While some
homeowners insurance companies have stopped or
paused writing new policies in California, getting coverage is still possible. Whether buying a new home or just shopping for a better rate, there are still
several companies to choose from in the Golden State.Below,
CNBC Select reviews the top homeowners insurance companies offering new policies in California. We considered the cost of coverage, discounts available, financial strength and customer service to find the best companies. (See
our methodology for more information on how we made this list.)
Best homeowners insurance in California
Who's this for? AAA is ideal if you're a member of the auto club or are considering joining (membership starts at $64.99 per year) and want to take advantage of competitive rates with good customer service.
Standout benefits: AAA offers Californians many discounts, including savings of up to 36% for newly constructed homes and up to 20% for those who also insure their cars with AAA. There are also discounts for fire-resistant roofing (up to 13% discount), being a senior (up to 12%) and having protective devices (up to 9%).
Who's this for? Mercury can be great if you're a Californian who wants to prioritize affordability without sacrificing reliability. The insurer offers 15 discounts to California homeowners and has one of the lower complaint index scores of the companies we reviewed with affordable prices.
Standout benefits: The brand offers up to a 17.9% discount for those who bundle auto, home and earthquake insurance in California.
Who's this for? If you would rather buy your coverage online, you can find a mix of convenience and affordability with
Lemonade. Unlike other insurers on this list, you won't need to work with an insurance professional to get a quote or coverage, and Lemonade's website and app make the process simple.
Standout benefits: Lemonade allows you to pay for your policy through your escrow account or a
credit card. It also offers
pet insurance,
car insurance and
term life insurance, making it possible to bundle your coverages to save.
Who's this for?Travelers can provide strong coverage options if you want your policy to be backed by a big insurer in the space. It offers homeowners coverage in California, and rates are affordable compared to competitors in the state.
Standout benefits: Travelers offers a 5% discount for LEED-certified homes, as well as discounts for protective devices, new homeowners and for being loss-free.
AAA may be best known for its roadside assistance services, but the American Automobile Association also offers several insurance options through the club, including auto insurance and homeowners insurance. AAA received an 810 out of 1,000 in
J.D. Power's 2023 survey of homeowners insurance companies.$1,463.50Since 1961,
Mercury has proven itself a mainstay of affordable homeowners insurance. While it's only available in 10 states, California is one of them.$1,224.75A relative newcomer in the insurance space,
Lemonade makes insurance coverage a digital-first experience. Claims are handled directly through Lemonade's app and are often instantly approved by Lemonade's AI.$1,297.25For more than 165 years,
Travelers has been offering individuals insurance they can count on. The company has maintained consistently high financial strength ratings — an indicator that the brand can handle its policy obligations.$1,205.50
What is the average cost of homeowners insurance in California?
The average $300,000 home in California costs about $1,452 per year to insure.
Who has the cheapest homeowners insurance in California?
Among the companies we reviewed,
Travelers offered the lowest average cost for homeowners insurance in California.
Who still offers home insurance in California?
While several big players have left the California homeowners insurance market, it's still possible to get coverage from
Mercury,
AAA,
Lemonade and
Travelers, among other companies.
How can I get the best price on homeowners insurance in California?
Getting the best price on homeowners insurance in California starts with comparison shopping — prices can vary widely by location, home details and company. Get quotes with the amount of
homeowners insurance you need and the same deductible to get an idea of what's available.At CNBC Select, our mission is to provide our readers with high-quality service journalism and comprehensive consumer advice so they can make informed decisions with their money. Every insurance review is based on rigorous reporting by our team of expert writers and editors with extensive knowledge of insurance products. To research the best homeowners insurance companies in California, we compiled over 100 data points on more than a dozen insurance companies. While CNBC Select earns a commission from affiliate partners on many offers and links, we create all our content without input from our commercial team or any outside third parties, and we pride ourselves on our journalistic standards and ethics. See
our methodology for more information on how we choose the best homeowners insurance companies in California. To determine the best homeowners insurance companies in California,
CNBC Select analyzed dozens of insurance companies available in the state and compared them based on various factors. While narrowing down the best insurance companies, we focused on a sample premium from the California Department of Insurance's 2023 Homeowners Insurance Comparison Tool for a sample home in four areas: Burbank, San Francisco (Nob Hill), Sacramento (Rosemont) and San Diego (Pacific Beach). The sample home required $500,000 of coverage, and was seven to 15 years old. The sample policy we considered had a $1,000 deductible. We averaged these sample premiums to find the average California premium for each company.We also gathered data points on the number of discounts available to California customers. In addition, we gathered customer satisfaction metrics using scores from
J.D. Power's 2023 Home Insurance Study, and complaint data from the California Department of Insurance's
Homeowners Complaint Composite Report.From there, we sorted our recommendations by the best for customer satisfaction, best for discounts, best from a large insurer and best for online covearge.Note that the premiums and policy structures advertised for California homeowners insurance companies are subject to fluctuate in accordance with the company's policies.
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