Updated: November 8, 2025
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GEICO offers the cheapest car insurance in San Diego. State Farm, AAA, Auto Owners and Mercury Insurance also provide coverage in the city.
Car insurance in San Diego costs an average of $770 per year for minimum coverage and $1,677 per year for full coverage.
GEICO also offers the cheapest car insurance in California at $465 per year for minimum coverage and $1,091 per year for full coverage.
GEICO provides rates of $450 per year for minimum coverage and $1,071 per year for full coverage, both coming in 42% below the city average. State Farm and AAA offer competitive alternatives at $458 and $546 annually for minimum coverage.
The tight clustering between GEICO and State Farm means small differences in how companies rate your profile can tip the balance. San Diego drivers benefit from comparing at least these top three carriers.
| GEICO | $37 | $87 | -40% |
| AAA | $45 | $106 | -26% |
| Progressive | $49 | $93 | -31% |
| State Farm | $57 | $128 | -10% |
| Mercury | $65 | $133 | -3% |
Young drivers pay $912 annually with GEICO for minimum coverage. Adult drivers get the best rates at $450 per year with GEICO, saving over 50% compared to young drivers.
Senior drivers pay $489 annually with GEICO, a 9% increase over adult rates. GEICO offers the lowest rates across all age groups in San Diego.
GEICO and State Farm offer the cheapest car insurance for drivers aged 16 to 25 in San Diego, with monthly premiums starting at $76 and $81.
| Geico | $76 | $912 | -37% |
| State Farm | $81 | $968 | -33% |
| Wawanesa Insurance | $93 | $1,120 | -22% |
| Farmers | $95 | $1,146 | -20% |
| Progressive | $106 | $1,267 | -12% |
In San Diego, GEICO provides the lowest rates for adult drivers (26 to 64), saving drivers 43% on average. AAA and Progressive are also among the top affordable providers for this age group.
| Geico | $37 | $450 | -43% |
| AAA | $45 | $546 | -30% |
| Progressive | $49 | $586 | -25% |
| State Farm | $57 | $683 | -13% |
| Mercury Insurance | $65 | $783 | 0% |
For San Diego seniors aged 65 and up, GEICO provides the most affordable car insurance options. The minimum coverage costs $41 monthly or $489 annually, while full coverage runs $93 per month or $1,112 per year.
| Geico | $41 | $489 | -47% |
| State Farm | $48 | $580 | -37% |
| Progressive | $62 | $745 | -19% |
| AAA | $62 | $746 | -19% |
| Farmers | $66 | $793 | -14% |
High-risk drivers in San Diego can find the lowest rates from these providers:
GEICO offers the cheapest car insurance in San Diego for drivers with a DUI. Rates run 45% below the city average for minimum coverage and 42% below average for full coverage.
| Geico | $72 | $860 | -51% |
| Progressive | $91 | $1,088 | -38% |
| Allstate | $114 | $1,371 | -22% |
| Mercury Insurance | $121 | $1,446 | -18% |
| Farmers | $122 | $1,458 | -18% |
AAA offers San Diego's lowest car insurance rates for drivers with accident history, starting at $62 per month. State minimum liability coverage costs 40% less than the city average.
| AAA | $62 | $740 | -40% |
| Geico | $67 | $798 | -36% |
| Progressive | $79 | $950 | -23% |
| State Farm | $88 | $1,053 | -15% |
| Auto Owners | $88 | $1,055 | -15% |
GEICO offers the most affordable rates for San Diego drivers with a speeding ticket. Minimum liability coverage starts at $56 per month, while full coverage costs $128 monthly.
| GEICO | $56 | $673 | -41% |
| AAA | $59 | $708 | -38% |
| Progressive | $72 | $865 | -24% |
| Auto Owners | $84 | $1,012 | -12% |
| State Farm | $85 | $1,014 | -12% |
Progressive leads San Diego's market with a MoneyGeek score of 91 out of 100, the highest in the city. The company combines competitive pricing with outstanding customer experience scores and strong digital capabilities, appealing to drivers who prefer online policy management.
GEICO offers the city's lowest premiums for clean-record drivers with manageable complaint ratios and excellent digital tools, with a strong technology platform appealing to drivers preferring online policy management. AAA provides competitive pricing with outstanding customer service scores and comprehensive membership benefits.
All three companies maintain strong reputations for reliable service in this competitive market.
| Progressive | 91 | 2 | 3 | 2 |
| GEICO | 87 | 1 | 7 | 7 |
| AAA | 84 | 3 | 5 | 7 |
| State Farm | 80 | 4 | 4 | 7 |
| Mercury | 79 | 5 | 6 | 5 |
Strong customer service ratings
Extensive coverage options
Competitive rates across driver types
Not the cheapest for minimum coverage
Higher rates for young drivers
Progressive ranks first in San Diego with competitive rates and extensive coverage options. Full coverage rates average $93 monthly, well below the city average of $137. Progressive excels in coverage options and claims handling, scoring high across affordability, customer experience and coverage quality.
Lowest rates in San Diego
Many driver discounts available
Easy online experience
Limited coverage options
Lower customer satisfaction scores
GEICO offers San Diego's most affordable car insurance with minimum coverage starting at $37 monthly. The company offers the cheapest rates for six driver types, including seniors, young drivers and those with violations. Coverage options are more limited than competitors, but the straightforward approach and low pricing work well for budget-focused drivers.
Car insurance in San Diego costs an average of $770 per year for minimum coverage and $1,677 per year for full coverage. These rates sit slightly below the California state average of $778 for minimum coverage.
GEICO offers rates well below the city average at $450 for minimum coverage. San Diego drivers enjoy moderate premiums compared to other California cities, particularly Los Angeles.
| Full Coverage | $137 | $1,641 |
| Minimum Coverage | $64 | $770 |
In San Diego, car insurance rates by ZIP code range from $54 to $173 per month. ZIP code 92136 is the most expensive, while 92128 is the cheapest. Check the average rates for your ZIP code below.
| 92136 | $80 | $173 |
Finding affordable car insurance in San Diego can feel overwhelming, with local rates well above the national average and countless coverage options to sort through. Our step-by-step guide will show you proven ways to lower your rates while getting the right coverage for your needs.
Determine how much coverage you need for your San Diego driving situation. Consider your vehicle's value, your assets and California's minimum requirements. Use our car insurance coverage needs calculator to get a personalized recommendation.
Different types of car insurance can save you money based on your driving habits. If you drive infrequently, consider pay-per-mile insurance. Don't own a car? Look into non-owner coverage for occasional driving.
Check average vehicle insurance costs in San Diego for your age group, vehicle type and location. Knowing typical rates helps you spot good deals and avoid overpaying.
To get car insurance discounts, bundle multiple policies or add multiple cars to one policy for savings. Safe driver programs, good student discounts and military discounts help reduce your premium.
Compare insurance providers' financial strength and customer satisfaction ratings. Check claims handling records and whether they offer digital tools or local agents.
Contact at least three insurance companies for quotes using local agents, online comparison tools and direct insurer websites. Each company calculates rates differently.
Set a yearly reminder to review your car insurance policy. Your needs change, and new discounts or better rates become available throughout the year.
Your car insurance rates in San Diego depend on your driving record, vehicle type and coverage needs. GEICO and Progressive offer the lowest average premiums in the area, but compare quotes from multiple providers to find your best rate.
Our insurance experts analyzed rates from major providers to answer your questions about cheap car insurance in San Diego. Find clear answers to help you save on the coverage you need.
GEICO offers San Diego's lowest rates, averaging $450 for minimum coverage and $1,040 for full coverage. Actual rates vary by personal factors, so compare multiple quotes.
Progressive leads San Diego's car insurance providers with a MoneyGeek score of 91 out of 100, scoring four points higher than GEICO. Progressive combines excellent affordability with quality customer service.
San Diego drivers pay $1,641 for full coverage and $770 for minimum coverage car insurance annually. Your actual rates will vary based on individual factors.
Car insurance in San Diego costs more than average, ranking 979th for minimum coverage affordability and 961st for full coverage compared to other California cities.
To help San Diego drivers find the most affordable auto insurance companies, MoneyGeek analyzed San Diego auto insurance rates based on data and information from the California Department of Insurance and Quadrant Information Services. We studied all ZIP codes in San Diego and hundreds of thousands of quotes for 12 companies offering auto insurance in California to tailor options as closely as possible to you.
San Diego Driver Profile
MoneyGeek created a sample driver profile to calculate car insurance quote averages in San Diego with the following characteristics:
Certain factors — such as age, driving record, credit score and military affiliation — were adjusted to find the most suitable insurance companies for specific driver profiles.
Coverage Levels in San Diego
MoneyGeek compared the most affordable insurance providers for both minimum and full coverage auto insurance policies.
The minimum coverage requirements in California are:
For a full coverage policy, we used the following coverage limits:
Our Best Company Rating Methodology
We rated all companies in San Diego based on the following rating scale:
About Mark Fitzpatrick
Mark Fitzpatrick, a Licensed Property and Casualty Insurance Producer, is MoneyGeek's resident Personal Finance Expert. With over five years of experience analyzing the insurance market, he conducts original research and creates tailored content for all types of buyers. His insights have been featured in publications like CNBC, NBC News and Mashable.
Fitzpatrick holds a master’s degree in economics and international relations from Johns Hopkins University and a bachelor’s degree from Boston College. He's also a five-time Jeopardy champion!
He writes about economics and insurance, breaking down complex topics so people know what they're buying.
