Cheapest Auto Insurance in San Francisco, California (2025)

San Francisco drivers pay car insurance rates that are on par with state averages. In the Golden Gate City, drivers pay $280 per month for full coverage and $111 for liability-only insurance, while the California state averages are $206 and $94, respectively.

The city’s 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.

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.

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

Best insurer for rideshare drivers: Mercury

Best insurer for military members and veterans: USAA

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.

Cheapest liability-only car insurance in San Francisco: USAA

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 $111 per month.

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

Cheapest full-coverage car insurance in San Francisco: Anchor

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 $280 per month for full-coverage insurance.

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

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 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:

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.

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.

Cheapest car insurance for drivers with a speeding ticket: USAA

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 $340 per month for full coverage and $135 for minimum coverage. The table below highlights the cheapest car insurance policies for San Francisco drivers with speeding tickets.

Cheapest car insurance for drivers with an at-fault accident: USAA

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 $324 for full coverage and $128 for liability-only insurance. Here are the cheapest car insurance companies for San Francisco drivers with at-fault accidents on their records.

Cheapest car insurance for drivers with a DUI: USAA

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 $451 per month for full coverage and $179 for liability-only policies. Here are the average car insurance quotes for drivers with a DUI in San Francisco.

Cheapest car insurance for seniors: USAA

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 $250 per month for full coverage and $99 for minimum coverage. Here are the most affordable quotes for senior drivers in San Francisco.

Cheapest car insurance for teens: USAA

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.

Teen drivers in San Francisco pay average monthly insurance rates of $535 for full coverage and $212 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.

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 $111 per month for liability coverage and $280 per month for full coverage compared to the national monthly averages of $103 for liability coverage and $182 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.

San Francisco car insurance FAQs