Cheapest and Best Car Insurance in San Bernardino, CA (July 2024)

In San Bernardino, California, GEICO is the cheapest provider for minimum coverage car insurance. Progressive offers the lowest rates for full coverage, and Farmers is the least expensive insurer for families with teens. When considering customer service, Chubb is the leading choice with excellent customer care. It is also the overall best insurer, balancing price with service, and caters to those who value excellence and comprehensive protection.

MoneyGeek found that GEICO offers the cheapest car insurance in San Bernardino.

• GEICO: $449 per year
• Progressive: $485 per year

Chubb offers the most expensive minimum coverage policy in San Bernardino, with an annual premium of $777. When comparing the cheapest and most expensive options, the difference is $328 per year, highlighting the benefit of comparing car insurance rates to ensure financial savings.

In California, including cities like San Bernardino, state law requires that all drivers carry minimum coverage car insurance with the following limits:

• $15,000 for bodily injury per person
• $30,000 for bodily injury per accident
• $5,000 for property damage liability per accident

If you cause an accident, your basic policy will cover up to $15,000 for a single individual's injuries in an accident and a total of $30,000 for injuries to all persons per accident. Should damages exceed these amounts, you'll be financially responsible for the difference, potentially paying out of pocket.

MoneyGeek found that Progressive offers the cheapest option in San Bernardino for those seeking the cheapest full coverage car insurance.

• Progressive: $1,155 per year
• AAA: $1,250 per year

Travelers has the most expensive full coverage policy in San Bernardino, with annual rates reaching $2,116. That's a significant difference of $961 when compared to Progressive. This wide price range underscores the importance of shopping around for full coverage car insurance, which tends to be pricier than minimum coverage due to its comprehensive protection.

Full coverage policies have higher liability limits. They also include comprehensive and collision coverage.

• Collision Insurance: This insures your automobile against damages incurred during a collision with another car or an object like a tree or light pole. It also covers rollover accidents and pothole damage.

• Comprehensive Insurance: This provides payment for damages to your car resulting from non-collision events, such as theft, vandalism, fires, natural disasters or being hit by an animal like a deer.

For owners of new vehicles, full coverage insurance is advisable to protect your monetary investment. The cost of such a policy can be offset as it covers significant unforeseen expenses. However, if your car is older, the additional fee for full coverage, which may amount to several hundred dollars more, can exceed the benefits. When checking how much car insurance you need, carefully weigh your options: higher coverage brings heftier premiums, yet opting for less can leave you inadequately insured in the event of an accident.

MoneyGeek found that National General offers San Bernardino's most affordable auto insurance for drivers with a poor driving record. Here's how different violations affect annual premium rates:

• Speeding Ticket: National General ($1,506 per year)
• At-Fault Accident: Capital Insurance Group ($1,731 per year)
• DUI: National General ($1,506 per year)

Those looking for full coverage after a DUI will find Hartford to be the most expensive, with an annual premium of $5,806. This highlights how much more severe offenses like DUIs can increase auto insurance rates vs. lower-severity offenses like speeding. The annual premium difference between National General for a speeding ticket and Hartford after a DUI is $4,300, showcasing the economic consequences of driving violations.

In San Bernardino, insurance premiums increase significantly with the severity of a driving offense due to increased risk perceived by insurers. For instance, the average annual insurance rate for someone with a speeding ticket is approximately $2,212, while it soars to around $3,696 for those with a DUI. This disparity highlights the crucial need for drivers with infractions to diligently compare insurance rates, as shopping around could yield substantial savings.

MoneyGeek found that Farmers offers the cheapest car insurance for teens in San Bernardino, ensuring both affordability and protection for families.

• Farmers: $3,079 per year for female and male teens
• GEICO: $3,167 per year for female teens; State Farm: $3,171 per year for male teens

These rates cover the combined cost of a policy for two parents with a teen driver. Nationwide is at the higher end of the spectrum in San Bernardino, with an average annual premium of $5,147 for female and male teen drivers. The substantial price difference of $2,068 between Farmers and Nationwide highlights the importance of comparing options to secure economical insurance for high-risk teen drivers.

In San Bernardino, young drivers may face steep financial challenges when seeking car insurance. On average, a teen acquiring an individual policy can expect to pay $4,488 annually, whereas being added to a family plan substantially lowers the premium to approximately $3,765. The significant rate disparity is driven by insurers' risk assessment of inexperienced drivers, who are statistically more prone to accidents. Consequently, it's often difficult for teens to secure individual policies without established driving records or financial independence, making a family plan a more viable and economical option.

MoneyGeek found that Progressive offers the cheapest car insurance for those with military backgrounds in San Bernardino, offering a great deal on full coverage car insurance. For military members seeking affordable options, consider the following providers for the most competitive rates:

• Progressive: $1,155 per year
• USAA: $1,235 per year

Although USAA is not the least expensive, it's noteworthy that it offers competitive rates and specializes in services that cater specifically to the needs of active-duty military members. These features make it a highly valuable option for those qualified to use its services.

In San Bernardino, securing the best car insurance rates is crucial for savings, yet comparing costs typically takes 15 minutes per company. When evaluating three or more companies, this process can exceed an hour.

MoneyGeek's car insurance calculator streamlines this task. You can receive tailored rate estimates by inputting key factors such as age, driving record, credit score and desired coverage.

Choosing the finest auto insurance depends on your valuation of service quality, cost-effectiveness and coverage. MoneyGeek's distinct scoring system for each category leads to tailored top picks for San Bernardino. Here are the standout providers:

• Best overall: Chubb (MoneyGeek score 82 out of 100)
• Best for service: Chubb (MoneyGeek score 94 out of 100)
• Best cheap: Mercury (MoneyGeek score 77 out of 100)

Chubb is the superior option in San Bernardino, offering the best overall value and top-tier service without compromising affordability or quality. Mercury is the leading insurer if budget is your main concern, offering competitive pricing while maintaining a commendable service experience.

MoneyGeek found that Chubb offers the best option for car insurance in San Bernardino, providing a comprehensive full coverage policy. When considering the best car insurance providers, these are the top two companies:

• Chubb: MoneyGeek score of 82 out of 100 ($1,829 per year)
• Capital Insurance Group: MoneyGeek score of 82 out of 100 ($1,473 per year)

Chubb stands out mainly due to its high satisfaction and coverage scores, which signal that customers are generally pleased with its service and find the coverage options outstanding. Customers often prioritize these elements, making Chubb's performance in these areas particularly notable.

MoneyGeek found that Chubb is the best car insurance option in San Bernardino based on overall customer service. This is determined independently of its rates, focusing on general customer satisfaction, efficient claims handling and the comprehensiveness of its coverages.

• Chubb: MoneyGeek score of 94 out of 100 ($1,830 per year)
• Capital Insurance Group: MoneyGeek score of 82 out of 100 ($1,473 per year)

Chubb is the premier choice due to its superior claims process and broad coverage options. Its ranking is supported by an impressive balance of customer satisfaction and industry stability.

MoneyGeek found that Mercury is the best option for cheap car insurance in San Bernardino. This company leads with its balance of affordability and quality service, providing consumers with well-rounded policies they can depend on.

The top providers by MoneyGeek scores are:

• Mercury: MoneyGeek score of 77 ($513 per year)
• GEICO: MoneyGeek score of 75 ($449 per year)

Mercury stands out primarily due to its exceptional customer satisfaction and claims processing, which contribute significantly to its high MoneyGeek score. Its affordable minimum coverage policies also cement its place as the foremost choice for San Bernardino drivers seeking value in their car insurance.

In San Bernardino, the average car insurance cost is $1,567 per year. This is slightly higher by $5 than the average cost of car insurance in California, which is $1,562. The state's average is under the national average of $1,781. This indicates that California residents pay $219 less per year for their auto insurance than the national average.

Car insurance premiums vary significantly based on numerous factors, with location playing a substantial role. Urban areas with dense traffic patterns usually experience higher rates due to increased risks of accidents and theft. Conversely, rural or less populated areas tend to enjoy lower premiums. Santa Maria, California, has the most affordable average annual premium at $1,251, while Glendale has the highest average annual cost at $2,433. This $1,182 difference highlights the influence of location on insurance costs, with less congested areas potentially having even lower rates than urban centers.