San Luis Obispo, CA Car Insurance

How does San Luis Obispo stack up to the rest of the area, or even California as a whole? How much can residents of San Luis Obispo expect to pay for their car insurance? See what factors contribute to determining the average cost in our detailed charts and breakdowns below:

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How much is car insurance in San Luis Obispo?

As you can see in the chart above, it is around $5 a month cheaper to insure your vehicle in San Luis Obispo than it is in the rest of California.

Compared to the rest of the country, auto insurance in San Luis Obispo is more affordable. The average monthly payment in San Luis Obispo is about $30 cheaper than the rate for the rest of the U.S.

Keep in mind that these are the average auto insurance rates for San Luis Obispo, and that the rate you get could end up being something different. Insurance companies take in a variety of factors when determining how much to charge you for coverage. Variables like age, gender, vehicle make and model, driving record, and even credit score (depending on your area) can all be taken into consideration when determining your monthly premium.

But don't worry, we've broken down average rates for San Luis Obispo residents so that you can get a more accurate idea of what you might pay. And if you're not sure if you're getting the cheapest rate, simply enter your ZIP below and find out in just minutes!

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Average Car Insurance Rates by Age

The older you are, the more experienced you are on the roads. That experience pays off when it comes to auto insurance. In this case, 18-24-year-olds pay $29 more than drivers 65 and older.

For every ten years older you get, you can expect to see a drop in your monthly premium. That said, once you hit retirement, your rates may start to rise again in San Luis Obispo.

Average Car Insurance Rates by Gender

Female drivers pay, on average, slightly less than their male counterparts. In San Luis Obispo, the difference comes out to about $11 a month. Based on the chart above, you can see that male drivers pay $55 on average, while female drivers typically pay $44 each month.

Average Auto Insurance Rates by Driving Record

One of the biggest factors in determining your car insurance rates is your driving record. A clean driving record will get you a lower rate than one with even just a single accident or infraction. In San Luis Obispo, a driving record with one accident will usually get you a rate around $64 a month. In addition, drivers with a single ticket on their record can expect to pay around $61 a month on average.

Wherever you live, accidents, tickets, and other driving infractions can cost you some serious cash. Remember, the safer you are as a driver, the cheaper your car insurance will be.

Average Insurance Rates by Vehicle

If you look at the first table above, the cheapest vehicles to insure in San Luis Obispo are by and large trucks and vans, at $44 per month.

SUV drivers will see rates of about $45, while the rates for car owners average out to about $53 per month.

Your vehicle's age also plays a role in your monthly payment. Generally, newer vehicles are going to cost the most to insure. However, your rates may start to decrease if your car is around 5 years old. The most expensive vehicles to insure in San Luis Obispo are vehicles eight-to-ten years old.

Average Car Insurance Rates by Relationship Status

Generally, those who are currently married will pay slightly less to insure their car. This usually boils down to owners having multiple vehicles on the same policy, something some companies will reward with discounts.

At a national level, married drivers usually pay less than single drivers for auto insurance. This holds true for San Luis Obispo as well, where the difference is around $13 a month.

Average Car Insurance Rates by Housing Situation

Your living situation is another component of how insurance companies calculate your monthly rate. If you rent your home or apartment, expect to pay around $6 a month more than those who own their own home in San Luis Obispo. But those who live at home with their parents can expect to pay significantly more.

If you bundle your home or rental insurance and auto insurance policies, you can oftentimes reduce your overall costs, depending on your insurance company.

Car Insurance Companies in San Luis Obispo, CA

Recent trends in car insurance for San Luis Obispo drivers

Since car insurance rates are constantly changing, it's a good idea to know the local trends in your area before selecting an auto insurance policy.

In San Luis Obispo, car insurance rates decreased from 2017-2018, before leveling out in 2019. Rates finished down in 2022, at $50 a month

How does San Luis Obispo compare to neighboring areas?

Why are car insurance rates in San Luis Obispo different from other areas?

There are several factors car insurance companies take into consideration when figuring out how much to charge for a monthly rate. The price of your insurance policy will depend largely on where you live and will be influenced by things such as:

• General road safety (how many accidents each locality has)
• Local crime rates
• Off-street parking availability
• Total number of drivers
• Laws

While you won't have the ability to change these factors yourself, they can be handy to keep in mind when seeking a new policy or considering a move. Each area will have different rates. Guides like these are a wonderful place to get started.

How can I find the cheapest car insurance in San Luis Obispo?

Familiarizing yourself with patterns in the average costs of drivers like you will give you a leg up in conversations with insurance companies. Ultimately, the only way to know exactly what your rate will be is by requesting a quote from those car insurance companies.

Don't worry, Compare.com does all of that work for you. Put in your ZIP Code below, answer a few questions regarding the factors mentioned above, and you'll be comparing the cheapest quotes from dozens of car insurance companies offering plans in San Luis Obispo.

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San Luis Obispo Insurance FAQs

What factors affect car insurance quotes in San Luis Obispo?

Car insurance companies calculate quotes based on a wide array of factors. These include things you can't control like your age and gender but also factors like your vehicle's make and model, year, driving record, credit score, as well as your marital status and address.

Why is the cost of car insurance in San Luis Obispo different from other neighboring cities?

Auto insurance companies consider regional factors, such as parking situations, crime rates, and local laws into account when calculating the monthly rate for coverage. Since these can all vary from city to city the rates you may see can differ from neighboring areas.

Which car insurance company will offer me the cheapest rate in San Luis Obispo?

No one insurance company is guaranteed to offer the cheapest rate across the board. Since companies base their rates on factors that differ from person to person, such as driving record, number of drivers on the policy, vehicle make and model, and many more, it's a good idea to use sites like Compare.com to compare multiple quotes at once.

Do I need to change my insurance if I move to San Luis Obispo?

Any time you experience a major life event, whether it's moving to a new area, getting married, finding a new job, or other notable events, it's always a good idea to re-evaluate your current insurance. Certain companies offer cheaper insurance in certain cities, so even if you were getting the cheapest rate at your old address, it doesn't mean it'll still be the cheapest at your new home. That's why it's always good to use services like Compare.com to compare quotes from dozens of companies side-by-side.

Do I need to wait for my policy to expire to switch to a different car insurance company?

No, you can switch companies at any point, no matter how much time is left on your current policy. If you're thinking about moving to San Luis Obispo or are wondering if you're paying the best rate for your current area, take 10 minutes and visit Compare.com to find out for sure.