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Best cheap car insurance in San Francisco for 2025
Powered by Coverage.com (NPN: 19966249)
Coverage.com, LLC is a licensed insurance producer (NPN: 19966249). Coverage.com services are only available in states where it is licensed. Coverage.com may not offer insurance coverage in all states or scenarios. All insurance products are governed by the terms in the applicable insurance policy, and all related decisions (such as approval for coverage, premiums, commissions and fees) and policy obligations are the sole responsibility of the underwriting insurer. The information on this site does not modify any insurance policy terms in any way.
The best car insurance companies in San Francisco
Car insurance providers are in the business of assessing risk, and historically, San Francisco drivers have had to pay high premiums partially due to the frequency of car break-ins here. However, per the S.F. Car Break-In Tracker, the number of break-ins in 2025 is shaping up to be the fewest since tracking began in 2018.
This improvement is largely attributed to Proposition E, which authorized the city to deploy increased surveillance tools like license plate readers and cameras in high-crime neighborhoods. As a result, the San Francisco Police Department reports an 81 percent year-to-date increase in arrests related to car break-ins, which deters future attempts.
As the city’s risk landscape shifts, many car insurance providers have started lowering rates to reflect the reduced likelihood of claims. Bankrate’s insurance editorial team has identified insurers that align with this trend, as well as those that are highly rated by third parties like J.D. Power and those offering unique policyholder benefits. Based on our research, Progressive, Geico, State Farm, Nationwide and Mercury stand out as some of the best auto insurance in San Francisco.
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Why Progressive made our list: Progressive scored above average in J.D. Power's 2025 U.S. Auto Insurance Study for the California region, due in part to its coverage availability and numerous savings opportunities. Roadside assistance, trip interruption, custom parts coverage and pet injury coverage are all available from Progressive. Plus, its rates are competitive for San Francisco.
Why Progressive may be best for online and mobile policy management: Progressive was ranked well above average in both the service and shopping categories in the J.D. Power 2025 U.S. Insurance Digital Experience Study. Its mobile app also has 4.6 and 4.8 star ratings on Google Play and the App Store, respectively. If you’re looking to manage your car insurance policy entirely online, it may be worth getting a quote from Progressive.
| Bankrate Score | 4.4 |
| J.D. Power | 638/1,000 |
| AM Best Rating | A+ |
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Why Geico made our list: Geico has responded most notably to the city’s lowered risk by providing, on average, some of the cheapest car insurance in San Francisco. And its affordable rates do not come at the expense of service, as Geico ranked highest of the providers we analyzed for overall satisfaction in the California region of the J.D. Power 2025 U.S. Auto Insurance Study.
Why Geico may be best for discounts: What Geico lacks in policy endorsements it makes up for with cheap rates and discount opportunities that could help you save even more. Geico advertises more than 20 different savings opportunities on its website. These include good driver discounts, safety discounts and affinity discounts for military, federal employees and more.
| Bankrate Score | 4.3 |
| J.D. Power | 644/1,000 |
| AM Best Rating | A++ |
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Why State Farm made our list: As the largest auto insurance company in the country, State Farm is one of the most prominent names in insurance. State Farm is also one of the few carriers offering products like rideshare coverage, life insurance and landlord insurance — but not home insurance. Last year, State Farm announced it would no longer write new home insurance policies for California homeowners. So, if you’re looking to bundle your home and auto policies together, State Farm would not be a viable option.
Why State Farm may be best for safe drivers: State Farm rates are closer to the San Francisco average, but policyholders have the opportunity to reduce their premium by enrolling in the Drive Safe & Save telematics program. The generous discounts this program offers for responsible and courteous driving helped State Farm take home the 2025 Bankrate Award for Best Auto Insurance Company for Safe Drivers. If you want to learn more about this savings opportunity, there are multiple agent offices throughout the city that would be happy to assist.
| Bankrate Score | 4.3 |
| J.D. Power | 635/1,000 |
| AM Best Rating | A++ |
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Why Nationwide made our list: Nationwide has a lengthy discount list and two different telematics programs for even more potential savings. With SmartRide, you can earn a discount for safe driving habits, and with SmartMiles, your monthly rate will depend on how much you drive. According to the J.D. Power 2025 U.S. Auto Insurance Study, these telematics programs helped Nationwide earn the honor of best usage-based insurance provider.
Why Nationwide may best for policy add-ons: Not only does Nationwide offer an impressive list of discounts, but its coverage options are also impressive. Endorsement options include vanishing deductible, a total loss deductible waiver and roadside assistance.
| Bankrate Score | 4 |
| J.D. Power | 586/1,000 |
| AM Best Rating | A+ |
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Why Mercury made our list: Mercury offers home and car insurance in the state of California, which could make it a good option for homeowners looking to bundle their policies. Roadside assistance and ride-hailing insurance are available as add-ons — the latter may be especially appealing to drivers working for Uber or Lyft.
Why Mercury may be the best regional company: National insurance companies are not a good fit for all drivers. For San Franciscans looking to work with a regional company, there is Mercury. Mercury only writes insurance policies in 11 states, including California. Mercury has four different insurance offices in San Francisco in the Cow Hollow, Outer Sunset, Duboce Triangle and SoMa neighborhoods. Local agents may help to provide insight into insurance needs that are specific to San Francisco.
| Bankrate Score | 3.5 |
| J.D. Power | 594/1,000 |
| AM Best Rating | A |
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Read our full methodologyAt Bankrate, we strive to help you make smarter financial decisions. While we adhere to strict , this post may contain references to products from our partners. Here's an explanation of . Our content is backed by Coverage.com LLC, a licensed entity (NPN: 19966249). For more information, please see our
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carriers reviewed
The cheapest car insurance in San Francisco
California has the highest cost of living in the continental U.S., and San Francisco is consistently ranked in lists of the most expensive cities in the country. What’s considered a cheap car insurance in San Francisco may be wildly expensive compared to another city, but comparing quotes could help keep money in your pocket. Based on our research, Geico, Progressive and Mercury offer the cheapest rates on average for minimum coverage.
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$802
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$2,106
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$457
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$2,233
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$726
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$2,368
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$743
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$2,637
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$953
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$3,161
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How much is car insurance in San Francisco, California?
Car insurance, like mostly everything in San Francisco, is expensive compared to the national average. The average cost of car insurance in San Francisco is $3,495 per year for full coverage and $979 for minimum coverage. This is well above the national average cost of car insurance, which is $2,671 for full coverage and $806 for minimum coverage per year. San Francisco car insurance costs are also higher than the California statewide average, which is $3,102 for full coverage and $915 for minimum.
However, a significant drop in car break-ins has prompted some insurers to reduce premiums after updating their risk algorithms with the latest crime data. Additionally, large metropolitan areas generally face higher insurance costs due to population density and the resulting traffic jams. That said, the San Francisco Bay Area population has decreased by 109,000 residents since 2020, potentially lowering the overall risk of traffic-related accidents compared to previous years.
San Francisco rates for teens
Teen drivers generally pay more for car insurance than older drivers. Their lack of experience behind the wheel and proclivity for speeding make teenagers a higher risk for an insurance company. And with car insurance, higher risk typically means higher rates. If you’re a teen driver who lives at home with your parents, you are likely better off staying on your parents’ insurance policy for as long as you can, as that might help you get a cheaper premium.
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|---|---|---|
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$1,175
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$1,087
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$1,531
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$1,249
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$1,633
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$1,326
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$1,954
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$1,914
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$1,964
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$1,813
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|---|---|---|
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$4,345
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$4,204
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$4,412
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$4,300
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$5,023
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$4,379
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$5,507
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$4,708
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$5,995
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$5,799
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San Francisco rates for young drivers
The cost of car insurance in San Francisco usually starts to dip once you hit your early 20s and decreases significantly by age 25 — so long as you've avoided accidents and tickets. The rates below represent drivers on their own car insurance policies. But to save even more cash, young adults may want to consider staying on their parents' policy if they're still living under the same roof.
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|---|---|---|
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$915
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$539
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$1,169
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$895
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$1,410
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$915
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$1,424
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$1,089
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$1,488
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$976
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|---|---|---|
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$3,876
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$2,548
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$3,933
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$2,587
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$4,220
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$3,619
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$4,570
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$2,963
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$4,588
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$3,929
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San Francisco rates for adults
Drivers in their 30s, 40s and 50s generally enjoy some of the lowest car insurance rates. These age groups are generally deemed lower-risk by most insurance companies, and in turn, they tend to get more affordable rates.
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$467
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$457
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$450
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$766
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$743
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$730
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$767
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$726
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$709
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$810
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$783
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$746
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$828
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$802
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$784
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|---|---|---|---|
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$2,134
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$2,106
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$2,004
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$2,301
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$2,233
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$2,179
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$2,511
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$2,368
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$2,297
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$2,778
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$2,637
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$2,458
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$3,318
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$3,161
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$3,070
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San Francisco rates for seniors
Once a driver ages into their 60s and 70s, it’s possible for rates to begin to climb once again. Changes in vision and reaction time may raise the risk of an accident, which in turn could raise rates. But, if your car insurance company offers a senior or retirement discount, that could be a good way to balance out any premium surcharges.
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|---|---|---|
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$449
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$478
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$684
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$630
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$709
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$880
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$763
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$828
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$819
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$865
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|---|---|---|
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$819
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$1,997
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$449
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$2,226
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$709
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$2,678
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$763
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$2,648
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|
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$913
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$2,936
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Powered by Coverage.com (NPN: 19966249)
Coverage.com, LLC is a licensed insurance producer (NPN: 19966249). Coverage.com services are only available in states where it is licensed. Coverage.com may not offer insurance coverage in all states or scenarios. All insurance products are governed by the terms in the applicable insurance policy, and all related decisions (such as approval for coverage, premiums, commissions and fees) and policy obligations are the sole responsibility of the underwriting insurer. The information on this site does not modify any insurance policy terms in any way.
Compare auto insurance rates
Powered by Coverage.com (NPN: 19966249)
Coverage.com, LLC is a licensed insurance producer (NPN: 19966249). Coverage.com services are only available in states where it is licensed. Coverage.com may not offer insurance coverage in all states or scenarios. All insurance products are governed by the terms in the applicable insurance policy, and all related decisions (such as approval for coverage, premiums, commissions and fees) and policy obligations are the sole responsibility of the underwriting insurer. The information on this site does not modify any insurance policy terms in any way.
The cheapest car insurance company in San Francisco by driving record
Your motor vehicle report (MVR) is used by your insurance company to help set your rate. The MVR comes from your state’s Department or Bureau of Insurance and details your driving history. By looking at your MVR, a potential insurance company will know if you’ve ever gotten a speeding ticket, been in an accident, had a DUI or been dinged with another kind of driving infraction. Expectedly, a driver with a checkered motor vehicle report will likely pay more for their insurance policy than someone with a clean record. But not all driving infractions are equal in the eyes of an insurance company. If you find a carrier that’s more generous about speeding tickets, for instance, you could wind up paying closer to the average cost of insurance.
Car insurance with a speeding ticket in San Francisco
The San Francisco Police Department regularly dishes out over 200 speeding tickets a month. If you were caught driving heavy-footed recently, you can generally expect your insurance premium to increase when your policy renews. Bankrate's analysis shows that drivers with a speeding ticket pay 38 percent more more on average compared to drivers with a clean record for minimum coverage. Bankrate’s insurance editorial team compiled average rates for the five cheapest car insurance companies in San Francisco for drivers with a speeding ticket in the table below.
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|---|---|---|
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$662
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$3,109
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$823
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$2,207
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$982
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$3,231
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$1,046
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$3,754
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$1,091
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$5,415
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Car insurance after an accident in San Francisco
If you were found at-fault for an accident, your insurance costs will likely increase more than they would for something smaller, like a speeding ticket. Based on our average rate data, drivers with an at-fault accident on their records pay 67 percent more than drivers in San Francisco with a clean record for full coverage. But if you do have an at-fault accident on your record, more affordable coverage may be available from the carriers below.
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|---|---|---|
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$744
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$3,250
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$1,191
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$4,791
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$1,316
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$4,924
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$1,334
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$3,498
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$1,382
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$4,270
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Car insurance after a DUI in San Francisco
A DUI is one of the most serious driving infractions you can have on your motor vehicle record. Some insurers, like State Farm, have blanket policies about not writing insurance for drivers with a DUI. Depending on your situation, you may also need your insurance company to file an SR-22 on your behalf. Expectedly, car insurance with a DUI will cost you more; our research shows that a full coverage car insurance policy in San Francisco costs 146 percent more on average for a driver with a DUI than it would with a clean driving record.
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$1,042
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$4,828
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$1,109
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$2,974
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$1,309
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$4,693
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$1,578
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$5,144
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$1,588
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$7,693
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Minimum coverage requirements in San Francisco
In California, drivers are required to either have a car insurance policy, pay a $75,000 cash deposit to the DMV, carry a self-insurance certificate from the DMV or obtain a $75,000 surety bond from a licensed company. If you choose to go the route of a traditional car insurance policy, it must have at least the following liability limits:
- $30,000 bodily injury or death liability per person
- $60,000 bodily injury or death liability per accident
- $15,000 property damage per accident
While minimum coverage car insurance is cheaper than full coverage, San Francisco drivers may want to consider a full coverage policy. A full coverage car insurance policy can financially protect against vehicle theft and other damage, like the kind your car may endure after a smash-and-grab. Although these incidents have been less common in recent years, they can still happen, and minimum coverage insurance will not pay for repairing or replacing your car in these instances.
Frequently asked questions
Methodology
Rates
Bankrate utilizes Quadrant Information Services to analyze September 2025 rates for all ZIP codes and carriers in all 50 states and Washington, D.C. Rates are weighted based on the population density in each geographic region. Quoted rates for our base profile are based on the following characteristics and full coverage limits with bundling and paperless billing discounts applied:
Bodily injury liability
$100,000 per person$300,000 per accident
Property damage liability
$50,000 per accidentPersonal injury protection
$100,000 per accidentUninsured motorist bodily injury
$100,000 per person$300,000 per accident
Collision deductible
$500Comprehensive deductible
$500To determine minimum coverage limits, Bankrate used minimum coverage that meets each state’s requirements. These are sample rates and should only be used for comparative purposes. Your quotes will differ.
If otherwise specified, the base profile has been modified with the following driver characteristics:
Bankrate Score
Our 2025 Bankrate Score for auto insurance considers key variables that our insurance editorial team determined impact policyholders’ experiences with an insurance company. These factors include a robust assessment of each company’s cost of coverage, product availability, financial strength ratings, online capabilities and customer and claims support accessibility. We grouped these factors into three essential categories — cost and ratings, coverage and savings, and support — which we then weighted in a tiered approach.
Each category was assigned a metric to determine performance, and the weighted sum adds up to a company’s total Bankrate Score — out of 5 points. Our scoring model provides a comprehensive view, indicating when companies excel across several key areas and highlighting where they fall short.
- Tier 1 (Cost & ratings): To determine how well auto insurance companies satisfy these priorities, our team analyzed quoted premiums from Quadrant Information Services (if available), as well as any of the latest third-party agency ratings from J.D. Power, AM Best, Demotech and the National Association of Insurance Commissioners (NAIC).
- Tier 2 (Coverage & savings): We assessed companies’ coverage options and availability to help policyholders find a provider that balances cost with coverage. Additionally, we evaluated the discount options listed on each company’s website.
- Tier 3 (Support): To encompass the many ways an auto insurance company can support policyholders, we analyzed avenues of customer accessibility along with community support. This analysis incorporated additional financial strength ratings from S&P and Moody’s and factored in a company’s corporate sustainability efforts.
Tier scores are unweighted to show the company's true score in each category out of a possible five points.
