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Best car insurance in California for 2023

Updated Feb 06, 2023
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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, Mercury and Wawanesa 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 customer satisfaction ratings and rankings in the 2022 J.D. Power U.S. Auto Insurance Study.

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:

Geico
Rating: 4.4 stars out of 5
4.4
Bankrate Score
Info
J.D. Power Customer Satisfaction Score (California region)
824
/1,000
Average monthly full coverage premium
$153
Average annual full coverage premium
$1,841
State Farm
Rating: 4.2 stars out of 5
4.2
Bankrate Score
Info
J.D. Power Customer Satisfaction Score (California region)
817
/1,000
Average monthly full coverage premium
$188
Average annual full coverage premium
$2,258
Progressive
Rating: 4.2 stars out of 5
4.2
Bankrate Score
Info
J.D. Power Customer Satisfaction Score (California region)
803
/1,000
Average monthly full coverage premium
$169
Average annual full coverage premium
$2,034
Mercury
Rating: 3.2 stars out of 5
3.2
Bankrate Score
Info
J.D. Power Customer Satisfaction Score (California region)
827
/1,000
Average monthly full coverage premium
$151
Average annual full coverage premium
$1,817
Wawanesa
Rating: 3.1 stars out of 5
3.1
Bankrate Score
Info
J.D. Power Customer Satisfaction Score (California region)
879
/1,000
Average monthly full coverage premium
$134
Average annual full coverage premium
$1,612
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Advertising Disclosure
This advertisement is powered by Coverage.com, LLC, a licensed insurance producer (NPN: 19966249) and a corporate affiliate of Bankrate. The offers and links that appear on this advertisement are from companies that compensate Coverage.com in different ways. The compensation received and other factors, such as your location, may impact what offers and links appear, and how, where and in what order they appear. While we seek to provide a wide range of offers, we do not include every product or service that may be available. Our goal is to keep information accurate and timely, but some information may not be current. Your actual offer from an advertiser may be different from the offer on this advertisement. All offers are subject to additional terms and conditions.

Coverage.com, LLC is a licensed insurance producer (NPN: 19966249). Coverage.com services are only available in states where it is licensed. Coverage.com may not offer insurance coverage in all states or scenarios. All insurance products are governed by the terms in the applicable insurance policy, and all related decisions (such as approval for coverage, premiums, commissions and fees) and policy obligations are the sole responsibility of the underwriting insurer. The information on this site does not modify any insurance policy terms in any way.

Geico
Rating: 4.4 stars out of 5
4.4
Bankrate Score
Info
J.D. Power Customer Satisfaction Score (California region)
824
/1,000
Average monthly minimum coverage premium
$35
Average annual minimum coverage premium
$415
State Farm
Rating: 4.2 stars out of 5
4.2
Bankrate Score
Info
J.D. Power Customer Satisfaction Score (California region)
817
/1,000
Average monthly minimum coverage premium
$46
Average annual minimum coverage premium
$547
Progressive
Rating: 4.2 stars out of 5
4.2
Bankrate Score
Info
J.D. Power Customer Satisfaction Score (California region)
803
/1,000
Average monthly minimum coverage premium
$47
Average annual minimum coverage premium
$559
Mercury
Rating: 3.2 stars out of 5
3.2
Bankrate Score
Info
J.D. Power Customer Satisfaction Score (California region)
827
/1,000
Average monthly minimum coverage premium
$46
Average annual minimum coverage premium
$557
Wawanesa
Rating: 3.1 stars out of 5
3.1
Bankrate Score
Info
J.D. Power Customer Satisfaction Score (California region)
879
/1,000
Average monthly minimum coverage premium
$49
Average annual minimum coverage premium
$593
Powered by Coverage.com (NPN: 19966249)
Advertising Disclosure
This advertisement is powered by Coverage.com, LLC, a licensed insurance producer (NPN: 19966249) and a corporate affiliate of Bankrate. The offers and links that appear on this advertisement are from companies that compensate Coverage.com in different ways. The compensation received and other factors, such as your location, may impact what offers and links appear, and how, where and in what order they appear. While we seek to provide a wide range of offers, we do not include every product or service that may be available. Our goal is to keep information accurate and timely, but some information may not be current. Your actual offer from an advertiser may be different from the offer on this advertisement. All offers are subject to additional terms and conditions.

Coverage.com, LLC is a licensed insurance producer (NPN: 19966249). Coverage.com services are only available in states where it is licensed. Coverage.com may not offer insurance coverage in all states or scenarios. All insurance products are governed by the terms in the applicable insurance policy, and all related decisions (such as approval for coverage, premiums, commissions and fees) and policy obligations are the sole responsibility of the underwriting insurer. The information on this site does not modify any insurance policy terms in any way.

Best for digital policy management

Rating: 4.4 stars out of 5
4.4 Bankrate Score
JD Power: 824 AM Best: A++

Average annual premium

$ 1,841 for full coverage
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Why Geico made our list: Geico consistently offers some of the lowest average premiums across the country, and California is no exception. The provider offers more than a dozen potential ways to reduce your premium, including affiliation, good driver, military, multi-policy and safety and security device discounts. Geico offers all standard auto insurance coverage types, plus optional emergency roadside assistance coverage, mechanical breakdown insurance and rental car reimbursement coverage.

Who Geico may be good for: If your primary concern is finding a cheap car insurance policy, Geico might be a good choice.

Read full Geico review

Best for local agencies

Rating: 4.2 stars out of 5
4.2 Bankrate Score
JD Power: 817 AM Best: A++

Average annual premium

$ 2,258 for full coverage
Get a quote

Answer a few questions to see personalized rates from top carriers.

Why State Farm made our list: The company offers a robust set of car insurance discounts that could help you save on your premium. State Farm’s multi-policy savings program enables you to bundle auto insurance with condominium, home, life or renters insurance policies. Besides property and vehicle insurance, State Farm also offers banking services, including checking and savings accounts, as well as educational savings plans and investment products.

Who State Farm may be good for: State Farm, the largest U.S. auto insurer with 16.2% of market share, has local agents in almost every major city in California, making the company a good choice if you want an in-person insurance experience.

Read full State Farm review

Best for discounts

Rating: 4.2 stars out of 5
4.2 Bankrate Score
JD Power: 803 AM Best: A+

Average annual premium

$ 2,034 for full coverage
Get a quote

Answer a few questions to see personalized rates from top carriers.

Why Progressive made our list: Progressive offers potential discounts for online quotes, online purchases and more. Progressive’s digital tools could also save you time managing your account and filing claims. The Name Your Price tool might be a good option if you are on a strict budget. The tool allows you to input your car insurance budget and then populates coverage options that fit your financial picture.

Who Progressive may be good for: Progressive offers an impressive number of potential savings programs, including distant student, good student and teen driver discounts. The provider might be a great choice for parents of young drivers, who need all the help they can get to reduce their car insurance costs.

Read full Progressive review

Best for supporting a local company

Rating: 3.2 stars out of 5
3.2 Bankrate Score
JD Power: 827 AM Best: A

Average annual premium

$ 1,817 for full coverage
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Why Mercury made our list: Mercury’s coverage options and discount opportunities for its auto policies are consistent with other carriers we reviewed, and it also offers rideshare insurance for drivers who work for transportation providers like Uber or Lyft. The insurer enables you to submit a claim online or by calling its 24/7, toll-free claims hotline. Mercury ranked fourth in the J.D. Power study, with an overall customer satisfaction score of 827 out of 1,000.

Who Mercury may be good for: Mercury is a California-based insurance company, headquartered in Los Angeles, making it a potentially great choice for automobile owners who prefer doing business with a local company.

Read full Mercury review

Best for customer satisfaction

Rating: 3.1 stars out of 5
3.1 Bankrate Score
JD Power: 879 AM Best: A

Average annual premium

$ 1,612 for full coverage
Get a quote

Answer a few questions to see personalized rates from top carriers.

Why Wawanesa made our list: Wawanesa might not be the most well-known insurance company on our list, but the carrier could be a great choice if you value customer service. Wawanesa ranked first in J.D. Power’s 2022 Auto Insurance Study for customer satisfaction in the California region for the third consecutive year. Along with standard auto insurance coverages, Wawanesa also offers optional special vehicle equipment coverage, which covers custom furnishings not installed by the automobile’s manufacturer. Following a covered loss, this coverage can help pay for components such as custom paint, electronic equipment, engine accessories and specialized wheels.

Who Wawanesa may be good for: Wawanesa might be a great choice for people who value good customer service and prefer doing business with a smaller, regional insurance company.

Read full Wawanesa review

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 service rankings from the J.D. Power 2022 U.S. Auto Insurance Study for the California region, available coverage options, discounts and digital tools.

To determine the Bankrate Score (out of a possible 5.0 points), we evaluated each provider’s affordability, availability and customer service record and financial strength ratings. We also looked for insurers that offer digital tools to help policyholders more efficiently file claims and manage their policies.

Advertising Disclosure
This advertisement is powered by Coverage.com, LLC, a licensed insurance producer (NPN: 19966249) and a corporate affiliate of Bankrate. The offers and links that appear on this advertisement are from companies that compensate Coverage.com in different ways. The compensation received and other factors, such as your location, may impact what offers and links appear, and how, where and in what order they appear. While we seek to provide a wide range of offers, we do not include every product or service that may be available. Our goal is to keep information accurate and timely, but some information may not be current. Your actual offer from an advertiser may be different from the offer on this advertisement. All offers are subject to additional terms and conditions.

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Coverage.com, LLC is a licensed insurance producer (NPN: 19966249). Coverage.com services are only available in states where it is licensed. Coverage.com may not offer insurance coverage in all states or scenarios. All insurance products are governed by the terms in the applicable insurance policy, and all related decisions (such as approval for coverage, premiums, commissions and fees) and policy obligations are the sole responsibility of the underwriting insurer. The information on this site does not modify any insurance policy terms in any way.

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% 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.

Keep in mind that these rates are averages. There are many factors that influence car insurance rates, and your premium will likely vary based on your personal rating factors, like your motor vehicle record, claims history and the make and model car you drive. California regulations prohibit insurers from using credit, gender or ZIP code as factors to determine your auto insurance premium.

Average annual premium for minimum coverage in California Average annual premium for full coverage in California
$636 $2,291

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 might provide the best fit and options for you, here are some steps you can take.

Consider minimum insurance requirements in California

California requires drivers to carry at least minimum levels of liability insurance coverage on their vehicles to drive legally in the state. This includes the required minimum amounts of bodily injury liability and property damage liability coverage. According to the California Department of Motor Vehicles, all California motorists must carry at least:

  • $15,000 in bodily injury liability coverage per person
  • $30,000 in bodily injury liability coverage per accident
  • $5,000 in property damage liability per accident

California also requires that insurance companies offer you uninsured and underinsured motorist bodily injury coverage, along with uninsured motorist property damage, but you can decline in writing if you do not want to have them. Understanding California’s car insurance laws can help you understand if you need additional coverage or higher limits.

Consider lender requirements

If you finance or lease your vehicle, you may need to purchase a car insurance policy that complies with your financial institution’s requirements. For example, collision and comprehensive insurance are typically optional coverage types, but if your car is financed, most lenders will require you to purchase them. This is commonly known as a “full coverage” policy. Your financial institution may also require you to purchase higher liability limits, especially if you lease your vehicle. You might also want to consider gap insurance, which is designed to pay the difference between your vehicle’s actual cash value and the loan or lease amount if your car is totaled or stolen. According to the Insurance Information Institute (Triple-I), it is typically cheaper to purchase gap insurance from your insurer instead of from an auto dealer.

Consider your individual needs

Every driver has a different set of auto insurance considerations. You might live in an area where traffic and tourism are heavy, like Los Angeles or San Francisco, have a teen driver to insure or maybe have a few accidents or moving violations on your driving record. Based on your unique needs, it could make sense to have collision coverage and comprehensive coverage, uninsured motorist coverage or towing and rental reimbursement. Understanding your individual coverage needs might help you narrow down the companies you request quotes from. Households with teen drivers might look for companies with specialized young driver discounts, for example.

Info
Industry news: California’s rate filing freeze starts to thaw
Until October 2022, California’s Department of Insurance had not approved any auto insurance rate filings since May 2020, despite over 75 percent of companies that sell car insurance in the state filing for a rate increase, according to APCIA. As Allstate, the first carrier to receive approval for a rate increase since the rate filing freeze took effect, gets ready to raise rates 6.9%, drivers in the state are wondering what’s going to happen next. Bankrate explored the rate filing freeze and what all this means for drivers and car insurance companies in the state.

Frequently asked questions

Written by
Cate Deventer
Insurance Writer & Editor
Cate Deventer is a writer, editor and insurance professional with over a decade of experience in the insurance industry as a licensed insurance agent.
Edited by Insurance Editor
Reviewed by Senior wealth manager, LourdMurray