GEICO and USAA have the cheapest rates for car insurance in San Francisco. Our research shows that GEICO has an average of $214 a month for minimum-coverage car insurance, and USAA has an average rate of $288.
While these are the lowest rates for car insurance available in San Francisco, they're still well above the national average rate. For this reason, you should understand the factors that go into quoting your car insurance premium in order to get the best coverage at the cheapest price. We put together this guide for San Francisco drivers to help with that.
In this article, we'll cover
San Francisco's cheapest car insurance companies
GEICO has the cheapest rates straight down the line for car insurance in San Francisco. Whether you're looking for standard or full-coverage car insurance, or have an accident, speeding ticket or DUI on your record, GEICO is the most affordable choice.
Cheapest minimum-coverage car insurance in San Francisco
GEICO has the lowest rate for auto insurance in San Francisco at $214 a month. USAA is the second-cheapest rate at $288 a month. As a comparison point, San Francisco drivers pay an average of $327 a month for minimum-coverage car insurance. Keep in mind that USAA only offers car insurance for enlisted military and veterans, as well as their families.
| Company | Monthly rate |
|---|---|
| GEICO | $214 |
| USAA | $288 |
| Mercury | $302 |
| State Farm | $303 |
| Farmers | $339 |
| Auto Club | $341 |
| Allstate | $359 |
| CSAA | $471 |
| Average rates are based on non-binding estimates provided by Quadrant Information Services. Your rates may vary. | |
California drivers are required by law to meet the state minimum requirements for liability auto insurance. These limits are:
- Bodily injury liability per person: $15,000
- Bodily injury liability per accident: $30,000
- Property damage liability: $5,000
Cheapest full-coverage car insurance in San Francisco
GEICO has the lowest rate for full-coverage car insurance in San Francisco at $248 a month. USAA has the next-most affordable full-coverage rates with an average of $342 a month.
| Company | Monthly rate |
|---|---|
| GEICO | $248 |
| USAA | $342 |
| Mercury | $351 |
| State Farm | $360 |
| Farmers | $364 |
| Auto Club | $380 |
| Allstate | $387 |
| CSAA | $510 |
| Average rates are based on non-binding estimates provided by Quadrant Information Services. Your rates may vary. | |
Full-coverage auto insurance includes liability, collision and comprehensive coverage. After an accident, minimum-coverage car insurance does not cover your own damages and injuries. In order to not pay for repairs and medical bills of your own, you need full-coverage.
Compare rates from top car insurance companies
Cheapest San Francisco car insurance after an accident or speeding ticket
GEICO and State Farm have the lowest average rates for minimum-coverage car insurance for San Francisco drivers after an accident or speeding ticket. For drivers with an accident on their insurance record, GEICO has an average monthly rate of $227 a month and State Farm has a rate of $258 a month.
| Company | Monthly rate |
|---|---|
| GEICO | $227 |
| State Farm | $258 |
| Auto Club | $305 |
| USAA | $315 |
| Mercury | $355 |
| CSAA | $366 |
| Allstate | $368 |
| Farmers | $389 |
| Average rates are based on non-binding estimates provided by Quadrant Information Services. Your rates may vary. | |
San Francisco drivers with a speeding ticket find the cheapest liability auto insurance with GEICO, at $196 a month. State Farm is the next-most affordable at $249 a month.
| Company | Monthly rate |
|---|---|
| GEICO | $196 |
| State Farm | $249 |
| Allstate | $252 |
| Mercury | $292 |
| USAA | $293 |
| Auto Club | $299 |
| Farmers | $332 |
| CSAA | $366 |
| Average rates are based on non-binding estimates provided by Quadrant Information Services. Your rates may vary. | |
Cheapest car insurance for San Francisco drivers after a DUI
GEICO has the cheapest rate for San Francisco drivers looking for car insurance after a DUI, at $288 a month. Mercury is the second-cheapest at $340 a month.
| Company | Monthly rate |
|---|---|
| GEICO | $288 |
| Mercury | $340 |
| USAA | $364 |
| Farmers | $389 |
| State Farm | $541 |
| Auto Club | $559 |
| Allstate | $630 |
| CSAA | $879 |
| Average rates are based on non-binding estimates provided by Quadrant Information Services. Your rates may vary. | |
A DUI stays on your driving record for 10 years in California, and on your car insurance record for seven years. The penalties for a first-time DUI offense include:
- Up to six months in jail
- Fines up to $1,000
- Six-month drivers license suspension
- Possible ignition interlock device installed in your car for up to five years
- Possible DUI education course completion
After a license suspension in California, you'll need to file an SR-22 to get it reinstated. An SR-22 is a form that proves you carry California's minimum car insurance limits after a DUI. California law requires you to carry an SR-22 for three years to five consecutive years.
Cheapest car insurance in San Francisco for teens
GEICO and State Farm have the lowest car insurance premiums for San Francisco teen drivers, for both minimum- and full-coverage auto insurance. For minimum coverage, GEICO offers an average rate of $313 a month and State Farm an average of $414 a month.
| Company | Monthly rate |
|---|---|
| GEICO | $313 |
| State Farm | $414 |
| USAA | $465 |
| Mercury | $471 |
| Farmers | $509 |
| Allstate | $538 |
| Auto Club | $581 |
| CSAA | $882 |
| Average rates are based on non-binding estimates provided by Quadrant Information Services. Your rates may vary. | |
San Francisco teens needing full-coverage car insurance find the best rate with GEICO at $366 a month, and State Farm the next-most affordable rate at $496 a month.
| Company | Monthly rate |
|---|---|
| GEICO | $366 |
| State Farm | $496 |
| Farmers | $547 |
| Mercury | $549 |
| USAA | $559 |
| Allstate | $585 |
| Auto Club | $650 |
| CSAA | $960 |
| Average rates are based on non-binding estimates provided by Quadrant Information Services. Your rates may vary. | |
Teen drivers in any state tend to pay the highest rates for car insurance. This is because auto insurance providers often consider teens to be high risk to cover due to their lack of experience driving. A good way to avoid high car insurance rates if you're a teen driver is to get added to a parent's car insurance policy. This can save you and your family a considerable amount in annual insurance costs.
Cheapest car insurance for San Francisco seniors
If you're a senior driver in San Francisco looking for car insurance, GEICO has your most affordable rate at an average of $178 a month. USAA has the second-cheapest rate at $210 a month.
| Company | Monthly rate |
|---|---|
| GEICO | $178 |
| USAA | $210 |
| Mercury | $221 |
| Auto Club | $235 |
| State Farm | $250 |
| Farmers | $266 |
| Allstate | $290 |
| CSAA | $299 |
| Average rates are based on non-binding estimates provided by Quadrant Information Services. Your rates may vary. | |
Seniors looking for full-coverage auto insurance in San Francisco get the most affordable rate with GEICO at an average of $204 a month. USAA is the next-cheapest at $247 a month.
| Company | Monthly rate |
|---|---|
| GEICO | $204 |
| USAA | $247 |
| Mercury | $256 |
| Auto Club | $260 |
| Farmers | $285 |
| State Farm | $295 |
| Allstate | $310 |
| CSAA | $323 |
| Average rates are based on non-binding estimates provided by Quadrant Information Services. Your rates may vary. | |
Find cheap car insurance in San Francisco
California car insurance requirements
California state law requires drivers to carry the following minimum liability insurance limits:
- Bodily injury liability per person: $15,000
- Bodily injury liability per accident: $30,000
- Property damage liability per accident: $5,000
While these limits are required, they should not be considered recommended. The required limits for standard car insurance can quickly be exceeded if your insurance company pays out for a long hospital stay or court case. Any costs that occur over your policy limits will come out of your pocket. To avoid this, we recommend raising your liability limits to the following:
- Bodily injury per person: $100,000
- Bodily injury per accident: $300,000
- Property damage liability per accident: $100,000
Methodology
We obtained non-binding quotes from Quadrant Information Services for a typical driver in every San Francisco ZIP code to find the cheapest auto insurance companies and rates. Unless otherwise noted, the driver is a 35-year-old male with a clean driving record. He owns a 2012 Honda Accord LX and drives an average 13,500 miles a year.
Full-coverage policies include the following additional coverages, limits and deductibles:
- $100,000 bodily injury liability per person
- $300,000 bodily injury liability per accident
- $100,000 property damage liability
- $500 deductible for collision coverage
- $500 deductible for comprehensive coverage
Sources:
Auto insurance by city
- Los Angeles
- San Diego
- San Francisco
- San Jose
- Sacramento
- Huntington Beach
QuoteWizard.com LLC has made every effort to ensure that the information on this site is correct, but we cannot guarantee that it is free of inaccuracies, errors, or omissions. All content and services provided on or through this site are provided "as is" and "as available" for use. QuoteWizard.com LLC makes no representations or warranties of any kind, express or implied, as to the operation of this site or to the information, content, materials, or products included on this site. You expressly agree that your use of this site is at your sole risk.