GEICO offers San Francisco's lowest car insurance rates, with annual premiums of $452 for minimum coverage and $1,059 for full coverage. AAA, Progressive and State Farm also provide affordable coverage in the city.
Car Insurance in San Francisco
Updated: August 12, 2025
Advertising & Editorial Disclosure
Key Takeaways
San Francisco's cheapest car insurance companies are GEICO, Progressive and AAA, with savings up to 45% compared to the city average.
In San Francisco, monthly car insurance costs average $153 for full coverage and $71 for minimum coverage.
You'll find the best cheap auto insurance in San Francisco by comparing quotes from multiple sources and choosing the right level of coverage for your needs.
Who Has the Cheapest Car Insurance in San Francisco?
| GEICO | $38 | $88 | -45% |
| Progressive | $53 | $102 | -32% |
| AAA | $46 | $113 | -31% |
| State Farm | $57 | $130 | -19% |
| Wawanesa | $72 | $145 | -6% |
Cheapest San Francisco Car Insurance by Category
GEICO offers the cheapest rates in six driver categories for San Francisco car insurance. AAA wins for drivers with old cars and accident history, while State Farm provides the most affordable coverage for drivers with newer vehicles.
| 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 |
Compare the Cheapest San Francisco Car Insurance for You
Your driving record and personal details shape what you'll pay for car insurance. Check the table below to find companies offering the best rates for drivers like you.
Data filtered by:Results filtered by:
Select
Age Group:Adult Drivers
Select
Gender:Male
Select
Coverage Level:State Minimum Liability Only
Select
Credit:Good
Select
Driving Record:Clean
| GEICO | $38 | $452 | -48% |
| AAA | $46 | $552 | -36% |
| Progressive | $53 | $638 | -26% |
| State Farm | $57 | $683 | -21% |
| Farmers | $78 | $931 | 8% |
Best Car Insurance Companies in San Francisco
San Francisco's top car insurance companies are Progressive, GEICO, AAA, State Farm and Auto-Owners. These insurers stand out for their competitive rates, quality customer service and comprehensive coverage options.
| 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 |
Progressive: Best Overall Coverage
pros
Strong coverage options
High customer satisfaction ratings
Competitive rates across driver types
cons
Not the cheapest option available
Higher rates for high-risk drivers
COMPANY HIGHLIGHTS
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.
GEICO: Best for Affordable Rates
pros
Lowest rates in San Francisco
Multiple driver discounts available
Easy online experience
cons
Limited coverage options
Lower customer service ratings
COMPANY HIGHLIGHTS
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.
How Much Is Car Insurance in San Francisco?
In San Francisco, minimum coverage costs about $71 per month or $850 per year, ranking 1,097th out of all California cities for affordability. Full coverage averages $153 monthly or $1,830 annually, ranking 1,098th among California cities.
| Full Coverage | $153 | $1,830 |
| Minimum Coverage | $71 | $850 |
San Francisco Car Insurance Cost by Category
In San Francisco, monthly car insurance costs range from $57 to $369 depending on your driver profile. Check the table below to see rates for your category.
| Young Drivers | $129 | $269 |
| Adult Drivers | $71 | $153 |
| Senior Drivers | $84 | $171 |
| Drivers With an Accident | $112 | $239 |
| Drivers With a DUI | $170 | $369 |
| Drivers With a Speeding Ticket | $102 | $221 |
| Drivers With Bad Credit | $153 | $340 |
| Drivers With Newer Cars | $75 | $161 |
| Drivers With Old Cars | $57 | $122 |
San Francisco Car Insurance Costs by ZIP Code
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.
Data filtered by:Results filtered by:
Select
ZIP Code:94116
| 94116 | $88 | $185 |
Compare Personalized San Francisco Car Insurance Costs
While previous breakdowns show basic rates, this table lets you filter San Francisco car insurance costs by your age, driving record and other personal factors combined.
Data filtered by:Results filtered by:
Select
Age Group:Adult Drivers
Select
Gender:Male
Select
Coverage Level:State Minimum Liability Only
Select
Credit:Good
Select
Driving Record:Clean
| $68 | $812 | 9% |
How to Get the Best Cheap San Francisco Car Insurance
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.
- 1
Calculate your coverage requirements
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.
- 2
Explore alternative insurance options
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.
- 3
Know the average costs
Research average vehicle insurance costs in San Francisco to set realistic expectations. Understanding typical rates for your neighborhood and driver profile helps you recognize good deals and avoid overpaying.
- 4
Stack your savings with discounts
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.
- 5
Check company ratings and reviews
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.
- 6
Get quotes from multiple providers
Contact at least three different insurance companies for quotes. Use a mix of local agents, online tools, and direct carrier websites to ensure you're getting the best rates. Keep your coverage selections consistent across quotes for accurate comparisons.
- 7
Review your policy annually
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.
Cheapest Car Insurance in San Francisco: Bottom Line
Car insurance rates vary based on your driving history, vehicle and coverage needs. In San Francisco, GEICO and Progressive offer the lowest average premiums, but you'll want to compare quotes from multiple providers to find your best rate.
Cheap San Francisco Car Insurance: FAQ
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.
What is the cheapest car insurance company in San Francisco, California?
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.
Who offers the best car insurance in San Francisco?
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.
What is the average cost of car insurance in San Francisco?
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.
Is car insurance in San Francisco expensive?
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.
How We Chose the Best and Cheapest Car Insurance in San Francisco, CA
To help San Francisco drivers find the most affordable auto insurance companies, MoneyGeek analyzed auto insurance rates based on data and information from the California Department of Insurance and Quadrant Information Services. We studied all ZIP codes in the city and hundreds of thousands of quotes for 12 companies offering auto insurance in California to tailor options as closely as possible to you.
San Francisco Driver Profile
MoneyGeek created a sample driver profile to calculate car insurance quote averages with the following characteristics:
- 40-year-old male
- 2012 Toyota Camry LE
- Clean driving record
- 12,000 miles driven annually
- Good credit
- Valid license
- Currently insured
- No claims history
We adjusted certain factors, such as age, driving record, credit score and military affiliation, to find the most suitable insurance companies for specific driver profiles.
Coverage Levels in San Francisco
MoneyGeek compared the most affordable insurance providers for minimum and full coverage auto insurance policies.
The minimum coverage requirements in California are:
- $30,000 bodily injury liability per person
- $60,000 bodily injury liability per accident
- $25,000 property damage liability per accident
For a full coverage policy, we used the following coverage limits:
- $100,000 bodily injury liability per person
- $300,000 bodily injury liability per accident
- $100,000 property damage liability per accident
- Comprehensive and collision insurance, each with a $1,000 deductible
Our Best Company Rating Methodology
We rated all companies based on the following rating scale:
- Affordability (60% of score): To get this score, we evaluated quotes for various common driver profiles and compared rates to the competition within the city.
- Customer experience (30% of score): We used sources such as agency reviews on Google, J.D. Power, AM Best and forums like Reddit to gauge customer sentiment and experiences across the board.
- Coverage options (10% of score): This score considers the number of coverage options a provider offers and the uniqueness of the offering and benefits.
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!
Passionate about economics and insurance, he aims to promote transparency in financial topics and empower others to make confident money decisions.
sources
- Progressive. "Progressive Insurance Reviews." Accessed August 12, 2025.