Car insurance in San Francisco, California costs an average of $2,300 per year for full coverage. But you may find cheaper options if you shop around, which is why it's important to compare rates from different companies.
To find the cheapest car insurance companies in the City by the Bay, 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 2022 Toyota Camry LE.
Why you can trust NerdWallet
Our writers and editors follow strict editorial guidelines to ensure fairness and accuracy in our writing and data analyses. You can trust the prices we show you because our data analysts take rigorous measures to eliminate outliers and inaccuracies in pricing data, which include rates from every locale in the country where coverage is offered and data is available. When comparing rates for different coverage amounts, ages and backgrounds, we change only one variable at a time, so you can easily see how each factor affects pricing. Read our methodology.
» MORE: The best car insurance companies
To jumpstart your auto insurance shopping journey, here's a list of the cheapest companies in San Francisco.
| Category | Cheapest Company | Median annual rate |
|---|---|---|
| Clean driving history | GEICO | $1,293 |
| After a DUI | Mercury | $2,901 |
| After an accident | Auto Club of SoCal | $1,685 |
| After a speeding ticket | Kemper | $1,904 |
Read on to find out how auto insurance companies in San Francisco stack up. You can also check out our analysis of cheap car insurance in California.
Looking for the best insurer? Read NerdWallet’s roundup of the best car insurance in California.
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Easily compare personalized rates to see how much switching car insurance could save you.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 | Median annual rate |
|---|---|
| GEICO | $1,293 |
| Kemper | $1,497 |
| Progressive | $1,626 |
| Mercury | $1,640 |
| Auto Club of SoCal | $1,685 |
| Grange Insurance Association | $1,733 |
| CSAA | $1,788 |
| CIG | $1,834 |
| Toggle | $2,118 |
| USAA* | $1,385 |
*USAA is only available to military, veterans and their families.
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. With roads as windy as Lombard Street and steep, hilly terrain, it's no surprise drivers in San Francisco typically pay more than the state median.
According to NerdWallet’s most recent analysis, the average rate in California is $1,995, while in San Francisco it's $2,300.
| Median City Rate | Median State Rate |
|---|---|
| $2,300 | $1,995 |
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 | Median Rate |
|---|---|
| 94112 | $2,443 |
| 94110 | $2,288 |
| 94109 | $2,398 |
| 94122 | $2,312 |
| 94116 | $2,185 |
| 94121 | $2,306 |
| 94118 | $2,353 |
| 94134 | $2,569 |
| 94124 | $2,681 |
| 94102 | $2,625 |
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.
Average car insurance rates in San Francisco by age
Below are the median full coverage rates for drivers of different ages with a good driving record and credit history.
| Age | Median Rate |
|---|---|
| 20 | $3,965 |
| 30 | $2,459 |
| 35 | $2,300 |
| 40 | $2,223 |
| 50 | $2,093 |
| 60 | $1,973 |
| 70 | $2,029 |
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 might pay, on average.
| Company | Median annual rate |
|---|---|
| GEICO | $2,216 |
| Kemper | $2,847 |
| Auto Club of SoCal | $2,849 |
| CIG | $2,948 |
| Mercury | $3,034 |
| State Farm | $3,098 |
| CSAA | $3,395 |
| The Hartford | $3,482 |
| Progressive | $3,661 |
| USAA* | $2,264 |
*USAA is only available to military, veterans and their families.
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 | Median annual rate |
|---|---|
| GEICO | $1,293 |
| Kemper | $1,497 |
| Progressive | $1,626 |
| Mercury | $1,640 |
| Auto Club of SoCal | $1,685 |
| Grange Insurance Association | $1,733 |
| CSAA | $1,788 |
| CIG | $1,834 |
| Toggle | $2,118 |
| USAA* | $1,385 |
*USAA is only available to military, veterans and their families.
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 | Median annual rate |
|---|---|
| GEICO | $1,220 |
| Kemper | $1,432 |
| Mercury | $1,442 |
| Auto Club of SoCal | $1,442 |
| Toggle | $1,588 |
| Grange Insurance Association | $1,592 |
| CSAA | $1,605 |
| CIG | $1,655 |
| Progressive | $1,780 |
| USAA* | $1,274 |
*USAA is only available to military, veterans and their families.
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 | Median annual rate |
|---|---|
| GEICO | $1,293 |
| Kemper | $1,497 |
| Progressive | $1,626 |
| Mercury | $1,640 |
| Auto Club of SoCal | $1,685 |
| Grange Insurance Association | $1,733 |
| CSAA | $1,788 |
| CIG | $1,834 |
| Toggle | $2,118 |
| USAA* | $1,385 |
*USAA is only available to military, veterans and their families.
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 | Median annual rate |
|---|---|
| Mercury | $2,901 |
| Grange Insurance Association | $3,037 |
| GEICO | $3,234 |
| Kemper | $3,243 |
| CIG | $3,674 |
| Progressive | $3,900 |
| Auto Club of SoCal | $5,212 |
| Infinity | $5,498 |
| Wawanesa | $6,016 |
| USAA* | $4,303 |
*USAA is only available to military, veterans and their families.
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 | Median annual rate |
|---|---|
| Auto Club of SoCal | $1,685 |
| CSAA | $2,259 |
| GEICO | $2,285 |
| CIG | $2,382 |
| Grange Insurance Association | $2,430 |
| Progressive | $2,673 |
| Kemper | $2,858 |
| Mercury | $3,017 |
| State Farm | $3,535 |
| USAA* | $2,141 |
*USAA is only available to military, veterans and their families.
Drivers with a speeding ticket
The cost of being convicted of speeding usually doesn’t stop at the ticket you have to pay. Many car insurance companies increase rates for drivers with recent speeding tickets on record. This is especially true if you’ve had two or more offenses. But how much a single speeding ticket will increase insurance costs — if at all — will depend on your insurance company, driving record and more.
Here are the cheapest average rates for drivers with a single speeding ticket on record in San Francisco, according to NerdWallet’s most recent analysis.
| Company | Median annual rate |
|---|---|
| Kemper | $1,904 |
| GEICO | $2,014 |
| CSAA | $2,259 |
| Auto Club of SoCal | $2,300 |
| Mercury | $2,320 |
| CIG | $2,364 |
| Grange Insurance Association | $2,430 |
| Progressive | $2,482 |
| Toggle | $3,422 |
| State Farm | $3,428 |
| USAA* | $1,724 |
*USAA is only available to military, veterans and their families.
How to get cheap car insurance in San Francisco
If you’re wondering how to get cheap car insurance, here are six things you can try:
Compare quotes from multiple insurers. Use NerdWallet’s car insurance comparison tool to easily shop for cheap auto insurance online. You may find that you already have the best car insurance deal, but prices can change, so check roughly once a year.
Ask for discounts. You could save money from car insurance discounts you’re not taking advantage of. For example, maybe you work from home and don’t drive much. Mention that and you might get a low-mileage discount. Other common discounts are given for bundling car insurance with homeowners insurance, insuring multiple cars on the same policy and being a student.
Cash in on major life changes. Certain life events could translate to cheaper car insurance, so shop for quotes whenever something major changes in your life. For instance, many companies offer a lower rate for married couples or domestic partners. Or perhaps you moved to a suburb with lower accident and crime rates. Even if you moved to a more expensive area for car insurance, shopping around can help you get cheaper coverage.
Raise your deductible. The higher your car insurance deductible, the more you pay out of pocket before insurance pays for a covered claim. The upside is that by raising your deductible, you’ll usually be able to lower your premium. Just make sure you have enough money set aside to cover the higher deductible if you ever get in an accident.
Revisit quotes after your driving record improves. Shop for cheap auto insurance quotes online three to five years after any accidents, tickets or moving violations. They may have dropped off your driving record.
Reconsider the car you drive. The type of car you drive affects how much you pay for auto insurance. For example, new and expensive cars tend to cost more to insure than older or less expensive cars, among other factors. Check out NerdWallet’s analysis of the cheapest cars to insure to see if your vehicle made the list.
» MORE: 8 ways to get the cheapest car insurance rates possible
San Francisco car insurance requirements
San Francisco drivers need to meet California's auto insurance coverage requirements.
California drivers must carry liability insurance in the following amounts:
$30,000 bodily injury liability per person.
$60,000 bodily injury liability per accident.
$15,000 property damage liability per accident.
Liability car insurance covers the cost of any damage, injuries or deaths you cause in a car accident, up to your policy’s predefined limits. Experts recommend getting more than the bare minimum if you want to avoid dipping into your own savings to cover expenses.
For instance, if you only have minimum coverage but cause an accident that total's another driver's $20,000 car, you would have to pay $5,000 out of pocket because the total exceeds your policy's $15,000 limit for property damage.
Check out NerdWallet’s guide to state car insurance requirements for more details on how the required and optional parts of your California policy work.
METHODOLOGY
For our “good driver” profile, NerdWallet averaged insurance estimates for single male and female drivers with good credit and no tickets or violations. The analysis included 5-10 of the largest insurance companies in each state; smaller insurers were also included when rates were available. Liberty Mutual and its subsidiaries were excluded from our analysis as rates were not available.
For full coverage policies, we used the following coverage limits:
$100,000 bodily injury liability per person.
$300,000 bodily injury liability per accident.
$50,000 property damage liability per accident.
$100,000 uninsured motorist coverage per person.
$300,000 uninsured motorist coverage per accident.
Collision coverage with a $1,000 deductible.
Comprehensive coverage with a $1,000 deductible.
In states where required, minimum additional coverages were added. Some policies include additional coverages at the insurer’s discretion.
We used a 2022 Toyota Camry LE for all drivers and assumed 12,000 annual miles driven.
We analyzed rates for drivers 20 to 70 years old in 10-year increments. For the average cost of full and minimum coverage in each state, we looked at 35-year-old drivers.
We used the same assumptions for all other driver profiles, with the following exceptions:
For drivers with minimum coverage, we adjusted the numbers above to reflect the minimum required coverage by law in the state.
We changed the credit tier from “good” to “poor” as reported to the insurer to see rates for drivers with poor credit.
For drivers with one at-fault crash, we added a single at-fault crash that happened six months ago, resulting in $10,000 in property damage and no bodily injury claim.
For drivers with a DUI, we added a single drunken driving violation that happened six months ago.
We looked at 35-year-old drivers to find the cheapest company overall, the cheapest company for minimum coverage and the cheapest company for drivers with poor credit in states where credit history is used to price rates. We looked at 20-year-old drivers to find the cheapest company for young drivers.
These are rates generated through Quadrant Information Services. Your own rates will be different. Some insurance companies included in this article may have made changes in their underwriting practices and no longer issue new policies in your state.
