3+ years producing insurance and personal finance content
Main architect of the Insurify Quality Score
Courtney’s deep personal finance knowledge extends beyond insurance to credit cards, consumer lending, and banking. She thrives on creating actionable content.
Mark FriedlanderDirector, Corporate Communications
Corporate communications director for Insurance Information Institute
20+ years in insurance and communications
As Director, Corporate Communications for Triple-I, Mark serves as the non-profit’s national spokesperson, sharing information and education on a wide array of insurance issues.
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Despite rising car insurance costs, San Diego drivers tend to pay lower-than-average rates across the board. The average cost of car insurance in San Diego is $126 for full-coverage policies and $77 for liability only. These rates are cheaper than the California state averages, of $145 and $84, respectively.
In fact, San Diego has some of the lowest car insurance rates in the Golden State. Given it's size, San Diego has about an average number of accidents, based on California Office of Traffic Safety data. As part of its "Vision Zero" plan to reduce traffic fatalities, San Diego has implemented a number of initiatives to improve the safety of city streets and sidewalks. These factors may contribute to San Diego's comparatively low insurance rates for California.
Because your rates vary based on driving record, age, and other factors, it’s a good idea to compare car insurance companies in San Diego to find the cheapest rates for your specific needs.[1]
Quick Facts
California prohibits insurance companies from basing rates on ZIP codes, but they can differentiate between cities.
Car insurance companies in California can’t use your credit history when setting your premiums.[2]
California offers a low-cost auto insurance program to help qualifying drivers afford car insurance.
Shop for Car Insurance in San Diego
Rates start at $56/mo. for liability-only coverage
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Best car insurance companies in San Diego
Consider factors like your budget, coverage level choices, and driving record when finding the right car insurance company. Three of the best insurers in San Diego are Mile Auto, Sun Coast, and Clearcover. However, it's worth noting that industry-ratings firm AM Best has not reviewed or rated these companies, so their financial strength is unclear. Financial strength is important to ensure a company can afford to meet its claims and other financial obligations.
The Insurify Quality (IQ) Score uses more than 15 criteria to objectively rate insurance companies on a one-to-five scale. The Insurify editorial team researches insurer data to determine the final scores.
3.4
A.M. Best
A.M. Best analyzes an insurer’s financials, operating performance, business profile, and other factors to generate an opinion-based rating of a company’s financial and credit strength. Ratings range from A++ (exceptional) to D (poor).
NR
Liability Only
Liability-only insurance, sometimes called minimum-coverage insurance, pays for bodily injury and property damage to others in an accident the policyholder causes. It does not pay for the insured’s own damages.
$57/mo
Full Coverage
Full-coverage car insurance generally includes liability, collision, and comprehensive coverage, and may include other optional coverages such as uninsured motorist coverage. Collision covers a policyholder’s repair or replacement costs in case of an accident. Comprehensive covers damages caused by non-accident events. The average quote displayed here reflects policies with the following coverage limits: $50,000 bodily injury liability per person; $100,000 bodily injury liability per accident; $50,00 property damage liability per accident; $1,000 collision deductible; and a $1,000 comprehensive deductible.
$104/mo
Mile Auto is a pay-per-mile car insurance company, meaning customers pay a base rate plus a per-mile rate for the miles they drive rather than paying a flat monthly fee. It offers affordable premiums for drivers who drive fewer than 10,000 miles per year.
The Insurify Quality (IQ) Score uses more than 15 criteria to objectively rate insurance companies on a one-to-five scale. The Insurify editorial team researches insurer data to determine the final scores.
A.M. Best
A.M. Best analyzes an insurer’s financials, operating performance, business profile, and other factors to generate an opinion-based rating of a company’s financial and credit strength. Ratings range from A++ (exceptional) to D (poor).
Not rated
Liability Only
Liability-only insurance, sometimes called minimum-coverage insurance, pays for bodily injury and property damage to others in an accident the policyholder causes. It does not pay for the insured’s own damages.
$61/mo
Full Coverage
Full-coverage car insurance generally includes liability, collision, and comprehensive coverage, and may include other optional coverages such as uninsured motorist coverage. Collision covers a policyholder’s repair or replacement costs in case of an accident. Comprehensive covers damages caused by non-accident events. The average quote displayed here reflects policies with the following coverage limits: $50,000 bodily injury liability per person; $100,000 bodily injury liability per accident; $50,00 property damage liability per accident; $1,000 collision deductible; and a $1,000 comprehensive deductible.
$125/mo
Sun Coast is headquartered in Laguna Beach and offers car insurance in addition to other insurance products, like boat, yacht, and watercraft insurance. Its auto insurance products include standard options, like bodily injury and property damage coverage, as well as add-ons like roadside assistance and rental car reimbursement.
The Insurify Quality (IQ) Score uses more than 15 criteria to objectively rate insurance companies on a one-to-five scale. The Insurify editorial team researches insurer data to determine the final scores.
3.1
A.M. Best
A.M. Best analyzes an insurer’s financials, operating performance, business profile, and other factors to generate an opinion-based rating of a company’s financial and credit strength. Ratings range from A++ (exceptional) to D (poor).
NR
Liability Only
Liability-only insurance, sometimes called minimum-coverage insurance, pays for bodily injury and property damage to others in an accident the policyholder causes. It does not pay for the insured’s own damages.
$56/mo
Full Coverage
Full-coverage car insurance generally includes liability, collision, and comprehensive coverage, and may include other optional coverages such as uninsured motorist coverage. Collision covers a policyholder’s repair or replacement costs in case of an accident. Comprehensive covers damages caused by non-accident events. The average quote displayed here reflects policies with the following coverage limits: $50,000 bodily injury liability per person; $100,000 bodily injury liability per accident; $50,00 property damage liability per accident; $1,000 collision deductible; and a $1,000 comprehensive deductible.
$113/mo
Clearcover is an auto insurer known for its user-friendly app and easy online experience, making it a good choice for tech-savvy younger drivers. It allows customers to manage their policies and file claims from their mobile devices. Plus, Clearcover boasts a claims process as short as seven minutes on average.
Pros
Robust mobile app
Rideshare insurance available
Cons
No bundling discounts
No SR-22 insurance available
I filed a claim with Clearcover last year, and they haven't paid it. Now my policy has gone up by $40 per month.
Catherine - January 14, 2023
Verified
Great service, low price, very helpful staff
Jack - September 12, 2022
Verified
The price was right, but only lasted for six months
Cheapest liability-only car insurance in San Diego
Per California law, San Diego drivers must purchase at least liability-only car insurance, which pays for the other driver’s property damage and injuries after an at-fault accident. Because it’s the minimum required auto insurance, it’s typically cheaper than full-coverage policies and liability policies with higher limits.
The table below shows average quotes for liability-only policies from different car insurance companies in San Diego.
The below rates are estimated rates current as of: Monday, September 18 at 12:00 PM PDT.
Konstantin has led data teams across multiple industries, including insurance, travel, and biology. He’s led Insurify’s engineering team for more than three years.
The Insurify Quality (IQ) Score uses more than 15 criteria to objectively rate insurance companies on a one-to-five scale. The Insurify editorial team researches insurer data to determine the final scores.
Table data sourced from real-time quotes from Insurify's 50-plus partner insurance providers and quote estimates from Quadrant Information Services. Actual quotes may vary based on the policy buyer's unique driver profile. Note an Insurify Quality Score of 0.0 indicates the company has not yet been reviewed and scored.
Insurify uses an in-house, proprietary method to rate and review the best car insurance companies. The Insurify Quality (IQ) Score uses more than 15 crucial criteria, including average premiums, customer satisfaction, discounts, third-party ratings, and more, to calculate a final score for a company.
Criteria are weighted by importance to the consumer — factors such as customer reviews and affordability influence the score more than availability and third-party ratings. With the IQ Score, Insurify is able to provide quantitative ratings for drivers to better compare car insurance companies and make informed decisions to meet their coverage needs.
Cheapest full-coverage car insurance in San Diego
Full-coverage car insurance is usually made up of three types of coverage: liability, collision, and comprehensive coverages. With collision and comprehensive coverages on a policy, you have protection against damages to your car after certain events. Drivers with newer or expensive cars may consider full-coverage car insurance to help pay for car repairs after accidents or weather damage. And you’ll likely need a full-coverage policy if you finance or lease your car.
The table below shows the insurance companies with the cheapest quotes for full-coverage auto insurance in San Diego.
The below rates are estimated rates current as of: Monday, September 18 at 12:00 PM PDT.
Konstantin has led data teams across multiple industries, including insurance, travel, and biology. He’s led Insurify’s engineering team for more than three years.
The Insurify Quality (IQ) Score uses more than 15 criteria to objectively rate insurance companies on a one-to-five scale. The Insurify editorial team researches insurer data to determine the final scores.
Table data sourced from real-time quotes from Insurify's 50-plus partner insurance providers and quote estimates from Quadrant Information Services. Actual quotes may vary based on the policy buyer's unique driver profile. Note an Insurify Quality Score of 0.0 indicates the company has not yet been reviewed and scored.
Car insurance requirements in California
Because California is an at-fault or tort state, the at-fault driver must cover the other driver’s and their passengers’ property damage and injury costs after an accident. Drivers must carry bodily injury and property damage liability coverage but can purchase additional coverage for extra peace of mind. They should expect legal and financial consequences if they fail to show proof of insurance.
California requires the following limits for liability coverage:[3]
Bodily injury liability
$15,000 per person and $30,000 per accident
Property damage liability
$5,000 per accident
Important Information
California liability limits are increasing on Jan. 1, 2025, to 30/60/15. This translates to $30,000 per person and $60,000 per accident for bodily injury liability and $15,000 per accident for property damage liability.[4]
Liability-only coverage may not be enough protection for some drivers. Adding more coverage to your auto insurance policy can protect your finances in various situations — not just car accidents. Here are some additional coverages to consider including in your policy:
Comprehensive
This protects you from incidents that damage your vehicle but aren’t related to collisions, like theft, vandalism, and natural disasters.
Collision
If your car requires repairs or needs to be replaced after an accident with another vehicle or object, collision coverage will kick in, no matter who’s at fault. Collision also covers rollover accidents.
Uninsured/underinsured motorist
With an uninsured motorist policy, you can protect yourself if you get into an accident with an uninsured driver. Underinsured motorist coverage can help if you're injured or your car is damaged by another driver whose liability limits aren't high enough to pay for all your damages.
Medical payments
Medical payments coverage can pay for your medical bills after an accident. “Make sure to have medical payments coverage of at least $5,000,” says Earl Jones, insurance agent and owner of Earl L. Jones Insurance Agency. “This coverage provides medical payments for emergency room visits and other medical expenses, regardless of fault.”
California’s low-cost auto insurance plan
California’s Low Cost Automobile Insurance program (CLCA) helps qualifying drivers buy affordable car insurance that meets minimum requirements. The eligibility requirements for the program are:
Have a valid California driver’s license
Meet income eligibility requirements
Own a vehicle valued at $25,000 or less
Be at least 16 years old
Have a good driving record or be a new driver
The CLCA program costs $232 to $932 a year for minimum-liability car insurance, depending on the county. However, drivers can purchase additional coverage options like uninsured/underinsured motorist coverage and medical payments coverage for an extra $37 to $107 a year. You can learn more and apply for the program at MyLowCostAuto.com.
Cheapest car insurance for drivers with an incident
Incidents like at-fault accidents, speeding tickets, and driving under the influence position you as a riskier driver and can raise your car insurance premiums as a result.[5] San Diego drivers with clean records usually pay lower rates than high-risk drivers. And California may require you to buy SR-22 insurance if you’re a high-risk driver, which can keep your rates high for three years.
Overall, the average cost of car insurance for San Diego drivers with violations on their motor vehicle records is $138 per month, compared to $101 for motorists with clean records. Finding affordable car insurance with a poor driving record isn’t impossible, though. Take a look at Insurify’s data on the cheapest companies for drivers with incidents on their records.
Shop for Car Insurance in San Diego
Rates start at $76/mo. for drivers with motor vehicle violations
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Cheapest car insurance for drivers with a speeding ticket: Clearcover
Speeding can impair your ability to respond appropriately in dangerous situations and, in turn, lead to accidents. In 2020, San Diego reported 530 deaths and injuries in speed-related crashes.[6] That’s why you may face higher car insurance premiums if you have one or more speeding tickets on your record.
San Diego drivers with speeding violations pay, on average, $113 per month for liability coverage, and $185 for full coverage car insurance. Here are the cheapest auto insurers for drivers with a speeding ticket in San Diego.
The below rates are estimated rates current as of: Monday, September 18 at 12:00 PM PDT.
Konstantin has led data teams across multiple industries, including insurance, travel, and biology. He’s led Insurify’s engineering team for more than three years.
Disclaimer: Table data sourced from real-time quotes from Insurify's 50-plus partner insurance providers and quote estimates from Quadrant Information Services. Actual quotes may vary based on the policy buyer's unique driver profile.
Cheapest car insurance for drivers with an at-fault accident: Clearcover
Car insurance companies charge higher premiums to drivers with at-fault accidents on their records.[5] An at-fault accident can increase your rates for several years. The average cost of liability coverage for San Diego drivers with at-fault accidents ist $108 per month. Full coverage costs city drivers a monthly average of $176
If you don’t have accident forgiveness, here are the auto insurers with the cheapest average quotes for drivers with an at-fault accident in San Diego.
The below rates are estimated rates current as of: Monday, September 18 at 12:00 PM PDT.
Konstantin has led data teams across multiple industries, including insurance, travel, and biology. He’s led Insurify’s engineering team for more than three years.
Disclaimer: Table data sourced from real-time quotes from Insurify's 50-plus partner insurance providers and quote estimates from Quadrant Information Services. Actual quotes may vary based on the policy buyer's unique driver profile.
Cheapest car insurance for drivers with a DUI: Clearcover
Aside from potential fines and jail time, a DUI in San Diego may result in higher car insurance costs. San Diego reported more than 1,300 DUI arrests and 621 alcohol-related deaths and injuries in 2020.[6] A DUI can even cause your insurance company to not renew your policy.[5]
San Diego drivers with DUI convictions have average car insurance costs of $189 per month for full coverage, and $116 for liability. This table highlights the average monthly quotes for San Diego drivers with DUIs by car insurance company.
The below rates are estimated rates current as of: Monday, September 18 at 12:00 PM PDT.
Konstantin has led data teams across multiple industries, including insurance, travel, and biology. He’s led Insurify’s engineering team for more than three years.
Disclaimer: Table data sourced from real-time quotes from Insurify's 50-plus partner insurance providers and quote estimates from Quadrant Information Services. Actual quotes may vary based on the policy buyer's unique driver profile.
Cheapest car insurance for seniors: Clearcover
Compared to younger drivers, seniors have a higher car accident mortality rate. Average premiums by age group tend to decrease around age 35 and increase a bit around age 70 due to potentially impaired eyesight, hearing, and physical capabilities.[7]
Car insurance for senior drivers in San Diego costs a monthly average of $91 for full coverage, and $55 for liability-only policies. The table below shows the cheapest car insurance quotes for seniors in San Diego.
The below rates are estimated rates current as of: Monday, September 18 at 12:00 PM PDT.
Konstantin has led data teams across multiple industries, including insurance, travel, and biology. He’s led Insurify’s engineering team for more than three years.
Disclaimer: Table data sourced from real-time quotes from Insurify's 50-plus partner insurance providers and quote estimates from Quadrant Information Services. Actual quotes may vary based on the policy buyer's unique driver profile.
Cheapest car insurance for teens: Clearcover
Teenagers and young adults have less driving experience than older drivers and are more likely to get into a car accident. For this reason, they tend to pay more for auto insurance.[1] Fortunately, teens can lower their car insurance premiums if they stay on their parents’ policy or lock in a good student discount.
To start your search for affordable car insurance, the table below shows the cheapest companies for teen drivers in San Diego.
The below rates are estimated rates current as of: Monday, September 18 at 12:00 PM PDT.
Konstantin has led data teams across multiple industries, including insurance, travel, and biology. He’s led Insurify’s engineering team for more than three years.
Disclaimer: Table data sourced from real-time quotes from Insurify's 50-plus partner insurance providers and quote estimates from Quadrant Information Services. Actual quotes may vary based on the policy buyer's unique driver profile.
How to get the cheapest car insurance in San Diego
Car insurers have variations in coverage options, policy specifics, and underwriting processes, so finding cheap car insurance involves a bit of research and work on your part. You can land the best deal on a policy if you follow these tips:
Shop around. It’s well worth your time and effort to get quotes from several car insurance companies. This can help you find the lowest price for your particular needs.
Look for discounts. Car insurance companies usually offer a variety of discounts. You may get one for being a safe driver, insuring multiple vehicles, or installing an anti-theft device.
Consider pay-per-mile insurance. California doesn't permit the use of telematics to track driving behaviors, but pay-per-mile insurance is available. This type of insurance might be a good idea if you work from home, are retired, or don’t drive a lot. You’ll only pay for the miles you drive.
Practice safe driving habits. Speeding tickets, at-fault accidents, and DUIs can raise your car insurance premiums. Drive responsibly to avoid them.
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Is car insurance more expensive in San Diego?
The national average for car insurance is $103 per month for a liability-only policy and $205 per month for full coverage. On average, auto policies in San Diego tend to be cheaper. Also, car insurance premiums in California vary by city due to population, vehicle theft and vandalism rates, and other factors. For example, car insurance is more expensive in Anaheim, Bakersfield, and Fresno than in San Diego.
More cities in California
Here’s an overview of the average quotes for full-coverage car insurance in various cities in California and how they compare to San Diego.
Disclaimer: Table data sourced from real-time quotes from Insurify's 50-plus partner insurance providers. Actual quotes may vary based on the policy buyer's unique driver profile.
San Diego car insurance FAQs
Learn more about gap insurance in California, and check out the answers to common questions about San Diego car insurance below.
How much is car insurance in San Diego?
The average cost of car insurance in San Diego is $77 a month for liability-only policies and $126 a month for full-coverage insurance.
What company has the cheapest car insurance rates in San Diego?
Clearcover offers the cheapest car insurance rates for most types of drivers in San Diego. The company's liability-only rates start at $56 per month. Mile Auto and Sun Coast are the second- and third-cheapest insurers in the city, with liability rates as low as $57 and $61 per month, respectively.
Is car insurance cheaper in San Diego than in Los Angeles?
Yes, car insurance is cheaper in San Diego than in Los Angeles. Los Angeles’ average full-coverage rate is 56% higher than San Diego’s average full-coverage car insurance, according to Insurify data.
How does credit score affect car insurance in San Diego?
California law prevents insurance companies from using your credit history to determine your car insurance premiums. This means that, all other factors being the same, if you have poor credit, you won’t pay more than someone with good credit.[2]
Methodology
Insurify data scientists analyzed more than 90 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 50+ 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:
Bodily injury limits between state-minimum rates and $50,000 per person, $100,000 per accident
Property damage limits between $10,000 and $50,000
No additional coverage
Full-coverage premium averages correspond to the same bodily injury and property damage limits in addition to:
Comprehensive coverage with a $1,000 deductible
Collision coverage with a $1,000 deductible
Quotes for Allstate, Farmers, GEICO, State Farm, and USAA are estimates based on Quadrant Information Services’ database of auto insurance rates.
Anna Baluch is a Cleveland-based personal finance and insurance expert. With an MBA from Roosevelt University, she enjoys writing educational content that helps people make smart financial decisions. Her work can be seen across the internet on many publications, including Freedom Debt Relief, Credit Karma, RateGenius, and the Balance. Connect with Anna on LinkedIn.
3+ years producing insurance and personal finance content
Main architect of the Insurify Quality Score
Courtney’s deep personal finance knowledge extends beyond insurance to credit cards, consumer lending, and banking. She thrives on creating actionable content.
Mark FriedlanderDirector, Corporate Communications
Corporate communications director for Insurance Information Institute
20+ years in insurance and communications
As Director, Corporate Communications for Triple-I, Mark serves as the non-profit’s national spokesperson, sharing information and education on a wide array of insurance issues.
Konstantin has led data teams across multiple industries, including insurance, travel, and biology. He’s led Insurify’s engineering team for more than three years.
Mile Auto
Sun Coast
Clearcover
