The Best Homeowners Insurance in California [2023]
Find a top-ranked Homeowners Insurance Agency in your area
With a population approaching 40 million and over 160,000 square miles of land, it’s no surprise that there are quite a few homeowners in California. While the Golden State has much to offer (cue constant sunshine), there are also a handful of challenges — from unexpected natural disasters to a very high cost of living.
If you own a home or are thinking of buying in California, it’s important to compare homeowners insurance rates and find the coverage that works best for you.
We at Expertise.com have analyzed a handful of insurance companies. We’ll uncover everything to know about homeowners insurance in California, and help you find the most comprehensive, cheapest coverage to suit your needs.
Contents
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- Average Cost of Homeowners Insurance in California
- California Homeowners Insurance Rates by City
- The Best Homeowners Insurance in California
- Cheapest Homeowners Insurance in California
- Frequently Asked Questions
- How to Reduce Homeowners Insurance Costs in California
- California Insurance Options in Your City
Average Cost of Homeowners Insurance in California
The average cost of homeowners insurance in California is $1,380 per year according to Insurance.com.
Though California boasts high costs of living, this is surprisingly lower than the national average which sits at $2,779.
The cost of homeowners insurance in California can differ vastly based on a few key factors:
The age of your home: Is your California home an older home that is at risk of more structural wear and tear?
The square footage of your home: How big is your home? In general, larger homes will cost more to insure.
The materials used to build your home: Was your California home built using materials prone to things like rotting or structural damage?
Building costs in your area: Because insurance deals with repairs and replacement, coverage increases with increased building costs.
The location in which you live: What are crime rates like? How close are you to a fire department? How close are you to water or the coastline?
Any additional features: Does your house have a swimming pool or hot tub that could pose a potential risk to guests? Do you have pets, and if so, what are their breeds? Surprisingly, insurers will look at these things when assessing prices.
Your deductible: A higher deductible will decrease your premium, but could cost you more if you file a claim. Talk to your insurance provider about diminishing deductibles to get the best plan that suits your payment needs.
California Homeowners Insurance Rates by City
California is undoubtedly huge, so the cost of your homeowners insurance policy can vary greatly depending on where you live in the state.
Below is a breakdown of the average annual rate by city:
The Best Homeowners Insurance in California
After extensive research, we at Expertise.com found the following insurance agencies to provide the best, comprehensive coverage in California:
USAA
Average Annual Rate: ~ $1,100
Notes: A great option for active-duty military members
State Farm
Average Annual Rate: ~ $1,400
Notes: Largest home insurance carrier in the U.S. but often has fewer discount options
Allstate
Average Annual Rate: ~ $850
Notes: Cheapest option but high amount of complaints
Nationwide
Average Annual Rate: ~ $1,400
Notes: Good, inclusive coverage like roof and flood insurance options
Cheapest Homeowners Insurance in California
The cheapest homeowners insurance coverage in California is Allstate for a policy with $300,000 in dwelling and liability coverage, with a $1,000 deductible.
It’s important to remember that prices vary depending on each person’s unique scenario, but if cost is the most important variable for you, check Allstate’s coverage options in California first.
Find Cheap Homeowners Insurance in Your Area
Frequently Asked Questions
Below, we tackle some common questions to help you make a more informed decision about which homeowners insurance to choose in California specifically.
How to Reduce Homeowners Insurance Costs in California
As we’ve pointed out, the price you pay for homeowners insurance can vary substantially across insurers.
Here are a few ways to reduce costs:
Increase your deductible. This will help reduce monthly costs to your insurer, but it may mean paying more out of pocket should you need to make a claim. Similarly, paying your 6-month or 1-year premium in full will drive down monthly costs.
Bundle policies. Bundling your home and auto insurance can help you save 5–15% on your premiums. Talk to your insurance provider about home and car insurance bundling options and how that helps you save.
Take the necessary steps to make your home disaster-resistant. Some examples include:
Install a smoke detector and/or fire alarm.
Get a burglar alarm and/or dead-bolt locks.
Install a sprinkler system.
Nix the high-risk accessories. Similar to the above point, rid your home of things that are considered “high risk.” For example, did the kids go off to college? Time to throw out that trampoline that’s sitting in the backyard.
Seek out other discounts. Some things to look into:
Do you work from home? Insurance providers may feel you’re less prone to theft or may spot a fire or flood sooner.
Are you retired? You may qualify for a discount.
Does your employer offer a group deal?
Even something as simple as choosing paperless billing can help you save!
Keep good credit. Some agencies will look at your credit history and charge less for those with good financial strength and standings.
As always, consult your insurance agent to see which of the above discounts you qualify for.
California Insurance Options in Your City
At Expertise.com, our goal is to connect California residents with the best local experts and agencies, so you can find the home insurance policy that safely insures your home and most prized possessions.
View our list of the 13 best homeowners insurance agencies here.
Learn more about the best homeowners insurance options in your respective California cities below:
Our methodology evaluates each provider based on the quality and quantity of their reviews, their presence on multiple review sites, and their average minimum rating.