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Best cheap car insurance in San Francisco for 2024
Powered by Coverage.com (NPN: 19966249)
Coverage.com, LLC is a licensed insurance producer (NPN: 19966249). Coverage.com services are only available in states where it is licensed. Coverage.com may not offer insurance coverage in all states or scenarios. All insurance products are governed by the terms in the applicable insurance policy, and all related decisions (such as approval for coverage, premiums, commissions and fees) and policy obligations are the sole responsibility of the underwriting insurer. The information on this site does not modify any insurance policy terms in any way.
The best car insurance companies in San Francisco
Having a car in San Francisco can be a great way to get around the city, but owning a vehicle is not without risks. San Francisco is notorious for its car break-ins; the San Francisco Chronicle even created a real-time tracker to keep tabs on the issue. And, in 2023, there were a reported 7,135 vehicle thefts. Car insurance may be required by law in California, but in San Francisco especially, it’s important to choose a company that will be there when you need it most.
Bankrate’s insurance editorial team, which includes licensed insurance agents, is here to help you find the best car insurance in San Francisco. Based on our research, Progressive, Geico, State Farm, Mercury and Nationwide may be some of the best car insurance companies for city residents.
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Why Progressive made our list: Progressive scored just two points below average in the 2024 J.D. Power Auto Insurance Study for the California region. It has an impressive 4.4 out of 5.0 Bankrate Score, partially for its coverage availability and numerous savings opportunities. Roadside assistance, trip interruption, custom parts coverage and pet injury coverage are all available from Progressive. Plus, its rates are competitive for San Francisco.
Why Progressive may be best for online and mobile policy management: Progressive was ranked first in the service category the 2024 J.D. Insurance Digital Experience Study, and it scored above-average in the shopping category. Its mobile app also has a 4.6 and 4.8 star rating on Google Play and the App Store, respectively. If you’re looking to manage your car insurance policy entirely online, it may be worth getting a quote from Progressive.
Bankrate Score | 4.4 |
J.D. Power | 635/1,000 |
AM Best Rating | A+ |
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Why Geico made our list: Geico tied for two Bankrate Awards in 2024: Best Auto Insurance Company Overall and Best Budget Auto Insurance Company. Geico was also crowned the Best Car Insurance Company for Young Drivers. Generally speaking, Geico also tends to deliver on affordable prices for high-risk drivers.
Why Geico may be best for discounts: What Geico lacks in policy endorsements it makes up for in discounts. Geico advertises 16 different savings opportunities on its website. These include good driver discounts, safety discounts and affinity group discounts for military, federal employees and more.
Bankrate Score | 4.4 |
J.D. Power | 626/1,000 |
AM Best Rating | A++ |
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Why State Farm made our list: As the largest auto insurance company in the country, State Farm is one of the most prominent names in insurance. State Farm is also one of the few carriers offering products like rideshare coverage, life insurance and landlord insurance — but not home insurance. Last year, State Farm announced it would no longer write new home insurance policies for California homeowners. So, if you’re looking to bundle your home and auto policies together, State Farm would not be a viable option.
Why State Farm may be best for policy management options: San Francisco drivers looking for a company with strong digital tools and local presence may be interested in State Farm. The company’s digital capabilities were ranked above average for service by J.D. Power. Plus, there are multiple agent offices throughout the city for in-person service.
Bankrate Score | 4.3 |
J.D. Power | 658/1,000 |
AM Best Rating | A++ |
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Why Mercury made our list: Mercury offers home and car insurance in the state of California, which could make it a good option for homeowners looking to bundle their policies. Roadside assistance and ride-hailing insurance are available as add-ons — the latter may be especially appealing to drivers working for Uber or Lyft.
Why Mercury may be the best regional company: National insurance companies are not a good fit for all drivers. For San Franciscans looking to work with a regional company, there is Mercury. Mercury only writes insurance policies in 11 states, including California. Mercury has four different insurance offices in San Francisco in the Cow Hollow, Outer Sunset, Duboce Triangle and SoMa neighborhoods. Local agents may help to provide insight into insurance needs that are specific to San Francisco.
Bankrate Score | 3.8 |
J.D. Power | 596/1,000 |
AM Best Rating | A |
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Why Nationwide made our list: Nationwide has a lengthy discount list and two different telematics programs for even more potential savings. With SmartRide, you can earn a discount for safe driving habits, and with SmartMiles, you can pay for your policy monthly and your rate will depend on how much you drive.
Why Nationwide may best for policy add-ons: Not only does Nationwide offer an impressive list of discounts, but its coverage options are also impressive. Endorsement options include vanishing deductible, a total loss deductible waiver and roadside assistance.
Bankrate Score | 4 |
J.D. Power | 627/1,000 |
AM Best Rating | A+ |
Bankrate's trusted insurance industry expertise
Read our full methodologyAt Bankrate, we know that price is a major consideration for many car insurance shoppers — particularly in pricey auto insurance markets like San Francisco. That’s why we update the average rates you see on this page every month to help you make a more informed buying decision.
46
years of industry experience
122
carriers reviewed
34.5K
ZIP codes examined
1.2M
quotes analyzed
The cheapest car insurance in San Francisco
California has the highest cost of living in the continental U.S., and San Francisco is consistently ranked in lists of the most expensive cities in the country. What’s considered a cheap car insurance in San Francisco may be wildly expensive compared to another city, but could help get more money back in your pocket. Based on our research, Geico, Progressive and State Farm offer the cheapest rates on average for minimum coverage.
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$595
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$2,106
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$389
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$2,259
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$547
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$2,300
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$589
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$2,533
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$691
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$2,662
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How much is car insurance in San Francisco, California?
Car insurance, like mostly everything in San Francisco, is expensive compared to the national average. The average cost of car insurance in San Francisco is $3,197 per year for full coverage and $711 for minimum coverage. This is well above the national average cost of car insurance, which is $2,458 for full coverage and $678 for minimum coverage per year. San Francisco car insurance costs are also higher than the California statewide average, which is $2,835 for full coverage and $670 for minimum.
San Francisco’s elevated car insurance costs could be due to how densely populated the city is and the high levels of vehicle break-ins. San Francisco is one of the top 10 most densely populated cities in the country, with around 16,600 people per square mile. San Francisco locals and natives know to leave nothing — not even a couple of quarters in the cupholder — to avoid being the victim of a vehicle break-in, dubbed a smash-and-grab. From September to late November 2023, San Francisco car owners reported nearly 3,400 smash-and-grabs. Combined, both of these factors make vehicles and drivers in the city a higher risk to insure, which drivers see reflected in their higher-than-usual rates.
San Francisco rates for teens
Teen drivers generally pay more for car insurance than older drivers. Their lack of experience behind the wheel and proclivity for speeding make teenagers a higher risk for an insurance company. And with car insurance, higher risk typically means higher rates. If you’re a teen driver who lives at home with your parents, you are likely better off staying on your parents’ insurance policy for as long as you can, as that might help you get a cheaper premium.
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$1,000
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$924
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$1,072
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$875
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$1,282
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$1,043
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$1,329
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$1,228
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$1,453
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$1,415
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$4,349
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$4,207
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$4,452
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$4,340
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$4,842
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$4,219
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$4,875
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$4,168
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$5,092
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$4,555
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San Francisco rates for young drivers
San Francisco car insurance rates tend to trend downward once a driver reaches their early 20s. This is especially true for young adult drivers who maintain a clean driving record. Keep in mind that the rates below represent drivers on their own car insurance policies. But, if you’re part of the 8 percent of San Francisco adults who live at home with their parents, you may want to consider staying on their policy. Our research shows that a 20-year-old driver on their parents policy pays an average of 16 percent less than a 20-year-old driver with their own car insurance policy.
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$780
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$459
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$824
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$626
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$1,003
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$669
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$1,031
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$787
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$1,039
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$685
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$3,547
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$3,045
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$3,915
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$2,576
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$3,936
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$2,588
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$4,067
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$3,506
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$4,217
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$3,591
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San Francisco rates for adults
Drivers in the 30s, 40s and 50s generally enjoy some of the lowest car insurance rates. These age groups are generally deemed lower-risk by most insurance companies, and in turn, they tend to get more affordable rates.
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$398
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$389
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$384
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$567
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$548
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$522
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$578
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$547
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$533
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$590
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$562
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$553
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$607
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$589
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$579
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$2,135
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$2,106
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$2,338
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$2,328
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$2,259
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$2,158
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$2,440
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$2,300
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$2,229
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$2,666
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$2,533
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$2,337
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$2,788
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$2,662
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$2,565
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San Francisco rates for seniors
Once a driver ages into their 60s and 70s, it’s possible for rates to begin to climb once again. Aging-related factors like decreased eyesight and slower reaction times may raise the risk of an accident, which in turn could raise rates. But, if your car insurance company offers a senior or retirement discount, that could be a good way to balance out any premium surcharges.
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$382
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$408
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$479
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$441
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$535
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$658
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$553
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$574
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$604
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$655
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$607
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$1,998
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$382
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$2,249
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$535
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$2,604
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$604
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$2,551
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$662
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$2,468
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Powered by Coverage.com (NPN: 19966249)
Coverage.com, LLC is a licensed insurance producer (NPN: 19966249). Coverage.com services are only available in states where it is licensed. Coverage.com may not offer insurance coverage in all states or scenarios. All insurance products are governed by the terms in the applicable insurance policy, and all related decisions (such as approval for coverage, premiums, commissions and fees) and policy obligations are the sole responsibility of the underwriting insurer. The information on this site does not modify any insurance policy terms in any way.
Compare auto insurance rates
Powered by Coverage.com (NPN: 19966249)
Coverage.com, LLC is a licensed insurance producer (NPN: 19966249). Coverage.com services are only available in states where it is licensed. Coverage.com may not offer insurance coverage in all states or scenarios. All insurance products are governed by the terms in the applicable insurance policy, and all related decisions (such as approval for coverage, premiums, commissions and fees) and policy obligations are the sole responsibility of the underwriting insurer. The information on this site does not modify any insurance policy terms in any way.
The cheapest car insurance company in San Francisco by driving record
Your Motor Vehicle Report (MVR) is used by your insurance company to help set your rate. The MVR comes from your state’s Department or Bureau of Insurance and details your driving history. By looking at your MVR, a potential insurance company will know if you’ve ever gotten a speeding ticket, been in an accident, had a DUI or been dinged with another kind of driving infraction. Expectedly, a driver with a checkered Motor Vehicle Report will likely pay more for their insurance policy than someone with a clean record. But, not all driving infractions are equal in the eyes of an insurance company: if you find a company that’s more generous about speeding tickets, for instance, you could wind up paying closer to the average cost of insurance.
Car insurance with a speeding ticket in San Francisco
In April 2024, the San Francisco Police Department issued a grand total of 199 speeding tickets. If you were one of the nearly 200 folks to get a speeding ticket that month, you can generally expect your insurance premium to increase upon renewal. Our analysis of rate data from Quadrant Information Services shows that drivers with a speeding ticket pay 37 percent more on average compared to drivers with a clean record for minimum coverage. Bankrate’s insurance editorial team compiled average rates for the five cheapest car insurance companies in San Francisco for drivers with a speeding ticket in the table below.
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$564
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$3,146
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$609
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$2,207
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$731
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$3,115
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$732
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$4,648
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$791
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$4,044
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Car insurance after an accident in San Francisco
If you were found at-fault for an accident, your insurance costs will likely increase more than they would for something smaller, like a speeding ticket. Based on our average rate data, drivers with an at-fault accident on their records pay 65 percent more than drivers in San Francisco with a clean record for full coverage. But, if you do have an at fault accident on your record, our team has found a couple of affordable options.
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$635
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$3,282
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$834
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$4,262
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$951
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$6,307
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$978
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$3,498
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$982
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$4,058
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Car insurance after a DUI in San Francisco
A DUI is one of the most serious driving infractions you can have on your motor vehicle record. Some insurers, like State Farm, have blanket policies about not writing insurance for drivers with a DUI. Depending on your situation, you may also need your insurance company to file an SR-22 on your behalf. Expectedly, car insurance with a DUI will cost you more; our research shows that a full coverage car insurance policy in San Francisco costs 143 percent more on average than it would for a driver with a clean record.
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$818
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$2,974
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$883
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$4,883
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$1,030
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$4,505
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$1,170
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$8,507
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$1,174
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$4,971
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Minimum coverage requirements in San Francisco
In California, drivers are required to either have a car insurance policy, pay a $35,000 cash deposit to the DMV, carry a self-insurance certificate from the DMV or obtain a $35,000 surety bond from a licensed company. If you choose go the route of a traditional car insurance policy, it must have at least the following liability limits:
- $15,000 bodily injury or death liability per person
- $30,000 bodily injury or death liability per accident
- $5,000 property damage per accident
While minimum coverage car insurance is cheaper than full coverage, San Francisco drivers may want to consider a full coverage policy. A full coverage car insurance policy can financially protect against vehicle theft and other damage, like the kind your car may endure after a smash-and-grab. Considering how common these two property crimes are in San Francisco, it may help give greater peace of mind to know you are covered for them by your insurance policy.
Frequently asked questions
Methodology
Bankrate utilizes Quadrant Information Services to analyze November 2024 rates for all ZIP codes and carriers in all 50 states and Washington, D.C. Rates are weighted based on the population density in each geographic region. Quoted rates are based on a single, 40-year-old male and female driver with a clean driving record, good credit and the following full coverage limits:
- $100,000 bodily injury liability per person
- $300,000 bodily injury liability per accident
- $50,000 property damage liability per accident
- $100,000 uninsured motorist bodily injury per person
- $300,000 uninsured motorist bodily injury per accident
- $500 collision deductible
- $500 comprehensive deductible
To determine minimum coverage limits, Bankrate used minimum coverage that meets each state’s requirements. Our base profile drivers own a 2022 Toyota Camry, commute five days a week and drive 12,000 miles annually.
These are sample rates and should only be used for comparative purposes.
Incidents: Rates were calculated by evaluating our base profile with the following incidents applied: clean record (base), at-fault accident, single speeding ticket and single DUI conviction.
Age: Rates were calculated by evaluating our base profile with the ages 20-70 (base: 40 years) applied. Depending on age, drivers may be a renter or homeowner. Age is not a contributing rating factor in Hawaii and Massachusetts due to state regulations.
Teens: Rates were determined by adding a 16- or 18-year-old teen to their 40-year-old married parents' policy. The rates displayed reflect the total cost of a driver this age added to their parents’ policy.
Bankrate Scores
Our 2024 Bankrate Score considers variables our insurance editorial team determined impacts policyholders’ experiences with an insurance company. These rating factors include a robust assessment of each company’s product availability, financial strength ratings, online capabilities and customer and claims support accessibility. Each factor was added to a category, and these categories were weighted in a tiered approach to analyze how companies perform in key customer-impacting categories.
Each category was assigned a metric to determine performance, and the weighted sum adds up to a company’s total Bankrate Score — out of 5 points. Our scoring model provides a comprehensive view, indicating when companies excel across several key areas and highlighting where they fall short.
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Cost & ratings 50%
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Coverage & savings 30%
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Support 20%
- Tier 1 (Cost & ratings): To determine how well auto and home insurance companies satisfy these priorities, average quoted premiums from Quadrant Information Services (if available), as well as any of the latest third-party agency ratings from J.D. Power, AM Best, Demotech and the NAIC, were analyzed.
- Tier 2 (Coverage & savings): We assessed companies’ coverage options and availability to help policyholders find a provider that balances cost with coverage. Additionally, we evaluated each company’s discount options listed on its website.
- Tier 3 (Support): To encompass the many ways an auto insurance company can support policyholders, we analyzed avenues of customer accessibility along with community support. This analysis incorporated additional financial strength ratings from S&P and Moody’s and factored a company’s corporate sustainability efforts.