angeles Hollywood-West, Male, 3-5 driving experience, 7,600-10,000 miles, no violations or accidents, Honda Accord.
Rates are high. $2,000 - $7,000.
Rates are very similar for female.

When I changed to driving experience 16-40 years, Rates were much lower. $1,000 - 4,000.

I put 16-40 years driving experience, and 1 At-fault accident and rates go up 1,500 - 5,000.

These are not premium quotes, but good indicators of the differences in premiums charged by insurance companies. The rates did vary depending on the criteria I put in, but I was also surprised how much the rates varied from different insurers, assuming this tool is somewhat accurate.