Car Insurance for San Francisco in 2023
Drivers in San Francisco pay an average of $2,040 per year for car insurance, but you might find cheaper coverage if you shop around.
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With steep hills and one-way streets, driving in San Francisco can be difficult. Add in Bay Area rush-hour traffic, and even if you’re as confident as Steph Curry and Jordan Poole are at the free-throw line, you’ll need car insurance for financial peace of mind.
NerdWallet has compiled car insurance rates in San Francisco, but insurance costs vary from person to person based on factors like ZIP code and driving history. As you shop for cheap car insurance in San Francisco, compare quotes from at least three insurers to find the lowest rate.
Read on to find out how auto insurance companies in San Francisco stack up. You can also check out our list of the cheapest car insurance companies nationwide.
» MORE: The best car insurance companies
Table of contents
To find the cheapest companies in San Francisco, NerdWallet looked at average full coverage rates calculated from public filings obtained by pricing analytics company Quadrant Information Services. We analyzed rates for male and female drivers for all ZIP codes in San Francisco driving a 2019 Toyota Camry L.
Cheapest car insurance companies in San Francisco
The biggest variable in your insurance cost will be the company you choose, so you’ll want to shop around to be confident you’re getting the best rate. In San Francisco, these are the cheapest car insurance companies based on average rates for a 35-year-old driver with good credit and a clean driving record, according to NerdWallet’s most recent analysis. It's important to remember that rates are determined individually, so these may not be the cheapest companies for you.
| Company | Rate | NerdWallet Rating |
|---|---|---|
| Geico | $1,056 | NerdWallet rating 4.5 /5 |
| Mercury | $1,268 | NerdWallet rating 4.0 /5 |
| State Farm | $1,271 | NerdWallet rating 5.0 /5 |
| Grange Insurance Association | $1,320 | Not yet rated |
| CIG | $1,337 | Not yet rated |
| 21st Century | $1,381 | NerdWallet rating 3.0 /5 |
| Wawanesa | $1,569 | NerdWallet rating 3.0 /5 |
| Workmen's Auto | $1,633 | Not yet rated |
| Progressive | $1,675 | NerdWallet rating 5.0 /5 |
| The Hartford | $1,735 | NerdWallet rating 3.5 /5 |
If you’re looking for cheap car insurance in San Francisco, California, you’ll want to shop around and compare quotes from multiple companies. Insurers use a variety of factors to determine the cost of auto insurance, including your age, address, the type of car you drive and your driving history, which means every driver will ultimately get a different rate. That’s why shopping around is your best bet to getting the cheapest car insurance in San Francisco — or anywhere.
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Average car insurance cost in San Francisco and California
Rates across California differ from those in San Francisco for lots of reasons. The number of accidents, the type of roads and even the weather can affect the rates drivers are charged. According to NerdWallet’s most recent analysis, the average rate in California is $1,659, while in San Francisco, it's $2,040.
| Average city rate | Average state rate |
|---|---|
| $2,040 | $1,659 |
No matter what company you're currently getting auto insurance from, remember that it's important to shop around and compare quotes from multiple companies. Prices and offers change over time, and you may be able to save by switching to another insurer.
Average cost of car insurance in San Francisco’s largest ZIP codes
The cost of auto insurance varies based on where you live, even from one neighborhood to the next. Some parts of a city may have higher rates of accidents or thefts, which can lead to an increase in the price you pay. According to NerdWallet’s analysis, here are the most populated ZIP codes in San Francisco and the average annual cost of car insurance for a 35-year-old driver with good credit and a clean driving record.
| ZIP Code | Average Rate |
|---|---|
| 94112 | $2,091 |
| 94110 | $2,019 |
| 94109 | $2,028 |
| 94122 | $1,986 |
| 94116 | $1,990 |
| 94121 | $2,034 |
| 94118 | $1,990 |
| 94134 | $2,196 |
| 94124 | $2,239 |
| 94102 | $2,206 |
Be sure to take advantage of potential discounts. Many insurers offer car insurance discounts for things like bundling other types of insurance with your auto policy or going years without filing a claim.
Cheap car insurance in San Francisco by age
Along with where you live, your age is another major factor in the price you pay for car insurance. For example, younger drivers usually pay more than older drivers with similar driving histories and credit scores due to having less experience on the road.
You could easily find that the cheapest company for you changes as you age. Here's a breakdown of prices in San Francisco for similar drivers at various ages, according to NerdWallet’s most recent analysis.
Cheapest for 20-year-olds
While teen drivers are the most likely to be in an accident, 20-year-old drivers are still relatively new to the road. A higher rate of accidents among younger drivers means they also pay more for car insurance. According to NerdWallet’s most recent analysis, here's what 20-year-olds in San Francisco pay, on average.
| Company | Rate | NerdWallet Rating |
|---|---|---|
| State Farm | $1,759 | NerdWallet rating 5.0 /5 |
| Geico | $1,801 | NerdWallet rating 4.5 /5 |
| Wawanesa | $2,140 | NerdWallet rating 3.0 /5 |
| CIG | $2,142 | Not yet rated |
| Mercury | $2,343 | NerdWallet rating 4.0 /5 |
| The Hartford | $2,494 | NerdWallet rating 3.5 /5 |
| Travelers | $2,785 | NerdWallet rating 4.5 /5 |
| Progressive | $2,884 | NerdWallet rating 5.0 /5 |
| Workmen's Auto | $2,973 | Not yet rated |
| Grange Insurance Association | $3,110 | Not yet rated |
Cheapest for 35-year-olds
By 35, your car insurance rates should plateau. This is a great age to compare rates, as the cheapest insurer you found in your 20s may no longer be the best deal.
Here’s what 35-year-old drivers might pay, on average, in San Francisco, according to NerdWallet’s analysis.
| Company | Rate | NerdWallet Rating |
|---|---|---|
| Geico | $1,056 | NerdWallet rating 4.5 /5 |
| Mercury | $1,268 | NerdWallet rating 4.0 /5 |
| State Farm | $1,271 | NerdWallet rating 5.0 /5 |
| Grange Insurance Association | $1,320 | Not yet rated |
| CIG | $1,337 | Not yet rated |
| 21st Century | $1,381 | NerdWallet rating 3.0 /5 |
| Wawanesa | $1,569 | NerdWallet rating 3.0 /5 |
| Workmen's Auto | $1,633 | Not yet rated |
| Progressive | $1,675 | NerdWallet rating 5.0 /5 |
| The Hartford | $1,735 | NerdWallet rating 3.5 /5 |
Cheapest for 60-year-olds
At age 60, your car insurance rates are about as low as they're going to get if your history is clean. Most drivers in this age group have lots of experience on the road and established driving records, so insurers know what they're getting into and charge less accordingly. That doesn't mean you won't be able to save money by bundling or tapping into other discounts, so keep shopping around. Below are the cheapest companies, on average, in San Francisco, according to NerdWallet’s most recent analysis.
| Company | Rate | NerdWallet Rating |
|---|---|---|
| Geico | $999 | NerdWallet rating 4.5 /5 |
| 21st Century | $1,090 | NerdWallet rating 3.0 /5 |
| State Farm | $1,091 | NerdWallet rating 5.0 /5 |
| Mercury | $1,186 | NerdWallet rating 4.0 /5 |
| Grange Insurance Association | $1,213 | Not yet rated |
| CIG | $1,218 | Not yet rated |
| Wawanesa | $1,438 | NerdWallet rating 3.0 /5 |
| The Hartford | $1,481 | NerdWallet rating 3.5 /5 |
| Pure | $1,633 | Not yet rated |
| Progressive | $1,665 | NerdWallet rating 5.0 /5 |
See what you could save on car insurance
Easily compare personalized rates to see how much switching car insurance could save you.
San Francisco’s cheapest companies and rates by driving record
Your driving history also plays a large role in your auto insurance rate. Drivers who have clean records will usually pay less than those with accidents, speeding tickets or other violations. Again, comparing insurance companies is your best bet to getting the lowest rate.
According to NerdWallet’s analysis, these are the average rates in San Francisco by company for good drivers and those with violations on their record.
Good drivers
Drivers without any marks on their records are almost always going to pay the lowest prices for auto insurance when compared to drivers with an accident or driving violation. Insurers set rates based on the potential risk of you filing a claim, and good drivers are considered among the least risky. Here are the average rates for good drivers in San Francisco according to NerdWallet’s most recent analysis.
| Company | Rate | NerdWallet Rating |
|---|---|---|
| Geico | $1,056 | NerdWallet rating 4.5 /5 |
| Mercury | $1,268 | NerdWallet rating 4.0 /5 |
| State Farm | $1,271 | NerdWallet rating 5.0 /5 |
| Grange Insurance Association | $1,320 | Not yet rated |
| CIG | $1,337 | Not yet rated |
| 21st Century | $1,381 | NerdWallet rating 3.0 /5 |
| Wawanesa | $1,569 | NerdWallet rating 3.0 /5 |
| Workmen's Auto | $1,633 | Not yet rated |
| Progressive | $1,675 | NerdWallet rating 5.0 /5 |
| The Hartford | $1,735 | NerdWallet rating 3.5 /5 |
Drivers with a DUI
Drivers with a DUI can struggle to find affordable insurance and may need to turn to a high-risk car insurance company. A DUI on your record means you should expect to pay substantially more than a driver without one.
Here are the average rates for drivers with a DUI in San Francisco according to NerdWallet’s most recent analysis.
| Company | Rate | NerdWallet Rating |
|---|---|---|
| Mercury | $2,087 | NerdWallet rating 4.0 /5 |
| Grange Insurance Association | $2,314 | Not yet rated |
| Geico | $2,641 | NerdWallet rating 4.5 /5 |
| CIG | $2,657 | Not yet rated |
| National General | $2,660 | NerdWallet rating 3.0 /5 |
| Workmen's Auto | $3,059 | Not yet rated |
| Wawanesa | $3,240 | NerdWallet rating 3.0 /5 |
| Progressive | $3,458 | NerdWallet rating 5.0 /5 |
| Kemper | $3,479 | Not yet rated |
| Travelers | $3,925 | NerdWallet rating 4.5 /5 |
Drivers with an at-fault accident
If you've got an at-fault accident on your record, you'll pay more than a driver with a clean record, but likely less than someone with a DUI. Your insurance company may ask for details about the accident to determine your rate — a fender bender will likely be treated differently from an accident caused by running a red light. Here are the cheapest average rates for drivers with an at-fault accident on their record in San Francisco, according to NerdWallet’s most recent analysis.
| Company | Rate | NerdWallet Rating |
|---|---|---|
| CIG | $1,726 | Not yet rated |
| Grange Insurance Association | $1,851 | Not yet rated |
| Geico | $1,882 | NerdWallet rating 4.5 /5 |
| State Farm | $2,005 | NerdWallet rating 5.0 /5 |
| Mercury | $2,192 | NerdWallet rating 4.0 /5 |
| Workmen's Auto | $2,324 | Not yet rated |
| First American | $2,697 | Not yet rated |
| The Hartford | $2,792 | NerdWallet rating 3.5 /5 |
| Wawanesa | $2,902 | NerdWallet rating 3.0 /5 |
| Travelers | $2,912 | NerdWallet rating 4.5 /5 |
See what you could save on car insurance
Easily compare personalized rates to see how much switching car insurance could save you.
Minimum car insurance requirements in California
The minimum required coverage in California is $15,000 in bodily injury liability coverage per person and $30,000 per accident. You’ll also need a minimum of $5,000 in property damage liability per accident. While you’ll need these limits to drive legally in the state, you may want additional coverage, especially if you spend a considerable amount of time on the road, have a history of driving violations or simply want more extensive financial protection.
