Cheapest Auto Insurance in San Francisco, California (2025)

Sun Coast has the lowest car insurance rates for Golden Gate City drivers, with liability rates starting at $110 per month.

Anna Baluch
Written byAnna Baluch
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Anna BaluchInsurance Writer
  • 4+ years writing insurance and personal finance content

  • MBA from Roosevelt University

Anna leverages her personal finance and insurance knowledge to create educational content that helps people make smart financial decisions.

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Ashley Cox
Edited byAshley Cox
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Ashley CoxSenior Managing Editor
  • 7+ years in content creation and management

  • 5+ years in insurance and personal finance content

Ashley is a seasoned personal finance editor who’s produced a variety of digital content, including insurance, credit cards, mortgages, and consumer lending products.

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Mark Friedlander
Reviewed byMark Friedlander
Mark Friedlander
Mark FriedlanderDirector, Corporate Communications, Triple-I
  • 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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Cheapest recent rates near San Francisco, California

Drivers in and around San Francisco, California have found policies from Dairyland, Orion Indemnity Company, State Farm, and more, through Insurify in the last few days.

*Quotes generated for Insurify users in and around San Francisco, California within the last 10 days. Last updated on January 20, 2025. Actual quotes may vary based on the policy buyer’s unique driver profile.

Rates shown are real-time Insurify user quotes from 100+ insurance companies and Quadrant Information Services data. Insurify’s algorithm excludes anomalous quotes and anonymizes personal details, then displays refined quotes by price, date, and insurer popularity up to 10 days ago from January 20, 2025. Actual quotes may vary based on the policy buyer’s unique driver profile.

*Quotes generated for Insurify users in and around San Francisco, California within the last 10 days. Last updated on January 20, 2025. Actual quotes may vary based on the policy buyer’s unique driver profile.

Rates shown are real-time Insurify user quotes from 100+ insurance companies and Quadrant Information Services data. Insurify’s algorithm excludes anomalous quotes and anonymizes personal details, then displays refined quotes by price, date, and insurer popularity up to 10 days ago from January 20, 2025. Actual quotes may vary based on the policy buyer’s unique driver profile.

San Francisco drivers pay car insurance rates that are on par with state averages. In the Golden Gate City, drivers pay $326 per month for full coverage and $147 for liability-only insurance, while the California state averages are $272 and $139, respectively.

The citys population density, number of traffic accidents, and vehicle crime and theft rates all contribute to its car insurance costs. But San Francisco drivers can still find affordable coverage by comparing car insurance quotes from multiple companies.

Here’s what you need to know about finding affordable car insurance in San Francisco.

Quick Facts
  • Sun Coast, Anchor, and Mercury are the cheapest car insurance companies in San Francisco.

  • In 2023, San Francisco had nearly 2,100 traffic accidents that resulted in injuries, according to city data.

  • Insurance companies in California can’t use your credit history, gender, or ZIP code when determining your car insurance rates.[1]

3 of the cheapest car insurance companies in San Francisco

Finding affordable car insurance coverage in the Bay Area is important, but getting the best price takes more than buying the first policy an insurance company offers you. Compare multiple companies, starting with the ones Insurify identified as some of the best insurers in San Francisco below.

Insurance Company
IQ Score
The Insurify Quality (IQ) Score uses more than 15 criteria to objectively rate insurance companies on a one-to-ten scale. The Insurify editorial team researches insurer data to determine the final scores.
Full Coverage
Liability Only
Best For
Mile Auto7.5$108$60Pay-per-mile coverage
Mercury8.0$193$109Rideshare drivers
USAA9.4$246$122Military members and veterans
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.
  • Our editorial team spent more than 350 hours developing the Insurify Quality (IQ) Score and scoring insurance companies. The IQ Score objectively analyzes and calculates a score for insurers using more than 15 crucial criteria. The team weighted criteria by importance to the consumer — factors such as customer reviews and affordability influence the score more than availability and third-party ratings.

    We rate each company on a 1 to 10 scale based on five categories: financial ratings, customer satisfaction, affordability, customer support and transparency, and availability. Insurify updates ratings once a year or as more recent information becomes available.

    • Third-party financial ratings: Insurify uses data from AM Best, S&P, Moody’s, and more to compare insurance companies’ credit and ability to pay out future claims.
    • Customer satisfaction: To calculate this score, Insurify analyzed more than 55,000 customer reviews across 155 car insurance companies. We also consider third-party ratings from J.D. Power, the National Association of Insurance Commissioners, and Trustpilot.
    • Affordability: Our data scientists analyzed more than 90 million real-time auto insurance rates from our partners across the U.S., as well as available discounts, to calculate an affordability score.
    • Customer support and transparency: This measures coverage options, ease of claims filing, and the insurer's transparency surrounding discounts, coverages, and claims process.
    • Availability and reach: Insurify scores availability and reach by identifying the number of states in which insurers offer coverage and company size by market share.

Best insurer for pay-per-mile coverage: Mile Auto

User Reviews
4.2
IQ Score
The Insurify Quality (IQ) Score uses more than 15 criteria to objectively rate insurance companies on a one-to-ten scale. The Insurify editorial team researches insurer data to determine the final scores.
7.5 /10
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.
$60/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.
$244/mo
4.2
Best choiceBased on 68 verified guest reviews and ratings
Mile Auto's score
Industry average
Coverage options3.93.2
Customer service3.73.6
Discounts42.9
Policy transparency3.83.1
Value42.9
Reviews (36)

Richard

January 13, 2025

Verified Purchase

Loose Time Frames

They give you two days to submit a picture of your mileage, and then they threaten to charge you for 40 miles a day.

James

January 13, 2025

Verified Purchase

So far, so good. It's better than paying six or seven hundred a month. I'll let others know. Thanks.

So far, so good. It's better than paying six or seven hundred a month. I'll let others know. Thanks.

Matthew

January 9, 2025

Verified Purchase

Great Cheap Auto Insurance!

Give them a try if you are a new driver and drive an old car that will get totaled in any accident due to the repair costs exceeding the fair market value of your car.
See all Mile Auto reviews
JD Power
J.D. Power data measures overall customer satisfaction and claims satisfaction based on a 1,000-point scale.
NR
NAIC Index
Average amount of customer complaints relative to competitors on a 0-5 scale. A lower score represents fewer complaints.
NR
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
Why we picked this company

Mile Auto launched in 2010 and specializes in pay-per-mile car insurance. It provides cheap coverage for low-mileage drivers by charging a monthly base rate, plus a low per-mile rate. To track mileage, customers send in pictures of their odometers each month.

Pros
  • Affordable coverage for infrequent drivers

  • Doesn’t require an in-vehicle telematics device

  • Some of the lowest rates in San Francisco

Cons
  • No discounts available

  • Lenders and leasing companies may not accept this type of coverage

  • Available in only nine states

Best insurer for rideshare drivers: Mercury

User Reviews
3.7
IQ Score
The Insurify Quality (IQ) Score uses more than 15 criteria to objectively rate insurance companies on a one-to-ten scale. The Insurify editorial team researches insurer data to determine the final scores.
8.0 /10
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.
$126/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.
$223/mo
3.7
A solid optionBased on 488 verified guest reviews and ratings
Mercury's score
Industry average
Coverage options3.53.2
Customer service3.33.6
Discounts3.12.9
Policy transparency3.43.1
Value32.9
How drivers feel about Mercury

Drivers appreciate the exceptional service, fair prices, and attentive support, but some find the premiums can increase unexpectedly.

AI-generated from the text of verified reviews collected by Insurify
Best For
Competitive rates
Rideshare drivers
Numerous discounts
How drivers feel about Mercury

Drivers appreciate the exceptional service, fair prices, and attentive support, but some find the premiums can increase unexpectedly.

AI-generated from the text of verified reviews collected by Insurify
Best For
Competitive rates
Rideshare drivers
Numerous discounts
Reviews (269)

William

January 8, 2025

Verified Review

Average

I've never had to file a claim, however, the price kept increasing.

Joshua

January 7, 2025

Verified Review

My claim was handled professionally and efficiently

Professional

Simeon

December 28, 2024

Verified Review

Excellent

Very good.
See all Mercury reviews
JD Power
J.D. Power data measures overall customer satisfaction and claims satisfaction based on a 1,000-point scale.
827
NAIC Index
Average amount of customer complaints relative to competitors on a 0-5 scale. A lower score represents fewer complaints.
0.48
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).
A
Why we picked this company

California rideshare drivers should consider getting a policy from Mercury. Not every insurer offers rideshare insurance, but Mercury offers this coverage in addition to standard car insurance policies. Drivers can also save with discounts for making automatic payments, bundling policies, earning good grades, and more.

Pros
  • A (Excellent) financial strength rating from AM Best

  • Competitive rates in San Francisco

  • Many coverage options and discounts available

Cons
  • Available in only 11 states

  • Poor J.D. Power customer and claims satisfaction ratings

  • Negative customer reviews on Trustpilot

Best insurer for military members and veterans: USAA

User Reviews
4.9
IQ Score
The Insurify Quality (IQ) Score uses more than 15 criteria to objectively rate insurance companies on a one-to-ten scale. The Insurify editorial team researches insurer data to determine the final scores.
9.4 /10
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.
$141/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.
$284/mo
4.9
Best choiceBased on 1,675 verified guest reviews and ratings
USAA's score
Industry average
Coverage options4.93.2
Customer service4.63.6
Discounts4.92.9
Policy transparency4.93.1
Value4.92.9
How drivers feel about USAA

Drivers appreciate the ease of working with the carrier, competitive rates, and responsive service but dislike the price increases and lack of rideshare add-ons in some areas.

AI-generated from the text of verified reviews collected by Insurify
Best For
Members of the military community
Outstanding customer service
Competitive rates
How drivers feel about USAA

Drivers appreciate the ease of working with the carrier, competitive rates, and responsive service but dislike the price increases and lack of rideshare add-ons in some areas.

AI-generated from the text of verified reviews collected by Insurify
Best For
Members of the military community
Outstanding customer service
Competitive rates
Reviews (961)

William

January 18, 2025

Verified Review

Trouble Remembering PIN with USAA

USAA is great, but I do have trouble remembering my PIN number. That's a problem.

William

January 13, 2025

Verified Review

I love USAA

I love USAA. However, I don't know my PIN, and that has caused me some inconvenience.

Thomas

January 13, 2025

Verified Review

Too Personal

They penalize me for using my phone as a passenger in someone else's car. Even though I have a Bluetooth hands-free phone, they still want to deduct points. I guess next they'll penalize me if I talk to my wife while I'm driving.
See all USAA reviews
JD Power
J.D. Power data measures overall customer satisfaction and claims satisfaction based on a 1,000-point scale.
876
NAIC Index
Average amount of customer complaints relative to competitors on a 0-5 scale. A lower score represents fewer complaints.
1.35
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).
A++
Why we picked this company

USAA serves active-duty military, veterans, reserve military members, and their families. In addition to car, home, and life insurance, it offers deposit accounts, loans, and more. It earned an AM Best rating of A++ (Superior) for its financial strength (the highest level possible) and consistently earns above-average J.D. Power customer satisfaction scores.

Pros
  • SafePilot program can save you up to 30% for safe driving

  • High J.D. Power customer satisfaction ratings

  • Offers banking and investment services in addition to insurance

Cons
  • No gap insurance

  • Restrictive membership eligibility

  • No live 24/7 customer support

How to get the cheapest car insurance in San Francisco

Car insurance companies have their own coverage options, policy discounts, and rates. If you want cheap car insurance, follow these tips to find affordable coverage in the Bay Area:

  • Shop around. Get car insurance quotes from at least three different companies for the same coverage levels. Compare all your options to find the best one for your unique needs.

  • Bundle policies. If you bundle your auto insurance policy with homeowners insurance, renters insurance, or life insurance, the insurance company will usually apply a discount.

  • Increase your deductible. A higher collision or comprehensive deductible usually means lower premiums. Just make sure you can afford to pay more out of pocket if you file a claim.

  • Look for discounts. Most auto insurers advertise long lists of discounts. If you aren’t sure which ones you’re eligible for, you can call an insurance agent and ask which ones the insurer will apply to your policy for lower premiums.

  • Avoid a coverage lapse. “Maintain auto insurance and avoid any lapse in coverage, as it will cause future policies to be higher,” explains Lauren McKenzie, a senior insurance agent at A Plus Insurance.

Find Cheap Car Insurance in San Francisco

Liability rates start at $110 per month

Secure. Free. Easy-to-use.
Based on 3,806+ reviews
4.8/5
Shopper Approved
ProgressiveLiberty MutualAllstate

Cheapest liability-only car insurance in San Francisco: Sun Coast

California law requires all drivers to have liability car insurance, at a minimum. This type of policy covers the other driver’s property damage and injuries that you cause following an at-fault accident.

Liability-only insurance typically has the lowest rates because of its limited coverage — it won’t cover damages to your car or your injuries from an accident you cause. But people who drive older, low-value cars may choose liability-only coverage to save money on car insurance.

Liability-only coverage in San Francisco costs an average of $147 per month.

Here are the cheapest car insurance companies in San Francisco for liability-only insurance.

The below rates are estimated rates current as of: Wednesday, January 1 at 11:00 AM PST
Insurance Company
Average Monthly Quote
Sun Coast$110
Anchor$125
Mercury$126
USAA$141
National General$153
Direct Auto$171
GEICO$188
Allstate$195
Farmers$201
State Farm$217
Travelers$228
Bristol West$251
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 full-coverage car insurance in San Francisco: Mercury

Full-coverage car insurance usually refers to a combination of liability, collision, and comprehensive insurance. If you have a loan or lease on your vehicle, your lender may require a full-coverage policy.

Furthermore, because full-coverage insurance includes damages to and theft of your vehicle, it may be a good idea to purchase it amid rising car theft rates in San Francisco. Motor theft rates in the city increased by 3.9% from 2021 to 2022. They also increased by 7.1% in the first half of 2023 compared to the same period in 2022.[2]

San Francisco drivers pay an average of $326 per month for full-coverage insurance.

Here are the cheapest companies for full-coverage insurance in San Francisco.

The below rates are estimated rates current as of: Wednesday, January 1 at 11:00 AM PST
Insurance Company
Average Monthly Quote
Mercury$223
Sun Coast$275
USAA$284
Anchor$333
GEICO$379
National General$385
Allstate$393
Direct Auto$395
Farmers$405
State Farm$437
Travelers$460
Bristol West$461
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 recent rates near San Francisco, California

Drivers in and around San Francisco, California have found policies from Dairyland, National General, Allstate, and more, through Insurify in the last few days.

*Quotes generated for Insurify users in and around San Francisco, California within the last 10 days. Last updated on January 20, 2025. Actual quotes may vary based on the policy buyer’s unique driver profile.

Rates shown are real-time Insurify user quotes from 100+ insurance companies and Quadrant Information Services data. Insurify’s algorithm excludes anomalous quotes and anonymizes personal details, then displays refined quotes by price, date, and insurer popularity up to 10 days ago from January 20, 2025. Actual quotes may vary based on the policy buyer’s unique driver profile.

*Quotes generated for Insurify users in and around San Francisco, California within the last 10 days. Last updated on January 20, 2025. Actual quotes may vary based on the policy buyer’s unique driver profile.

Rates shown are real-time Insurify user quotes from 100+ insurance companies and Quadrant Information Services data. Insurify’s algorithm excludes anomalous quotes and anonymizes personal details, then displays refined quotes by price, date, and insurer popularity up to 10 days ago from January 20, 2025. Actual quotes may vary based on the policy buyer’s unique driver profile.

Car insurance requirements in California

Because California is an at-fault, or tort, state, a driver who causes an accident is responsible for the property damage and injury costs of the other driver and passengers. While California requires bodily injury and property damage liability, drivers can purchase additional coverage for more financial protection. If you’re unable to show proof of insurance, you’ll likely face legal and financial consequences.

State lawmakers approved an increase in coverage limits, which take effect Jan. 1, 2025. The table below reflects this change and the types and amount of coverage all drivers need to carry:[3]

Coverage
2024 Coverage Limits
2025 Coverage Limits
Bodily injury liability$15,000 per person / $30,000 per accident$30,000 per person / $60,000 per accident
Property damage liability$5,000 per accident$15,000 per accident

Coverage beyond minimum liability is optional for drivers in San Francisco. But you may want to consider adding these coverages to your policy for more protection:

  • illustration card https://a.storyblok.com/f/162273/x/665da91bf7/comprehensive-coverage.svg

    Comprehensive coverage

    A comprehensive insurance policy helps pay for vehicle damage for non-collision claims. This can cover damages and losses from theft, falling objects, severe weather, vandalism, and more.

  • illustration card https://a.storyblok.com/f/162273/150x150/d7333ddf2e/car-and-driving-96x96-orange_046-car-accident.svg

    Collision coverage

    Collision coverage reimburses you if your car needs repairs or a replacement after an accident with another vehicle or object, such as a tree or light pole, even if you’re at fault. Collision insurance also covers rollover accidents and pothole damage.

  • illustration card https://a.storyblok.com/f/162273/x/5285c4cd74/uninsured-or-underinsured-motorist-coverage.svg

    Uninsured/underinsured motorist coverage

    Uninsured/underinsured motorist coverage can pay for damages if a driver without car insurance causes an accident or if your vehicle is damaged in a hit-and-run accident. Underinsured motorist coverage pays if the at-fault drivers liability limits arent enough to cover the damages to your vehicle. California requires insurers to offer uninsured motorist coverage to all drivers, but you can decline it by signing a waiver.

  • illustration card https://a.storyblok.com/f/162273/x/4c9753bdbe/medical-payments.svg

    Medical payments coverage

    Also known as MedPay, medical payments coverage may pay for medical expenses that result from an accident, even if you caused it.

California’s low-cost auto insurance plan

California’s Low Cost Automobile Insurance program (CLCA) can help eligible drivers purchase affordable car insurance coverage through the state. 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

Buying car insurance through the CLCA costs $232 to $932 per year for minimum-liability car insurance, depending on the county. But it offers optional coverages, like uninsured/underinsured motorist and medical payments insurance, for an extra $37 to $107 per year. You can learn more and apply for the low-cost car insurance program at MyLowCostAuto.com.

Learn More: How Much Car Insurance Do You Need?

Learn More: How Much Car Insurance Do You Need?

Cheapest car insurance for drivers with an incident

Incidents such as at-fault accidents, speeding tickets, and driving under the influence (DUI) convictions can increase your risk as a driver and cause your car insurance rates to go up for three to five years.

Drivers with these types of violations on their records typically pay much higher premiums than people with clean driving records. Here are the average monthly quotes for people with marks on their driving record.

Shop for Car Insurance in San Francisco

Monthly rates start at $131 for drivers with an incident

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Based on 3,806+ reviews
4.8/5
Shopper Approved
ProgressiveLiberty MutualAllstate

Cheapest car insurance for drivers with a speeding ticket: Sun Coast

Speeding reduces the amount of time you have to react to dangerous situations and, in turn, increases the risk of accidents. San Francisco reported 434 speed-related injuries and fatalities in car crashes in 2020.[4] So having a speeding ticket on your record in San Francisco signals to insurers that you’re a risky driver, which leads to more expensive car insurance.

San Francisco drivers with speeding tickets pay average car insurance rates of $422 per month for full coverage and $190 for minimum coverage. The table below highlights the cheapest car insurance policies for San Francisco drivers with speeding tickets.

The below rates are estimated rates current as of: Wednesday, January 1 at 11:00 AM PST
Insurance Company
Clean Driving Record
With Speeding Ticket
Sun Coast$110$142
Anchor$125$155
Mercury$126$169
USAA$141$176
National General$153$191
Direct Auto$171$214
GEICO$188$235
Allstate$195$243
Farmers$201$250
State Farm$217$268
Travelers$228$287
Bristol West$251$316
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: Sun Coast

If you cause an accident, your car insurance costs will likely increase because insurers will consider you a risky driver. But how much your car insurance rates increase depends on the severity of the accident — generally, a fender bender with no injuries won’t increase your premiums as much as a multi-vehicle crash that resulted in injuries.[5]

An at-fault accident can raise rates for San Francisco drivers to a monthly average of $398 for full coverage and $180 for liability-only insurance. Here are the cheapest car insurance companies for San Francisco drivers with at-fault accidents on their records.

The below rates are estimated rates current as of: Wednesday, January 1 at 11:00 AM PST
Insurance Company
Clean Driving Record
With Accident
Sun Coast$110$134
Anchor$125$167
Mercury$126$170
USAA$141$176
National General$153$190
Direct Auto$171$219
GEICO$188$235
Allstate$195$243
Farmers$201$250
State Farm$217$268
Travelers$228$287
Bristol West$251$314
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: Sun Coast

In California, the consequences for a DUI include fines, jail time, and license suspension.[6] A DUI is a serious offense that can also lead to higher car insurance rates and an SR-22 insurance requirement, which can keep your premiums elevated for several years.

The average cost of car insurance for San Francisco drivers with DUIs is $463 per month for full coverage and $209 for liability-only policies. Here are the average car insurance quotes for drivers with a DUI in San Francisco.

The below rates are estimated rates current as of: Wednesday, January 1 at 11:00 AM PST
Insurance Company
Clean Driving Record
With DUI
Sun Coast$110$156
Anchor$125$170
Mercury$126$180
USAA$141$216
National General$153$235
Direct Auto$171$262
GEICO$188$288
Allstate$195$299
Farmers$201$308
State Farm$217$333
Travelers$228$350
Bristol West$251$385
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: Sun Coast

Seniors have higher car accident mortality rates than young drivers. In most cases, average premiums decrease around age 35 and increase a bit around age 70 due to an uptick in accident risks.[7] Despite this slight increase, senior drivers tend to pay the lowest premiums compared to other age groups, especially teens and young adults.

On average, senior drivers in the City by the Bay pay $285 per month for full coverage and $128 for minimum coverage. Here are the most affordable quotes for senior drivers in San Francisco.

The below rates are estimated rates current as of: Wednesday, January 1 at 11:00 AM PST
Insurance Company
Liability Only
Full Coverage
Sun Coast$96$240
Mercury$104$183
Anchor$105$280
USAA$116$233
National General$120$302
Direct Auto$137$316
GEICO$154$310
Allstate$161$324
Farmers$161$325
State Farm$173$349
Travelers$183$370
Bristol West$207$380
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: Sun Coast

Teenagers don’t have a lot of driving experience and have higher crash rates than any other age group.[8] Because of this increased risk, teens pay more for car insurance than older drivers.

Teen drivers in San Francisco pay average monthly insurance rates of $550 for full coverage and $248 for liability only.

Fortunately, teens can save on a policy if they stay on their parents’ insurance and drive an older yet reliable car. Discounts for being a good student or living away from home while attending school can also help reduce costs for teens. Minor teens won’t be able to buy their own insurance policies without the written consent of a parent or guardian.

The table below shows the cheapest car insurance quotes for teen drivers in San Francisco.

The below rates are estimated rates current as of: Wednesday, January 1 at 11:00 AM PST
Insurance Company
Liability Only
Full Coverage
Sun Coast$186$464
Anchor$210$559
Mercury$221$392
USAA$238$479
National General$302$759
GEICO$303$611
Direct Auto$314$724
Allstate$351$707
Farmers$352$710
State Farm$376$757
Travelers$415$837
Bristol West$423$776
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.

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Is car insurance more expensive in San Francisco?

Compared to the national average, car insurance rates in San Francisco are more expensive. San Francisco drivers pay $147 per month for liability coverage and $326 per month for full coverage compared to the national monthly averages of $105 for liability coverage and $199 for full coverage.

But you can still land a good deal on a policy. As you shop around and do your research, keep in mind that car insurance premiums vary by city within California due to factors like population and crime rates.

More cities in California

The table below shows how auto insurance quotes in San Francisco compare to other cities in California.

City
Full Coverage
Liability Only
San Francisco$326$147
Anaheim$276$155
Bakersfield$245$116
Fresno$238$122
Long Beach$296$152
Los Angeles$383$211
Modesto$249$143
Sacramento$291$144
San Diego$240$118
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 Francisco car insurance FAQs

Learn which factors may contribute to your higher car insurance costs in San Francisco, and read the answers to common questions about car insurance in the city below.

  • How much is car insurance in San Francisco?

    The average cost of car insurance in San Francisco is $147 per month for liability-only insurance and $326 per month for full-coverage insurance.

  • Which company has the cheapest car insurance in San Francisco?

    Sun Coast offers the lowest car insurance rates in San Francisco. Its liability policies start at $110 per month. San Francisco drivers can also save with the citys second- and third-cheapest insurers, Anchor and Mercury, which offer liability policies starting at $125 and $126 per month, respectively.

  • What are the best car insurance companies in San Francisco?

    Some of the best car insurance companies in San Francisco include USAA, Mercury, and Mile Auto. These companies have lower-than-average quotes and solid Insurify Quality Scores. But you should always compare quotes from at least three different insurers at the same coverage levels to find the cheapest car insurance rates for your unique needs and budget.

  • Can insurers use your credit score when setting insurance rates in San Francisco?

    No. California doesn’t allow car insurance companies to use a driver’s credit history when setting premiums. This means that, with all other factors the same, a San Francisco driver with poor credit won’t pay more than someone with good credit.

  • Is car insurance more expensive in San Francisco?

    Generally, car insurance in San Francisco is more expensive than in many other California cities, except Los Angeles. This could be due to the city’s dense population and three major roadways that feed into a small geographic area — San Francisco is less than 49 square miles with a population of about 800,000 people.

  • Which company has the lowest car insurance rates in California?

    Mile Auto has the lowest car insurance rates in California, with liability-only policies averaging $60 per month.

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.

Sources

  1. Federal Trade Commission. "Credit-Based Insurance Scores."
  2. San Francisco Police Department. "Crime Dashboard."
  3. California Department of Motor Vehicles. "Insurance Requirements."
  4. California Office of Traffic Safety. "OTS Crash Rankings Results."
  5. Insurance Information Institute. "Do auto insurance premiums go up after a claim?."
  6. California Department of Motor Vehicles. "Driving Under the Influence (DUI)."
  7. Insurance Information Institute. "Senior driving safety and insurance tips."
  8. Insurance Institute for Highway Safety. "Teenagers."
Anna Baluch
Anna BaluchInsurance Writer

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.

Anna has been a contributor at Insurify since December 2022.

Ashley Cox
Edited byAshley CoxSenior Managing Editor
Headshot of Managing Editor Ashley Cox
Ashley CoxSenior Managing Editor
  • 7+ years in content creation and management

  • 5+ years in insurance and personal finance content

Ashley is a seasoned personal finance editor who’s produced a variety of digital content, including insurance, credit cards, mortgages, and consumer lending products.

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Mark Friedlander
Reviewed byMark FriedlanderDirector, Corporate Communications, Triple-I
Mark Friedlander
Mark FriedlanderDirector, Corporate Communications, Triple-I
  • 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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