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Best Homeowners Insurance in California

If you’re looking to purchase homeowners insurance in California and want more than just industry-standard coverage, you’ll have a wide range of options among potential providers.

Because of the state’s susceptibility to natural disasters, you’ll want the best home insurance policy that protects your home from all possible perils.

To see which companies offer comprehensive coverage, keep reading our review of the best homeowners insurance companies in the Golden State.

For free home insurance quotes in your area, call 855-948-5219 or enter your zip code in our quote tool:

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5 Best Homeowners Insurance Providers in California

Here are the top providers of homeowners insurance in California:


Liberty Mutual: Best Discounts

Liberty Mutual has close to 110 years of experience in the home insurance industry. Although it scored below the industry average in the J.D. Power Home Insurance Study based on customer satisfaction, the company has built a strong reputation over the years and holds an A rating with AM Best.

While you receive comprehensive coverage for dwelling, other structures, personal property, loss of use, liability, and medical payments to others, Liberty Mutual premiums stay low because of its various discounts.

For example, you can save money on premiums when you renovate your home or replace your roof.

Pros and Cons of Liberty Mutual Home Insurance

✔ Has a 24/7 claims center
✔ Offers highly customizable coverage options
✔ Features an earthquake add-on for earthquake-prone areas of California

✘ Excludes some dog breeds from liability coverage
✘ Offers varying coverages and add-ons depending on where you live

Additional Coverage Options

Liberty Mutual has a handful of endorsements, which include:

  • Additional hurricane coverage
  • Total replacement cost
  • Water backup and sump pump overflow protection
  • Fine jewelry coverage
  • Inflation protection

Available Discounts

Liberty Mutual offers up to 10 policy discounts, more than most providers. They consist of the following: 

  • Claims-free discount
  • Early shopper
  • Home renovation discount
  • Multi-policy discount
  • New home purchase
  • New roof discount
  • Paperless discount
  • Preferred payment
  • Safe homeowner
  • Total home value discount

Get Your Free Home Insurance Quote: Liberty Mutual Quote

Learn More: Liberty Mutual Homeowners Insurance Review


USAA: Best Membership Perks

Military members and their families can qualify for a membership with USAA and receive access to quality financial products, including homeowners insurance. USAA boasts a nearly perfect J.D. Power score for customer satisfaction and a superior financial strength rating from AM Best.

This insurer offers home insurance policies for service members who work on the 32 military bases in California. We also recommend this provider for its affordable home insurance premiums, endorsements that help policyholders fine-tune their coverage, and unique membership perks.

Pros and Cons of USAA Home Insurance

✔ Has an additional coverage option for military uniform protection
✔ Offers flood insurance coverage through the National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP)
✔ Features benefits, such as discount car rentals and local shopping deals

Provides policies only to military members and their families
Offers a limited number of local branches and agents compared to competitors

Additional Coverage Options

USAA provides a limited number of endorsements. Its comprehensive coverage makes up for the lack of add-ons. Here is a list of USAA’s additional coverage options:

  • Business insurance
  • Flood insurance
  • Personal umbrella
  • Valuable personal property 

Available Discounts

USAA provides multiple policy discounts to help lower your insurance rate. They consist of the following:

  • Claim-free discount
  • Good payment history discount
  • Home age discount
  • Impact-resistant roof discount
  • Loyalty discount
  • Multi-policy discount
  • Protective devices discount

Get Your Free Home Insurance Quote: USAA Quote

Learn More: USAA Home Insurance Review


Farmers: Most Customizable Coverage

Farmers is another well-respected name in the insurance industry with a long lineup of insurance products, including home, life, renters, and car insurance. The company provides an impressive suite of coverages, add-ons, and discounts, detailed below.

Farmers also offers customizable coverage for other structures, personal property, and additional living expenses, unlike Liberty Mutual and Allstate, which offer a set amount based on dwelling coverage. Farmers focuses its coverage policies on dwelling coverage. However, you can purchase up to 200% of dwelling coverage for other structures and personal property. It covers up to 30% for loss of use.

Pros and Cons of Farmers Home Insurance

✔ Provides up to $25,000 of additional insurance coverage to rebuild your home using eco-friendly appliances and building materials with eco-rebuild rider
✔ Lowers your deductible by $50 each year
✔ Provides an ordinance or law endorsement, which most home insurance providers don’t include

✘ Earned a lower J.D. Power score than other providers in this review
✘ Does not offer its Premier package and some add-ons in California

Additional Coverage Options

Farmers provides several standard and unique endorsements, such as its eco-rebuild endorsement. It also offers flood insurance. Here are the additional coverages offered by Farmers:

  • Eco-rebuild
  • Flood insurance via the NFIP
  • Identity theft
  • Ordinance or law
  • Personal article floaters
  • Replacement cost coverage

Available Discounts

Farmers offers the most policy discounts compared to other providers on this list. Farmers is a solid choice for those on a budget. Here is the list of Farmers’ endorsements:

  • Affinity discount
  • Claims free
  • Connected home
  • E-policy discount
  • Good payer
  • Green certification
  • Home safety
  • Multi Line discount
  • New home
  • Nonsmoker discount
  • Preferred payment
  • Protective device
  • Rent to own
  • UL-approved roofing materials

Get Your Free Home Insurance Quote: Farmers Quote

Learn More: Farmers Home Insurance Review


Amica: Best Customer Service

Amica is another solid option for Californians. Amica’s homeowners insurance centers on providing comprehensive coverage. Its Platinum policy covers your personal property regardless of where a covered loss occurs. It also increases its personal liability coverage from $300,000 to $500,000, giving you extra protection.

Pros and Cons of Amica

✔ Provides a contractor connection portal to help you find reputable contractors in your area
✔ Offers up to 20% off your monthly premium by bundling home and auto insurance
✔ Adds an additional 30% to your dwelling coverage in its Platinum Choice Home policy

✘ Charges higher insurance rates compared to other companies
✘ Requires you to call to request a quote 

Additional Coverage Options

Amica provides a larger list of add-ons compared to other providers, further increasing its comprehensive coverage. Here is the full list of Amica’s endorsements:

  • Catastrophic
  • Dwelling replacement
  • Flooding coverage
  • Home business coverage
  • Identity fraud expense
  • Personal property replacement
  • Valuable items
  • Water backup and sump overflow

Available Discounts

Amica provides a solid list of discounts to lower your monthly premium. They consist of the following:

  • Alarm system
  • Automatic detection devices
  • Autopay
  • Claim-free
  • E-discount
  • Loyalty
  • Multi-policy discount
  • New and remodeled homes discount

Get Your Free Home Insurance Quote: Amica Quote

Learn More: Amica Home Insurance Review


Progressive: Best Online Quote Tool

Progressive is our final California home insurance recommendation. The company allows you to compare homeowners insurance rates from other companies with its HomeQuote Explorer tool. We used this tool to compare various homeowners policies and found it takes less than two minutes to complete.

Pros and Cons of Progressive

✔ Provides an intuitive online quote tool that allows you to compare insurance rates from other providers
✔ Includes a mobile app that conveniently handles your policy claims
✔ Offers in-person customer service via a wide network of insurance agents

✘ Underwrites its policies to other insurance companies
✘ Provides different discounts based on your underwritten policy

Additional Coverage Options

Progressive offers a minimal list of endorsements, which makes other providers worth considering if you need additional coverage. Here is Progressive’s endorsement list:

  • Personal injury
  • Water backup and sump discharge

Available Discounts

Progressive offers up to eight policy discounts. Below is the full list:

  • Bundling discount
  • Email documents discount
  • New home construction
  • New home purchase
  • Pay in full
  • Quote in advance
  • Safety and alarm discount
  • Single deductible

Get Your Free Home Insurance Quote: Progressive Quote

Learn More: Progressive Home Insurance Review


What Is the Average Cost of Homeowners Insurance in California?

The average cost of homeowners insurance in California is approximately $1,073, based on the Insurance Information Institute’s most recent study. This is below the national average of $1,249 but significantly higher than premiums in some other states.

California’s multiple weather-related perils and diverse topography lead to many home insurance costs. The best way to accurately determine how much a policy will cost you is to get quotes from providers and input your personal and home information.


What Risk Do Homeowners in California Face the Most?

California residents face an elevated risk of natural disasters, which can result in major damage and home insurance claims. Two of the biggest natural disasters are earthquakes and wildfires. Home insurance policies usually list fire as a covered peril but not earthquakes.

If you live along a fault line, you can buy added earthquake coverage to supplement your policy through Liberty Mutual. If you want more comprehensive earthquake coverage, purchase a separate earthquake insurance policy from an insurance company like State Farm.


Compare Top Home Insurance Companies in California

Best For Star Rating Link
Liberty Mutual Best Discounts
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USAA Best Membership Perks
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Farmers Most Customizable Coverage
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Amica Best Customer Service
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Progressive Best Online Quote Tool
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Liberty Mutual
Best For Best Discounts
Star Rating
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USAA
Best For Best Membership Perks
Star Rating
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Farmers
Best For Most Customizable Coverage
Star Rating
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Amica
Best For Best Customer Service
Star Rating
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Progressive
Best For Best Online Quote Tool
Star Rating
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Which Is the Best Homeowners Insurance Provider in California for You?

Liberty Mutual, USAA, Farmers, Amica, and Progressive are some of California’s best homeowners insurance providers. To find the best policy for you, we recommend getting quotes from at least three companies by calling 855-948-5219.


FAQ About Homeowners Insurance in California

Is home insurance required in California?

California does not legally require homeowners to insure their homes; however, if you have a mortgage, your lender will typically require you to purchase a homeowners insurance policy.

How do I purchase a flood insurance policy in California?

Homeowners in California have access to flood insurance policies offered through the NFIP, which is run by the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA). Some home insurance companies, such as Allstate and State Farm, sell underwritten flood insurance policies to California residents as an additional coverage option on your home insurance policy. Check with your insurer when getting a quote to see if flood insurance is available in your area.

Will a new roof lower my homeowners insurance?

Yes. A new roof lowers the risk of water damage caused by a leaky roof, which decreases the likelihood that your insurance company will have to pay a claim. Some companies, like Liberty Mutual, may even offer you a new roof discount on top of your already low premium, whereas State Farm does not offer its roof discount to California residents.


Methodology

The This Old House Reviews Team backs up our ratings and recommendations with a detailed rating methodology that we use to objectively score each provider. We analyze online information, obtain a sample quote and policy structure, speak to a representative, research digital tools and technology, and review third-party ratings and customer reviews for each provider. We then score the provider against our review standards for coverage, availability, customer service, technology, reputation, and additional benefits to arrive at a final score on a 5-point rating scale.

To share feedback or ask a question about this article, send a note to our Reviews Team at reviews@thisoldhousereviews.com.