Despite rising car insurance costs, San Diego drivers tend to pay lower-than-average rates across the board. The average cost of car insurance in San Diego is $223 for full-coverage policies and $111 for liability only. These rates are 12% and 35% cheaper than the national average, respectively.

Because your rates vary based on ZIP code, driving record, age, and other factors, it’s a good idea to consider different car insurance companies in San Diego to find the cheapest rates for your specific needs.^[1]

Quick Facts

Full-coverage car insurance in San Diego is 36% cheaper than in Los Angeles and 15% cheaper than the state average.
Car insurance companies in California can’t use your credit history when setting your premiums.^[2]
California offers a low-cost auto insurance program to help qualifying drivers afford car insurance.

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Best car insurance companies in San Diego

Consider factors like your budget, coverage level choices, and driving record when finding the right car insurance company. Three of the best insurers in San Diego are Mile Auto, Sun Coast, and Clearcover.

Best for liability-only insurance: Mile Auto

Liability only Mile Auto

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IQ Score The Insurify Quality (IQ) Score uses more than 15 criteria to objectively rate insurance companies on a one-to-five scale. The Insurify editorial team researches insurer data to determine the final scores.	3.4
A.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).	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.	$57/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.	$104/mo

Overview

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 and cons

Pros

Cheap for low-mileage drivers
No tracking device or app required

Cons

Negative Trustpilot customer service reviews
Limited additional coverage options

Best for drivers with speeding tickets: Sun Coast

drivers with speeding tickets Sun Coast

Compare personalized, real-time quotes

IQ Score The Insurify Quality (IQ) Score uses more than 15 criteria to objectively rate insurance companies on a one-to-five scale. The Insurify editorial team researches insurer data to determine the final scores.
A.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).	Not rated
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.	$61/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.	$125/mo

Overview

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 and cons

Pros

Local California company
Plenty of discounts available

Cons

No online claims filing
No home insurance bundling available

Best for senior drivers: Clearcover

senior driversClearcover

Compare personalized, real-time quotes

IQ Score The Insurify Quality (IQ) Score uses more than 15 criteria to objectively rate insurance companies on a one-to-five scale. The Insurify editorial team researches insurer data to determine the final scores.	3.1
A.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).	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.	$56/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.	$113/mo

Overview

Clearcover is an auto insurer known for its user-friendly app and easy online experience. 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 and cons

Pros

Robust mobile app
Rideshare insurance available

Cons

No bundling discounts
No SR-22 insurance available

Reviews

I filed a claim with Clearcover last year, and they haven't paid it. Now my policy has gone up by $40 per month.

Catherine - January 14, 2023

Verified

Great service, low price, very helpful staff

Jack - September 12, 2022

Verified

The price was right, but only lasted for six months

Kelvin - September 3, 2022

Verified

Read our Clearcover review

Cheapest liability-only car insurance in San Diego

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.

The table below shows average quotes for liability-only policies from different car insurance companies in San Diego.

The below rates are estimated rates current as of: Monday, September 18 at 12:00 PM PDT.

Data reviewed by Konstantin Halachev

Konstantin HalachevVice President of Engineering

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.

Read Editorial Guidelines

View Full Bio

Insurance Company	Average Monthly Quote
Clearcover	56
Mile Auto	57
Infinity	68
Mercury	70
USAA	76
Safeco	87
Kemper	88
National General	94
Dairyland	99
GEICO	102
Allstate	105
Farmers	108
State Farm	117
Bristol West	119
Travelers	123

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 full-coverage car insurance in San Diego

Full-coverage car insurance is usually made up of 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.

The below rates are estimated rates current as of: Monday, September 18 at 12:00 PM PDT.

Data reviewed by Konstantin Halachev

Konstantin HalachevVice President of Engineering

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.

Read Editorial Guidelines

View Full Bio

Insurance Company	Average Monthly Quote
Mile Auto	104
Clearcover	113
Mercury	125
Infinity	132
Safeco	149
USAA	153
Kemper	170
Travelers	181
National General	191
GEICO	204
Allstate	211
Farmers	217
Dairyland	229
State Farm	234
Bristol West	245

Estimate your insurance costs

State

Age

Credit Score

Are you insured

Your estimated deal

*Estimate based on a market average of rates provided to other users like you.

Select discounts that apply to you

I’m a good driver

Save 35%

I’m a homeowner

Save 5%

I’m married

Save 23%

I have multiple cars

Save 38%

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

This protects you from incidents that damage your vehicle but aren’t related to collisions, like theft, vandalism, and natural disasters.

Collision

If your car requires repairs or needs to be replaced after an accident with another vehicle or object, collision coverage will kick in, no matter who’s at fault.

Uninsured motorist

With an uninsured motorist policy, you can protect yourself if you get into an accident with an uninsured driver.

Medical payments

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.

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

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Cheapest car insurance for drivers with a speeding ticket

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.

Here are the cheapest auto insurers for drivers with a speeding ticket in San Diego.

The below rates are estimated rates current as of: Monday, September 18 at 12:00 PM PDT.

Data reviewed by Konstantin Halachev

Konstantin HalachevVice President of Engineering

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.

Read Editorial Guidelines

View Full Bio

Insurance Company	Average Monthly Quote
Mile Auto	153
Clearcover	166
Mercury	183
Infinity	194
Safeco	219
USAA	225
Kemper	250
Travelers	266
National General	280
GEICO	299
Allstate	310
Farmers	319
Dairyland	336
State Farm	343
Bristol West	360

Cheapest car insurance for drivers with an at-fault accident

Car insurance companies charge higher premiums to drivers with at-fault accidents on their records.^[5] If you have accident forgiveness on your policy, your insurer may not raise your premiums after an accident, but it can stay on your record for three to five years.

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: Monday, September 18 at 12:00 PM PDT.

Data reviewed by Konstantin Halachev

Konstantin HalachevVice President of Engineering

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.

Read Editorial Guidelines

View Full Bio

Insurance Company	Average Monthly Quote
Mile Auto	145
Clearcover	158
Mercury	175
Infinity	185
Safeco	208
USAA	214
Kemper	238
Travelers	253
National General	267
GEICO	285
Allstate	295
Farmers	304
Dairyland	320
State Farm	327
Bristol West	343

Cheapest car insurance for drivers with a DUI

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]

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: Monday, September 18 at 12:00 PM PDT.

Data reviewed by Konstantin Halachev

Konstantin HalachevVice President of Engineering

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.

Read Editorial Guidelines

View Full Bio

Insurance Company	Average Monthly Quote
Mile Auto	156
Clearcover	170
Mercury	188
Infinity	198
Safeco	224
USAA	230
Kemper	255
Travelers	272
National General	287
GEICO	306
Allstate	317
Farmers	326
Dairyland	344
State Farm	352
Bristol West	368

Cheapest car insurance for seniors

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 75 due to potentially impaired eyesight, hearing, and physical capabilities.^[7]

The table below shows the cheapest car insurance quotes for seniors in San Diego.

The below rates are estimated rates current as of: Monday, September 18 at 12:00 PM PDT.

Data reviewed by Konstantin Halachev

Konstantin HalachevVice President of Engineering

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.

Read Editorial Guidelines

View Full Bio

Insurance Company	Average Monthly Quote
Mile Auto	56
Clearcover	60
Mercury	67
Infinity	71
Safeco	80
USAA	82
Kemper	91
Travelers	97
National General	102
GEICO	109
Allstate	113
Farmers	116
Dairyland	123
State Farm	125
Bristol West	131

Cheapest car insurance for teens

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.^[1] 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 below rates are estimated rates current as of: Monday, September 18 at 12:00 PM PDT.

Data reviewed by Konstantin Halachev

Konstantin HalachevVice President of Engineering

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.

Read Editorial Guidelines

View Full Bio

Insurance Company	Average Monthly Quote
Mile Auto	179
Clearcover	195
Mercury	216
Infinity	228
Safeco	257
USAA	264
Kemper	293
Travelers	312
National General	329
GEICO	352
Allstate	364
Farmers	374
Dairyland	395
State Farm	403
Bristol West	422

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 usage-based insurance. Usage-based or pay-per-mile insurance might be a good idea if you work from home, are retired, or don’t drive a lot. 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.

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Is car insurance more expensive in San Diego?

The national average for car insurance is $170 per month for a liability-only policy and $253 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, crime 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 quotes for full-coverage car insurance in various cities in California and how they compare to San Diego.

City	Average Monthly Quote	Compared to San Diego
Anaheim	$258	16%
Bakersfield	$244	10%
Fresno	$234	5%
Irvine	$234	5%
Long Beach	$264	18%
Los Angeles	$349	56%
Modesto	$223	0%
Oakland	$273	22%
Riverside	$257	15%
Sacramento	$264	18%
San Francisco	$317	42%
San Jose	$258	16%
Stockton	$249	12%

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 $111 a month for liability-only policies and $223 a month for full-coverage insurance.
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 56% 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.^[2]

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

Full-coverage premium averages correspond to the same bodily injury and property damage limits in addition to:

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.

More cities in California

Popular cities

Sources

III. "What determines the price of an auto insurance policy?." Accessed July 5, 2023
Federal Trade Commission. "Credit-Based Insurance Scores: Impact on Consumers of Automobile Insurance." Accessed July 5, 2023
California DMV. "Auto Insurance Requirements." Accessed July 5, 2023
California Legislative Information. "SB-1107 Vehicles: insurance.." Accessed July 3, 2023
III. "Do auto insurance premiums go up after a claim?." Accessed July 5, 2023
California Office of Traffic Safety. "Crash Rankings Results." Accessed July 5, 2023
III. "Senior driving safety and insurance tips." Accessed July 5, 2023

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.

Learn More

Edited byCourtney MikulskiSenior Editor, Auto

Courtney MikulskiSenior Editor, Auto

3+ years producing insurance and personal finance content
Main architect of the Insurify Quality Score

Courtney’s deep personal finance knowledge extends beyond insurance to credit cards, consumer lending, and banking. She thrives on creating actionable content.

Read Editorial Guidelines

View Full Bio

Featured in

Data reviewed byKonstantin HalachevVice President of Engineering

Konstantin HalachevVice President of Engineering

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.

Read Editorial Guidelines

View Full Bio

Save up to $717 by comparing quotes from the top 70+ insurance companies

Table of contents

Table of contentsCompare quotes

Shop for Car Insurance in San Diego

Best car insurance companies in San Diego

Best for liability-only insurance: Mile Auto

Liability only Mile Auto

Best for drivers with speeding tickets: Sun Coast

drivers with speeding tickets Sun Coast

Best for senior drivers: Clearcover

senior driversClearcover

Cheapest liability-only car insurance in San Diego

Cheapest full-coverage car insurance in San Diego

Estimate your insurance costs

Select discounts that apply to you

Age

Credit Score

Are you insured

Your estimated deal

Select discounts that apply to you

Car insurance requirements in California

Bodily injury liability

Property damage liability

Comprehensive

Collision

Uninsured motorist

Medical payments

California’s low-cost auto insurance plan

Cheapest car insurance for drivers with an incident

Shop for Car Insurance in San Diego

Cheapest car insurance for drivers with a speeding ticket

Cheapest car insurance for drivers with an at-fault accident

Cheapest car insurance for drivers with a DUI

Cheapest car insurance for seniors

Cheapest car insurance for teens

How to get the cheapest car insurance in San Diego

Shop for Car Insurance in San Diego

Is car insurance more expensive in San Diego?

More cities in California

San Diego car insurance FAQs

Methodology

Related articles

More cities in California

Popular cities

Sources

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