Best car insurance in San Francisco, CA (2024)

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Rachael BrennanSenior Editor & Licensed Auto Insurance ExpertRachael Brennan is a senior editor and a licensed auto insurance expert at Policygenius. Her work has also been featured in MoneyGeek, Clearsurance, Adweek, Boston Globe, The Ladders, and AutoInsurance.com.&Andrew HurstSenior Editor & Licensed Auto Insurance ExpertAndrew Hurst is a senior editor and a licensed auto insurance expert at Policygenius. His work has also been featured in The New York Times, The Wall Street Journal, Forbes, USA Today, NPR, Mic, Insurance Business Magazine, ValuePenguin, and Property Casualty 360.

Edited by

Anna SwartzAnna SwartzSenior Managing EditorAnna Swartz is a senior managing editor who specializes in home, auto, renters, and disability insurance at Policygenius. Previously, she was a senior staff writer at Mic and a writer at The Dodo. Her work has also appeared in Salon, HuffPost, MSN, AOL, and Heeb.

Updated|4 min read

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The average cost of full coverage car insurance in San Francisco is $2,161 per year, which is $324 more than the average cost of car insurance in California. Auto insurance rates in San Francisco are higher than the state's average average, but there are still ways you can save money on your car insurance.

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The most effective way to save money on car insurance is by comparing rates between multiple companies. Our experts at Policygenius can help you compare quotes to find the right coverage for you.

Key Takeaways

  • Wawanesa has the lowest average rate for full coverage in San Francisco at $1,066 per year

  • The cheapest ZIP code in San Francisco is 94123 at $2,005 per year

  • California’s state minimum liability requirements are $15,000 per person/$30,000 per person in bodily injury liability and $5,000 in property damage liability

Methodology & why you can trust our rates

Policygenius has analyzed car insurance rates provided by Quadrant Information Services for every ZIP code in all 50 states plus Washington, D.C. For full coverage policies, the following coverage limits were used:

  • Bodily injury liability: $50,000 per person/$100,000 per accident

  • Property damage liability: $50,000

  • Uninsured/underinsured motorist: $50,000 per person/$100,000 per accident

  • Comprehensive: $500 deductible

  • Collision: $500 deductible

In some cases, additional coverages were added where required by state or insurer.

Rates for overall average rate, rates by ZIP code, and cheapest companies determined using averages for single drivers ages 30, 35, and 45. Our sample vehicle was a 2017 Toyota Camry LE driven 10,000 miles/year.

Rates for driving violations and “Poor” credit determined using average rates for a single male 30-year-old driver with a credit score under 578.

Some carriers may be represented by affiliates or subsidiaries. Rates provided are a sample of costs. Your actual quotes may differ.

Cheapest car insurance companies in San Francisco, CA

There are many factors that can impact your insurance rates, including:

  • Driving history

  • ZIP code

  • Age

  • Annual mileage

  • Marital status

  • Claims history

  • Which insurance company you choose

Each insurance company has their own system for setting rates, which means two companies can offer different rates for the same coverage. This is why choosing the right insurance company can have such a big impact on your rates.

Company

Average cost

JD Power Rating

Wawanesa

$1,066

--

GEICO

$1,472

874

USAA

$1,728

890

United Financial Casualty Company

$1,833

--

Mercury Insurance

$1,907

830

Cheapest car insurance rates by ZIP code in San Francisco, CA

Insurance companies determine how much to charge in a specific ZIP code based on the number of accidents, traffic tickets, and car thefts in the area. They also use other factors, such as access to secure parking options, when determining how to set the rates for a ZIP code. 

Population density is a big factor when setting rates by ZIP code, which means San Francisco residents will likely be charged much more than drivers in cities with fewer people.

Below are the average rates based on ZIP code in San Francisco.

ZIP code

Average cost

94123

$2,005

94114

$2,010

94127

$2,012

94131

$2,025

94158

$2,034

94107

$2,039

94128

$2,054

94129

$2,059

94117

$2,064

94116

$2,066

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Choosing the right car insurance company in San Francisco, CA

The best car insurance policy is the one that meets your needs, which means the best insurance company in San Francisco is distinct to you. Our insurance experts at Policygenius can help you find the right policy at the right price.

Compare rates and shop affordable car insurance today

We don't sell your information to third parties.

Car insurance rates for drivers with driving violations in San Francisco, CA

One of the most common pieces of advice for keeping your insurance costs low is to keep your driving record clean. This is because having a car accident or a moving violation on your driving record can cause your rates to increase, sometimes significantly.

The best and most effective way to save money on your car insurance is to keep your driving record clean.

Violation

Wawanesa

GEICO

USAA

United Financial Casualty Company

Mercury Insurance

At-fault accident

$1,660

$2,694

$2,491

$3,924

$3,347

DUI

$1,942

$3,760

$5,115

$4,564

$3,185

Suspended license

$1,553

$2,686

$3,615

$4,176

$3,185

Open container

$1,942

$3,760

$3,844

$3,658

$3,185

Expired registration

$1,553

$2,426

$1,951

$3,924

$2,547

Driving without lights

$1,553

$2,426

$1,780

$3,924

$2,547

Running a red light

$1,553

$2,426

$1,951

$3,924

$2,547

Following too closely

$1,553

$2,426

$1,951

$3,924

$2,547

Hit and run

$1,942

$2,686

$4,093

$4,176

$3,185

Not-at-fault accident

$1,097

$1,499

$1,780

$1,900

$1,925

Passing a school bus

$1,553

$2,426

$2,624

$3,924

$2,547

Reckless driving

$1,942

$2,686

$3,075

$4,176

$3,185

Speeding

$1,553

$2,341

$1,951

$3,658

$2,547

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Cheapest car insurance for drivers with a DUI in San Francisco, CA

Drivers in San Francisco pay higher-than-average rates, and they should expect to see those rates go up if they get a DUI or DWI. The average annual cost for car insurance in San Francisco is $2,161 per year, but drivers with a DUI on their record will pay much more, with an average rate of $5,223 per year, which is 141% higher than the rates for drivers without a DUI.

But rates can vary significantly by company, even for drivers with a DUI. Our research shows that the companies in San Francisco with the lowest rates for drivers with a DUI are Wawanesa, Mercury Insurance, and GEICO.

Company

Rates for drivers with DUIs

Wawanesa

$1,942

Mercury Insurance

$3,185

GEICO

$3,760

United Financial Casualty Company

$4,564

USAA

$5,115

Cheapest car insurance for drivers with a speeding ticket in San Francisco, CA

A speeding ticket (or other moving violation) will also raise your car insurance rates in San Francisco. The average cost of insurance for a driver in California with a speeding ticket is $2,788 per year.

Our research shows that Wawanesa, USAA, and GEICO offer the lowest rates for drivers with a speeding ticket in San Francisco.

Company

Rates for drivers with speeding tickets

Wawanesa

$1,553

USAA

$1,951

GEICO

$2,341

Mercury Insurance

$2,547

United Financial Casualty Company

$3,658

Cheapest car insurance for drivers with bad credit in San Francisco, CA

Though there are some states that allow insurance companies to use your credit score when determining your rate, California isn’t one of them. The Golden State has laws in place that prevent insurance companies from determining your rates based on your credit score, which means that even if your credit score changes over time, your insurance rates won’t be impacted by it.

Compare rates and shop affordable car insurance today

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Buying car insurance in San Francisco, CA

California laws require drivers in every city to carry some type of liability insurance, including:

  • Cash deposit of $35,000 with DMV

  • DMV-issued self-insurance certificate

  • Surety bond for $35,000 from a company licensed to do business in California

  • Motor vehicle liability insurance policy

Of these options, most people choose to carry the state minimum levels of liability insurance, which are:

  • $15,000 per person/$30,000 per accident for bodily injury liability

  • $5,000 for property damage liability

Unfortunately, the minimum insurance requirements in California are low, which means it is possible to be in an accident that exceeds the limits of your coverage if you only purchase the required minimum insurance. Choosing the highest levels of liability insurance that you can afford is the most effective way to make sure you are financially protected in the event of an at-fault accident. Drivers who can’t afford to repair or replace a vehicle out-of-pocket should also carry comprehensive and collision insurance.

How to get cheap car insurance in San Francisco, CA

There are a variety of discounts available to drivers in San Francisco, including:

  • Safe driver discount

  • Accident free discount

  • Low mileage discount

  • Military discount

  • Good student discount

  • Bundling discount

  • Group/employer/professional discount

If a discounted rate still isn’t low enough, you may be eligible for California’s Low Cost Auto Insurance program.

Compare rates and shop affordable car insurance today

We don't sell your information to third parties.

Frequently asked questions

What is the cheapest car insurance in San Francisco?

The cheapest car insurance company in San Francisco is Wawanesa, though drivers could get affordable coverage with GEICO or USAA — if they're affiliated with the military.

How much is car insurance in San Francisco?

On average, the cost of car insurance in San Francisco is $2,161 per year, which is more expensive than the typical cost of coverage in California.

Is car insurance more expensive in San Francisco or Oakland?

Car insurance is slightly more expensive in San Francisco than Oakland. In Oakland, drivers pay $31 less per year for coverage than those on the other side of the Bay.

Why is car insurance so expensive in San Francisco?

Insurance companies typically charge higher rates in areas with large, dense populations. They also charge more in areas with higher rates of accidents, car thefts, and other issues that are more common in large cities. This means that car insurance in San Francisco is likely to be more expensive than it is in smaller, more rural areas.

Authors

Rachael Brennan is a senior editor and a licensed auto insurance expert at Policygenius. Her work has also been featured in MoneyGeek, Clearsurance, Adweek, Boston Globe, The Ladders, and AutoInsurance.com.

Andrew Hurst is a senior editor and a licensed auto insurance expert at Policygenius. His work has also been featured in The New York Times, The Wall Street Journal, Forbes, USA Today, NPR, Mic, Insurance Business Magazine, ValuePenguin, and Property Casualty 360.

Editor

Anna Swartz is a senior managing editor who specializes in home, auto, renters, and disability insurance at Policygenius. Previously, she was a senior staff writer at Mic and a writer at The Dodo. Her work has also appeared in Salon, HuffPost, MSN, AOL, and Heeb.

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