BestCar InsuranceSan FranciscoThe Best Car Insurance in San Francisco, CA, for 2023
The best car insurance companies in San Francisco balance customer satisfaction, affordability and financial stability. Based on these considerations, GEICO is the best car insurer in San Francisco, with a MoneyGeek score of 90 out of 100. However, the best option for you may depend on your age and level of coverage.
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Advertising & Editorial DisclosureLast Updated: 1/27/2023
Written By |
Mark Fitzpatrick
GEICO is the top car insurance company in San Francisco. However, the best auto insurance for you depends on your desired amount of coverage, age and driving history. To help you choose the best auto insurance for your circumstances, MoneyGeek broke down the top-rated alternatives for full and minimum coverage, young and senior drivers, military members and those with traffic offenses. MoneyGeek also identified the cheapest car insurance in San Francisco for drivers on a budget.
BestCar InsuranceSan FranciscoThe Best Car Insurance in San Francisco
Overall - GEICO
Minimum Coverage - GEICO
Young Drivers - State Farm
Senior Drivers - State Farm
Driving Violations - State Farm
Military - USAA
Best Car Insurance Companies in San Francisco: Overall
MoneyGeek identified the best car insurance providers based on claims ratings, customer satisfaction and average premiums for different driver profiles. Based on this methodology, the top auto insurance providers in San Francisco are:
- GEICO: 90 out of 100
- Esurance: 90 out of 100
GEICO and Esurance are the top two best insurance companies in the city based on MoneyGeek’s ranking. While there is only a slight difference in their overall scores, GEICO’s affordability pushed it to the top spot.
USAA had a MoneyGeek score of 81 out of 100, making it the fourth-best in San Francisco. However, it was excluded from the list since it is only available to military members.
The Top Car Insurance Companies in San Francisco
1
GEICOOverall
Score:90
GEICO received a score of 4.5 out of 5 for customer satisfaction, stability and claims. One of its distinctive coverages is mechanical breakdown insurance, which includes all components and systems, not just the parts typically covered by dealer warranties. A full-coverage policy from GEICO costs approximately $1,163 per year.
More About GEICO
GEICO is a renowned auto insurance provider that offers reasonably priced premiums to drivers in all 50 U.S. states. Its rarest coverage, mechanical breakdown insurance, delivers protection at a lower cost than the average dealer extended warranty. The insurance company provides affordable premiums to drivers of all backgrounds and offers a number of discounts.
Read MoneyGeek's GEICO auto Insurance Review2
Esurance
Score:90
Esurance received high ratings for financial stability and customer satisfaction. Esurance's typical full coverage policy costs $1,096 per year. The company provides various unique coverages, including coverage for custom parts.
More About Esurance
Esurance offers custom parts coverage, a rare add-on that protects anything on your vehicle the manufacturer did not install. It also offers gap coverage, which pays up to 25% more than your car’s cash value to help pay off your loan or lease if your car is totaled.
Read MoneyGeek's Esurance auto Insurance ReviewRESOURCES ON CAR INSURANCE IN SAN FRANCISCO, CALIFORNIA
MoneyGeek researched the cheapest car insurance companies in San Francisco for drivers looking to enhance their savings. California car owners can also take advantage of the following MoneyGeek resources to discover the state's best and cheapest insurance companies:
Best Cheap Car Insurance for Minimum Coverage in San Francisco
The top companies in San Francisco for car owners who want an auto insurance policy with California’s required minimum coverage are:
- GEICO: 92 out of 100
- AAA: 90 out of 100
MoneyGeek's rankings take into account a variety of driver records, including those of young and elderly drivers, as well as those with penalties.
MoneyGeek’s Pick: GEICO
pros
A minimum coverage policy costs $468 per year
MoneyGeek claims rating of 4 out of 5
MoneyGeek user satisfaction rating of 4.50 out of 5
Offers affinity organization, bundling, anti-lock brakes and new vehicle discounts
cons
No discounts when you pay in full or go paperless
COMPANY HIGHLIGHTS
GEICO provides both basic and exclusive discounts. Those who have multiple insurance policies with GEICO, such as health insurance and pet insurance, are eligible for bundling savings. Additionally, you can save by insuring numerous vehicles with GEICO. The company’s roadside assistance coverage pays for the cost of flat tires, towing, jump starts and lockout services.
Best Car Insurance for Young Drivers in San Francisco
MoneyGeek evaluated ratings across various coverages and driving records for 18-year-olds to identify the best insurers for young drivers. According to our analysis, the best insurance companies for young drivers in San Francisco are:
- State Farm: 95 out of 100
- Progressive: 79 out of 100
Young and student drivers generally pay more for auto insurance because they lack experience behind the wheel.
MoneyGeek’s Pick: State Farm
pros
An annual full coverage policy for a young driver with a clean driving record costs $2,558
MoneyGeek claims rating of 4 out of 5
MoneyGeek user satisfaction rating of 4.50 out of 5
Offers distant student, new vehicle, driver’s education and defensive driving discounts
cons
No discounts when you pay in full or go paperless
COMPANY HIGHLIGHTS
Auto insurance for young drivers is typically expensive, but State Farm offers the best combination of low rates and excellent customer service for this age group. It offers discounts for good grades, completing a defensive driving course and for students who go away to school and only drive the car when home.
In addition, State Farm offers roadside assistance coverage, which is helpful for young drivers.
Best Car Insurance for Senior Drivers in San Francisco
To identify the best car insurance in San Francisco for senior drivers, MoneyGeek evaluated various policy coverages and driving records for 70-year-old California drivers. According to our rankings, the leading companies are:
- State Farm: 97 out of 100
- GEICO: 86 out of 100
Senior drivers’ auto insurance tends to cost more than middle-aged drivers, but it’s still feasible to find the optimal balance of pricing and quality by shopping around.
MoneyGeek’s Pick: State Farm
pros
An annual full coverage policy for responsible senior drivers costs approximately $968
MoneyGeek claims rating of 4 out of 5
MoneyGeek user satisfaction rating of 4 out of 5
Offers discounts for defensive driving and safe driving
cons
No discounts for senior drivers
COMPANY HIGHLIGHTS
Many insurance companies charge senior drivers more for auto insurance than middle-aged drivers. Nevertheless, State Farm offers senior drivers reasonable insurance packages and benefits. For instance, State Farm policyholders who have not committed a moving offense in three years are eligible for a safe driver discount. In addition, State Farm provides rental car and travel reimbursement coverages.
Best Car Insurance With a Driving Violation in San Francisco
MoneyGeek ranked companies in San Francisco to identify the best insurance companies for drivers with at-fault incidents on their driving records. Based on our evaluations, the top-rated companies for drivers with violations in San Francisco are:
- State Farm: 90 out of 100
- Esurance: 82 out of 100
Since an at-fault accident raises your auto insurance costs, it’s beneficial to search for firms that offer reasonably priced auto insurance for drivers with a bad driving record.
MoneyGeek’s Pick: State Farm
pros
An affordable full coverage policy for a 40-year-old driver with an accident on their record costs $2,062 per year
MoneyGeek claims rating of 4 out of 5
MoneyGeek user satisfaction rating of 4.50 out of 5
Offers seven out of nine standard discounts
Offers roadside assistance coverage
cons
No discount for accident forgiveness coverage
COMPANY HIGHLIGHTS
Many insurance companies charge drivers who have an accident or violation on their record higher automobile insurance rates. However, State Farm offers reasonable premiums and various discounts and coverages. In particular, drivers with at-fault accidents on their record can benefit from the company’s comprehensive spectrum of coverage.
Best Car Insurance With a Military Background in San Francisco
In San Francisco, USAA offers military members the best combination of pricing and customer satisfaction, with a MoneyGeek score of 84 out of 100.
This score is based on various coverage levels and driver histories, including young drivers, senior drivers and drivers with offenses. It is important to note that USAA policies are available only to military members and their families.
MoneyGeek’s Pick: USAA
pros
An affordable full coverage policy costs $1,301 per year for a 40-year-old driver
Offers five of the most common discounts
MoneyGeek claims rating of 5 out of 5
MoneyGeek user satisfaction rating of 5 out of 5
cons
Only offers three of seven common coverages
Exclusively for current military members, veterans and their family members
COMPANY HIGHLIGHTS
USAA is one of the best auto insurance companies in San Francisco, with great pricing and customer service ratings. Standard coverage options include roadside assistance, rental car reimbursement and/or travel reimbursement, and accident forgiveness. However, USAA does not offer customers additional coverages.
The insurance company provides five of the nine most common discounts, including bundling, good student, multiple-car, defensive driving and safe driving. It also offers a new vehicle discount for cars less than three years old.
Methodology
MoneyGeek rated auto insurance carriers based on quotations from San Francisco insurance providers and data from industry leaders, such as J.D. Power, AM Best and the National Association of Insurance Commissioners (NAIC).
MoneyGeek used the following evaluation criteria to identify the best auto insurance in San Francisco for different driver profiles:
- Affordability (70%): MoneyGeek obtained quotes and rated insurers according to their affordability. The provider with the lowest price in the city was awarded a perfect score.
- Customer and claims satisfaction (20%): MoneyGeek analyzed J.D. Power survey data to determine customer satisfaction based on service and claims. Each category was assigned a 10% weight.
- Financial stability (10%): MoneyGeek utilized AM Best ratings to predict an insurance firm's capacity to meet financial commitments during economically turbulent times.
MoneyGeek adjusted each category's rating to five points and the total score to 100. Numerous variables, like age, driving record and insurance levels, helped determine the overall affordability score, which we then modified to target specific driver profiles.
Except for the cheapest minimal coverage category, all pricing is for a full coverage policy with the following limits:
- $100,000 bodily injury liability per person
- $300,000 bodily injury liability per accident
- $100,000 property damage liability
- Comprehensive and collision coverage with a $1,000 deductible
Visit MoneyGeek's auto insurance methodology to learn more about how we compile, evaluate and rate companies.
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