The best auto insurance in California comes from companies with high financial strength ratings and few complaints to state regulators. According to Jerry’s editorial analysis, Nationwide is the best car insurance company in California overall. Here’s the full list of the best insurers in the Golden State, and why we picked each.
If you need cheap car insurance in California, compare quotes from multiple insurers to get the best rate.
Best car insurance in California overall: Nationwide
- Multiple discount options.
- Excellent bundling perks.
- Well-ranked in J.D. Power’s Auto Claims Satisfaction Study.
- Does not file SR-22s.
Why it’s the best: Among insurers available in California that received a Jerry star rating of 4 or higher, Nationwide earned the highest rating.
Nationwide offers several perks for loyal customers. California drivers who go five years without an at-fault accident or major violation can qualify for a discount. Bundling auto and home insurance policies makes drivers eligible for more perks, including up to $400 for car key replacement, accident forgiveness for a minor fender bender, plus coverage for your pet if it’s injured in an accident in your car. Nationwide has an extensive network of independent agents in California if you prefer to work with an agent.
Best cheap auto insurance in California: Progressive
- Cheapest in California among top-rated insurers.
- Many discounts available.
- Ample policy customization options.
- Files SR-22s.
- Slightly below-average J.D. Power customer satisfaction rating in California.
|
Insurance Company
|
Avg Monthly Quote
|
State
|
|---|---|---|
| Progressive | $131 | CA |
Why it’s the best: Progressive has the lowest minimum coverage rates, on average, compared to other California insurers with a Jerry star rating of four or higher. The provider offers a variety of discounts for California drivers, including for insuring multiple cars, bundling policies, having a vehicle recovery device, being a good driver and taking a driver improvement course. Its wide range of discounts combined with already-low rates make Progressive the best cheap car insurer in California.
Best for discounts: Allstate
- Offers rewards for safe driving.
- California drivers visiting Mexico can get coverage.
- High financial strength rating from AM Best.
- Below average J.D. Power customer satisfaction rating in California.
- Lacks unique optional coverages.
Why it’s the best: Among insurers available in California that received a Jerry star rating of 4 or higher, Allstate earned the highest rating. The company boasts a superior financial strength rating from AM Best, which indicates the insurer is financially prepared to pay out claims.
Allstate offers a variety of discounts for California drivers, including savings for being a safe driver and bundling your auto policy with other policies. Drivers can add optional coverages, including rideshare insurance and rental reimbursement. Allstate can also help drivers add tourist coverage if they drive down to Mexico.
Best for customized policies: Farmers
- May offer many coverage customization options.
- Relatively few consumer complaints.
- Discount available for new drivers.
- Below-average J.D. Power customer satisfaction rating in California.
Why it’s the best: Farmers offers several ways to customize a policy, including a $100 deductible for covered glass repairs, cash for transportation costs if your car is in the shop for a covered claim, towing and road service, and rideshare insurance. Farmers also has relatively few consumer complaints to state regulators for a company of its size, indicating strong customer satisfaction.
New California drivers can get a 10% discount for taking a quiz and signing Farmers’ New Driver Agreement. Other discounts are available, including for safe driving habits, insuring multiple vehicles and bundling your policy.
Honorable mention: Auto Club of Southern California
While not yet rated by Jerry, Auto Club of Southern California was ranked No. 1 out of 14 insurers for overall customer satisfaction, according to J.D. Power’s 2024 Auto Insurance Study. This study ranks insurance companies based on factors like cost and consumer trust.
Auto Club of Southern California operates under the AAA brand, and you must purchase a membership along with your auto policy. The membership includes roadside assistance, which covers towing, lockout assistance and flat tire service. Your AAA membership also gives you access to perks and discounts like a car buying service, identity theft protection, and discounted theme park tickets to Disneyland and Universal Studios Hollywood.
How to get the best auto insurance in California
Follow these tips to find the best car insurance in California:
- Determine your coverage needs. Each person has a unique financial situation, so determine how much car insurance you need to protect your wallet. For example, full coverage pays for damage to your own car, up to its market value. If you drive a new vehicle, you probably need full coverage. If you lease or finance your vehicle, the lender will require full coverage. You may also need gap insurance, which can help you pay off your loan if your car is totaled.
- Research insurance companies. Sites like Jerry collect customer reviews and formally review insurers so that you can check their reputations and know what to expect before buying a policy.
- Compare quotes. Once you’ve narrowed your search to a few companies, get quotes from all of them, and be sure you use the same coverage limits when shopping. This will show you which insurer offers the cheapest car insurance for the coverage you need.
Methodology
Jerry’s team of car insurance experts has assessed more than 50 car insurers and rated dozens of them using information like their financial strength, consumer complaints, pricing and online reputation. We chose the best insurers by reviewing their star ratings, state availability, coverage customizations and discount offerings.
We regularly fact-check and update insurer reviews and ratings, and reassess our star ratings annually. This list is subject to change as insurers’ offerings and our methodology for assessing them evolve.
Ben Moore is a writer and editor at Jerry and an auto insurance expert. He previously worked as a writer, editor and content strategist on NerdWallet’s auto insurance team for five years. His work has been published in The Associated Press, Washington Post, Chicago Sun-Times, MarketWatch, Nasdaq and Yahoo News. He also served as a NerdWallet spokesperson, with appearances on local broadcast television and quotes in Martha Stewart and Real Simple magazine.
Ben has an extensive background in digital marketing, working on affiliate and programmatic advertising campaigns for brands like Cabela’s, H&R Block and Sears. He holds a bachelors degree in marketing from Olivet Nazarene University.
Annie is a writer and editor at Jerry and has more than a decade of experience writing and editing digital content. Before joining Jerry, she was an assistant assigning editor at NerdWallet, where she covered loans. Previously, she worked at USAA and newspapers in Minnesota, North Dakota, California, and Texas. She holds a bachelor’s degree in journalism from the University of Minnesota.
