State Farm, Farmers and Nationwide are California's best cheap renters insurance companies. State Farm has the most affordable rates. Farmers has the best customer reputation, while Nationwide offers the best coverage options.
Cheap Renters Insurance in California
Updated: April 22, 2025
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Key Takeaways
State Farm is California's best overall renters insurance company, offering the cheapest policy at $309 annually.
Renters insurance in California costs around $23 per month but ranges from $16 to $53.
To get the best and most affordable renters insurance, determine your coverage needs first, research costs and compare multiple quotes.
California Renters Insurance Quote Estimates
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Rates updated:
Apr 23, 2025
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Best Cheap Renters Insurance Companies in California
| State Farm | 95 | $26 | $309 |
| Nationwide | 85 | $50 | $605 |
| Allstate | 85 | $37 | $440 |
| CIG | 78 | $34 | $404 |
| Farmers | 76 | $53 | $641 |
*This list shows rates for a renter with good credit, no claims history, $50K in property damage coverage, $100K in liability coverage, a $1,000 deductible and guaranteed replacement.
Compare Personalized Best Cheap Renters Insurance in California
While the list above covers most renters, it may not reflect the best options for your needs. Below is a filterable table tailored to match your profile, helping you find the best choice in California.
Data filtered by:Results filtered by:
Select
Coverage Level:$50K Personal Property / $100K Liability
Select
Deductible:1000
Select
Claims History:Claim free for 5+ years
Select
Contents Replacement:Yes
Select
Credit Tier:Good
| State Farm | 95 | $16 | $190 |
| Travelers | 91 | $20 | $244 |
| Nationwide | 89 | $21 | $254 |
| Allstate | 82 | $21 | $256 |
| CIG | 82 | $16 | $194 |
Best California Renters Insurance Reviews
Below are more details about our top picks for affordability, customer service and coverage options for renters insurance in California.
State Farm: Most Affordable Plans
pros
Most affordable rates
Largest discount offering selection
High financial stability ratings
cons
Below-average customer satisfaction
Limited add-on coverage options
COMPANY HIGHLIGHTS
State Farm offers competitive renters insurance in California, starting at $16 monthly. It provides special discounts for autopay enrollment and retirees over 55. However, the company ranks below average in J.D. Power ratings for claims experience.
Farmers: Best for Customer Service
pros
Highly customizable plans
Strong customer service scores
Large add-on coverage selection
cons
Higher rates than average for most profiles
COMPANY HIGHLIGHTS
Farmers is California's most expensive renters insurance provider, but excels in customer experience. Its unique coverage options include identity theft protection, scheduled personal property and earthquake coverage in some areas.
Nationwide: Best for Coverage Options
pros
Affordable rates for higher coverage
Most extensive add-on coverage selection
High claims satisfaction ratings
cons
Lower-than-average overall customer satisfaction ratings
Less affordable for lower property damage coverage levels
COMPANY HIGHLIGHTS
Nationwide ranks second among California's best renters insurance companies, with balanced affordability, coverage and customer service scores. In J.D. Power ratings, it places 12th out of 15 for customer satisfaction and sixth out of 18 for claims satisfaction. The company offers unique options, including credit card coverage and add-ons to replace selected personal property up to its actual cash value.
Average Cost of Renters Insurance in California
Renters insurance costs around $23 monthly in California, $3 lower than the national average of $20. These rates reflect a policy with $50K in personal property coverage, $100K in liability limits and a $1,000 deductible.
Your actual rate may vary based on your profile. Check our table below to see major factors affecting renters insurance premiums and find average costs for your profile.
Data filtered by:Results filtered by:
Select
Coverage Level:$50K Personal Property / $100K Liability
Select
Deductible:1000
Select
Claims History:Claim free for 5+ years
Select
Credit Tier:Good
Select
Contents Replacement:Covered
| $50K Personal Property / $100K Liability | $23 | $273 |
Average California Renters Insurance Cost by City
Renters insurance costs vary widely by city. The average annual premium in Anaheim is $214; in Berkeley, it's $258 for policies with $50K in personal property coverage and $100K in liability coverage. Check the table below for the average cost in your city.
| Anaheim | $214 |
| Antioch | $231 |
| Arden-Arcade | $249 |
| Bakersfield | $251 |
| Berkeley | $258 |
| Burbank | $284 |
| Carlsbad | $234 |
| Chula Vista | $235 |
| Clovis | $255 |
| Concord | $226 |
| Corona | $257 |
| Costa Mesa | $231 |
| Daly City | $207 |
| Downey | $276 |
| East Los Angeles | $295 |
| El Cajon | $236 |
| Elk Grove | $249 |
| El Monte | $266 |
| Escondido | $232 |
| Fairfield | $228 |
| Fontana | $253 |
| Fremont | $225 |
| Fresno | $262 |
| Fullerton | $214 |
| Garden Grove | $216 |
| Glendale | $278 |
| Hayward | $227 |
| Huntington Beach | $226 |
| Inglewood | $294 |
| Irvine | $227 |
| Jurupa Valley | $256 |
| Lancaster | $294 |
| Long Beach | $235 |
| Los Angeles | $320 |
| Modesto | $250 |
| Moreno Valley | $259 |
| Murrieta | $245 |
| Norwalk | $264 |
| Oakland | $277 |
| Oceanside | $236 |
| Ontario | $239 |
| Orange | $218 |
| Oxnard | $202 |
| Palmdale | $296 |
| Pasadena | $265 |
| Pomona | $278 |
| Rancho Cucamonga | $256 |
| Rialto | $261 |
| Richmond | $223 |
| Riverside | $259 |
| Roseville | $226 |
| Sacramento | $246 |
| Salinas | $216 |
| San Bernardino | $262 |
| San Diego | $234 |
| San Francisco | $260 |
| San Jose | $209 |
| San Mateo | $206 |
| Santa Ana | $219 |
| Santa Clara | $204 |
| Santa Clarita | $274 |
| Santa Maria | $199 |
| Santa Rosa | $214 |
| Simi Valley | $222 |
| Stockton | $255 |
| Sunnyvale | $203 |
| Temecula | $244 |
| Thousand Oaks | $222 |
| Torrance | $233 |
| Vallejo | $230 |
| Ventura | $206 |
| Victorville | $249 |
| Visalia | $236 |
| Vista | $235 |
| West Covina | $279 |
*This table shows rates for a renter with good credit and no claims history. Policies include $50K property damage coverage, $100K liability coverage, a $1,000 deductible and guaranteed replacement.
California Renters Insurance: Buyer's Guide
Finding the best renters insurance in California can be tricky with so many options. This guide will help you find coverage that fits your needs.
How to Find the Best Cheap Renters Insurance in California
Finding the best and cheapest policy for your needs can be challenging with so many options. Follow this step-by-step guide to choose the right coverage for your profile.
- 1
Determine the right coverage level
Identify how much coverage you need before comparing rates. Assess your possessions' value and consider risks like weather damage, crime or pet incidents to ensure adequate protection.
- 2
Research costs and discounts
Learn average costs for your desired coverage to find competitive rates. Seek out discounts you might qualify for when evaluating providers.
- 3
Compare providers
Examine the reputation, costs and coverage options of various renters insurance companies. This will help you narrow down your potential providers for quotes.
- 4
Consider bundling
If you have auto insurance, consider bundling it with renters coverage. Often, auto policy savings can cover the entire cost of renters insurance.
- 5
Compare multiple quotes through different channels
Gather at least five quotes from different providers. Use comparison sites, provider websites, brokers and phone calls, as rates vary across platforms.
- 6
Review policy annually
Insurance markets change, and your current provider may not offer the best future rates. Review your renters policy yearly to ensure you're paying the lowest price possible.
How Much Renters Insurance Do I Need in California?
Renters insurance isn't required by law in California, but most landlords require at least $100K in liability coverage. Requirements may vary based on your rental history, credit and pet ownership. Consider how much property you want covered, weather risks, crime in your area and if you own a pet.
Use our calculator below to determine your ideal personal property limits and how much renters insurance you need.
Personal Property Coverage Calculator
When figuring out how much renters insurance you need, experts recommend the standard $100,000 in liability insurance and enough personal property protection to cover your possessions. Use MoneyGeek's calculator to estimate the value of your possessions so you know how much personal property coverage to buy.
clothing & accessories
Clothes, shoes, bags, belts, hats, gloves, etc.
California Renter Risk Considerations
California renters face certain risks that may require additional insurance coverage:
- Weather risks: Earthquakes, wildfires, landslides and floods are California's most common natural disasters. Standard coverage may not cover these threats, requiring a separate purchase.
- Crime risks: California ranks eighth nationwide for property crime rate and seventh for identity theft and fraud. Consider add-ons or supplemental property damage coverage.
- Pet ownership: You might need pet liability coverage depending on your pet. Check how different providers handle pet coverage and whether it's included in standard policies.
- Property types: Standard policies may not fully cover special tools, valuables, electronics or structures like pools on rented property. Look for companies offering specific add-ons for these items.
How Does Renters Insurance Coverage Work?
Renters insurance typically covers damage to your property, liability for harm to others and loss of use related to your rental home. Additional coverage options can make your policy more comprehensive. Common types of renters insurance coverage include:
Coverage Type | Standard or Add-on | Coverage Details |
|---|---|---|
Standard | Reimburses you for personal property within your rental up to a specified limit. Without replacement cost coverage, reimbursement is based on the item's actual cash value, not the original purchase price. Replacement cost coverage ensures you receive a new item of a similar kind and quality. | |
Standard | Protects you if someone is injured on your property. It covers medical expenses and legal costs and is often required by landlords. | |
Additional living expenses | Standard | Helps with expenses like meals, lodging and transportation if you lose access to your rental home. Depending on the insurer, the limit is either a percentage of your personal property coverage or a flat amount. |
Natural disasters | Add-on | Covers personal property damage caused by earthquakes and floods. Separate policies for these disasters are available through select providers. |
Parts/Equipment | Add-on | Separate policies that cover tools, appliances and utilities in your rental home |
Scheduled property | Add-on | Allows you to insure certain valuable items up to a specified limit |
Identity theft | Add-on | Protects you financially from identity theft, covering stolen funds and legal costs. Some policies also offer monitoring services to help prevent identity theft. |
Pet liability | Add-on | Protects against injuries caused by your pet on your rental property, though a standard policy may cover this |
Modifications | Add-on | Covers parts of your rental property that aren't original, including custom additions and modifications |
Food loss | Add-on | Reimburses you for food lost due to covered incidents |
Best Renters Insurance in California: Bottom Line
California's best and cheapest overall renters insurance companies are State Farm, Nationwide and Farmers. While we recommend these options, research and compare multiple companies and quotes to get the best deal.
Renters Insurance in California: FAQ
Review our experts' answers to frequently asked questions below:
What is the cheapest renters insurance company in California?
State Farm offers the cheapest renters insurance in California, with an average annual premium of $309 or $26 per month.
What is the best renters insurance company in California?
State Farm is the best renters insurance company in California, with a MoneyGeek score of 95 out of 100 for its excellent balance of cost, customer satisfaction and coverage options.
How much does renters insurance cost in California?
The average cost of renters insurance in California is $273 per year or $23 per month, 13% higher than the national average. Annual premiums range from $309 to $641.
Is renters insurance required in California?
Renters insurance isn't legally mandated in California, but your landlord may require it. Evaluating your needs and circumstances can help determine whether buying a policy is right for you. Reasons to get renters insurance include financial protection against common perils and liability costs of third-party injuries.
How We Found the Best Cheap Renters Insurance Companies
We based our affordability score (60% of the total score) on quotes for a profile with:
- $50K personal property coverage
- $100K liability coverage
- $1,000 deductible
- Property replacement coverage
- Good credit score
Our complete scoring also considered:
- Customer satisfaction from industry research (25%)
- Add-on coverages (10%)
- Financial strength ratings (5%)
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.
sources
- California Residential Mitigation Program. "What Natural Disasters Occur in California?." Accessed April 22, 2025.
- Insurance Information Institute. "Facts + Statistics: Identity Theft and Cybercrime." Accessed April 22, 2025.
- U.S. News. "Low Property Crime Rate." Accessed April 22, 2025.