The top homeowners insurance providers in California for 2024.
Despite some homeowners insurance companies in California stopping or pausing new policy writing, there are still several options available for coverage. Whether purchasing a new home or seeking a better rate, homeowners in California can still find coverage from various companies.
We have reviewed the top homeowners insurance companies in California and have identified the best options based on cost, discounts, financial strength, and customer service. Our methodology explains how we arrived at this list.
Find the best homeowners insurance for you
Best for customer satisfaction
This is for you if you are a member of the auto club or are considering joining (membership starts at $64.99 per year) and want to enjoy competitive rates with excellent customer service.
AAA provides numerous discounts to Californians, including up to 36% savings on newly constructed homes and up to 20% for those who also insure their cars with AAA. Additionally, there are discounts for fire-resistant roofing (up to 13%), being a senior (up to 12%), and having protective devices (up to 9%).
Best for discounts
This insurer is ideal for Californians who prioritize affordability while maintaining reliability. Mercury offers 15 discounts to California homeowners and has a low complaint index score, making it an affordable option.
In California, the brand provides a discount of up to 17.9% for customers who purchase auto, home, and earthquake insurance together.
Best for online coverage
Lemonade offers a mix of convenience and affordability for those who prefer to buy their coverage online. Unlike other insurers, Lemonade allows you to get a quote and coverage without the need for an insurance professional. Their website and app simplify the process.
Lemonade offers various insurance options, including pet, car, and term life insurance, and allows you to pay for your policy through your escrow account or credit card. This enables you to bundle your coverages and save money.
Best from a large insurer
This policy is for travelers who want their insurance coverage to be backed by a big insurer in the space. It offers affordable rates on homeowners coverage in California, compared to competitors in the state.
LEED-certified homes, protective devices, new homeowners, and loss-free properties receive discounts from Travelers.
More on our top California homeowners insurance companies
AAA
The American Automobile Association (AAA) is well-known for its roadside assistance services, but the organization also provides various insurance options through its club, including auto and homeowners insurance. In J.D. Power's 2023 survey of homeowners insurance companies, AAA received an 810 out of 1,000.
Average California premium
$1,463.50
2022 justified complaint ratio (from the California Department of Insurance)
0.9 (relatively low)
J.D. Power Customer Satisfaction Score
810 out of 1,000 (819 is industry average)
Mercury
Mercury has been a reliable provider of affordable homeowners insurance since 1961, and it is available in California, one of the 10 states where it operates.
Average California premium
$1,224.75
2022 justified complaint ratio (from the California Department of Insurance)
0.94 (relatively low)
J.D. Power Customer Satisfaction Score
Not rated
Lemonade
Lemonade, a newcomer in the insurance industry, offers a digital-first experience for insurance coverage. Through its app, claims are handled directly and often approved instantly by Lemonade's AI.
Average California premium
$1,297.25
2022 justified complaint ratio (from the California Department of Insurance)
4.9 (relatively high)
J.D. Power Customer Satisfaction Score
Not rated
Travelers
For over 165 years, Travelers has provided reliable insurance to individuals, earning consistently high financial strength ratings, which demonstrate the brand's ability to fulfill its policy obligations.
Average California premium
$1,205.50
2022 justified complaint ratio (from the California Department of Insurance)
2.76 (moderate)
J.D. Power Customer Satisfaction Score
790 out of 1,000 (819 is industry average)
Why trust CNBC Select?
At CNBC Select, our goal is to deliver top-notch service journalism and in-depth consumer advice to our readers, enabling them to make well-informed decisions with their money. Our insurance reviews are based on thorough reporting by our team of expert writers and editors who possess extensive knowledge of insurance products. In order to identify the best homeowners insurance companies in California, we gathered 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 uphold our journalistic standards and ethics. For more information on how we select the best homeowners insurance companies in California, please refer to our methodology.
Our methodology
In California, CNBC Select evaluated numerous insurance providers and ranked them based on multiple criteria to identify the top homeowners insurance companies.
To determine the best insurance companies, we analyzed 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 was seven to 15 years old and required $500,000 of coverage. We considered a sample policy with a $1,000 deductible and averaged the premiums to find the average California premium for each company.
Besides collecting data on the number of discounts offered to California customers, we also obtained customer satisfaction scores from J.D. Power's 2023 Home Insurance Study and complaint data from the California Department of Insurance's Homeowners Complaint Composite Report.
We ranked our recommendations based on customer satisfaction, discounts, insurer size, and online coverage.
The premiums and policy structures offered by California homeowners insurance companies may change based on the company's policies.
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