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Cheapest car insurance in San Marcos, California (Nov 2024)
Cheapest car insurance in San Marcos, California (Nov 2024)
Compare 55+ insurance companies including Progressive, Travelers, AAA, Nationwide (and more!) to find the best and cheapest car insurance in San Marcos, California.
Find Insurance Savings
No long forms
No spam or unwanted calls
Quotes from top insurance companies
Jasmine Kanter
Expert Insurance Writer
Reviewed by Josh Damico, Vice President Insurance Operations
Edited by Kianna Walpole, Expert Insurance Writer & Editor
What's on this page?
- Cheapest car insurance quotes in San Marcos
- Cheapest San Marcos car insurance for good drivers
- Best car insurance companies in San Marcos
- Best cheap car insurance quotes in San Marcos
- Average cost of car insurance in San Marcos
- Car insurance quotes in San Marcos by rating factors
- How do different factors impact your car insurance costs in San Marcos?
- Cheap car insurance quotes in San Marcos after driving violations
- Cheap car insurance quotes in San Marcos by driving experience
- Cheap car insurance quotes in San Marcos based on insurance history
- Cheap car insurance quotes in San Marcos for popular cars
- How to lower car insurance costs in San Marcos
- FAQ
- Methodology
- Meet our experts
Load full table of contents
Cheapest car insurance quotes in San Marcos
On average,
auto insurance
in San Marcos costs about $85 per month for minimum coverage liability insurance, and about $216 per month for full coverage insurance. San Marcos drivers pay 13% less than the national average. | Insurance company | Premium (monthly) | Customer | Car | Insurance coverage |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Progressive | $160 | Mayme, 23 Zip: 92069 | Honda Accord Sport | • 30,000/60,000 Liability • Comp / Collision |
| Allstate | $60 | Derrick, 52 Zip: 92078 | Mazda CX-9 | • 100,000/300,000 Liability |
| National General | $221 | Alfred, 38 Zip: 92069 | Ford Mustang | • State Minimum Liability • Comp / Collision |
| Mapfre | $300 | Loretta, 27 Zip: 92078 | Chevrolet Camaro SS | • State Minimum Liability • Comp / Collision |
Last Updated Nov 16, 2024Cheapest San Marcos car insurance for good drivers
Insurance rates are calculated based on your driving record, age, zip code, past claims, and vehicle type. While the majority of these factors aren’t in your control—you can be a good driver and keep your driving record clean.
Good drivers in San Marcos can save up to 40% on their insurance, and with Jerry's DriveShield™, you can track your driving and unlock discounts for safe driving habits. Discover how other drivers are using DriveShield™ to save on their insurance below.
Customer | Driving Score | Insurance Savings | Has Violations | Insurance Coverage |
|---|---|---|---|---|
Giovanni, 25 | 88 | 28% | No |
|
Alex, 34 | 98 | 35% | No |
|
Paul, 44 | 76 | 20% | No |
|
Dina, 54 | 96 | 31% | No |
|
David, 65 | 74 | 24% | No |
|
Best car insurance companies in San Marcos
There is no single best car insurance company for everyone. The most important reason is that every customer gets different
car insurance quotes
based on their profile—meaning that the most affordable company is different for everyone. Besides price, you also need to consider factors such as claims handling and customer service. To help drivers better compare the cheapest car insurance companies, Jerry conducted the largest insurance survey in the nation—and what we found surprised us. While big-name carriers like GEICO and State Farm got mixed reviews for policy cost and customer service, smaller insurers like Aspire Advantage and National General came through with the highest ratings from actual customers.
The table below shows how drivers in San Marcos rate different companies on a scale of 0 to 5.
| Insurance company | Overall rating | Price | Claims experience | Customer service |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Progressive | 4.4 | 3.9 | 3.9 | 4.3 |
| USAA | 4.3 | 4.8 | 4.8 | 4.8 |
| Geico | 4 | 3.5 | 3.8 | 3.9 |
| State Farm | 3.9 | 3.3 | 3.7 | 4 |
Liberty Mutual | 2.8 | 3.2 | 2.7 | 2.7 |
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.
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 San Marcos
California has a minimum liability insurance requirement, which is the minimal amount of car insurance you need to have in San Marcos and gives you the cheapest rate. But minimum liability often isn’t enough coverage: you should consider getting full coverage if you want to cover the repair or replacement costs for your own car.
Cheap minimum liability insurance quotes in San Marcos
In order to legally hit the road, San Marcos , California drivers need to meet California minimum coverage limits for bodily injury liability and property damage liability
California minimum liability coverage includes $15,000 in bodily injury liability per person, $30,000 per accident, and $5,000 for damage to property. These coverages are commonly referred to as 15/30/5 coverage. With this basic liability coverage, you’ll be covered up to the policy’s limits if you cause injuries or property damage while driving.
Here are some examples of San Marcos car owners that Jerry recently assisted with obtaining minimum liability coverage.
Elijah (34 years old)
$61
per month
Stanley (49 years old)
$72
per month
Mark (36 years old)
$87
per month
Do you need more than minimum coverage in San Marcos?
Most drivers in San Marcos need higher liability coverage than the 15/30/5 state minimum mandated by
California car insurance laws
. In an at-fault accident, you could be responsible for medical bills and vehicle repairs well over the 15/30/5 limit, especially if you cause serious injuries to another person. If the car is totaled, the cost to replace it can be more than $40,000—well above that scant $5,000 property damage limit.
And keep in mind:
California’s car accident laws
allow drivers to file bodily injury lawsuits for up to two years after a car accident and sue for property damage for up to three years—so your liability extends long past the initial accident! The bottom line: For better financial protection, drivers should consider purchasing a full coverage with higher liability limits of 50/100/50 or 100/300/100.
Cheap full coverage car insurance quotes in San Marcos
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. 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 recent examples of cheapest San Marcos full coverage quotes that Jerry’s agents helped our customers obtain.
| Insurance coverage | Insurance company | Premium (monthly) | Customer | Car |
|---|---|---|---|---|
• 30,000/60,000 Liability • Comp / Collision | Progressive | $160 | Mayme, 23 Zip: 92069 | Honda Accord Sport |
• State Minimum Liability • Comp / Collision | National General | $87 | Mark, 36 Zip: 92078 | Honda CR-V LX |
• State Minimum Liability • Comp / Collision | Infinity | $66 | Oscar, 38 Zip: 92078 | KIA Spectra EX |
• 100,000/300,000 Liability • Comp / Collision | Bristol West | $325 | Oscar, 49 Zip: 92078 | Ford Bronco Sport Outer Banks |
• 25,000/50,000 Liability • Comp / Collision | Clearcover | $186 | Belle, 25 Zip: 92078 | KIA Forte FE |
Last Updated Nov 21, 2024The easiest and fastest way to find the cheapest car insurance for your preferred coverage option is to compare car insurance rates online.
Jerry,
a top insurance agency
, offers a free app that compares car insurance quotes and provides end-to-end service to customers with the help of 100+ licensed insurance agents.
"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!"
Sean S.
Average cost of car insurance in San Marcos
By helping lots of drivers in San Marcos find car insurance, we found that the average cost for minimum liability coverage is $85 per month or$1,016 per year. The average cost for full coverage insurance in San Marcos is $216 per month or $2,597 per year.
While average insurance rates can help you predict your own insurance costs, it's important to note that each driver's insurance premium is calculated based on many factors such as the type of car, driving record, claims history, and demographics.
Average cost of car insurance in San Marcos by zip code
Even within the same city, car insurance rates can still vary based on where you live. Neighborhoods that have a greater incidence of auto theft, car accidents, and other situations that can lead to insurance claims will be flagged as “high-risk.” Drivers living in these neighborhoods tend to pay more than people in other areas of the city.
| Zip Code | Average State Minimum Coverage Rate | Average Full Coverage Rate |
|---|---|---|
92069 | $71 | $183 |
92078 | $66 | $118 |
Compare car insurance costs in other states
Car insurance quotes in San Marcos by rating factors
Insurance companies in San Marcos use many rating factors when
deciding your auto insurance premium
: - Your driving record and claims history: Insurance companies will charge more if you’ve had accidents or tickets.
- Your age: Drivers younger than 25 years old will pay higher insurance rates as insurance companies consider young drivers a higher risk due to limited driving experience.
- 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 San Marcos?
How do different factors impact your car insurance costs in San Marcos?
Allowed (with applicable limitations): Driving experience, marital status, zip code.
Prohibited (or effectively prohibited): Gender, age, credit history, education, occupation, employment status, insurance history.
Learn more about the car insurance rating factors in San Marcos:
Cheap car insurance quotes in San Marcos 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
Cheapest car insurance in San Marcos after speeding ticket
In San Marcos, a speeding ticket could increase your car insurance rate by about 13%. Jerry is proud to help drivers with varying speeding tickets save on car insurance.
Last Updated Nov 21, 2024Cheapest car insurance in San Marcos after DUI
In San Marcos,
a DUI violation
can increase your insurance rate by as much as 22%. 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.Jerry has helped many San Marcos drivers obtain affordable auto insurance rates after a DUI.
Fannie (38 years old)
$210
per month
Cheapest car insurance in San Marcos after an at-fault accident
One of the most important factors affecting car insurance rates is your car accident or claim history. For San Marcos drivers, car accidents could result in an average rate increase of 15%.
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. Jerry has helped many San Marcos drivers save on car insurance after accidents.
| Accident type | Insurance company | Premium (monthly) | Customer | Car | Insurance coverage |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
At Fault With Injury | Travelers | $220 | Seth, 54 Zip: 92069 | Toyota Corolla LE | • 50,000/100,000 Liability • Comp / Collision |
At Fault With No Injury | Clearcover | $127 | Danny, 45 Zip: 92069 | Toyota Corolla | • 100,000/300,000 Liability • Comp / Collision |
Not At Fault | Progressive | $124 | Mason, 52 Zip: 92069 | Toyota Avalon Hybrid | • 50,000/100,000 Liability • Comp / Collision |
At Fault With No Injury | Bristol West | $122 | Hattie, 28 Zip: 92069 | Toyota Corolla SE | • State Minimum Liability |
Last Updated Nov 19, 2024Cheapest car insurance in San Marcos 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 San Marcos.We’ve compiled a list of various other driving violations and how we helped drivers with these violations save on their car insurance.
| Violation | Insurance company | Premium (monthly) | Customer | Car | Insurance coverage |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Illegal Turn | Progressive | $58 | Julian, 40 Zip: 92079 | Mini Cooper | • State Minimum Liability • Comp / Collision |
Defective Equipment | Nationwide | $50 | Max, 37 Zip: 92069 | Audi RS5 | • 50,000/100,000 Liability • Comp / Collision |
Last Updated Nov 21, 2024Cheap car insurance quotes in San Marcos 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.
Cheapest car insurance in San Marcos for young drivers
Teen drivers
aged 16 to 19 pay the highest insurance rates out of any age group in San Marcos. For teen car owners that drive a newer car, full coverage would afford better financial protection as teens are more likely to get into accidents.In the meantime, teens should consider sharing a policy with a household member, such as a parent or guardian. Most drivers can save up to $2,055 annually by keeping a teen driver on their policy, and with Jerry, you may be able to save even more.
Mayme (23 years old)
Coverage30,000 per person
60,000 per accident bodily injury
Comp / Collision
San Marcos, CA (Zip Code: 92069)
$160
per month
Abbie (23 years old)
$202
per month
David (23 years old)
$124
per month
Cheapest car insurance in San Marcos for senior drivers
Older drivers
in San Marcos 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 San Marcos more for coverage. 
Cheap car insurance quotes in San Marcos 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.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.
Bertha (33 years old)
$61
per month
Willie (34 years old)
$209
per month
Clearcover
Mattie (52 years old)
Currently Insured
Coverage25,000 per person
50,000 per accident bodily injury
Comp / Collision
San Marcos, CA (Zip Code: 92069)
$109
per month
Over 4,000,000 customers and counting
We love saving our customers money. Turns out, they love it too! Here's what they have to say about their switch with Jerry:
Grateful for this app and helping me save money!
Aaron
Fast and friendly service!
Carlisa
Everything is super easy to access in the app and I can get ahold of someone anytime I need!
Alecia
The General is affordable and will work with you on your monthly payments.
Curtis
Cheap car insurance quotes in San Marcos for popular cars
The type of car you drive is a major rating factor in car insurance premiums. Costs associated with the type of car include the cost of repairs or replacements, likelihood of theft, and the overall safety record of the vehicle.
Popular car models in San Marcos include:
| Popular Car | Insurance Company | Premium (monthly) | Customer | Insurance Coverage |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Toyota Camry LE | Infinity | $79 | Evan, 25 Zip: 92078 | • State Minimum Liability |
| Honda Civic EX | Aspire Advantage | $73 | Harvey, 33 Zip: 92069 | • State Minimum Liability |
| Toyota Prius | Progressive | $212 | Henrietta, 38 Zip: 92078 | • State Minimum Liability • Comp / Collision |
Last Updated Nov 16, 2024How to lower car insurance costs in San Marcos
1. Shop around and compare quotes
Different insurance companies use different rules to set your premium, and those rules are constantly changing! To make sure you always have the most affordable car insurance, experts recommend comparing quotes from at least three companies and shopping for new rates every six months.
Jerry makes this tedious process simple! In just 45 seconds, Jerry can collect quotes from a pool of 55+ top insurance providers to help you identify the best auto insurance coverage at the best price. Better yet—Jerry provides this service for free!
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. California state law mandates 20% 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.
- 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!
- 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.
- Bundling discounts.Bundle your home and auto insurance(or auto and renters) with the same company, and you could get a discount on both policies.
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.
FAQ
How much is the average car insurance per month in California?
The average car insurance costs about $66-$200 per month in California. Minimum coverage insurance that meets the state's insurance requirements averages about $787 per year, while full coverage insurance costs about $2,404 per year.
Who has the cheapest car insurance in California?
Rates vary greatly between individual drivers, but Cali drivers who responded to Jerry’s survey voted
Bristol West
the cheapest car insurance in California, receiving a score of 4.8 out of 5.0 for policy cost.How much is minimum car insurance in California?
The minimum car insurance in California costs an average of $66 per month or $787 per year. A basic policy includes 15/30/5 in liability insurance, which translates to $15,000 of bodily injury liability coverage (up to $30,000 per accident) and $5,000 of property damage liability coverage.
Why is it hard to get car insurance in California?
California’s car insurance challenges include rising rates and climate change.
The California Department of Insurance must approve rate increases
before they take effect, which helps control prices for consumers. However, instead of raising their rates, some big-name providers in California have stopped serving the state altogether, or are limiting policies due to the increasing number of wildfires.Methodology
The Insurance Research Team analyzes insurance products and services to drive insights and help consumers make informed purchase decisions.
Insurance research: We analyzed over 25 million car insurance quotes; conducted the largest insurance shopping survey (over 15,000 customers surveyed and 85 carriers reviewed in the past 18 months).
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. The driver characteristics used in calculating average rates for auto insurance include: single driver, single car, currently insured, clean driving record.
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 scientists.
Meet our experts
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.
Kianna Walpole
Expert Insurance Writer & Editor
Kianna Walpole is an insurance writer and editor with a comprehensive background in consumer behavior and online publishing. With experience in car insurance, maintenance, and repair, she is dedicated to building informative content that helps customers reduce costs while achieving the best service. Prior to joining the Jerry editorial team, Kianna worked as a junior editor in the content marketing industry, using consumer data and key insights to create and edit content for an array of large-scale clients in the real estate, cybersecurity, and healthcare industries.
Josh Damico
Head Of Insurance Operations
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.