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Erin Gobler is a personal finance writer and journalist who has been writing for Compare.com since 2023. With more than five years of experience personal finance experience, Erin has covered topics such as investing, credit cards, mortgages, insurance, and more.
Her work has been featured in major publications like Business Insider, Fox Business, and Time.
Erin received her bachelor’s degree from the University of Wisconsin-Oshkosh in 2013, studying journalism and political science. She also received a certificate of financial planning from Boston University in 2022.
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Lequita Westbrooks is an insurance editor at Compare.com. Her writing and editing experiences span several industries, including insurance, personal finance, higher education, and more. She excels at explaining complex topics like auto insurance in simple, easy-to-understand language and is passionate about helping readers save money. Lequita graduated from the University of South Florida, where she earned her Bachelor’s degree in English.
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San Francisco drivers pay an average of $165 per month for car insurance, according to Compare.com data. While the city’s premiums are higher than the national average, finding lower rates is still possible, including from insurance companies like Clearcover.
Keep reading to learn about car insurance in San Francisco, the best insurers for different types of drivers, and tips to save your policy.
San Francisco drivers pay an average of $132 per month for liability insurance and $197 for full coverage.
Clearcover is the cheapest car insurance company in San Francisco, with an average monthly premium of $105.
California requires all drivers to have minimum limits of 15/30/5, but limits will increase to 30/60/15 in 2025.
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Location ▲▼ | Average Monthly Premium: Liability ▲▼ | Average Monthly Premium: Full Coverage ▲▼ | Average Monthly Premium: All Policies ▲▼ |
|---|---|---|---|
| San Francisco | $132 | $197 | $165 |
| California | $113 | $205 | $159 |
| National average | $92 | $176 | $135 |
Drivers in San Franciso pay an average of $165 per month for car insurance, according to our data. That breaks down to $132 per month for liability insurance and $197 for full coverage.
But these rates are only averages — your actual rate might be different since it will depend on your unique driving profile. To help you find the lowest rates, we’ll look at some of the cheapest companies in San Francisco in the next section.
Though San Francisco’s average premiums are higher than average, you can still find ways to save. Several companies offer rates lower than the citywide average.
The table below shows the five cheapest insurers in San Francisco, along with each company’s average monthly premium, according to Compare.com data.
Company ▲▼ | Average Monthly Premium ▲▼ |
|---|---|
| Clearcover | $105 |
| Sun Coast | $117 |
| Mercury | $122 |
| Safeco | $139 |
| Anchor General | $144 |
Clearcover takes the lead as the cheapest car insurance company in San Francisco, with an average rate of just $105 per month.
In the next section, we’ll highlight some of the cheapest companies in San Francisco for certain drivers.
Compare personalized quotes from the area’s top insurers.
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No car insurance company is the single best option for everyone, since your rates will depend on personal factors like your age and driving history. But some insurers stand out for certain types of drivers.
We chose the following three companies based on a combination of average rates in San Francisco, available discounts, customer ratings and reviews, and coverages.
Average premium: $106 per month
Compare.com Rating: 3.37 out of 5
Among the cheapest rates in San Francisco
User-friendly website and app
Fast claims payment
Gap insurance not available
High number of customer complaints
Limited discounts available
At $106 per month, Clearcover has some of the lowest car insurance rates in San Francisco. It offers affordable premiums for all demographics, including teens and drivers with less-than-perfect driving records. Clearcover’s user-friendly app and website also make it easy to manage claims and receive payments in as little as seven minutes, according to the company.
Average premium: $117 per month
Compare.com Rating: Not rated
Specializes in high-risk drivers
Works with local, independent agents
Multiple insurance products available
Limited discounts and coverages
Online claims filing not available
Limited availability
If you’re having trouble getting auto coverage because of a spotty driving record, you may find a good deal with Sun Coast. It offers some of the most affordable rates in San Francisco to high-risk drivers, including people with accidents, tickets, suspended licenses, and foreign driver’s licenses.
Though it has fewer coverages and discounts than some large national insurers, it offers discounts such as the good driver and multi-car discount to help you save on your insurance.
Average premium: $139 per month
Compare.com Rating: 4.59 out of 5
Great discounts for safe drivers
Plenty of available coverage options
Highly rated mobile app
Below-average customer satisfaction
Fewer discounts than most competitors
Above-average complaints
Safeco offers safe drivers in San Francisco some of the most affordable rates and plenty of savings opportunities. It offers rewards such as claims-free cash back, diminishing deductibles, and accident forgiveness for going without claims for a set period of time. You can also save even more by enrolling in Safeco’s RightTrack program, which tracks your driving and gives you a discount for practicing safe driving.
Compare quotes from San Francisco’s top companies in minutes.
The amount of coverage you have directly affects the amount you’ll pay for insurance. Liability insurance at the state’s minimum limits is the cheapest coverage you can buy, but it may not be enough. After all, it only covers the damage and injuries you cause to others in an accident, not your own.
The table below lists the five cheapest companies in San Francisco for liability insurance, according to Compare.com data.
Company ▲▼ | Average Monthly Premium ▲▼ |
|---|---|
| Clearcover | $70 |
| Sun Coast | $74 |
| Mercury | $88 |
| Anchor General | $95 |
| Safeco | $104 |
Clearcover has the cheapest liability rates in San Francisco, with an average monthly premium of $70.
Next, let’s look see how these rates compare to full-coverage insurance.
Though there’s no set definition of full-coverage insurance, it typically refers to a policy that has collision and comprehensive coverage in addition to liability insurance. But it may also include other coverage types, such as uninsured/underinsured motorist coverage.
Full coverage is more expensive than liability-only insurance but provides far more protection, including covering repairs to your vehicle after an accident, no matter who’s at fault.
The table below highlights the cheapest full-coverage insurance rates in San Francisco, according to Compare.com data.
Company ▲▼ | Average Monthly Premium ▲▼ |
|---|---|
| Clearcover | $140 |
| Mercury | $157 |
| Sun Coast | $160 |
| Safeco | $173 |
| Anchor General | $193 |
Clearcover offers the cheapest full-coverage insurance in San Francisco, with an average monthly premium of $140.
In the next few sections, we’ll explore the cheapest rates based on your age and driving record.
Your age is one of the most important factors your insurance company will use to set your insurance premiums. Car insurance rates are generally highest when you’re a young driver and gradually decrease as you get older.
It’s worth noting that insurance premiums tend to increase again once you reach your 70s when impairments that come with growing older can increase your risk behind the wheel.
Below are average rates for different age groups and the cheapest insurer for each in San Francisco, according to our data.
Age Group ▲▼ | Citywide Average Monthly Premium ▲▼ | Cheapest Insurer ▲▼ | Cheapest Insurer’s Average Monthly Premium ▲▼ |
|---|---|---|---|
| Teens | $255 | Clearcover | $144 |
| 20s | $196 | Clearcover | $94 |
| 30s | $150 | Clearcover | $83 |
| 40s | $144 | Clearcover | $79 |
| 50s | $138 | Clearcover | $73 |
| 60s | $126 | Clearcover | $79 |
| 70s | $130 | Clearcover | $81 |
Let’s dive a bit deeper into how age can affect insurance premiums and the cheapest insurance available for teens and seniors in San Francisco.
Adding a teen to your insurance policy can come with a considerable cost since teen rates are the most expensive of all age groups. That’s because they have less driving experience and tend to practice unsafe driving behaviors like speeding, driving distracted, and not wearing a seat belt, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).
The average monthly cost of car insurance for teens in San Francisco is $255, according to our data. But Clearcover offers policies for as low as $144 per month.
While teen drivers pay the highest premiums, senior drivers tend to pay the lowest. After all, many older drivers have been behind the wheel for decades, giving them valuable experience. They also generally drive fewer miles and do less night driving, according to the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS).
San Francisco drivers in their 60s pay an average of $126 per month for car insurance, according to our data. Clearcover has the cheapest insurance for these drivers, with an average rate of $70 per month.
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If you have a clean driving record — one without traffic violations or accidents — you probably have some of the cheapest car insurance rates. But if you get a driving infraction on your record, your insurer will likely increase your premiums because it indicates that you practice unsafe driving habits and are more likely to file a claim.
The table below breaks down how different driving records can affect your premiums, as well as the cheapest insurer and its average rate for each, according to Compare.com data.
Driving Record ▲▼ | Citywide Average Monthly Premium ▲▼ | Cheapest Insurer ▲▼ | Cheapest Insurer’s Average Monthly Premium ▲▼ |
|---|---|---|---|
| Clean record | $161 | Clearcover | $86 |
| Speeding ticket | $218 | Clearcover | $117 |
| At-fault accident | $230 | Clearcover | $137 |
| DUI | $231 | Clearcover | $127 |
Each driving violation can have a different effect on your insurance rates. We’ll break it down below, along with the cheapest insurers based on your driving record.
Getting just one speeding ticket can increase your insurance rates. On average, auto insurance rates increase by 27% nationally after a ticket, according to Compare.com data. Keep in mind that subsequent tickets would increase your rates even more.
Clearcover has the cheapest insurance for San Francisco drivers with a speeding ticket. While the citywide average for these drivers is $218 per month, Clearcover’s monthly premium is just $117.
You could see your insurance rates increase after any accident, but it’s most likely to happen after an accident you cause. Our data shows that one at-fault accident can increase your rates by an average of 34% nationally.
The average cost of car insurance for a driver with an at-fault driver in San Francisco is $230 per month. But Clearcover has the cheapest rates for these drivers, at just $137 per month.
Driving under the influence (DUI) is one of the most serious driving infractions and causes insurance premiums to skyrocket more than any other violation. Nationally, insurance premiums increase by an average of 50% after a DUI, according to Compare.com data.
San Francisco drivers with a DUI conviction pay an average monthly rate of $231. Clearcover offers the cheapest insurance premiums for these drivers, with rates starting as low as $127 per month.
California requires all drivers to have bodily injury liability and property damage liability insurance at the following limits:
$15,000 of bodily injury per person
$30,000 of bodily injury per accident
$5,000 for property damage liability
Keep in mind that starting Jan. 1, 2025, California’s minimum limit requirements will increase to 30/60/15.
If you don’t provide California’s DMV with proof of insurance on your vehicle, the state may suspend your registration, and you won’t be able to drive or park it on public roads until you can prove you have the necessary insurance.
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When you’re shopping for car insurance in San Francisco, you can do a few things to lower your costs:
Adjust your policy: You can lower your premiums by either decreasing your coverage limits, eliminating certain coverages from your policy, or increasing your deductible. But it’s important to balance lowering your premiums with ensuring you have enough coverage in case of an incident.
Bundle your policies: Many insurance companies offer a discount if you bundle your auto insurance with other insurance products, like homeowners insurance, renters insurance, and life insurance. If you already have one of these other insurance policies, consider getting your auto insurance from the same company.
Save with discounts: Insurers may offer several other ways to save on your premiums, too. Common discounts include vehicle safety discounts and defensive driver discounts. Plus, California’s good driver discount takes 20% off your insurance if you’ve maintained a clean driving record for several years.
Get insurance through the state: California Low Cost Auto Insurance Program is for drivers who can’t afford the state minimum liability insurance. If you’re having trouble affording insurance, consider applying.
Compare quotes: Before signing up for insurance, make sure to shop around and get quotes from several insurers. You can do this by either getting a quote from each company individually or using a comparison site. This will help you find the best rates for your situation.
Get personalized quotes from San Francisco’s top insurers.
Before you buy auto insurance in San Francisco, check out the following questions and answers.
Clearcover has the cheapest car insurance in San Francisco, with an average monthly premium of $105, according to our analysis. But that doesn’t mean it’ll be the cheapest for you, so you should still shop around for the best rates.
San Francisco drivers pay an average of $165 per month for car insurance, according to our data. That breaks down to $132 per month for liability insurance and $197 for full coverage.
California currently requires all drivers to have at least $15,000 per person and $30,000 per accident of bodily injury liability coverage and $5,000 in property damage liability coverage. But these limits will increase to 30/60/15 in January 2025.
If you drive without insurance in San Francisco, the state of California may cancel your vehicle registration until you purchase the minimum insurance. You may also be subject to fines of between $100 and $200 for your first offense and $200 to $500 for subsequent offenses within three years of the first.
Yes, San Francisco car insurance is higher than average. Its average premiums are higher than both the statewide average and the national average. But you can still find affordable policies by shopping around and taking advantage of discounts your insurer offers.
Data Methodology:
Data scientists at Compare.com analyzed more than 50 million real-time auto insurance quotes from more than 75 partner insurers in order to compile the rates and statistics seen in this article. Compare.com’s auto insurance data includes coverage analysis and details on drivers' vehicles, driving records, insurance histories, and demographic information.
All the rates listed in this article have been collected from a combination of real Compare.com quotes and external insurance rate data gathered in collaboration with Quadrant Information Services. Compare.com uses these observations to provide readers with insights into how auto insurance companies determine their premiums.
Sources:
National Association of Insurance Commissioners, “Clearcover Ins Co National Complaint Index,” accessed October 13, 2024.
J.D. Power, “2024 U.S. Auto Insurance Study,” accessed October 13, 2024.
J.D. Power, “2023 U.S. Auto Insurance Claims Satisfaction Study,” accessed October 13, 2024.
National Association of Insurance Commissioners, “Safeco Ins Co Of Amer National Complaint Index Report,” accessed October 13, 2024.
U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, “Risk Factors for Teen Drivers,” accessed October 13, 2024.
Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS), “Older drivers,” accessed October 13, 2024.
State of California DMV “Insurance Requirements,” accessed October 13, 2024.
Insurance Information Institute, “Automobile Financial Responsibility Laws By State,” accessed October 13, 2024.
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Erin Gobler is a personal finance writer and journalist who has been writing for Compare.com since 2023. With more than five years of experience personal finance experience, Erin has covered topics such as investing, credit cards, mortgages, insurance, and more.
Her work has been featured in major publications like Business Insider, Fox Business, and Time.
Erin received her bachelor’s degree from the University of Wisconsin-Oshkosh in 2013, studying journalism and political science. She also received a certificate of financial planning from Boston University in 2022.
Lequita Westbrooks is an insurance editor at Compare.com. Her writing and editing experiences span several industries, including insurance, personal finance, higher education, and more. She excels at explaining complex topics like auto insurance in simple, easy-to-understand language and is passionate about helping readers save money. Lequita graduated from the University of South Florida, where she earned her Bachelor’s degree in English.
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