Best Car Insurance in California: Top Companies in 2022 – MarketWatch
Find more information about our picks for the best car insurance in California in the following sections.
#1 Geico: Affordable for Most Drivers
J.D. Power rating: 824/1,000
AM Best financial strength rating: A++
BBB rating: A+
According to the National Association of Insurance Commissioners (NAIC), Geico is the second-largest car insurance provider in the U.S. and wrote over $37.4 billion in insurance premiums in 2021. The company is known for low rates and excellent customer service.
Geico Coverage
Along with standard coverages like liability insurance, collision and comprehensive insurance, medical payments (MedPay) coverage, and uninsured/underinsured motorist protection, Geico also offers:
- 24-hour roadside assistance
- Rental car reimbursement
- Rideshare insurance
- Mechanical breakdown insurance (MBI), which pays for covered repairs and is similar to an extended warranty
Geico also offers its DriveEasy® usage-based insurance program, which monitors your driving and rewards safe habits.
Geico Reputation
Geico performed well in the J.D. Power 2022 U.S. Auto Insurance Study, scoring 824 out of 1,000 points. The average provider score for California was 820.
In our August 2022 nationwide car insurance satisfaction survey, Geico policyholders gave the company 4.2 out of 5.0 stars for customer service during the claims process. The company received a solid 4.1 out of 5.0-star rating for overall customer satisfaction.
Read more: Geico insurance review
#2 Progressive: Low Rates for High-Risk Drivers
J.D. Power rating: 803/1,000
AM Best financial strength rating: A+
BBB rating: F
Nearly 17% of respondents in our nationwide car insurance survey had policies with Progressive, making it the survey’s second-most popular provider. The Progressive policyholders we heard from gave the company a 4.1 out of 5.0-star rating for overall customer satisfaction.
Progressive Coverage
Along with standard minimum- and full-coverage insurance options, Progressive offers rental car reimbursement, loan/lease payoff, rideshare coverage and even pet coverage for extra peace of mind. New Progressive policyholders also benefit from small-accident forgiveness, which means rates stay the same if accident damage doesn’t exceed $500.
Progressive Snapshot® is the company’s usage-based insurance offering. You can use the Progressive app or a plug-in device to monitor your driving and get discounts for safe habits. If you’re a riskier driver, be aware that using the program could lead to higher rates.
Progressive Reputation
In the J.D. Power Auto Insurance Study, Progressive received 803 out of 1,000 points in California, which falls below the average score of 820. Progressive also has an F rating from the BBB. We reached out to Progressive for a comment on these ratings but did not receive a response.
Read more: Progressive insurance review
#3 USAA: Low Rates for Military
J.D. Power rating: 876/1,000
AM Best financial strength rating: A++
BBB rating: Not rated
Although USAA offers some of the cheapest car insurance rates in California, its policies are only available to active military, veterans and their immediate family members. For those who qualify, USAA is worth considering for its affordable rates and superior customer service reputation.
USAA Coverage
USAA features the standard assortment of auto insurance products, along with add-on options such as roadside assistance, rental car coverage, accident forgiveness and even classic car insurance. The company’s usage-based program is called SafePilot® and it can save good drivers as much as 30%.
USAA Reputation
Customer satisfaction is one area where USAA stands out from the competition. The company received the highest score in California in the J.D. Power Auto Insurance Study, with 876 out of 1,000 points. USAA wasn’t formally ranked in the study due to its eligibility restrictions.
USAA also received one of the highest overall customer satisfaction ratings in our 2022 nationwide car insurance survey. Respondents with USAA policies gave the company a 4.3 out of 5.0-star rating, the third highest rating in the survey.
Read more: USAA insurance review
#4 State Farm: Editor’s Choice
J.D. Power rating: 817/1,000
AM Best financial strength rating: A++
BBB rating: A+
State Farm is the most popular car insurance provider in the U.S. according to the NAIC. It’s also our Editor’s Choice for its combination of strong industry reputation, solid customer service and widespread availability from local agents.
State Farm Coverage
State Farm offers minimum-liability coverage and full-coverage policies, along with a host of add-on options. Additional coverages include rideshare insurance, rental car reimbursement and trip interruption benefits. State Farm’s usage-based program, called Drive Safe & Save™, rewards safe driving habits with discounts of up to 30% upon policy renewal.
State Farm Reputation
In our national car insurance survey, State Farm received 4.2 out of 5.0 stars for overall customer satisfaction. The company was right around the state average for California in the J.D. Power Auto Insurance Study, with a total score of 817 out of 1,000.
Read more: State Farm insurance review
#5 Allstate: Claim Satisfaction Guarantee
J.D. Power rating: 826/1,000
AM Best financial strength rating: A+
BBB rating: A+
Allstate was the fourth-largest auto insurer in the U.S. in 2021, according to the NAIC. The company wrote over $27.2 billion in premiums during that year. Allstate’s Claim Satisfaction Guarantee gives you a credit up to the value of your six-month premium if you’re not satisfied with how a claim is handled.
Allstate Coverage
Along with standard auto insurance products, Allstate offers rideshare insurance, sound system insurance that covers stolen or damaged equipment, classic car coverage and Mexico and Canada car insurance that protects you when driving north or south of the border. All of the company’s policies also include Allstate Rewards®, which rewards safe driving with points you can redeem for gift cards and other benefits.
Allstate offers two usage-based options, but only Drivewise® is available in California. Drivewise is a traditional telematics program that monitors your driving habits and rewards safe behaviors behind the wheel.
Allstate Reputation
Allstate ranked above average in the J.D. Power Auto Insurance Study, with an overall score of 826 out of 1,000 in California. In our national auto insurance survey, respondents with Allstate policies gave the company a 4.1 out of 5.0-star rating for overall customer satisfaction.
Read more: Allstate insurance review
