Car Insurance in San Diego

GEICO provides rates of $450 per year for minimum coverage and $1,071 per year for full coverage, both coming in 42% below the city average. State Farm and AAA offer competitive alternatives at $458 and $546 annually for minimum coverage.

The tight clustering between GEICO and State Farm means small differences in how companies rate your profile can tip the balance. San Diego drivers benefit from comparing at least these top three carriers.

San Diego's competitive market rewards thorough comparison shopping across multiple carriers.

Young drivers pay $912 annually with GEICO for minimum coverage, reflecting elevated risk for inexperienced drivers. Adult drivers secure the best rates at $450 per year with GEICO, saving over 50% compared to young drivers.

Senior drivers from GEICO pay $489 annually, a modest 9% increase over adult rates. GEICO's consistent dominance across all age categories simplifies the decision for San Diego residents.

GEICO's reliable pricing across all demographics makes it the default starting point for most San Diego drivers.

GEICO and State Farm provide the most affordable car insurance options for drivers aged 16 to 25 in San Diego, with monthly premiums beginning at $76 and $81, respectively.

In San Diego, GEICO provides the lowest rates for adult drivers (26 to 64), saving drivers 43% on average. AAA and Progressive are also among the top affordable providers for this age group.

For San Diego seniors aged 65 and up, GEICO provides the most affordable car insurance options. The minimum coverage costs $41 monthly or $489 annually, while full coverage runs $93 per month or $1,112 per year.

If you have a high-risk driving profile, these San Diego insurance providers offer the lowest monthly rates:

• Cheapest With a DUI: GEICO (from $90 per month)
• Cheapest With an Accident: AAA (from $62 per month)
• Cheapest With a Speeding Ticket: GEICO (from $56 per month)

GEICO offers the most affordable car insurance rates in San Diego for drivers with a DUI. Their rates are 45% below the city average for minimum coverage and 42% lower for full coverage policies.

AAA offers San Diego's lowest car insurance rates for drivers with accidents, starting at $62 monthly. This state minimum liability coverage costs 40% less than the city's average premium.

San Diego drivers with a speeding ticket can find the most affordable rates through GEICO. Their minimum liability coverage starts at $56 per month, while full coverage costs about $128 monthly.

Progressive leads San Diego's market with a MoneyGeek score of 91 out of 100, the highest in the city. The company combines competitive pricing with outstanding customer experience scores and strong digital capabilities, appealing to drivers who prefer online policy management.

GEICO offers the city's lowest premiums for clean-record drivers with manageable complaint ratios and excellent digital tools, with a strong technology platform appealing to drivers preferring online policy management. AAA provides competitive pricing with outstanding customer service scores and comprehensive membership benefits.

All three companies maintain strong reputations for reliable service in this competitive market.

Car insurance in San Diego costs an average of $770 per year for minimum coverage and $1,677 per year for full coverage. These rates sit slightly below the California state average of $778 for minimum coverage.

GEICO offers rates well below the city average at $450 for minimum coverage. San Diego drivers enjoy moderate premiums compared to other California cities, particularly Los Angeles.

In San Diego, car insurance rates by ZIP code range from $54 to $173 per month. ZIP code 92136 is the most expensive, while 92128 is the cheapest. Check the average rates for your ZIP code below.

Finding affordable car insurance in San Diego can feel overwhelming, with local rates well above the national average and countless coverage options to sort through. Our step-by-step guide will show you proven ways to lower your rates while getting the right coverage for your needs.

Your car insurance rates in San Diego depend on your driving record, vehicle type and coverage needs. GEICO and Progressive offer the lowest average premiums in the area, but compare quotes from multiple providers to find your best rate.

Our insurance experts analyzed rates from major providers to answer your questions about cheap car insurance in San Diego. Find clear answers to help you save on the coverage you need.

To help San Diego drivers find the most affordable auto insurance companies, MoneyGeek analyzed San Diego auto insurance rates based on data and information from the California Department of Insurance and Quadrant Information Services. We studied all ZIP codes in San Diego and hundreds of thousands of quotes for 12 companies offering auto insurance in California to tailor options as closely as possible to you.

San Diego Driver Profile

MoneyGeek created a sample driver profile to calculate car insurance quote averages in San Diego 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

Certain factors — such as age, driving record, credit score and military affiliation — were adjusted to find the most suitable insurance companies for specific driver profiles.

Coverage Levels in San Diego

MoneyGeek compared the most affordable insurance providers for both 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 in San Diego based on the following rating scale:

• Affordability (60% of score): We evaluated quotes for various common driver profiles and compared rates to competition within the city to get this score.
• Customer Experience (30% of Score): Sources like agency reviews on Google, J.D. Power, AM Best and forums like Reddit were used to gauge customer sentiment and experiences across the board to get this score.
• Coverage Options (10% of Score): This score takes into account the amount of coverage options a provider has in addition to the uniqueness of offering and included benefits.