Best auto insurance companies in California

According to our research, California drivers pay an average car insurance premium of $2,573 per year for full coverage and $638 for minimum coverage. Insurance california editorial team determined that Central Insurance Quote, Insurance California, Insurance River Side, and Insurance Sacramento are among the best car insurance companies in California. We first analyzed average annual quoted premiums provided by Quadrant Information Services for the largest insurance companies by market share in the Golden State. We also considered coverage options, discounts, digital tools, and customer satisfaction scores. Bankrate knows that California’s insurance market was unstable throughout 2023, and we took extra are to ensure that the providers we chose are still writing new auto policies.

Based on our research, CA drivers might want to get quotes from the following national and regional companies if you are looking for the best auto insurance:

Insurance company Score Average full coverage rate Average min coverage rate
Central Insurance Quote 4.4 $1,843 $458
Insurance California 4.4 $1,988 $430
Insurance River Side 4.0 $2,258 $650
Insurance Sacramento 3.9 $1,980 $479

Auto insurance rates are known to change often, but you can trust Insure to provide you with the most up-to-date options

Get California Car Insurance Quotes

Central Insurance Quote

Central Insurance Quote

4.4

Insurance Rating

Avg. full coverage premium

$153/mo

Avg. full coverage premium

$1,843/yr

Customer satisfaction

832/1,000

Overview :

Why Central Insurance Quote Stands Out

Central Insurance Quote distinguishes itself with a range of comprehensive coverage options and attractive discounts similar to those offered by other leading insurers. Additionally, they cater to rideshare drivers working with platforms like Uber and Lyft by providing specialized rideshare insurance.

What sets Central Insurance Quote apart is the convenience they offer in the claims process. Policyholders can file claims online effortlessly or via their 24/7 toll-free claims hotline, ensuring support is always available when needed.

Moreover, Central Insurance Quote is renowned for offering some of the most competitive full coverage car insurance rates in California, making it an excellent choice for individuals looking to balance quality coverage with affordability.

Pros and cons

Pros

  • Instant quotes for quick pricing.
  • Comprehensive coverage options.
  • Affordable rates for cost-effective solutions.

Cons

  • Limited address details can hinder contact.
  • Online presence may need better engagement.

Insurance California

Insurance

4.4

Insurance Rating

Avg. full coverage premium

$165/mo

Avg. full coverage premium

$1,988/yr

Customer satisfaction

798/1,000

Overview :

Why Insurance California Stands Out

Insurance in California offers a wide range of options from providers known for their A+ financial strength ratings. Whether you're looking for auto, home, health, or life insurance, California insurers provide comprehensive coverage tailored to diverse needs.

What sets California insurers apart is their commitment to customer satisfaction and innovation. Many companies offer convenient online tools, including price comparison tools, to help consumers find the best coverage at competitive rates.

With a competitive landscape, insurers in California strive to offer affordable premiums without compromising on coverage quality. This ensures that residents can find insurance plans that meet both their financial and protection needs.

When selecting an insurance provider in California, factors like financial strength, coverage options, customer service, and the availability of online tools for quotes and claims processing are crucial considerations.

Pros and cons

Pros

  • Diverse options with A+ rated providers.
  • Emphasis on customer satisfaction and innovation.

Cons

  • None explicitly stated.

Insurance River Side

Insurance

4.0

Insurance Rating

Avg. full coverage premium

$188/mo

Avg. full coverage premium

$2,258/yr

Customer satisfaction

791/1,000

Overview :

Why Insurance River Side Stands Out

Insurance in Riverside offers a variety of options tailored to meet the diverse needs of residents in this vibrant city. Whether you're seeking auto, home, health, or life insurance, insurers in Riverside provide comprehensive coverage solutions.

What distinguishes insurance providers in Riverside is their commitment to customer service and community engagement. Many companies offer personalized insurance plans and discounts tailored to local demographics and lifestyles.

Riverside insurers strive to offer competitive premiums while maintaining high standards of coverage. Residents benefit from easy access to online tools for quotes, policy management, and claims processing, ensuring a seamless insurance experience.

Choosing an insurance provider in Riverside involves considering factors such as coverage options, customer reviews, local presence, and the availability of specialized insurance products like rideshare coverage.

Pros and cons

Pros

  • Diverse insurance options tailored to local needs.
  • Competitive premiums with personalized discounts.
  • Convenient access to online tools for quotes and claims.

Cons

  • Variability in customer service quality among providers.
  • Limited availability of certain specialized insurance products.

Insurance Sacramento

Insurnace Sacramento

3.9

Insurance Rating

Avg. full coverage premium

$165/mo

Avg. full coverage premium

$1,980/yr

Customer satisfaction

785/1,000

Overview :

Why Insurance Sacramento Stands Out

Insurance in Sacramento, California, offers a diverse array of options tailored to meet the needs of residents in the state capital. Whether you're seeking auto, home, health, or life insurance, insurers in Sacramento provide comprehensive coverage solutions.

What sets insurers in Sacramento apart is their commitment to personalized service and local expertise. Many companies offer specialized insurance products and discounts that cater to the unique demographics and lifestyles of Sacramento residents.

Sacramento insurers strive to provide competitive premiums while maintaining high standards of coverage. Residents benefit from convenient access to online tools for quotes, policy management, and claims processing, ensuring a streamlined insurance experience.

Choosing an insurance provider in Sacramento involves evaluating factors such as coverage options, customer reviews, local presence, and the availability of specialized products like rideshare insurance.

Pros and cons

Pros

  • Diverse insurance options tailored to local needs.
  • Competitive premiums with personalized discounts.
  • Strong local presence and customer service.

Cons

  • Variability in coverage options among providers.
  • Some insurers may have limited availability of specialized products.

Get California Car Insurance Quotes

How to find the best car insurance in California

While many individuals place a high value on price, you may want to take other aspects into account when selecting an auto insurance provider. Everybody's definition of the ideal auto insurance coverage is unique and is based on their requirements, way of life, and financial obligations. Take into consideration these important methods to choose which auto insurance provider could offer the greatest coverage for your needs.

Consider Minimum insurance requirement in California

In order to drive an automobile legally in California, a motorist must have minimum amounts of liability insurance coverage on it. This covers the bare minimums needed for property damage and bodily injury liability insurance. The California Department of Motor Vehicles states that every driver in the state is required to have at least:

  • Bodily Injury Liability: At least $15,000 per person injured in an accident.
  • Injury Liability: At least $30,000 for injury or death to more than one person in an accident.
  • Property Damage Liability: At least $5,000 for damage to property in an accident.

Together with uninsured motorist property damage and uninsured and underinsured motorist bodily injury coverage, California also requires insurance carriers to provide you these benefits; however, you have the option to refuse in writing if you do not wish to have or pay for them. It might be easier for you to determine if you need greater limits or more coverage if you are aware of California's auto insurance regulations.

Consider lender requirements

You might need to get auto insurance that meets the standards of your banking institution if you loan or lease your automobile. For instance, although comprehensive and collision insurance are often optional coverage types, most lenders will force you to have them if your automobile is financed. This kind of policy is called complete coverage.

You can also be required by your banking institution to acquire larger liability limits, particularly if you rent your car. Gap insurance, which is intended to cover the difference between your automobile's real cash worth and the loan or lease amount in the event that your car is damaged or stolen, is something else you might want to think about. The Insurance Information Institute (Triple-I) states that buying gap insurance from your insurer as opposed to an automobile dealer is usually less expensive.

Consider your individual needs

Every motorist has unique factors to consider when purchasing vehicle insurance. You may have to insure a teenage driver, reside in a city with high traffic and tourists, have a history of accidents or moving infractions, or any combination of these. It can make sense to obtain comprehensive and collision coverage, uninsured motorist coverage, towing and rental reimbursement, or any combination of these, depending on your particular circumstances.

Knowing your specific coverage requirements may help you focus your search for quotes by reducing the number of providers you contact. Families with teenage drivers may search for insurance providers offering specific savings for young drivers.