California drivers face climbing car insurance premiums

Over the past year, Oakland grocery store manager Ananda Neil has received updates on his auto insurance policy with mounting dread. When his six-month, per-mile policy for his 2022 Hyundai Santa Fe renewed in October 2023, it edged up from $77.19 to $83.39 a month and 15.5 to 16.7 cents a mile. But in April, it leaped to $167.75 a month and 37 cents a mile.

And when it renewed again in October it climbed to $266.93 a month and almost 60 cents a mile.

“The few insurance companies...