Renters Insurance in California

California is known for its beautiful coast, sunny weather, and active lifestyle—but it’s also known for earthquakes, fires, and floods. So renters insurance is a must-have for those living in the Golden State. 

Renters insurance provides coverage for items such as furniture, clothing, electronics, and jewelry. It covers additional living expenses if a covered event damages your rental property. 

Many options are available if you’re looking for the best renters insurance in California. Read on to compare the top renters insurance companies in California—along with sample quotes—so you can select the right coverage for your needs.

In this guide:

• Best renters insurance in California
• What does renters insurance cover in California?
• How to choose a renters insurance company
• How to apply for renters insurance
• FAQ

Best renters insurance in California

To compile our list of the best renters insurance in California, we researched each company’s customer service ratings, financial strength, coverage options, and discounts. For sample quotes, we used Los Angeles because it’s the most populated city in California. 

We input the same renter profile across all companies to ensure consistency in quotes: 

• Single woman
• 90013 zip code
• No previous claims

When possible, we chose: 

• $500 deductible
• $15,000 personal property coverage limit
• $100,000 liability coverage limit

Using this information, we got side-by-side comparisons of renters insurance quotes in California to determine which companies offer the most affordable rates. 

Company	Monthly premium
Lemonade	$17 – $22
State Farm	$13 – $22
Allstate	$17 – $35
Farmers Insurance	$14.83
USAA	$10*

*We could not get a quote for USAA, so we used the base premium on its website: $10.

Lemonade

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Editorial rating: 3.39 out of 5

• Sample quote: $17 – $22 per month
• Sample deductibles: $250 – $2,500
• Demotech rating: A

Lemonade tops the list as one of California’s best renters insurance companies. Premiums start at $5 per month, and the average cost in major cities, including Los Angeles, San Diego, and San Francisco, ranges from $17 to $22 per month.

Lemonade’s standard coverage includes personal property, liability, and extra living expenses. It provides additional protection for jewelry, electronics, fine art, and valuable furniture. 

Lemonade also offers a variety of policy discounts, such as multipolicy, loyalty, and special deals for military members. 

Key features:

• Reimbursement type: Replacement cost 
• Sample maximum liability coverage: $100,000
• Policy discounts: Annual payment
• Available add-ons: Earthquake coverage, extra coverage for high-value items

State Farm

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Editorial rating: 4.22 out of 5

• Sample quote: $13 – $22 per month
• Sample deductibles: $500
• A.M. Best rating: A++

State Farm is one of the most reputable insurance companies in the nation, providing coverage for individuals, businesses, and families for more than 100 years. 

State Farm offers renters insurance in California and across the country, providing coverage for personal property, liability, and extra living expenses. Renters can purchase additional coverage for earthquake damage, inflation, identity restoration, and more. 

Key features:

• Reimbursement type: Replacement cost or actual cash value
• Sample maximum liability coverage: $100,000
• Policy discounts: Multipolicy discounts, home alert protection discounts
• Available add-ons: Inflation coverage, extra personal liability, medical payments, identity restoration, earthquake damage

Allstate

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Editorial rating: 4.38 out of 5

• Sample quote: $17 – $35 per month
• Sample deductibles: $250 – $1,000
• A.M. Best rating: A+

With over 88 million policyholders, Allstate is a trusted insurance product provider offering protection and peace of mind. Allstate offers a range of renters insurance policies tailored to meet the needs of California renters. 

Allstate’s renters insurance policies offer several coverage options, including protection against personal property loss or damage, liability protection, and additional coverage for floods, identity theft restoration, and unique items such as jewelry and electronics. 

Allstate’s renters insurance policies offer maximum liability coverage of $500,000, giving renters the added protection they need in case of an accident or injury. 

The average Allstate renters insurance policy costs $16 per month nationwide, but we were quoted $17 to $35 per month for a policy in Los Angeles, California. 

Key features:

• Reimbursement type: Replacement or actual cash value
• Sample maximum liability coverage: Up to $500,000 
• Policy discounts: Multipolicy discounts, 55 and retired discount, easy pay plan discount 
• Available add-ons: Scheduled personal property coverage, personal umbrella policy, identity theft restoration, flood insurance

Farmers Insurance

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Editorial rating: 4.34 out of 5

• Sample quote: $14.83 per month
• Sample deductibles: $100 – $2,500
• A.M. Best rating: A

For renters in California, Farmers renters insurance can be a solid choice. The company is well-known and reliable, and it offers competitive rates. 

Its policies are easy to customize and can be tailored to fit any budget. Farmers’ customer service is excellent, and the claims process is straightforward. 

Its strong financial rating, flexible deductibles, and policy discounts make it a top choice for renters in California.

Key features:

• Reimbursement type: Replacement cost or actual cash value
• Sample maximum liability coverage: $100,000 – $1 million
• Policy discounts: Multipolicy, smoke-free household discounts, security system discounts
• Available add-ons: Identity protection, extra coverage for high-value items

USAA

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Only available to military members & families

• Sample quote: Starting at $10
• Sample deductibles: $250 – $2,500
• A.M. Best rating: A++

USAA renters insurance provides comprehensive coverage for renters in California starting at just $10 per month. This insurance policy includes protection for personal belongings, liability coverage, and additional living expenses in case of a covered loss. 

One unique feature of USAA’s renters insurance is that it includes flood and earthquake coverage at no extra cost. This is critical for renters in California, where these natural disasters are common. USAA also offers overseas insurance for policyholders who may need to move abroad or get deployed.

However, USAA renters insurance is only available to military members and their families. If you’re not eligible for USAA, other renters insurance options in California may suit your needs. 

Key features:

• Reimbursement type: Replacement cost
• Sample maximum liability coverage: Up to $1 million
• Policy discounts: Multipolicy discounts, claims-free discounts, protective devices discounts, living on base discounts, service academy discounts
• Available add-ons: Identity theft protection, additional liability coverage

What does renters insurance cover in California?

Typical renters insurance policies in California include coverage for the following:

Type of coverage	Definition
Personal property	Covers your personal belongings in the event of theft, damage, or destruction caused by a covered peril, such as fire, smoke, wind, hail, lightning, and vandalism.
Personal liability	Protects you if you are found legally liable for damages to someone else’s property or bodily injury.
Loss of use	Covers additional living expenses if your rental home is damaged and you need to find a temporary place to stay while it is repaired.
Medical payments	Covers medical bills for people injured in your rental home, regardless of who is at fault.

>>Read more: How your state affects renters insurance

How to choose a renters insurance company

Choosing the right renters insurance company is crucial to protecting your belongings and finances. Research and compare multiple companies to find the best fit for your needs. We recommend applying with at least three companies to compare rates, coverage, and customer service.

When narrowing down your options, consider coverage limits, deductibles, and additional coverage options, such as flood or earthquake insurance. Also, read customer reviews and ratings to ensure the company has a good reputation for handling claims.

How to apply for renters insurance

Applying for renters insurance is a straightforward process you can complete in six simple steps.

1. Choose which renters insurance company you’d like to get a policy with.
2. Gather information about your rental property, including the address, size, and any safety features, such as smoke detectors or security systems.
3. Complete the application online or with the help of an insurance agent. Applying online is often faster and more convenient, but speaking to a live agent may be better if you have specific questions or concerns.
4. Provide personal information, including your name, rental address, birthdate, marital status, and contact information. 
5. Specify the coverage limits you want and any additional coverage options, such as flood or earthquake insurance. 
6. Submit your application and pay your premium.

FAQ

Is renters insurance required in California?

No, renters insurance is not required by law in California. However, we recommend that renters purchase an insurance policy to protect their belongings in case of theft, fire, or other damage.

Can a landlord require renters insurance in California?

Yes, it’s within your landlord’s right to require renters insurance for a home in California. You’ll often see it stated on the apartment listing or in your lease if it’s necessary. For example, it may say, “Tenants must provide proof of rental insurance coverage within 21 days of lease start date.”

What is the cheapest renters insurance in California?

The cheapest renters insurance in California may be with USAA, State Farm, Lemonade, Allstate, or Farmers Insurance, depending on where you live. Grab a quote from each to see which saves you the most money.

What is the average cost of renters insurance in California?

According to the Insurance Information Institute, the average cost of renters insurance in California is around $175 per year, or $14.58 per month. However, this figure can vary depending on several factors, including location, coverage amount, and credit score.

What is the best renters insurance in California?

The best renters insurance companies in California are Lemonade, State Farm, Allstate, Farmers, and USAA. Use our provided information to compare deductibles, maximum coverage limits, discounts, and more.

How much is renters insurance in California? 

The cost of renters insurance in California can vary depending on your location, the value of personal belongings, and the level of coverage you need. On average, renters insurance in California can cost around $14.58 per month, but it’s possible to find policies for as little as $10 per month.