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AFCPE Accredited Financial Counselor
6 years experience in the personal financial industry
Theresa is a writer and former financial advisor with experience helping clients solve money challenges. She uses her expertise to clarify complex personal finance concepts.
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Licensed auto and home insurance agent
4+ years experience in insurance and personal finance editing
NPN: 20564519
Katie uses her knowledge and expertise as a licensed property and casualty agent in Massachusetts to help readers understand the complexities of insurance shopping.
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Media relations director for Insurance Information Institute
20+ years in insurance and communications
Impartial, independent expert
As Senior Director, Media Relations, for Insurance Information Institute, Mark serves as the non-profit’s national spokesperson, sharing information and education on a wide array of insurance issues.
Updated
At Insurify, our goal is to help customers compare insurance products and find the best policy for them. We strive to provide open, honest, and unbiased information about the insurance products and services we review. Our hard-working team of data analysts, insurance experts, insurance agents, editors and writers, has put in thousands of hours of research to create the content found on our site.
We do receive compensation when a sale or referral occurs from many of the insurance providers and marketing partners on our site. That may impact which products we display and where they appear on our site. But it does not influence our meticulously researched editorial content, what we write about, or any reviews or recommendations we may make. We do not guarantee favorable reviews or any coverage at all in exchange for compensation.
Table of contents
- Average cost of car insurance in San Francisco, CA
- San Francisco liability car insurance
- San Francisco full-coverage car insurance
- Car insurance rates in other CA cities
- Why car insurance in San Francisco is so expensive
- Cheap car insurance in San Francisco by driving record
- Driving in San Francisco
- Cheap car insurance for San Francisco teen drivers
- Cheap car insurance quotes for San Francisco senior drivers
- San Francisco auto insurance FAQs
Table of contents
- Average cost of car insurance in San Francisco, CA
- San Francisco liability car insurance
- San Francisco full-coverage car insurance
- Car insurance rates in other CA cities
- Why car insurance in San Francisco is so expensive
- Cheap car insurance in San Francisco by driving record
- Driving in San Francisco
- Cheap car insurance for San Francisco teen drivers
- Cheap car insurance quotes for San Francisco senior drivers
- San Francisco auto insurance FAQs
How much is car insurance in San Francisco, CA?
The average cost of car insurance in San Francisco is $94 per month for liability insurance and $236 per month for full coverage. San Francisco drivers pay higher average rates than Fresno drivers and cheaper car insurance rates than Los Angeles drivers.
San Francisco car insurance rates match the California state average of $94 for liability-only coverage and exceed the state average of $198 per month for full coverage. San Francisco likely has higher full-coverage rates than the state for a few reasons, including high vehicle theft rates.
The city also has a population density of more than 18,600 people per square mile, which adds risk factors like heavy traffic congestion and an above-average one-way commute time of 30.4 minutes.[1]
Shop for San Francisco Car Insurance
Cheap liability quotes in San Francisco start at $73/mo.
Cheapest liability-only car insurance in San Francisco: USAA
The average liability auto insurance policy in San Francisco costs $94 per month, which is similar to the state average of $94 per month. USAA and Aspire General are some of the cheapest insurers in San Francisco for liability-only car insurance coverage.
California’s car insurance requirements include $30,000 per person and $60,000 per accident in bodily injury liability coverage for medical expenses. It also requires minimum coverage of $15,000 per accident for property damage liability.[2]
But these are only the state-minimum requirements. Many drivers purchase additional coverages, like medical payments, comprehensive coverage, and collision coverage.
The following table shows the lowest liability-only car insurance rates in San Francisco.
Insurance Company | Average Monthly Quote: Liability Only |
|---|---|
| USAA | $73 |
| Aspire General | $77 |
| National General | $81 |
| GEICO | $81 |
| Sun Coast | $82 |
| Mercury | $83 |
| Dairyland | $89 |
| Root | $98 |
| Allstate | $99 |
| Farmers | $102 |
| Direct Auto | $104 |
| Anchor | $106 |
| State Farm | $112 |
| Bristol West | $113 |
| Kemper Special | $113 |
| Travelers | $117 |
| Kemper Rsvp | $125 |
| 21st Century | $126 |
| Nationwide | $157 |
| Chubb | $198 |
Cheapest full-coverage car insurance in San Francisco: Aspire General
The cheapest insurer for full-coverage car insurance in San Francisco is Aspire General. The average full-coverage rate in San Francisco is $236 per month, which is higher than the state average of $198 per month.
San Francisco policyholders may want to consider a full-coverage auto insurance policy due to the city’s high auto theft rate, chance of vandalism, and congested population.
The following table shows the lowest rates for full-coverage car insurance in San Francisco.
Insurance Company | Average Monthly Quote: Full Coverage |
|---|---|
| Aspire General | $137 |
| Root | $155 |
| Mercury | $160 |
| USAA | $162 |
| GEICO | $164 |
| Kemper Special | $183 |
| Kemper Rsvp | $187 |
| Sun Coast | $189 |
| Anchor | $203 |
| Dairyland | $204 |
| National General | $215 |
| Allstate | $222 |
| Farmers | $229 |
| Bristol West | $240 |
| State Farm | $248 |
| Direct Auto | $251 |
| Travelers | $259 |
| 21st Century | $283 |
| Nationwide | $349 |
| Chubb | $442 |
Car insurance rates in other California cities
Car insurance rates in San Francisco are higher than the California average. San Francisco drivers pay $165 per month, compared to the state average of $146 per month.
The most expensive city for car insurance in California is Glendale, with an average monthly rate of $256.
San Luis Obispo, Hanford, and Ridgecrest are a few of the cheapest California cities for car insurance.
Car insurance in San Francisco, the fourth-largest city in the state, might be more expensive than in other places in California due to its population density and the number of car thefts.
The following table shows average car insurance rates in different California cities.
City | Average Monthly Quote |
|---|---|
| Anaheim | $152 |
| Bakersfield | $125 |
| Berkeley | $147 |
| Chula Vista | $121 |
| Elk Grove | $137 |
| Fremont | $133 |
| Fresno | $126 |
| Glendale | $256 |
| Long Beach | $163 |
| Los Angeles | $214 |
| Modesto | $137 |
| Moreno Valley | $140 |
| Oakland | $161 |
| Oxnard | $131 |
| Riverside | $143 |
| Sacramento | $150 |
| San Bernardino | $150 |
| San Diego | $124 |
| San Francisco | $165 |
| San Jose | $130 |
| Santa Ana | $144 |
| Santa Barbara | $119 |
| Santa Maria | $107 |
| Stockton | $139 |
| Temecula | $126 |
| Victorville | $153 |
Why is car insurance in San Francisco so expensive?
Average car insurance rates may be higher in San Francisco due to its large population size and above-average auto repair costs. California is also one of the most expensive states in the country for auto repairs, which insurers will factor into your insurance costs.
San Francisco’s vehicle theft rate can also lead to higher car insurance premiums. San Francisco is among the top 50 cities in the country for the most stolen cars, according to Insurify data. The city reported more than 6,000 vehicles stolen in 2024.
Cheapest recent car insurance quotes in California
Recent San Francisco, California car insurance prices for Honda, Jeep, Mercedes Benz, and more.
*Quotes generated for Insurify users in and around San Francisco, California within the last 10 days. Last updated on May 12, 2026. 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 May 12, 2026. Actual quotes may vary based on the policy buyer’s unique driver profile.
Cheapest car insurance quotes in San Francisco by driving record
If you’ve had an incident on the road, such as a speeding ticket, car accident, or a driving under the influence (DUI) conviction, you’ll likely pay a higher rate for car insurance.
Here are the cheapest car insurance companies for San Francisco drivers by driving record:
Cheapest car insurance for San Francisco drivers with a clean driving record: USAA
Cheapest car insurance for drivers with a speeding ticket in San Francisco: USAA
Cheapest car insurance for San Francisco drivers with an at-fault accident: USAA
Cheapest car insurance for drivers with a DUI in San Francisco: USAA
Affordable car insurance for drivers with an incident in San Francisco
Of the San Francisco driving population, 3.12% have a speeding ticket, 5.60% have a car accident, and 0.89% have a DUI on their record, according to Insurify data. With more than 5% of drivers having past accidents, it’s important to stay alert while driving. In 2025, the city had 25 recorded car accident fatalities.[3]
DUI offenders should be aware of the statewide ignition interlock device (IID) pilot program, which requires repeat and injury-involved offenders to install an IID in their vehicle for up to four years, depending on the number of previous DUI convictions.[4]
You can explore average monthly car insurance quotes in San Francisco for different driving records in the table below.
Driving Record | Average Monthly Quote |
|---|---|
| Clean driving record | $165 |
| Speeding ticket | $208 |
| At-fault accident | $208 |
| DUI | $218 |
What to know about driving in San Francisco
San Francisco’s above-average commute time contributes to higher car insurance rates by increasing overall driving risk. The average Bay Area commute takes about 30 minutes, which is longer than the national average of 27 minutes.
Around 13% of San Francisco drivers spent at least one hour commuting to work each day in 2024. Longer commute times in San Francisco mean drivers are on the road for extended periods, increasing exposure to potential accidents.
Tourism also adds to road congestion and parking difficulty in prime areas, like the South of Market, Downtown, and Mission Bay neighborhoods. In 2023, about 23 million people visited San Francisco. Parking in Mission Bay can be particularly challenging during events at the Chase Center, home of the Golden State Warriors.
How San Francisco traffic affects car insurance rates
Congestion likely affects car insurance rates in San Francisco. The city is No. 15 for traffic congestion in the U.S., according to the INRIX 2025 Global Traffic Scorecard. Some of the worst areas for traffic congestion in San Francisco are I-80 and 19th Street, the latter of which serves as a major arterial route through the city.
In 2023, California Gov. Gavin Newsom approved an assembly bill that authorized the establishment of a speed safety system pilot program. This program includes speed cameras installed on multiple roads, including Fulton Street, Geary Boulevard, and Bay Street. It’s a good idea to be aware of these speed cameras, as the program started issuing citations in August 2025.[5]
Cheap car insurance for San Francisco teen drivers: USAA
Teens in California must be at least 15 and a half to get a learner’s permit, the first step toward a driver’s license.[6]
Teen drivers in San Francisco pay monthly averages of $172 for liability policies and $431 for full-coverage policies.
The following table shows the cheapest liability rates for teenage drivers in San Francisco.
Insurance Company | Average Monthly Quote: Liability Only |
|---|---|
| USAA | $135 |
| Aspire General | $141 |
| GEICO | $147 |
| Sun Coast | $150 |
| Mercury | $152 |
| Dairyland | $156 |
| National General | $162 |
| Root | $171 |
| Allstate | $197 |
| Bristol West | $201 |
| Anchor | $203 |
| Direct Auto | $203 |
| Farmers | $205 |
| Kemper Special | $206 |
| State Farm | $218 |
| 21st Century | $227 |
| Kemper Rsvp | $228 |
| Travelers | $245 |
| Nationwide | $308 |
| Chubb | $409 |
Find Cheap Car Insurance in San Francisco
Insurify partners with top insurers for real quotes
Cheap car insurance quotes for San Francisco senior drivers: USAA
About 18% of San Francisco residents are aged 65 and older, according to U.S. Census Bureau data. California drivers older than 70 must renew their driver’s license in person and pass a vision test.
Senior drivers in San Francisco pay an average of $85 per month for liability insurance.
The following table shows the cheapest liability rates for senior drivers in San Francisco.
Insurance Company | Average Monthly Quote: Liability Only |
|---|---|
| USAA | $61 |
| National General | $65 |
| GEICO | $66 |
| Mercury | $68 |
| Aspire General | $70 |
| Sun Coast | $74 |
| Dairyland | $78 |
| Allstate | $83 |
| Farmers | $83 |
| Root | $84 |
| Direct Auto | $88 |
| Anchor | $89 |
| State Farm | $91 |
| Travelers | $96 |
| Bristol West | $97 |
| 21st Century | $102 |
| Kemper Special | $103 |
| Kemper Rsvp | $114 |
| Nationwide | $124 |
| Chubb | $154 |
San Francisco auto insurance FAQs
Check out these answers to frequently asked questions about finding the best car insurance in San Francisco.
How much is car insurance per month in San Francisco?
San Francisco drivers pay an average of $165 per month for car insurance, with liability coverage averaging $94 per month and full coverage averaging $236 per month.
What company has the cheapest auto insurance in San Francisco?
USAA offers the cheapest average car insurance in San Francisco, based on Insurify data. USAA’s liability coverage averages $73 per month.
Is car insurance high in San Francisco?
Car insurance in San Francisco is higher than the California average. Drivers in San Francisco pay $165 per month for car insurance, while the state average is $146 per month.
What factors affect car insurance rates in San Francisco?
Many factors affect car insurance rates in San Francisco, including your ZIP code, credit history, driving history, coverage choices, and deductible. The city also has unique risk factors due to its high population density and vehicle theft rates, which insurers will consider when issuing policies in San Francisco.
How can you find cheaper car insurance in San Francisco?
You can find cheap auto insurance rates in San Francisco by working with your insurance agent to explore car insurance companies and check whether you qualify for insurance discounts, like good driver or good student savings. Bundling with your homeowners or renters insurance or dropping optional coverages can also help you lower your premium.
Methodology
Insurify data scientists analyzed more than 190 million quotes served to car insurance applicants in Insurify’s proprietary database to calculate the premium averages displayed on this page. These premiums are real quotes that come directly from Insurify’s 500+ partner insurance companies in all 50 states and Washington, D.C. Quote averages represent the median price for a quote across the given coverage level, driver subset, and geographic area.
Unless otherwise specified, quoted rates reflect the average cost for drivers between 20 and 70 years old with a clean driving record and average or better credit (a credit score of 600 or higher).
Liability-only premium averages correspond to policies with the following coverage limits:
- 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
- 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.
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Sources
- United States Census Bureau. "QuickFacts San Francisco County, California."
- State of California Department of Motor Vehicles. "Insurance Requirements."
- City and County of San Francisco. "Traffic Fatalities."
- State of California Department of Motor Vehicles. "Statewide Ignition Interlock Device Pilot Program."
- San Francisco Municipal Transportation Agency. "Speed Safety Cameras."
- State of California Department of Motor Vehicles. "Learner's Permits."
)
)
AFCPE Accredited Financial Counselor
6 years experience in the personal financial industry
Theresa is a writer and former financial advisor with experience helping clients solve money challenges. She uses her expertise to clarify complex personal finance concepts.
Featured in
Theresa is a writer and former financial advisor with experience helping clients solve money challenges. She uses her expertise to clarify complex personal finance concepts.
)
)
Licensed auto and home insurance agent
4+ years experience in insurance and personal finance editing
NPN: 20564519
Katie uses her knowledge and expertise as a licensed property and casualty agent in Massachusetts to help readers understand the complexities of insurance shopping.
Featured in
)
)
Media relations director for Insurance Information Institute
20+ years in insurance and communications
Impartial, independent expert
As Senior Director, Media Relations, for Insurance Information Institute, Mark serves as the non-profit’s national spokesperson, sharing information and education on a wide array of insurance issues.
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