Car Insurance in San Francisco
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Car Insurance in San Francisco, CA
When you find yourself winding down Lombard Street, you probably don't want to wonder if you have the right car insurance. Whether you commute across the bridges or live in "the City by the Bay," you can compare car insurance in San Francisco to save yourself some cash.
If you're driving in San Francisco, you'll need to be aware of traffic laws unique to the city. For instance, it's illegal to pass one of those iconic trolley cars when it's loading or unloading passengers. Likewise, SF is famous for its many steep inclines, so when you park, be sure to turn the wheel toward the curb, lest your car roll out of control down a hill in California's fourth-largest city.
When you compare car insurance quotes in San Francisco, you put yourself in a position to find the best price. You'll need the minimum coverage required by the state. Given the high cost of living in the 415, every bit makes a difference. Rates vary based on your driving history, age, and even your zip code.
How much is car insurance in San Francisco, CA?
The overall expense of car insurance in San Francisco largely depends on the coverage options you're interested in. To provide a general idea of what you might pay, below are the average costs for the three most popular types of coverage in the city:
State Minimum
Full 50/100
Full 100/300
Auto Insurance Cost Methodology
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What are the cheapest cars to insure in San Francisco?
Evaluating and comparing the insurance costs for each possible car make, model, and year within the city can be a complex task. Nevertheless, if you're interested in identifying which recent models generally offer more cost-effective insurance, take a look at these top 10 most budget-friendly car makes and models in San Francisco:
| Rank | Make and Model | Average Monthly Premium |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Dodge Grand Caravan | $196 |
| 2 | Subaru Forester | $206 |
| 3 | Honda Cr-V | $208 |
| 4 | Honda Odyssey | $217 |
| 5 | Kia Sedona | $218 |
| 6 | Toyota Rav4 | $220 |
| 7 | Toyota Corolla | $223 |
| 8 | Kia Sol | $223 |
| 9 | Ford F-150 | $226 |
| 10 | Toyota Tacoma | $230 |
| Avg. premiums are weighted by zip code population sizes. Data accurate as of July 1, 2024 | ||
How do claims and violations impact my total cost?
Your driving history plays a critical role in determining your car insurance premiums. Various driving incidents, including minor collisions, major accidents, speeding tickets, DUIs, or hit-and-run occurrences, can affect your insurance rates in the city. Here's a view of how common claims and violations can change your rates in San Francisco, listed from the least impactful to the most impactful:
| Violation or Claim | Average Monthly Cost | Price Difference |
|---|---|---|
| No Claims or Violations | $252 | - |
| Not at-fault Accident | $220 | 0% |
| Driving with expired registration | $317 | +44% |
| Speeding Ticket | $320 | +45% |
| At-fault Accident | $383 | +74% |
| Driving with a suspended license | $531 | +141% |
| Hit and Run | $569 | +159% |
| DUI | $577 | +162% |
What car insurance discounts can I get in San Francisco?
In San Francisco, there are numerous discounts available to help reduce the cost of your insurance. These include bundling policies, paying your entire premium upfront, switching to paperless billing, and securing renewal discounts, among others. Below, you will find a list of these discounts ranked from the greatest to the least in terms of savings potential, offering you a clear view of the opportunities to lower your expenses:
| Potential Discounts | Average Monthly Cost | Monthly Savings |
|---|---|---|
| Low Mileage | $164 | +$56 |
| Multi-Policy Home | $196 | +$24 |
| Multi-Policy Renters | $210 | +$10 |
| Renewal discount | $212 | +$8 |
| Paid in Full | $220 | $0 |
| Electronic Funds Transfer | $220 | $0 |
| Paperless | $220 | $0 |
| None | $220 | - |
Premiums are sourced from over 30,000 zip codes across 200 insurance companies. We estimate premiums based on public filings for policies seeking 50/100 in liability with $500 deductibles for collision and comprehensive coverage. Estimated rates are based on a 35-year-old single female with a good credit score and no history of accidents or violations driving a 2023 Toyota RAV4 LE. We partner with Quadrant Information Services to source our data and assume no unique benefits or discounts are applied for these rates (unless otherwise stated). Your own rates may be different.