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Solvable conducts independent research and data analysis. Our content is not influenced in any way by other companies, including the ones we write about and/or have a financial relationship with. Above all else, we strive to make the best data-driven recommendations for our readers. Read more about our process.
What to Know
No single car insurer suits every California driver, so start with what you need. If discounts matter most, look at Geico. If you want a policy you can build out with add-ons, look at Farmers. If you're a young driver, a rideshare driver, or belong to the military community, a different pick on this page may fit you better.
Uninsured motorist coverage isn't required in the Golden State, but insurers must offer it.
Our Best Car Insurance Companies in California
- Best for Discounts: Geico
- Best Policy Options: Farmers
- Best Online Experience: Progressive
- Best for Young Drivers: State Farm
- Best for the Military Community: USAA
Geico
Best for Discounts- Discounts
- 23
- Online Quotes
- Online Policy Purchase
Why We Like Geico in California
Geico is our pick for discounts, with 23 on offer. The list covers a wide range of households and drivers, including good students, federal employees, drivers with a clean record, and new-vehicle owners. You can also get a quote, buy a policy, and file a claim online.
Pros and Cons
Pros
- 23 discounts to choose from
- Buy a policy online
- File claims online
Cons
- No gap insurance
Company Review
Geico sells car insurance in all 50 states and Washington, D.C., with collision, liability, and comprehensive coverage plus seven additional options, including medical payments, uninsured/underinsured motorist, emergency road service, rental reimbursement, mechanical breakdown insurance, and custom parts and equipment coverage. Its discounts include DriveEasy, a usage-based program, along with savings for multi-policy and multi-vehicle households, paying in full, going paperless, setting up auto pay, and shopping early.
Geico doesn't offer gap insurance, so if you owe more on a financed or leased car than it's worth in a total loss situation, you'd need to cover that difference another way.
Farmers
Best Policy Options- Discounts
- 23
- Online Quotes
- Online Policy Purchase
Why We Like Farmers in California
Farmers is our pick for policy options. Its 13 additional coverage types include accident forgiveness, new car replacement, rideshare and food delivery coverage, and OEM/new original parts, which lets you shape a policy around how you actually drive.
Pros and Cons
Pros
- Offers accident forgiveness
- Offers new car replacement
- Offers rideshare coverage
Cons
- Can't buy a policy online
Company Review
Farmers is available in 42 states, including California, and offers collision, liability, comprehensive, and gap insurance. Beyond the extras already mentioned, you can add glass deductible buyback, rental alternative/loss of use, customized equipment, and a personal umbrella policy. It also lists 23 discounts, among them Signal (usage-based), youthful driver, distant student, shared family car, alternative fuel, and VIN etching.
One tradeoff to plan for: you can get a quote and file a claim online, but you can't buy a policy online.
Progressive
Best Online Experience- Discounts
- 13
- Online Quotes
- Online Policy Purchase
Why We Like Progressive in California
Progressive is our pick for the online experience. You can get a quote, buy a policy, and file a claim online, and it even lists discounts for getting an online quote and signing online.
Pros and Cons
Pros
- Offers rideshare coverage
- Offers gap insurance
Cons
- Fewer discounts than some other carriers
Company Review
Progressive sells policies in all 50 states and Washington, D.C., and offers collision, liability, comprehensive, and gap insurance. Eight additional coverage options include rideshare coverage, roadside assistance, rental reimbursement, a vehicle protection plan, and custom parts and equipment coverage. The company offers discounts such as Snapshot, a safe driver program, plus continuous coverage, teen driver, good student, multi-car, paperless, and automatic payment discounts. If your household qualifies for many breaks, compare it against Geico and Farmers, since both list more discounts.
State Farm
Best for Young Drivers- Discounts
- 19
- Online Quotes
- Online Policy Purchase
Why We Like State Farm in California
State Farm is our pick for young drivers. Its discounts match the stages a young driver moves through: driver training, Steer Clear, good student, student away at school, and, later, college graduate.
Pros and Cons
Pros
- 19 discounts, including ones targeting young drivers
- Buy a policy online
Cons
- No gap insurance
Company Review
State Farm is available in 48 states and D.C., including California, and covers collision, liability, and comprehensive. Add-ons include uninsured and underinsured motorist, rideshare driver coverage, emergency road service, car rental reimbursement, and travel expenses coverage. It lists 19 discounts, including Drive Safe & Save, accident-free, low mileage, loyalty, senior, and bundling. You can buy a policy and file claims online. Like Geico, it doesn't offer gap insurance.
USAA
Best for the Military Community- Discounts
- 13
- Online Quotes
- Online Policy Purchase
Why We Like USAA in California
USAA is our pick for the military community. It offers discounts built for military life, including military on-base, car storage, and MyUSAA legacy. All USAA products, except life insurance, are open only to military members, veterans, and their immediate families.
Pros and Cons
Pros
- Military-specific coverages and discounts
- Offers gap insurance
Cons
- Membership required
Company Review
USAA offers collision, liability, comprehensive, and gap insurance, plus rideshare insurance, roadside assistance/towing and labor, rental reimbursement, medical payments, and uninsured/underinsured motorist coverage. Its 13 discounts include SafePilot (usage-based), safe driving, good student, new vehicle, multi-vehicle, and bundle-and-save. Members can get online quotes and buy policies online, and anyone insured can file claims online.
California Car Insurance Requirements
California is not a no-fault state, and every driver must carry liability insurance at these amounts, according to the California Department of Insurance.
California minimum coverage
- Bodily injury liability
- $30,000 per person/$60,000 per accident
- Property damage liability
- $15,000 per accident
- Uninsured motorist
- Not required. Insurers must offer it, and you can decline it by signing a written waiver.
Minimum liability only pays for damage and injuries you cause to other people. It doesn't repair your own car, cover theft or pay your medical bills, and a serious crash can cost more than the limits, leaving you responsible for the rest.
If your car is financed or worth replacing, price out collision and comprehensive coverage to pair with liability-only.
How to Save on Car Insurance in California
Compare quotes every year
Insurers price the same driver differently, so a quote you got last year tells you little about today. Shop around before your renewal, especially if your premium went up.
Ask for every discount you qualify for
Good student, defensive driving course, and anti-theft discounts appear across several of these companies' lists. Ask each insurer which ones apply in California and to your household.
Try a usage-based program
Geico's DriveEasy, Farmers' Signal, Progressive's Snapshot, State Farm's Drive Safe & Save, and USAA's SafePilot track how you drive. They tend to suit careful drivers who don't mind sharing driving data.
Bundle your policies
Every company on this page lists a multi-policy or bundling discount, so combining car insurance with home or renters coverage could save you money.
Raise your deductible
A higher collision and comprehensive deductible usually lowers your premium. Pick an amount you could comfortably pay out of pocket.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the minimum car insurance required in California?
California requires bodily injury liability of $30,000 per person and $60,000 per accident, plus property damage liability of $15,000 per accident.
Is California a no-fault state?
California is not a no-fault state, so the driver found responsible for a crash is generally responsible for the damage, and state law requires liability coverage to pay for it.
Do I have to buy uninsured motorist coverage in California?
Uninsured motorist coverage isn't required in California. Insurers must offer it, and you can only decline it by signing a written waiver.
Is minimum coverage enough in California?
Minimum coverage keeps you legal, but it only covers harm you cause to others. It won't pay to repair or replace your own car, and a serious accident can exceed the limits. Drivers with a car loan, a newer vehicle, or savings to protect usually consider higher limits plus collision and comprehensive coverage.
