Updated: November 4, 2025
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GEICO offers the cheapest car insurance in San Francisco. State Farm, AAA, Auto Owners and Mercury Insurance also provide coverage in the city.
Car insurance in San Francisco costs an average of $850 per year for minimum coverage and $1,830 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.
Adult drivers with GEICO pay San Francisco's cheapest rates at $452 annually for minimum coverage. Young drivers with the same company pay $917 per year, 103% more than adults.
Senior drivers from GEICO pay $492 annually, 9% more than adults. Drivers with a DUI from GEICO pay $1,083 per year, 139% more than clean-record adults with GEICO.
San Francisco's equitable senior pricing reflects California's consumer-friendly insurance regulations.
| Young Drivers | GEICO | $76 |
| Adult Drivers | GEICO | $38 |
| Senior Drivers | GEICO | $41 |
| Drivers With an Accident | AAA | $57 |
| Drivers With a DUI | GEICO | $90 |
| Drivers With a Speeding Ticket | GEICO | $56 |
| Drivers With Bad Credit | GEICO | $72 |
| Drivers With Newer Cars | State Farm | $40 |
| Drivers With Old Cars | AAA | $29 |
GEICO dominates with rates of $452 per year for minimum coverage and $1,088 per year for full coverage, both running 47% under the city average. State Farm and AAA provide solid alternatives at $522 and $552 annually for minimum coverage.
Auto Owners also competes effectively with rates that appeal to certain driver segments. The concentration of major insurers competing in San Francisco creates a favorable market.
Multiple carriers compete aggressively in San Francisco's large market, creating opportunities for substantial savings.
| GEICO | $38 | $88 | -45% |
| Progressive | $53 | $102 | -32% |
| AAA | $46 | $113 | -31% |
| State Farm | $57 | $130 | -19% |
| Wawanesa | $72 | $145 | -6% |
Young drivers face higher costs at $917 annually with GEICO for minimum coverage, reflecting standard risk-based pricing. Adult drivers secure the best rates at $452 per year with GEICO, enjoying substantial savings.
Senior drivers from GEICO pay $492 annually, a modest 9% increase over adult rates that reflects California's age-friendly regulatory environment. GEICO maintains its position as the most affordable option across all three age categories.
GEICO's dominance across all age groups simplifies shopping for San Francisco drivers.
| Geico | $38 | $452 | -48% |
| AAA | $46 | $552 | -37% |
| Progressive | $53 | $638 | -27% |
| State Farm | $57 | $683 | -21% |
| Mercury Insurance | $72 | $861 | -1% |
Speeding tickets carry moderate costs at $677 per year with GEICO. At-fault accidents result in rates of $683 annually with AAA.
DUIs impose severe penalties at $1,083 per year with GEICO, a 139% jump that more than doubles your annual premium. AAA offers better rates for accidents while GEICO wins for drivers without violations.
Different carriers specialize in different driver profiles, making targeted shopping essential.
| AAA | $57 | $683 | -50% |
| Geico | $67 | $803 | -42% |
| Progressive | $86 | $1,033 | -25% |
| State Farm | $88 | $1,054 | -23% |
| Auto Owners | $92 | $1,105 | -20% |
Progressive leads San Francisco's competitive insurance market with a MoneyGeek score of 90 out of 100, the highest in the city. The company offers competitive pricing with outstanding customer experience scores and strong digital capabilities, with its technology-forward approach appealing to San Francisco's tech-savvy population.
GEICO provides the city's lowest base premiums with manageable complaint ratios and excellent digital tools. AAA offers competitive rates with exceptional customer service scores and valuable membership benefits, standing out for its claims handling excellence.
All three companies excel at serving San Francisco's digitally-oriented, quality-conscious consumer base.
| Progressive | 90 | 2 | 3 | 2 |
| GEICO | 87 | 1 | 7 | 7 |
| AAA | 84 | 3 | 5 | 7 |
| State Farm | 81 | 4 | 4 | 7 |
| Auto Owners | 80 | 8 | 1 | 6 |
Strong coverage options
High customer satisfaction ratings
Competitive rates across driver types
Not the cheapest option available
Higher rates for high-risk drivers
Progressive ranks first in San Francisco with strong scores across coverage, customer service, and affordability. Their comprehensive coverage options set them apart, with high marks for policy customization and add-on features. San Francisco drivers give Progressive high marks for claims handling and customer support. The company offers competitive rates, though not always the lowest in the market.
Lowest rates in San Francisco
Multiple driver discounts available
Easy online experience
Limited coverage options
Lower customer service ratings
GEICO stands out for offering San Francisco's most affordable car insurance rates. They rank first in affordability and offer the cheapest rates for multiple driver categories, including adults, seniors, and young drivers. Their straightforward online platform makes it easy to get coverage. While GEICO excels in pricing, they offer fewer coverage options compared to other top providers.
Car insurance in San Francisco costs an average of $850 per year for minimum coverage and $1,830 per year for full coverage. These rates exceed the California state average of $778 for minimum coverage.
GEICO offers rates well below the city average at $452 for minimum coverage. San Francisco drivers should expect moderate to high premiums with solid opportunities to find affordable coverage through major carriers.
| Full Coverage | $153 | $1,830 |
| Minimum Coverage | $71 | $850 |
In San Francisco, car insurance rates by ZIP code range from $64 to $185 per month. ZIP code 94116 is the most expensive, while 94107 is the cheapest. Check the average rates for your ZIP code on the table below.
| 94116 | $88 | $185 |
Finding affordable car insurance in San Francisco can feel daunting with the city's high average rates and complex coverage options. This step-by-step guide shows you how to secure the best coverage at the lowest price for your situation.
Get at least three quotes from companies offering car insurance in San Francisco. Keep your coverage selections consistent across quotes for accurate comparisons.
Start by determining exactly how much coverage you need as a San Francisco driver. Use our car insurance coverage needs calculator to evaluate your situation. Consider factors like your vehicle's value, your assets and your risk tolerance when choosing coverage levels.
Increasing your deductible from $500 to $1,000 will save you and average of 13% in San Francisco. Make sure you have emergency savings to cover the higher deductible in the case of an at-fault accident.
Different types of car insurance can offer significant savings. If you drive infrequently, consider pay-per-mile insurance. Don't own a car? Look into non-owner coverage for occasional driving.
Maximize your car insurance discount opportunities. Consider bundling multiple policies or getting multi-car discounts. Many insurers offer additional savings for safe driving records, anti-theft devices and completing defensive driving courses.
Research insurance providers' financial strength and customer service ratings. Focus on companies with strong records of fair claims handling and positive customer feedback in the Bay Area. Look for insurers experienced with urban driving challenges.
Set a yearly reminder to review your car insurance policy. Your rates might change based on your driving record, credit score or insurance company's pricing.
We analyzed rates from top insurers to answer your questions about cheap car insurance in San Francisco. Find clear answers to help you get the right coverage at the lowest rates.
GEICO offers the lowest rates in San Francisco, with average annual premiums of $452 for minimum coverage and $1,059 for full coverage. Rates vary by personal factors, so compare quotes.
Progressive leads San Francisco's car insurance market with a MoneyGeek score of 90 out of 100, scoring three points higher than GEICO. Progressive delivers excellent value through competitive rates and reliable service.
In San Francisco, full coverage car insurance costs $1,830 per year, while minimum coverage averages $850. Your actual rates will vary based on individual factors.
Car insurance in San Francisco is expensive. The city ranks 1,097th for minimum coverage affordability and 1,098th for full coverage compared to other California cities.
MoneyGeek analyzed over 80,000 auto insurance quotes across San Francisco ZIP codes from data provided by the California Department of Insurance and Quadrant Information Services. We compared rates for minimum coverage (California's required $30,000/$60,000/$25,000 liability limits) and full coverage ($100,000/$300,000/$100,000 liability with comprehensive and collision at $1,000 deductibles) using a base profile of a 40-year-old male driver with a 2012 Toyota Camry, clean record and good credit. We then adjusted factors like age, driving history and credit to identify the best options for different San Francisco driver profiles.
We rated insurers on affordability (60%), customer experience based on J.D. Power, AM Best and other sources (30%), and coverage options (10%). For complete details on our rating methodology and data sources, see our full auto insurance methodology.
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.
