State risk profile

California

AutoRiskIQ explains the location-level forces that influence auto insurance pressure across California. Scores are informational and focus on relative risk, not individual outcomes.

CA overview

Score status

32

/ 100

32/100
Composite
Lower
Trend Easing

Percentile-based relative to national average.

Updated 2025-12-30.

Risk scale

Relative risk pressure levels used across AutoRiskIQ.

Lower
Moderate
Elevated
High
Pending data

Risk readiness

Core risk signals for California

Accident & Exposure Risk

Crash frequency is below the national distribution. Fatality severity is below the national distribution. Traffic exposure is above the national distribution.

Lower33
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Weather & Environmental Risk

Severe weather exposure is below the national distribution based on FEMA hazard signals.

Lower2
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Cost & Repair Pressure

Repair cost levels are above the national distribution, with inflation pressure below the national distribution.

Elevated66
View risk detail

Claim Friction & Legal Context

Claim friction signals show complaint frequency is below the national distribution, complaint severity is below the national distribution, litigation environment is below the national distribution.

Lower7
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Theft & Fraud Exposure

Vehicle theft rates are above the national distribution.

Elevated70
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Market Structure Context

Market structure signals show rate filing activity is near the national midpoint, market concentration is below the national distribution.

Lower27
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Live traffic context

Active incident feeds in California

State DOT 511 feeds offer a near-term view of disruptions that can raise short-term claim and repair pressure.

Counts reflect active incidents reported by public traffic systems, not a full crash census.

Active incidents

86

Feeds monitored: 1. Source: State DOT 511 incident feeds + TomTom traffic incidents (third-party).

Updated recently

Top incident types

CHP Incident 260101ST02641
CHP Incident 260101ST02621
CHP Incident 260101RD01081
CHP Incident 260101RD01001

Risk spotlight

Theft & Fraud Exposure in California

We highlight the highest-pressure risk signal in California and show the public inputs that drive the score.

70

/ 100

70/100
Spotlight
Elevated
Trend Easing

Vehicle theft rates are above the national distribution.

Vehicle theft rate

Auto thefts per 100k vehicles with trend direction.

Sources: FBI UCR/NIBRS, NICB reports

Fraud environment

Fraud prevalence signal (low / medium / high).

Sources: NICB fraud reports, State DOI fraud unit summaries

Premium pressure context

How premiums compare with risk in California

This context index uses public NAIC average premium data to show how pricing pressure compares with the risk baseline. It is not a quote or a recommendation.

68

/ 100

68/100
Premium pressure
above risk baseline by 36 pts
NAIC 2023 average premium

Average combined premium: $1,417

Premium pressure sits above the current risk baseline, which can reflect market, regulatory, or timing effects.

Why this can happen

  • Rate adjustments can lag current loss experience and risk shifts.
  • Market structure and competition can push premiums above or below modeled risk.
  • Repair costs, litigation pressure, or catastrophe load can amplify pricing beyond baseline risk signals.

State context

Data-backed context for California

This section summarizes the strongest public signals behind the state score, highlights trend direction, and flags shifts in claim friction and repair pressure.

Leading signals

  • Theft & Fraud Exposure

    Vehicle theft rates are above the national distribution.

  • Cost & Repair Pressure

    Repair cost levels are above the national distribution, with inflation pressure below the national distribution.

  • Accident & Exposure Risk

    Crash frequency is below the national distribution. Fatality severity is below the national distribution. Traffic exposure is above the national distribution.