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Best Cheap Car Insurance in San Francisco
GEICO, USAA, Progressive, AAA, and Mercury are our top picks for car insurance in San Francisco.
Cheapest
Editor's Rating:
4.9/5
4.9/5
Average Cost in San Francisco
- Full Coverage Monthly: $138
- Minimum Coverage Monthly: $55
Best for Military and Veterans
Editor's Rating:5/5
5/5
Average Cost in San Francisco
- Full Coverage Monthly: $149
- Minimum Coverage Monthly: $56
Best for Bundling
Editor's Rating:4.7/5
4.7/5
Average Cost in San Francisco
- Full Coverage Monthly: $164
- Minimum Coverage Monthly: $73
Last updated: June 25, 2026
Key Takeaways: Cheap Car Insurance in San Francisco 2026
GEICO offers the cheapest car insurance in San Francisco, with an average full coverage rate of $1,657 annually.
USAA offers the second-cheapest full and minimum coverage in San Francisco, but is only available to military members, veterans, and their families.
AAA and Progressive offer the next-lowest average car insurance rates in San Francisco.
San Francisco drivers pay an average annual rate of $2,498 for full coverage, and $954 for minimum coverage.
AAA ranks the highest for customer satisfaction in San Francisco.
Our Top Picks for the Best Cheap Auto Insurance in San Francisco
- Cheapest: GEICO
- Best for Military and Veterans: USAA
- Best for Bundling: Progressive
- Best for Customer Service: AAA
- Best for Rideshare Drivers: Mercury
Compare the Best Cheap Auto Insurance in San Francisco
| Company | Full Coverage Annual Avg. | Minimum Coverage Annual Avg. | California Customer Satisfaction (J.D. Power) |
|---|---|---|---|
| GEICO | $1,657 | $660 | Above average |
| USAA | $1,792 | $676 | Above average |
| Progressive | $1,965 | $870 | Above average |
| AAA | $2,322 | $816 | Above average |
| Mercury | $1,902 | $908 | Below average |
| San Francisco average | $2,498 | $954 | – |
Detailed List of the Best Cheap Providers in San Francisco
1. GEICO - Cheapest
4.9
Editor's Rating:
- Average San Francisco Rate for Minimum Coverage
- $55 mo.
- Average San Francisco Rate for Full Coverage
- $138 mo.
Lowest average San Francisco rates- Fast online quotes
- Wide range of discounts
Limited agent presence- Doesn't underwrite home insurance
Why we chose it
GEICO is well known nationwide for its affordable auto insurance rates, and San Francisco is no exception. The company has the lowest average full and minimum coverage rates in San Francisco, and it fares well in the J.D. Power California Customer Service Satisfaction study, meaning customers can expect a good level of customer service.
GEICO offers a wide range of auto insurance discounts, including federal employee, affiliate groups, auto-pay, good student, and multi-policy.
GEICO has no physical locations in California and it stopped selling policies by phone in the state—instead, customers can use its online quote tool to review multiple policy options, and manage their policies online or with GEICO’s highly-rated app.
Who it’s best for
Drivers looking for the absolute lowest San Francisco rates, federal employees, and customers who prefer to shop and manage their policies online.
GEICO San Francisco pricing
| GEICO | Full coverage | Minimum coverage |
|---|---|---|
| Monthly | $138 | $55 |
| Annually | $1,657 | $660 |
| Difference from San Francisco average | -33% | -31% |
2. USAA - Best for Military and Veterans
5
Editor's Rating:
- Average San Francisco Rate for Minimum Coverage
- $56 mo.
- Average San Francisco Rate for Full Coverage
- $149 mo.
- Low rates for veterans and military members
- Wide range of discounts
- Excellent customer service scores
- Military eligibility required
- Limited to members
- Fewer branch locations
Why we chose it
USAA offers the second-cheapest San Francisco rates on average after GEICO. While it’s technically ineligible for the study due to its limited availability (USAA is only available to military members, veterans, and their immediate families), it scores highest of all reviewed providers in both the J.D. Power Customer Service study in California and the national J.D. Power Claims Satisfaction study.
Along with its low rates, USAA offers military-specific discounts, including vehicle storage and deployment. It also offers two usage-based discount programs, USAA Safe Pilot and USAA Safe Pilot Miles, which offer discounts for safe driving habits and lower-mileage drivers, respectively.
Who it’s best for
Military members, veterans, and their immediate families, and drivers looking for usage-based discount programs.
USAA San Francisco pricing
| USAA | Full coverage | Minimum coverage |
|---|---|---|
| Monthly | $149 | $56 |
| Annually | $1,792 | $676 |
| Difference from San Francisco average | -28% | -29% |
3. Progressive - Best for Bundling
4.7
Editor's Rating:
- Average San Francisco Rate for Minimum Coverage
- $73 mo.
- Average San Francisco Rate for Full Coverage
- $164 mo.
- Wide range of discounts
- Offers rideshare insurance
- Home and auto bundles
- Mixed reviews for customer service
- Gap insurance won’t necessarily cover full amount owed
Why we chose it
Progressive has lower-than-average full and minimum coverage rates in San Francisco, and a wide range of discounts, including bundling, automatic payments, multiple cars, and online quotes. It also offers a usage-based discount program called Snapshot, which awards discounts for safe driving habits.
While other insurers are pulling their home insurance policies from the state, Progressive offers home and bundling auto insurance discounts in California. We named it the best car insurance in California for bundling home and auto.
Who it’s best for
Safe drivers looking for usage-based insurance and homeowners looking to bundle home/renters and auto insurance.
Progressive San Francisco pricing
| Progressive | Full coverage | Minimum coverage |
|---|---|---|
| Monthly | $164 | $73 |
| Annually | $1,965 | $870 |
| Difference from San Francisco average | -21% | -9% |
4. AAA - Best for Customer Service
4.5
Editor's Rating:
- Average San Francisco Rate for Minimum Coverage
- $68 mo.
- Average San Francisco Rate for Full Coverage
- $194 mo.
- High customer service scores in California
- Local agents
- Exceptional roadside assistance
- Membership required
- Pricing varies by club
Why we chose it
AAA is known for offering best-in-class roadside assistance. It has lower-than-average full and minimum coverage rates in San Francisco, and it offers local San Francisco agents for those who prefer to manage their policies with an agent. Its auto insurance is only available to AAA club members, so it’s best for existing club members or those willing to become members.
AAA fares well in both J.D. Power’s customer service and claims satisfaction survey, and received the highest CRASH Network Insurer Report Card score of any of our San Francisco providers—indicating that it has a smooth claims process and high standard of customer service.
Who it’s best for
San Francisco drivers who are already AAA members, and drivers who prefer to manage their policies in person.
AAA San Francisco pricing
| AAA | Full coverage | Minimum coverage |
|---|---|---|
| Monthly | $194 | $68 |
| Annually | $2,322 | $816 |
| Difference from San Francisco average | -7% | -14% |
5. Mercury - Best for Rideshare Drivers
3.7
Editor's Rating:
- Average San Francisco Rate for Minimum Coverage
- $74 mo.
- Average San Francisco Rate for Full Coverage
- $159 mo.
- Add on rideshare coverage
- Usage-based discount
- Smart payment discounts
- Customer service varies
- Basic mobile tools
Why we chose it
Mercury auto insurance is a regional provider that’s available only in California and 10 other states. Its rideshare coverage is one of its more unique offerings, and rideshare drivers can purchase add-on coverage to protect them when the app isn’t in use and when they’re en route to collect a rideshare customer.
Mercury’s usage-based safe driving program, MercuryGo, offers a 10 percent discount just for signing up, and drivers can earn up to a 40 percent discount based on safe driving habits—one of the highest usage-based discounts on the market.
Who it’s best for
Drivers who prioritize low rates over the highest rated customer service and those looking for add-on rideshare coverage.
Mercury San Francisco pricing
| Mercury | Full coverage | Minimum coverage |
|---|---|---|
| Monthly | $159 | $74 |
| Annually | $1,902 | $908 |
| Difference from San Francisco average | -24% | -4% |
San Francisco Best Cheap Picks — Detailed Customer Satisfaction Summary
| Company | J.D. Power Auto Insurance Study – California1 | CRASH Network Report Card2 | J.D. Power Claims Satisfaction3 | NAIC Complaint Index4 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| GEICO | 647 | C- | 697 | 1.14 |
| USAA | 745 | C- | 741 | 2.99 |
| Progressive | 645 | C- | 673 | 2.66 |
| AAA | 677 | B | 726 | N/A |
| Mercury | 596 | C+ | 701 | 2.58 |
| Average | 633 | C- | 741 | 1 |
| What the study measures | Customer satisfaction regionally, based on responses from over 40,000 customers | Claims handling and payment practices, based on an annual survey of collision repair shops | Satisfaction with the claims process, based on responses from nearly 10,000 customers who recently filed a claim | Consumer complaints relative to market share. The lower the score, the better |
Cheapest Full Coverage Car Insurance in San Francisco
GEICO has the cheapest full coverage in San Francisco, with an average annual rate of $1,657—33 percent lower than the statewide citywide average of $2,498. After GEICO, USAA, and Mercury offer the lowest full coverage rates in San Francisco.
| Company | Annual San Francisco Average | Monthly San Francisco Average |
|---|---|---|
| GEICO | $1,657 | $138 |
| USAA | $1,792 | $149 |
| Mercury | $1,902 | $159 |
| Progressive | $1,965 | $164 |
| AAA | $2,322 | $194 |
| State Farm | $2,501 | $208 |
| Allstate | $2,640 | $220 |
| San Francisco average | $2,498 | $208 |
| California average | $2,569 | $214 |
| U.S. average | $2,356 | $196 |
RELATED:
Find cheap car insurance in nearby Oakland.
Cheapest Minimum Coverage Car Insurance in San Francisco
GEICO also has the cheapest minimum coverage rates in San Francisco, with an average annual rate of $660, which is 31 percent lower than the citywide average of $954. USAA and AAA offer the next cheapest minimum coverage, with average annual rates of $676 and $816, respectively.
| Company | Annual San Francisco Average | Monthly San Francisco Average |
|---|---|---|
| GEICO | $660 | $55 |
| USAA | $676 | $56 |
| AAA | $816 | 68 |
| Progressive | $870 | 72.5 |
| State Farm | $905 | $75 |
| Mercury | $908 | $76 |
| Allstate | $1,034 | $86 |
| San Francisco average | $954 | $80 |
| California average | $751 | $63 |
| U.S. average | $722 | $60 |
How many car accidents happen in San Francisco?
In 2025, there were 25 traffic-related deaths in San Francisco. This is down 44 percent from 2024, which saw 45 traffic fatalities.5 The vast majority of accidents occur on just 13 percent of San Francisco streets.6
Between 2020 and 2024, 33% of all accidents that resulted in injury or fatality were broadside collisions, 17% were vehicle/pedestrian collisions, and 15% were rear-end collisions.7
Drive safe:
San Francisco’s most dangerous intersections based on the number of collisions are 5th and Market, Market and Octavia, and 6th and Market.8
Minimum Auto Insurance Requirements in California
In California, all drivers must carry the following limits to legally operate a vehicle.
- Bodily injury liability: $30,000 per person/$60,000 per accident
- Property damage liability: $15,000 per accident9
While these represent the legal minimum coverage auto insurance limits, they’re rarely enough to cover the costs if you actually get into an accident. With higher limits, you’ll have lower out-of-pocket costs, and your insurance provider is more likely to cover the full cost of the accident.
Frequently Asked Questions
GEICO has the cheapest car insurance in San Francisco. Its average minimum coverage rate is $660, which is 31 percent lower than the citywide average. Full coverage from GEICO costs $1,675 and is 33 percent lower than the citywide average.
GEICO offers the cheapest car insurance in California. Its average annual full coverage rate is 32 percent lower than the statewide average of $2,596, and its minimum coverage rate is 39 percent lower than the statewide average of $751.
After GEICO, Progressive, USAA, and CSAA offer the most affordable rates in the state. Car insurance rates vary based on driving history, vehicle, coverage, and location, so we recommend getting at least two quotes to find the lowest possible rate.
On average, GEICO is cheaper than AAA. A full coverage policy from GEICO costs $1,876, while a full coverage policy from AAA costs $3,009. GEICO also offers more affordable minimum coverage, with an average annual rate of $558, compared to AAA’s average rate of $1,080.
The average cost of full coverage car insurance in San Francisco is $2,498 annually ($208 monthly). The average cost of minimum coverage is $945 ($80 monthly).
Methodology
We use four key factors to determine our best providers at AutoInsurance.com:
- Price (40%): We reviewed full and minimum coverage average car insurance rates in San Francisco, California, for drivers with a clean history. We used the following full coverage limits:
-
-
- Bodily injury liability: $100,000 per person/$300,000 per accident
- Property damage liability: $50,000 per accident
- Uninsured and underinsured motorist bodily injury: $100,000 per person/$300,000 per accident
- Comprehensive and collision: $500 deductible
-
- Claims handling (25%): Claims resolution is the core function of any insurance provider. We favor providers that offer a prompt, transparent, and efficient claims-handling process, with strong communication throughout. We use third-party sources like the CRASH Network Insurer Report Card and J.D. Power’s Claims Satisfaction report to evaluate the claims-handling process, along with financial strength data from AM Best and S&P, and real customer experiences where available.
- Customer experience (25%): We review the ease of the customer journey from beginning to end, including getting a quote, purchasing a policy, and managing policy documents. We take into account the quality and availability of online and in-person interactions, using third-party sources like the J.D. Power studies, the NAIC complaint index, app store reviews, and BBB ratings.
- Coverage options (10%): We review and evaluate the coverage options of each of our providers, favoring insurers that offer coverage beyond state-required limits, including gap coverage, rideshare coverage, and accident forgiveness.
Sources
Auto Insurers Struggle to Maintain Seamless Interactions Across Channels, JD Power Finds. JD Power. (2026, Jun 09).
https://www.jdpower.com/business/press-releases/2026-us-auto-insurance-studyTop Rated U.S. Car Insurance Companies for 2026. Crash Network. (2026).
https://www.crashnetwork.com/irc/Satisfaction with Auto Insurance Claims Strained by Higher Deductibles, More Total Losses, JD Power Finds. JD Power. (2025, Oct 28).
https://www.jdpower.com/business/press-releases/2025-us-auto-claims-satisfaction-studyConsumer Insurance Search Results. NAIC. (2026).
https://content.naic.org/cis_refined_results.htmTraffic Fatalities. SF Government. (2026).
https://www.sf.gov/data–traffic-fatalitiesMost severe accidents occur on 13% of San Francisco streets: data. Fox KTVU. (2026, Apr 29).
https://www.ktvu.com/news/severe-accidents-occur-13-san-francisco-streets-data2023-2024 San Francisco Traffic Crashes Report. SFMTA. (2025, Aug 20).
https://www.visionzerosf.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/08/San-Francisco-Collisions-Report-2023_2024.pdfThe San Francisco streets where you’re most likely to be hit by a car. The San Francisco Standard. (2022, Sep 21).
https://sfstandard.com/2022/09/21/the-san-francisco-streets-youre-most-likely-to-be-hit-by-a-car-on/Insurance Requirements. State of California DMV. (2026).
https://www.dmv.ca.gov/portal/vehicle-registration/insurance-requirements/
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