How much is renters insurance in California?
The average cost of renters insurance in California is $223 a year, but we found premiums as low as $130 a year while researching the state's top renters insurance companies to find the best rates and coverage. In this article we'll cover:
Our comprehensive guide to renters insurance in California, includes:
Cheapest renters insurance companies in California
Renters insurance is only $19 a month in California, on average. Although renters insurance is relatively cheap, you can save even more by getting rates from multiple insurance companies. Farmers is the cheapest renters insurance company in our study, with an average rate of $213 a year, or $18 a month.
| Company | Average annual premium |
|---|---|
|
Farmers |
$213 |
|
Nationwide |
$218 |
|
Travelers |
$219 |
|
Amica |
$230 |
|
Allstate |
$231 |
| Note: Average rates are based on online quotes from provider websites. Your rates may vary. | |
Best renters insurance companies in California
Renters insurance companies offer different types of coverages and discounts. To help you find the best renters insurance for you, we researched the best renters insurance companies.
Best rates: Farmers
If you want cheap rates, Farmers is our top pick among California's renters insurance companies. Farmers has an average annual premium of $213, which is 4% lower than the state average. It also offers discounts to help you save even more, including a smoke-free discount, a multiple policy discount and a security system or fire alarm discount.
Best for coverage options: Nationwide
Standard renters insurance coverages vary little between companies. However, renters insurance companies offer optional coverages that can make a big difference. Below you will find common add-ons offered to customers of different renters insurance companies.
If you're looking for a company that offers the most optional coverages, we suggest Nationwide.
| Company | Umbrella policy* | Identity theft restoration | Coverage for high-value items | Water backup** | Earthquake | Contents replacement cost/personal property replacement*** | Theft extension |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
Farmers |
x |
x |
x |
Not offered |
x |
x |
Not offered |
|
Nationwide |
x |
x |
x |
x |
x |
Not offered |
x |
|
Travelers |
x |
x |
x |
Not offered |
Not offered |
x |
Not offered |
|
Amica |
x |
x |
x |
Not offered |
x |
x |
Not offered |
|
Allstate |
x |
x |
x |
Not offered |
Not offered |
Not offered |
Not offered |
|
*Provides extra liability coverage if you're found responsible for a liability judgment. **Covers water or sewer backup floods. ***Provides repair or replacement of your property based on the replacement cost at the time of the loss. |
|||||||
Best for discounts: Amica
We recommend Amica if you're looking for the renters insurance company with the most discounts. In fact, you'll automatically receive a discount from Amica if you sign up to receive policy information and bills electronically. You can get another discount after you've been a customer for two years. If you're 55 or older and retired, Allstate may make more sense for you.
| Company | Multiple policy | No smoking | Claims-free | Loyalty | Protective devices (security system, fire alarm) | Automatic payments* | E-discount | 55 and retired |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
Farmers |
x |
x |
Not offered |
Not offered |
x |
Not offered |
Not offered |
Not offered |
|
Nationwide |
x |
Not offered |
x |
Not offered |
x |
Not offered |
Not offered |
Not offered |
|
Travelers |
x |
Not offered |
x |
Not offered |
x |
Not offered |
Not offered |
Not offered |
|
Amica |
x |
Not offered |
x |
x |
Not offered |
x |
x |
Not offered |
|
Allstate |
x |
Not offered |
Not offered |
Not offered |
Not offered |
Not offered |
x |
x |
| *Can receive a discount if you choose to pay your premium using automatic deductions. | ||||||||
Cost of renters insurance in California by city
The cost of renters insurance varies from city to city. San Jose has the cheapest average renters insurance rate in our study, at $203 a year, while Los Angeles has the highest, at $292 a year.
| City | Average annual premium |
|---|---|
|
Los Angeles |
$292 |
|
San Diego |
$214 |
|
San Jose |
$203 |
|
San Francisco |
$245 |
|
Fresno |
$255 |
|
Sacramento |
$228 |
|
Long Beach |
$242 |
|
Oakland |
$273 |
|
Bakersfield |
$241 |
|
Stockton |
$257 |
| Note: Average rates are based on online quotes from provider websites. Your rates may vary. | |
Comparing renters insurance companies in California
To get your best rate and coverage, you need to compare renters insurance companies. If you're debating between different renters insurance companies, look at their customer satisfaction ratings to help make your decision.
| Company | J.D. Power overall satisfaction* |
|---|---|
|
Lemonade** |
870 |
|
State Farm** |
866 |
|
American Family** |
838 |
|
Nationwide |
834 |
|
Allstate |
833 |
|
Farmers |
831 |
|
Travelers |
815 |
|
Amica |
- |
| *Ratings from J.D. Power 2021 U.S. Home Insurance Study. **Average rates for insurers are not included in our renters insurance research. | |
Based on these ratings, Lemonade and State Farm have the best customer service ratings for renters insurance in California. Of the companies included in QuoteWizard's study, Nationwide has the best customer service.
Renters insurance quotes in California
To get the best renters insurance policy that fits all of your needs, comparing quotes is the most crucial part of the renters insurance selection process. Renters insurance companies and their coverages may vary.
It's important that your coverage limit can replace all of your important belongings. The coverage limit of your policy is the maximum amount your insurer will pay for a claim. We recommend making an inventory list of all of your belongings to ensure you have the right amount of coverage. If you have $20,000 worth of coverage, but $30,000 worth of personal property, your coverage won't be enough to protect all of your belongings.
California renters insurance laws and regulations
Renters insurance is not required by law in California, though some landlords may require you to purchase it. We recommend getting renters insurance whether or not your landlord requires it.
Methodology
We collected quotes from 82 addresses in California for a renters insurance policy. We used the following coverages:
- $30,000 personal property coverage
- $500 deductible
- $100,000 personal liability
- $1,000 medical payments to guests
- Loss of use: 30%
We used quotes from the following insurance companies:
- Allstate
- Farmers
- Travelers
- Nationwide
- Amica
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