Best Car Insurance in California for 2024

Living in California can be expensive, and finding affordable car insurance that also provides good coverage can be a challenge. While the cost of car insurance depends on many factors, Californian drivers generally pay more than the national average of $1,582 a year.

If you're looking to save money without sacrificing protection, you'll want to find the best car insurance in California that fits your needs.

Key takeaways

• The best car insurance in California based on customer satisfaction is USAA, costing $1,354 per year for full coverage.
• Allstate had the most expensive insurance prices in California, averaging $2,037 annually for full coverage.
• Los Angeles drivers pay the most for full coverage, an average of $2,670 annually.

Best car insurance companies in California

Although it can be hard to choose from all the car insurance providers in California, finding a company that offers good customer service, multiple policy options, and a wide range of discounts can help you ensure you’re covered when you’re on the road.

Of the companies listed below, GEICO had the lowest estimated cost for minimum and full liability coverage. However, USAA received the highest rating for customer satisfaction and was generally lower in cost than most of its competitors. 

Provider	J.D. Power customer satisfaction rating	Estimated annual full coverage	Estimated annual minimum liability coverage
USAA	871/1,000	$1,354/year	$483/year
GEICO	830/1,000	$1,258/year	$422/year
State Farm	826/1,000	$1,579/year	$618/year
Allstate	816/1,000	$2,037/year	$678/year
Farmers	810/1,000	$1,870/year	$761/year
Progressive	809/1,000	$1,402/year	$474/year
Mercury	794/1,000	$1,439/year	$553/year

USAA: Highest customer satisfaction

USAA is a top choice for car insurance and consistently earns high customer satisfaction ratings. However, its policies are limited to current or former military or military family members. If you are eligible, USAA offers a variety of coverage options, including liability, comprehensive, collision, and uninsured/underinsured motorist insurance.

Get a quote now | USAA review

GEICO: Most affordable coverage

GEICO is an excellent option for affordable car insurance in California. GEICO provides many standard coverage options and policies that other companies may not offer, such as roadside assistance, but it doesn’t provide rideshare policies like some other companies do.

Get a quote now | GEICO review

State Farm: Best for new drivers

Since younger drivers generally pay more for car insurance, finding an insurance company that offers competitive rates for teens and new drivers can be difficult. State Farm offers discounts totaling as much as 25% to help lower new driver insurance costs and gives discounts for taking driver education classes and getting good grades.

Get a quote now | State Farm review

Allstate: Best for lowest deductible

Most insurance companies let you choose your deductible amount within a range, and the lower the deductible, the higher your monthly payment is likely to be. Allstate offers a vanishing deductible program to help you reduce costs after an accident. Participants can earn up to $100 off their deductible for each year they don’t have an accident, up to $500.

Get a quote now | Allstate review

Farmers: Best for multi-driver discounts

Farmers Insurance has California's most expensive minimum liability coverage, costing an average of $761 annually. However, Farmer’s offers a multipolicy and multiline discount to help customers save money if they add more cars or bundle a home and auto policy.

Get a quote now | Farmers review

California auto insurance requirements

Drivers in California are required to carry a minimum of:

• $15,000 in liability for the injury or death of one person
• $30,000 in liability for the injury or death of more than one person
• $5,000 for property damage

Keep in mind the amounts listed are only the minimum requirements, and it is usually highly encouraged to carry more than the state-mandated insurance minimums whenever possible.

In some instances, California will also accept other forms of financial responsibility, such as:

• A cash deposit of $35,000 with the DMV
• DMV-issued self-insurance certificate
• A surety bond for $35,000 from a company licensed to do business in California

How to choose a car insurance provider in California

Finding the best car insurance for a reasonable price can take time, but it can be done. Consider the following when you’re looking for a new insurance provider:

• Shop around: Comparing insurance companies can pay off since insurance costs vary significantly. Request quotes from multiple insurance carriers and ensure all companies you are reviewing quote similar coverage types and amounts.
• Read reviews: Pay attention to customer reviews and online complaints about problems others may have experienced with the carrier. Check with the California Department of Insurance about the number of customer complaints a company has received relative to the number of policies sold.
• Confirm licensing: According to the Insurance Information Institute, only some companies are licensed to operate in each state. Check with the state insurance department to confirm which companies are licensed in your state.

How much does car insurance cost in California?

The average cost of car insurance in California is $1,633 per year, and state minimum coverage averages $615 annually. 

However, car insurance prices can vary widely based on where you live. Drivers in Los Angeles pay an average of $2,670 per year, while residents of Bakersfield, just a couple of hours north of Los Angeles, pay an annual average of $1,822.

California car insurance rates by city

Unsurprisingly, Los Angeles and San Francisco residents pay the most for car insurance in California since they are city centers with dense populations and, therefore, the potential for more crime.

People in Fresno (ranked fifth in population in California) and San Diego (ranked second) pay about the same for their insurance, with rates of $1,867 and $1,887, respectively.

City	Avg. annual full-coverage premium
Los Angeles	$2,670/year
San Francisco	$2,345/year
Anaheim	$1,963/year
Bakersfield	$1,822/year
Fresno	$1,867/year
Long Beach	$2,162/year
San Diego	$1,887/year

Methodology

FAQs about car insurance costs in California