Updated: November 11, 2025
Advertising & Editorial Disclosure
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 charges $452 yearly for minimum coverage and $1,088 yearly for full coverage, both 47% below the city average. State Farm and AAA charge $522 and $552 annually for minimum coverage. Auto Owners offers competitive rates for certain drivers.
Major insurers compete hard in San Francisco, keeping rates lower. Heavy competition in this large market creates real savings opportunities.
| GEICO | $38 | $88 | -45% |
| Progressive | $53 | $102 | -32% |
| AAA | $46 | $113 | -31% |
| State Farm | $57 | $130 | -19% |
| Wawanesa | $72 | $145 | -6% |
Young drivers pay $917 yearly with GEICO for minimum coverage based on standard risk pricing. Adults get the best rates at $452 yearly with GEICO.
Seniors pay GEICO $492 yearly, just 9% more than adults thanks to California's age-friendly regulations. GEICO offers the lowest rates for all three age groups.
| 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 charges San Francisco's lowest car insurance rates. Adults, seniors and young drivers all pay less here than anywhere else. The straightforward online platform makes getting coverage easy. GEICO excels at pricing but offers fewer coverage options than competitors.
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 |
San Francisco drivers pay some of California's highest car insurance rates. Use these steps to cut costs and find coverage that fits.
Request quotes from at least three San Francisco insurers. Use identical coverage amounts when comparing so you see real price differences.
Decide how much coverage you need as a San Francisco driver. Our car insurance coverage needs calculator walks you through the decision. Your vehicle's value, total assets and comfort with risk all matter here.
Bump your deductible from $500 to $1,000 and save 13% on average in San Francisco. Just make sure you've got emergency savings to pay that higher amount if you wreck your car.
Non-standard car insurance types can slash your bill. Rarely drive? Pay-per-mile insurance charges based on actual miles. No vehicle? Non-owner policies cover you when borrowing or renting.
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.
Investigate insurers' financial stability and service quality ratings. Prioritize companies with solid claims reputations and happy Bay Area customers. Pick one that understands city driving risks like parking lot dings and congestion.
Mark your calendar to check your policy every year. Your driving record improves, your credit changes, insurers adjust prices. Shopping annually prevents overpaying.
Our rate analysis lets us answer common San Francisco car insurance questions, helping you find cheap coverage without sacrificing protection.
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 tops San Francisco car insurance with a MoneyGeek score of 90 out of 100, beating GEICO by three points. You'll get low rates and dependable 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.
