- State Farm and Geico are the best car insurance companies in California, both earning a 4.4 out of 5 Reviews.com score.
- The cheapest minimum coverage comes from CSAA Insurance Group with $523 average premiums.
- The best car insurance companies in California offer plenty of discounts, have high customer satisfaction ratings, and are financially strong.
Looking for the best car insurance rates that California has to offer? As an at-fault state, it is important to find the best car insurance in California. With the average cost of car insurance in California at $1,974 for full coverage and $611 for state minimums, finding the cheapest car insurance in the Golden State seems like a daunting task.
We reviewed the top auto insurance companies in California based on the following factors: average annual premiums, AM Best financial strength, J.D. Power customer satisfaction rating, coverage options, and available discounts. Our analysis reveals that CSAA Insurance Group has the lowest average premiums, while Wawanesa is home to the best customer satisfaction ratings.
The 6 Best Auto Insurance Companies in California
- State Farm: Best California Car Insurance for Safe Drivers
- Geico: Best California Car Insurance for Discounts
- Farmers: Best California Car Insurance for Coverage Add-ons
- Wawanesa: Best California Car Insurance for Customer Satisfaction
- CSAA Insurance: Best California Car Insurance for Low Premiums
- Mercury: Best California Car Insurance for No-frills Coverage
Compare the Best Car Insurance Companies in California
| State Minimum Annual Premium* | Full Coverage Annual Premium* | Reviews.com Score Score is based on company’s customer experience, financial stability, and coverage options. | AM Best Financial Strength AM Best rates insurance providers creditworthiness. Ratings are based on the provider’s ability to follow through with a payout when a consumer files a claim. | J.D. Power Customer Satisfaction** J.D. Power scores are based on surveys for customer satisfaction and product quality. | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Pin State Farm | $867.46 | $2,808.44 | 4.4 | A++ | 818 | |
| Pin Geico | $629.40 | $2,366.08 | 4.4 | A++ | 830 | |
| Pin Farmers | $1,108.29 | $3,048.29 | 4 | A- | 811 | |
| Pin Wawanesa | $846.40 | $2,349.85 | 3.6 | A+ | 853 | |
| Pin CSAA Ins. Group | $523.51 | $2,326.42 | 3.5 | A | 807 | |
| Pin Mercury | $679.68 | $2,086.27 | 3.6 | A | 816 |
Information accurate as of July 2021
* Data provided by Coverage.com
**J.D. Power 2021 Auto Insurance Satisfaction Study for the California region. Based on a 1,000-point scale.
Best for Safe Drivers
Why we chose it
Why we chose it
Pros
- Strong financial rating
- Impressive claims satisfaction record
- Multiple discounts
Cons
- Limited add-on coverage
- Drivers with record may have limited discounts available
- Higher premiums than competitors
Add-on Coverage
- Rental car and travel expenses
- Roadside assistance
- Rideshare driver
Discounts Available
- Policy bundling
- Accident free
- Driving course
- Good driver
- Vehicle safety
- Anti-theft device
More State Farm Insurance Reviews
Best for Discounts
Why we chose it
Why we chose it
Pros
- Lower premiums than competitors
- Wide variety of discounts
- Strong financial ratings
Cons
- Limited coverage add-ons
- No dedicated agents
- No accident forgiveness coverage
Add-on Coverage
- Personal injury protection
- Roadside assistance
- Rental car reimbursement
- Mechanical breakdown
Discounts Available
- Vehicle safety features
- New vehicle
- Good student
- Emergency deployment
- Federal employee
- Employee membership
More Geico Insurance Reviews
Best for Coverage Add-ons
Why we chose it
Why we chose it
Pros
- Extensive coverage options
- Local California car insurance agents
- Accident forgiveness available
Cons
- No gap insurance
- Higher premiums than competitors
- Six-month policies
- Average customer satisfaction
Add-on Coverage
- Glass deductible buyback
- New car replacement
- Spare parts coverage
- OEM coverage
- Full windshield and glass
- Rideshare
- Loss of use
- Customized equipment
- Rental car reimbursement
- Roadside assistance
Discounts Available
- Older cars
- Claims-free
- Raising deductible
- Ask for local discounts
More Farmers Insurance Reviews
Best for Customer Satisfaction
Why we chose it
Why we chose it
Pros
- Online quotes available
- 24/7 claims submission online
- Average premiums
Cons
- Limited discounts available
- Limited coverage add-ons
- Lower maximum liability limits compare to others
Add-on Coverage
- Roadside assistance
- Rental reimbursement
- Uninsured/underinsured motorist
- Vehicle manufacturer replacement parts
Discounts Available
- Good driver
- Multi-car
- Mature driver improvement course
- Loyalty
Best for Low Premiums
Why we chose it
Why we chose it
Pros
- Low premiums compared to competitors
- Local AAA representatives
- Quick claims process
Cons
- Average customer satisfaction ratings
- AAA membership required
- Lower financial ratings than competitors
Add-on Coverage
- Replacement cost coverage
- Rental car reimbursement
- Gap insurance
- Medical payments
- Rideshare insurance
Discounts Available
Policy bundling
Best for Basic Coverage
Why we chose it
Why we chose it
Pros
- Local agents in California
- Bundling discount available
- RealDrive mileage tracking available
Cons
- Customer satisfaction below average
- Limited supplemental coverage
- Large amount of customer complaints
Add-on Coverage
- Rental car coverage
- Rideshare
- Roadside assistance
Discounts Available
- Anti-theft
- Autopay
- E-signatures
- Good driver
- Good student
- Multi-car
- Multi-policy
- Pay in full
- RealDrive
More Mercury Insurance Reviews
* Data provided by Coverage.com
**J.D. Power 2021 Auto Insurance Satisfaction Study for the California region. Based on a 1,000-point scale.
The Average Cost of Car Insurance in California
The average cost of auto insurance in California is slightly higher than the national average. State minimum liability coverage has an average cost of $611, while full coverage will cost an average of $1,974. According to the Insurance Information Institute, California has more uninsured drivers than most other states. There are also a number of cities with a large population of drivers. These are just a few factors that explain why California auto insurance is generally more expensive than other states.
Each driver’s cost of car insurance in California may vary though, as there are a number of different factors unique to everyone. ZIP code, age, car make and model, driving history, and primary use of the vehicle. New drivers are also likely to be subject to higher premiums.
Top 3 Cheapest Car Insurance Companies in California
| Company | Average Annual Premium |
| CSAA | $524 |
| Geico | $629 |
| Mercury Insurance | $680 |
* Data provided by Coverage.com, price based on the state minimum required policy.
Top 3 Most Expensive Car Insurance Companies in California
| Company | Average Annual Premium |
| Allstate | $1,142 |
| 21st Century Insurance | $1,123 |
| Mid Century Insurance | $1,108 |
* Data provided by Coverage.com, price based on the state minimum required policy.
Top 3 Cheapest Cities for Car Insurance in California
| City | Average Annual Premium* |
| Calexico | $591 |
| Crescent City | $596 |
| McKinleyville | $599 |
* Data provided by Coverage.com, price based on the state minimum required policy.
Top 3 Most Expensive Cities for Car Insurance in California
| City | Average Annual Premium* |
| Beverly Hills | $1,406 |
| Tarzana | $1,349 |
| West Hollywood | $1,324 |
* Data provided by Coverage.com, price based on the state minimum required policy.
California Car Insurance: What You Need to Know
There are a lot of cars on the road in California, but the state has a range of traffic safety laws that have lessened traffic fatalities. For instance, minors may not drive between 11:00 p.m. and 5:00 a.m. for the first year of being licensed.
- In 2015, California had 26.3 million insured private passenger cars, which is the highest in the nation.
- The state’s traffic fatalities decreased by more than 5% between 2018 and 2019.
- Deaths per 100,000 population are just 9 in California, compared to 25.4 in Wyoming — a state with a significantly less population.
Insurance requirements vary by state. California is an at-fault state, meaning drivers are responsible for coverage to financially protect themselves in the case of a driving incident.
The minimum liability required in the state of California is divided as follows:
- $15,000 bodily injury/death coverage to one person.
- $30,000 bodily injury/death coverage per accident.
- $5,000 for property damage.
California’s At-Fault Law
As an at-fault state, the driver who is responsible for an accident is required to provide financial compensation for any damages inflicted on victims. If there is more than one driver found at fault, then the reimbursement for damages is split among them in percentages. California does require minimum liability insurance to ensure adequate coverage in the event of a collision.
Additional Car Insurance Coverage in California
While every driver in California must carry the minimum 15/30/5 insurance limits, it’s recommended to carry additional car insurance coverage or higher limits to protect the vehicle and assets in the case of an accident.
- Uninsured/underinsured motorist coverage: If the other driver is at fault but doesn’t have any or enough California auto insurance, the driver is still protected.
- Medical payments: This pays medical bills for passengers within the driver’s vehicle, regardless of who is at fault.
- Comprehensive: Comprehensive car insurance — also known as full-coverage car insurance — covers all incidents not related to a car crash, including hitting animals, colliding with property, vandalism, and acts of nature.
- Towing and road service: California is ranked as having some of the worst roads in the country, so towing service offers protection in case of a flat tire or other issues.
California Car Insurance FAQ
Methodology
Reviews.com scores products, services and companies using five quantifiable criteria to help readers choose the best one for them. For the best car insurance in California, our editorial team compared affordability, customer support, coverage options, customer satisfaction scores and online resources from each company and averaged the scores to produce our very own Reviews.com score. These scores were created with our readers in mind and are meant to be a helpful tool to simplify the process of choosing which car insurance company is best for you.
As for average pricing, we used Coverage.com’s data of car insurance in California, based on the profiles of a 30-year male and female. For full coverage, the details used were the following:
- $100k bodily injury liability per person
- $300k bodily injury liability coverage per crash
- $100k property damage liability coverage per crash
- $500 collision coverage deductible
- $500 comprehensive coverage deductible
Minimum coverages were applied to match state requirements. Both drivers used a new, financed 2018 Toyota Camry, commuting five days a week and driving 12,000 miles per year. Since auto insurance rates vary widely among different profiles, we encourage you to compare options that fit your specific needs.
About the Authors
Lauren Ward is a personal finance writer who regularly covers consumer insurance products. Her work has appeared in a variety of online publications, including Bankrate and The Simple Dollar. She graduated from Georgetown University with a BA in Japanese.
