Cheapest Car Insurance In San Francisco, CA For May, 2024

San Francisco is home to many famous landmarks: Fisherman’s Wharf, Alcatraz, and the Golden Gate Bridge, to name a few. Unfortunately, the Golden City is also home to some pretty expensive rates for car insurance, with drivers paying an average of $1,498 annually for full coverage, which is higher than California’s state average of $1,387 and the national average of $1,265.

Finding the best, cheapest car insurance in San Francisco is constantly on the mind of Bay Area drivers. We’ve done our homework (and yours) and have found that Wawanesa has the cheapest overall rates in San Francisco.

We’ll also give you details on the cheapest car insurance companies in some other essential categories: the cheapest for full coverage (Mercury), the cheapest for minimum coverage (GEICO), the cheapest if you have driving violations (CIG), the cheapest for young drivers (State Farm), and the cheapest for seniors (21st Century).

Read on to learn the important facts about each of these companies so you can make an educated decision and find the right policy from one of these top car insurance companies in San Francisco.

Average cost of car insurance in San Francisco

Average cost in San Francisco– by age

Average cost in San Francisco – by gender

Average cost in San Francisco – by marital status

Largest Rate Increases in San Francisco – by violation

Average cost in San Francisco – by zip code

Minimum car insurance requirements in California

As you shop for car insurance, keep in mind the minimum coverage required in California:

• Bodily injury liability: $15,000 per person / $30,000 per accident
• Property damage liability: $5,000 per accident

This is California’s minimum coverage requirement. You may want higher limits and add collision and comprehensive insurance, depending on your vehicle and how much time you spend on the road.

How to buy car insurance in San Francisco

If you’re buying car insurance in San Francisco, follow these five steps:

1. Gather your driver and vehicle information: have all drivers’ names and dates of birth, driver’s license numbers, vehicle’s VIN, current mileage, current insurance information, and the name of the registered owner.
2. Decide if you’ll buy online or through an agent. Both methods will work; it’s a matter of personal preference and how confident you feel about knowing what type and how much coverage you need.
3. Get quotes from at least three companies. Make sure you’re comparing similar coverage amounts and deductibles.
4. Look for discounts. There are many discounts available that can help make car insurance in San Francisco more affordable for you.
5. Cancel your old policy. Once you pick a carrier and your new coverage is in force, contact your old insurer and cancel your policy so you’re not paying for duplicate coverage.

Factors that impact the cost of your car insurance policy in San Francisco

The cost of living is high in San Francisco, including car insurance rates. The city is known for its steep hills and intense storms, which contribute to accidents and lifts rates higher. Of course, the type of vehicle your drive and your driving record will also impact your rates.

Here are three other reasons why auto insurance can be expensive in San Francisco:

1. Population density: San Francisco is one of the largest cities in the U.S. and is densely populated. Like all metropolitan areas, traffic is congested, which leads to an increased probability of accidents. Some ZIP codes are more populated than others and will have higher rates.
2. Crime statistics: certain areas of the city have higher crime rates, including theft and vandalism. Living and working in one of these areas will cause your rates to increase above the city’s average.
3. Accident rates: if you travel around San Francisco during rush hour or listen to the traffic reports on the radio, you know how many accidents there are every day on the city’s streets and freeways. Insurers offset this high number of crashes by charging higher rates, particularly for drivers with long commutes across the Bay or Golden Gate bridges.

California car insurance laws to know

• According to the California Department of Insurance, you must show financial responsibility for any vehicle you own in case of injury to other people or damage to their property. Most people show financial responsibility by buying auto liability insurance. California law states, “All drivers and all owners of a motor vehicle shall at all times be able to establish financial responsibility and shall at all times carry in the vehicle evidence of the form of financial responsibility in effect for the vehicle.”
• If you do not have auto liability insurance, you can be fined, your license may be suspended, and your vehicle could be impounded.
• The state of California prohibits insurance companies from using a person’s credit history or credit score to make decisions concerning insurability and rates. This helps keep the cost of insurance fair for people of all economic classes.

In the news

According to CBS News, major auto insurers are pulling back in the California marketplace because they are saying the state’s drivers are too expensive to insure.

Californians are driving about as much as they were before the pandemic, but apparently not as well. As a result, auto accidents are up, and some insurance companies say they are paying out more than they are taking in.

From 2020 to 2021, auto insurance losses spiked by 25% while premiums increased by only 4.5%, according to the American Property Casualty Insurance Association. The rate and severity of auto accidents and the costs to cover them are up.

Information about San Francisco

If you’ve seen “Visit California” commercials and toured its website, you’ll know it’s crazy about San Francisco. It says, “It may measure less than 50 square miles and have a population that doesn’t even crack a million, but San Francisco justly ranks as one of the greatest cities in the world. Famous for grand-dame Victorians, cable cars, a dynamic waterfront, and a soaring golden bridge, this city truly has it all.

With trend-defining cuisine ranging from Michelin-starred dining to outrageous food trucks; world-renowned symphony, ballet, theater, and opera; plus almost boundless outdoor adventures, San Francisco justifiably stands out as one of the ultimate must-visit cities on any traveler’s wish list.”

Car insurance discounts in San Francisco

Shopping for discounts is vital if you want to cut costs on car insurance in San Francisco. These are the most common discounts you’ll find:

• Being a “safe driver” with a good driving history
• Installing vehicle safety features
• Customer loyalty discount for staying with the insurer for a specified period
• Being claims-free for a specified period
• Driving fewer than average miles
• Having a short commute to work
• Being a student with at least a “B” average
• Being in the military
• Being age 55+ and retired