Best Car Insurance in California

Progressive is California's top car insurance company, earning a MoneyGeek score of 4.2 out of 5 for its strong performance in affordability, customer satisfaction, and coverage choices. While Progressive is our overall favorite, the best insurer for you depends on your individual needs. For example, Farmers is the best choice for full coverage, while State Farm is our top pick for seniors.

Our general recommendations provide a starting point, but your personal profile might be better suited to a different provider. Compare these highly-rated companies in the table below to find the coverage that best matches your needs.

For drivers who prefer the local expertise and personalized service that a regional insurer can offer, we analyzed several of California's top providers using our comprehensive scoring system. While national carriers often have a larger footprint, these regional companies hold their own with competitive rates and strong service records. The table below highlights the best regional options, allowing you to compare their overall scores and key rankings at a glance.

The best car insurance rates in California come from Wawanesa Insurance, which offers the most affordable policies for most drivers. For drivers with a clean record, Wawanesa's average full coverage premium is only $155 per month, while minimum coverage costs just $76 per month, saving 49% compared to the state averages of $304 per month for full coverage and $149 for minimum coverage. For young drivers, GEICO usually offers the best rates, with an average full coverage premium of $223 per month.

Individual rates vary based on personal circumstances. In the following sections you will find the best car insurance premiums broken down by age, city, and driving record. For more precise quotes, use our California car insurance calculator and the additional resources linked below.

The most affordable car insurance in Los Angeles comes from Wawanesa Insurance. The average cost for a minimum coverage policy in Los Angeles is $165 per month, while a full coverage policy is approximately $337 per month. Due to dense traffic and higher accident rates, rates in Los Angeles are about 45% above the state average.

For young drivers, GEICO offers the best rates, with minimum coverage costing around $103 per month and full coverage at $223. For adult and senior drivers, Wawanesa Insurance is the most affordable option. Adults can get minimum coverage for about $115 per month and full coverage for $228, while seniors pay approximately $155 and $316 respectively.

Wawanesa Insurance consistently offers the best rates, regardless of driving history. A driver with a clean record pays $76 per month for minimum coverage and $155 for full coverage. After a speeding ticket, rates are $130 and $264. Following an at-fault accident, costs are $142 and $285, and for a DUI, rates are $162 and $326 for minimum and full coverage.

Most California drivers should carry 100/300/100 coverage: $100,000 bodily injury per person, $300,000 per accident and $100,000 property damage. 

This configuration costs $90 to $132 monthly for clean records, just $34 to $76 above state minimums. It protects you from California's expensive vehicle repairs, medical costs and legal judgments. That extra $40 to $50 per month prevents potential bankruptcy.

While 100/300/100 coverage works for most California drivers, your financial situation determines the proper protection level. Choose coverage that balances adequate protection with affordable premiums based on your current assets and budget constraints. 

Follow our recommended coverage guide below to determine how much protection you need based on your car’s value and your financial situation.

• Low-income households: Minimum coverage is appropriate only for those with no assets to protect, vehicles worth under $2,000, or genuine temporary financial hardship. Upgrade to high coverage as soon as financially possible.
• Limited Budget: If 100/300/100 proves unaffordable, start with 50/100/50 coverage at $59 to $110 monthly. This triples property damage protection and provides meaningful medical coverage while you build toward recommended levels.
• High Net Worth: Drivers with assets exceeding $500,000 should consider 300/500/300 coverage ($80 to $152 monthly) plus a $1 to $2 million umbrella policy. California's plaintiff-friendly courts make excess liability coverage essential for protecting homes, investments, and retirement accounts.

Liability coverage protects others, but smart California drivers add protections for themselves. These three add-ons address the state's most common coverage gaps: vehicle damage from earthquakes and wildfires, accidents with uninsured drivers, and immediate medical expenses that health insurance won't cover quickly enough.

• Comprehensive/Collision: This policy protects your vehicle regardless of fault. It is required for financed or leased vehicles and recommended for any car worth $4,000+. Choose $500 to $1,000 deductibles to balance premiums with out-of-pocket risk.
• Uninsured/Underinsured Motorist (UM/UIM): With 15% of California drivers uninsured, UM/UIM coverage matching your liability limits ($100,000/$300,000 if carrying 100/300/100) protects against hit-and-run accidents and underinsured at-fault drivers.
• Medical Payments: Add $5,000 to $10,000 coverage for immediate medical expenses. Covers you and passengers regardless of fault during the health insurance claims process, preventing coverage gaps and copay issues.

Finding the best car insurance in California can be difficult. We've created this guide to help you find coverage that fits your needs.

The best auto insurance depends on location, coverage type, driver profile and driving history. Progressive is the top-rated company overall, while GEICO and Auto-Owners are also good options for drivers in California.

Your car insurance needs and preferences vary, so we've answered common questions to help you.

We researched more than 70 companies, from national to small local providers across all U.S. residential ZIP codes in California. We also checked the internet for customer reviews, discounts and coverage details to give you a complete picture of each provider's services. All companies had enough customer reviews and coverage information to make our list.

Here's how we score each company:

• Affordability (60% of score): We look at quotes for different driver profiles and compare rates within California. Our main rating uses a 40-year-old male with good credit, no driving violations, no claims history and a valid license. We also check other combinations to ensure you find the right fit for your situation.
• Customer experience (30% of score): We used sources like Google reviews, J.D. Power, AM Best and Reddit to see what customers think about each company. We focused on California-specific feedback to get an accurate score.
• Coverage options (10% of score): This score considers the number of coverage options a company offers, what makes it unique and what benefits it includes.