Progressive is California's best car insurance company, earning a MoneyGeek score of 4.5 out of 5 for its strong performance in affordability, customer service and coverage options. Since insurance needs vary by driver, we also recommend considering GEICO, Auto-Owners, Mercury and Allstate.
Best Car Insurance in California
Updated: August 26, 2025
Advertising & Editorial Disclosure
Key Takeaways
The best overall car insurance provider in California is Progressive, ranking first for affordability with a score of 56 out of 60.
Progressive offers the best rates for drivers with newer cars in California, while GEICO provides excellent options for drivers with speeding tickets.
To secure the best car insurance rates in California, decide on your coverage needs first, research provider costs and compare plenty of quotes from multiple insurers.
Best Car Insurance Companies in California
| Progressive | 4.50 | $80 | 3 | 2 |
| GEICO | 4.36 | $65 | 7 | 7 |
| Auto-Owners | 4.05 | $125 | 1 | 6 |
| Mercury | 4.00 | $102 | 6 | 5 |
| Allstate | 3.89 | $111 | 10 | 3 |
*Scores above are for a 40-year-old male driver with a clean driving record and good credit who is insuring a 2012 Toyota Camry LE. Rates refer to an overall average of minimum and full coverage rates for this profile.
Best Car Insurance in California by Driver Profile
Progressive dominates California's auto insurance market, ranking as the best choice across all ten driver categories we analyzed. It offers the most affordable rates for every driver type, from young drivers to seniors, and even leads for high-risk situations.
| Young Drivers | Progressive | 4 | 3 | 2 |
| Adult Drivers | Progressive | 2 | 3 | 2 |
| Senior Drivers | Progressive | 3 | 3 | 2 |
| Drivers With an Accident | Progressive | 2 | 3 | 2 |
| Drivers With a DUI | Progressive | 3 | 3 | 2 |
| Drivers With a Speeding Ticket | Progressive | 2 | 3 | 2 |
| Drivers With Bad Credit | Progressive | 2 | 3 | 2 |
| Drivers With Low Income | Progressive | 2 | 3 | 2 |
| Drivers With Newer Cars | Progressive | 1 | 3 | 2 |
| Drivers With Old Cars | Progressive | 2 | 3 | 2 |
*We modified the categories above based on a 40-year-old male driver with a clean driving record and good credit who is insuring a 2012 Toyota Camry LE. Young drivers reflect ages 16 to 25, adult drivers ages 26 to 64 and seniors 65 and older.
Personalized Best California Car Insurance Recommendations
Our general recommendations provide a starting point, but your specific profile might need different California car insurance providers. Compare these five top-rated companies to find coverage that matches your needs.
Data filtered by:Results filtered by:
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Age Group:Adult Drivers
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Gender:Female
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Coverage Level:100/300/100 Full Cov. w/$1,000 Ded.
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Credit Alignment:Below Fair
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Driving Record:At Fault Accident ($1000-$1999 Prop Dmg)
| Progressive | 4.69 | $227 | 3 | 2 |
| GEICO | 4.31 | $236 | 7 | 7 |
| Farmers | 4.23 | $277 | 10 | 1 |
| Auto-Owners | 4.20 | $339 | 1 | 6 |
| State Farm | 3.91 | $321 | 4 | 7 |
*Rates refer to an overall average of minimum and full coverage rates for this profile.
Best California Car Insurance Reviews
See detailed service breakdowns for our top-rated insurance providers below.
Progressive
Best Customer Experience and Coverage Options in California
MoneyGeek Rating
4.5/ of 5
4.7/5Affordability
4/5Customer Experience
4.8/5Coverage Options
Average Monthly Full Coverage Cost
$105For 100/300/100 liability and $1,000 deductible comprehensive and collision coverage for our base profile of a 40-year-old male driver with good credit and no driving violationsAverage Monthly Minimum Coverage Cost
$54For minimum state coverage for our base profile of a 40-year-old male driver with good credit and no driving violationsAgent Service Score
4.3/5Aggregated across all captive and independent agentsMost Unique Coverage Add-on
Pet Injury Coverage
GEICO
Best Cheap Car Insurance in California
MoneyGeek Rating
4.4/ of 5
5/5Affordability
3.7/5Customer Experience
2.5/5Coverage Options
Average Monthly Full Coverage Cost
$91For 100/300/100 liability and $1,000 deductible comprehensive and collision coverage for our base profile of a 40-year-old male driver with good credit and no driving violationsAverage Monthly Minimum Coverage Cost
$39For minimum state coverage for our base profile of a 40-year-old male driver with good credit and no driving violationsAgent Service Score
4.2/5Aggregated across all captive and independent agentsMost Unique Coverage Add-on
Mechanical Breakdown Insurance
How to Find the Best Car Insurance in California
Finding the best car insurance in California can be difficult. We've created this guide to help you find coverage that fits your needs.
- 1
Decide on coverage needs before you buy
The easiest way to overpay for car insurance is not knowing what coverage you need. Consider your driving habits, location and finances when selecting auto insurance that meets California required minimums.
- 2
Research average costs and discounts you may qualify for
Start by researching average car insurance costs in California to understand typical rates for your profile. Look into savings opportunities like home and auto insurance bundles, telematics programs and good student discounts. Taking a defensive driving program can provide additional savings on your premium.
- 3
Look through provider customer experiences and coverage options thoroughly
Insurance providers differ in more than just rates. Research customer reviews to understand claims handling and service quality. Review available coverage add-ons to ensure the company offers all features you need.
- 4
Consider non-standard coverage options
Look into specialized options like non-owner car insurance and pay-per-mile policies that might better suit your needs. If you require an SR-22 in California, research providers specializing in high-risk coverage.
- 5
Compare plenty of quotes through multiple means
To find the cheapest option possible get quotes from independent agents, direct from insurers and comparison websites.
- 6
Reassess annually
Review your coverage and shop for new quotes every year to get the best deal.
Best California Auto Insurance: Bottom Line
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.
Best Auto Insurance in California: FAQ
Your car insurance needs and preferences vary, so we've answered common questions to help you.
What is the best car insurance company in California?
Progressive ranks as the best car insurance company in California, with a MoneyGeek score of 4.5 out of 5 and an average monthly premium of $105 for full coverage.
What is the best car insurance company for minimum coverage in California?
GEICO ranks highest for minimum coverage in California with an average rate as low as $465 per year.
What is the best car insurance in California for young drivers?
Progressive is the top auto insurance choice for young adults in California, combining competitive rates around $159 per month with strong customer service and coverage options.
What is the best car insurance for California drivers who value customer service?
Auto-Owners leads customer experience in California with a 5 out of 5 rating. The company excels in their purchase experience, agent support, digital tools and claims handling.
What is the best car insurance in California if you have driving offenses?
Progressive is the leading insurance provider for California drivers with violations. Monthly rates average $80 for minimum coverage and $161 for full coverage policies.
How We Rated the Best Car Insurance in California
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.
About Mark Fitzpatrick
Mark Fitzpatrick, a Licensed Property and Casualty Insurance Producer, is MoneyGeek's resident Personal Finance Expert. With over five years of experience analyzing the insurance market, he conducts original research and creates tailored content for all types of buyers. His insights have been featured in publications like CNBC, NBC News and Mashable.
Fitzpatrick holds a master’s degree in economics and international relations from Johns Hopkins University and a bachelor’s degree from Boston College. He's also a five-time Jeopardy champion!
Passionate about economics and insurance, he aims to promote transparency in financial topics and empower others to make confident money decisions.