Cheapest Auto Insurance in San Francisco, California (2024)

Mile Auto has the lowest car insurance rates for Golden Gate City drivers, with liability rates starting at $69 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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Courtney Mikulski
Courtney MikulskiSenior Editor, Auto
  • 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.

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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.

Updated October 7, 2024

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Cheapest recent rates near San Francisco, California

Recent San Francisco, California car insurance prices for Ford, Honda, GMC , and more.

*Quotes generated for Insurify users in and around San Francisco, California within the last 10 days. Last updated on October 7, 2024

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 October 7, 2024. 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 October 7, 2024

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 October 7, 2024. Actual quotes may vary based on the policy buyer’s unique driver profile.

San Francisco drivers pay average car insurance rates that are on par with state averages. In the Golden Gate City, drivers pay $338 per month for full coverage and $150 for liability-only insurance, while the California state averages are $296 and $142, 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 with the citys three cheapest insurers — Mile Auto, Sun Coast, and Mercury — and by comparing car insurance quotes from multiple companies.

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

Quick Facts
  • San Francisco is one of the most densely populated cities in the U.S., which may contribute to its higher car insurance costs.

  • 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$112$60Liability-only coverage
Sun Coast2.3$218$94Teen drivers
USAA9.4$248$124Military 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 28,000 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 liability-only coverage: Mile Auto

User Reviews
4.1
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.
$69/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.
$128/mo
4.1
Best choiceBased on 46 verified guest reviews and ratings
Reviews (26)

Ann

September 24, 2024

Verified Purchase

Poor Review of Mile Auto

I was hoping to save money by switching to Mile Auto. While the first two months did that, the third month my premiums went back to nearly what I had been paying with GEICO. So, I am very displeased.

Carl

September 17, 2024

Verified Purchase

Excellent

Worth every penny, excellent.

Best

September 16, 2024

Verified Purchase

Tolerable Until Better

It's okay, but I expected it to be cheaper.
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

Cons
  • No discounts available

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

Best insurer for teen drivers: Sun Coast

User Reviews
3.8
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.
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.
$86/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.
$253/mo
3.8
A solid optionBased on 19 verified guest reviews and ratings
How drivers feel about Sun Coast

Drivers appreciate the payment options and knowledgable adjusters but dislike the expensive premiums and unavailable customer service.

AI-generated from the text of verified reviews collected by Insurify
Best For
Difficult-to-insure drivers
West Coast drivers
Coverage in Mexico
How drivers feel about Sun Coast

Drivers appreciate the payment options and knowledgable adjusters but dislike the expensive premiums and unavailable customer service.

AI-generated from the text of verified reviews collected by Insurify
Best For
Difficult-to-insure drivers
West Coast drivers
Coverage in Mexico
Reviews (9)

Marylou

September 9, 2024

Verified Purchase

Surprise!

Sun Coast is by far the best insurance I have found. The rates are awesome.

Patricia

August 14, 2024

Verified Review

Great so far

Excellent

Tiffany

August 12, 2024

Verified Purchase

Unpleasant Experience

The experience was terrible. I was quoted a price but wasn't informed that I needed to submit proof of my degree. I wasn't given any time to submit it before my rate was increased. My payment didn't come out of my direct deposit on time due to their mistake, which resulted in an increased rate. I'm on a fixed income, so this was a terrible experience. Now, I have no insurance.
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

Headquartered in Laguna Beach, Sun Coast works with several small insurers to offer a number of insurance products, including car insurance, boat insurance, and professional liability insurance. Sun Coast is available in 11 states through a distribution network of 3,500 independent agents. Customers can save money through various discounts, like a good driver discount and homeowner discount.

Pros
  • Partners with insurance who have solid financial ratings from AM Best

  • Discounts available

Cons
  • Few online customer reviews

  • Phone-only claims process

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.
$134/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.
$275/mo
4.9
Best choiceBased on 1479 verified guest reviews and ratings
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 (847)

Kathleen

October 7, 2024

Verified Review

Ford Escape S - An Amazing Invention

They never activated my policy when I bought my new SUV.

Vivian

October 7, 2024

Verified Review

Be Aware, It Could Get Costly

I've been with USAA for a while and they were great in the beginning. However, after experiencing some misfortunes, including a few accidents - one of which was my fault, my insurance rates skyrocketed. I can no longer afford them, which is why I'm currently shopping for another insurance company.

Elridge

October 7, 2024

Verified Review

Avoid Banking

The company is excellent for insurance, particularly home insurance. However, be very cautious with their banking services!
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
  • IntelliDrive usage-based insurance program

  • High customer satisfaction ratings

Cons
  • No gap insurance

  • Restrictive membership eligibility

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 buy 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 $69 per month

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Cheapest liability-only car insurance in San Francisco: Mile Auto

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 $150 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: Sunday, September 1 at 12:00 PM PDT
Insurance Company
Average Monthly Quote
Mile Auto$69
Sun Coast$86
Mercury$108
Anchor$115
USAA$134
National General$151
GEICO$177
Direct Auto$178
Allstate$184
Farmers$189
State Farm$205
Travelers$215
21st Century$234
Bristol West$257
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: Mile Auto

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 $338 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: Sunday, September 1 at 12:00 PM PDT
Insurance Company
Average Monthly Quote
Mile Auto$128
Mercury$201
Sun Coast$253
Anchor$268
USAA$275
GEICO$367
National General$367
Allstate$380
Farmers$390
Direct Auto$421
State Farm$424
Travelers$444
Bristol West$480
21st Century$483
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

Recent San Francisco, California car insurance prices for Acura, Chevrolet, GMC , and more.

*Quotes generated for Insurify users in and around San Francisco, California within the last 10 days. Last updated on October 7, 2024

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 October 7, 2024. 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 October 7, 2024

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 October 7, 2024. 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 drivers are unable to show proof of insurance, they’ll likely face legal and financial consequences.

Here are the minimum liability requirements for California drivers:[3]

  • illustration card https://a.storyblok.com/f/162273/x/e30eeeebc5/personal-injury-protection.svg

    Bodily injury liability

    $15,000 per person and $30,000 per accident

  • illustration card https://a.storyblok.com/f/162273/x/9ffcc07fc9/damage-from-aircraft.svg

    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]

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/x/9ffcc07fc9/damage-from-aircraft.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 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 $85 for drivers with an incident

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Cheapest car insurance for drivers with a speeding ticket: Mile Auto

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.[5] 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 $443 per month for full coverage and $197 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: Sunday, September 1 at 12:00 PM PDT
Insurance Company
Clean Driving Record
With Speeding Ticket
Mile Auto$69$89
Sun Coast$86$113
Mercury$108$145
Anchor$115$143
USAA$134$167
National General$151$189
GEICO$177$221
Direct Auto$178$222
Allstate$184$229
Farmers$189$234
State Farm$205$253
Travelers$215$270
21st Century$234$302
Bristol West$257$321
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: Mile Auto

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.[6]

An at-fault accident can raise rates for San Francisco drivers to a monthly average of $411 for full coverage and $182 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: Sunday, September 1 at 12:00 PM PDT
Insurance Company
Clean Driving Record
With Accident
Mile Auto$69$90
Sun Coast$86$105
Mercury$108$143
Anchor$115$153
USAA$134$166
National General$151$188
GEICO$177$220
Direct Auto$178$225
Allstate$184$228
Farmers$189$233
State Farm$205$252
Travelers$215$268
21st Century$234$298
Bristol West$257$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 a DUI: Mile Auto

In California, the consequences for a DUI include fines, jail time, and license suspension.[7] 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 $478 per month for full coverage and $212 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: Sunday, September 1 at 12:00 PM PDT
Insurance Company
Clean Driving Record
With DUI
Mile Auto$69$106
Sun Coast$86$122
Mercury$108$150
Anchor$115$157
USAA$134$205
National General$151$231
GEICO$177$271
Direct Auto$178$273
Allstate$184$282
Farmers$189$290
State Farm$205$314
Travelers$215$330
21st Century$234$359
Bristol West$257$394
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: Mile Auto

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.[8] 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 $301 per month for full coverage and $134 for minimum coverage. Here are the most affordable quotes for senior drivers in San Francisco.

The below rates are estimated rates current as of: Sunday, September 1 at 12:00 PM PDT
Insurance Company
Full Coverage
Liability Only
Mile Auto$101$54
Mercury$162$87
Anchor$215$92
Sun Coast$225$77
USAA$229$111
National General$294$121
GEICO$305$147
Allstate$318$154
Farmers$318$154
Direct Auto$343$145
State Farm$344$166
Travelers$362$176
21st Century$376$182
Bristol West$400$214
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: Mile Auto

Teenagers don’t have a lot of driving experience and have higher crash rates than any other age group.[9] Because of this increased risk, teens pay more for car insurance than older drivers. Fortunately, they 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.

Teen drivers in San Francisco pay average monthly insurance rates of $509 for full coverage and $226 for liability only. Minor teens wont 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, by insurance company.

The below rates are estimated rates current as of: Sunday, September 1 at 12:00 PM PDT
Insurance Company
Full Coverage
Liability Only
Mile Auto$233$126
Mercury$337$181
Sun Coast$381$130
USAA$426$207
Anchor$428$184
GEICO$538$259
Allstate$626$303
Farmers$637$308
State Farm$673$325
National General$679$280
Direct Auto$716$303
Travelers$748$362
Bristol West$754$404
21st Century$756$366
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. 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$338$150
Anaheim$302$148
Bakersfield$256$117
Fresno$252$128
Long Beach$307$153
Los Angeles$369$203
Modesto$290$133
Sacramento$310$140
San Diego$252$120
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 $150 per month for liability-only insurance and $338 per month for full-coverage insurance.

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

    Mile Auto offers the lowest car insurance rates in San Francisco. Its liability policies start at $69 per month. San Francisco drivers can also save with the citys second- and third-cheapest insurers, Sun Coast and Mercury, which offer liability policies starting at $86 and $108 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, Sun Coast, 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.

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 Legislative Information. "SB-1107 Vehicles: insurance."
  5. California Office of Traffic Safety. "OTS Crash Rankings Results."
  6. Insurance Information Institute. "Do auto insurance premiums go up after a claim?."
  7. California Department of Motor Vehicles. "Driving Under the Influence (DUI)."
  8. Insurance Information Institute. "Senior driving safety and insurance tips."
  9. 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.

Courtney Mikulski
Edited byCourtney MikulskiSenior Editor, Auto
Courtney Mikulski
Courtney MikulskiSenior Editor, Auto
  • 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.

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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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