To find the best car insurance in California for different types of drivers, WalletHub’s editors compared coverage options and rates from local, regional and national auto insurance providers. You can find the top options along with their WalletHub user rating listed below.
Best Car Insurance Companies in California
- Esurance: 4.3/5
- The General: 4.3/5
- National General: 4.2/5
- Direct Auto: 4.2/5
- PURE Insurance Company: 3.9/5
Ratings for the Best Car Insurance Companies in California
Rank | Insurer | BBB Rating |
1 | Esurance | A- |
2 | The General | A+ |
3 | National General | A+ |
5 | Direct Auto | A+ |
5 | PURE Insurance Company | A+ |
Fortunately, California drivers have plenty of auto insurance options to choose from. To learn more about the best car insurance companies in California, check out the details below.
Esurance is an online insurance company that specializes in selling bundled insurance policies at affordable prices. Founded in 1999, the company – which is known for its easy-to-use website and mobile app, as well as commercials featuring actor Dennis Quaid – has grown to offer auto and property insurance policies to customers in 43 states. Furthermore, following a 2011 acquisition, Esurance is now a wholly owned subsidiary of The Allstate Corporation. The Esurance customer service number is 800-378-7262.…show more
The General is a licensed car insurance agency based in Nashville, Tennessee. It’s a subsidiary of PGC Holdings Corp. (PGC), and it provides insurance coverage in 46 states as well as Washington, D.C. The General does not sell policies in Hawaii, Massachusetts, Michigan or New Jersey. [chop] The General is known for offering auto insurance to high-risk drivers at competitive prices, as well as for its television commercials featuring former NBA star Shaquille O’Neal. The company’s car insurance coverage is a popular option for drivers with a history of driving violations or accidents, for example, as well as people who either have not kept their insurance in force or have less-than-perfect credit. The General’s customer service phone number is 844-328-0306.…show more
National General Insurance was founded in 1920 and has grown to become one of the largest insurance providers in the country. From its headquarters in Winston-Salem, North Carolina, National General offers auto, homeowners and supplemental health insurance policies, as well as insurance plans for RVs, motorcycles, commercial vehicles and more, to customer all over the country. The National General Insurance customer service phone number is 888-293-5108.…show more
Direct Auto Insurance is an insurance company based in Nashville, Tennessee that is known for offering auto insurance to high-risk drivers and those who need SR-22 certification. It is a subsidiary of Direct General Group and offers auto insurance, motorcycle insurance, term life insurance, roadside assistance memberships, and vehicle protection plans. Direct Auto Insurance also has a trio of celebrity endorsers: former NFL quarterback Johnny Manziel, former figure skater Tonya Harding and entertainer Fat Joe. The Direct Auto Insurance customer service number is 877-463-4732.…show more
Privilege Underwriters Reciprocal Exchange (PURE) is a policyholder-owned insurer dedicated to creating an exceptional experience for responsible high net worth individuals and families. PURE provides best-in-class, customizable coverage throughout the U.S. for high-value homes, automobiles, jewelry, art, personal liability, watercraft and flood. PURE's structure and focus create an alignment of interest with its members to create lasting advantages including tailored coverage to meet members' unique needs, a service experience to make members' lives easier, and savings that are passed down to members by insuring only the most successful and responsible individuals.…show more
State Farm is the largest provider of auto and home insurance policies in the U.S. The company is headquartered in Bloomington, Illinois and has been providing insurance products since 1922. From its beginnings selling single-line auto insurance policies, State Farm has grown to offer nearly 100 types of products and services, including small business insurance options as well as banking and investment services. [chop] State Farm is also an involved community leader, having helped pass several seat belt laws and supporting numerous safety programs/organizations. The company sponsors programs to help people buy homes and make highways/neighborhoods safer, too. The State Farm customer service number is 800-782-8332.…show more
Nationwide Insurance, founded in 1926 as Farm Bureau Mutual, has grown from a small auto insurance company to one of the largest insurance and financial services companies in the world. With headquarters in Columbus, Ohio, Nationwide offers a full range of insurance products to customers across the country, including car, motorcycle, homeowners, pet, farm, life and commercial insurance policies. Annuities, mutual funds, retirement plans, and specialty health services are also available. The Nationwide customer service number is 877-669-6877. Fun Facts: Through the Nationwide Foundation, the company’s private nonprofit corporation, Nationwide has given more than $498 million to nonprofit organizations throughout the U.S. since 2000. Retired NFL quarterback Peyton Manning and country singer Brad Paisley are spokesmen for the company.…show more
Farmers Insurance is one of the oldest auto insurance companies in the U.S., having opened in 1928. It has since grown to become the Farmers Insurance Group of Companies – a multi-line, multi-company insurance and financial services conglomerate serving more than 50 million individual policies across all 50 states. Farmers is based out of Los Angeles – where it started out insuring vehicles for rural farmers, believe it or not. Today, the company is known for advertisements featuring extraordinary insurance claims Farmers has covered over the years, hosted by actor J.K. Simmons. The Farmers Insurance customer service number is 888-327-6335.…show more
Personal Express Insurance, headquartered in Bakersfield, CA, has been innovating and improving the ways their customers get insured since 1984. They're dedicated to providing friendly, affordable, and tailored auto, homeowners, and renters insurance solutions and services to their customers. At Personal Express, they pride themselves on consistently exceeding customer expectations by safeguarding drivers, homeowners, and renters with thoughtful, personalized service. California’s Central Valley is their home, and in 2018, they expanded their footprint and extended their offerings to customers in Arizona.…show more
The Hartford Insurance offers a wide variety of insurance options for autos, homes and businesses, as well as mutual funds and resources for making investments. The Hartford is perhaps best known for its AARP Auto Insurance Program, which features coverage options, discounts and other benefits created specifically for drivers aged 50 and older. However, younger customers can purchase insurance policies from The Hartford, too. [chop] Officially known as The Hartford Financial Services Group, Inc., the company was founded in 1810 and is headquartered in Hartford, Connecticut. The Hartford Insurance customer service number is 860-547-5000.…show more