Best Auto Insurance Companies In California: Top Picks

California is one of the most expensive states for car insurance, with quotes up to 24% higher than the national average. The average cost of car insurance in California is $2,599 for full coverage and $641 for minimum coverage. The best car insurance company depends on your needs and budget.

- First Acceptance: Best for affordability.

- Capital Insurance Group: Best for discounts.

- Wawanesa: Best for customer satisfaction.

- Safeco: Best for seniors.

- CONNECT by American Family: Best for new cars.

- Horace Mann: Best for teachers.

- Mercury: Best for rideshare drivers.

- USAA: Best for active military and veterans.

- CSAA: Best for minimum coverage and military background.

- Chubb: Best for customer service.

- Travelers: Best for new cars.

- State Farm: Best for young adults.

- Geico: Best for digital policy management.

- Progressive: Best for discounts.

- Amica: Best for customer complaints.

- Auto Club of SoCal: Best for budget consideration.

Best for affordability

First Acceptance Insurance Company has been underwriting insurance policies since 1969 and is ideal if you're looking for the best rate for car insurance. It offers competitive rates for high-risk drivers, including young drivers and those with bad credit. It also has a flexible payment schedule and a low volume of complaints.

Who's This For?

First Acceptance is a good option for drivers with speeding tickets or those in other high-risk categories. It also offers other types of protection, including life insurance, travel insurance, and pet insurance.

Standout Benefits:

• Budget-friendly option for high-risk drivers
• SR-22 certificate available
• Flexible payment schedules

Auto Club of SoCal is the cheapest top-rated company for auto insurance in California, with an average rate for full coverage insurance of $1,187 per year or $99 per month for California drivers. It is affiliated with the American Automobile Association (AAA) and offers a mobile app to manage your policy.

Who's This For?

Auto Club of SoCal is ideal for those looking for the cheapest top-rated auto insurance in California. However, it is not available in all states, so you may need to switch insurers if you move.

Standout Benefits:

• Discount for being a member of AAA
• Mobile app available to manage your policy

Other Affordable Options:

Capital Insurance Group

Capital Insurance Group offers several discounts for car insurance, including for safe drivers, good students, and bundling. It has a low volume of complaints and an A+ score from the Better Business Bureau.

Who's This For?

Capital Insurance Group is a good option for those seeking numerous discounts, including for returning customers, good students, and advance quoting.

Standout Benefits:

Multi-policy credit rewards for bundling auto and home insurance

Mercury

Mercury offers affordable auto insurance rates in California, rideshare insurance for under $1 per day, and convenient online quotes and claim filing. It also guarantees repairs made by an authorized garage.

Who's This For?

Mercury is a good option for rideshare drivers looking for affordable insurance.

Standout Benefits:

• Affordable rates in California
• Repairs made by an authorized garage are guaranteed

Best for discounts

When it comes to discounts, Progressive is the best auto insurance company in California. Progressive offers potential discounts for online quotes, homeownership, bundling, safe driving, and more. Progressive’s digital tools can also save you time when managing your account and filing claims. The carrier's Name Your Price tool is also helpful if you are on a strict budget. The tool allows you to input the amount you’re willing to spend on car insurance, and then populates coverage options that fit your financial picture.

Other insurance companies that offer good discounts in California include Geico, State Farm, and Mercury. Geico offers more than a dozen potential discounts, including affiliation, good driver, military, multi-policy, and safety and security device discounts. State Farm offers two telematics programs, one for safe driving and the other for young drivers. Mercury offers rideshare insurance for drivers who work for transportation providers like Uber or Lyft, and the insurer enables you to submit a claim online or by calling its 24/7, toll-free claims hotline.

Best for customer satisfaction

Customer satisfaction is a key consideration when choosing an auto insurance company. Here are some of the best auto insurance companies in California for customer satisfaction:

Wawanesa

Wawanesa is rated highly for customer satisfaction in California by J.D. Power. It offers coverage for custom parts and an optional add-on to have repairs carried out with parts from the original equipment manufacturer. Wawanesa has topped J.D. Power's auto insurance survey for the California region every year since 2020 and has an A+ rating from the Better Business Bureau.

Amica

Amica is rated highly for customer satisfaction in California, based on a low number of complaints to state regulators relative to its size. Amica also offers a great set of discounts and policy perks, and the potential to earn dividends.

State Farm

State Farm is rated highly for customer satisfaction in California, receiving an above-average rating from J.D. Power. State Farm offers a wide range of discounts, including for safe driving and for young drivers. It also provides generous rental car and travel expenses coverage. State Farm has a highly-rated mobile app and an easy-to-use website, making it a good choice for those who want to manage their policy online.

USAA

USAA is consistently rated highly for customer satisfaction by J.D. Power and has an A+ rating from the Better Business Bureau. USAA is only available to active-duty military members, veterans, and their families, but it offers benefits tailored to the military community, including discounts for those who are deployed or park their vehicles on base.

GEICO

GEICO has an above-average J.D. Power customer satisfaction score and offers low average premiums across many driver profiles in California, as well as more than a dozen potential discounts. GEICO has well-developed digital tools but does not have local agencies in California.

CSAA

CSAA has a high customer satisfaction score and offers affordable rates, with an average annual premium of $427 for full coverage. CSAA also provides rare identity theft coverage and common coverages like roadside assistance and rental car reimbursement.

Chubb

Chubb has superior customer satisfaction and claims handling scores, and although its rates are higher, customers are paying for a more consistent and premium service experience. Chubb offers rare coverages like antique/classic car insurance and diminished value coverage.

Best for seniors

Best Car Insurance for Seniors in California

Car insurance rates for seniors tend to be higher than average, as insurance providers view age-related changes in vision, cognition, and motor skills as risk factors. However, there are still many options for affordable coverage with good customer service. Here are some of the best car insurance companies for seniors in California:

Geico

Geico offers some of the cheapest rates for senior drivers and has strong customer service, making it a good choice for seniors looking for affordable coverage. They offer a variety of coverage options, including emergency roadside assistance, rental car reimbursement, and mechanical breakdown insurance. Geico also has a Prime Time contract that guarantees renewal for drivers aged 50 and older.

USAA

USAA offers low-cost car insurance for senior drivers who are active military members, veterans, or their immediate families. They provide good rates for drivers with various driving record problems, such as speeding tickets or accidents. USAA offers accident forgiveness, new car replacement, and rideshare insurance options.

Travelers

Travelers is a good option for seniors looking for affordable rates and a wide range of coverage options. They offer discounts for bundling, owning a hybrid or electric car, and good student discounts. Travelers also have gap coverage, which can pay off the remainder of your car loan if your new car is totaled or stolen.

Progressive

Progressive is a great choice for older drivers with less-than-spotless records. They offer accident forgiveness, gap insurance, and a vanishing deductible. They also have non-owner car insurance and SR-22 certificates available. Additionally, Progressive offers rideshare insurance and pet injury coverage.

Mercury

Mercury offers affordable rates, especially for seniors in California. They provide rideshare insurance for under $1 per day and guarantee repairs made by an authorized garage. Mercury also offers discounts for anti-theft features, bundling, and paying premiums in full. However, they do not offer gap insurance coverage.

Nationwide

Nationwide is ideal for seniors who don't drive as much, as they offer pay-per-mile insurance through their SmartMiles program. This program can help seniors save up to 40% on their insurance costs. Nationwide also offers accident forgiveness, gap insurance, rental coverage, and roadside assistance.

Best for new cars

When it comes to the best auto insurance for new cars in California, Travelers is a top choice. With a MoneyGeek score of 100 out of 100 and an average annual premium of $1,783, Travelers offers a robust balance of coverage options and satisfying customer feedback. Notably, Travelers provides New or Better Car Replacement coverage, ensuring that in the event of a total loss, drivers can replace their car without bearing the financial burden of depreciation.

In addition to New Car Replacement, Travelers offers a comprehensive suite of essential coverages, including Roadside Assistance, Accident Forgiveness, and Gap Insurance. Their high scores in customer satisfaction, claims handling, and financial stability make them a reliable choice for those seeking quality service and peace of mind.

Another option for new cars is Allstate, which received a MoneyGeek score of 76 out of 100 and has an average annual premium of $2,166. Allstate offers a range of discounts and special coverage options, including their Deductible Rewards program, which reduces your deductible by $100 for each year you're accident-free, up to a maximum reduction of $500. They also offer accident forgiveness as an optional add-on if you're concerned about a single accident affecting your rates.

Frequently asked questions