Best home insurance in California: Travelers
The best home insurance company in California for is Travelers, followed by Allstate and Auto Club Enterprises. Since Allstate doesn't write new policies in California, Travelers is your best bet for new coverage.
Our rating is based on price, NAIC complaints, and AM Best financial ratings. The total Insurance.com score is calculated out of five using these factors.
Travelers
Travelers landed at No. 1 and is the only company among the top three that is currently offering new homeowners insurance in California. Rates are the cheapest among companies surveyed at $1, a year, and it also has the top AM Best rating of A++.
Allstate
Allstate has also suspended new policies in California, but current customers enjoy the second-cheapest rates among the companies we compared at an average of only $1,166 a year. Allstate is also financially stable with an A+ AM Best rating, so it's a good company to stay with.
Auto Club Enterprises
The only regional carrier in the top three, Auto Club Enterprises is a AAA company with low rates and solid customer service scores. It ranks well among regional carriers in our annual best home insurance companies list.
Cheapest home insurance in California: Allstate
Travelers is the cheapest home insurance company in California among the surveyed carriers, with an average rate of $1,103 a year for $300,000 in dwelling coverage, according to Insurance.com analysis (2026). Allstate is next at $1,166, but it is not writing new California homeowners policies.
Below are California home insurance rates by company for five different levels of dwelling coverage, each with $300,000 in liability and a $1,000 deductible.
| Company | $200,000 | $300,000 | $400,000 | $600,000 | $1,000,000 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| State Farm | $1,281 | $1,717 | $2,238 | $3,315 | $4,373 |
| Farmers | $1,360 | $1,926 | $2,617 | $4,091 | $6,255 |
| Allstate | $845 | $1,166 | $1,488 | $2,148 | $3,270 |
| Nationwide | $1,348 | $1,725 | $2,104 | $3,081 | $4,281 |
| Travelers | $766 | $1,103 | $1,421 | $2,010 | $2,948 |
| Auto Club Enterprises (AAA) | $906 | $1,335 | $1,765 | $2,687 | $4,253 |
| CSAA Insurance (AAA) | $1,022 | $1,443 | $1,822 | $2,502 | $3,152 |
| Mercury Insurance | $1,204 | $1,645 | $2,080 | $2,967 | $4,098 |
| USAA | $1,330 | $1,614 | $1,845 | $2,517 | $3,611 |
* USAA only provides coverage to military members, veterans and their families.
** Currently not writing new policies in California
What is the average home insurance cost in California?
The average cost of home insurance in California is $1,616 a year, or about $135 a month, for $300,000 in dwelling coverage, $300,000 in liability coverage and a $1,000 deductible. Your actual rate will vary based on ZIP code, wildfire risk, home value and insurer.
PEOPLE ASK
I live in a wildfire-prone area in California. Will it make it more difficult for me to get homeowners insurance?
Yes, it's more difficult to get homeowners insurance in wildfire-prone parts of California, and it will also be more expensive. You can increase your insurability and earn discounts with wildfire mitigation efforts in and around your home.
California homeowners insurance rates by ZIP code
California home insurance rates vary widely by ZIP code because location affects wildfire risk, crime, rebuilding costs and insurer availability. Comparing rates by ZIP code helps you see whether your area is above or below the state average and how much prices differ between companies.
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 rates can vary widely depending on where the home is located. We compared home insurance rates by ZIP code in California to see which areas are the most and least expensive.
Home insurance calculator by ZIP code
Average home insurance rates in TexasMost & least expensive ZIP codes for homeowners insurance in Texas
| ZIP code | City | Highest rate |
|---|---|---|
| 77550 | Galveston | $10,164 |
| 77586 | El Lago | $9,906 |
| 77551 | Galveston | $9,536 |
| 77554 | Galveston | $9,358 |
| ZIP code | City | Lowest rate |
|---|---|---|
| 78559 | Iglesia Antigua | $1,956 |
| 78593 | Santa Rosa | $1,999 |
| 79915 | El Paso | $2,008 |
| 79905 | El Paso | $2,009 |
The California Insurance Department says...
In addition to the discounts and credits to the rate that may apply for each individual company, many insurers also apply a surcharge to the premium for homes located in areas with a comparably higher risk for wildfires.
- The California Insurance DepartmentThe most expensive ZIP codes in California for home insurance
California homeowners insurance rates are the most expensive for ZIP code 91364 (Woodland Hills) with an average annual cost of $2,628. Other expensive ZIP codes include Tarzana, Crestline, Running Springs and Wrightwood. These areas cost more because location-based risks and rebuilding costs affect insurance pricing.
| City | ZIP code | Average Annual Premium |
|---|---|---|
| Woodland Hills | 91364 | $2,628 |
| Tarzana | 91356 | $2,531 |
| Crestline | 92325 | $2,492 |
| Running Springs | 92382 | $2,485 |
| Wrightwood | 92397 | $2,430 |
The least expensive ZIP codes in California for home insurance
The cheapest ZIP code for home insurance in California is 95051 (Santa Clara) at $1,073 a year on average. Sunnyvale, Mountain View and Cupertino also rank among the cheapest ZIP codes. These areas have lower average premiums than higher-risk or higher-cost parts of the state.
| City | ZIP code | Average Annual Premium |
|---|---|---|
| Santa Clara | 95051 | $1,073 |
| Sunnyvale | 94086 | $1,078 |
| Mountain View | 94043 | $1,085 |
| Mountain View | 94040 | $1,092 |
| Cupertino | 95014 | $1,101 |
California homeowners insurance rates by county
At $1,217 a year, Santa Clara is the cheapest county in California for home insurance. On the other hand, Alpine County is the most expensive at $2,003.
Home insurance rates in California vary by county. Take a look at the average rates by county in California below to see how costs compare.
| County | Average annual premium | Average monthly premium |
|---|---|---|
| Alameda | $1,381 | $115 |
| Alpine | $2,003 | $167 |
| Amador | $1,751 | $146 |
| Butte | $1,838 | $153 |
| Calaveras | $1,954 | $163 |
| Colusa | $1,446 | $120 |
| Contra Costa | $1,356 | $113 |
| Del Norte | $1,502 | $125 |
| El Dorado | $1,891 | $158 |
| Fresno | $1,483 | $124 |
| Glenn | $1,488 | $124 |
| Humboldt | $1,451 | $121 |
| Imperial | $1,801 | $150 |
| Inyo | $1,843 | $154 |
| Kern | $1,665 | $139 |
| Kings | $1,302 | $109 |
| Lake | $1,747 | $146 |
| Lassen | $1,952 | $163 |
| Los Angeles | $1,792 | $149 |
| Madera | $1,797 | $150 |
| Marin | $1,330 | $111 |
| Mariposa | $1,873 | $156 |
| Mendocino | $1,527 | $127 |
| Merced | $1,269 | $106 |
| Modoc | $1,701 | $142 |
| Mono | $1,958 | $163 |
| Monterey | $1,315 | $110 |
| Napa | $1,347 | $112 |
| Nevada | $1,856 | $155 |
| Orange | $1,667 | $139 |
| Placer | $1,708 | $142 |
| Plumas | $1,794 | $149 |
| Riverside | $1,802 | $150 |
| Sacramento | $1,348 | $112 |
| San Benito | $1,375 | $115 |
| San Bernardino | $1,952 | $163 |
| San Diego | $1,688 | $141 |
| San Francisco | $1,301 | $108 |
| San Joaquin | $1,421 | $118 |
| San Luis Obispo | $1,317 | $110 |
| San Mateo | $1,221 | $102 |
| Santa Barbara | $1,452 | $121 |
| Santa Clara | $1,217 | $101 |
| Santa Cruz | $1,480 | $123 |
| Shasta | $1,909 | $159 |
| Sierra | $1,809 | $151 |
| Siskiyou | $1,780 | $148 |
| Solano | $1,346 | $112 |
| Sonoma | $1,242 | $103 |
| Stanislaus | $1,309 | $109 |
| Sutter | $1,471 | $123 |
| Tehama | $1,700 | $142 |
| Trinity | $1,806 | $151 |
| Tulare | $1,586 | $132 |
| Tuolumne | $1,989 | $166 |
| Ventura | $1,507 | $126 |
| Yolo | $1,382 | $115 |
| Yuba | $1,798 | $150 |
California home insurance trends
What’s affecting home insurance in California? Here’s what you need to know.
- A Stanford University report found that home insurance issues in California are spreading beyond high-risk wildfire areas. The report shows that the California FAIR Plan is being used to back mortgages in low- and moderate-risk areas, a sign of a spreading crisis.
- The California FAIR Plan announced an average rate increase of 30%, set to take effect in October of 2026. The rate increases will vary by location; United Policyholders reports that half of homeowners will see increases between 30% and 50%, while some will see decreases of up to 80%.
- Two major insurers, Travelers and the Interinsurance Exchange of the Automobile Club (AAA), have filed for rate increases of 7% and 11%, respectively, the Los Angeles Daily News reports; the increases are accompanied by an expansion of coverage in high-risk areas, offering potential relief for homeowners struggling to find coverage.
Home insurance cost in California by city
California home insurance costs vary by city. Los Angeles has a higher-than-average rate at $1,876 a year, while San Jose is lower at $1,262. City-level pricing reflects differences in wildfire exposure, crime, home values, construction costs and insurer competition.
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 Annual insurance premium
California homeowners insurance discounts
You can lower California home insurance costs by qualifying for discounts. Common savings include 2% to 4% for alarms, smoke detectors, deadbolts or sprinkler systems, about 5% for loyalty and up to 11% for bundling home and auto insurance with the same company.
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: 2% to 4%
- Installing a sprinkler system and a fire and burglar alarm: 2% to 4%
- Loyalty discounts: about 5%
- Bundling a home and auto insurance policy: up to 11%.
Methodology
Insurance.com worked with Quadrant Information Services to field homeowners insurance rates in all 50 states and Washington, D.C. We analyzed 37,973,840 insurance quotes from 134 insurance companies across 34,595 ZIP codes to determine the average premiums.
The insurance rates are based on a sample profile of a homeowner with good credit and the following coverage level:
- $300,000 dwelling coverage
- $300,000 liability protection
- $1,000 deductible
- 2% hurricane deductible where appropriate.
To rank insurance companies, we used three important factors: average annual cost, NAIC complaint ratio and AM Best financial stability rating. Find the full best insurance companies rating methodology here. The quoted insurance rates are for comparison purposes, and your rates will vary.
FAQ: California home insurance
What are the common risks faced by California homeowners?
Wildfires are one of the biggest risks in California. Earthquakes, floods and mudslides are also risks.
Do home insurance rates increase in California after flood or earthquakes?
Since floods and earthquakes are not covered by standard home insurance, they don't generally impact rates. However, if you carry earthquake coverage as an endorsement on your home insurance policy, your rates might go up. Flood insurance policies are separate from home insurance, with most written by the National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP).
Which home insurance companies have pulled out of California?
Homeowners insurance companies that have pulled out of the California home insurance market include State Farm, Allstate, AIG, Chubb, Tokio Marine, AmGUARD, Falls Lake Insurance and Trans Pacific. Many of these companies are still operating in the state but have stopped writing new home insurance coverage and have nonrenewed policies in some areas.
Will living in a wildfire-prone area make it harder to get coverage?
Yes, securing homeowners insurance in wildfire-prone areas of California is both more difficult and more expensive. Homeowners can improve their insurability and earn premium discounts by implementing state-approved wildfire mitigation efforts around their properties. If private coverage is entirely unavailable, homeowners may need to rely on the California FAIR Plan as an insurer of last resort.