The Best and Cheapest Renters Insurance in California

Renters insurance isn’t required by law in California, but it’s often worth buying — especially if you live in an area at risk for wildfires. While your landlord will insure the building you live in, it’s up to you to cover your own belongings.

The average cost of renters insurance in California is $155 per year. For comparison, the national annual average is $151. NerdWallet analyzed rates from across the state to find out which companies offer the cheapest renters insurance in California.

Note: Some insurance companies included in this article may have made changes in their underwriting practices and no longer issue new policies in your state.

Below are the companies with average renters insurance rates under the California average of $155 per year.

» MORE: The cheapest renters insurance

If you’re looking for renters insurance from highly rated insurers, consider these carriers that made NerdWallet’s list of the best renters insurance companies. Select each company’s name to read our review.

More about the best renters insurance companies in California

See more details about each company to help you decide which one is best for you.

Amica stands out for strong customer service. It ranked No. 1 for consumer satisfaction in a recent J.D. Power study and draws a very low rate of complaints. Planning to buy a home someday? Ask about an Amica Essentials policy, which lets you earn up to $500 toward a future homeowners policy from Amica.

Get more details in our Amica renters insurance review.

If you’re looking for a well-established company, Travelers fits the bill: It’s been in business since 1864. You may be able to save on Travelers renters insurance if you also insure your car with the company. Other discounts may be available for having safety devices such as a sprinkler system in your home. Travelers draws a low rate of consumer complaints to state regulators.

Check out our Travelers renters insurance review for more details.

CSAA issues renters insurance policies on behalf of AAA in Northern California. AAA members can get discounted rates on renters insurance from CSAA. A bundling discount may also be available if you buy both car and renters insurance. AAA membership comes with benefits like roadside assistance and identity theft monitoring.

Learn more in our AAA renters insurance review.

USAA’s renters policies are available only to active military, veterans, some federal workers and their families. These policies may be especially valuable to renters in California because they cover earthquake damage. (Most companies charge extra for this coverage.) USAA also includes flood insurance in its standard renters policies.

Read our USAA renters insurance review to learn more.

The average cost of renters insurance in California is $155 a year, or approximately $13 a month. That’s close to the national average of $151 a year.

Los Angeles is one of the most expensive areas for renters insurance in California, with an average cost of $191 a year. The average cost of renters insurance in San Francisco is $164 a year, while renters in San Diego pay about $142 a year.

Average cost of renters insurance in California by city

Here’s what renters insurance costs, on average, in 25 of California’s largest cities.

» MORE: How much is renters insurance?

Renters insurance can serve as a financial safety net in a disaster — and unfortunately, California sees plenty of those.

Wildfires

Standard renters policies cover fire and smoke damage, but people who live in high-risk areas may have trouble finding coverage. The California FAIR Plan is the state’s insurer of last resort, offering renters insurance to those who’ve been turned down elsewhere.

FAIR Plan coverage is much more limited than a standard renters policy. It pays only for damage due to fire, lightning, smoke and internal explosions. If you want coverage for theft, wind damage or other disasters, you can buy a “difference in conditions” policy to fill the gap.

In California, insurers must pay at least two weeks of additional living expenses for renters who have to evacuate due to wildfires. This could include costs such as hotel bills, restaurant meals and relocation costs.

» MORE: Wildfire insurance: What you need to know

Earthquakes

Renters insurance generally won’t cover earthquakes. That means you’ll need to buy extra coverage if you’re at risk. The California Earthquake Authority works with insurers to provide earthquake coverage for renters.

» MORE: Complete guide to earthquake insurance

Floods

Floods are another disaster most renters policies won’t cover. Renters can buy flood insurance backed by the federal government or from a private company. Learn more about flood insurance for renters.

Insurers look at a variety of factors to determine the cost of your renters policy. In most states, one of those factors is your credit-based insurance score, which is similar to a traditional credit score. But that doesn’t apply in California. It’s one of a few states where insurance companies can’t use your credit history to set rates.

Below are a few of the factors that likely will influence what you pay for a California renters policy.

Where you live

Insurers typically charge more if you live in an area they consider risky. For example, you may pay more for insurance if your neighborhood has a high crime rate or wildfire risk.

Your coverage limits

The more stuff you have — or the more expensive stuff you have — the more you’ll pay to cover it.

Your deductible

A deductible is the amount you’re responsible for when you file a claim. Say a fire causes $5,000 worth of damage to your belongings. If your deductible is $500, your insurance company would pay the remaining $4,500.

Raising your deductible can lower your premium, but it’s only worth doing if you’re sure you can come up with the higher amount in a pinch.

» MORE: What does renters insurance cover?

Your claims history

Filing a renters insurance claim often causes your premium to go up. A California renter with a recent theft claim would pay about 28% more for insurance than someone with no recent claims, according to NerdWallet’s rate analysis.

The features of your home

Burglar alarms, sprinkler systems and other protective devices may earn you a discount.

Other policies

Many insurers offer a discount if you buy both renters and auto insurance together.

Your dog

Because dog bites are a common source of renters liability claims, your insurer may charge you more if you have a breed it considers a higher risk. Such breeds may include pit bulls, Rottweilers and Doberman pinschers.

» MORE: What pit bull owners need to know about renters insurance

If you have questions about your policy or problems with your insurer, the California Department of Insurance is a good place to turn. You can get information and file complaints on the department’s website. Or call the consumer hotline at 800-927-4357 for help in English or Spanish.