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.

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 cheapest full coverage car insurance in San Francisco at $2,069 per year with coverage limits of $100,000 in bodily injury per person, $300,000 total per accident and $100,000 for property damage.

The second most affordable option in San Francisco is Progressive, with an average annual premium of $2,909.

Car insurance rates differ from one company to another because each insurer has its own underwriting process to determine premiums. That’s why shopping around and comparing quotes from multiple insurance companies is key to finding affordable coverage that meets your needs.

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

Female drivers in San Francisco pay about $3,466 per year for car insurance, while male drivers spend $3,466, which is equals to what females pay.

Gender is commonly used to calculate premiums in most states, but some states, including California, Hawaii, Massachusetts, Michigan, Montana, North Carolina and Pennsylvania, don’t allow insurers to use gender to calculate premiums.

According to the Insurance Information Institute, or Triple-I, women generally demonstrate safer driving habits and are less likely to be involved in severe accidents. Insurers account for this elevated risk, resulting in increased insurance premiums for male drivers.

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 experience the highest insurance rates, paying an average of $8,243 per year or $687 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 $3,147 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 $5,096 per year – a difference of $3,147 less than compared to teen drivers.

Drivers in San Francisco aged 25 to 55 typically pay $3,514 a year for car insurance. For senior drivers aged between 60 and 75, the average annual premium is $3,470.

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 Francisco

From 2023 to 2025, drivers in San Francisco experienced an upward trend in car insurance premiums, with average rates Increased by 25% or 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

Drivers in San Francisco pay higher than the state average for car insurance. The good news? You can often cut costs by comparing quotes from several insurers and using discounts – like bundling policies, safe driver rewards, or low-mileage savings.

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.