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Best car insurance companies in California
According to our research, California drivers pay an average car insurance premium of $2,291 per year for full coverage and $636 for minimum coverage. Bankrate’s insurance editorial team determined that Geico, State Farm, Progressive and Mercury are among the best car insurance companies in California. We first analyzed average annual quoted premiums, provided by Quadrant Information Services, for the largest insurance companies by market share in the Golden State. We also considered coverage options, discounts, digital tools and customer satisfaction scores from the 2023 J.D. Power U.S. Auto Insurance Study. Bankrate knows that California’s insurance market has been unstable throughout 2023, and we took extra care to ensure that the providers we chose are still writing new auto policies.
Based on our research, you might want to get quotes from the following national and regional companies if you are looking for the best auto insurance in California:
| Insurance company | Average full coverage rate* | Average min coverage rate* |
|---|---|---|
$1,841 | $415 | |
$2,258 | $547 | |
$2,034 | $559 | |
$1,817 | $557 |
Best for digital policy management
4.4Bankrate ScoreAVERAGE ANNUAL PREMIUM
$ 1,841 for full coverageAnswer a few questions to see personalized rates from top carriers.
AVERAGE ANNUAL PREMIUM
$ 2,258 for full coverageAnswer a few questions to see personalized rates from top carriers.
AVERAGE ANNUAL PREMIUM
$ 2,034 for full coverageAnswer a few questions to see personalized rates from top carriers.
Best for supporting a local carrier
3.2Bankrate ScoreAVERAGE ANNUAL PREMIUM
$ 1,817 for full coverageAnswer a few questions to see personalized rates from top carriers.
How Bankrate chose the best car insurance companies in California
To choose the best car insurance companies in California, Bankrate analyzed average rate data from Quadrant Information Services, along with third-party financial strength ratings from AM Best, customer satisfaction scores from J.D. Power, coverage options, discounts and digital tools. We used these metrics to assign each carrier a Bankrate Score, out of 5 points.
Why you can trust Bankrate
Read our full methodologyTo help California drivers find the best car insurance, Bankrate’s insurance editorial team reviewed some of the largest insurers by market share. We based our picks on a well-rounded analysis of several metrics related to each company.
46
years of industry expertise
122
carriers reviewed
20.7K
ZIP codes examined
1.2M
quotes analyzed
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How to find the best car insurance in California
While price is important to many people, you might also want to consider other factors when choosing an auto insurance company. The best car insurance policy looks different for everyone and will depend on your needs, lifestyle and financial responsibilities. To see which car insurance company could provide the best coverage for your needs, consider these key steps.
New
In October 2022, California’s Department of Insurance began reviewing and approving auto insurance rate filings from many companies following a two-year pandemic rate filing freeze. In California, any rate increase request above 7 percent that is challenged by the public requires a public hearing. Most new rate filings are for 6.9 percent. Some of the largest carriers in the state with approved filings are Allstate, Geico, State Farm, Mercury and Farmers. All of these companies have already applied the increases, which have gone into effect on policy renewals dated on and after the proposed effective date, which is different with each provider.
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How much is car insurance in California?
The average annual cost of car insurance in California is $2,291 for full coverage and $636 for minimum coverage, according to 2023 premium data obtained from Quadrant Information Services. This is 14 percent higher than the national average premium for full coverage, which is $2,014 per year. California drivers pay more on average than drivers in many other states, including neighboring states like Oregon and Washington, which may be due to the state’s heavily congested roadways, leading to denser traffic and a higher likelihood of accident claims.
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Frequently asked questions
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