Average car insurance cost in San Francisco, California

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Our analysis shows that drivers in San Francisco pay about $2,777 per year for car insurance. It is $361 more than the California average and $882 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 Francisco 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 Francisco

GEICO offers the most affordable full coverage car insurance in San Francisco, at $1,925 annually, with coverage limits of $100,000 in bodily injury per person, $300,000 total per accident, and $100,000 for property damage.

Progressive offers the second-lowest rate in San Francisco, with an average yearly premium of $2,371.

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 table below shows the average annual and monthly car insurance rates for various car insurance companies in San Francisco.

Read about the best car insurance companies.

Average car insurance cost in San Francisco by coverage limits

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

• State minimum coverage: $610 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: $937 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: $2,777 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: $319 per year

Most states require drivers to carry a minimum amount of liability insurance to legally operate a vehicle, but the specific coverage limits vary by state. Liability insurance is designed to cover injuries or property damage you cause to others in an accident.

However, it’s important to understand that minimum coverage won’t pay for your own medical bills or repairs to your vehicle if you’re at fault. If you want protection for your own car, you’ll need to add collision and comprehensive coverage to your policy.

Average car insurance rates by gender in San Francisco

In San Francisco, the average annual car insurance cost for female drivers is $2,777. Male drivers, on the other hand, pay $2,777 per year – that’s equals to what female drivers pay. While most states allow insurers to use gender when setting rates, there are states, including California, Hawaii, Massachusetts, Michigan, Montana, North Carolina and Pennsylvania that prohibit the use of gender as a rating factor.

According to the Insurance Information Institute, or Triple-I, women tend to drive more cautiously and are involved in fewer serious accidents than men. Insurers factor this into their premium calculations, which is why men often pay more for car insurance.

Read more on how gender affects car insurance rates.

Average car insurance rates by age in San Francisco

Teen drivers in San Francisco experience the highest insurance rates, paying an average of $7,171 per year or $598 per month.

According to the Insurance Information Institute, teens aged 16 to 19 are considered high-risk due to their inexperience behind the wheel. On average, teen drivers pay $3,022 more than young adults for insurance.

With age and experience, young drivers often see a drop in car insurance premiums. On average, 20 to 24-year-olds pay $4,149 per year – a difference of $3,022 less than compared to teen drivers.

Drivers in San Francisco aged 25 to 55 typically pay $2,828 a year for car insurance. For senior drivers aged between 60 and 75, the average annual premium is $2,762.

Read more on auto insurance for seniors.

The table below shows the average annual full coverage car insurance rates for drivers of different age groups.

Car insurance rate trends in San Francisco

From 2022 to 2023, drivers in San Francisco experienced an upward trend in car insurance premiums, with average rates increase by 16% or about $379.

The graph below tracks insurance costs from 2016 to 2023, 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 Francisco are higher 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 2023 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.