Cheapest Renters Insurance in California

Your neighbors pay as little as $18 a month for coverage.

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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.

Cheapest renters insurance companies in California
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.

Optional insurance coverages by company
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.

Renters insurance discounts by company
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.

Customer satisfaction ratings of renters insurance companies in California
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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