| Age Range | Best Insurance Company | Average Annual Comprehensive Premium | Why Are They the Best? | FIXD Insurance Rating (Out of 5) |
| 18-24 | State Farm | $2100 | State Farm has the most affordable premiums and satisfied customers. | 3.9 |
| 25-34 | AAA | $1350 | High customer ratings and competitive premiums for this age | 4.1 |
| 35-44 | State Farm or USAA | $1400/$1300 | Lowest rates and high customer satisfaction | 3.9 & 4.2 |
| 45-54 | USAA | $1,100 | Lowest rates, great for families, and high customer satisfaction |
4.2 |
| 55-64 | Kemper | $900 | Highest customer satisfaction and lowest rates | 4.0 |
| 65 or older | Wawanesa | $1,100 | High customer satisfaction and competitive rates | 4.5 |
Has your car insurance price gone up recently? Is your car insurance company not keeping up with customer service? Got a teenager who’s ready to drive and needs to be added to the policy?
The good news is that you won’t have to sacrifice customer satisfaction for an affordable premium in California!
Keep reading to see our top picks for auto insurance for California residents of every age. We’ll offer information about average premiums, customer satisfaction, and contact information for the best companies.
Insurance can be confusing when you must provide so much information for a simple quote. Along the way, we’ll offer an experienced insurance agent’s tips and simple explanations to demystify auto insurance!
California’s Best Car Insurance Companies
California’s best car insurance companies are USAA, Wawanesa, Kemper, AAA, and State Farm. These companies offer competitive premiums for comprehensive coverage without sacrificing customer satisfaction.
Working with an independent insurance agent is the best way to compare rates from multiple companies for your situation. It’s also the best way to ensure you get the best deal with bundling and discounts.
To find out which companies to recommend in California, we used surveys of FIXD App users to find average auto insurance rates and customer satisfaction scores. You can read more about our methodology further down.
Since we recommend having comprehensive auto insurance coverage for the greatest financial protection, we have focused our results on the most competitive rates with this greater coverage.
| Best Car Insurance Companies California | Why? | FIXD App User Average Rating (Out of 5) |
| USAA | Consistently good customer service and competitive rates for eligible members. | 4.2 |
| Wawanesa | Offers great deals for older adults, maintains customer loyalty, and has high satisfaction with claims resolution | 4.5 |
| Kemper | Offers competitive rates without sacrificing customer satisfaction | 4.0 |
| AAA | Competitive rates for some age groups and high customer satisfaction | 4.1 |
| State Farm | Offers discounts and bundles to make insurance affordable even with many assets. | 3.9 |
California’s Best Overall Insurance Company: USAA
USAA is the best overall insurance provider for residents of California who are eligible for coverage. FIXD users gave USAA an average overall customer satisfaction rating of 4.2 out of 5. USAA also replies to customers quickly: 87% hear back within 10 minutes of contact.
Pro-tip
One caveat that USAA members should know is that USAA does bundle home and auto insurance, but home insurance through USAA tends to be pricier than competitors. If keeping costs down is your priority, compare bundled quotes for the best rates.
| Company Info | USAA (United Services Automobile Association) |
| Founded | 1922 |
| Headquarters | San Antonio, TX |
| Phone Number | (800)-531-USAA (8722) or (201)-531-8722 |
| Website | https://www.usaa.com/ |
| Products | Banking, Auto Insurance, Home Insurance, Liability, Life Insurance, and Retirement Services |
| Population Served | Military, Veterans, and eligible family members |
Average Years as a Customer at USAA: FIXD customers report being a USAA customer in California for an average of 12.1 years.
How many customers hear back within 10 minutes? 87% of USAA customers in the California FIXD survey hear back within 10 minutes of making contact with USAA.
How quickly are Claims Resolved? According to the FIXD survey, 73% of claims through USAA are resolved within two weeks.
Customer Satisfaction with Claims: 77% of USAA customers who filed a claim felt the resolution of their claim was fair in the FIXD survey.
How to sign up with USAA: You can sign up for a policy through USAA by calling (800)-531-8722 or visiting the USAA website. Remember that you must be a military service member or the dependent of one to sign up.
Popular USAA Discounts according to FIXD Survey:
- 68% of USAA customers have a safe driver discount.
- 43% receive a military discount
- 40% enjoy a multi-car discount
- 35% have an anti-theft device discount
- 28% bundled their homeowner’s insurance
- 15% bundled their renter’s insurance
USAA Average Annual Rates
In the FIXD survey, respondents with USAA insurance ranged from age 18 to over 65. The average miles driven per year was 8,540. Many respondents reported bundling insurance products and receiving discounts. The make, model, and year of insured vehicles varied.
| *USAA Average Annual Rates for Comprehensive Coverage | ||
| Average Overall | Male | Female |
| $1,579 | $1,736 | $1,140 |
California’s Best Car Insurance Companies by Age Groups
Car insurance companies target certain audiences through marketing campaigns. The insurance company caters to its desired demographic by offering the most competitive rates for the age range or risk category.
Because of this, car insurance companies vary greatly in their pricing and general appeal to different age groups. Finding an insurance company that caters to your age group or risk category will help you find the products, services, and rates you’re looking for.
Here is a list of the best insurance companies in California based on different ages:
The Best Car Insurance Company for 18 to 24-Year-Olds in California: State Farm
State Farm is the best provider for 18 to 24-year-olds because car insurance as a young adult is often expensive, and funds during college or the beginning of careers are typically low. State Farm’s average annual premium for comprehensive insurance was only $2,100, while most providers charge $3000 or more a year.
|
Company Info |
State Farm |
|
Founded |
1922 |
|
Headquarters |
Bloomington, IL |
|
Phone Number |
(800)-782-8332 |
|
Website |
|
|
Products |
Auto Insurance, Home Insurance, Liability, Life Insurance, and Small Business Insurance |
|
Population Served |
All 50 states with the United States and the District of Columbia |
How many customers hear back within 10 minutes? 74% of State Farm customers heard back within 10 minutes of contacting the company according to the FIXD survey.
How quickly are Claims Resolved? 73% of claims are resolved within two weeks according to FIXD survey respondents.
Customer Satisfaction with Claims: 75% of customers felt that the outcome of the claims resolution was fair according to the FIXD survey.
How to sign up with State Farm: The best way to sign up with State Farm is to work with an agent or use State Farm’s website. For questions, call 800-STATEFARM (800-782-8332).
Popular Discounts with State Farm: These were the most popular discounts used by State Farm’s customers according to the FIXD survey:
- 65% use the Safe driver discount
- 46% bundle their auto and home insurance
- 46% use a discount for multiple cars on the policy
- 17% use an anti-theft device discount
- 12% have bundled their auto and renter’s insurance
- 6% have a good student discount
- 4% have a green vehicle discount
- 2% claim a military discount
Here is a list of the cheapest car insurance companies in California for 18 to 24-year-olds:
|
Car Insurance Company |
Average Annual Premium for Comprehensive |
|
State Farm |
$2100 |
|
Mercury |
$2850 |
|
American Family |
$3000 |
|
Progressive |
$3150 |
|
AAA |
$3300 |
The Best Car Insurance Company for 25 to 34-Year-Olds in California: AAA
AAA is the best insurance provider for 25 to 34-year olds in California. AAA has the most competitive rates without sacrificing customer satisfaction to slash prices. Whether you’re saving for a home or vacation, make sure any claims will be resolved fairly by your car insurance company!
|
Company Info |
AAA |
|
Founded |
1914 |
|
Headquarters |
Walnut Creek, CA |
|
Phone Number |
1 (833)-806-7833 |
|
Website |
|
|
Products |
Auto, Home, Renters, Boat, Recreational Vehicles, and Business Insurance |
|
Areas Served |
Regions are served by smaller clubs, so Southern California is served by one AAA club and Northern California is served by another AAA club |
How many customers hear back within 10 minutes? 78% of AAA customers heard back within 10 minutes of contacting the company according to the FIXD survey.
How quickly are Claims Resolved? 75% of claims filed with AAA were resolved within two weeks according to FIXD’s survey.
Customer Satisfaction with Claims: 86% of California AAA customers who had filed a claim and took the survey indicated that the claims resolution felt fair.
How to sign up with AAA: The easiest way to sign up with AAA is to visit their website or call 1 (833)-806-7833.
Popular Discounts with AAA: The most popular discounts with AAA according to survey respondents included the following:
- 51% qualify for a safe driver discount
- 35% have a discount for multiple cars on the policy
- 24% have an anti-theft device discount
- 16% bundle their home and auto insurance
- 15% bundle their renters and auto insurance
- 8% have a good student discount
- 4% use a military discount
- 1% have a green vehicle discount
Pro Tip: Going with the cheapest option may seem like the best, but if claims are resolved unfairly, that could end up costing you thousands. Check out surveys and ask around to make sure you can trust your car insurance company.
Here is a list of the cheapest car insurance companies in California for 25 to 34-year-olds according to the FIXD Survey:
|
Car Insurance Company |
Average Annual Premium |
|
Farmers Insurance |
$900 |
|
AAA |
$1,350 |
|
Wawanesa |
$1500 |
|
USAA |
$1500 |
|
GEICO |
$1500 |
The Best Car Insurance Company for 35 to 44 -Year-Olds in California: State Farm or USAA
The best car insurance provider for most 35 to 44-year-olds in California is State Farm. If you’re eligible for USAA, be sure to get a quote since they may have lower auto insurance rates. Since both companies offer great bundling options, work with an agent to maximize your coverage and savings.
|
Company Info |
State Farm |
|
Founded |
1922 |
|
Headquarters |
Bloomington, IL |
|
Phone Number |
(800)-782-8332 |
|
Website |
|
|
Products |
Auto Insurance, Home Insurance, Liability, Life Insurance, and Small Business Insurance |
|
Population Served |
All 50 states and the District of Columbia |
How many customers hear back within 10 minutes? 74% of State Farm customers heard back within 10 minutes of contacting the company according to the FIXD survey.
How quickly are Claims Resolved? 73% of claims are resolved within two weeks according to FIXD survey respondents.
Customer Satisfaction with Claims: 75% of customers felt that the outcome of the claims resolution was fair according to the FIXD survey.
How to sign up with State Farm: The best way to sign up with State Farm is to work with an agent or use State Farm’s website. For questions, call 800-STATEFARM (800-782-8332).
Popular Discounts with State Farm: These were the most popular discounts used by State Farm’s customers according to the FIXD survey:
- 65% use the Safe driver discount
- 46% bundle their auto and home insurance
- 46% use a discount for multiple cars on the policy
- 17% use an anti-theft device discount
- 12% have bundled their auto and renter’s insurance
- 6% have a good student discount
- 4% have a green vehicle discount
- 2% claim a military discount
Here is a list of the cheapest car insurance companies in California for 35 to 44-year-olds:
|
Car Insurance Company |
Average Annual Premium |
|
USAA |
$1300 |
|
State Farm |
$1400 |
|
Progressive |
$1500 |
|
Farmers Insurance |
$1800 |
|
GEICO |
$1896 |
The Best Car Insurance Company for 45 to 54 -Year-Olds in California: USAA
The best auto insurance company for adults aged 45 to 54 in California is USAA. They have the most competitive rates according to FIXD survey respondents. If you’re not eligible for USAA, consider asking your insurance agent about some smaller, local companies with great rates.
|
Company Info |
USAA (United Services Automobile Association) |
|
Founded |
1922 |
|
Headquarters |
San Antonio, TX |
|
Phone Number |
(800)-531-USAA (8722) or (201)-531-8722 |
|
Website |
https://www.usaa.com/ |
|
Products |
Banking, Auto Insurance, Home Insurance, Liability, Life Insurance, and Retirement Services |
|
Population Served |
Military, Veterans, and eligible family members |
Average Years as a Customer at USAA: FIXD users report being a USAA customer in California for an average of 12.1 years.
How many customers hear back within 10 minutes? 87% of USAA customers in the California FIXD survey hear back within 10 minutes of making contact with USAA.
How quickly are Claims Resolved? According to the FIXD survey, 73% of claims through USAA are resolved within two weeks.
Customer Satisfaction with Claims: 77% of USAA customers who filed a claim felt the resolution of their claim was fair in the FIXD survey.
How to sign up with USAA: You can sign up for a policy through USAA by calling (800)-531-8722 or visiting the USAA website. Remember that you must be a military service member or the dependent of one to sign up.
Popular USAA Discounts according to FIXD Survey:
- 68% of USAA customers have a safe driver discount.
- 43% receive a military discount
- 40% enjoy a multi-car discount
- 35% have an anti-theft device discount
- 28% bundled their homeowner’s insurance
- 15% bundled their renter’s insurance
Here is a list of the cheapest car insurance companies in California for 45 to 54-year-olds:
|
Car Insurance Company |
Average Annual Premium |
|
USAA |
$1100 |
|
Progressive |
$1725 |
|
AAA |
$2138 |
|
State Farm |
$2300 |
|
GEICO |
$2625 |
The Best Car Insurance Company for 55 to 64 -Year-Olds in California: Kemper
The best auto insurance company for adults aged 55 to 64 in California is Kemper because they have the lowest rates for 55 to 64-year-olds in California. They also provide outstanding customer satisfaction.
|
Company Info |
Kemper |
|
Founded |
1990 |
|
Headquarters |
Chicago, IL |
|
Phone Number |
866-860-9348 |
|
Website |
|
|
Products |
Auto, Home, and Life Insurance |
|
Areas Served |
28 states including California, Alabama, Arizona, Colorado, Connecticut, Georgia, Florida, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Kentucky, Louisiana, Maryland, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, Nevada, New Jersey, New York, Ohio, Oregon, Pennsylvania, South Carolina, Texas, Virginia, Washington, and Wisconsin |
Average Years as a Customer at Kemper: Kemper’s policyholders have been with the company for an average of 10.9 years which demonstrates their high customer loyalty.
How many customers hear back within 10 minutes? More than half of survey respondents heard back within 10 minutes of contacting Kemper.
How quickly are Claims Resolved? Almost half of all claims are resolved within two weeks according to Kemper customers in the FIXD survey.
Customer Satisfaction with Claims: 86% of Kemper policyholders who filed a claim felt that the resolution was fair according to the FIXD survey.
How to sign up with Kemper: Sign up with Kemper by working with a local agent appointed to sell Kemper insurance through the online lookup tool.
Popular Discounts with Kemper: These are some of the most popular discounts used by Kemper customers according to the FIXD survey:
- 67% enjoy a safe driving discount
- 44% have a discount for multiple cars on the policy
- 22% bundle their auto and home insurance
- 11% use an anti-theft device discount
- 11% use a military discount
The Best Car Insurance Company for 65+-Year-Olds in California– Wawanesa
The best auto insurance company for seniors in California is Wawanesa because of its low premiums and outstanding customer satisfaction. Their discounts reward the most experienced drivers on the road by discounting safe driving and multiple vehicles.
|
Company Info |
Wawanesa |
|
Founded |
1896 |
|
Headquarters |
Winnipeg, Canada |
|
Phone Number |
800-640-2920 |
|
Website |
|
|
Products |
Auto, Renters, Home, Condo, and Pet |
|
Areas Served |
California, Oregon, and Canada |
Average Years as a Customer at Wawanesa: Customers have been with Wawanesa for an average of 8.8 years according to the FIXD survey.
How many customers hear back within 10 minutes? 90% of customers hear back within ten minutes of contacting the company according to the FIXD survey.
How quickly are Claims Resolved? Only 33% of claims are resolved within two weeks according to FIXD survey responses.
Customer Satisfaction with Claims: 100% of FIXD survey respondents who filed a claim through Wawanesa felt that the claim resolution was fair.
How to sign up with Wawanesa: You can get a quote through Wawanesa’s website or call 800-640-2920.
Popular Discounts with Wawanesa: The most popular discounts with Wawanesa according to survey respondents included the following:
- 83% of customers enjoy a safe driving discount
- 67% have a multi-car discount
- 33% have an anti-theft device discount
- 12% bundle their home and auto insurance
Here is a list of the cheapest car insurance companies in California for residents aged 65 and above:
|
Car Insurance Company |
Average Annual Premium |
|
Wawanesa |
$1100 |
|
Liberty Mutual |
$1260 |
|
State Farm |
$1313 |
|
Progressive |
$1440 |
|
AAA |
$1680 |
Research Methodology
To set our rankings apart, we used a multi-faceted approach to select the best insurance providers for each age range we discussed. We focused on the most competitive rates since we know that money is the bottom line, but we ensured that our #1 recommendation also fairly resolved claims.
Our survey of FIXD App users collected the average miles driven, discounts, and multiple factors of customer satisfaction for us to analyze.
We only included insurance companies with enough respondents to reflect customer satisfaction and a variety of premiums to average. Some insurance companies were not represented for every age band.
Independent Customer Satisfaction Surveys
FIXD App used the following information provided by the survey to assess customer satisfaction:
- Preferred method of contacting insurance company and whether or not they heard back within ten minutes or less
- How long respondent had been an auto insurance policyholder with current insurance company
- Insurance provider customer support rating, company rating, policy rating, and then averaged these for an overall rating. Each rating was out of 5 possible points.
- A variety of options for respondents to indicate what they liked and didn’t like about their auto insurance provider.
- Survey questions to collect information about claims data including how long until claim resolution and whether or not the customer felt the claim was resolved fairly.
Finding the Average Car Insurance Rates
In the survey, respondents indicated their gender, age range, average annual miles driven, and discounts in addition to their annual premiums. From there, we were able to find averages and indicate said averages in the article. We focused on comprehensive insurance coverage since that’s what we recommend.
Conclusion
Based on the average premium prices for full coverage, fair claims resolution, and customer satisfaction scores, California residents should obtain quotes from USAA, State Farm, AAA, Wawanesa, and Kemper.
We recommend working with an independent insurance agent to compare quotes from multiple insurance companies simultaneously. A good independent agent strives to make the customer happy, so they’ll get you the best deal possible.
Want other ways to save money? Don’t miss an opportunity to find information on the cheapest used cars to insure in California.
Keep your car running in the best shape possible by fixing check engine lights and being able to call certified mechanics. Sign up for FIXD Premium today!
Frequently Asked Questions
Why is a credit score used to determine auto insurance rates in California?
Auto insurance companies in California have data that correlates lower credit scores with an increased risk. By charging higher rates, companies hope to offset the average financial risk of insuring a person with poor credit.
What California insurance company provides the best service?
Wawanesa has the best customer service for car insurance customers in California. Wawanesa resolves claims fairly, contact customers quickly, and has high customer satisfaction according to the FIXD survey.
What is the cheapest car insurance in California?
On average, the cheapest car insurance companies in California for full coverage are Kemper, State Farm, and USAA. These companies offer bundling and other discounts for safe drivers or multiple cars on the policy.
Jesse Cunningham V is a professional writer and licensed insurance agent. He has worked in the insurance industry in different capacities, starting as a customer service representative and working his way up to an independent agency owner. He is licensed in the states of Maryland and Pennsylvania for Property, Casualty, Life, and Health products. Jesse has worked with many national carriers, including Nationwide, State Farm, Travelers, and Liberty Mutual, and specializes in car and home insurance and health, life, accidental death, and disability insurance. He writes for multiple publications including FIXD and Bauple.com. All articles by Jesse are opinion-based. Speak with your licensed insurance agent about the particulars of your insurance before making any decisions.
