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Cheapest car insurance in Foster City, California (Nov 2024)

Compare 55+ insurance companies including Progressive, Travelers, AAA, Nationwide (and more!) to find the best and cheapest car insurance in Foster City, California.
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Jasmine Kanter
Expert Insurance Writer
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Reviewed by Josh Damico, Vice President Insurance Operations
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Edited by Maria Cruz, Expert Insurance Writer & Editor
Learn more about our insurance review board

How to find the cheapest car insurance quotes in Foster City

Located in San Mateo County, Foster City, CA, rubs elbows with the rich and famous, including Silicon Valley and
San Francisco
. The city’s population has shot up by over 10% in the last decade and the extra traffic isn’t just confined to the road: residents can enjoy rollerblading, biking, windsurfing, dirt bike jumping, and dragon boating on land and water.
As for driving, you’ll pay an average of $62 per month or $747 per year for state minimum coverage in Foster City. Opting for a full coverage policy increases insurance costs to $190 per month or $2,284 per year. 
For comparison, have a look at the national and state insurance averages.
Coverage type
Foster City, CA
California
United States
State minimum
$62
$66
$77
Full coverage
$190
$200
$165
Foster City’s insurance costs are increased by high traffic levels, proximity to other urban centers, and nearness to the San Francisco Bay. Comparing car insurance quotes can help you find the lowest rates in the area;
Jerry
 provides a fast, free way to get quotes from top providers at once.
Compare car insurance quotes now

Best car insurance companies in Foster City

After conducting the largest insurance shopping survey in the nation, Jerry discovered the best car insurance companies in Foster City as chosen by real California drivers. Larger providers, like
State Farm Insurance
 and
Farmers Insurance
, received solid scores but didn’t make it to the overall top, largely due to their policy costs. 
Have a look at the five of the cheapest and best rated auto insurance companies in Foster City.
Insurance company
Monthly minimum coverage cost
Monthly full coverage cost
Cost rating
Overall Jerry rating
Progressive
$52
$180
3.8
4.2
National General
$53
$132
4.7
4.8
Kemper
$61
$187
4.5
4.1
Nationwide
$70
$265
4.0
4.3
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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.

Best cheap car insurance quotes in Foster City

The cheapest car insurance quotes usually accompany minimal insurance coverage. However, the lowest coverage seldom provides for all your insurance needs.
Jerry’s insurance agents recommend carrying at least 100/300/100 liability limits and full coverage to protect your current and future finances.

Cheap minimum liability insurance quotes in Foster City

California’s minimum car insurance requirements
 are some of the lowest in the country. They only ask drivers to carry
liability insurance
, which provides coverage for medical bills and property damages if you cause a car accident.
The minimum 15/50/5 insurance coverage provides:
Alternatively, Californians may deposit cash or a surety bond worth $35,000 with the DMV, or seek a self-insurance certificate.1
Be warned: California’s insurance commissioner says it’s received many consumer complaints about stall tactics like overly long questionnaires, employment verification, and mail-only correspondence.2
Have a look at some of the most affordable state minimum coverage rates for Foster City drivers.
Insurance company
Monthly minimum coverage cost
AAA
$40
Clearcover
$48
Progressive
$52
Safe Auto
$52

Do you need more than minimum coverage in Foster City?

It’s wise to carry more than the minimum coverage in Foster City. 
The Golden State’s insurance requirements are fairly low, especially when it comes to property damages. A seriously damaged or totalled vehicle will probably cost much more than $5,000 to repair or replace—and let’s not forget that
California car accident laws
 give plaintiffs three years to file a lawsuit for property damages, and two years for bodily injuries.
The bottom line: Liability limits of 50/100/50 or 100/300/100 provide better financial protection in case of a serious car accident.
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Expert Insight

avatar
badgeJosh Damico
VP Insurance Operations, 18+ Years Experience in Insurance
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.

Cheapest full coverage car insurance quotes in Foster City

Full coverage car insurance
 is the only way to protect yourself from costs associated with repairing or replacing your car. 
Full coverage includes comprehensive and collision coverage.
Collision coverage
 covers the cost of fixing or replacing your car after an accident, while
comprehensive coverage
 pays out if your car is stolen or damaged by something other than a collision, such as vandalism, theft, or natural disasters.
If you have a loan on the car, your lender will typically require collision and comprehensive coverage. A few companies such as
Chrysler
 will let you get away with the minimum coverage, but others may demand higher coverage limits. Check your agreement to see if you’ve got to carry collision, comprehensive, or gap insurance.3
On top of a full-coverage policy, you can purchase
uninsured motorist coverage
 to guard against uncovered injuries or damage in an accident caused by a driver without car insurance. 
The table below shows some of the most affordable full coverage rates Foster City drivers were able to find with top providers.
Insurance company
Monthly full coverage cost
Embark General
$119
National General
$131
Kemper
$187
AAA
$150
rating reverse-full
"I pay a reasonable price while having full coverage including roadside assistance. I get discounts because I’m a safe driver and I’ve been driving for a certain amount of years, and I would definitely recommend Progressive for anyone who wants to pay less but still benefit from car insurance."
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avatar
Christerle
| Verified Jerry Customer
Lower my car insurance too!

Average cost of car insurance in Foster City

The average Foster City driver pays $62 per month or $747 per year for state minimum coverage. If they choose a full coverage car insurance policy, the price goes up to $190 per month or $2,284 per year.
That’s not as high as the average cost of California car insurance, but it’s much higher than the national average. Here are a few reasons why:
  • Rising rates: The California state insurance department approved 111 rate increases in 2023, at an average of $13.2% each. By contrast, rates only increased an average of 10.6% in 2019 and 6.8% in 2018.4 Insurers blame pandemic supply-chain issues and inflation.
  • High claims costs: Foster City has a lot of high earners, meaning the streets are packed with costly trims and models. As the average cost of car insurance claims goes up in your neighborhood, so do your rates.5
  • Earthquake rsks: There’s significantly more earthquake activity in San Mateo county than the rest of the state. The San Francisco Bay also contributes its fair share of storms and mudslides to property damages and full coverage premiums.6 
  • Bad neighbors: Based on the number of driving fatalities linked to DUI and speeding, San Mateo got a bad driving report card from Consumer Affairs.7 Insurers assume Foster City residents will probably visit nearby towns, so they raise rates to compensate.
  • Motor vehicle thefts: Since 2019, California’s car theft rates have shot up to nearly double the national average.8

Compare car insurance costs in other states

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Utah car insurance
Oregon car insurance
Arizona car insurance
Idaho car insurance
Washington car insurance
Colorado car insurance
Wyoming car insurance

Car insurance quotes in Foster City by rating factors 

Insurance companies in Foster City make use of a lot of different factors when they whip out their
insurance rate calculators
:
  • Your driving record and claims history: Insurance companies will charge more if you’ve had accidents or tickets. 
  • Your experience: Drivers younger than 25 years old and new drivers of any age will pay higher insurance rates as insurance companies consider inexperienced drivers a higher risk. 
  • The kind of car you have: Collision and comprehensive coverage are more costly for luxury, high-performance, and sports cars. 
  • Where you keep your car: Rates are likely higher if you regularly park your car in a neighborhood with a higher incidence of auto insurance claims. 
  • How you use your car: Insurance companies often charge more if you drive your car to and from work than use it for leisure.

How do different factors impact your car insurance costs in Foster City?

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Allowed (with applicable limitations): Driving experience, marital status, zip code.
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Prohibited (or effectively prohibited): Gender, age, credit history, education, occupation, employment status, insurance history.
Learn more about the car insurance rating factors in Foster City:
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Driving History
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Age
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Insurance History
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Car

Cheap car insurance quotes in Foster City after driving violations

Your
California driving history
 impacts your auto insurance quotes. If insurance companies notice a history of violations, they’ll see you as a higher risk and charge a steeper rate. Some common violations that could increase your insurance rates include:
  • Speeding
  • DUIs
  • At fault accident 
  • Reckless driving 
  • Driving on a suspended license

Cheap car insurance in Foster City after a speeding ticket

In California, a speeding ticket could increase your car insurance rate by an exponential amount. Have a look at the table below to see just how impactful a speeding ticket charge can be.
Violation
Monthly coverage cost
Rate increase (%)
Speeding
$178
41%

Cheapest car insurance in Foster City after a DUI

If you have a DUI offense on your record, car insurance rates can vary significantly from one insurance company to another. You may need to compare rates from many insurance companies to find low-cost options after a DUI.
Here’s how much a DUI charge can affect your insurance rates in the city.
Violation
Monthly coverage cost
Rate increase (%)
DUI
$340
170%

Cheapest car insurance in Foster City after an at-fault accident

One of the most important factors affecting car insurance rates is your car accident or claim history. For Foster City drivers.
California is an at-fault state. If you were involved in an at-fault accident in the recent past, your car insurance rates could skyrocket. 
Here’s how much an at-fault accident can increase your insurance rates.
Driving record
Monthly coverage cost
Rate increase (%)
At-fault accident
$187
48%

Cheapest car insurance in Foster City after other driving violations

In addition to speeding tickets and DUIs, other violations such as
reckless driving
 and driving on a suspended license can also cause your in car insurance costs to increase in Foster City.
We’ve compiled a list of various other driving violations and how we helped drivers with these violations save on their car insurance.
Violation
Monthly coverage cost
Rate increase (%)
Following too closely
$140
11%
Unsafe operation of motor vehicle
$147
17%
Driving on suspended license
$166
32%
Reckless driving
$185
47%

Cheap car insurance quotes in Foster City by driving experience

Inexperienced drivers, such as teens or newly licensed motorists, pay higher than average insurance rates. As drivers gain more experience, their insurance rates can drop. Car insurance costs often start rising again at the age of 75 due to increased risk factors.

Cheap car insurance in Foster City for inexperienced drivers

Teen drivers
 aged 16 to 19 and new drivers pay the highest insurance rates out of any group in Foster City For new car owners that drive a newer car, full coverage would afford better financial protection as inexperienced drivers are more likely to get into accidents.9
In the meantime, teens and new drivers should consider sharing a policy with a household member, such as a parent or guardian. Most drivers can save money by adding a teen driver to their policy, and with Jerry, you may be able to save even more.
Have a look at how much the average young motorist pays across CA.
Age
Monthly minimum coverage cost
Monthly full coverage cost
<18
$184
$927
18-21
$180
$531

Cheap car insurance in Foster City for middle-aged drivers

As drivers gain more experience behind the wheel, their rates lower. Drivers 25-64 see some of the cheapest rates for all age demographics, with rates rising again after motorists turn 65+. 
Have a look at how much middle-aged drivers pay for coverage in Foster City.
Age
Monthly minimum coverage cost
Monthly full coverage cost
22-25
$81
$194
26-34
$72
$155
35-44
$60
$143
45-54
$65
$125
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.

Cheap car insurance in Foster City for senior drivers

Older drivers
 in Foster City are more likely to be involved in an accident. Furthermore, they’re much more vulnerable to injuries after a car accident. All of this can be very expensive, which is why car insurance companies charge older adults in Foster City more for coverage.
Age
Monthly minimum coverage cost
Monthly full coverage cost
55-64
$69
$147
65+
$69
$93

Cheap car insurance quotes in Foster City based on insurance history

An important factor in your car insurance rates is your insurance history—i.e., whether you are currently insured or not.
Any lapse in your insurance coverage
 usually leads to an increase in car insurance rates.10
To help our customers make insurance payments on time and to avoid a lapse in coverage, Jerry sends payment reminders to eligible customers when a payment is coming up or if they’re late on their payments.
We have helped many customers who are currently not insured or have had a lapse in coverage find savings on a new auto insurance policy.
Have a look at how much Foster City drivers pay if they have an insurance lapse on their record.
Insurance history
Monthly coverage cost
Rate increase (%)
With coverage lapses
$194
54%

How to lower car insurance costs in Foster City

1. Shop around and compare quotes

The best part of
car insurance shopping
 is finding a great deal, but to get to it, you usually have to deal with phone calls and paperwork.
Jerry helps drivers skip the hassle and get straight to the savings. It automatically collects and compares personalized car insurance quotes from top providers. Finding the best deal in Foster City is a breeze when you’ve got the lowest rates in the city on your smartphone screen.
Compare car insurance quotes now

 2. Hunt for car insurance discounts

Every insurance company offers
a set of discounts
, but the exact discount offered varies by company. Some common discounts include: 
  • Good driver discounts: Get insurance discounts for drivers with one or fewer points on their license who have continuously held a license for three years with no at-fault accidents responsible for injury or death.
  • Good student discounts: Are you a full-time student in either high school or college? Do you have a B average or better? You probably qualify for a discount from your insurance company.
  • Telematics discounts: Many companies offer easy-to-win discounts to drivers who use telematics to track their driving habits. You might even get a discount just for signing up!
  • Bundle discounts. If you’re a small business owner or you need property insurance, look for bundling discounts. You could save up to 25% on the right
    home and auto insurance bundle
    !

3. Increase your deductible for comprehensive and collision coverage

If you’ve got full coverage car insurance, increasing your deductible is an easy way to keep your monthly expenses low without sacrificing coverage. However, you should only consider it as a last resort. You could be in serious trouble if you overestimate how much you can pay out-of-pocket after an accident.
MORE:
How to choose a car insurance deductible

FAQ

How much is car insurance in Foster City?

Car insurance in Foster city costs an average of $1,515 per year. That’s $62 per month or $747 per year for minimum coverage and $190 per month or $2,284 per year.

What is the cheapest car insurance in Foster City?

The cheapest car insurance in Foster City sticks to California’s minimum requirements. It costs an average of $62 per month or $747 per year, but your costs could be much lower if you have a clean driving record or  a great discount.

What is the minimum car insurance in Foster City, California?

The minimum car insurance required in California follows the 15/50/5 rule: $15,000 of bodily injury liability coverage per person (to a maximum of $50,000 per accident) and $5,000 of property damage liability coverage per accident.

What is the best car insurance in Foster City?

The best car insurance in Foster City gives you the highest protection level you can afford. Using a quote comparison tool can help you juggle different coverage levels and prices until you find a compromise that makes you happy.
While there isn’t one insurance provider to offer the best coverage for every driver, we discovered that some of the top rated companies in the city are Progressive, Kemper, and National General.

Methodology

The Insurance Research Team analyzes insurance products and services to drive insights and help consumers make informed purchase decisions. We analyzed over 25 million car insurance quotes and conducted the largest insurance shopping survey (over 15,000 customers surveyed and 85 carriers reviewed in the past 18 months). All average quote data is based on rates for single drivers with a clean record and a single car between the ages of 35 and 65.  
We surveyed insurance policyholders for their experience with their insurers in the following areas: (1) insurance cost (2) customer service (3) insurance buying experience (4) insurance renewal experience (5) claim experience. In addition, we asked people what they like about their insurers and what areas in which their insurers could improve. 
For the quotes and sold policies included in this article, please note that personal information has been hidden. Not all customers find savings. 
Team: The team consists of licensed insurance agents, insurance industry veterans, and data scientist

Meet our experts

avatar
Jasmine Kanter
Jasmine Kanter is a non-fiction writer specializing in comprehensive content that's accessible to beginners, experts, and everyone in between. Since joining the Jerry team, Jasmine has penned over 300 articles on car insurance requirements, driving tips, and car maintenance.
Prior to joining Jerry, Jasmine worked as a graphic designer, storyboard artist, and French customer service representative. She enjoys collecting hobbies and babysitting ducks in her spare time.
avatar
Maria Cruz
badge icon
Expert Insurance Writer & Editor
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.
avatar
Josh Damico
badge icon
Head Of Insurance Operations
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18+ Years Experience in Insurance
Josh Damico is Jerry’s vice president of insurance operations and a licensed insurance professional with nearly two decades of experience in the industry. Previously, Josh held executive roles at Geico, where he had vast regional oversight and leadership opportunities.  He holds a bachelor’s degree in business administration and management from Medaille College, and has appeared on news channels including FOX and CBS to offer insurance expertise and tips to drivers across the country. His work has appeared in Business Insider, Kelley Blue Book, and Digital Insurance and been quoted in The Balance, GOBankingRates, and Inspiring Workplaces.
*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.