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Why You Can Trust the MarketWatch Guides Team
Here’s a breakdown of how we reviewed and rated the top auto insurance providers
130
Providers ReviewedOur team looked at over 100 of the top auto insurance providers in the U.S., from national providers like USAA, Travelers and State Farm to regional providers like Erie Insurance.
8,500
Data Points AnalyzedTo properly score each auto insurance provider, we looked at cost data, claims processes, customer review scores, industry standing, available discounts, coverages and add-ons.
800
Research HoursOur team put in the time so you don’t have to, evaluating cost data, reading customer reviews and researching companies to determine the most reliable options for coverage.
8,500
Customers SurveyedWe asked thousands of customers to describe their experience with their auto insurance provider to understand how real customers feel about their insurers.
Learn more about our methodology and editorial guidelines.
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, State Farm and Allstate are also reliable options for most drivers.
| Best Car Insurance in California | Our Score | Reputation | Availability | Coverage | Cost | Customer Experience | Learn More |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
GeicoLearn More | 9.1 | 9.8 | 10 | 8.3 | 9.2 | 8.9 | Learn More |
ProgressiveLearn More | 8.7 | 8 | 10 | 8.8 | 8.7 | 8.6 | Learn More |
USAALearn More | 9.2 | 9.5 | 7 | 9.3 | 9.8 | 9.2 | Learn More |
State FarmLearn More | 9.3 | 9.6 | 9.7 | 8.9 | 9.2 | 9.4 | Learn More |
AllstateLearn More | 8.3 | 9.4 | 10 | 8.8 | 6.5 | 8.5 | Learn More |
| Best Car Insurance in California | Our Score | Reputation | Availability | Coverage | Cost | Customer Experience | Learn More |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
GeicoLearn More | 9.1 | 9.8 | 10 | 8.3 | 9.2 | 8.9 | Learn More |
ProgressiveLearn More | 8.7 | 8 | 10 | 8.8 | 8.7 | 8.6 | Learn More |
USAALearn More | 9.2 | 9.5 | 7 | 9.3 | 9.8 | 9.2 | Learn More |
State FarmLearn More | 9.3 | 9.6 | 9.7 | 8.9 | 9.2 | 9.4 | Learn More |
AllstateLearn More | 8.3 | 9.4 | 10 | 8.8 | 6.5 | 8.5 | Learn More |
*Our research team considers nationwide factors when rating providers. The ranking order of providers in this table is specific to car insurance in California.
California Car Insurance Customer Experience
To determine a car insurance company’s ratings for customer experience and reputation, we weigh several factors. In addition to our nationwide car insurance survey that polled nearly 7,000 respondents, we also consider:
- Better Business Bureau (BBB) ratings
- AM Best financial strength ratings
- J.D. Power 2022 U.S. Auto Insurance Study℠ scores
Best Car Insurance Companies in California
Find more information about our picks for the best car insurance in California in the following sections.
#1 Geico: Affordable for Most Drivers
9.1/10
Is Geico Insurance Good?
According to theNational Association of Insurance Commissioners (NAIC), Geico is the second-largest car insurance provider in the U.S. and wrote over $37.4 billion in insurance premiums in 2021. The company is known for low rates and excellent customer service.
Pros and Cons of Allstate Insurance
Pros Low rates for most drivers High policy limits Excellent ratings from AM Best and the BBB Cons Fewer local agents than some companies Higher rates for drivers with poor credit or recent accidents
Geico Car Insurance Coverage
Along with standard coverages likeliability insurance,collision and comprehensive insurance,medical payments (MedPay) coverage, anduninsured/underinsured motoristprotection, Geico also offers:
- 24-hour roadside assistance
- Rental car reimbursem*nt
- Rideshare insurance
- Mechanical breakdown insurance (MBI), which pays for covered repairs and is similar to anextended warranty
Geico also offers its DriveEasy®usage-based insurance program, which monitors your driving and rewards safe habits.
Geico Reputation
Geico performed well in the J.D. Power 2022 U.S. Auto Insurance Study, scoring 824 out of 1,000 points. The average provider score for California was 820.
In our August 2022 nationwide car insurance satisfaction survey, Geico policyholders gave the company 4.2 out of 5.0 stars for customer service during the claims process. The company received a solid 4.1 out of 5.0-star rating for overall customer satisfaction.
Read more:Geico insurance review
#2 Progressive: Low Rates for High-Risk Drivers
9/10
Is Progressive Insurance Good?
Nearly 17% of respondents in our nationwide car insurance survey had policies with Progressive, making it the survey’s second-most popular provider. The Progressive policyholders we heard from gave the company a 4.1 out of 5.0-star rating for overall customer satisfaction.
Pros and Cons of Progressive Insurance
Pros A+ financial strength rating from AM Best Variety of coverage options Usage-based program discounts Cons Average customer service ratings Usage-based program can raise rates for some drivers
Progressive Coverage
Along with standard minimum- and full-coverage insurance options, Progressive offers rental car reimbursem*nt, loan/lease payoff, rideshare coverage and even pet coverage for extra peace of mind. New Progressive policyholders also benefit from small-accident forgiveness, which means rates stay the same if accident damage doesn’t exceed $500.
Progressive Snapshot®is the company’s usage-based insurance offering. You can use the Progressive app or a plug-in device to monitor your driving and get discounts for safe habits. If you’re a riskier driver, be aware that using the program could lead to higher rates.
Progressive Reputation
In the J.D. Power Auto Insurance Study, Progressive received 803 out of 1,000 points in California, which falls below the average score of 820. Progressive also has an F rating from the BBB. We reached out to Progressive for a comment on these ratings but did not receive a response.
Read more:Progressive insurance review
Is USAA Insurance Good?
Although USAA offers some of the cheapest car insurance rates in California, its policies are only available to active military, veterans and their immediate family members. For those who qualify, USAA is worth considering for its affordable rates and superior customer service reputation.
Pros and Cons of Progressive Insurance
Pros Affordable rates for eligible drivers A++ financial strength rating from AM Best High scores from J.D. Power studies Cons Only available to military and their families High rates for drivers with a driving under the influence (DUI) conviction
USAA Coverage
USAA features the standard assortment of auto insurance products, along with add-on options such as roadside assistance, rental car coverage, accident forgiveness and evenclassic car insurance. The company’s usage-based program is called SafePilot®and it can save good drivers as much as 30%.
USAA Reputation
Customer satisfaction is one area where USAA stands out from the competition. The company received the highest score in California in the J.D. Power Auto Insurance Study, with 876 out of 1,000 points. USAA wasn’t formally ranked in the study due to its eligibility restrictions.
USAA also received one of the highest overall customer satisfaction ratings in our 2022 nationwide car insurance survey. Respondents with USAA policies gave the company a 4.3 out of 5.0-star rating, the third highest rating in the survey.
Read more:USAA insurance review
#4 State Farm: Editor’s Choice
9.4/10
Is State Farm Insurance Good?
State Farm is the most popular car insurance provider in the U.S. according to the NAIC. It’s also our Editor’s Choice for its combination of strong industry reputation, solid customer service and widespread availability from local agents.
Pros and Cons of State Farm Insurance
Pros Excellent discounts for young drivers A++ financial strength rating from AM Best Local insurance agents spread across the U.S. Cons Higher rates than competitors in California
State Farm Coverage
State Farm offers minimum-liability coverage and full-coverage policies, along with a host of add-on options. Additional coverages include rideshare insurance, rental car reimbursem*nt and trip interruption benefits. State Farm’s usage-based program, called Drive Safe & Save™, rewards safe driving habits with discounts of up to 30% upon policy renewal.
State Farm Reputation
In our national car insurance survey, State Farm received 4.2 out of 5.0 stars for overall customer satisfaction. The company was right around the state average for California in the J.D. Power Auto Insurance Study, with a total score of 817 out of 1,000.
Read more:State Farm insurance review
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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.
Average Cost of Car Insurance in California
According to estimates from Quadrant Information Services, a full-coverage car insurance policy in California costs $174 per month or $2,089 per year on average. The national average cost of a full-coverage policy is $144 per month or $1,730 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 | Monthly Average | Annual Average |
|---|---|---|
| Chula Vista | $178 | $2,138 |
| Fremont | $178 | $2,138 |
| Fresno | $179 | $2,142 |
| San Diego | $180 | $2,157 |
| San Jose | $184 | $2,203 |
| Oxnard | $184 | $2,204 |
| Huntington Beach | $185 | $2,223 |
| Bakersfield | $189 | $2,266 |
| Modesto | $193 | $2,311 |
| Irvine | $194 | $2,324 |
| Elk Grove | $195 | $2,335 |
| Riverside | $196 | $2,357 |
| Santa Clarita | $199 | $2,382 |
| Oakland | $203 | $2,434 |
| Anaheim | $203 | $2,442 |
| Santa Ana | $204 | $2,442 |
| Stockton | $206 | $2,467 |
| Moreno Valley | $206 | $2,476 |
| Long Beach | $207 | $2,482 |
| Fontana | $207 | $2,489 |
| San Bernardino | $211 | $2,528 |
| San Francisco | $213 | $2,554 |
| Sacramento | $219 | $2,626 |
| Los Angeles | $271 | $3,255 |
| Glendale | $283 | $3,400 |
*Car insurance averages by city are based on the three most popular providers per location.
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, State Farm and Allstate 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
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.
According to the NAIC, State Farm is the nation’s largest car insurance provider. The company wrote more than $41.6 billion in private passenger auto insurance premiums in 2021.
Geico is the second-largest auto insurer in the U.S., according to the NAIC. The company held 14.31% of the market share in 2021, close behind State Farm’s 15.9%.
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:
- Cost: Auto insurance rate estimates generated by Quadrant Information Services and discount opportunities were both taken into consideration.
- Coverage: Companies that offer a variety of choices for insurance coverage are more likely to meet consumer needs.
- Reputation and experience: Our research team considered market share, ratings from industry experts and years in business when giving this score.
- Availability: Auto insurance companies with greater state availability and few eligibility requirements scored highest in this category.
- Customer experience: This score is based on volume of complaints reported by the NAIC and customer satisfaction ratings reported by J.D. Power. We also considered the responsiveness, friendliness and helpfulness of each insurance company’s customer service team based on our own shopper analysis.
Our credentials:
- 800 hours researched
- 45 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 ateditors@marketwatchguides.com.
