The Golden State is one of the best places to ride a motorcycle. It’s the most populous state but also the third largest, and most of California has a mild, Mediterranean climate so riders can take their bike out year-round. To see what cities have the best motorcycle insurance rates in the California, we gathered motorcycle insurance quotes from five major carriers for a 45-year-old male rider. The policy quoted included bodily injury protection of $100,000 per person/$300,000 per accident and $50,000 in property damage coverage. Our study showed the most expensive place for the sample policy was 67% higher than the cheapest in California.
- Cheapest Motorcycle Insurance Companies
- Best Motorcycle Insurance Rates: By City
- Average Cost of Motorcycle Insurance: By City
- Study Methodology
Cheapest Motorcycle Insurance In California
GEICO had the best motorcycle insurance rates for our sample rider and policy out of the five companies we gathered quotes from. The average annual rate for the sample rider and policy was $459, well below the California average of $665. Markel and Progressive also had relatively inexpensive rates for insuring our sample rider's motorcycle. The averages for each across the state of California were $511 and $584, respectively. Although its rate was higher than the California average, quotes for the sample policy and rider from Esurance were only slightly more, at $687. Dairyland had the most expensive annual rates in our study, by far. With the average rate for our sample policy and rider of $1,081 Dairyland's quote was more than 2.3x GEICO's quote.
*The Average Annual Rate is rounded to the nearest whole dollar amount.
Best Motorcycle Insurance Rates In California: By City
The cities with the cheapest motorcycle insurance rates in California are relatively scattered across the state. Although, none of the five most affordable cities listed below are in any major cities. All of them are located outside large municipalities or a large distance from them entirely. The city in California with the lowest motorcycle insurance rates was Sutter Creek, where quotes were 11.2% lower than the state average.
| Rank | City | Average Annual Rate | Difference vs State Average |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Sutter Creek | $590 | -11.2% |
| 2 | Antelope | 596 | -10.4% |
| 3 | Arcata | 597 | -10.2% |
| 4 | Arroyo Grande | 597 | -10.2% |
| 5 | Atascadero | 597 | -10.2% |
*The Average Annual Rate is rounded to the nearest whole dollar amount.
Sutter Creek, CA
The city with the best motorcycle insurance rates in California is Sutter Creek. The city is 45 miles west of Sacramento and has a population of about 2,500 residents. It was settled as a lumber town in the mid-19th century and soon after attracted miners in search of gold. Today, it maintains the appearance of a mining town but has numerous restaurants, shops and unique lodging that attracts visitors. The sample motorcycle policy was the cheapest here compared to any other place in California, with rates 11.2% lower than the state average for our study.
Antelope, CA
Antelope is a census-designated place and suburb of Sacramento. It’s only 15 miles northeast of downtown Sacramento and has more than 45,000 residents. In 1973, a railcar loaded with aircraft bombs exploded as it passed through the adjacent Roseville, destroying much of Antelope. Today, the city has mostly single-family homes and apartments, as well as some of the least expensive motorcycle insurance rates in California. Quotes in Antelope were 10.4% lower than the state average.
Arcata, CA
The city of Arcata is adjacent of Arcata Bay on the west coast of northern California. It is a college town and home to Humboldt State University and a population of about 17,500 residents. Arcata also is known for it’s annual Kinetic Sculpture Race. Motorcycle insurance premiums in Arcata are some of the lowest in the state. Our profiled driver's policy premiums were 10.2% lower than the California.
Arroyo Grande, CA
Arroyo Grande is just inland of Grover Beach and about 17 miles north of Santa Maria, California. It has a walkable downtown that was established in 1911 and offers plenty of traditional Golden Coast activities such as dining, wine, hiking and other outdoor pursuits. Motorcycle insurance in Arroyo Grande is some of the most affordable in the state of California. Our study found quotes for the sample policy were 10.2% lower than the state average.
Atascadero, CA
Equidistant from San Francisco and Los Angeles, Atascadero is a great place to have a motorcycle. The city of about 30,000 residents has unique lodging, a historic city hall, world-class wineries and breweries and outdoor pursuits. Some of the best rates for insuring a motorcycle in California can be found in Atascadero. Quotes for the sample policy were 10.2 % lower than the state average.
Most Expensive Motorcycle Insurance in California
Unlike the five cheapest cities for motorcycle insurance in California, which are scattered around the state, a number of the places with the highest rates are very close to each other. Hawthorne, Santa Monica, Culver City and Gardena are all cities within southeast Los Angeles County. The city with the most expensive premiums was Hawthorne, where quotes from the major carriers were 48.3% higher than the state average.
| Rank | City | Average Annual Rate | Difference vs State Average |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Hawthorne | $986 | 48.3% |
| 2 | Santa Monica | 981 | 47.5% |
| 3 | San Francisco | 979 | 47.2% |
| 4 | Culver City | 964 | 44.9% |
| 5 | Gardena | 964 | 44.9% |
*The Average Annual Rate is rounded to the nearest whole dollar amount.
Hawthorne, CA
The place with the most expensive renters insurance in California is the city of Hawthorne. Hawthorne is located between Inglewood and Gardena, near the Los Angeles International Airport. It has more than 87,000 residents within the six-square-mile city limits. The Beach Boys, NBA basketball player Russell Westbrook and many other notable personalities are from Hawthorne. Motorcycle insurance rates in the city were the highest in California, according to our study. Quotes for the sample policy were 48.3% higher in Hawthorne than the state average.
Santa Monica, CA
This beachfront city west of Los Angeles is known as an enclave for the wealthy - much of the city is single-family homes. However, it also have become a tourist destination, especially because of its waterfront, which includes the Santa Monica Pier. The city has more than 92,000 residents and some of the least affordable motorcycle insurance rates in the state. Premiums quoted for the study sample policy were 47.5% higher than the California average.
San Francisco, CA
A consolidated city-county with more than 850,000 residents, San Francisco is one of the largest and a bustling city in the U.S. It is known for its cultural and economic diversity as well as political activeness. Among many other things, the city’s parks, the Golden Gate Bridge and the Bay bridge attract many tourists. Motorcycle insurance in San Francisco is some of the most expensive in California. Quotes for our study’s sample policy were 47.2% higher than the state average.
Culver City, CA
Named after Harry Culver, a prominent 20th-century real estate developer, Culver City has more than 35,000 residents and has had a significant history tied to the motion picture industry and aircraft. Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer (MGM) Studios, National Public Radio West, Sony Pictures Entertainment and the NFL Network are all based in Culver City. It also was home to Hughes Aircraft company, the aerospace and defense contract started by Howard Hughes. Motorcycle insurance in Culver city is not cheap. At 44.9% higher than the California average, it has some of the most expensive rates in the state.
Gardena, CA
Gardena is a city in Los Angeles County with a population of more than 60,000 residents. From 1936 to 1980, the city allowed legal card rooms, and the taxes from them accounted for nearly a third of its annual budget. Today, it hosts an annual jazz festival that is well attended. It also has some of the most expensive motorcycle insurance rates in the state. Our study gathered quotes for the sample policy in Gardena that were 44.9% higher than the state average.
Average Motorcycle Insurance Rates In California: By City
This comparative study of motorcycle insurance premiums in California was done by gathering and analyzing quotes from five major carriers across 302 cities in the Golden State. Our analysis showed premiums quoted for the most expensive place were 67% higher than the cheapest. The average cost for this study's profiled motorcycle rider was $665.
*The Average Annual Rate is rounded to the nearest whole dollar amount.
Study Methodology
Our study analyzed motorcycle insurance quotes for a sample policy and rider across 302 municipalities and census-designated places in the state of California. The quotes we gathered were from five major carriers - Progressive, GEICO, Esurance, Dairyland and Markel. The rider we gathered quotes for was a married 45-year-old male. Not only has he completed a motorcycle training course, but he also had a clean driving record. The policy itself included bodily injury protection $100,000 per person/$300,000 per accident and $50,000 in property damage coverage. The deductibles for both Comprehensive and Collision coverage were $500.
The motorcycle used when gathering quotes was a Harley Davidson Street Glide (1690cc) with no anti-theft device installed.
| Rank | City | Average Annual Rate | Difference vs State Average |
|---|---|---|---|
| 263 | Agoura Hills | $710 | 6.8% |
| 259 | Alameda | 696 | 4.7% |
| 283 | Alhambra | 849 | 27.7% |
| 194 | Alpine | 669 | 0.6% |
| 120 | Alturas | 654 | -1.6% |
| 58 | American Canyon | 607 | -8.8% |
| 2 | Antelope | 596 | -10.4% |
| 195 | Antioch | 669 | 0.6% |
| 173 | Apple Valley | 664 | -0.2% |
| 3 | Arcata | 597 | -10.2% |
| 4 | Arroyo Grande | 597 | -10.2% |
| 5 | Atascadero | 597 | -10.2% |
| 41 | Auburn | 603 | -9.4% |
| 269 | Avalon | 718 | 7.9% |
| 59 | Bakersfield | 607 | -8.8% |
| 86 | Banning | 612 | -7.9% |
| 196 | Barstow | 669 | 0.6% |
| 251 | Bay Point | 680 | 2.3% |
| 245 | Benicia | 678 | 1.9% |
| 288 | Berkeley | 883 | 32.7% |
| 289 | Beverly Hills | 894 | 34.4% |
| 174 | Big Bear Lake | 664 | -0.2% |
| 60 | Bishop | 607 | -8.8% |
| 61 | Blythe | 607 | -8.8% |
| 87 | Bodega Bay | 612 | -7.9% |
| 252 | Brentwood | 680 | 2.3% |
| 248 | Burbank | 679 | 2.1% |
| 138 | Burney | 659 | -0.8% |
| California Average | 665 | 0.0% | |
| 175 | California City | 664 | -0.2% |
| 62 | Calistoga | 607 | -8.8% |
| 63 | Camarillo | 607 | -8.8% |
| 42 | Cambria | 603 | -9.4% |
| 197 | Campbell | 669 | 0.6% |
| 176 | Carmel | 664 | -0.2% |
| 121 | Carmichael | 654 | -1.6% |
| 64 | Carpinteria | 607 | -8.8% |
| 113 | Ceres | 630 | -5.3% |
| 290 | Cerritos | 894 | 34.4% |
| 122 | Chico | 654 | -1.6% |
| 88 | Chowchilla | 612 | -7.9% |
| 177 | Chula Vista | 664 | -0.2% |
| 253 | Citrus Heights | 680 | 2.3% |
| 246 | Claremont | 678 | 1.9% |
| 178 | Clearlake | 664 | -0.2% |
| 65 | Cloverdale | 607 | -8.8% |
| 179 | Clovis | 664 | -0.2% |
| 43 | Colfax | 603 | -9.4% |
| 256 | Colusa | 687 | 3.3% |
| 291 | Compton | 894 | 34.4% |
| 139 | Corning | 659 | -0.8% |
| 278 | Coronado | 818 | 23.1% |
| 89 | Costa Mesa | 612 | -7.9% |
| 140 | Crescent City | 659 | -0.8% |
| 180 | Crestline | 664 | -0.2% |
| 298 | Culver City | 964 | 44.9% |
| 198 | Cupertino | 669 | 0.6% |
| 199 | Dana Point | 669 | 0.6% |
| 181 | Danville | 664 | -0.2% |
| 44 | Davis | 603 | -9.4% |
| 123 | Del Mar | 654 | -1.6% |
| 272 | Dixon | 723 | 8.7% |
| 118 | Downey | 652 | -1.9% |
| 141 | Downieville | 659 | -0.8% |
| 124 | El Cajon | 654 | -1.6% |
| 66 | El Centro | 607 | -8.8% |
| 107 | El Dorado Hills | 620 | -6.8% |
| 285 | El Monte | 854 | 28.4% |
| 266 | El Segundo | 712 | 7.1% |
| 142 | Elk Grove | 659 | -0.8% |
| 241 | Encinitas | 671 | 0.9% |
| 192 | Escalon | 668 | 0.5% |
| 125 | Escondido | 654 | -1.6% |
| 6 | Eureka | 597 | -10.2% |
| 7 | Exeter | 597 | -10.2% |
| 247 | Fairfield | 678 | 1.9% |
| 143 | Fall River Mills | 659 | -0.8% |
| 126 | Fallbrook | 654 | -1.6% |
| 8 | Ferndale | 597 | -10.2% |
| 67 | Fillmore | 607 | -8.8% |
| 90 | Folsom | 612 | -7.9% |
| 200 | Fontana | 669 | 0.6% |
| 182 | Fort Bragg | 664 | -0.2% |
| 45 | Fortuna | 603 | -9.4% |
| 144 | Frazier Park | 659 | -0.8% |
| 201 | Fremont | 669 | 0.6% |
| 202 | Fresno | 669 | 0.6% |
| 68 | Fullerton | 607 | -8.8% |
| 9 | Galt | 597 | -10.2% |
| 136 | Garberville | 657 | -1.1% |
| 299 | Gardena | 964 | 44.9% |
| 260 | Gilroy | 696 | 4.7% |
| 294 | Glendale | 921 | 38.5% |
| 145 | Gold River | 659 | -0.8% |
| 146 | Gonzales | 659 | -0.8% |
| 147 | Grass Valley | 659 | -0.8% |
| 148 | Greenfield | 659 | -0.8% |
| 149 | Gridley | 659 | -0.8% |
| 183 | Gualala | 664 | -0.2% |
| 69 | Half Moon Bay | 607 | -8.8% |
| 137 | Hanford | 657 | -1.1% |
| 302 | Hawthorne | 986 | 48.3% |
| 91 | Healdsburg | 612 | -7.9% |
| 254 | Hemet | 680 | 2.3% |
| 270 | Hermosa Beach | 718 | 7.9% |
| 203 | Hesperia | 669 | 0.6% |
| 92 | Highland | 612 | -7.9% |
| 70 | Hollister | 607 | -8.8% |
| 93 | Holtville | 612 | -7.9% |
| 94 | Huntington Beach | 612 | -7.9% |
| 95 | Idyllwild | 612 | -7.9% |
| 281 | Imperial Beach | 828 | 24.5% |
| 190 | Indio | 667 | 0.3% |
| 296 | Inglewood | 960 | 44.3% |
| 46 | Jackson | 603 | -9.4% |
| 150 | Julian | 659 | -0.8% |
| 127 | King City | 654 | -1.6% |
| 184 | Kingsburg | 664 | -0.2% |
| 117 | La Canada Flintridge | 651 | -2.2% |
| 151 | La Jolla | 659 | -0.8% |
| 204 | La Mesa | 669 | 0.6% |
| 96 | La Quinta | 612 | -7.9% |
| 205 | Laguna Beach | 669 | 0.6% |
| 206 | Lake Arrowhead | 669 | 0.6% |
| 152 | Lake Isabella | 659 | -0.8% |
| 267 | Lawndale | 712 | 7.1% |
| 105 | Lincoln | 614 | -7.7% |
| 193 | Linden | 668 | 0.5% |
| 255 | Livermore | 680 | 2.3% |
| 170 | Lodi | 663 | -0.3% |
| 10 | Lompoc | 597 | -10.2% |
| 293 | Long Beach | 920 | 38.3% |
| 47 | Loomis | 603 | -9.4% |
| 273 | Los Altos | 724 | 8.9% |
| 297 | Los Angeles | 960 | 44.3% |
| 97 | Los Banos | 612 | -7.9% |
| 207 | Los Gatos | 669 | 0.6% |
| 128 | Loyalton | 654 | -1.6% |
| 109 | Madera | 623 | -6.3% |
| 268 | Malibu | 712 | 7.1% |
| 110 | Mammoth Lakes | 623 | -6.3% |
| 275 | Manhattan Beach | 729 | 9.6% |
| 277 | Manteca | 773 | 16.2% |
| 295 | Marina Del Rey | 958 | 44.1% |
| 48 | Mariposa | 603 | -9.4% |
| 208 | Martinez | 669 | 0.6% |
| 129 | Marysville | 654 | -1.6% |
| 49 | McKinleyville | 603 | -9.4% |
| 185 | Mendocino | 664 | -0.2% |
| 71 | Menlo Park | 607 | -8.8% |
| 11 | Merced | 597 | -10.2% |
| 50 | Mill Valley | 603 | -9.4% |
| 186 | Milpitas | 664 | -0.2% |
| 12 | Modesto | 597 | -10.2% |
| 51 | Montecito | 603 | -9.4% |
| 243 | Monterey | 677 | 1.8% |
| 98 | Moorpark | 612 | -7.9% |
| 209 | Moraga | 669 | 0.6% |
| 187 | Morgan Hill | 664 | -0.2% |
| 52 | Morro Bay | 603 | -9.4% |
| 153 | Mount Shasta | 659 | -0.8% |
| 188 | Mountain View | 664 | -0.2% |
| 99 | Napa | 612 | -7.9% |
| 210 | Needles | 669 | 0.6% |
| 130 | Nevada City | 654 | -1.6% |
| 106 | Newman | 614 | -7.7% |
| 72 | Newport Beach | 607 | -8.8% |
| 13 | Nipomo | 597 | -10.2% |
| 14 | Novato | 597 | -10.2% |
| 15 | Oakdale | 597 | -10.2% |
| 116 | Oakhurst | 649 | -2.4% |
| 282 | Oakland | 828 | 24.5% |
| 211 | Oakley | 669 | 0.6% |
| 131 | Oceanside | 654 | -1.6% |
| 100 | Ojai | 612 | -7.9% |
| 244 | Ontario | 677 | 1.8% |
| 73 | Orange Cove | 607 | -8.8% |
| 53 | Orangevale | 603 | -9.4% |
| 132 | Oroville | 654 | -1.6% |
| 191 | Oxnard | 667 | 0.3% |
| 284 | Pacific Palisades | 854 | 28.4% |
| 101 | Pacifica | 612 | -7.9% |
| 102 | Palm Springs | 612 | -7.9% |
| 212 | Palmdale | 669 | 0.6% |
| 154 | Palo Alto | 659 | -0.8% |
| 271 | Palos Verdes | 718 | 7.9% |
| 133 | Paradise | 654 | -1.6% |
| 114 | Paramount | 647 | -2.7% |
| 280 | Pasadena | 824 | 23.9% |
| 16 | Paso Robles | 597 | -10.2% |
| 108 | Patterson | 620 | -6.8% |
| 189 | Perris | 664 | -0.2% |
| 54 | Petaluma | 603 | -9.4% |
| 262 | Phelan | 706 | 6.2% |
| 279 | Piedmont | 823 | 23.7% |
| 17 | Pismo Beach | 597 | -10.2% |
| 213 | Pittsburg | 669 | 0.6% |
| 18 | Placerville | 597 | -10.2% |
| 214 | Pleasanton | 669 | 0.6% |
| 19 | Point Reyes Station | 597 | -10.2% |
| 20 | Porterville | 597 | -10.2% |
| 155 | Portola | 659 | -0.8% |
| 156 | Poway | 659 | -0.8% |
| 157 | Quincy | 659 | -0.8% |
| 158 | Ramona | 659 | -0.8% |
| 134 | Rancho Cordova | 654 | -1.6% |
| 215 | Rancho Cucamonga | 669 | 0.6% |
| 159 | Rancho Santa Fe | 659 | -0.8% |
| 160 | Red Bluff | 659 | -0.8% |
| 161 | Redding | 659 | -0.8% |
| 216 | Redlands | 669 | 0.6% |
| 74 | Reedley | 607 | -8.8% |
| 217 | Ridgecrest | 669 | 0.6% |
| 171 | Ripon | 663 | -0.3% |
| 21 | Riverbank | 597 | -10.2% |
| 218 | Riverside | 669 | 0.6% |
| 22 | Rocklin | 597 | -10.2% |
| 23 | Rohnert Park | 597 | -10.2% |
| 287 | Rosemead | 881 | 32.5% |
| 24 | Roseville | 597 | -10.2% |
| 75 | Rutherford | 607 | -8.8% |
| 25 | Sacramento | 597 | -10.2% |
| 76 | Saint Helena | 607 | -8.8% |
| 219 | Salinas | 669 | 0.6% |
| 26 | San Andreas | 597 | -10.2% |
| 27 | San Anselmo | 597 | -10.2% |
| 103 | San Bernardino | 612 | -7.9% |
| 220 | San Clemente | 669 | 0.6% |
| 286 | San Diego | 856 | 28.7% |
| 300 | San Francisco | 979 | 47.2% |
| 221 | San Jose | 669 | 0.6% |
| 222 | San Juan Capistrano | 669 | 0.6% |
| 28 | San Luis Obispo | 597 | -10.2% |
| 83 | San Marino | 608 | -8.6% |
| 104 | San Mateo | 612 | -7.9% |
| 29 | San Rafael | 597 | -10.2% |
| 223 | San Ramon | 669 | 0.6% |
| 77 | Sanger | 607 | -8.8% |
| 257 | Santa Ana | 689 | 3.6% |
| 30 | Santa Barbara | 597 | -10.2% |
| 264 | Santa Clarita | 710 | 6.8% |
| 224 | Santa Cruz | 669 | 0.6% |
| 31 | Santa Maria | 597 | -10.2% |
| 301 | Santa Monica | 981 | 47.5% |
| 78 | Santa Paula | 607 | -8.8% |
| 79 | Santa Rosa | 607 | -8.8% |
| 225 | Saratoga | 669 | 0.6% |
| 55 | Sausalito | 603 | -9.4% |
| 226 | Scotts Valley | 669 | 0.6% |
| 119 | Seal Beach | 652 | -1.9% |
| 80 | Sebastopol | 607 | -8.8% |
| 81 | Selma | 607 | -8.8% |
| 162 | Shafter | 659 | -0.8% |
| 227 | Simi Valley | 669 | 0.6% |
| 163 | Solana Beach | 659 | -0.8% |
| 228 | Soledad | 669 | 0.6% |
| 56 | Solvang | 603 | -9.4% |
| 82 | Sonoma | 607 | -8.8% |
| 32 | Sonora | 597 | -10.2% |
| 135 | South Lake Tahoe | 654 | -1.6% |
| 249 | Stockton | 679 | 2.2% |
| 229 | Sunnyvale | 669 | 0.6% |
| 164 | Susanville | 659 | -0.8% |
| 1 | Sutter Creek | 590 | -11.2% |
| 165 | Taft | 659 | -0.8% |
| 115 | Tahoe City | 647 | -2.7% |
| 230 | Tehachapi | 669 | 0.6% |
| 231 | Temecula | 669 | 0.6% |
| 265 | Thousand Oaks | 710 | 6.8% |
| 33 | Tiburon | 597 | -10.2% |
| 276 | Topanga | 729 | 9.6% |
| 274 | Torrance | 728 | 9.4% |
| 250 | Tracy | 679 | 2.2% |
| 240 | Truckee | 670 | 0.7% |
| 84 | Tujunga | 608 | -8.6% |
| 34 | Tulare | 597 | -10.2% |
| 35 | Turlock | 597 | -10.2% |
| 232 | Twentynine Palms | 669 | 0.6% |
| 233 | Ukiah | 669 | 0.6% |
| 172 | Vacaville | 663 | -0.3% |
| 258 | Vallejo | 689 | 3.6% |
| 261 | Valley Center | 697 | 4.8% |
| 36 | Valley Springs | 597 | -10.2% |
| 112 | Ventura | 627 | -5.7% |
| 234 | Victorville | 669 | 0.6% |
| 37 | Visalia | 597 | -10.2% |
| 235 | Walnut Creek | 669 | 0.6% |
| 236 | Watsonville | 669 | 0.6% |
| 166 | Weaverville | 659 | -0.8% |
| 242 | West Covina | 672 | 1.1% |
| 38 | West Sacramento | 597 | -10.2% |
| 111 | Westminster | 623 | -6.3% |
| 85 | Whittier | 608 | -8.6% |
| 167 | Williams | 659 | -0.8% |
| 237 | Willits | 669 | 0.6% |
| 168 | Willows | 659 | -0.8% |
| 57 | Windsor | 605 | -9.0% |
| 39 | Winters | 597 | -10.2% |
| 40 | Woodland | 597 | -10.2% |
| 292 | Woodland Hills | 906 | 36.3% |
| 169 | Yreka | 659 | -0.8% |
| 238 | Yucaipa | 669 | 0.6% |
| 239 | Yucca Valley | 669 | 0.6% |
*The Average Annual Rate is rounded to the nearest whole dollar amount.