Cheapest Car Insurance in San Mateo (2026 Rates)

San Mateo drivers pay just $43 monthly for minimum coverage and $97 for full coverage with GEICO, the city's cheapest insurer. San Mateo traffic congestion and high population density drive up local insurance costs.

Find out if you're overpaying for car insurance in San Mateo below.

Written by Mark Fitzpatrick

Updated: December 16, 2025

Advertising & Editorial Disclosure

Quick Take

GEICO: Most affordable for diverse driver types in San Mateo. Drivers pay just $43 monthly for minimum coverage and $97 for full coverage, saving 16% compared to the city average.

AAA: Runner-up for affordability at $44 minimum and $107 full coverage monthly. This provider excels for drivers with an accident or drivers with a speeding ticket who typically face higher premiums elsewhere.

Progressive: Stands out as a competitive choice for various driver types, making it the third most affordable option for San Mateo residents seeking quality coverage.

Cheapest by Coverage and Driver Profile in San Mateo:

Comprehensive full coverage: GEICO ($97 per month)
Minimum coverage options: GEICO ($43 per month)
Young Drivers (16 to 25) seeking affordable rates: GEICO ($182 per month)
Seniors (65+) looking for budget-friendly coverage: GEICO ($103 per month)
Drivers with at-fault accident history: AAA ($55 per month for minimum coverage)
Those with speeding ticket violations: AAA ($55 per month for minimum coverage)
Policyholders with DUI convictions: GEICO ($103 per month for minimum coverage)

Cheapest Car Insurance in San Mateo by Coverage Type

San Mateo drivers can save with GEICO. It offers full coverage at $97 monthly, delivering 37% savings compared to the city average, while AAA follows at $107 per month with 32% savings. The minimum coverage with GEICO is $43 monthly, and with AAA, it costs $44 monthly.


Geico	$43	$97	-37%
AAA	$44	$107	-32%
State Farm	$58	$131	-15%
Progressive	$59	$109	-24%
Mercury Insurance	$68	$134	-9%

Not in San Mateo? Read more about the cheapest car insurance in California or the best car insurance in California.

Cheapest San Mateo Car Insurance for Teen and Young Drivers

GEICO is affordable for teens at $182 monthly, followed closely by State Farm at $183, with Wawanesa rounding out the top three at $192.

Staying on your parents' policy instead of getting your own coverage can save hundreds each month. Completing a defensive driving course typically unlocks discounts of 5% to 15%, making it worth the time investment.


Geico	$183	$2,190	-33%
State Farm	$183	$2,201	-33%
Wawanesa Insurance	$192	$2,307	-30%
AAA	$222	$2,668	-19%
Progressive	$240	$2,882	-12%

Cheapest San Mateo Car Insurance for Senior Drivers

GEICO has the most affordable full coverage at $103 monthly, while State Farm follows at $113 per month and AAA rounds out the top three at $128 monthly.

Seniors can save by completing a defensive driving course, earning up to 10% off premiums for three years. Most insurers also provide accident forgiveness programs specifically for drivers 65 and older.


Geico	$104	$1,247	-39%
State Farm	$114	$1,362	-33%
AAA	$129	$1,546	-24%
Progressive	$134	$1,609	-21%
Allstate	$137	$1,643	-19%

Cheapest San Mateo Car Insurance by Driving Record

If you've had a violation, certain insurers will be cheaper. For DUI convictions, which can impact your premiums for up to 10 years, GEICO offers the most affordable coverage at $103 monthly for minimum limits. AAA provides the cheapest rates for both at-fault accidents and speeding tickets at $55 monthly, while GEICO takes second place for accidents at $76 and speeding violations at $64.


At-Fault Accident	AAA	$55	-51%
At-Fault Accident	Geico	$77	-32%
DUI	Geico	$103	-39%
DUI	Mercury Insurance	$119	-29%
Speeding Ticket	AAA	$55	-47%
Speeding Ticket	Geico	$65	-38%

San Mateo Car Insurance Costs by ZIP Code

The cheapest area, 94401, averages just $130 monthly for full coverage, while drivers in 94403 pay $156 monthly for the same protection. That $26 difference adds up to over $300 annually between neighborhoods.

Most Expensive ZIP Codes in San Mateo


94403	$156
94402	$154
94401	$130

Least Expensive ZIP Codes in San Mateo


94401	$130
94402	$154
94403	$156

Choose Your Best San Mateo Car Insurance Company

Progressive takes the top spot in San Mateo with a MoneyGeek score of 90 out of 100. This insurer offers good coverage options and has responsive customer service.

GEICO, AAA, State Farm and Mercury round out the city's top five insurers. These companies offer affordable premiums and dependable customer support.


Progressive	90	3	3	2
Geico	87	1	7	7
AAA	87	2	5	7
State Farm	82	4	4	7
Mercury Insurance	81	5	6	5

Progressive: Best Overall

pros

Comprehensive coverage options, including California wildfire protection
Snapshot program rewards safe drivers with discounts
Accepts high-risk drivers

cons

No rideshare coverage for Uber drivers
Lengthy claim resolution process reported

COMPANY HIGHLIGHTS

Progressive ranks first in San Mateo through its digital customer service and comprehensive coverage. The company's 24/7 mobile app and website process claims efficiently.

Progressive offers roadside assistance. The deductible savings bank reduces collision and comprehensive deductibles by $50 for each claim-free term.

GEICO: Best Value for Affordability

pros

Most affordable rates across all driver types
Advanced mobile app with comprehensive digital tools
Vehicle storage protection for unused cars

cons

Lowest customer experience ranking among local competitors
Rental car coverage requires additional purchase
Claims process lacks transparency

COMPANY HIGHLIGHTS

GEICO delivers competitive rates for young drivers, seniors and those with violations while eliminating agent fees. The company's 24/7 digital tools and mobile app serve drivers who need immediate roadside assistance and claims reporting.

GEICO's Vehicle Storage Protection Plan addresses the city's limited parking challenges. This insurer also offers mechanical breakdown insurance and emergency road service.

How to Lower Your Car Insurance Rates in San Mateo

San Mateo drivers can find affordable coverage.

1
Bundle and Save
Start with multi-policy bundling by combining auto with home or renters insurance for 15% to 25% savings. Layer on multi-car discounts if you have multiple vehicles, then add smaller discounts like good driver and paperless billing to reach 30% to 40% total savings.
2
Consider a Higher Deductible
Increasing your deductible from $500 to $1,000 reduces your premium by 10% to 15% each year. Choose what you can comfortably pay out-of-pocket if you need to file a claim.
3
Review Your Policy Yearly
Insurance companies regularly adjust their rates based on San Mateo's changing risk factors and claims data.

Cheap San Mateo Car Insurance: FAQ

Find the right coverage at competitive rates with our San Mateo insurance FAQ breakdown below.

Is car insurance in San Mateo expensive?

Car insurance in San Mateo runs about $147 monthly for full coverage. While that's not cheap, it sits in the middle range for California. The priciest spots like Granada Hills hit $243 per month, while drivers in Weed pay just $47 monthly for the same coverage.

How We Chose the Best and Cheapest Car Insurance in San Mateo, CA

Finding affordable car insurance in San Mateo starts with understanding how insurers price policies across the city. Traffic congestion, theft risk and California’s insurance requirements all shape your premium.

We partnered with the California Department of Insurance and Quadrant Information Services to analyze hundreds of thousands of quotes from 12 insurers across every San Mateo ZIP code.

Our ratings for the best car insurance in San Mateo are calculated by a weighted score incorporating affordability (60%), customer experience (30%) and coverage options (10%).

Read more about our methodology, which reveals which insurers maintain competitive rates across San Mateo neighborhoods and driver categories while delivering reliable claims service, not just advertised rates for perfect-record drivers.

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.

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