The Best Car Insurance in California

Progressive ranks first in California with strong coverage options (4.8/5) and customer experience (4/5) at $80 monthly. GEICO places second with perfect affordability scores (5/5) at $65 monthly. Auto-Owners finishes third with top customer experience ratings (5/5) despite higher premiums at $125 monthly. The table shows top-rated car insurance company scores in California based on affordability, customer experience and coverage options:

California car insurance matches driving history with insurer. Progressive leads the state by offering best rates across 10 driver categories. The company delivers affordable coverage for drivers facing various challenges.

• Best for Young Drivers (16 to 25): Progressive. Young drivers pay $209 monthly for full coverage and $109 for minimum coverage with Progressive. Family plan discounts and accident forgiveness programs prevent rate spikes after first-time mistakes. Special programs keep coverage costs manageable for families adding teen drivers.
• Best for Senior Drivers (65+): Progressive. Seniors pay $117 monthly for full coverage and $64 for minimum coverage with Progressive. Age-specific discounts and defensive driving course credits reduce premiums up to 10%. Accident forgiveness benefits protect rates from unexpected incidents.
• Best With an At-Fault Accident: Progressive. Progressive charges $174 monthly for full coverage after an accident versus immediate rate increases from other insurers. Accident forgiveness prevents first-claim rate increases. The protection maintains stable insurance budgets while building positive driving records.
• Best With a Speeding Ticket: Progressive. Progressive charges $161 monthly with a speeding ticket, applying smaller rate increases than major insurers. Point reduction programs improve driving records. Rate reductions qualify as violations age off records.
• Best With Bad Credit: Progressive. Progressive charges $200 monthly for drivers with bad credit versus more severe rate impacts at competitors. Credit scores impact rates less severely. Premiums decrease as financial situations improve with clear paths to lower rates.

MoneyGeek's research team evaluated car insurance companies statewide, identifying Progressive and GEICO as the top performers. Each insurer excels for specific driver profiles based on rates, coverage options and customer service quality. Our detailed analysis below examines how these leading companies compare across key factors that matter most to drivers.

California drivers find rates below state averages of $73 for minimum coverage and $155 for full coverage. GEICO offers the lowest rates at $91 for full coverage and $39 for minimum. Progressive places second at $105 monthly and Mercury third at $139 monthly for full coverage. See our guide to average auto insurance costs in California.

California car insurance rates fluctuate dramatically based on driving profile. Drivers with spotless records and those ages 30 to 50 secure the most affordable premiums. Motorists carrying violations, accidents or poor credit face substantially higher costs. Top insurers specialize in serving different driver categories. Compare your profile to find your best rate in California.

Finding optimal car insurance in California means evaluating coverage addressing the state's specific risks while securing competitive rates.

Our insurance experts tackle the top questions California drivers ask about securing affordable coverage:

We researched more than 70 companies in California, from national to small local providers across all U.S. residential ZIP codes in California. We also analyzed customer reviews, discounts and coverage details to give you a complete picture of each provider's services. 

Here's how we score each company in California:

• 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 analyzed rates in California by driver profile to make sure you are getting the best rate 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 best score.
• Best Coverage options (10% of score): This score considers the breadth of coverage options a company offers and unique coverage features that stand-out.