Cheapest Auto Insurance in San Diego, California (2024)
Mile Auto has the cheapest liability-only rates in San Diego, at $53 per month.
Excellent
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Written byAnna Baluch
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4+ years writing insurance and personal finance content
MBA from Roosevelt University
Anna leverages her personal finance and insurance knowledge to create educational content that helps people make smart financial decisions.
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Edited byKatie Powers
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Licensed auto and home insurance agent
3+ years experience in insurance and personal finance editing
Katie uses her knowledge and expertise as a licensed property and casualty agent in Massachusetts to help readers understand the complexities of insurance shopping.
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Reviewed byMark Friedlander
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Corporate communications director for Insurance Information Institute
20+ years in insurance and communications
As Director, Corporate Communications for Triple-I, Mark serves as the non-profit’s national spokesperson, sharing information and education on a wide array of insurance issues.
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Data reviewed byKonstantin Halachev
)
7+ years experience in data analysis
Ph.D. in Computational Biology
Konstantin has led data teams across multiple industries, including insurance, travel, and biology. He’s led Insurify’s engineering team for more than three years.
Updated October 30, 2024
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Table of contents
The overall average monthly cost of car insurance in San Diego is $186. Costs in the city are lower than the California state average of $219 and the overall national average of $158.
San Diego has an average number of auto accidents and has implemented initiatives to improve safety on city streets and sidewalks, which may contribute to the lower-than-average rates.[1]
Here’s what you need to know about comparing quotes and finding coverage in San Diego.
Quick Facts
San Diego drivers pay $120 per month for liability coverage and $252 for full-coverage insurance, on average.
Auto insurers in California can’t use credit-based insurance scores when determining your premiums or underwriting coverage.[2]
Mile Auto offers the cheapest full-coverage insurance in San Diego, at $97 per month.
Cheapest car insurance companies in San Diego
When shopping around for car insurance, you should consider more than your budget. The best auto insurance company for you will depend on a variety of factors, including your coverage needs, age, driving history, average mileage, and more.
San Diego residents have different car insurance companies to choose from, but Mile Auto, Sun Coast, and Clearcover stand out with quality coverage and competitive rates. The average rates below reflect statewide costs in California.
Insurance Company ▲▼ | IQ Score The Insurify Quality (IQ) Score uses more than 15 criteria to objectively rate insurance companies on a one-to-ten scale. The Insurify editorial team researches insurer data to determine the final scores. ▲▼ | Full Coverage ▲▼ | Liability Only ▲▼ | Best for ▲▼ |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Mile Auto | 7.5 | $112 | $60 | Liability-only coverage |
| Sun Coast | 2.3 | $218 | $94 | Drivers with speeding tickets |
| Clearcover | 6.8 | N/A | N/A | Young drivers |
Disclaimer: Table data sourced from real-time quotes from Insurify's 50-plus partner insurance providers and quote estimates from Quadrant Information Services. Actual quotes may vary based on the policy buyer's unique driver profile.
Our editorial team spent more than 350 hours developing the Insurify Quality (IQ) Score and scoring insurance companies. The IQ Score objectively analyzes and calculates a score for insurers using more than 15 crucial criteria. The team weighted criteria by importance to the consumer — factors such as customer reviews and affordability influence the score more than availability and third-party ratings.
We rate each company on a 1 to 10 scale based on five categories: financial ratings, customer satisfaction, affordability, customer support and transparency, and availability. Insurify updates ratings once a year or as more recent information becomes available.
- Third-party financial ratings: Insurify uses data from AM Best, S&P, Moody’s, and more to compare insurance companies’ credit and ability to pay out future claims.
- Customer satisfaction: To calculate this score, Insurify analyzed more than 28,000 customer reviews across 155 car insurance companies. We also consider third-party ratings from J.D. Power, the National Association of Insurance Commissioners, and Trustpilot.
- Affordability: Our data scientists analyzed more than 90 million real-time auto insurance rates from our partners across the U.S., as well as available discounts, to calculate an affordability score.
- Customer support and transparency: This measures coverage options, ease of claims filing, and the insurer's transparency surrounding discounts, coverages, and claims process.
- Availability and reach: Insurify scores availability and reach by identifying the number of states in which insurers offer coverage and company size by market share.
Best insurer for liability-only coverage: Mile Auto
| User Reviews | 4.1 |
|---|---|
| IQ Score The Insurify Quality (IQ) Score uses more than 15 criteria to objectively rate insurance companies on a one-to-ten scale. The Insurify editorial team researches insurer data to determine the final scores. | 7.5 /10 |
| Liability Only Liability-only insurance, sometimes called minimum-coverage insurance, pays for bodily injury and property damage to others in an accident the policyholder causes. It does not pay for the insured’s own damages. | $53/mo |
| Full Coverage Full-coverage car insurance generally includes liability, collision, and comprehensive coverage, and may include other optional coverages such as uninsured motorist coverage. Collision covers a policyholder’s repair or replacement costs in case of an accident. Comprehensive covers damages caused by non-accident events. The average quote displayed here reflects policies with the following coverage limits: $50,000 bodily injury liability per person; $100,000 bodily injury liability per accident; $50,00 property damage liability per accident; $1,000 collision deductible; and a $1,000 comprehensive deductible. | $97/mo |
4.1
Best choiceBased on 50 verified guest reviews and ratings
Reviews (29)
Cookie
October 15, 2024
Verified Purchase
Excellent
Low mileage rate.
Tasha
October 10, 2024
Verified Purchase
Not pleased
Don't opt for this insurance if you're on a budget. I was unaware that this was a cost-per-mile insurance. I was never informed about it, and now I'm paying an extra $20 for roadside assistance that I thought was included. I had mentioned to the representative that I couldn't afford expensive insurance, yet the cost has increased.
Thomas
October 8, 2024
Verified Purchase
Mixed Review
Mixed. One representative was confusing and couldn't guide me regarding a text I received which stated my payment, which I had been informed had been processed, had actually gone through. To ensure I was covered, I made the payment. The previous representative had been professional and direct. So, I have a mixed reaction.
JD Power
J.D. Power data measures overall customer satisfaction and claims satisfaction based on a 1,000-point scale.
NRNAIC Index
Average amount of customer complaints relative to competitors on a 0-5 scale. A lower score represents fewer complaints.
NRA.M. Best
A.M. Best analyzes an insurer’s financials, operating performance, business profile, and other factors to generate an opinion-based rating of a company’s financial and credit strength. Ratings range from A++ (exceptional) to D (poor).
NRWhy we picked this company
Mile Auto is a pay-per-mile car insurance company, meaning customers pay a base rate plus a per-mile rate for the miles they drive rather than paying a flat monthly fee. It offers affordable premiums for drivers who drive fewer than 10,000 miles per year.
Pros
Cheap for low-mileage drivers
No tracking device or app required
Cons
Negative Trustpilot customer service reviews
Limited additional coverage options
Best insurer for drivers with speeding tickets: Sun Coast
| User Reviews | 3.8 |
|---|---|
| IQ Score The Insurify Quality (IQ) Score uses more than 15 criteria to objectively rate insurance companies on a one-to-ten scale. The Insurify editorial team researches insurer data to determine the final scores. | NR |
| Liability Only Liability-only insurance, sometimes called minimum-coverage insurance, pays for bodily injury and property damage to others in an accident the policyholder causes. It does not pay for the insured’s own damages. | $66/mo |
| Full Coverage Full-coverage car insurance generally includes liability, collision, and comprehensive coverage, and may include other optional coverages such as uninsured motorist coverage. Collision covers a policyholder’s repair or replacement costs in case of an accident. Comprehensive covers damages caused by non-accident events. The average quote displayed here reflects policies with the following coverage limits: $50,000 bodily injury liability per person; $100,000 bodily injury liability per accident; $50,00 property damage liability per accident; $1,000 collision deductible; and a $1,000 comprehensive deductible. | $193/mo |
3.8
A solid optionBased on 19 verified guest reviews and ratings
How drivers feel about Sun Coast
Drivers appreciate the payment options and knowledgable adjusters but dislike the expensive premiums and unavailable customer service.
AI-generated from the text of verified reviews collected by Insurify
Best For
Difficult-to-insure drivers
West Coast drivers
Coverage in Mexico
How drivers feel about Sun Coast
Drivers appreciate the payment options and knowledgable adjusters but dislike the expensive premiums and unavailable customer service.
AI-generated from the text of verified reviews collected by Insurify
Best For
Difficult-to-insure drivers
West Coast drivers
Coverage in Mexico
Reviews (9)
Marylou
September 9, 2024
Verified Purchase
Surprise!
Sun Coast is by far the best insurance I have found. The rates are awesome.
Patricia
August 14, 2024
Verified Review
Great so far
Excellent
Tiffany
August 12, 2024
Verified Purchase
Unpleasant Experience
The experience was terrible. I was quoted a price but wasn't informed that I needed to submit proof of my degree. I wasn't given any time to submit it before my rate was increased. My payment didn't come out of my direct deposit on time due to their mistake, which resulted in an increased rate. I'm on a fixed income, so this was a terrible experience. Now, I have no insurance.
JD Power
J.D. Power data measures overall customer satisfaction and claims satisfaction based on a 1,000-point scale.
NRNAIC Index
Average amount of customer complaints relative to competitors on a 0-5 scale. A lower score represents fewer complaints.
NRA.M. Best
A.M. Best analyzes an insurer’s financials, operating performance, business profile, and other factors to generate an opinion-based rating of a company’s financial and credit strength. Ratings range from A++ (exceptional) to D (poor).
NRWhy we picked this company
Sun Coast is headquartered in Laguna Beach and offers car insurance in addition to other insurance products, like boat, yacht, and watercraft insurance. Its auto insurance products include standard options, like bodily injury and property damage coverage, as well as add-ons like roadside assistance and rental car reimbursement.
Pros
California-based insurer
Plenty of discounts available
Cons
No online claims filing
No home insurance bundling available
Best insurer for young drivers: Clearcover
| User Reviews | 3.3 |
|---|---|
| IQ Score The Insurify Quality (IQ) Score uses more than 15 criteria to objectively rate insurance companies on a one-to-ten scale. The Insurify editorial team researches insurer data to determine the final scores. | 6.8 /10 |
| Liability Only Liability-only insurance, sometimes called minimum-coverage insurance, pays for bodily injury and property damage to others in an accident the policyholder causes. It does not pay for the insured’s own damages. | $94/mo |
| Full Coverage Full-coverage car insurance generally includes liability, collision, and comprehensive coverage, and may include other optional coverages such as uninsured motorist coverage. Collision covers a policyholder’s repair or replacement costs in case of an accident. Comprehensive covers damages caused by non-accident events. The average quote displayed here reflects policies with the following coverage limits: $50,000 bodily injury liability per person; $100,000 bodily injury liability per accident; $50,00 property damage liability per accident; $1,000 collision deductible; and a $1,000 comprehensive deductible. | $179/mo |
3.3
A solid optionBased on 48 verified guest reviews and ratings
How drivers feel about Clearcover
Drivers appreciate the helpful customer service, initial low prices, and reasonable coverage but dislike the significant price increases over time.
AI-generated from the text of verified reviews collected by Insurify
Best For
Robust mobile app
Fast claims process
Competitive pricing
How drivers feel about Clearcover
Drivers appreciate the helpful customer service, initial low prices, and reasonable coverage but dislike the significant price increases over time.
AI-generated from the text of verified reviews collected by Insurify
Best For
Robust mobile app
Fast claims process
Competitive pricing
Reviews (35)
Catherine
October 22, 2024
Verified Review
Great Customer Service
My premium increased by $70 due to an auto accident.
Brett
October 12, 2024
Verified Review
Unexpected Rate Increases
Everything was fine until they started to increase my rates, despite having no claims, DUIs, or moving violations. My driving record is clean, I'm almost 63 years old, and yet my rate keeps going up. It seems like there might be some price gouging in the insurance industry. The reason I decided to switch to Clearcover was because they offered me the best rate at that time. However, since then, my rate has only increased. It should be dropping, not going up.
Richard
October 7, 2024
Verified Review
T.B.
Too expensive for me.
JD Power
J.D. Power data measures overall customer satisfaction and claims satisfaction based on a 1,000-point scale.
NRNAIC Index
Average amount of customer complaints relative to competitors on a 0-5 scale. A lower score represents fewer complaints.
3.14A.M. Best
A.M. Best analyzes an insurer’s financials, operating performance, business profile, and other factors to generate an opinion-based rating of a company’s financial and credit strength. Ratings range from A++ (exceptional) to D (poor).
NRWhy we picked this company
Clearcover is an auto insurer known for its user-friendly app and easy online experience, making it a good choice for tech-savvy younger drivers. It allows customers to manage their policies and file claims from their mobile devices. Plus, Clearcover boasts a claims process as short as seven minutes on average.
Pros
Robust mobile app
Rideshare insurance available
Cons
No bundling discounts
No SR-22 insurance available
How to get the cheapest car insurance in San Diego
Car insurers have variations in coverage options, policy specifics, and underwriting processes, so finding cheap car insurance involves a bit of research and work on your part. You can land the best deal on a policy if you follow these tips:
Shop around. It’s well worth your time and effort to get quotes from several car insurance companies. This can help you find the lowest price for your particular needs.
Look for discounts. Car insurance companies usually offer a variety of discounts. You may get one for being a safe driver, insuring multiple vehicles, or installing an anti-theft device.
Consider pay-per-mile insurance. California doesn’t permit the use of telematics to track driving behaviors, but pay-per-mile insurance is available. This type of insurance might be a good idea for remote workers, retirees, and low-mileage drivers. You’ll only pay for the miles you drive.
Practice safe driving habits. Speeding tickets, at-fault accidents, and DUIs can raise your car insurance premiums. Drive responsibly to avoid them. Good drivers with clean driving records typically earn lower rates.
Cheapest liability-only car insurance in San Diego: Mile Auto
Per California law, San Diego drivers must purchase at least liability-only car insurance, which pays for the other driver’s property damage and injuries after an at-fault accident. Because it’s the minimum required auto insurance, it’s typically cheaper than full-coverage policies and liability policies with higher limits.
With a cost of $53 per month, Mile Auto offers the cheapest liability-only insurance in San Diego.
The table below shows average quotes for liability-only policies from popular car insurance companies in San Diego.
The below rates are estimated rates current as of: Sunday, September 1 at 12:00 PM PDT.
Data reviewed by Konstantin Halachev
7+ years experience in data analysis
Ph.D. in Computational Biology
Konstantin has led data teams across multiple industries, including insurance, travel, and biology. He’s led Insurify’s engineering team for more than three years.
Insurance Company ▲▼ | Average Monthly Quote ▲▼ | IQ Score The Insurify Quality (IQ) Score uses more than 15 criteria to objectively rate insurance companies on a one-to-ten scale. The Insurify editorial team researches insurer data to determine the final scores. ▲▼ |
|---|---|---|
| Mile Auto | $53 | 8 |
| Sun Coast | $66 | 0 |
| Mercury | $82 | 8 |
| Anchor | $88 | 6 |
| USAA | $102 | 9 |
| National General | $115 | 7 |
| GEICO | $135 | 9 |
| Direct Auto | $136 | 7 |
| Allstate | $140 | 9 |
| Farmers | $144 | 8 |
| State Farm | $156 | 9 |
| Travelers | $164 | 9 |
| 21st Century | $178 | 6 |
| Bristol West | $196 | 5 |
| Nationwide | $220 | 9 |
Table data sourced from real-time quotes from Insurify's 50-plus partner insurance providers and quote estimates from Quadrant Information Services. Actual quotes may vary based on the policy buyer's unique driver profile. Note an Insurify Quality Score of 0.0 indicates the company has not yet been reviewed and scored.
Our editorial team spent more than 350 hours developing the Insurify Quality (IQ) Score and scoring insurance companies. The IQ Score objectively analyzes and calculates a score for insurers using more than 15 crucial criteria. The team weighted criteria by importance to the consumer — factors such as customer reviews and affordability influence the score more than availability and third-party ratings.
We rate each company on a 1 to 10 scale based on five categories: financial ratings, customer satisfaction, affordability, customer support and transparency, and availability. Insurify updates ratings once a year or as more recent information becomes available.
- Third-party financial ratings: Insurify uses data from AM Best, S&P, Moody’s, and more to compare insurance companies’ credit and ability to pay out future claims.
- Customer satisfaction: To calculate this score, Insurify analyzed more than 28,000 customer reviews across 155 car insurance companies. We also consider third-party ratings from J.D. Power, the National Association of Insurance Commissioners, and Trustpilot.
- Affordability: Our data scientists analyzed more than 90 million real-time auto insurance rates from our partners across the U.S., as well as available discounts, to calculate an affordability score.
- Customer support and transparency: This measures coverage options, ease of claims filing, and the insurer's transparency surrounding discounts, coverages, and claims process.
- Availability and reach: Insurify scores availability and reach by identifying the number of states in which insurers offer coverage and company size by market share.
Cheapest full-coverage car insurance in San Diego: Mile Auto
Full-coverage car insurance usually includes three types of coverage: liability, collision, and comprehensive coverages. With collision and comprehensive coverages on a policy, you have protection against damages to your car after certain events. Drivers with newer or expensive cars may consider full-coverage car insurance to help pay for car repairs after accidents or weather damage. And you’ll likely need a full-coverage policy if you finance or lease your car.
The table below shows the insurance companies with the cheapest quotes for full-coverage auto insurance in San Diego. Drivers can find the cheapest full-coverage insurance with Mile Auto, with rates of $97 per month.
The below rates are estimated rates current as of: Sunday, September 1 at 12:00 PM PDT.
Data reviewed by Konstantin Halachev
7+ years experience in data analysis
Ph.D. in Computational Biology
Konstantin has led data teams across multiple industries, including insurance, travel, and biology. He’s led Insurify’s engineering team for more than three years.
Insurance Company ▲▼ | Average Monthly Quote ▲▼ | IQ Score The Insurify Quality (IQ) Score uses more than 15 criteria to objectively rate insurance companies on a one-to-ten scale. The Insurify editorial team researches insurer data to determine the final scores. ▲▼ |
|---|---|---|
| Mile Auto | $97 | 8 |
| Mercury | $154 | 8 |
| Sun Coast | $193 | 0 |
| Anchor | $204 | 6 |
| USAA | $210 | 9 |
| GEICO | $280 | 9 |
| National General | $280 | 7 |
| Allstate | $290 | 9 |
| Farmers | $297 | 8 |
| Direct Auto | $321 | 7 |
| State Farm | $323 | 9 |
| Travelers | $339 | 9 |
| Bristol West | $366 | 5 |
| 21st Century | $368 | 6 |
| Nationwide | $454 | 9 |
Table data sourced from real-time quotes from Insurify's 50-plus partner insurance providers and quote estimates from Quadrant Information Services. Actual quotes may vary based on the policy buyer's unique driver profile. Note an Insurify Quality Score of 0.0 indicates the company has not yet been reviewed and scored.
Cheapest recent rates near San Diego, California
Drivers in and around San Diego, California have found policies from Orion Indemnity Company, Direct Auto, Bristol West, and more, through Insurify in the last few days.
*Quotes generated for Insurify users in and around San Diego, California within the last 10 days. Last updated on October 30, 2024
Rates shown are real-time Insurify user quotes from 100+ insurance companies and Quadrant Information Services data. Insurify’s algorithm excludes anomalous quotes and anonymizes personal details, then displays refined quotes by price, date, and insurer popularity up to 10 days ago from October 30, 2024. Actual quotes may vary based on the policy buyer’s unique driver profile.
*Quotes generated for Insurify users in and around San Diego, California within the last 10 days. Last updated on October 30, 2024
Rates shown are real-time Insurify user quotes from 100+ insurance companies and Quadrant Information Services data. Insurify’s algorithm excludes anomalous quotes and anonymizes personal details, then displays refined quotes by price, date, and insurer popularity up to 10 days ago from October 30, 2024. Actual quotes may vary based on the policy buyer’s unique driver profile.
Car insurance requirements in California
Because California is an at-fault or tort state, the at-fault driver must cover the other driver’s and their passengers’ property damage and injury costs after an accident. Drivers must carry bodily injury and property damage liability coverage but can purchase additional coverage for extra peace of mind. They should expect legal and financial consequences if they fail to show proof of insurance.
California requires the following limits for liability coverage:[3]
Bodily injury liability
$15,000 per person and $30,000 per accident
Property damage liability
$5,000 per accident
Important Information
California liability limits are increasing on Jan. 1, 2025, to 30/60/15. This translates to $30,000 per person and $60,000 per accident for bodily injury liability and $15,000 per accident for property damage liability.[4]
Liability-only coverage may not be enough protection for some drivers. Adding more coverage to your auto insurance policy can protect your finances in various situations — not just car accidents. Here are some additional coverages to consider including in your policy:
Comprehensive coverage
This protects you from incidents that damage your vehicle but aren’t related to collisions, like theft, vandalism, and natural disasters.
Collision coverage
If your car requires repairs or you need to replace it after an accident with another vehicle or object, collision coverage will kick in, no matter who’s at fault. Collision also covers rollover accidents.
Uninsured/underinsured motorist coverage
With an uninsured motorist policy, you can protect yourself if you get into an accident with an uninsured driver. Underinsured motorist coverage can help if a driver without high enough liability limits injures you or damages your vehicle.
Medical payments coverage
Medical payments coverage can pay for your medical bills after an accident. “Make sure to have medical payments coverage of at least $5,000,” says Earl Jones, insurance agent and owner of Earl L. Jones Insurance Agency. “This coverage provides medical payments for emergency room visits and other medical expenses, regardless of fault.”
California’s low-cost auto insurance plan
California’s Low Cost Automobile Insurance program (CLCA) helps qualifying drivers buy affordable car insurance that meets minimum requirements. The eligibility requirements for the program are:
Have a valid California driver’s license
Meet income eligibility requirements
Own a vehicle valued at $25,000 or less
Be at least 16 years old
Have a good driving record or be a new driver
The CLCA program costs $232 to $932 a year for minimum-liability car insurance, depending on the county. However, drivers can purchase additional coverage options like uninsured/underinsured motorist coverage and medical payments coverage for an extra $37 to $107 a year. You can learn more and apply for the program at MyLowCostAuto.com.
Cheapest car insurance for drivers with an incident
Incidents like at-fault accidents, speeding tickets, and driving under the influence position you as a riskier driver and can raise your car insurance premiums as a result.[5] San Diego drivers with clean records usually pay lower rates than high-risk drivers. And California may require you to buy SR-22 insurance if you’re a high-risk driver, which can keep your rates high for three years.[5]
Overall, the average cost of car insurance for San Diego drivers with violations on their motor vehicle records is $223 per month, compared to $186 for motorists with clean records. Finding affordable car insurance with a poor driving record isn’t impossible, though. Take a look at Insurify’s data on the cheapest companies for drivers with incidents on their records.
Shop for Car Insurance in San Diego
Rates start at $66/mo. for drivers with motor vehicle violations
Secure. Free. Easy-to-use.
Based on 3,806+ reviews
4.8/5
Cheapest car insurance for drivers with a speeding ticket: Mile Auto
Speeding can impair your ability to respond appropriately in dangerous situations and, in turn, lead to accidents. In 2020, San Diego reported 530 deaths and injuries in speed-related crashes.[6] That’s why you may face higher car insurance premiums if you have one or more speeding tickets on your record.
San Diego drivers with speeding violations pay $157 per month for liability coverage and $331 for full-coverage car insurance, on average.
The below rates are estimated rates current as of: Sunday, September 1 at 12:00 PM PDT.
Data reviewed by Konstantin Halachev
7+ years experience in data analysis
Ph.D. in Computational Biology
Konstantin has led data teams across multiple industries, including insurance, travel, and biology. He’s led Insurify’s engineering team for more than three years.
Insurance Company ▲▼ | Average Quote: Liability Only ▲▼ | Average Quote: Full Coverage ▲▼ |
|---|---|---|
| Mile Auto | $68 | $125 |
| Sun Coast | $87 | $253 |
| Anchor | $109 | $254 |
| Mercury | $110 | $206 |
| USAA | $127 | $261 |
| National General | $144 | $351 |
| GEICO | $168 | $349 |
| Direct Auto | $169 | $400 |
| Allstate | $174 | $361 |
| Farmers | $179 | $368 |
| State Farm | $193 | $399 |
| Travelers | $206 | $426 |
| 21st Century | $230 | $475 |
| Bristol West | $245 | $457 |
| Nationwide | $277 | $572 |
Disclaimer: Table data sourced from real-time quotes from Insurify's 50-plus partner insurance providers and quote estimates from Quadrant Information Services. Actual quotes may vary based on the policy buyer's unique driver profile.
Cheapest car insurance for drivers with an at-fault accident: Mile Auto
Car insurance companies charge higher premiums to drivers with at-fault accidents on their records.[5] An at-fault accident can increase your rates for several years. The average cost of liability coverage for San Diego drivers with at-fault accidents is $146 per month. Full coverage costs city drivers a monthly average of $306.
If you don’t have accident forgiveness, here are the auto insurers with the cheapest average quotes for drivers with an at-fault accident in San Diego.
The below rates are estimated rates current as of: Sunday, September 1 at 12:00 PM PDT.
Data reviewed by Konstantin Halachev
7+ years experience in data analysis
Ph.D. in Computational Biology
Konstantin has led data teams across multiple industries, including insurance, travel, and biology. He’s led Insurify’s engineering team for more than three years.
Insurance Company ▲▼ | Average Quote: Liability Only ▲▼ | Average Quote: Full Coverage ▲▼ |
|---|---|---|
| Mile Auto | $69 | $127 |
| Sun Coast | $80 | $235 |
| Mercury | $109 | $205 |
| Anchor | $117 | $272 |
| USAA | $126 | $260 |
| National General | $143 | $349 |
| GEICO | $168 | $347 |
| Direct Auto | $172 | $406 |
| Allstate | $173 | $359 |
| Farmers | $177 | $366 |
| State Farm | $192 | $397 |
| Travelers | $204 | $423 |
| 21st Century | $226 | $468 |
| Bristol West | $241 | $449 |
| Nationwide | $275 | $567 |
Disclaimer: Table data sourced from real-time quotes from Insurify's 50-plus partner insurance providers and quote estimates from Quadrant Information Services. Actual quotes may vary based on the policy buyer's unique driver profile.
Cheapest car insurance for drivers with a DUI: Mile Auto
Aside from potential fines and jail time, a DUI in San Diego may result in higher car insurance costs. San Diego reported more than 1,300 DUI arrests and 621 alcohol-related deaths and injuries in 2020.[6] A DUI can even cause your insurance company to not renew your policy.[5]
San Diego drivers with DUI convictions have average car insurance costs of $357 per month for full coverage and $170 for liability. This table highlights the average monthly quotes for San Diego drivers with DUIs by car insurance company.
The below rates are estimated rates current as of: Sunday, September 1 at 12:00 PM PDT.
Data reviewed by Konstantin Halachev
7+ years experience in data analysis
Ph.D. in Computational Biology
Konstantin has led data teams across multiple industries, including insurance, travel, and biology. He’s led Insurify’s engineering team for more than three years.
Insurance Company ▲▼ | Average Quote: Liability Only ▲▼ | Average Quote: Full Coverage ▲▼ |
|---|---|---|
| Mile Auto | $81 | $149 |
| Sun Coast | $93 | $273 |
| Mercury | $114 | $214 |
| Anchor | $120 | $279 |
| USAA | $156 | $322 |
| National General | $176 | $429 |
| GEICO | $207 | $429 |
| Direct Auto | $208 | $492 |
| Allstate | $215 | $445 |
| Farmers | $221 | $455 |
| State Farm | $239 | $495 |
| Travelers | $251 | $520 |
| 21st Century | $273 | $564 |
| Bristol West | $300 | $561 |
| Nationwide | $337 | $696 |
Disclaimer: Table data sourced from real-time quotes from Insurify's 50-plus partner insurance providers and quote estimates from Quadrant Information Services. Actual quotes may vary based on the policy buyer's unique driver profile.
Cheapest car insurance for seniors: Mile Auto
Compared to younger drivers, seniors have a higher car accident mortality rate. Average premiums by age group tend to decrease around age 35 and increase a bit around age 70 due to potential changes in eyesight, hearing, and physical capabilities.[7]
Car insurance for senior drivers in San Diego costs a monthly average of $224 for full coverage and $107 for liability-only policies. The table below shows the cheapest car insurance quotes for seniors in San Diego.
The below rates are estimated rates current as of: Sunday, September 1 at 12:00 PM PDT.
Data reviewed by Konstantin Halachev
7+ years experience in data analysis
Ph.D. in Computational Biology
Konstantin has led data teams across multiple industries, including insurance, travel, and biology. He’s led Insurify’s engineering team for more than three years.
Insurance Company ▲▼ | Average Quote: Liability Only ▲▼ | Average Quote: Full Coverage ▲▼ |
|---|---|---|
| Mile Auto | $44 | $81 |
| Sun Coast | $60 | $176 |
| Mercury | $71 | $133 |
| Anchor | $76 | $176 |
| USAA | $86 | $178 |
| National General | $97 | $237 |
| GEICO | $112 | $232 |
| Direct Auto | $115 | $270 |
| Allstate | $116 | $241 |
| Farmers | $116 | $240 |
| State Farm | $122 | $252 |
| Travelers | $136 | $282 |
| 21st Century | $145 | $300 |
| Bristol West | $168 | $314 |
| Nationwide | $170 | $351 |
Disclaimer: Table data sourced from real-time quotes from Insurify's 50-plus partner insurance providers and quote estimates from Quadrant Information Services. Actual quotes may vary based on the policy buyer's unique driver profile.
Cheapest car insurance for teens: Mile Auto
Teenagers and young adults have less driving experience than older drivers and are more likely to get into a car accident. For this reason, they tend to pay more for auto insurance.[8] Fortunately, teens can lower their car insurance premiums if they stay on their parents’ policy or lock in a good student discount.
To start your search for affordable car insurance, the table below shows the cheapest companies for teen drivers in San Diego. The cheapest insurer for teen drivers in San Diego is Mile Auto, with an average cost of $96 per month.
The below rates are estimated rates current as of: Sunday, September 1 at 12:00 PM PDT.
Data reviewed by Konstantin Halachev
7+ years experience in data analysis
Ph.D. in Computational Biology
Konstantin has led data teams across multiple industries, including insurance, travel, and biology. He’s led Insurify’s engineering team for more than three years.
Insurance Company ▲▼ | Average Quote: Liability Only ▲▼ | Average Quote: Full Coverage ▲▼ |
|---|---|---|
| Mile Auto | $96 | $177 |
| Sun Coast | $99 | $291 |
| Mercury | $137 | $258 |
| Anchor | $141 | $326 |
| USAA | $158 | $325 |
| GEICO | $198 | $410 |
| National General | $213 | $518 |
| Allstate | $231 | $478 |
| Direct Auto | $231 | $546 |
| Farmers | $235 | $485 |
| State Farm | $247 | $512 |
| Travelers | $276 | $571 |
| 21st Century | $279 | $576 |
| Bristol West | $308 | $575 |
| Nationwide | $354 | $730 |
Disclaimer: Table data sourced from real-time quotes from Insurify's 50-plus partner insurance providers and quote estimates from Quadrant Information Services. Actual quotes may vary based on the policy buyer's unique driver profile.
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Is car insurance more expensive in San Diego?
The national average for car insurance is $104 per month for a liability-only policy and $211 per month for full coverage. On average, auto policies in San Diego tend to be cheaper. Also, car insurance premiums in California vary by city due to population, vehicle theft and vandalism rates, and other factors. For example, car insurance is more expensive in Anaheim, Bakersfield, and Fresno than in San Diego.
More cities in California
Here’s an overview of the average car insurance quotes for California drivers in various cities in the Golden State.
City ▲▼ | Average Monthly Quote ▲▼ |
|---|---|
| Anaheim | $225 |
| Bakersfield | $187 |
| Berkeley | $192 |
| Chula Vista | $171 |
| Fresno | $190 |
| Glendale | $313 |
| Long Beach | $230 |
| Los Angeles | $286 |
| Modesto | $212 |
| Moreno Valley | $226 |
| Oakland | $232 |
| Riverside | $211 |
| Sacramento | $225 |
| San Francisco | $244 |
Disclaimer: Table data sourced from real-time quotes from Insurify's 50-plus partner insurance providers. Actual quotes may vary based on the policy buyer's unique driver profile.
San Diego car insurance FAQs
Learn more about gap insurance in California, and check out the answers to common questions about San Diego car insurance below.
How much is car insurance in San Diego?
The average cost of car insurance in San Diego is $120 per month for liability-only policies and $252 per month for full-coverage insurance.
What company has the cheapest car insurance rates in San Diego?
Mile Auto offers the cheapest car insurance rates for most types of drivers in San Diego. The company’s liability-only rates start at $53 per month. Sun Coast and Mercury are the second- and third-cheapest insurers in the city, with liability insurance rates as low as $66 and $82 per month, respectively.
Is car insurance cheaper in San Diego than in Los Angeles?
Yes, car insurance is cheaper in San Diego than in Los Angeles. Los Angeles’ average full-coverage rate is much higher than San Diego’s average full-coverage car insurance, according to Insurify data.
How does credit score affect car insurance in San Diego?
California law prevents insurance companies from using your credit history to determine your car insurance premiums. This means that, all other factors being the same, if you have poor credit, you won’t pay more than someone with good credit.[9]
Methodology
Insurify data scientists analyzed more than 90 million quotes served to car insurance applicants in Insurify’s proprietary database to calculate the premium averages displayed on this page. These premiums are real quotes that come directly from Insurify’s 50+ partner insurance companies in all 50 states and Washington, D.C. Quote averages represent the median price for a quote across the given coverage level, driver subset, and geographic area.
Unless otherwise specified, quoted rates reflect the average cost for drivers between 20 and 70 years old with a clean driving record and average or better credit (a credit score of 600 or higher).
Liability-only premium averages correspond to policies with the following coverage limits:
- Bodily injury limits between state-minimum rates and $50,000 per person, $100,000 per accident
- Property damage limits between $10,000 and $50,000
- No additional coverage
- Comprehensive coverage with a $1,000 deductible
- Collision coverage with a $1,000 deductible
Quotes for Allstate, Farmers, GEICO, State Farm, and USAA are estimates based on Quadrant Information Services’ database of auto insurance rates.
Related articles
More cities in California
Sources
- City of San Diego. "Vision Zero: Safe Roads For All Modes."
- Experian. "Which States Restrict the Use of Credit Scores in Determining Insurance Rates?."
- California DMV. "Auto Insurance Requirements."
- California Legislative Information. "Senate Bill No. 1107."
- III. "Do auto insurance premiums go up after a claim?."
- California Office of Traffic Safety. "Crash Rankings Results."
- Insurance Information Institute. "Senior driving safety and insurance tips."
- III. "What determines the price of an auto insurance policy?."
- Federal Trade Commission. "Credit-Based Insurance Scores: Impact on Consumers of Automobile Insurance."
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Anna BaluchInsurance Writer
Anna Baluch is a Cleveland-based personal finance and insurance expert. With an MBA from Roosevelt University, she enjoys writing educational content that helps people make smart financial decisions. Her work can be seen across the internet on many publications, including Freedom Debt Relief, Credit Karma, RateGenius, and the Balance. Connect with Anna on LinkedIn.
Licensed auto and home insurance agent
3+ years experience in insurance and personal finance editing
Katie uses her knowledge and expertise as a licensed property and casualty agent in Massachusetts to help readers understand the complexities of insurance shopping.
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Corporate communications director for Insurance Information Institute
20+ years in insurance and communications
As Director, Corporate Communications for Triple-I, Mark serves as the non-profit’s national spokesperson, sharing information and education on a wide array of insurance issues.
7+ years experience in data analysis
Ph.D. in Computational Biology
Konstantin has led data teams across multiple industries, including insurance, travel, and biology. He’s led Insurify’s engineering team for more than three years.
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