Insurance in California is going through a major shift. In recent years, several big carriers have scaled back or exited parts of the California market, especially in property and homeowners insurance, due to wildfire risk and rising claim costs.
This has left many consumers wondering: what insurance companies are still in California?
In this complete guide, we’ll break down active insurance companies in California, highlight major insurers that have pulled back, and show how to find the right insurance coverage in California in 2025.
Why Insurance Markets in California Are Changing
Before we look at who’s still operating, it helps to know why the landscape is shifting.
In recent years, California has faced:
- Increasing wildfire frequency and damage
- Rising construction and rebuilding costs
- Higher reinsurance and claims payouts
These factors have made it harder for some insurers to operate profitably, especially in property and homeowners lines, leading to policy drops or market exits.
Major Insurance Companies Still Operating in California
Here’s a list of important insurance companies still doing business in California across various insurance types (life, auto, health, property, and specialty lines). Note that licensed carriers are those approved by the California Department of Insurance to sell policies in the state.
National and Regional Insurance Companies Still Operating
- Mercury Insurance
- Based in Los Angeles
- Sells auto, home, renters, and business insurance
- Long history in California with large customer base
- California Casualty
- Offers auto and specialty insurance
- Known for serving educators, law enforcement, firefighters, and nurses
- Health Insurance Providers in California
- Blue Shield of California
- Anthem Blue Cross
- Cigna
- UnitedHealthcare
- These companies are licensed to provide health coverage in California.
- Specialized Insurers
- SCAN Health Plan (Medicare Advantage and health coverage)
- Molina Healthcare (Medicaid, Medicare plans)
- Auto Insurance Providers
Several companies remain active for auto insurance—even if some larger names have limited offerings. Many of these carriers are licensed through the California Department of Insurance.
Big Names That Reduced or Stopped Certain Coverage in California
Some major insurance giants used to operate across California but have scaled back or stopped offering certain products, especially home or property insurance, though they may still sell other kinds of insurance (like auto or life coverage).
Companies That Pulled Back or Exited Property Insurance
- State Farm
- Stopped accepting new homeowners insurance due to wildfire risk and rising costs.
- Allstate
- Has also reduced or halted new insurance in certain lines due to financial challenges.
- Farmers Insurance Group
- Limited coverage in California and pulled some subsidiaries completely.
- Nationwide and The Hartford
- Announced they will phase out new homeowners insurance policies.
- Liberty Mutual
- Plans to stop writing certain insurance policies (like condo and renters insurance) by 2026.
While some of these companies may still sell auto or other lines of insurance, they have significantly reduced their presence in homeowners markets—the hardest hit by wildfire risk and rising claims costs.
What Types of Insurance Companies Still Operate in California
Insurance companies in California cover many lines. Here’s how the landscape looks:
🪪 1. Auto & Vehicle Insurance
Many national and regional carriers still provide auto insurance in California. Some maintain large writer status, while others operate carefully under stricter underwriting due to regional risk.
🏥 2. Health Insurance
Major health insurers like Blue Shield of California, Anthem Blue Cross, Cigna, and UnitedHealthcare remain active in the state. These companies offer plans ranging from employer coverage to individual and family health plans.
🧱 3. Homeowners & Property Insurance
This market has been shaken. Many major carriers have limited or stopped writing new homeowners policies but still serve existing policyholders or specific lines. Some smaller or specialty insurers continue to offer coverage—often with higher premiums and stricter underwriting.
🧰 4. Specialty & Surplus Line Insurers
Some insurance is available through surplus line carriers (non-standard, higher-risk policies), approved by the California Department of Insurance. These can be options when traditional carriers won’t offer coverage.
How to Check If an Insurance Company Is Licensed in California
To confirm if an insurer is legally allowed to sell certain policies in the state:
👉 Visit the California Department of Insurance website and use their Company Search tool to check a company’s license status. This tool shows whether a company is admitted and what types of insurance lines it’s authorized to sell.
Tips for Choosing Insurance in California
If you’re shopping for insurance in California (auto, home, health, etc.), here’s how to find reliable coverage in today’s market:
✅ Compare Multiple Companies
Get quotes from several insurers to find the best rate and coverage.
✅ Check License and Complaint Records
Use the California Department of Insurance search to verify the company’s status and complaint history.
✅ Consider Surplus Line Options
If traditional carriers won’t insure your property, surplus line insurers can be an alternative—but read terms carefully.
✅ Work With an Independent Agent
Experienced agents can help identify carriers actively writing policies in California—even in tough markets.
Final Thoughts: Insurance Companies in California in 2025
The California insurance market has changed dramatically, especially in homeowners and property insurance lines. Some big carriers have pulled back or limited their offerings, but many trusted companies still operate in the state across auto, health, and other insurance types.
With careful shopping, comparison of auto, health, and specialty insurers, and verification through the California Department of Insurance, you can still find reliable coverage in California in 2025 and beyond.
