Key Takeaways:
- Minimum car insurance costs $61 monthly or $736 annually in California.
- A full-coverage policy costs California drivers $253 monthly or $3,040 a year on average.
- Geico is our pick for best car insurance in California due to its affordable rates and plentiful discount opportunities.
If you’re looking for affordable, high-quality car insurance in California, we at the MarketWatch Guides team can help. We’ve researched and ranked the best car insurance companies for California drivers based on coverage options, average costs and customer service reputation to help you make the most informed auto coverage decision.
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Best Car Insurance in California
We evaluated leading California car insurance providers based on a range of criteria, including available policy features and coverage types, industry standing and customer service scores. We also considered cost data we received from Quadrant Information Services.
California Car Insurance Companies
Based on our research, Geico offers the best car insurance in California. Progressive, USAA and State Farm are also reliable options for most drivers.
| Best Car Insurance in California | Our Overall Score | Industry Standing | Availability | Coverage | Cost and Discounts | Customer Experience | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| #1 Geico | 9.3 | 9.5 | 10 | 9.1 | 9.5 | 9 | Learn More |
| #2 Progressive | 9.4 | 9.7 | 10 | 9.7 | 8.9 | 8.8 | Learn More |
| #3 USAA | 9.3 | 8.9 | 8 | 9.7 | 9.8 | 9 | Learn More |
| #4 State Farm | 9.2 | 9.2 | 9.6 | 9.4 | 8.8 | 9.1 | Learn More |
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Top 4 Insurance Providers in California
To get a better look at regional and national performance, we considered:
- Each provider’s average cost in California: For context, the average cost of insurance in California is $736 per year for minimum liability and $3,040 per year for full coverage. The national averages are $869 per year for minimum liability and $2,681 for full coverage.
- Scores from the J.D. Power 2024 U.S. Auto Insurance Study℠: This survey polled customers in different areas of the U.S. on their satisfaction with insurers’ billing, claims, policy offerings and price. The industry average score for California is 637/1,000.
- NAIC complaint index score: The National Association of Insurance Commissioners (NAIC) calculates a complaint index score based on the number of national customer complaints a provider receives relative to its market share. The average score is 1.0, so a score below that is ideal.
- Ratings from our in-house customer satisfaction survey: In August 2022, we polled almost 7,000 policyholders on their satisfaction with their providers’ affordability, discounts, coverage, shopping process, online services and claims. For this article, we’ll give overall satisfaction scores.
- AM Best financial strength scores: These measure the providers’ ability to pay out claims.
#1 Geico: Best for Budget-Conscious Drivers
Annual California car insurance cost: $484 for minimum coverage, $2,328 for full coverage
California J.D. Power rating: 626/1,000
NAIC complaint index score: 0.55
Our survey rating: 4.1/5
AM Best financial strength rating: A++
Pros and Cons of Geico Insurance
Pros Long list of discount opportunities Numerous products are available with many opportunities to bundle Easy online experience Cons Fewer local agents in California than other companies Below-average score in J.D. Power 2024 U.S. Auto Insurance Study
Why It’s Best for California Drivers
Geico offers the cheapest average rates for both minimum liability- and full-coverage car insurance in California. When you add in the company’s many discount opportunities, most drivers would be hard-pressed to find a more affordable option in the Golden State.
Along with cheap auto coverage, Geico also features motorcycle, RV, pet, collector car and even jewelry insurance. There are plenty of opportunities to save on Geico car insurance by bundling different types of coverage.
Read more: Geico Insurance Review
#2 Progressive: Best for Tech-Savvy Drivers
Annual California car insurance cost: $561 for minimum coverage, $2,361 for full coverage
California J.D. Power rating: 635/1,000
NAIC complaint index score: 0.89
Our survey rating: 4.1/5
AM Best financial strength rating: A+
Pros and Cons of Progressive Insurance
Pros Low rates for high-risk drivers 13 discount opportunities Wide selection of add-on coverages Cons Mixed customer service ratings Not cheaper on average than Geico or USAA Usage-based insurance program not available in California
Why It’s Best for California Drivers
Progressive offers standard auto coverages at affordable rates in California. The company also sells a wide range of optional protections, including rideshare insurance, custom parts and equipment coverage and pet injury insurance.
While Progressive’s usage-based insurance program isn’t available in California, the company still has a bevy of discounts that Golden State drivers can take advantage of, such as sign-online, pay-in-full, automatic payments and online quote discounts. If you’re looking for other ways to save, Progressive’s Name Your Price® tool helps customers find coverage to fit their budget.
Read more: Progressive Insurance ReviewCompare: Geico vs. Progressive
#3 USAA: Best for Military Members
Annual California car insurance cost: $541 for minimum coverage, $2,420 for full coverage
California J.D. Power rating: 747/1,000
NAIC complaint index score: 1.35
Our survey rating: 4.3/5
AM Best financial strength rating: A++
Pros and Cons of USAA Insurance
Pros Affordable rates for all driver profiles in California Excellent industry reputation Unique savings opportunities for military members during deployment Cons Only available to members of military community Usage-based insurance program not available in California
Why It’s Best for California Drivers
USAA offers some of the lowest car insurance rates in California and boasts a stellar industry reputation, often scoring the highest in most J.D. Power studies. For the J.D. Power 2024 U.S. Auto Insurance Study, it has the highest score in customer satisfaction for California, beating out major companies.
USAA’s drawback is that its policies are available only to active military members, veterans and their immediate families. If you qualify for USAA coverage, the provider is likely to be your best choice for auto coverage in the Golden State.
Read more: USAA Insurance ReviewCompare USAA to: Geico or Progressive
#4 State Farm: Best Customer Experience
Annual California car insurance cost: $899 for minimum coverage, $3,891 for full coverage
California J.D. Power rating: 658/1,000
NAIC complaint index score: 0.78
Our survey rating: 4.2/5
AM Best financial strength rating: A++
Pros and Cons of State Farm Insurance
Pros Local agents spread across California Excellent score in the most recent J.D. Power Auto Insurance Study Up to $1,127 savings for bundling home and auto
Why It’s Best for California Drivers
Based on our research and customer survey, we recognized State Farm as having the Best Customer Experience. The provider also had the highest score among the companies listed here in the California region of the J.D. Power 2024 U.S. Auto Insurance Study.
State Farm is the largest car insurance provider in the nation according to the NAIC. The company features a wide range of discounts, including savings for young drivers and such as its 25%-off good student discount, one of the biggest student discounts in the nation.
Read more: State Farm Insurance Review
Compare State Farm to: Geico, Progressive or USAA
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How To Find the Best Car Insurance in California
When comparing car insurance providers in the Golden State, there are a few key factors to keep in mind.
California Minimum Car Insurance Requirements
It’s best to understand how much auto coverage is legally required in California before making your coverage selection. California law requires every driver to meet the following minimum coverage limits:
- Bodily injury liability coverage: $15,000 per person and $30,000 per accident
- Property damage liability coverage: $5,000 per accident
Keep in mind that liability insurance compensates those other than the policyholder for bodily injury or property damage in the case of an at-fault accident. You’ll need to purchase collision and comprehensive coverage to cover damage to your own vehicle.
Lender Requirements
If you have an auto loan or lease, you’ll probably need to purchase more than state minimum liability coverage. Most lenders require full-coverage car insurance policies that include both collision coverage and comprehensive insurance.
Meet Your Needs
Who you’re purchasing auto coverage for is a key consideration as you compare car insurance quotes. Having a teen driver or elderly motorist on your auto insurance policy can lead to higher rates but also open the door to additional discounts.
Factors That Affect Car Insurance Costs in California
One of the great things about living in California is that car insurance companies aren’t allowed to use your age, gender or credit score to determine your rates. But like most states, your rates are determined by your:
- Location: Drivers that live in rural California are more likely to see cheaper rates compared to those who live in bigger cities where more accidents and car thefts happen, like San Jose, Bakersfield or Sacramento.
- Vehicle: Sports cars and luxury vehicles cost more to insure because of their more expensive car parts and high-quality tech.
- Driving history: If you have any speeding tickets, at-fault accidents or DUI convictions from the last three years, you’re more likely to pay higher rates than average.
- Deductible choice: Higher deductibles mean lower car insurance premiums, but you’ll pay more out of pocket if an accident happens.
Average Cost of Car Insurance in California
According to estimates from Quadrant Information Services, a full-coverage car insurance policy in California costs $253 per month or $3,040 per year on average. The national average cost of a full-coverage policy is $223 per month or $2,681 per year.
California Car Insurance Costs by City
The table below shows full-coverage rate estimates for a 35-year-old California driver with a clean driving record and good credit score.
| City in California | Average Full-Coverage Monthly Cost | Average Full-Coverage Annual Cost |
|---|---|---|
| Anaheim | $253 | $3,037 |
| Baldwin Park | $262 | $3,141 |
| Bellflower | $261 | $3,134 |
| Chino | $236 | $2,835 |
| Chino Hills | $241 | $2,886 |
| Chula Vista | $216 | $2,595 |
| Fairfield | $233 | $2,791 |
| Folsom | $215 | $2,575 |
| Fontana | $249 | $2,987 |
| Fremont | $217 | $2,600 |
| Fresno | $235 | $2,818 |
| Hawthorne | $270 | $3,241 |
| Hayward | $252 | $3,029 |
| Hesperia | $248 | $2,976 |
| Long Beach | $258 | $3,100 |
| Los Angeles | $298 | $3,578 |
| Lynwood | $263 | $3,160 |
| Moreno Valley | $246 | $2,953 |
| Norwalk | $257 | $3,080 |
| Oxnard | $227 | $2,719 |
| Pacoima | $295 | $3,536 |
| Palmdale | $270 | $3,245 |
| Panorama City | $327 | $3,927 |
| Reseda | $327 | $3,918 |
| Rialto | $250 | $2,995 |
| San Diego | $224 | $2,688 |
| San Francisco | $283 | $3,391 |
| Santa Ana | $249 | $2,987 |
| Simi Valley | $232 | $2,788 |
| South Gate | $262 | $3,144 |
| Temecula | $219 | $2,624 |
| Westminster | $254 | $3,042 |
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Car Insurance Discounts in California
If you want to find the best rates, you’ll need to explore the discounts providers offer. These are a few of the most common types of car insurance discounts:
Safe Driver Discounts
Many providers have telematics insurance programs that monitor your driving and reward you for safe behaviors. Some companies offer discounts for simply maintaining a clean driving history and not filing claims. Either way, you can save money for being a safe driver.
Multi-Car Discounts
Having multiple vehicles on one policy is a convenient way to save on your auto insurance premiums. If you have a teen driver in your household, a multi-car policy can be a great way to offset the high rates you’ll pay for young motorist coverage.
Bundling Discounts
Bundling your auto coverage with your renters or homeowners policy can help you find cheap car insurance.
Best California Car Insurance: The Bottom Line
We rate Geico, Progressive, USAA and State Farm as the best car insurance companies in California. All of these providers offer a variety of coverage options and discount opportunities. We recommend gathering car insurance quotes from multiple providers to find the best coverage match for your needs.
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Best Auto Insurance in California: FAQ
Below are some frequently asked questions about the best auto insurance in California:
We rate Geico as the best auto insurance provider in California due to its low rates and excellent customer service. The company offers a wide variety of coverage options and add-on policies.
Geico generally has the cheapest auto insurance in California, at average annual rates of $2,328 for full coverage and $484 for minimum liability coverage. Both of these figures are well below the state averages of $3,040 for full coverage and $736 for minimum liability coverage.
According to the NAIC, State Farm is the nation’s largest car insurance provider. The company wrote more than $59.7 billion in private passenger auto insurance premiums in 2023.
Progressive is the second-largest auto insurer in the U.S., according to the NAIC. The company held 15.2% of the market share in 2023, compared to 18.3% for State Farm.
Our Methodology
Because consumers rely on us to provide objective and accurate information, we created a comprehensive rating system to formulate our rankings of the best car insurance companies. We collected data on dozens of auto insurance providers to grade the companies on a wide range of ranking factors. The end result was an overall rating for each provider, with the insurers that scored the most points topping the list.
Here are the factors our ratings take into account:
- Coverage (30% of total score): Companies that offer a variety of choices for insurance coverage are more likely to meet consumer needs.
- Cost and Discounts (25% of total score): Auto insurance rate estimates generated by Quadrant Information Services and discount opportunities are both taken into consideration.
- Industry Standing (20% of total score): Our research team considers market share, ratings from industry experts and years in business when giving this score.
- Customer Experience (15% of total score): This score is based on volume of complaints reported by the National Association of Insurance Commissioners (NAIC) and customer satisfaction ratings reported by J.D. Power. We also consider the responsiveness, friendliness and helpfulness of each insurance company’s customer service team based on our own shopper analysis.
- Availability (10% of total score): Auto insurance companies with greater state availability and few eligibility requirements score highest in this category.
Our credentials:
- 800 hours researched
- 130+ companies reviewed
- 8,500+ consumers surveyed
*Data accurate at time of publication.
If you have feedback or questions about this article, please email the MarketWatch Guides team at [email protected].
