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. Farmers is the best choice for full coverage, while State Farm is our top pick for seniors.

Our 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 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.

Finding the best car insurance in California can be difficult. This guide helps 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.

California drivers need recommendations based on real market data, not national averages. We researched more than 70 companies across all California ZIP codes to identify which insurers deliver the best value for different driver profiles.

Company selection: We analyzed national carriers and small local providers. All companies had sufficient customer reviews and coverage information to qualify for our analysis.

Data sources: We checked customer reviews, discount availability and coverage details across multiple platforms to build a complete picture of each provider's services. Our evaluation combines rate data with real customer experiences specific to California.

Rating methodology - How we score each company:

Affordability (60% of score): We gathered quotes for different driver profiles and compared rates within California. Our baseline profile uses a 40-year-old male with good credit, no driving violations, no claims history and a valid license. We analyzed additional profile combinations to ensure accurate recommendations for your specific situation.

Customer experience (30% of score): We evaluated sources like Google reviews, J.D. Power, AM Best and Reddit to measure real customer satisfaction. We focused on California-specific feedback to ensure our scores reflect the actual experience you'll have with each insurer in this state.

Coverage options (10% of score): This score evaluates the number of coverage options each company offers, unique policy features and included benefits that differentiate one provider from another.