Best Car Insurance Companies in California 2022

Founded in 2016, Clearcover insurance is available in a handful of states, including California. Clearcover only sells auto insurance at this time but may add other products like home insurance in the future.

Customers like Clearcover because of its robust digital platform. You can get a quote and file a claim very quickly using their website and app. Also, Clearcover has strong coverage for people who drive for rideshare companies.

Overall, Clearcover is a strong choice for saving money on car insurance. Seniors can save on car insurance with Clearcover since they are experienced drivers who typically drive fewer miles than younger drivers. Safe drivers and those with average credit scores will also find favorable rates with Clearcover.

Clearcover provides competitive rates for drivers over 60, safe drivers, and people with average credit. However, if you have a speeding ticket or accident on your driving history, another company may give you lower rates.

Safeco Insurance is an excellent option for California auto insurance. It’s a great choice for less experienced drivers trying to save money and people who have defensive driving habits.

Safeco has been around for nearly 100 years, and its parent company is Liberty Mutual. Unlike some other companies, Safeco insurance is available through independent agents. If you want a quote, you’ll need to contact the agency rather than Safeco itself.

Overall, Safeco’s rates are very competitive with other providers. As a result, they stand out as a good candidate for younger and safe drivers, particularly with their variety of discounts.

Travelers is one of the most prominent names in insurance in the U.S. It’s a good option for one-stop insurance shopping—you can buy auto, renters, boat, travel, wedding, and umbrella insurance policies through the company.

With Travelers, you get a good balance of favorable rates, discount options, and reliable customer service.

Travelers has great discounts for safe drivers and may not penalize car accidents as much as other companies.

As a small insurer and part of Farmers Insurance Group, 21st Century is a strong contender for California drivers. The company offers an excellent online experience to shop for and buy insurance, translating into lower rates for you.

Compared to other top California car insurance companies, 21st Century coverage has middle-of-the-road rates. However, they include roadside assistance with every policy.

21st Century car insurance rates depend on your driving experience, driving safety, and credit history.

Founded in 1920, National General car insurance is suitable for high-risk drivers, such as those who have prior accidents and speeding tickets. You can also get insurance coverage for homes, condos, renters, small businesses, automobiles, motorcycles, and RVs.

Although the company has competitive rates for high-risk drivers, its reputation for customer service and claims is not as strong as California's other top car insurance companies.

Now, let's take a look at National General's rates. Compared to others on this list, they have mid- to high-range prices for California drivers.

You might not be familiar with Metromile, but it’s one of our top car insurers in California. The availability is limited—besides California, the company offers policies in Arizona, Illinois, New Jersey, Oregon, Pennsylvania, Virginia, and Washington.

Metromile is a San Francisco-based insurance provider and works best for infrequent drivers. It’s a pay-per-mile auto policy and uses technology to monitor your driving frequency and behavior. Despite the low rates, it might not be the ideal plan if you drive frequently or for long distances.

Metromile has low car insurance prices, but the rates could be significantly higher if you drive more than a few hundred miles a month.

Similar to National General, Anchor General supplies more affordable rates to drivers with high-risk driving records. However, because high-risk drivers are its focus, policies tend to have more basic car insurance coverage. If you’re looking for a policy with more customization options, you may want to give Safeco and Travelers a look.

This San Diego-based company has competitive rates like National General and Metromile, but that doesn’t necessarily make it the right choice for you. But suppose you’re a driver with a recent history of accidents or speeding tickets. In that case, Anchor may be a great option to consider.

Anchor may not offer many discounts, but car insurance premiums are still affordable for California drivers.

Redding has the lowest cost of car insurance in the state of California, at $145 per month. Generally, major cities like Los Angeles and San Francisco cost more than rural and suburban areas like Modesto.

Unsurprisingly, Beverly Hills has the most expensive car insurance cost, at $325 per month. The higher rates are likely due to the many luxury cars in the area, which cost more to insure.