With so many options when buying car insurance, it's no wonder that choosing a company and policy in the Golden State can be difficult. We've taken a look at the largest auto insurance companies in California to help inform consumers about their choices. In particular, a number of different car insurers offer different discounts and benefits to entice customers to sign up; these can be based on what organizations you belong to or what school you went to in California. Others cater to drivers who prefer personal relationships by employing agents or 24/7 convenience online.
AAA / Interinsurance Exchange of the Automobile Club
AAA and its underwriting affiliates (the Interinsurance Exchange and the CSAA Insurance Exchange) together insure the most number of cars in the state of California: 3.7MM cars as of 2013. To be part of AAA in CA, there's an initial fee of $17-20, and an annual member fee of $48-119, depending on where you live in California and which membership plan drivers pick. One of the perks of being insured with AAA is that it offers a Policyholder Savings Dividend, a sum given to Californians out of AAA’s auto insurance premium surplus. Just bear in mind that they're not guaranteed, but are paid when approved by the company. When issued, it can help save customers on their auto insurance, and help to defray the membership fee.
Tel: (877) 323-4222 or 1 (888) 883-8417
State Farm
California's 2nd largest car insurance company is State Farm, which operates via agents located throughout the state. It covers 3.6MM cars. Drivers considering State Farm can receive discounts by qualifying for the California Good Driver Discount and the Drive Safe & Save Program. In order to be eligible for the California Good Driver Discount, everyone who uses your car must be a “good driver”. This is someone who has had a license for the past three years and only has one violation point or one at-fault accident resulting in only property damage. In the Golden State, the Drive Safe & Save Program is self-reporting, meaning that drivers can report their own odometer readings, and the less the car is driven, the more the driver will save.
Tel: (800) 782-8332
Allstate
Drivers who choose to insure their vehicles with Allstate have access to some unique policy and account features. Drivewise, which is a mobile app and telemetry device, tracks your driving habits and rewards drivers for being safe behind the wheel. Allstate operates a rewards programs that offers points for drivers for good behavior and can be redeemed for brand-name items and other merchandise - rare among auto insurance companies. Star Driver is another feature designed for teen drivers and their parents, which notifies the parents when teens exceed mutually established driving limits. With Allstate, you have the option of going through a dedicated agent who can be one point of contact for your policy; in fact, it's our favorite agent-based car insurer.
Tel: 1 (800) 255-7828
Mercury Insurance Company / California Automobile Insurance Company
Mercury Insurance sells through only independent agents, meaning that drivers can get more personalized service. Mercury offers many premium discounts; one unique discount is the professional/ association discount. Members of organizations such as CalCPA, California Medical Association, and employees (including scientists, teachers, and other trade professionals) can qualify for a discounted quote at Mercury. Askyour employer if they are affiliated with Mercury Insurance, and there's a chance you might be able to save some more on your premiums. With 1.9MM vehicles insured, Mercury ranks as the 5th largest auto insurance group in the Golden State.
Tel: (800) 956-3728
GEICO
GEICO is the 2nd largest auto insurer in the United States, but the 6th largest in California based on the number of vehicles insured (1.8MM in 2013). The company, perhaps best personified by its gekko spokesperson, primarily operates online, which translates into lower auto insurance quotes. However, there are local agents in California for drivers looking for more hands-on guidance. They can be located in Bakersfield, Oxnard, Riverside County, Sacramento, San Bernardino County, San Diego, San Francisco, and San Jose. These agents can provide assistance in multiple languages and also sponsor many community events, such as football games and fairs.
AAA / Interinsurance Exchange of the Automobile Club
AAA and its underwriting affiliates (the Interinsurance Exchange and the CSAA Insurance Exchange) together insure the most number of cars in the state of California: 3.7MM cars as of 2013. To be part of AAA in CA, there's an initial fee of $17-20, and an annual member fee of $48-119, depending on where you live in California and which membership plan drivers pick. One of the perks of being insured with AAA is that it offers a Policyholder Savings Dividend, a sum given to Californians out of AAA’s auto insurance premium surplus. Just bear in mind that they're not guaranteed, but are paid when approved by the company. When issued, it can help save customers on their auto insurance, and help to defray the membership fee.
Tel: (877) 323-4222 or 1 (888) 883-8417
State Farm
California's 2nd largest car insurance company is State Farm, which operates via agents located throughout the state. It covers 3.6MM cars. Drivers considering State Farm can receive discounts by qualifying for the California Good Driver Discount and the Drive Safe & Save Program. In order to be eligible for the California Good Driver Discount, everyone who uses your car must be a “good driver”. This is someone who has had a license for the past three years and only has one violation point or one at-fault accident resulting in only property damage. In the Golden State, the Drive Safe & Save Program is self-reporting, meaning that drivers can report their own odometer readings, and the less the car is driven, the more the driver will save.
Tel: (800) 782-8332
Allstate
Drivers who choose to insure their vehicles with Allstate have access to some unique policy and account features. Drivewise, which is a mobile app and telemetry device, tracks your driving habits and rewards drivers for being safe behind the wheel. Allstate operates a rewards programs that offers points for drivers for good behavior and can be redeemed for brand-name items and other merchandise - rare among auto insurance companies. Star Driver is another feature designed for teen drivers and their parents, which notifies the parents when teens exceed mutually established driving limits. With Allstate, you have the option of going through a dedicated agent who can be one point of contact for your policy; in fact, it's our favorite agent-based car insurer.
Tel: 1 (800) 255-7828
Mercury Insurance Company / California Automobile Insurance Company
Mercury Insurance sells through only independent agents, meaning that drivers can get more personalized service. Mercury offers many premium discounts; one unique discount is the professional/ association discount. Members of organizations such as CalCPA, California Medical Association, and employees (including scientists, teachers, and other trade professionals) can qualify for a discounted quote at Mercury. Askyour employer if they are affiliated with Mercury Insurance, and there's a chance you might be able to save some more on your premiums. With 1.9MM vehicles insured, Mercury ranks as the 5th largest auto insurance group in the Golden State.
Tel: (800) 956-3728
GEICO
GEICO is the 2nd largest auto insurer in the United States, but the 6th largest in California based on the number of vehicles insured (1.8MM in 2013). The company, perhaps best personified by its gekko spokesperson, primarily operates online, which translates into lower auto insurance quotes. However, there are local agents in California for drivers looking for more hands-on guidance. They can be located in Bakersfield, Oxnard, Riverside County, Sacramento, San Bernardino County, San Diego, San Francisco, and San Jose. These agents can provide assistance in multiple languages and also sponsor many community events, such as football games and fairs.
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