The Best Home Insurance in California for 2025

Amica, Chubb, Cincinnati Insurance and USAA are the best home insurance companies in California, according to our analysis.

California has fewer home insurance options than it used to due to recent wildfires, but homeowners still have some top-rated options to choose from. To help you find the best home insurance in California, we gathered and analyzed data from insurance companies across the state. These are the insurers that earned 4.3 stars or more.

Rates are based on a sample homeowner with no recent claims, $300,000 of dwelling coverage, $300,000 of liability coverage and a $1,000 deductible.

Below are more details about the best homeowners insurance companies 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.

Chubb caters to affluent homeowners, offering coverage other insurers often charge extra for. For example, the company's policies include extended replacement cost coverage for the structure of your home. This is useful in case it costs more than your dwelling limit to rebuild after a disaster. Chubb’s standard policies also cover water damage from backed-up sewers and drains.

Chubb policyholders in California are eligible for free Wildfire Defense Services. These services include personalized recommendations for protecting your home and firefighters sent to your home if a wildfire is near.

» READ MORE: Chubb homeowners insurance review

Amica shines when it comes to customer service. It draws a very low rate of complaints compared to other insurers, according to the National Association of Insurance Commissioners. Amica also earned high marks in two recent J.D. Power surveys about home insurance and customer satisfaction.

The company also stands out for its broad range of coverage options. For example, you can customize your policy with extra coverage above your dwelling limit. This could be useful in case your house costs more to rebuild than expected. You may also want to add coverage for identity theft or damage from backed-up drains.

» READ MORE: Amica home insurance review

If you want to do business with companies that value sustainability, consider Cincinnati Insurance. In recent years, the insurer has reduced fossil fuel emissions from both its facilities and company vehicles. When you buy Cincinnati home insurance, you may be able to add a “green upgrade” endorsement. With this coverage, you can use eco-friendly materials to repair or rebuild your home after a claim.

The company offers a variety of other options, including comprehensive coverage for high-value homes. You may be able to add coverage for things like identity theft, personal cyber attacks or certain types of water damage.

» READ MORE: Cincinnati homeowners insurance review

Travelers offers a robust online experience. You can use the website to get a homeowners insurance quote, file and track claims, make payments, and learn about insurance basics.

Its coverage offerings are similarly strong. For example, you may be able to add extra coverage in case the dwelling limit on your home isn’t enough to rebuild your house after a disaster. You can also add coverage for water damage caused by a backed-up sewer or drain. Another option is Travelers’ green home coverage, which pays extra if you want to use eco-friendly materials when repairing or rebuilding your home after a covered claim.

» READ MORE: Travelers homeowners insurance review

Farmers stands out for its lengthy list of discounts. You can save by doing things like installing fire alarms or sprinklers, not smoking and paying premiums on time.

Add-on options include personal property replacement cost coverage, which will fully reimburse you for the cost of replacing a stolen, damaged or destroyed item. You may also want to buy water backup coverage, which applies if sewer lines or sump pumps back up and damage your home.

Farmers receives a low rate of complaints to state regulators relative to its size, according to the NAIC.

Californians can buy earthquake insurance issued by the California Earthquake Authority through Farmers agents.

» READ MORE: Farmers home insurance review

Kin was founded in 2016 to provide coverage in high-risk states where affordable homeowners insurance can be hard to find. Its user-friendly website makes it easy to get a quote, file a claim or learn about insurance.

Kin’s policies include replacement cost coverage for your belongings, a more generous type of coverage than some insurers offer. You can also add coverage for identity theft, fungi and mold, and damage from backed-up drains.

Note that coverage for dog bites and other animal liability claims is optional with Kin (most other companies include it). If you have a pet, consider adding animal liability coverage to your policy.

» READ MORE: Kin homeowners insurance review

USAA sells homeowners insurance to active military members, veterans and their families. If that’s you, you may want to consider USAA.

The company offers some perks that are specific to members of the military, like deductible-free coverage for military uniforms and equipment. USAA will also waive your deductible if your personal property is damaged or lost due to war.

USAA homeowners insurance has certain features that many insurers charge extra for. For example, USAA covers your personal belongings on a replacement cost basis. That means you’ll get enough money to buy brand-new replacements for damaged items. Many companies pay out only what your items are worth at the time of the claim.

» READ MORE: USAA homeowners insurance review

The average cost of homeowners insurance in California is $1,335 per year, or about $111 per month. That's 37% less than the national average of $2,110.

Those rates are for homeowners with no recent claims on their record. In California, policyholders with one recent claim pay an average of $1,470 per year — an increase of 10%.

Here are the average annual rates for the best home insurance companies in California for a range of dwelling coverage limits.

The amount you pay will vary depending on where you live in the state. For example, the average cost of homeowners insurance in Los Angeles is $1,570 per year, while San Jose homeowners pay $1,090 per year, on average.

» MORE: What’s the average cost of homeowners insurance?

Here are the insurers we found with average annual rates below the California average.

» MORE: The cheapest homeowners insurance

Wildfires

Insurance companies are required to give discounts to California homeowners who take steps to reduce wildfire risk on their property, according to the California Department of Insurance[1]. Such efforts could include things like redoing your roof with fire-resistant materials and limiting vegetation near your home.

You can use this website from the U.S. Forest Service to see the level of fire risk in your community and get ideas for hardening your home.

Learn how to protect your home from climate change, including wildfires.

Earthquakes

Home insurance generally doesn’t cover earthquake damage, so you'll need to buy a separate earthquake insurance policy if you want coverage. You can get a policy from a private insurer or the California Earthquake Authority. Read our guide to earthquake insurance.

Flooding

The entire state of California is prone to flooding, and homeowners insurance doesn't cover flood damage. For that, you'll need to buy flood insurance from the National Flood Insurance Program or a private insurer. Here's how to choose the best flood insurance company.

To check your flood risk, start by looking up your address on the Federal Emergency Management Agency's flood maps. However, FEMA’s maps don’t always capture all types of flood risk. You may want to check another source, like First Street, a private company that models climate hazards. Enter your address at the top of the page to see your home’s flood risk rating on a scale of 1 to 10.

Insurers may be reluctant to cover homes in high-risk areas. If you have trouble finding a policy, you can turn to the California FAIR Plan, the state’s insurer of last resort.

To apply for a policy, you’ll need to find a licensed insurance broker who is registered to work with the FAIR Plan. You can do this on the FAIR Plan website.

FAIR Plan coverage is limited, paying only for damage due to fire, lightning, smoke and internal explosions. A “difference in conditions” policy can help fill the coverage gaps. Work with an independent insurance agent to find one.

If you want to file a complaint against your insurance company or get more information about your rights as a policyholder, the California Department of Insurance may be able to help.

The department’s website has useful resources such as a home insurance finder tool and a list of companies offering difference in conditions policies. Assistance is available in English and Spanish at 800-927-4357.

How we rate homeowners insurance

NerdWallet’s star ratings reward companies for consumer-first features and practices. We evaluate factors such as consumer experience, coverage, discounts and financial strength.

In our research, we analyzed:

View our complete homeowners insurance rating methodology.