The average cost of home insurance in California is $1,380 a year or $115 a month, well below the national average annual rate of $2,777. Of course, California home insurance rates vary by location; home insurance rates in Los Angeles are above average, while homeowners in San Jose pay lower-than-average rates.
At $849 a year on average, Allstate is the cheapest home insurance company in California. That's based on a policy with $300,000 in dwelling and liability coverage and a $1,000 deductible. Insurance.com's analysis of multiple factors found that Travelers is the best home insurance company in California overall.
Some companies have paused sales of new policies in California, and our recent homeowner survey found Californians among the hardest hit by the current home insurance crisis. Shopping around is more important than ever.
Below, you'll find everything you need to know to find the most affordable home insurance in California from the best companies.
Key takeaways
- The average cost of a California homeowners insurance policy is $1,380 a year, well below the national average.
- Allstate has the cheapest average home insurance rates in California at $849 a year but is currently not writing new policies in California.
- Travelers is the best home insurance company in California overall.
- How much is homeowners insurance in California?
- Best home insurance companies in California
- Cheapest homeowners insurance companies in California
- California home insurance rates by ZIP code
- Home insurance cost in California by city
- How deductibles affect your insurance rate
- Average cost of California home insurance by coverage level
- California homeowners insurance discounts
- Frequently asked questions: California homeowners insurance
- Compare homeowners insurance rates with other states
- Methodology
How much is homeowners insurance in California?
The average cost of home insurance in California is $115 a month, making California the second-cheapest state in the country for home insurance. The average cost is $1,399 less than the national average of $2,777, for the coverage level of:
- $300,000 dwelling coverage
- $1,000 dwelling coverage deductible
- $300,000 liability
Best home insurance companies in California
The best home insurance company in California for 2023 is Travelers, followed in second place by USAA, which is not open to all homeowners. Although Allstate is in third place, it's not writing new California home insurance policies.
Below is a full list of the top California insurance companies based on price, NAIC complaints, and AM Best financial ratings. The total Insurance.com score is calculated out of five using these factors.
*USAA only provides coverage to military members, veterans and their families.
Cheapest homeowners insurance companies in California
Every home insurance company determines how much it will charge you a little differently. Some may have lower rates in a certain city, and others may not charge as much for a past claim.
Take a look at the cheapest home insurance companies in California listed below, with rates for various dwelling coverage levels, all with a $1,000 deductible and $300,000 in liability.
| Company | $200,000 | $300,000 | $400,000 | $500,000 | $600,000 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Allstate | $630 | $849 | $1,071 | $1,297 | $1,526 |
| Auto Club Enterprises (AAA) | $787 | $1,325 | $1,775 | $2,232 | $2,734 |
| CSAA Insurance (AAA) | $886 | $1,324 | $1,707 | $2,071 | $2,420 |
| Farmers | $919 | $1,779 | $2,327 | $2,950 | $3,552 |
| Mercury Insurance | $946 | $1,296 | $1,694 | $2,141 | $2,444 |
| Nationwide | $971 | $1,421 | $1,728 | $2,097 | $2,519 |
| State Farm | $1,082 | $1,448 | $1,840 | $2,277 | $2,702 |
| Travelers | $1,117 | $1,098 | $1,400 | $1,691 | $1,992 |
| USAA | $1,267 | $1,197 | $1,400 | $1,627 | $1,940 |
California home insurance rates by ZIP code
Enter your ZIP code in the search box and choose the desired coverage level to see the average home insurance rate for that area. You will also see the highest and lowest premiums fielded from major insurers. Comparing home insurance rates will give you an idea of how much you can save.
HOME INSURANCE CALCULATOR
Average home insurance rates in CALIFORNIA
AVERAGE RATE: $797
Most & least expensive zip codes for homeowners insurance in California
Most Expensive
| Zip Code | City | Highest Rate |
|---|---|---|
| 92325 | Crestline | $1,450 |
| 92391 | Twin Peaks | $1,426 |
| 92321 | Cedar Glen | $1,425 |
| 92352 | Lake Arrowhead | $1,423 |
Least Expensive
| Zip Code | City | Lowest Rate |
|---|---|---|
| 94086 | Sunnyvale | $742 |
| 94085 | Sunnyvale | $743 |
| 94087 | Sunnyvale | $743 |
| 95051 | Santa Clara | $743 |
Home insurance cost in California by city
The cost of home insurance in California also depends on where you live. Some cities have higher average rates than others due to crime, wildfire prevalence, and home values. The table below includes the average cost of home insurance in California’s largest cities, based on the most recent Insurance.com data, for a policy with $300,000 in dwelling and liability coverage, with a $1,000 deductible.
| City | Average annual rate | $ difference from state average of $1,380 |
|---|---|---|
| San Jose | $1,117 | $263 less |
| Sacramento | $1,224 | $156 less |
| San Francisco | $1,231 | $149 less |
| Fresno | $1,256 | $124 less |
| San Diego | $1,275 | $105 less |
| Long Beach | $1,279 | $101 less |
| Oakland | $1,413 | $33 more |
| San Bernardino | $1,477 | $97 more |
| Los Angeles | $1,528 | $148 more |
How deductibles affect your insurance rate
A deductible is the amount of money you pay before your insurance company pays out on a claim. For example, if your home sustains damage of $3,000 and you have a $500 deductible, you pay the first $500 and your insurer pays $2,500.
Some deductibles are based on dollar amounts. Others are based on a percentage of your home's value. If your home is insured for $200,000 and your deductible is 2%, you will owe $4,000 before insurance coverage kicks in. Dwelling and personal property insurance typically have deductibles, but liability and loss of use coverage do not.
Understanding the implications of the deductible you choose when buying homeowners insurance is important. In California, as in all the states, a higher deductible means you'll pay a lower monthly rate. Conversely, lower deductibles mean higher premiums.
Average cost of California home insurance by coverage level
Another factor that will affect the cost of your home insurance policy is the amount of coverage you purchase. Higher coverage limits add up to higher premiums, while policies with lower coverage limits cost less. Here, you can see the average annual rate for a home insurance policy, based on the most recent Insurance.com data, with $1,000 deductible and varying levels of dwelling and personal liability coverage.
| Coverage | Average annual rate |
|---|---|
| $200,000 dwelling/$100,000 liability | $1,259 |
| $200,000 dwelling/$300,000 liability | $1,278 |
| $300,000 dwelling/$100,000 liability | $1,583 |
| $300,000 dwelling/$300,000 liability | $1,603 |
| $400,000 dwelling/$100,000 liability | $1,932 |
| $400,000 dwelling/$300,000 liability | $1,952 |
| $500,000 dwelling/$100,000 liability | $2,294 |
| $500,000 dwelling/$300,000 liability | $2,315 |
| $600,000 dwelling/$100,000 liability | $2,672 |
| $600,000 dwelling/$300,000 liability | $2,694 |
California homeowners insurance discounts
There are several ways to reduce your California home insurance costs. Here are some of the most common home insurance discounts that you may be able to qualify for:
- Installing smoke detectors, a burglar alarm or dead-bolt locks -- 1% to 3%
- Installing a sprinkler system and a fire and burglar alarm -- 3% to 7%
- Loyalty discounts –about 6% on average after three to five years and 9% for ten years or more
- Bundling a home and auto insurance policy – up to 16%.
- Disaster-proofing your home with fire-resistant materials - 7%.
- Paying your 6-month or 12-month premium in full – 7% on average.
Frequently asked questions: California homeowners insurance
Does homeowners insurance cover wildfires in California?
Yes, most California home insurance policies cover wildfires. However, it’s a good idea to check with your insurance company and read your policy documents to confirm wildfires are covered, as insurance can differ depending on location.
Home insurance will pay for the cost of repairing or rebuilding your home after a wildfire, as well as replacing damaged personal items. If your home is uninhabitable after a wildfire, your additional living expenses coverage will cover costs like a hotel, parking, laundry and restaurant meals until you can safely move back in.
Do I need flood insurance in California?
Most California homeowners are not required to carry flood insurance. However, flood insurance can be beneficial, especially if you live along the coast or in a flood zone.
Standard home insurance policies do not cover floods or flood damage, even when caused by a natural disaster. If you want flood protection, you can purchase flood insurance through the National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP) or a private flood insurance carrier.
Do I need earthquake insurance in California?
Most California homeowners should consider investing in an earthquake insurance policy. Standard home insurance policies exclude earthquake coverage, meaning your home is at risk unless you purchase a separate earthquake insurance policy. If you don’t have earthquake insurance and your home is severely damaged in an earthquake, you would be responsible for the cost of repairs out-of-pocket.
By law, your homeowners insurance company must offer you earthquake insurance, but you can refuse coverage. The cost of earthquake insurance depends on various factors, like whether your home meets the latest earthquake codes, the proximity to a fault line and the cost of rebuilding the house. Your home insurance company can provide a quote if you want to add this coverage to your policy.
What if I can't get homeowners insurance in California??
California residents who cannot find homeowners insurance might be able to get coverage through the California FAIR Plan, which is a state-run program. This is usually an option for homeowners in high-risk wildfire areas.
The FAIR Plan offers basic fire insurance, with dwelling and personal property coverage. Only a few perils are covered, including fire and lightning, smoke, and internal explosions. However, you can add optional coverages for a fee.
Because FAIR Plan coverage is less comprehensive, you should only consider it if you absolutely cannot get approved for a private homeowners insurance policy. If you need theft or liability coverage, consider purchasing a "differences in conditions" policy that will cover these gaps. You can find a list of providers of such coverage on the CDI website.
Where do I get help with a claim or file a complaint?
If you end up in a dispute with your insurer, consider contacting the California Department of Insurance. You can file a complaint by dialing 800-927-4357.
Or, you can file a complaint online. When doing so, you can upload supporting documents, such as:
- A copy of your insurance card, both front and back
- Any relevant correspondence between you and the insurer
- A copy of a completed authorization and designation of agent form
Compare homeowners insurance rates with other states
Methodology
Insurance.com compared homeowners insurance rates in 2022 provided by Quadrant Data Solutions for dwelling coverage ranging from $200,000 to $600,000 with liability limits of $100,000 and $300,000 and a deductible of $1,000 for all available ZIP codes. ZIP codes were ranked based on the average rates for dwelling coverage of $300,000, liability coverage of $300,000, and a $1,000 deductible. Content was updated in 2023
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