Car Insurance in San Diego: Costs, Coverage, and Ways to Save

Younis ShuaibUpdated February 19th, 2025

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They call San Diego America's Finest City for many reasons, but one of the finest may be the low car insurance premiums. Car insurance in San Diego is among the most affordable for major cities across the United States. According to Bankrate, the average cost of full coverage is $2,684 per year, which is 13% below the average cost of car insurance in California. (And just a bit higher than the national average.)

Although insurance premiums in San Diego are lower than the rest of the state on average, that doesn't guarantee you a great price. There are many factors that impact rates, including your location within the city. Here, we break down car insurance in San Diego so you can understand state requirements, optional protections, cost-saving strategies, and how to compare quotes from top insurance companies.

California Car Insurance Requirements

When you get car insurance in San Diego, California, it must meet the state's minimum liability insurance requirements while still providing you adequate coverage.

California’s Minimum Liability Coverage Requirements

California has lower insurance requirements than other states. Nonetheless, your insurance policy still must meet at least these minimums:

• $30,000 of bodily injury liability for injury or death to one person
• $60,000 of bodily injury liability for injury or death to more than one person
• $15,000 of property damage liability

Liability insurance compensates other individuals involved in accidents, not yourself. That's why it's important to consider additional coverages.

Optional Coverages: Comprehensive, Collision & Uninsured Motorist

Meeting the minimum requirements is legally required, but these minimums are often not enough to cover medical expenses or property damage after an accident. As such, most people opt for additional coverages:

• Collision coverage: This coverage compensates you for medical expenses and property damage after a collision with another vehicle or a stationary object.
• Comprehensive coverage: This coverage compensates you for non-collision damage, like vandalism, theft, or acts of nature. Combining collision and comprehensive coverage is what's known as full coverage.
• Uninsured motorist coverage: Although the state requires car insurance, you may still encounter people driving with a suspended license in California or without insurance. This coverage pays you when you're in an accident with someone who doesn't have an insurance policy.

To get any of these insurances, you'll need to have a valid license, so remember to check your driver license status in California.

Temporary Car Insurance in San Diego (No Waiting Period)

One of the most affordable ways to get an auto insurance policy is to get temporary insurance. Most car insurance companies offer six-month policies with no waiting period, so if you'll only have a car for a short amount of time, you can save on auto insurance premiums.

Average Car Insurance Costs in San Diego

While San Diego has relatively low average costs compared to other California cities, insurance rates may vary based on several factors:

• Location: Different zip codes in the city may have different average insurance rates due to higher accident rates, theft rates, or other reasons.
• Driving record: Your driving record is one of the most important factors in determining your auto insurance premiums. Keeping a clean driving record is one of the best ways to secure better rates.
• Age: Usually, teen drivers and drivers over the age of 65 must pay higher premiums.
• Credit scores: Those with higher credit scores typically get lower insurance rates.

Whether you have a basic or standard driver's license or a commercial driver's license may also impact rates and the types of coverage that you can get.

How to Save on Car Insurance in San Diego

Finding affordable car insurance in San Diego​ is easier than in some other cities. The best car insurance in San Diego gives you adequate coverage at a deductible and monthly premium that you can afford. These are some of the best ways to save money:

• Compare rates: You should always shop and compare rates across insurance companies. Just because one insurance company gives you one quote doesn't mean you'll get the same quote from another.
• Improve your driver profile: Keeping a clean driving record and paying off debt to improve your credit score will put your driver profile in better standing and give you access to better rates.
• Shop discounts: Most insurance companies offer a variety of discounts depending on your eligibility. Look for safe driving discounts, defensive driving discounts, low mileage discounts, student discounts, and more.
• Bundle policies: Bundling a car insurance policy with your renter's or homeowner's insurance policy is a good way to get two policies for a reduced rate.

Secure the Best Auto Insurance Deal in San Diego

Finding the best auto insurance in San Diego takes a little bit of research and time. Fortunately, it's much easier when you have technology on your side. Use EverQuote's comparison tools to get quotes in real time and find the best coverages for your budget.

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