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.
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.
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 |
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.
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 |
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.
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.
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.
