Updated: March 28, 2025
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CSAA is the best overall car insurance provider in California, with a MoneyGeek score of 82 out of 100 and an annual premium of $427. Chubb is the runner-up.
CSAA offers California's most affordable minimum coverage, with an annual premium of $131. However, drivers should weigh the cost savings against the financial risks of relying solely on minimum liability protection.
Chubb is the top car insurance provider for customer service in California, with a MoneyGeek score of 95 out of 100. It offers excellent service tailored to varied customer needs.
CSAA is the top car insurance provider in California, with a MoneyGeek score of 82 out of 100. Insurers in the state differ in cost, customer service and coverage, with scores ranging from 64 to 82. Use the table below to compare and find the best option.
| CSAA | 82 | $427 |
| Chubb | 79 | $1,868 |
| Capital Insurance Group | 79 | $1,394 |
| Progressive | 78 | $1,086 |
| AAA | 77 | $858 |
| State Farm | 76 | $1,356 |
| GEICO | 76 | $1,274 |
| Nationwide | 74 | $1,454 |
| Mercury | 74 | $1,324 |
| Travelers | 74 | $1,657 |
| Allstate | 73 | $1,403 |
| National General | 69 | $1,218 |
| Hartford | 69 | $1,498 |
| Farmers | 67 | $1,985 |
| Kemper | 64 | $1,523 |
| State National | No Data | $1,505 |
CSAA is a top choice for comprehensive coverage, offering affordability, reliable claims handling and financial stability. Its coverage options include identity theft protection to safeguard personal information and roadside assistance for emergencies like flat tires or dead batteries. Drivers also benefit from rental car and travel reimbursement, which covers transportation costs during repairs.
Chubb provides excellent customer satisfaction and claims handling. While it doesn’t include roadside assistance, it offers valuable coverages like rental car and travel reimbursement. Unique options such as antique/classic car insurance, diminished value coverage and OEM coverage ensure specialized needs are met with original parts for repairs.
Capital Insurance Group excels in customer satisfaction and claims handling, making it the top choice for California families with teen drivers. It offers a good student discount for savings but lacks distant student and driver’s education discounts. Unique coverages include full glass coverage for easy repairs and custom parts coverage for specialized vehicle modifications.
Progressive provides flexible policies with extensive coverage options and discounts. It offers unique benefits like rideshare insurance, gap coverage and pet injury protection. However, its customer satisfaction and claims handling scores are below average.
State Farm is the top choice for ease of use in California, offering a highly rated mobile app, a user-friendly website and robust digital tools. As the largest U.S. auto insurer, it excels in customer satisfaction, financial stability and competitive rates. Discounts like safe driving and young driver incentives add value, though gap insurance is unavailable.
Shopping for car insurance in California can be overwhelming, but finding the right policy involves more than just comparing prices. Some insurers excel in claims handling; others offer better discounts or flexible coverage. This guide helps you find the best fit and secure competitive quotes.
Choosing the best car insurance in California means evaluating cost, coverage, customer service and financial stability. While MoneyGeek analyzed top providers, comparing options tailored to your needs ensures you find the best policy. Follow these steps to choose the right insurer:
A provider’s customer service can significantly impact your experience, especially during claims. Check independent ratings from J.D. Power and the NAIC to evaluate satisfaction and claims resolution. Chubb excels in California, earning a satisfaction score of 95 out of 100, offering a smooth claims process.
Car insurance premiums vary based on factors like age, driving history and location. Comparing multiple quotes helps identify the most affordable option for your situation. CSAA, for example, offers the lowest minimum coverage rate in California at $131 per year.
The right policy includes tailored coverage, such as full coverage, roadside assistance or rental car reimbursement. Insurers like Travelers and Allstate offer additional options like OEM and gap insurance, providing extra value for certain needs.
Many insurers offer discounts for bundling, safe driving or having multiple policies. Identifying which insurers provide the best savings opportunities can lower your overall premium. Discounts like good student or military benefits can also make a difference.
Financial stability is key to seamless claims payments. A.M. Best ratings reflect an insurer’s reliability. Top-rated providers like Travelers, State Farm, GEICO and Chubb offer policyholders peace of mind.
Car insurance rates in California vary based on factors like driving history, location and coverage needs. Use our calculator below to compare quotes and find the best deal.
Find the car insurance provider that fits your personal needs and preferences
Car insurance needs differ based on location, coverage and driver profile. This guide highlights California's top car insurance companies to help drivers find the right policy. CSAA is the top choice for overall value and minimum coverage. For families with teen drivers, Capital Insurance Group is a strong option.
We answer frequently asked questions about California car insurance options to help you make the right purchase:
CSAA offers the best car insurance in California, with a MoneyGeek score of 82 out of 100 and an annual premium of $427. It excels in customer satisfaction (32/35) and affordability (30/30).
CSAA offers California's best cheap car insurance, with an annual premium of $131 for a minimum coverage policy.
Capital Insurance Group is the top-rated insurer for drivers with offenses, offering a balance of affordability and service quality. Its annual premium of $1,911 reflects the increased costs associated with high-risk drivers.
Chubb leads in customer service and claims processing, with a satisfaction score of 95 out of 100. While its premium is $1,868, it delivers top-tier service tailored to customer needs.
The first step in finding affordable car insurance in California should involve using the Internet. Many car insurance companies—national and regional—serve California, and a Web search is the best way of identifying a range of possible car insurance providers in the state. One useful resource is provided by the California Department of Insurance, which provides a master list of insurance companies providing car insurance in the state. This list is available through the following link: California Department of Insurance.
Next, consumers should visit individual car insurance company sites and utilize, when available, simulation applications that generate quote estimates. Getting an actual quote might require a credit check, which can adversely affect the credit scores of some consumers (particularly those with low credit scores). Therefore, before proceeding to an actual quote, consumers should visit the Web sites of individual providers and obtain estimates. After identifying a range of car insurance companies with the lowest premiums, consumers can request quotes and determine whether estimates are accurate. Finally, after obtaining quotes, the selection of a low-cost quote should be because of the breadth of coverage offered in that quote and how well it meets a consumer’s individual needs.
The best thing you can do to find affordable auto insurance in California is to first determine what coverages and amounts you need on your vehicle. If you think you want full coverage, make sure you have liability and comprehensive coverage. Also, look for things like glass repair, roadside assistance, rental reimbursement, and medical coverage.
Once you've determined what coverage you need, make sure you call around and receive quotes from multiple insurance companies. Don't go with the first one you find, and don't assume the big name brands are the best either. Do your research and shop until you get the coverage you want at the price that works for your budget.
Ask a question, it’s free
Ask an expertWe created an insurance scoring system for California providers based on key factors: customer satisfaction (35%), affordability (30%), claims experience (20%), essential coverages (10%) and financial stability (5%) using six independent sources. These recommendations were updated in January 2025 to reflect current best options.
Scoring Adjustments:
We also considered qualitative factors, like unique coverages not offered by competitors.
Policy Limits Used for Analysis:
Sample Data:
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.
