Best car insurance companies in San Diego
Unfortunately, there’s no single car insurance company that will give every customer the best rates every time. Car insurance quotes are highly individualized, and there are also other factors to take into account when choosing your provider, such as customer service and claims handling.
To help drivers better understand the differences between car insurance providers, Jerry conducted the largest insurance survey in the nation. We found that big-name companies got mixed reviews for policy cost and customer service, whereas smaller insurance companies like Kemper and National General got higher ratings from their customers.
The table below shows how San Diego drivers rated different popular insurance companies on a scale of 0 to 5.
| Insurance company | Monthly minimum coverage cost | Monthly full coverage cost | Cost rating | Overall Jerry rating |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Travelers | $40 | $152 | 4.2 | 4.5 |
| Kemper | $46 | $146 | 4.5 | 4.1 |
| Clearcover | $54 | $169 | N/A | 4.6 |
| National General | $63 | $167 | 4.7 | 4.8 |
How’d we get these scores?
Jerry’s experts conducted one of the largest car insurance surveys in the United States. We surveyed 15,000 policyholders, in all 50 states, over the span of 18 months. These policyholders hold insurance policies with 87 different insurance companies. We surveyed policyholders to gauge their satisfaction with their insurance carriers in: policy cost, customer service, buying and renewal experience, as well as claim experience. These scores were all reported by real customers of the insurance companies.
Cheapest car insurance quotes in San Diego
The average San Diego driver sees auto insurance rates of about $61 for minimum liability insurance and $179 per month for full coverage insurance. Car insurance for San Diego drivers comes in just under the national average.
| Coverage type | San Diego, CA | California | United States |
|---|---|---|---|
| State minimum | $61 | $66 | $77 |
| Full coverage | $179 | $200 | $165 |
Best cheap car insurance quotes in San Diego
In California, you’ll be legally obligated to meet the state minimum liability insurance requirement. This amount of coverage will give you the cheapest rates, but it also represents a very low level of protection.
Generally speaking, minimum liability insurance isn’t enough for most drivers. At Jerry, our insurance agents usually recommend carrying at least 100k/300k/100k liability insurance and full coverage for maximum financial security.
Cheap minimum liability insurance quotes in San Diego
Per California car insurance laws, you’re legally required to carry minimum liability coverage when driving in San Diego. This includes:1
- $15,000 in bodily injury liability per person
- $30,000 per accident
- $5,000 for property damage.
You’ll usually see these types of coverage referred to as 15/30/5 coverage. With this basic liability coverage, you’ll be covered up to the limits of your policy in the event of an at-fault accident.
Below, you’ll see examples of San Diego drivers who recently used Jerry to obtain minimum liability coverage.
| Insurance company | Monthly minimum coverage cost |
|---|---|
| State Auto | $37 |
| Travelers | $40 |
| Allstate | $53 |
| Clearcover | $54 |
Do you need more than minimum coverage in San Diego?
For most San Diego drivers, the state minimum liability coverage of 15/30/5 won’t be enough.
Remember that in the event of an at-fault accident, you’ll be responsible for medical bills and vehicle repairs that are over the 15/30/5 limit. If the damages are serious, the cost to replace a vehicle can be over $40,000, meaning that with state minimum coverage, you’ll be responsible for $35,000 worth of repairs.
On top of that, California’s car accident laws allow drivers involved in an accident to file bodily injury lawsuits for up to two years—and sue for property damage for up to three years. So, you could face additional financial hardship in the years following a crash.
To be certain that you’re financially protected, we recommend purchasing a full coverage policy with higher liability limits of 50/100/50 or 100/300/100.
“A general rule that I recommend is to carry enough coverage to protect your current and future assets – at least $100,000/$300,000 of liability coverage is recommended, but you may need more coverage depending on your financial situation.”
Cheap full coverage car insurance quotes in San Diego
When you opt for full coverage car insurance, you protect yourself from costs associated with repairing or replacing your vehicle. If you have a car loan, you’ll also be required to purchase this type of insurance by most lenders.
Full coverage includes two types of insurance: collision coverage and comprehensive coverage.
- Collision coverage includes the cost of fixing or replacing your vehicle after a car accident.
- Comprehensive coverage includes repairing or replacing your vehicle after a non-collision incident, like vandalism, theft, or a natural disaster.
You can also purchase uninsured motorist coverage to guard against uncovered injuries or damage following an accident caused by a driver without car insurance.
In the table below, you’ll find some examples of full coverage quotes that Jerry found for drivers in San Diego.
| Insurance company | Monthly full coverage cost |
|---|---|
| Travelers | $40 |
| Kemper | $46 |
| Clearcover | $54 |
| National General | $63 |
Average cost of car insurance in San Diego
Statistically speaking, we’ve found that the average cost for minimum liability coverage in San Diego is $61 per month or $732 per year, while the average cost for full coverage insurance is $179 per month or $2,148 per year.
Several factors contribute to the average price of insurance in the city:
- Vehicle theft rate:2 Almost four per 1,000 people in San Diego were the victim of a car theft last year, making vehicle theft rates higher in San Diego than in Los Angeles. A higher risk of theft leads to more expensive car insurance.
- Dangerous drivers on the road:3 San Diego sees a high number of DUI charges each year, and an average of 12% of crash fatalities in the city are the result of alcohol-impaired driving. When other drivers on the road are potentially dangerous, your insurance rates can rise to accommodate that risk.
- Lots of highways4 and busy roads: There are four major interstate freeways and six state highways that serve San Diego. Busy, crowded roads can lead to a higher chance of car accidents—and higher insurance rates—-particularly in a city with a population of over 1.4 million people.
Tourists: In 2019 alone, San Diego housed approximately 35.8 million visitors5. Tourists who don’t know the roads in a new city are often more prone to get into car accidents than local drivers.6
Car insurance rates are highly personalized. While it can be helpful to look at average rates in your city, the only way to know how much you’ll pay is to shop for quotes from various insurance providers in your area.
“Jerry is the new benchmark in app usefulness. Period. It is SO EASY and the results are SO GOOD, and they specifically point out that no one is going to start calling and emailing me all the time. I gave very little info, it pulled up all my existing insurance info, and showed me how to get the same insurance for less, lesser coverage for huge savings, or better coverage for about the same I currently pay. I am personally saving around $1,400/year with my new insurance, and the entire process (including follow ups to sign the docs from the insurance companies) took less than an hour. If you make over $1,400/hour, this may not be worth your time. Otherwise, get the app and use it now!”
Average cost of car insurance in San Diego by ZIP code
Car insurance rates can vary a lot based on ZIP code, even for residents within the same city. Neighborhoods with higher rates of car accidents and theft are typically flagged as high-risk and therefore have higher insurance rates.
| Cheapest ZIPs | Monthly minimum coverage cost |
|---|---|
| 92119 | $53 |
| 92093 | $57 |
| 92122 | $58 |
| 92121 | $73 |
By comparison, have a look at the most expensive ZIP codes—even in the same city.
| Most expensive ZIPs | Monthly minimum coverage cost |
|---|---|
| 92139 | $121 |
| 92127 | $122 |
| 92115 | $125 |
| 92150 | $145 |
Car insurance quotes in San Diego by rating factors
When deciding your auto insurance premium, insurance companies in San Diego take several things into account:
- Your driving record and claims history: Insurance companies will charge more if you’ve had accidents or tickets in the recent past.
- The kind of car you have: Collision and comprehensive coverage premiums are higher for luxury, high-performance, and sports cars.
- Where you keep your car: If you park your car in a high-risk area with an increased rate of thefts and/or auto accidents, you’ll face higher premiums.
- How you use your car: Many insurance companies will charge more if you drive your car to and from work rather than use it for leisure.
Cheap car insurance quotes in San Diego after driving violations
Your auto insurance quotes are also impacted by your driving history. If you have a history of violations, potential insurance providers will see you as a high risk and charge more expensive rates.
Some common driving infractions that can increase your insurance premiums include:
- Speeding
- Reckless driving
- Driving with a suspended license
- Being at fault in a car accident
- DUIs
Cheapest car insurance in San Diego after speeding ticket
Motorists everywhere will experience higher rates after a speeding ticket charge, least of all in California.
| Violation | Monthly coverage cost | Rate increase (%) |
|---|---|---|
| Speeding | $169 | 41% |
Cheapest car insurance in San Diego after DUI
A DUI charge can lead to substantial increases in your insurance rates. Luckily, Jerry has helped several San Diego drivers find affordable car insurance rates after a DUI charge.
| Violation | Monthly coverage cost | Rate increase (%) |
|---|---|---|
| DUI | $331 | 170% |
Cheapest car insurance in San Diego after an at-fault accident
California is an at-fault state, meaning if you were recently involved in an at-fault accident, your auto insurance rate could skyrocket.
| Driving record | Monthly coverage cost | Rate increase (%) |
|---|---|---|
| At-fault accident | $187 | 53% |
Cheapest car insurance in San Diego after other driving violations
Other types of diving infractions, like reckless driving or having a suspended license, can increase your insurance premiums in San Diego, too.
| Violation | Monthly coverage cost | Rate increase (%) |
|---|---|---|
| Improper passing | $130 | 6% |
| Failure to obey signal | $133 | 9% |
| Failure to stop | $144 | 18% |
| Driving with a suspended license | $165 | 35% |
Cheap car insurance quotes in San Diego by driving experience
While state law prohibits using age as a determining factor in car insurance rates, age often correlates with driving experience and accident susceptibility. That’s why young drivers under the age of 25 and older drivers over the age of 75 typically see higher car insurance rates in California.
Cheapest car insurance in San Diego for young and inexperienced drivers
Car insurance will be more expensive for teen drivers aged 16 to 19 and inexperienced drivers of any age. Inexperienced drivers have a higher risk of getting into an accident, meaning insurance providers often charge more to compensate for the potential risk.
To combat these rates, it’s often cheaper to keep teenagers on the same policy as a parent or guardian.
| Age | Monthly minimum coverage cost | Monthly full coverage cost |
|---|---|---|
| <18 | $184 | $927 |
| 18-21 | $157 | $275 |
Cheapest car insurance in San Diego for middle-aged drivers
As drivers gain more experience behind the wheel, their rates lower. This leads to drivers 25-64 seeing some of the cheapest rates for all age demographics, with rates rising again after motorists turn 65+.
| Age | Monthly minimum coverage cost | Monthly full coverage cost |
|---|---|---|
| 22-25 | $104 | $206 |
| 26-34 | $74 | $157 |
| 35-44 | $61 | $126 |
| 45-54 | $59 | $118 |
While driver premiums are often lower than average for this age group, drivers can still achieve even cheaper costs by looking into car insurance discounts and bundling policies.
Cheapest car insurance in San Diego for senior drivers
Older drivers often face higher rates due to a statistically greater risk of accidents. Older drivers are also more likely to sustain serious injuries as a result of an accident, which contributes to their risk.
| Age | Monthly minimum coverage cost | Monthly full coverage cost |
|---|---|---|
| 55-64 | $59 | $112 |
| 65+ | $81 | $216 |
Cheap car insurance quotes in San Diego based on insurance history
If you have a lapse in your insurance coverage, or you’re currently without coverage altogether, you’ll often see higher rates as a result.
| Insurance history | Monthly coverage cost | Rate increase (%) |
|---|---|---|
| With coverage lapses | $173 | 42% |
Cheap car insurance quotes in San Diego for popular cars
If your car is expensive to repair or replace, faces high theft rates, or has a poor overall safety record, you’ll see higher premiums as a result.
Some of the more popular vehicle models in San Diego include:
- Toyota Camry
- Honda Civic
- Ford Bronco
- Toyota Prius
- Tesla Model Y
| Vehicle type | Monthly minimum coverage cost |
|---|---|
| Toyota Camry | $100 |
| Honda Civic | $62 |
| Ford Bronco | $139 |
| Toyota Prius | $111 |
| Tesla Model Y | $226 |
Learn more: How to get car insurance before buying a car
How to lower car insurance costs in San Diego
1. Shop around and compare quotes
The most effective way to get a better price on your insurance is to compare rates. Experts recommend doing this every six months, as insurance companies constantly change their rules around setting your premiums.
With Jerry, the shopping process is quick and easy. It takes less than a minute for Jerry to gather quotes from a pool of top insurance companies—-helping you find the best rates for the coverage you need.
2. Hunt for car insurance discounts
Most providers offer a set of discounts to their customers, and here are a few common ones to ask yours about:
- Good driver discounts: Under California state law, providers are required to give a 20% insurance discount to drivers with one or fewer points on their record, and who have held their license for three consecutive years without being involved in any at-fault accidents causing injury or death.
- Good student discounts: Full-time high school or college students can get discounts from some providers if they maintain a B average or higher.
- Telematics discounts: If you use telematics to track your driving habits, many insurers will give you a discount on your policy. Some providers will even give you a discount simply for signing up.
- Bundling discounts: Many insurers offer discounts when you bundle your home and auto insurance (or auto and renters).
Increase your deductible for comprehensive and collision coverage
When you have full coverage car insurance, one way to reduce your monthly rate without lowering your coverage level is to increase your deductible.
Just keep in mind that you’ll be responsible for paying your deductible out of pocket in the event of an accident. Never raise your deductible higher than you can afford to pay!
Learn more: How to choose a car insurance deductible
FAQ
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How much is car insurance in San Diego?
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What is the best car insurance company in San Diego, California?
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What is the minimum car insurance in San Diego?
Sources
- https://www.dmv.ca.gov/portal/vehicle-registration/insurance-requirements/#:~:text=Here%20are%20the%20minimum%20liability,%245%2C000%20for%20damage%20to%20property ↩︎
- https://www.latimes.com/california/story/2023-09-26/the-fbi-releases-motor-theft-data-in-los-angeles-how-to-keep-your-car-safe#:~:text=San%20Diego%20has%20a%20population,theft%2C%20according%20to%20the%20report ↩︎
- https://www.makeroadssafe.org/san-diego-road-safety-overview/#:~:text=In%202021%2C%20there%20was%20a,residents%2C%20tourists%2C%20and%20commuters ↩︎
- https://www.sandiego.gov/economic-development/sandiego/location#:~:text=Four%20major%20interstate%20freeways%20and,to%20the%20San%20Diego%20region ↩︎
- https://gitnux.org/san-diego-tourism-statistics/ ↩︎
- https://www.yumainjurylaw.com/blog/2021/06/do-tourists-crash-more-often-than-locals/#:~:text=Unfamiliar%20roads%20can%20also%20create,have%20happened%20close%20to%20home ↩︎
Bonnie Stinson is an insurance writer with 8+ years of experience as a content writer. They specialize in making complex topics like insurance and technology easy to understand. Bonnie has written over 1,300 articles to help people become confident car owners, from how to choose the right car and build a car insurance policy to dealing with stressful situations like car accidents and unexpected repairs. Before joining Jerry’s editorial team, Bonnie worked as a digital media strategist and user experience researcher, producing content for Furnishr, STACKEDD Magazine, InfinityCore Health, and the global non-profit Giraffe Heroes.
Maria is an insurance writer with over 10 years of experience as a professional writer. Prior to joining Jerry’s editorial team in 2023, she worked at various online publications like Nimble Media, Factinate.com, and served as editor-in-chief at The Medium. She holds a double major in English and Professional Writing and Communications.
As Vice President of Insurance Operations at Jerry, Josh Damico leads teams across product development, operations and carrier relations, integrating Jerry’s smart and fast car insurance customer experience with that of traditional carriers to help customers find savings and coverage. Josh’s nearly 20 years of insurance-industry experience and knowledge generate partnerships with more than 55 name-brand and specialty insurance partners that enable Jerry to serve customers with all types of vehicle and policy needs.
Previously, Josh held executive roles at Geico, where he had vast regional oversight and leadership opportunities. In his most recent role as director of sales, servicing, and underwriting, Josh developed and executed profit and growth strategy for the New England states and New Jersey.
Josh holds a bachelor’s degree in business administration and management from Medaille College.
*Illustration only. For all the pricing information presented in this article (including various tables), please note that not all customers find savings and the information is for illustrative purposes only. Savings depend on type of car, location, policy features, driving history and other factors. Drivers who switch through Jerry save over $70/month on average.
