Average car insurance cost in San Diego, CA

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The average car insurance cost in San Diego, California is $2,324 per year, according to Insure.com data. This is $92 less than the average auto insurance cost in California and $429 more than the national average, as analyzed by Insure.com.

The rates can vary wildly depending on where they are filed. City demographics, including population density and average resident age, will affect how much money you spend on premiums which could make it cheaper or more expensive than other areas with different factors like accident rates, theft and vandalism rates, etc.

The article covers information on – the cheapest car insurance providers in San Diego, the average car insurance rates by age, gender and how much is car insurance in San Diego based on coverage limits. Whether you’re a new driver or have been driving for years, this article can help you find the best deal on cheap car insurance in San Diego. Read on to learn more.

Cheap car insurance companies in San Diego

Geico provides the best value for car insurance in San Diego with coverage limits of 100/300/100, costing $1,706 annually.

A close second is Mercury Insurance, which offers car insurance at $1,888 per year.

Read about the best car insurance companies.

Average car insurance cost in San Diego by coverage limits

In San Diego, the average car insurance rates the coverage levels are as follows:

• State minimum coverage: $552 per year (limits are 25/50/25)
• Liability only coverage: $856 per year (limits are 50/100/50)
• Full coverage: $2,324 per year (limits are 100/300/100)
• Non-owners coverage: $298 per year

In most states, drivers are required to have state minimum coverage to drive legally, although these requirements vary by state. However, it’s important to note that state minimum coverage does not provide coverage for any vehicles listed on your policy in the event of an at-fault accident.

To prevent compromising on coverage and out-of-pocket expenses, it’s advisable to opt for full coverage or non-owner coverage if you frequently borrow or rent a car but do not own one.

Average car insurance rates by gender in San Diego

In San Diego, California, the average annual car insurance premium for female drivers is $2,324 per year.

While the average annual cost for male drivers is $2,324 per year, which is equals to what female drivers pay, according to a rate analysis by Insure.com.

According to the Insurance Information Institute, statistics demonstrate that women are generally regarded as safer drivers than men. They often pay less for auto insurance because of their lower rate of severe accidents than men.

Read more on how gender affects car insurance rates.

Average car insurance rates by age in San Diego

In San Diego, teenagers have the highest car insurance rates, at $6,024 per year or $502 per month. This higher rate is attributed to the increased risk of road accidents among teenagers (aged 16 to 19) due to their limited experience on the road, according to the Insurance Information Institute.

However, there are driving laws for teens to improve their driving habits. Additionally, the cost of teen insurance can be reduced by adding them to a parent’s auto insurance policy. As teens mature and establish a positive driving history, their car insurance rates are likely to decrease.

Young adults, pay an average of $3,491 annually for car insurance, which is $2,533 less than what the teens pay for their insurance policy.

Meanwhile, adult, and senior drivers in San Diego have car insurance rates of $2,367 and $2,338 per year, respectively. The car insurance rates for adults and seniors are lower than those for teens and young adults. “This is because they are more likely to obey the speed limits and follow the rules of the road,” says the Insurance Information Institute.

Read more on auto insurance for seniors.

The table below shows the average annual rates for drivers of different age groups:

Car insurance rate trends in San Diego

Examining the trends in car insurance rates in San Diego, California, there was an upward trend from 2022 to 2023. Between 2022 and 2023, rates increase overall by 14% or $293.

The table below illustrates the trend over the three years:

Conclusion

In conclusion, the insurance rates in San Diego, are lower than the average insurance cost in California. Shopping around and taking advantage of available discounts, drivers in San Diego can find affordable car insurance options. Many car insurance companies offer discounts for customers who purchase multiple policies through the same company.

Sources

• Insurance Information Institute. “What determines the price of my auto insurance policy,” Accessed September 2024.
• Insurance Information Institute. “Auto insurance for teen drivers,” Accessed September 2024.
• Insurance Information Institute. “Senior driving safety and tips,” Accessed September 2024.

Methodology

Insure.com team worked with Quadrant Information Service to get car insurance data. To determine the average premiums, our team of data analysts and expert editors have 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 individual rates may vary.

Prachi Singh

Contributing Researcher

 

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Prachi is an insurance writer with a master’s degree in business administration. Through her writing, she hopes to help readers make smart and informed decisions about their finances. She loves to travel and write poetry.