--- title: Life Insurance in California: Quotes and State Rules url: https://coverfolk.com/states/california updated: 2026-10-08 --- # Life insurance in California Free quotes from licensed California agents, plus the state rules that protect you, in plain words. [Your rights](#rights) Updated October 8, 20267 sources[Fact checked](/editorial-standards) The short answer In California, you get at least 10 days to return a new life policy for a refund, a 60 day grace period if you miss a payment, and up to 80% of death benefit, up to $300,000 of protection if your insurance company fails. ## Your rights in California Free look : 10 daysReturn a new policy for a full refund. Grace period : 60 daysCoverage stays on while you catch up. Safety net : 80% of death benefit, up to $300,000Death benefit protection. Cash value: 80% of cash value, up to $100,000. State help line : [1-800-927-4357](tel:18009274357)California Department of Insurance Insurer sets a period of 10 to 30 days (Cal. Ins. Code 10127.9). At least 30 days if you are 60 or older (Cal. Ins. Code 10127.10). 30 days on a replacement (Cal. Ins. Code 10509.6). * California gives buyers 60 or older at least 30 days to return a new life policy for a full refund (Cal. Ins. Code 10127.10). * California requires a grace period of at least 60 days. A lapse notice must be mailed at least 30 days before coverage ends, to you and to any person you named to get notices (Cal. Ins. Code 10113.71). ## Who lives in California About 39.4 million people live in California. We help people in Los Angeles, Riverside San Bernardino, San Francisco Bay Area and the towns in between. **55.9%**of homes are lived in by the owner. Median value $734,700. **17.5%**of people are 65 or older **1,305,453**veterans live here **$99,122**median household income Census QuickFacts, American Community Survey 2020 to 2024. ## What people in California look for **Mortgage protection** With 55.9% of homes owned and a median value of $734,700, a lot of families want the house covered. [More on mortgage protection](/coverage/mortgage-protection) **Final expense** 17.5% of people here are 65 or older. A small policy keeps funeral costs off your family. [More on final expense](/coverage/final-expense) **Term life** The lowest price for the most coverage while the kids are young. [More on term life](/coverage/term-life) **Veterans** 1,305,453 veterans live in California. See what goes beyond VGLI. [More on veterans](/jobs/veterans) ## Common questions in California What is the free look period for life insurance in California? California gives you at least 10 days to review a new individual life policy and return it for a refund. Insurer sets a period of 10 to 30 days (Cal. Ins. Code 10127.9). At least 30 days if you are 60 or older (Cal. Ins. Code 10127.10). 30 days on a replacement (Cal. Ins. Code 10509.6). Source: [California free look law](https://www.leginfo.ca.gov/pub/13-14/bill/asm/ab_2301-2350/ab_2347_bill_20140708_enrolled.htm) What happens if I miss a payment in California? California law gives at least a 60 day grace period. Your policy stays in force during the grace period. Pay before it ends to keep your coverage. Source: [California grace period law](https://california.public.law/codes/insurance_code_section_10113.71) What if my life insurance company goes out of business in California? The California Life & Health Insurance Guarantee Association steps in. It protects up to 80% of death benefit, up to $300,000 in death benefits and 80% of cash value, up to $100,000 in cash value, per insured person, as of June 2025. Source: [California Life & Health Insurance Guarantee Association](http://www.califega.org) · [NOLHGA: how you are protected](https://nolhga.com/policyholders/how-youre-protected/) Who regulates life insurance in California? The California Department of Insurance. You can call its consumer help line at 1-800-927-4357 or visit www.insurance.ca.gov to check an agent's license or file a complaint. Source: [California Department of Insurance](https://www.insurance.ca.gov) Can I get a life insurance quote online in California? Yes. Coverfolk works with licensed agents in California. Answer a few questions, confirm your phone with a text code, and an agent shows you real prices. It is free. Source: [California Department of Insurance](https://www.insurance.ca.gov) Are you a licensed agent? [Buy California life insurance leads on Dial Haul](https://dialhaul.com/states/california/). ## Sources 1. [Census QuickFacts California (ACS 2020-2024)](https://www.census.gov/quickfacts/fact/table/CA/PST045224) 2. [NOLHGA: How You're Protected (coverage as of June 1, 2025)](https://nolhga.com/policyholders/how-youre-protected/) 3. [NOLHGA: Contact My Guaranty Association](https://nolhga.com/policyholders/contact-my-guaranty-association/) 4. [NAIC Model Law Chart LI-30, Life Insurance Disclosure (Fall 2023)](https://content.naic.org/sites/default/files/model-law-chart-li-30-life-insurance-disclosure-provisions.pdf) 5. [AB 2347 (2014) enrolled, Cal. Ins. Code 10127.9 and 10127.10](https://www.leginfo.ca.gov/pub/13-14/bill/asm/ab_2301-2350/ab_2347_bill_20140708_enrolled.htm) 6. [Cal. Ins. Code 10113.71](https://california.public.law/codes/insurance_code_section_10113.71) 7. [CDI Consumer Help](https://www.insurance.ca.gov/01-consumers/101-help/) 8. [California Department of Insurance](https://www.insurance.ca.gov) 9. [California Life & Health Insurance Guarantee Association](http://www.califega.org) This is a plain summary of state rules, not legal advice. Your policy and the law control. Call the California Department of Insurance if you have a problem with a company or agent. Cities ## Life insurance in California cities Local income, home values and jobs for 77 California cities. [See all cities](/cities) [Los Angeles](/states/california/los-angeles)[San Diego](/states/california/san-diego)[San Jose](/states/california/san-jose)[San Francisco](/states/california/san-francisco)[Fresno](/states/california/fresno)[Sacramento](/states/california/sacramento)[Long Beach](/states/california/long-beach)[Oakland](/states/california/oakland)[Bakersfield](/states/california/bakersfield)[Anaheim](/states/california/anaheim)[Stockton](/states/california/stockton)[Riverside](/states/california/riverside)[Irvine](/states/california/irvine)[Santa Ana](/states/california/santa-ana)[Chula Vista](/states/california/chula-vista)[Santa Clarita](/states/california/santa-clarita)[Fremont](/states/california/fremont)[San Bernardino](/states/california/san-bernardino)[Modesto](/states/california/modesto)[Fontana](/states/california/fontana)[Moreno Valley](/states/california/moreno-valley)[Oxnard](/states/california/oxnard)[Huntington Beach](/states/california/huntington-beach)[Glendale](/states/california/glendale)[Ontario](/states/california/ontario)[Elk Grove](/states/california/elk-grove)[Santa Rosa](/states/california/santa-rosa)[Rancho Cucamonga](/states/california/rancho-cucamonga)[Garden Grove](/states/california/garden-grove)[Oceanside](/states/california/oceanside)[Lancaster](/states/california/lancaster)[Roseville](/states/california/roseville)[Palmdale](/states/california/palmdale)[Corona](/states/california/corona)[Salinas](/states/california/salinas)[Hayward](/states/california/hayward)[Sunnyvale](/states/california/sunnyvale)[Escondido](/states/california/escondido)[Pomona](/states/california/pomona)[Visalia](/states/california/visalia)[Victorville](/states/california/victorville)[Fullerton](/states/california/fullerton)[Torrance](/states/california/torrance)[Orange](/states/california/orange)[Pasadena](/states/california/pasadena)[Santa Clara](/states/california/santa-clara)[Clovis](/states/california/clovis)[Simi Valley](/states/california/simi-valley)[Thousand Oaks](/states/california/thousand-oaks)[Concord](/states/california/concord)[Vallejo](/states/california/vallejo)[Fairfield](/states/california/fairfield)[Berkeley](/states/california/berkeley)[Antioch](/states/california/antioch)[Menifee](/states/california/menifee)[Richmond](/states/california/richmond)[East Los Angeles](/states/california/east-los-angeles)[Carlsbad](/states/california/carlsbad)[Murrieta](/states/california/murrieta)[Temecula](/states/california/temecula)[Santa Maria](/states/california/santa-maria)[Ventura](/states/california/ventura)[Downey](/states/california/downey)[Costa Mesa](/states/california/costa-mesa)[Jurupa Valley](/states/california/jurupa-valley)[West Covina](/states/california/west-covina)[Rialto](/states/california/rialto)[El Monte](/states/california/el-monte)[Vacaville](/states/california/vacaville)[Burbank](/states/california/burbank)[El Cajon](/states/california/el-cajon)[San Mateo](/states/california/san-mateo)[Chico](/states/california/chico)[Inglewood](/states/california/inglewood)[Hesperia](/states/california/hesperia)[Daly City](/states/california/daly-city)[Tracy](/states/california/tracy) [Final expense in California](/states/california/final-expense)[Mortgage protection in California](/states/california/mortgage-protection)[Funeral costs in California](/funeral-costs/california)[En español](/es/estados/california) Other states ## We also work in [**Arizona**AZ](/states/arizona)[**Florida**FL](/states/florida)[**Georgia**GA](/states/georgia)[**Illinois**IL](/states/illinois)[**Michigan**MI](/states/michigan)[**New Jersey**NJ](/states/new-jersey)[**New York**NY](/states/new-york)[**North Carolina**NC](/states/north-carolina)[**Ohio**OH](/states/ohio)[**Pennsylvania**PA](/states/pennsylvania)[**Tennessee**TN](/states/tennessee)[**Texas**TX](/states/texas)