Best homeowners insurance in San Diego, CA (2024)

We looked at average costs, customer service ratings, and policy options from multiple top insurers to find the best and cheapest home insurance companies in San Diego.

Headshot of Pat Howard

By

Pat HowardManaging Editor & Licensed Home Insurance ExpertPat Howard is a managing editor and licensed home insurance expert at Policygenius, where he specializes in homeowners insurance. His work and expertise has been featured in MarketWatch, Real Simple, Fox Business, VentureBeat, This Old House, Investopedia, Fatherly, Lifehacker, Better Homes & Garden, Property Casualty 360, and elsewhere.

Edited by

Jennifer GimbelJennifer GimbelSenior Managing Editor & Home Insurance ExpertJennifer Gimbel is a senior managing editor and home insurance expert at Policygenius, where she oversees our homeowners insurance coverage. Previously, she was the managing editor at Finder.com and a content strategist at Babble.com.
|

Reviewed by

Michael Reynolds, CSRIC®, AIF®, CFT-I™Michael Reynolds, CSRIC®, AIF®, CFT-I™Financial AdvisorMichael Reynolds, CSRIC®, AIF®, CFT-I™, is a financial advisor, principal and founder of Elevation Financial, host of the weekly personal finance podcast Wealth Redefined®, and a member of the Financial Review Council at Policygenius.

Updated|4 min read

Expert reviewedExpert reviewedThis article has been reviewed by a member of ourFinancial Review Council to ensure all sources, statistics, and claims meet the highest standard for accurate and unbiased advice.Learn more about oureditorial review process.

Policygenius content follows strict guidelines for editorial accuracy and integrity. Learn about our editorial standards and how we make money.

In San Diego, the average annual home insurance premium is $1,333 per year for $300,000 in dwelling coverage, according to our latest insurance pricing analysis.

However, you could very well see an increase in rates this year due to many California carriers no longer insuring homes in certain parts of the state or leaving the state's home insurance market altogether.

Compare home insurance rates in San Diego

Get free quotes

Our picks for the best homeowners insurance companies reflect the best options for right now in San Diego, so carriers with limited availability or writing capacity were not considered in this guide.

Compare the best cheap homeowners insurance companies in San Diego

Based on our findings, Nationwide, Farmers, Travelers, AAA, and Bamboo are the best homeowners insurance companies in San Diego.

To find the best cheap homeowners insurance in San Diego, we reviewed over a dozen of the largest insurance companies in the state and chose the five with the highest overall Policygenius rating.

Our ratings are based on each company's financial strength and customer service ratings, the number and quality of available coverage, and average policy premiums in 37 San Diego ZIP codes.

Company

Average monthly cost

Policygenius rating

Nationwide

$86

4.5 out of 5

Farmers

$119

4.5 out of 5

Travelers

$81

4.4 out of 5

AAA

$68

4.3 out of 5

Bamboo Insurance

N/A

4.2 out of 5

Methodology & why you can trust our rates

Policygenius has analyzed home insurance rates provided by Quadrant Information Services in March 2022 for ZIP codes in all 50 states plus Washington, D.C., for a 40-year-old female homeowner with no claim history, good credit, a $1,000 deductible, and the following coverage limits:

  • Dwelling: $300,000

  • Other structures: $30,000

  • Personal property: $150,000

  • Loss of use: $60,000

  • Liability: $300,000

  • Medical: $1,000

All rates based on the above coverage limits except where otherwise noted.

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

award icon

2024 Policygenius award winner

Nationwide

Nationwide logo

Policygenius rating 

Our proprietary rating methodology takes multiple factors into account, including customer satisfaction, cost, financial strength, and policy offerings. See the "methodology" section for more details.

Full orange starFull orange starFull orange starFull orange starHalf orange star

4.5

AM Best rating 

AM Best is a global credit rating agency that scores the financial strength of insurance companies on a scale from A++ (Superior) to D (Poor).

A+

Cost 

Using a mix of internal and external rate data, we grade the cost of each insurance company's premiums on a scale from least expensive ($) to most expensive ($$$$$).

$

$

$

$

$

Bundle home & auto

Mobile app

New homebuyer discount

Offers extended replacement cost

Why we chose itchevron icon

Nationwide home insurance features an extensive range of comprehensive coverage and policy options. It also received high marks for claims satisfaction with J.D. Power, indicating you can rely on Nationwide when it matters most.

Pros and conschevron icon

Pros

  • Multiple high-quality coverage options

  • Highly rated for claims satisfaction with J.D. Power

Cons

  • Below-average customer satisfaction and digital experience ratings

  • Won’t cover Airbnbs or other short-term rentals

More detailschevron icon

Why we chose Nationwide

Nationwide is known for it's robust policy options and large selection of coverage add-ons, such as flood coverage and options to rebuild your roof with stronger materials after a covered loss, making Nationwide a smart choice if you live in an area of San Diego at risk of wildfires or windstorms. Nationwide's average home insurance rate of $86 per month is also among the cheapest of any company in San Diego, and it has several available discount options to boot.

How do Nationwide home insurance rates compare to the San Diego average?

The average cost of Nationwide home insurance in San Diego is $1,032 per year, which is around 23% lower than the average average annual premium in San Diego of $1,333.

How to get a quote

Online through Policygenius or Nationwide

award icon

2024 Policygenius award winner

Farmers

Farmers Insurance logo

Policygenius rating 

Our proprietary rating methodology takes multiple factors into account, including customer satisfaction, cost, financial strength, and policy offerings. See the "methodology" section for more details.

Full orange starFull orange starFull orange starFull orange starHalf orange star

4.5

AM Best rating 

AM Best is a global credit rating agency that scores the financial strength of insurance companies on a scale from A++ (Superior) to D (Poor).

A

Cost 

Using a mix of internal and external rate data, we grade the cost of each insurance company's premiums on a scale from least expensive ($) to most expensive ($$$$$).

$

$

$

$

$

Offers extended replacement cost

Bundle home & auto

Smart home discounts

Why we chose itchevron icon

Along with saving around 20% when you bundle your home and car insurance, Farmers also gives you access to its extensive suite of discounts, unique policy credits, and claim-free incentives that help put money back in your pocket.

Pros and conschevron icon

Pros

  • 12+ discounts to save on rates

  • Optional extended or guaranteed replacement cost dwelling coverage

  • Shave $50 off your deductible each year you’re with Farmers

Cons

  • Below-average scores on J.D. Power’s overall customer satisfaction and digital experience surveys

More detailschevron icon

Why we chose Farmers

Depending on your state of residence, you can save up to 45% on your auto insurance and up to 34% on your home insurance when you bundle policies with Farmers, according to the company website.

Even more, Farmers has up to 16 additional discounts and money-saving policy perks. For context, Farmers competitors offer an average of around seven discounts total.

How do Farmers home insurance rates compare to the San Diego average?

The average cost of Farmers home insurance in San Diego is $1,429 per year, which is around 7% higher than the average annual premium in San Diego of $1,333.

How to get a quote

Online through Farmers

award icon

2024 Policygenius award winner

Travelers

Travelers home insurance logo

Policygenius rating 

Our proprietary rating methodology takes multiple factors into account, including customer satisfaction, cost, financial strength, and policy offerings. See the "methodology" section for more details.

Full orange starFull orange starFull orange starFull orange starHalf orange star

4.4

AM Best rating 

AM Best is a global credit rating agency that scores the financial strength of insurance companies on a scale from A++ (Superior) to D (Poor).

A++

Cost 

Using a mix of internal and external rate data, we grade the cost of each insurance company's premiums on a scale from least expensive ($) to most expensive ($$$$$).

$

$

$

$

$

Bundle home & auto

New homebuyer discount

Mobile app

Offers extended replacement cost

Offers flood insurance

Why we chose itchevron icon

Travelers offers the best cheap home insurance in California thanks to an average annual premium that's 17% below the statewide average, industry-best financial ratings, and flexible policy options for most home types and budgets.

Pros and conschevron icon

Pros

  • Green home coverage and discounts

  • Offers short-term rental coverage for Airbnb hosts

  • Doesn’t require prior insurance on the home

Cons

  • Subpar customer service ratings with J.D. Power

  • Underwhelming number of available discounts

More detailschevron icon

Why we chose Travelers

Travelers is a reputable home insurance provider that offers comprehensive policy options at relatively cheap prices. Another benefit of choosing Travelers is its underwriting flexibility, meaning its willingness to provide coverage for risks that other insurance companies won't cover. These risks include homes with no prior insurance coverage, coverage for short term rentals, and liability protection for trampoline injuries if its fitted with protective netting.

How do Travelers home insurance rates compare to the San Diego average?

The average cost of Travelers home insurance in San Diego is $973 per year, which is around 27% cheaper than the average annual premium in San Diego of $1,333.

How to get a quote

Online through Policygenius or Travelers

award icon

2024 Policygenius award winner

AAA

AAA logo

Policygenius rating 

Our proprietary rating methodology takes multiple factors into account, including customer satisfaction, cost, financial strength, and policy offerings. See the "methodology" section for more details.

Full orange starFull orange starFull orange starFull orange starHalf orange star

4.3

AM Best rating 

AM Best is a global credit rating agency that scores the financial strength of insurance companies on a scale from A++ (Superior) to D (Poor).

A

Cost 

Using a mix of internal and external rate data, we grade the cost of each insurance company's premiums on a scale from least expensive ($) to most expensive ($$$$$).

$

$

$

$

$

New homebuyer discount

Mobile app

Bundle home & auto

All 50 states

Offers earthquake insurance

Offers flood insurance

Offers extended replacement cost

Why we chose itchevron icon

Automobile Club of Southern California (AAA) lands the top spot for customer service thanks to its 4th place finish in J.D. Power's 2022 U.S. Home Insurance Study, placing ahead of other insurance carriers in California.

Pros and conschevron icon

Pros

  • Affordable rates, plus 15+ home insurance discounts available

  • 20+ policy coverages and add-ons — including flood and earthquake insurance

  • Slew of other perks and discounts that come with AAA membership

Cons

  • AAA membership required to purchase home insurance

  • Coverages, discounts, and claims experience will vary by the regional AAA auto club you receive insurance through

  • Below-average customer satisfaction scores — and 4 times more NAIC complaints than similar home insurance companies

More detailschevron icon

Why we chose AAA

AAA placed 4th out of 20 companies in J.D. Power's 2022 home insurance customer satisfaction study, placing ahead of every other California insurer we reviewed. The study takes into account customer interaction, billing process, pricing, policy information, and claims.

How do AAA home insurance rates compare to the San Diego average?

The average cost of AAA home insurance in San Diego is $985 per year, which is around 38% cheaper than the average annual premium in San Diego of $1,333.

How to get a quote

Online or by calling AAA. Keep in mind that membership is required to get a home or auto insurance quote AAA.

Bamboo Insurance

Bamboo Insurance logo

Policygenius rating 

Our proprietary rating methodology takes multiple factors into account, including customer satisfaction, cost, financial strength, and policy offerings. See the "methodology" section for more details.

Full orange starFull orange starFull orange starHalf orange starEmpty gray star

3.4

AM Best rating 

AM Best is a global credit rating agency that scores the financial strength of insurance companies on a scale from A++ (Superior) to D (Poor).

NA

Cost 

Using a mix of internal and external rate data, we grade the cost of each insurance company's premiums on a scale from least expensive ($) to most expensive ($$$$$).

NA

Why we chose itchevron icon

Bamboo is an excellent option for California and Arizona homeowners who’ve struggled to find home insurance elsewhere. It’s one of the few home insurers still writing policies in the Golden State — many have pulled out due to the high risk of wildfires.

Pros and conschevron icon

Pros

  • Available in high-risk areas of California

  • Offers coverage for regular homes, vacant properties, rentals, and vacation homes

Cons

  • Not included in the NAIC complaint index, meaning we weren’t able to rate Bamboo on customer service

  • Policy cost information not available as of Feb. 2024

More detailschevron icon

Why we chose Bamboo Insurance

Bamboo Insurance is one of the few home insurance providers still writing policies in high-risk areas of California, with many insurers having pulled back coverage in recent years due to record wildfire losses.

While somewhat of an unknown, Bamboo currently holds down an excellent "A" rating with AM Best for financial strength and stability, indicating you won’t have to worry about Bamboo not being able to pay out claims in the event of a disaster.

How to get a quote

Online through Policygenius or Bamboo Insurance

Compare home insurance rates in San Diego

Get free quotes

How much is homeowners insurance in San Diego?

The average cost of homeowners insurance in San Diego is $1,333 per year, or $111 per month, according to our analysis of quoted premiums in every ZIP code in the city.

This makes home insurance in San Diego around 4% cheaper than the California state average of $1,383 per year, and almost 24% less pricey than the national annual average of $1,754.

San Diego home insurance rates by ZIP code

Home insurance rates can vary substantially depending on which ZIP code your home is located in, as homes in certain San Diego areas may be more prone to wildfire damage or break-ins than others.

To help you find out how much home insurance costs where you live, we calculated average home insurance rates for the 10 most highly populated ZIP codes in San Diego.

ZIP code

Average annual cost

Difference from state average (%)

92154

$1,294

-6%

92126

$1,340

-3%

92105

$1,296

-6%

92114

$1,345

-3%

92115

$1,314

-5%

92130

$1,371

-1%

92117

$1,322

-4%

92129

$1,389

0%

92113

$1,305

-6%

92127

$1,372

-1%

Collapse table

Cheapest ZIP codes for home insurance in San Diego

With an average home insurance rate of $1,284 per year, the 92104 ZIP code (North Park), is the most affordable area for home insurance in San Diego. The median home price in the 92104 Zip code is $896,339. And while the area has seen a 23% increase in home values over the last year, its home insurance rates are some of the cheapest in San Diego.  

ZIP code

Average annual cost

Difference from state average (%)

92104

$1,284

-7%

92110

$1,288

-7%

92103

$1,289

-7%

92109

$1,291

-7%

92154

$1,294

-6%

92106

$1,295

-6%

92139

$1,295

-6%

92105

$1,296

-6%

92108

$1,300

-6%

92102

$1,303

-6%

Collapse table

Most expensive areas for homeowners insurance in San Diego

With an average home insurance rate of $1,434, the 92199 ZIP code (Rancho Penasquitos) is the most expensive area for home insurance in San Diego.

ZIP code

Average annual cost

Difference from state average (%)

92199

$1,434

4%

92197

$1,425

3%

92129

$1,389

0%

92121

$1,385

0%

92128

$1,383

0%

92131

$1,380

0%

92127

$1,372

-1%

92130

$1,371

-1%

92119

$1,360

-2%

92014

$1,353

-2%

Collapse table

Learn more >> Home insurance rates by ZIP code

San Diego home insurance costs by coverage amount

Dwelling coverage is the foundation of every homeowners insurance policy, covering the cost to repair or rebuild your home after a covered disaster. Your dwelling coverage limit should be equal to your home's replacement cost, which is the total cost to rebuild it from the ground up.

As shown in the table below, the higher your dwelling coverage limits, the more you'll pay for home insurance.

Dwelling coverage limit

Average annual cost

$100,000

$534

$200,000

$1,003

$300,000

$1,333

$400,000

$1,655

$500,000

$1,995

San Diego home insurance costs by deductible amount

Your home insurance deductible is the amount you’re responsible for paying on each claim before insurance helps cover the remainder of the loss.

As shown in the table below, San Diego residents can save over $500 on home insurance per year by choosing a $2,000 deductible over a $500 one.

Deductible

Average annual cost

$500

$1,523

$1,000

$1,214

$2,000

$973

Cheapest homeowners insurance companies in San Diego

Based on our analysis, USAA, AAA, Allstate, Mercury, and Pacific Specialty are the five cheapest home insurance companies in San Diego, with average citywide premiums ranging from $810 to $949 per year.

Travelers, CSAA, and National General are also among the most affordable home insurance carrier options for San Diego residents in 2023, as detailed in the table below.

Company

Average annual cost

USAA

$810

AAA

$820

Allstate

$882

Mercury

$936

Pacific Specialty Insurance

$949

Travelers

$973

CSAA

$985

National General

$1,010

Nationwide

$1,032

State Farm

$1,214

AIG

$1,256

Farmers

$1,429

Chubb

$1,830

The Hartford

$2,631

Pure Insurance

$3,233

Collapse table

Cheapest home insurance in San Diego if you have an older home

Insurance carriers consider older homes to have a higher risk of damage or loss compared to newer homes since they're constructed with older and more difficult to replace materials. Additionally, certain structural components in older homes, like the roof or plumbing systems, may not be up to code.

Looking at average quotes for a 50-year-old home, Mercury is the cheapest home insurance option for San Diego homeowners, while Pure Insurance is the most expensive.

Company

Average annual cost

Mercury

$810

AAA

$820

USAA

$879

Allstate

$886

Pacific Specialty Insurance

$911

Travelers

$927

National General

$991

Nationwide

$997

CSAA

$1,003

State Farm

$1,303

AIG

$1,317

Farmers

$1,429

Chubb

$1,830

The Hartford

$2,529

Pure Insurance

$3,386

Collapse table

Cheapest homeowners insurance in San Diego if you have a history of claims

Your claims history is one of the biggest factors insurers will consider when determining home insurance premiums.

If you've file one or multiple claims in the last five years, insurers will likely consider you to be more of a risk for future claims compared to if you had none on your record. And they'll likely charge you higher rates as a result.

According to our analysis, homeowners with three claims within a five-year period will likely find Pacific Specialty to be their cheapest option, while Pure Insurance is among the priciest.

Company

Average annual cost

Pacific Specialty Insurance

$949

AAA

$985

National General

$1,010

CSAA

$1,301

USAA

$1,302

State Farm

$1,336

Allstate

$1,369

AIG

$1,774

Mercury

$2,192

Nationwide

$2,511

Farmers

$2,682

Travelers

$3,135

Chubb

$3,529

Pure Insurance

$5,650

The Hartford

$7,488

Collapse table

Cheapest home insurance bundling discounts in San Diego

Most home insurance providers sell other types of insurance, too — such as auto, renters, and boat insurance — and often offer generous multi-policy discounts and perks if you use them for all of your insurance needs.

Based on our analysis, Travelers has the lowest average premiums when you bundle your home and car insurance, while Pure's are the most expensive.

Company

Average annual cost

Travelers

$773

Allstate

$806

AAA

$866

CSAA

$895

USAA

$915

Mercury

$919

National General

$1,008

Pacific Specialty

$1,044

State Farm

$1,072

Nationwide

$1,129

Farmers

$1,167

AIG

$1,232

Chubb

$1,766

The Hartford

$1,933

Pure Insurance

$2,980

Collapse table

How to get homeowners insurance quotes in San Diego

Now that you're familiar with the best and cheapest home insurance options available in San Diego, it's time to start shopping for homeowners insurance. Here are some things you should keep in mind as you compare home insurance quotes in San Diego.

5 simple steps to buying home insurance in San Diego

  1. Shop with an independent insurance marketplace like Policygenius. Our team of licensed insurance experts are at the ready to help you figure out how much coverage you need and what company offers it at the best price — all for free with no impact to your credit score.

  2. Ask about the California FAIR Plan. San Diego is considered to be at very high risk for wildfires by FEMA. If your not able to find home or fire insurance, ask your Policygenius agent about purchasing coverage through the California FAIR Plan

  3. Compare quotes. Once you’ve identified your coverage needs, a Policygenius agent will send over quotes from top companies so you can review your options.

  4. Figure out how high of a deductible you can afford. A higher deductible means you’ll pay a lower home insurance premium, but it also means you'll have pay more out of pocket on each claim.

  5. Choose your policy, sign it, and pay your first premium. Once you choose a policy, all you need to do is sign on the dotted line and pay your first premium. We’ll cancel your old policy on your behalf if it hasn't expired yet.

Compare home insurance rates in San Diego

Get free quotes

Frequently asked questions

How much is home insurance in San Diego?

Homeowners insurance in San Diego costs an average of $1,333 per year or $111 a month.

Why are home insurance rates going up in California?

As home-threatening wildfires become more common and severe in California, homeowners may see their rates continue to increase. A good way to keep homeowners insurance costs down is to re-shop your insurance every year to make sure you aren’t missing out on a better deal elsewhere. A Policygenius agent can help you compare quotes from multiple insurers at once, all for free.

What’s the cheapest homeowners insurance in San Diego?

USAA has some of the cheapest rates on our list for San Diego homeowners, with home insurance costing an average of $810 per year. Allstate is also pretty affordable, with an average rate of $882 per year. Keep in mind that homeowners insurance rates vary according to how much coverage you need, your home’s location, age, build, and more.

Author

Pat Howard is a managing editor and licensed home insurance expert at Policygenius, where he specializes in homeowners insurance. His work and expertise has been featured in MarketWatch, Real Simple, Fox Business, VentureBeat, This Old House, Investopedia, Fatherly, Lifehacker, Better Homes & Garden, Property Casualty 360, and elsewhere.

Editor

Jennifer Gimbel is a senior managing editor and home insurance expert at Policygenius, where she oversees our homeowners insurance coverage. Previously, she was the managing editor at Finder.com and a content strategist at Babble.com.

Questions about this page? Email us at .