120+ more*Quotes generated for Insurify users in and around San Diego, California within the last 10 days. Last updated on June 4, 2026. Actual quotes may vary based on the policy buyer’s unique driver profile.
*Quotes generated for Insurify users in and around San Diego, California within the last 10 days. Last updated on June 4, 2026. Actual quotes may vary based on the policy buyer’s unique driver profile.
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8 years in insurance and personal finance writing
Former data scientist for U.S. Geological Survey
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Licensed auto and home insurance agent
4+ years experience in insurance and personal finance editing
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Media relations director for Insurance Information Institute
20+ years in insurance and communications
Impartial, independent expert
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7+ years experience in data analysis
Ph.D. in Computational Biology
Updated
Drivers in San Diego pay an overall average of $126 per month for car insurance.
San Diego drivers pay $82 per month for liability coverage, less than the California average.
Drivers spent an average of 88 hours sitting in San Diego traffic in 2024. More cars on the road increases accident risk, which raises insurance premiums.
Car insurance rates in San Diego are relatively low compared to the state average. Minimum-liability coverage costs an average of $82 per month, while full coverage averages $169. Compare that to the California averages of $96 per month for liability insurance and $199 for full coverage.
Traffic jams are a regular driving hazard, but car insurance costs less in San Diego partly because of its low auto theft rate.[1] San Diego has fewer vehicle thefts compared to nearby cities like Los Angeles.
The table below compares overall average monthly car insurance costs for San Diego to the California average.
Car Insurance Costs in San Diego vs. California  | Average Monthly Quote |
|---|---|
| San Diego average | $126 |
| California average | $147 |
USAA offers the cheapest rate for liability coverage in San Diego, averaging $56 per month.
Aspire General has the cheapest average full-coverage rates, at $104 per month.
Average rates start as low as $56 per month
With nearly 1.5 million residents, San Diego can be a challenging place to navigate.[2] It’s something the city is continually working to improve. San Diego announced a parking reform plan in mid-2025 to help generate more funds for parking management.[3]
San Diego also launched the Vision Zero plan to guide high-ROI investments in traffic-safety infrastructure.[4] In 2024, the city noted the following three intersections as the most dangerous in the city and in need of improvement:[5]
15th Street and F Street
8th Avenue and Broadway
Bayard Street and Grand Avenue
Beyond traffic, parts of San Diego also have a high flood risk, particularly in Mission Valley, Southcrest, and Carmel Valley. Liability-only insurance doesn’t cover flood damage, but full-coverage policies with comprehensive coverage can help pay for weather-related damages.[6]
San Diego’s auto theft rate is about the same as anywhere else in California, based on FBI crime data.[7] Both the city and the state had about 20 thefts per 100,000 people in January 2026.
That said, the city’s auto theft rates are higher than the national average. Three of the most popular car models in San Diego — the Honda Civic, Toyota Camry, and Honda Accord — rank among the top 10 vehicles stolen during the first half of 2025.
It’s important to note that a minimum-coverage auto policy doesn’t protect you against auto theft. If you want coverage for theft, you need a full-coverage policy with comprehensive coverage.
Auto insurance rates in San Diego are typically cheaper than the overall California average.
In San Diego, drivers pay a monthly average of $82 for liability coverage and $169 for full coverage. For comparison, the statewide average is $96 for liability coverage and $199 for full coverage.
Rates can vary from city to city, depending on local factors like theft rates and traffic congestion. The following table shows the average cost of auto insurance in different cities in California, according to Insurify data.
City | Average Monthly Quote |
|---|---|
| Anaheim | $156 |
| Bakersfield | $128 |
| Berkeley | $148 |
| Chula Vista | $123 |
| Elk Grove | $139 |
| Fremont | $134 |
| Fresno | $127 |
| Glendale | $261 |
| Long Beach | $165 |
| Los Angeles | $217 |
| Modesto | $139 |
| Moreno Valley | $143 |
| Oakland | $164 |
| Oxnard | $134 |
| Riverside | $145 |
| Sacramento | $152 |
| San Bernardino | $153 |
| San Diego | $126 |
| San Francisco | $166 |
| San Jose | $132 |
| Santa Ana | $148 |
| Santa Barbara | $117 |
| Santa Maria | $111 |
| Stockton | $140 |
| Temecula | $127 |
| Victorville | $155 |
One of the world’s busiest land border crossings — San Ysidro — sits just south of San Diego. Even if you never plan on driving into Mexico, the crossing certainly affects you. Four separate interstate systems — I-5, I-8, I-15, and I-805 — funnel traffic to southern San Diego.[8]
Those highways bring many people through San Diego, and traffic is only expected to increase. In fact, San Diego ranked as the fastest-clogging city for traffic congestion in 2024, according to Texas A&M University. San Diego drivers spent an average of 88 hours in traffic and used 30 extra gallons of gas in 2024.
More traffic and congestion increase the risk of accidents, which in turn raises auto insurance premiums.[9]
San Diego drivers, like all Californians, must meet minimum car insurance requirements. You must have at least $30,000 per person and $60,000 per accident of bodily injury liability coverage. You also need $15,000 of property damage liability coverage.[10]
Liability insurance helps you pay for any injuries or damage you cause, but it won’t cover your injuries or any damage to your car. Full-coverage car insurance offers more protection for you and your car but costs more than liability coverage.
Drivers in San Diego pay an average of $82 per month for liability coverage. The following table shows the cheapest rates for liability-only car insurance in San Diego, according to Insurify data.
7+ years experience in data analysis
Ph.D. in Computational Biology
Insurance Company | Average Monthly Quote |
|---|---|
| USAA | $56 |
| Aspire General | $59 |
| GEICO | $61 |
| Sun Coast | $62 |
| Mercury | $63 |
| National General | $63 |
| Dairyland | $69 |
| Root | $75 |
| Allstate | $77 |
| Direct Auto | $77 |
| Farmers | $79 |
| Anchor | $81 |
| State Farm | $85 |
| Bristol West | $86 |
| Kemper Special | $88 |
| Travelers | $90 |
| Kemper Rsvp | $97 |
| 21st Century | $98 |
| Nationwide | $120 |
| Chubb | $153 |
San Diego drivers pay an average of $169 per month for full-coverage car insurance. Full coverage usually costs more than liability insurance, but it includes coverage for theft, weather damage, and hitting a stationary object, among other things.
Given San Diego’s higher-than-average flood risk and potential for auto theft, most drivers should consider full coverage. While vehicle theft rates in San Diego are similar to the California average, they’re still higher than the nationwide average.
The following table shows the cheapest rates for full-coverage car insurance in San Diego, according to Insurify data.
7+ years experience in data analysis
Ph.D. in Computational Biology
Insurance Company | Average Monthly Quote |
|---|---|
| Aspire General | $104 |
| Root | $116 |
| Mercury | $121 |
| GEICO | $123 |
| USAA | $123 |
| Kemper Special | $137 |
| Kemper Rsvp | $140 |
| Sun Coast | $143 |
| Anchor | $155 |
| Dairyland | $159 |
| National General | $165 |
| Allstate | $170 |
| Farmers | $175 |
| Bristol West | $183 |
| Direct Auto | $188 |
| State Farm | $189 |
| Travelers | $199 |
| 21st Century | $217 |
| Nationwide | $267 |
| Chubb | $337 |
*Quotes generated for Insurify users in and around San Diego, California within the last 10 days. Last updated on June 4, 2026. Actual quotes may vary based on the policy buyer’s unique driver profile.
*Quotes generated for Insurify users in and around San Diego, California within the last 10 days. Last updated on June 4, 2026. Actual quotes may vary based on the policy buyer’s unique driver profile.
Only 3% of San Diego drivers have a ticket on their driving record, according to Insurify data. Fines for speeding in San Diego depend on how fast you were going, but they range from $234 to $486.[11]
Speeding tickets can increase your car insurance rates because speed is a major contributor to serious accidents. Drivers in San Diego with a recent ticket pay an average of $160 per month for car insurance.
The following table shows the cheapest rates in San Diego for drivers with a speeding ticket.
7+ years experience in data analysis
Ph.D. in Computational Biology
Insurance Company | Average Monthly Quote |
|---|---|
| USAA | $73 |
| Aspire General | $75 |
| Sun Coast | $79 |
| National General | $79 |
| GEICO | $80 |
| Dairyland | $86 |
| Mercury | $88 |
| Root | $90 |
| Direct Auto | $97 |
| Allstate | $101 |
| Anchor | $101 |
| Farmers | $102 |
| State Farm | $108 |
| Bristol West | $109 |
| Kemper Special | $111 |
| Travelers | $117 |
| Kemper Rsvp | $123 |
| 21st Century | $130 |
| Nationwide | $156 |
| Chubb | $196 |
Nearly 6% of San Diego residents have an at-fault accident on their driving record, Insurify data shows. In 2024, drivers aged 20–24 had the highest accident rates in the city. Drivers aged 60 or older had the fewest accidents.[12] That isn’t surprising, given that older drivers tend to drive less and have safer driving habits.
If you cause an accident, your insurer will usually raise your rates because you’re more likely to file another claim in the future. San Diego drivers with a recent accident pay an average of $160 per month for car insurance.
The following table shows the cheapest rates for drivers with an at-fault accident in San Diego.
7+ years experience in data analysis
Ph.D. in Computational Biology
Insurance Company | Average Monthly Quote |
|---|---|
| USAA | $74 |
| Aspire General | $75 |
| Sun Coast | $79 |
| GEICO | $79 |
| National General | $82 |
| Dairyland | $90 |
| Root | $92 |
| Mercury | $93 |
| Allstate | $102 |
| Direct Auto | $103 |
| Anchor | $103 |
| Farmers | $104 |
| State Farm | $111 |
| Bristol West | $111 |
| Kemper Special | $112 |
| Travelers | $119 |
| Kemper Rsvp | $123 |
| 21st Century | $131 |
| Nationwide | $159 |
| Chubb | $200 |
In San Diego, 1% of drivers have a driving under the influence (DUI) conviction on their driving record, according to Insurify data. The penalties for a first-time DUI in San Diego include fines of up to $1,000, jail time, and license suspension.
San Diego drivers with a DUI pay an average of $171 per month for car insurance. A DUI can make getting coverage very expensive, but some companies offer these drivers lower auto insurance quotes than others.[13]
The following table shows the cheapest rates for San Diego drivers with a DUI.
7+ years experience in data analysis
Ph.D. in Computational Biology
Insurance Company | Average Monthly Quote |
|---|---|
| USAA | $78 |
| Aspire General | $80 |
| Sun Coast | $84 |
| GEICO | $85 |
| National General | $88 |
| Mercury | $94 |
| Dairyland | $97 |
| Root | $105 |
| Allstate | $108 |
| Direct Auto | $108 |
| Farmers | $111 |
| Anchor | $116 |
| State Farm | $119 |
| Kemper Special | $120 |
| Bristol West | $120 |
| Travelers | $126 |
| Kemper Rsvp | $132 |
| 21st Century | $132 |
| Nationwide | $168 |
| Chubb | $214 |
San Diego teens can get a learner’s permit at 15 years and 6 months old. With a learner’s permit, teens may drive only with a parent, a guardian, or a California driver aged 25 years or older.
Young drivers can apply for a driver’s license at 16, but driving restrictions still apply.[14] For the first 12 months, they can’t drive between 11 p.m. and 5 a.m. They also can’t drive with a passenger younger than 20 unless a parent, a guardian, or a California driver who’s 25 years or older is in the car too.
San Diego teens pay an average of $229 per month for car insurance. The table below shows the cheapest rates for teenage drivers in San Diego, according to Insurify data.
7+ years experience in data analysis
Ph.D. in Computational Biology
Insurance Company | Average Monthly Quote |
|---|---|
| USAA | $104 |
| Aspire General | $107 |
| GEICO | $110 |
| Sun Coast | $113 |
| Root | $113 |
| Mercury | $115 |
| Dairyland | $120 |
| National General | $126 |
| Direct Auto | $150 |
| Allstate | $152 |
| Bristol West | $153 |
| Anchor | $155 |
| Farmers | $158 |
| Kemper Special | $160 |
| State Farm | $165 |
| 21st Century | $176 |
| Kemper Rsvp | $176 |
| Travelers | $188 |
| Nationwide | $234 |
| Chubb | $315 |
Compare quotes from San Diego’s top insurance companies
Nearly 15% of San Diegans are age 65 and older. While senior drivers make up a significant part of San Diego’s population, they have one of the lowest accident rates, according to the San Diego Association of Governments.
Older drivers tend to pay less for car insurance because they have fewer accidents and practice safe driving habits, which helps lower rates. San Diego seniors pay an average of $114 per month for car insurance.
The table below shows the cheapest car insurance rates for San Diego seniors, according to Insurify data.
7+ years experience in data analysis
Ph.D. in Computational Biology
Insurance Company | Average Monthly Quote |
|---|---|
| USAA | $47 |
| GEICO | $50 |
| National General | $51 |
| Mercury | $51 |
| Aspire General | $54 |
| Sun Coast | $56 |
| Dairyland | $60 |
| Allstate | $64 |
| Farmers | $64 |
| Direct Auto | $65 |
| Anchor | $68 |
| State Farm | $69 |
| Root | $71 |
| Bristol West | $74 |
| Travelers | $74 |
| 21st Century | $79 |
| Kemper Special | $80 |
| Kemper Rsvp | $88 |
| Nationwide | $95 |
| Chubb | $119 |
Below, we answered some common questions from San Diego drivers about car insurance in the city.
USAA has the cheapest car insurance in San Diego, with liability rates averaging $56 per month, according to Insurify data. But how much you pay for car insurance depends on several factors, like your age, ZIP code, and driving record. Comparing quotes from multiple insurers can help you find the best rate.
Car insurance in San Diego costs an average of $126 per month. Liability-only coverage averages $82 per month, and full coverage costs an average of $169.
Yes. The state of California requires all drivers to have a minimum amount of car insurance, including in San Diego. You must have at least $30,000 per person and $50,000 per accident of bodily injury liability coverage and $15,000 of property damage liability coverage.
Car insurance is so expensive in California, partly because of the state’s high minimum coverage requirements. California’s high auto theft rates and severe weather also increase insurance costs.
Comparing car insurance quotes from multiple companies is one of the easiest ways to find affordable car insurance in San Diego. You can also ask your insurer about any discounts it offers. Increasing your deductible can lower your monthly premium, but make sure you can afford the extra out-of-pocket costs if you file a claim.
Insurify data scientists analyzed more than 190 million quotes served to car insurance applicants in Insurify’s proprietary database to calculate the premium averages displayed on this page. These premiums are real quotes that come directly from Insurify’s 500+ partner insurance companies in all 50 states and Washington, D.C. Quote averages represent the median price for a quote across the given coverage level, driver subset, and geographic area.
Unless otherwise specified, quoted rates reflect the average cost for drivers between 20 and 70 years old with a clean driving record and average or better credit (a credit score of 600 or higher).
Liability-only premium averages correspond to policies with the following coverage limits:
Quotes for Allstate, Farmers, GEICO, State Farm, and USAA are estimates based on Quadrant Information Services’ database of auto insurance rates.
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8 years in insurance and personal finance writing
Former data scientist for U.S. Geological Survey
Featured in
Licensed auto and home insurance agent
4+ years experience in insurance and personal finance editing
NPN: 20564519
Featured in
Media relations director for Insurance Information Institute
20+ years in insurance and communications
Impartial, independent expert
7+ years experience in data analysis
Ph.D. in Computational Biology
At Insurify, our goal is to help customers compare insurance products and find the best policy for them. We strive to provide open, honest, and unbiased information about the insurance products and services we review. Our hard-working team of data analysts, insurance experts, insurance agents, editors and writers, has put in thousands of hours of research to create the content found on our site.
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