Finding a reasonable price on car insurance is important to California drivers, who pay an average of $2,416 annually for full coverage, which is 27.5% higher than the national average. But price isn’t the only thing that matters. So do quality customer service and fast claims handling. That’s what the best car insurance companies in California provide.
We analyzed millions of quotes to identify these carriers and find the cheapest rates based on age and need. We’ve also consulted third-party surveys measuring customer satisfaction and financial ratings agency data to gauge an insurer’s ability to meet its commitments.
CarInsurance.com Insights
- Geico is the best car insurance company for most California drivers, with average rates that are hundreds of dollars less than those of competitors.
- Other highly rated carriers include Progressive and Auto Club Enterprises (AAA).
- According to our analysis, Geico is also the best car insurer for young adults (ages 20-24), adults (25-60) and seniors (61 and older).
Check out our experts’ recommendations for the best car insurance coverage
Best car insurance companies in California
According to our data, Geico is the best car insurance company for most drivers in California. It’s the best carrier overall and for affordable rates. It’s best for every age group except for teens. However, Geico didn’t make it a clean sweep.
State Farm, ranked No. 5 overall, offers cheaper rates for teen drivers than Geico or any other competitor. Auto Club Enterprises (AAA), ranked No. 3 overall, gets the best marks for customer service, one area where Geico was notably lacking.
| Category | Company |
|---|---|
| Best overall | GEICO |
| Most affordable | GEICO |
| Highest customer satisfaction | Auto Club Enterprises (AAA) |
| Best for teen | State Farm |
| Best for young adults | GEICO |
| Best for adults | GEICO |
| Best for seniors | GEICO |
However, just because Geico tops our ratings as California’s best car insurance company doesn’t necessarily mean it’s the best insurer for your needs. If you’re considering switching insurers or shopping for coverage for the first time, get quotes from at least three companies to make an informed decision and look to reliable third-party ratings.
“Compare coverages and costs, check the insurer’s AM Best rating and J.D. Power’s customer satisfaction,” says Janet Ruiz, director of strategic communication for the Insurance Information Institute (Triple-I).
If you don’t want to do the legwork yourself, you can work with an independent agent who represents multiple carriers and can provide you with detailed, unbiased information.
Comparing the best car insurance in California
Geico is the best car insurance company in the Golden State, with an overall score of 4.71 out of 5. Its average annual premium for full coverage car insurance is $1,919, considerably less than the state average of $2,416 and more than $100 cheaper than its closest competitor.
According to the National Association of Insurance Commissioners (NAIC), Geico has the second-lowest rate of customer complaints among the insurers we analyzed. It also enjoys the highest possible AM Best financial strength rating of A++ (Superior). However, it scored well below the regional average in J.D. Power’s annual auto insurance survey, which measures overall policyholder satisfaction.
| Company | Annual cost | AM Best | J.D. Power | NAIC | Overall score out of 5 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| GEICO | $1,919 | A++ | 626 | 0.69 | 4.71 |
| Progressive | $2,179 | A+ | 635 | 0.71 | 4.44 |
| Auto Club Enterprises (AAA) | $2,466 | A+ | 684 | 1.16 | 4.35 |
| Mercury Insurance | $2,031 | A | 596 | 1.41 | 4.20 |
| State Farm | $2,701 | A++ | 658 | 0.79 | 4.15 |
| Allstate | $2,627 | A+ | 634 | 1.10 | 3.98 |
| CSAA Insurance (AAA) | $2,600 | A | 642 | 1.05 | 3.96 |
| Nationwide | $2,799 | A | 627 | 0.63 | 3.77 |
| Farmers | $3,035 | A | 617 | 0.86 | 3.48 |
| Kemper | $2,429 | A- | 528 | 4.21 | 3.04 |
| USAA | $1,827 | A++ | 747 | 1.18 | 4.92 |
How we ranked the top insurance companies in California for you
To find the best car insurance companies in California, we reviewed some of the largest insurers based on features like coverage options, cost and available discounts. In addition, we consulted AM Best’s financial strength ratings, which gauge how well a company is prepared to meet its claim obligations.
We also examined the National Association of Insurance Commissioners (NAIC) Complaint Index, which compares the annual consumer complaints an insurer receives to similar carriers. Finally, we analyzed market research firm J.D. Power’s annual U.S. Auto Insurance Survey, which measures policyholder satisfaction with price, coverage offerings, problem resolution, and other factors.
The best car insurance companies in California, by company
Geico has a clear price advantage over the other car insurance companies in our analysis, with the cheapest average rates for state minimum, liability-only and full coverage. Progressive, ranked No. 2 overall in our survey, has the second-cheapest rates for state minimum liability insurance. Seventh-place CSAA Insurance (AAA) is the runner-up for liability-only coverage. And Mercury Insurance, ranked No. 4 overall, is only slightly more expensive than Geico for full coverage.
At the other end of the price spectrum, Farmers is the most expensive insurer on average in all three coverage categories.
| Company | State minimum | Liability-only car insurance | Full coverage |
|---|---|---|---|
| Nationwide | $712 | $1,123 | $2,799 |
| Travelers | $629 | $954 | $2,460 |
| Geico | $367 | $591 | $1,919 |
| State Farm | $569 | $900 | $2,701 |
| Progressive | $433 | $637 | $2,179 |
| Kemper | $492 | $803 | $2,429 |
| Auto Club Enterprises (AAA) | $623 | $974 | $2,466 |
| Mercury Insurance | $458 | $766 | $2,031 |
| Farmers | $774 | $1,280 | $3,035 |
| Allstate | $717 | $1,104 | $2,627 |
| CSAA Insurance (AAA) | $457 | $627 | $2,600 |
| USAA | $410 | $653 | $1,827 |
*USAA is only available to military community members and their families.
Notes:
- State minimum car insurance is 30/60/15.
- Full coverage car insurance limit is 100/300/100 with a $500 deductible.
- Liability-only car insurance limit is 50/100/50.
By law, California drivers must carry a certain amount of liability car insurance to drive legally in the state. Liability insurance is required to pay for third-party claims of injury or property damage. According to the California Department of Motor Vehicles, the minimum car insurance requirements are:
- Bodily injury, per person: $30,000
- Bodily injury, per incident: $60,000
- Property damage, per incident: $15,000
These amounts are typically expressed as 30/60/15. However, minimum coverage is often inadequate for a major accident, which could result in a significant financial burden. The next step up from state minimum coverage is a liability-only policy with more robust limits of at least 50/100/50 or (preferably) 100/300/100.
But liability insurance won’t cover your own vehicle if it’s damaged or destroyed in an accident. For that, you’ll need full coverage car insurance. This kind of policy bundles liability insurance with collision coverage, which applies if you strike another vehicle or a stationary object like a mailbox, and collision coverage, which protects your vehicle in the event of theft, vandalism, damage from extreme weather or striking an animal while driving.
In some cases, a state-minimum policy may be all you need.
“It may make sense if your car is older and low value, as the claims payout for comprehensive and collision will only be the value of the car,” Ruiz says.
Low-income drivers who can’t afford car insurance should consider the California Low Cost Auto Insurance program. This state-sponsored program allows income-eligible individuals with good driving records to purchase car insurance that meets California’s minimum coverage requirements.
Best car insurance companies for specific needs in California
Age is one of the key factors that carriers use when setting car insurance premiums. Not surprisingly, inexperienced teen drivers (aged 16 to 19) pay the most on average for coverage because they’re also the riskiest group to insure. If you maintain a clean driving record, rates first drop in your early 20s, then continue to creep downward. Rates start to inch back up for drivers in their 70s and older.
Check out our detailed guide on average car insurance rates by age group
Best car insurance companies for teens in California
Teenage drivers – those aged 16 to 19 – are the most expensive age group to insure, not just in California but nationwide, because they are the most likely to get into an accident. In the Golden State, State Farm edges out Geico for the top-ranked position in our rating, but Geico has the cheapest average annual rate.
Because teenagers are so expensive to insure, experts recommend adding them to a family insurance policy rather than buying separate coverage. Doing so can lessen the financial burden of insuring a young driver.
| Company | Annual cost | AM Best | J.D. Power | NAIC | Overall score out of 5 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| State Farm | $4,961 | A++ | 658 | 0.79 | 4.83 |
| GEICO | $4,836 | A++ | 626 | 0.69 | 4.71 |
| Auto Club Enterprises (AAA) | $6,242 | A+ | 684 | 1.16 | 4.55 |
| Allstate | $5,881 | A+ | 634 | 1.10 | 4.39 |
| Progressive | $6,546 | A+ | 635 | 0.71 | 4.32 |
| Mercury Insurance | $5,095 | A | 596 | 1.41 | 4.25 |
| Farmers | $6,766 | A | 617 | 0.86 | 4.08 |
| CSAA Insurance (AAA) | $8,578 | A | 642 | 1.05 | 3.80 |
| Nationwide | $9,683 | A | 627 | 0.63 | 3.56 |
| Kemper | $7,425 | A- | 528 | 4.21 | 2.97 |
| USAA | $4,005 | A++ | 747 | 1.18 | 4.92 |
*USAA is only available to military community members and their families.
Best car insurance companies for young adults in California
Geico is the top-ranked car insurance company for young adult drivers, those aged 20 to 24. It also has the cheapest average annual premium for this age group, $2,531. That’s over $800 cheaper than its closest competitor, sixth-ranked Mercury Insurance. By contrast, No. 9 Nationwide has the most expensive rate, $4,834 per year for full coverage.
| Company | Annual cost | AM Best | J.D. Power | NAIC | Overall score out of 5 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| GEICO | $2,531 | A++ | 626 | 0.69 | 4.71 |
| State Farm | $3,529 | A++ | 658 | 0.79 | 4.42 |
| Auto Club Enterprises (AAA) | $3,798 | A+ | 684 | 1.16 | 4.29 |
| Allstate | $3,485 | A+ | 634 | 1.10 | 4.20 |
| Progressive | $3,617 | A+ | 635 | 0.71 | 4.20 |
| Mercury Insurance | $3,393 | A | 596 | 1.41 | 3.93 |
| CSAA Insurance (AAA) | $4,029 | A | 642 | 1.05 | 3.92 |
| Farmers | $4,357 | A | 617 | 0.86 | 3.69 |
| Nationwide | $4,834 | A | 627 | 0.63 | 3.56 |
| Kemper | $4,216 | A- | 528 | 4.21 | 2.77 |
| USAA | $2,471 | A++ | 747 | 1.18 | 4.92 |
*USAA is only available to military community members and their families.
Best car insurance companies for adults in California
Car insurance rates continue declining as drivers pass the age of 25. Provided you maintain a clean driving record, you can expect to see premiums continue to creep downward as you age. Geico is the No. 1 choice for people in this age category, with the lowest average annual premium ($1,937). Farmers, which is ranked No. 8 in this category, has the most expensive premiums at $3,079.
| Company | Annual cost | AM Best | J.D. Power | NAIC | Overall score out of 5 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| GEICO | $1,937 | A++ | 626 | 0.69 | 4.71 |
| Progressive | $2,185 | A+ | 635 | 0.71 | 4.45 |
| Auto Club Enterprises (AAA) | $2,539 | A+ | 684 | 1.16 | 4.31 |
| State Farm | $2,704 | A++ | 658 | 0.79 | 4.18 |
| Mercury Insurance | $2,085 | A | 596 | 1.41 | 4.17 |
| Allstate | $2,594 | A+ | 634 | 1.10 | 4.04 |
| CSAA Insurance (AAA) | $2,599 | A | 642 | 1.05 | 3.99 |
| Nationwide | $2,835 | A | 627 | 0.63 | 3.77 |
| Farmers | $3,079 | A | 617 | 0.86 | 3.48 |
| Kemper | $2,693 | A- | 528 | 4.21 | 2.84 |
| USAA | $1,874 | A++ | 747 | 1.18 | 4.92 |
*USAA is only available to military community members and their families.
Best car insurance companies for seniors in California
Senior drivers aged 65-75 will continue to see their car insurance premiums decline until their early 70s. At that point, rates start inching upward again because older drivers, who may have diminished reflexes, poor eyesight or hearing, can be considered a higher risk to insure.
Geico is also the top-ranked insurer in this age category, and it offers the cheapest average rate for seniors, $1,935. Tenth-ranked Kemper is the most expensive, averaging $3,150.
| Company | Annual cost | AM Best | J.D. Power | NAIC | Overall score out of 5 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| GEICO | $1,935 | A++ | 626 | 0.69 | 4.71 |
| State Farm | $2,252 | A++ | 658 | 0.79 | 4.59 |
| Auto Club Enterprises (AAA) | $2,377 | A+ | 684 | 1.16 | 4.48 |
| Progressive | $2,401 | A+ | 635 | 0.71 | 4.29 |
| Allstate | $2,414 | A+ | 634 | 1.10 | 4.22 |
| Mercury Insurance | $2,072 | A | 596 | 1.41 | 4.19 |
| CSAA Insurance (AAA) | $2,625 | A | 642 | 1.05 | 4.00 |
| Nationwide | $2,709 | A | 627 | 0.63 | 3.92 |
| Farmers | $2,977 | A | 617 | 0.86 | 3.62 |
| Kemper | $3,150 | A- | 528 | 4.21 | 2.50 |
| USAA | $1,842 | A++ | 747 | 1.18 | 4.92 |
*USAA is only available to military community members and their families.
Learn more about how to shop for car insurance for seniors
Find top-rated car insurers in your neighboring states
The best car insurance in California for high-risk drivers
If you’ve been convicted of a serious violation like a DUI (driving under the influence), had several at-fault accidents, received multiple traffic tickets or been ordered to obtain an SR-22 certificate, your insurer may classify you as a high-risk driver and either raise your premium or drop you as a customer.
Not all carriers will insure high-risk drivers in California. Among those that do, Mercury Insurance has the cheapest average rate of $3,283 per year. The most expensive insurer is Allstate, with an average premium of $5,817.
| Company | Six-month cost | Annual cost |
|---|---|---|
| Allstate | $2,909 | $5,817 |
| Auto Club Enterprises (AAA) | $2,172 | $4,343 |
| CSAA Insurance (AAA) | $2,227 | $4,453 |
| Farmers | $2,812 | $5,624 |
| GEICO | $1,817 | $3,634 |
| Mercury Insurance | $1,642 | $3,283 |
| Nationwide | $2,832 | $5,664 |
| Progressive | $1,871 | $3,741 |
| State Farm | $2,525 | $5,049 |
| Travelers | $2,081 | $4,161 |
| USAA | $1,529 | $3,057 |
*USAA is only available to military community members and their families.
What makes a car insurance company reliable in California?
Consumers say price, good customer service, and fast claims resolution are what matters most when shopping for car insurance. To find the most reliable car insurers in California, we consulted market research firm J.D. Power’s annual U.S. Auto Insurance Survey, which measures policyholder satisfaction in a number of categories, including overall trust, price, coverage offerings, problem resolution and ease of use on a national, regional and statewide basis. J.D. Power produces a handful of other insurance-related surveys, including claims handling and digital experience.
Another valuable resource for gauge reliability is the National Association of Insurance Commissioners (NAIC) Complaint Index. The index tracks the number of consumer complaints about insurers filed each year with state insurance departments and compares how carriers of equal size perform in relation to an industry benchmark score. A score higher than the benchmark indicates the insurer has more complaints than other carriers of its size; a lower score indicates fewer complaints than average.
Credit ratings agency AM Best is another source for measuring insurer reliability. It assigns letter grades to insurance companies based on their general financial strength and ability to meet claims obligations. The higher the grade, the more sound a carrier is. All of the car insurance companies in our analysis earn an AM Best grade of at least A-minus (Good) or better.
Resources & Methodology
Sources
- California Department of Motor Vehicles. “Auto Insurance Requirements.” Accessed July 2025.
- California Department of Motor Vehicles. “Driving Under the Influence (DUI) (DUI).” Accessed July 2025.
- MyLowCostAuto.com. “About – California’s Low Cost Insurance.” Accessed July 2025.
Methodology
The CarInsurance.com team collected JD Power Auto Customer Satisfaction ratings for each company in their respective regions/states. States that are not individually studied by JD Power are assigned company rankings from their respective region.
They then collected AM Best data, which measure financial strength, and National Association of Insurance Commissioners’ complaint data, which ranks a company by the number of customer complaints it receives. The team identified the NAIC codes of each underwriting company for each carrier and calculated a weighted average complaint index, weighted by the annual written premium. The associated NAIC complaint index score was used in the calculations. They also collected insurance rate data in each state from Quadrant Information Services.
- JD Power: 30% of total score
- AM Best: 25% of total score
- Annual premium: 25% of total score
- NAIC: 20% of total score
Each insurer was awarded between half a star and 5 stars. No company in the ranking received less than one star in any category, and 5 stars was the most any insurer could receive.rs and their families.
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