GEICO leads San Mateo with the lowest car insurance rates, offering minimum coverage for $519 and full coverage for $1,166 annually. AAA, Progressive and State Farm also provide affordable coverage options in the city.
Car Insurance in San Mateo
Updated: August 29, 2025
Advertising & Editorial Disclosure
Key Takeaways
San Mateo's cheapest car insurance companies are GEICO, AAA and Progressive, with rates up to 37% lower than the city average.
Monthly car insurance costs in San Mateo average $147 for full coverage and $70 for minimum coverage.
You'll find the best cheap auto insurance in San Mateo by comparing quotes from multiple sources and choosing the right level of coverage for your needs.
Who Has the Cheapest Car Insurance in San Mateo?
| GEICO | $43 | $97 | -37% |
| AAA | $44 | $107 | -32% |
| Progressive | $59 | $109 | -24% |
| State Farm | $58 | $131 | -15% |
| Mercury Insurance | $68 | $134 | -9% |
Cheapest San Mateo Car Insurance by Category
GEICO offers the cheapest rates in four driver categories in San Mateo. AAA wins for drivers with accidents or tickets, while State Farm provides the lowest rates for young drivers and those with newer vehicles.
| Young Drivers | State Farm | $82 |
| Adult Drivers | GEICO | $43 |
| Senior Drivers | GEICO | $47 |
| Drivers With an Accident | AAA | $55 |
| Drivers With a DUI | GEICO | $103 |
| Drivers With a Speeding Ticket | AAA | $55 |
| Drivers With Bad Credit | GEICO | $83 |
| Drivers With Newer Cars | State Farm | $41 |
| Drivers With Old Cars | AAA | $28 |
Compare the Cheapest San Mateo Car Insurance for You
Your driving history and personal details directly affect what you pay for car insurance. Find the best rates for your situation by matching your profile to the companies below.
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 | $43 | $519 | -39% |
| AAA | $44 | $532 | -38% |
| State Farm | $58 | $696 | -19% |
| Progressive | $59 | $711 | -17% |
| Mercury Insurance | $68 | $821 | -4% |
Best Car Insurance Companies in San Mateo
San Mateo's highest-rated car insurance companies are Progressive, GEICO, AAA and State Farm. These providers stand out for competitive rates, quality customer service and comprehensive coverage options.
| 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 Insurance Provider
pros
Strong coverage options available
High customer satisfaction ratings
Competitive rates across coverage types
cons
Higher minimum coverage costs
Limited military discounts
COMPANY HIGHLIGHTS
Progressive ranks first in San Mateo with strong scores across coverage options, customer service, and affordability. The company stands out for its extensive coverage choices and add-on options. While not the cheapest for minimum coverage, Progressive delivers consistent service quality and claims handling. Their high customer satisfaction ratings show they handle claims efficiently and communicate clearly with policyholders.
GEICO: Best for Affordable Coverage
pros
Lowest rates in San Mateo
Many driver discounts available
Strong digital tools and apps
cons
Limited coverage options
Lower customer service scores
COMPANY HIGHLIGHTS
GEICO offers San Mateo's most affordable car insurance, with minimum coverage starting at $43 monthly. They excel at serving specific groups, offering the best rates for adult drivers, seniors, and drivers with credit issues. Their user-friendly app and website make policy management simple. While GEICO's coverage options are more basic than some competitors, their competitive pricing and straightforward service make them an excellent choice for budget-conscious drivers.
How Much Is Car Insurance in San Mateo?
In San Mateo, minimum coverage costs about $70 per month or $834 per year, ranking 1,076th out of all California cities for affordability. Full coverage averages $147 monthly or $1,762 annually, ranking 1,065th among California cities.
| Full Coverage | $147 | $1,762 |
| Minimum Coverage | $70 | $834 |
San Mateo Car Insurance Cost by Category
In San Mateo, monthly car insurance rates range from $56 to $356 based on your driver profile. Check the table below to see rates for your category.
| Young Drivers | $126 | $263 |
| Adult Drivers | $70 | $147 |
| Senior Drivers | $83 | $165 |
| Drivers With an Accident | $110 | $230 |
| Drivers With a DUI | $168 | $356 |
| Drivers With a Speeding Ticket | $101 | $213 |
| Drivers With Bad Credit | $151 | $329 |
| Drivers With Newer Cars | $74 | $155 |
| Drivers With Old Cars | $56 | $117 |
San Mateo Car Insurance Costs by ZIP Code
In San Mateo, car insurance rates by ZIP code range from $60 to $156 per month. ZIP code 94401 is the most affordable, while 94403 costs the most. Check average rates for your ZIP code below.
Data filtered by:Results filtered by:
Select
ZIP Code:94401
| 94401 | $60 | $130 |
Compare Personalized San Mateo Car Insurance Costs
While our previous breakdowns show average rates by ZIP code and coverage type, this table lets you filter San Mateo rates by specific combinations of age, driving record and other personal factors that match your exact situation.
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
| $66 | $798 | 7% |
How to Get the Best Cheap San Mateo Car Insurance
While San Mateo drivers face some of California's highest car insurance rates, you can lower your costs significantly by following these proven steps to find the right coverage at the best price.
- 1
Calculate your coverage requirements
Start by determining exactly how much coverage you need for your San Mateo driving situation. Consider your vehicle's value, your assets, and local risk factors like traffic density and weather conditions. Use our car insurance coverage needs calculator to get a personalized recommendation that balances protection and affordability.
- 2
Explore alternative insurance options
Different types of car insurance can suit various driving habits. If you drive infrequently, consider pay-per-mile coverage. Don't own a car? Look into non-owner insurance. These alternatives often provide significant savings while maintaining necessary coverage.
- 3
Check San Mateo insurance rates
Research average vehicle insurance costs in San Mateo to set realistic expectations. Understanding typical rates helps you identify good deals and avoid overpaying. Local factors like traffic patterns and crime rates influence these costs.
- 4
Find all available discounts
Maximize your savings through car insurance discount opportunities. Consider bundling multiple policies or getting multi-car discounts. Safe driver programs, defensive driving courses, and good student discounts can also reduce your premium significantly.
- 5
Research insurance company ratings
Investigate potential insurers' financial strength and customer service ratings. Check complaint records with the California Department of Insurance and read local San Mateo customer reviews.
- 6
Get quotes from multiple providers
Contact at least three different insurance providers for quotes. Use a mix of local San Mateo agents, online comparison tools, and direct carrier websites. Make sure each quote includes the same coverage levels and deductibles.
- 7
Review your policy annually
Set a yearly reminder to review your car insurance policy. Changes in your driving habits, vehicle value, or personal circumstances can affect your insurance needs. Regular reviews ensure you maintain appropriate coverage while taking advantage of new discounts or better rates.
Cheapest Car Insurance in San Mateo: Bottom Line
Car insurance rates in San Mateo depend on your age, driving history and vehicle type. While GEICO and AAA offer the lowest average premiums in the area, compare quotes from multiple providers to find your best rate.
Cheap San Mateo Car Insurance: FAQ
Get straightforward answers about finding affordable car insurance in San Mateo. Our FAQ section helps you choose coverage that fits your budget and needs.
What is the cheapest car insurance company in San Mateo, California?
GEICO offers the lowest rates in San Mateo, with average annual premiums of $519 for minimum coverage and $1,166 for full coverage. Rates vary by personal factors, so compare quotes.
Who offers the best car insurance in San Mateo?
Progressive offers San Mateo's highest-rated car insurance, scoring 90 out of 100 on MoneyGeek's scale. They lead GEICO by 3 points, delivering excellent value through balanced pricing and service quality.
What is the average cost of car insurance in San Mateo?
In San Mateo, drivers pay $1,762 for full coverage and $834 for minimum coverage car insurance annually. Your actual rates will vary based on individual factors.
Is car insurance in San Mateo expensive?
Car insurance in San Mateo is costlier than average, ranking 1,076th for minimum coverage affordability and 1,065th for full coverage among California cities.
How We Chose the Best and Cheapest Car Insurance in San Mateo, CA
To help San Mateo 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 Mateo 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 Mateo
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 9, 2025.
