California is one of the most populated states in the country, so it may cost you more to insure your car when there are so many other drivers on the road. With the cost of car insurance in California averaging $2,190 per year for full coverage and $619 for minimum coverage, it is much more than the national annual average of $1,771 for full coverage and $545 for minimum coverage, according to 2022 data from Bankrate.com.
To find the best California car insurance, we consider more than just price. We also analyze critical rate factors, such as available coverage, discounts, customer satisfaction, and financial strength. Based on these factors and more, we chose these carriers as the best for California auto insurance.
The 4 Best Auto Insurance Companies in California
- State Farm: Best California Car Insurance for Online Experience
- Geico: Best California Car Insurance for Discounts
- Farmers: Best California Car Insurance for Coverage Add-ons
- Wawanesa: Best California Car Insurance for Customer Satisfaction
Compare the Best Car Insurance Companies in California
| Average Annual Minimum Coverage Premium* | Average Annual Full Coverage Premium* | AM Best 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** J.D. Power scores are based on surveys for customer satisfaction and product quality. | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Pin State Farm | $510 | $2,069 | A++ | 817 | |
| Pin Geico | $400 | $1,721 | A++ | 824 | |
| Pin Farmers | $798 | $2,501 | A | 809 | |
| Pin Wawanesa | $574 | $1,562 | A | 879 |
Information accurate as of October 2022
* Premium data provided by Bankrate.com
**J.D. Power 2022 Auto Insurance Satisfaction Study for the California region. Based on a 1,000-point scale.
Best for Online Experience
Why we chose it
Why we chose it
Pros
- Strong financial rating
- Impressive claims satisfaction record
- Easy-to-use website
Cons
- Limited add-on coverage
- Drivers with incidents may have limited discounts available
- Higher premiums than some competitors
TYPES OF POLICIES OFFERED
- Homeowners
- Life
- Business owners
- Rental
Discounts Available
- Policy bundling
- Accident-free
- Driving course
- Good driver
- Vehicle safety
- Anti-theft device
Best for Discounts
Why we chose it
Why we chose it
Pros
- Lower premiums than many competitors
- Wide variety of discounts
- Strong financial ratings
Cons
- Limited coverage add-ons
- Uses third parties for some other product lines
- No gap insurance offered
TYPES OF POLICIES OFFERED
- Motorcycle/ATV
- Renters
- Mobile home
- Boat
Discounts Available
- Vehicle safety features
- New vehicle
- Good driver
- Policy bundling
- Multi-vehicle
- Good student
- Emergency deployment
- Federal employee
- Employee membership
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
TYPES OF POLICIES OFFERED
- Condo
- Homeowners
- Landlord
- Collectible auto
Discounts Available
- Older cars
- Policy bundling
- Claims-free
- Raising deductible
- Ask for local discounts
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
TYPES OF POLICIES OFFERED
- Renters
- Homeowners
- Condo
- Pet
Discounts Available
- Good driver
- Multi-car
- Mature driver improvement course
- Loyalty
* Data provided by Bankrate.com
**J.D. Power 2022 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 car insurance in California for full coverage and minimum coverage is above the national average. Nationally, car insurance costs drivers an average of $545 for minimum coverage and $1,771 for full coverage. In California, the annual averages are $619 for minimum and $2,190 for full coverage. Your own rate may differ, of course, since it is based on individual factors such as your age, the type of car you’re driving, and where in the state you live. California’s large urban areas may be one reason for the higher averages.
Top 3 Cheapest Car Insurance Companies in California
| Company | Average Annual Full Coverage Premium* |
| Capital | $1,493 |
| Wawanesa | $1,562 |
| Mercury | $1,699 |
* Data provided by Bankrate.com
Top 3 Most Expensive Car Insurance Companies in California
| Company | Average Annual Full Coverage Premium* |
| PURE | $4,247 |
| Bristol West | $2,969 |
| Chubb | $2,961 |
* Data provided by Bankrate.com
Key Things to Know About Car Insurance in California
With more than 39 million residents, California is the most populated state in the U.S.— which means there are a lot of cars on the road. Congested urban areas, such as Los Angeles and San Francisco, can increase the risk of accidents, likely leading to increased insurance premiums.
California car insurance requirements
California, along with most other states, requires drivers to carry car insurance coverage. If a driver is at fault in an accident, this person will be responsible for paying for the damages or medical bills incurred by the other driver or their passengers.
California drivers must carry at least the minimum amount of car insurance. The minimum amounts are:
- $15,000 in bodily injury liability per person.
- $30,000 in bodily injury liability per accident.
- $5,000 in property damage liability per accident
California requires insurers to offer uninsured and underinsured motorist coverage on all policies, but it is not mandatory to purchase this type of coverage. California residents may also avoid purchasing a car insurance policy if they provide a cash deposit of $35,000 to the DMV or give evidence of a surety bond for $35,000 from a company licensed to issue bonds in the state.
Additional Car Insurance Coverage in California
While every driver in California must carry at least the minimum 15/30/5 insurance limits, it’s worth considering carrying additional car insurance coverage or higher limits to increase your financial protection should an accident occur that causes injuries or vehicle damage.
- Uninsured/underinsured motorist coverage: If the other driver is at fault but doesn’t have any or enough auto insurance, the not-at-fault driver still has some coverage through uninsured/underinsured motorist coverage.
- Medical payments: This pays medical bills for people within the driver’s vehicle, regardless of who is at fault.
- Comprehensive: Comprehensive coverage typically covers many vehicle damages not related to a car crash, including hitting animals, vandalism, and acts of nature. Comprehensive coverage has a deductible.
- Towing and road service: This coverage can help tow your vehicle to the nearest garage for repairs or offer services, like gas delivery or battery replacement, if you and your vehicle are stranded on the road.
Frequently Asked Questions
Methodology
Reviews.com reviews products, services, and companies based on five criteria to help readers understand how companies compare based on similar metrics. For the best car insurance companies, our editorial team compared affordability, customer support, coverage options, customer satisfaction scores, and online resources from each company to determine top providers.
As for average pricing, we used Bankrate.com’s 2022 data of car insurance based on the profiles of a 40-year male and female. Rates are weighted based on the population density in each geographic region. For full coverage, the details used were the following:
- $100,000 bodily injury liability per person
- $300,000 bodily injury liability per accident
- $50,000 property damage liability per accident
- $100,000 uninsured motorist bodily injury per person
- $300,000 uninsured motorist bodily injury per accident
- $500 collision deductible
- $500 comprehensive deductible
To determine minimum coverage limits, Bankrate used minimum coverage that meets each state’s requirements. Our base profile drivers own a 2020 Toyota Camry, commute five days a week and drive 12,000 miles annually.
These are sample rates and should only be used for comparative purposes.
About the Authors
Mary Van Keuren has been covering auto and home insurance for Reviews.com for nearly five years, and has published numerous reviews of state-specific insurance trends and how to find the best insurance deals for your money. She earned B.S. and M.A. degrees from Nazareth College in Rochester, N.Y. and has been writing professionally, both in print and online, for 30+ years.
