Average car insurance cost in San Diego, California

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Our analysis shows that drivers in San Diego pay about $2,835 per year for car insurance. It is $175 less than the California average and $322 more than the nationwide average.

Insurance rates can differ significantly depending on where you live. Factors like population density, accident rates and theft statistics all play a role in determining premiums. As a result, drivers in some ZIP codes pay higher premiums.

Understanding how car insurance rates in San Diego stack up against state and national averages can help you make informed decisions. We’ll walk you through local trends, rate changes and how to save on your premiums.

Cheap car insurance companies in San Diego

GEICO offers the most affordable full coverage car insurance in San Diego, at $1,814 annually, with coverage limits of $100,000 in bodily injury per person, $300,000 total per accident, and $100,000 for property damage.

Kemper offers the second-lowest rate in San Diego, with an average yearly premium of $2,360.

Car insurance rates vary by company because each insurer uses its own method to assess risk and determine premiums. That’s why it’s smart to compare quotes from different providers to find coverage that fits your needs and budget.

The following table compares average yearly and monthly car insurance costs from different companies in San Diego.

Read about the best car insurance companies.

Average car insurance cost in San Diego by coverage limits

Here’s a breakdown of average car insurance rates in San Diego by coverage type.

• State minimum coverage: $737 per year (limits are $25,000 bodily injury liability per person, $50,000 total bodily injury liability per accident and $25,000 property damage liability per accident).
• Liability only coverage: $986 per year (limits are $50,000 bodily injury liability per person, $100,000 total bodily injury liability per accident and $50,000 property damage liability per accident).
• Full coverage: $2,835 per year (limits are $100,000 bodily injury liability per person, $300,000 total bodily injury liability per accident and $100,000 property damage liability per accident).
• Non-owners coverage: $386 per year

Most states require drivers to purchase minimum liability insurance to drive legally, but the minimum required limits vary. This coverage helps pay for injuries or damage you cause to others in an accident.

However, a liability-only policy won’t cover damage to your car or medical expenses if you’re at fault. You’ll need to add collision and comprehensive coverage to your policy to protect your car.

Average car insurance rates by gender in San Diego

In San Diego, female drivers pay an average of $2,835 per year for car insurance. In comparison, male drivers pay $2,835 annually, which is equals to what female drivers pay. Most states consider gender when calculating premiums. However, states such as California, Hawaii, Massachusetts, Michigan, Montana, North Carolina and Pennsylvania don’t allow insurers to use gender as a rating factor to determine insurance rates.

According to the Insurance Information Institute, or Triple-I, women tend to be safer drivers than men and are less likely to be involved in severe accidents. Insurers account for this risk by charging male drivers higher premiums.

Read more on how gender affects car insurance rates.

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Average car insurance rates by age in San Diego

Teen drivers in San Diego face the highest car insurance rates, at $6,663 per year or $555 per month. According to the Insurance Information Institute, insurance costs are higher for teens aged 16 to 19 due to their increased risk of accidents and limited driving experience. On average, teen drivers pay $2,478 more for car insurance than young adults.

Car insurance premiums typically drop as teens age and gain more experience behind the wheel. On average, young adults (ages 20 to 24) pay $4,185 annually for coverage – that’s $2,478 less than what teens usually pay.

Adults between 25 and 55 and senior drivers between 60 and 75 in San Diego pay an average of $2,878 and $2,835 per year for car insurance, respectively.

Read more on auto insurance for seniors.

Below you’ll find average annual full coverage car insurance rates for drivers of different age groups.

Car insurance rate trends in San Diego

Car insurance rates in San Diego saw an upward trend between 2023 to 2025. During this period, average premiums Increased by 22% – a change of about $511.

The graph below tracks insurance costs from 2022 to 2025, highlighting long-term trends that help explain today’s rate changes.

How drivers can save on insurance even with higher rates

Car insurance rates in San Diego are lower than the California state average. Drivers can get affordable insurance rates by shopping around and comparing quotes from at least three to five insurance companies. You should also look for available discounts, such as a safe driver discount, low mileage and bundling discounts.

Methodology

Insure.com commissioned car insurance rates in 2025 from Quadrant Information Services. To determine the average premiums, our team of data analysts and expert editors analyzed 53,409,632 insurance quotes from 170 insurance companies across 34,588 ZIP codes.

The insurance rates are based on a sample profile of a 40-year-old male and female driver with a clean driving record and a good insurance score. Quotes premiums are for a full coverage policy with limits:

• $100,000 bodily injury per person
• $300,000 bodily injury per accident
• $100,000 property damage per accident
• $500 comprehensive and collision deductible

The quoted insurance rates are for comparison purposes, and your rates may vary.

Shivani Gite

Contributing Writer

 

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Shivani Gite is a personal finance and insurance writer with a degree in journalism and mass communication. She is passionate about making insurance topics easy to understand for people and helping them make better financial decisions.