Choosing a car insurance provider can be challenging. If you're considering California State Automobile Association (CSAA), reviewing its rates can help you determine if it's the right fit. CSAA is a AAA-affiliated insurer that provides a range of personal insurance products, such as car insurance. We recommend collecting quotes from several providers to ensure you're getting the best value and saving money on your car insurance.
CSAA car insurance pricing per month
CSAA charges an average of $170 per month for full-coverage car insurance. Drivers choosing minimum liability-only coverage pay an average of $130.
Keep in mind these are average figures. Your actual rate will depend on factors like age, location, credit score, and driving history. While your individual rate with CSAA may be different, these averages provide a useful benchmark when evaluating providers.
| CSAA average monthly cost | National average monthly cost | |
| Full coverage | $170 | $186 |
| Liability-only | $130 | $104 |
CSAA's rates versus other car insurance providers
Each company has its own approach to evaluating risk and applying discounts, which affects pricing. Comparing quotes will show you how CSAA's rates match up for your particular circumstances.
| Provider | Average monthly full coverage cost | Average monthly liability-only cost |
| State Farm | $115 | $58 |
| Progressive | $182 | $106 |
| GEICO | $146 | $95 |
| Allstate | $146 | $77 |
| USAA | $104 | $54 |
CSAA's rates by age
Age significantly impacts CSAA's pricing, as it does with most insurers. Car insurance for teen drivers carries the highest cost, with full-coverage premiums averaging $267 per month.
Rates decline as you move into your 20s, with CSAA averaging $200. Costs fall further through your 30s to an average of $178 and into your 40s at $175.
The lowest rates typically go to drivers in their 50s and 60s, with monthly averages of $156 and $119, respectively.
Rates may climb again once you reach your 70s, averaging about $123 per month. This pattern demonstrates how insurers evaluate risk across different life stages.
| Age group | CSAA average monthly full coverage cost | National average monthly cost |
| Teens | $267 | $360 |
| 20s | $200 | $243 |
| 30s | $178 | $199 |
| 40s | $175 | $191 |
| 50s | $156 | $177 |
| 60s | $119 | $159 |
| 70s | $123 | $163 |
CSAA's rates for high-risk drivers
Drivers with traffic violations or accidents on their record typically face higher rates with CSAA. High-risk drivers with a speeding ticket pay around $216 per month on average. An at-fault accident raises the average monthly rate to approximately $254.
DUI convictions result in particularly high premiums, with monthly costs averaging $248. These numbers reflect standard pricing for high-risk profiles, though your actual rate will vary based on when the incident occurred and other factors that influence your premium.
| Driving record | CSAA average monthly full coverage cost | National average monthly cost |
| Accident | $254 | $247 |
| Speeding ticket | $216 | $238 |
| DUI | $248 | $272 |
How does your credit score affect your rate with CSAA?
Most states allow insurers to factor credit scores into rate calculations. The exceptions are California, Hawaii, Massachusetts, and Michigan.
Where credit matters, CSAA prices policies according to your credit tier. Excellent credit earns the lowest rates at $141 per month on average. Good credit results in slightly higher premiums of about $163.
Drivers with average credit pay around $177 monthly, while poor credit raises average costs to $194 per month.
These figures show how much credit can affect your premium, though your final rate depends on your complete risk profile.
| Credit score | CSAA average monthly cost of full coverage | National average monthly cost |
| Excellent | $141 | $164 |
| Good | $163 | $179 |
| Average | $177 | $194 |
| Poor | $194 | $227 |
FAQs
Why are CSAA insurance premiums typically higher than other carriers?
CSAA operates primarily in California's San Francisco Bay Area, one of the country's most congested and expensive auto claims markets with heavy traffic and higher litigation costs. While CSAA earned above-average claims satisfaction scores from J.D. Power, serving this challenging market with quality customer service could result in premiums that might be higher than some national competitors. However, individual rates vary significantly based on your driving record, location, and profile.
Do I need a AAA membership to purchase CSAA insurance?
Yes, CSAA insurance requires an active AAA membership to qualify for coverage in most states. The AAA membership comes with additional benefits beyond insurance, including 24/7 roadside assistance, travel planning services, discounts at retailers and gas stations, and identity theft monitoring. While the membership adds an upfront cost, many CSAA policyholders find value in these combined services, and you could potentially offset the membership fee through various insurance discounts available to AAA members.
What unique coverage options does CSAA offer that other insurers might not?
CSAA provides several specialized coverage options tailored to AAA members' needs, including gap insurance that pays the difference between your car's value and loan balance if totaled, new car replacement coverage for vehicles one to two years newer, and custom equipment coverage for aftermarket modifications like stereos or rims. CSAA also offers OEM exterior repair coverage ensuring original manufacturer parts for body repairs, rideshare insurance for Uber and Lyft drivers during periods between rides, and access to the AAADrive telematics program that could reduce premiums by up to 30% for safe driving habits.
Bottom line
Wondering if CSAA is the right car insurance company for your needs? Request quotes from CSAA and other insurers, then compare them on both price and service quality.
Data throughout provided by Insurify.
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