Average car insurance cost in San Francisco, California

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Our analysis shows that drivers in San Francisco pay about $3,466 per year for car insurance. It is $456 more than the California average and $953 more than the nationwide average.

Where you live plays a big role in how much you pay for car insurance. Areas with high population density, theft and accident rates tend to have higher premiums.

Comparing car insurance rates in San Francisco to state and national averages can help you determine if you’re getting a good deal or if it’s time to explore other options. Below, we outline local trends, rate differences and ways to save.

Cheap car insurance companies in San Francisco

GEICO provides the lowest full coverage car insurance rate in San Francisco, with an annual premium of $2,069 for the liability limits of $100,000 per person, $300,000 per accident and $100,000 for property damage.

Progressive also offers cheap full coverage car insurance rates at an average annual cost of $2,909.

Every insurance company calculates premiums differently based on its unique underwriting guidelines. This means prices can vary widely, so getting quotes from multiple insurers is one of the best ways to find affordable coverage tailored to you.

The following table compares average yearly and monthly car insurance costs from different 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: $832 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: $1,106 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: $3,466 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: $417 per year

While liability insurance is required in nearly every state to drive legally, the minimum coverage limits differ by state. This coverage protects you financially if you’re responsible for injuring someone or damaging their property in a crash.

Minimum liability insurance only covers damage or injuries you cause to others – it won’t help with your own medical bills or car repairs. You should consider adding collision and comprehensive coverage for adequate protection.

Average car insurance rates by gender in San Francisco

In San Francisco, female drivers pay an average of $3,466 per year for car insurance. In comparison, male drivers pay $3,466 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 Francisco

Teen drivers in San Francisco pay the highest car insurance premiums, at $8,243 per year or $687 per month.

Data from the Insurance Information Institute shows that teens aged 16 to 19 are more likely to be involved in crashes due to inexperience, which leads to higher insurance rates. On average, teen drivers pay $3,147 more annually than young adult drivers.

As teen drivers get older and gain more experience, their car insurance premiums usually decrease. On average, young adults aged 20 to 24 pay $5,096 per year for car insurance – that’s $3,147 less than what teen drivers typically pay.

Adult drivers aged 25 to 55 pay an average of $3,514 per year for car insurance, while seniors aged 60 to 75 pay around $3,470 annually.

Read more on auto insurance for seniors.

Below is a breakdown of average annual full coverage car insurance rates by age group.

Car insurance rate trends in San Francisco

Car insurance rates in San Francisco saw an upward trend between 2023 to 2025. During this period, average premiums Increased by 25% – a change of about $689.

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 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 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.