The state of California, similar to most states, requires all drivers, including San Diego residents, to carry car insurance to operate a motor vehicle on the state's roadways. When purchasing car insurance, San Diego, California, drivers may be able to benefit from lower rates depending on driving records, preferred providers, and other factors.
Insurance Requirements for San Diego Drivers
According to Insurify, California state law mandates that all drivers carry a specific amount of liability coverage. If you live in San Diego and are purchasing an insurance policy, it has to include:
- $15,000 in bodily injury liability coverage per person
- $30,000 in bodily injury liability coverage per accident
- $5,000 in property damage liability coverage per accident
Insurify points out that because San Diego isn't too far from the border with Mexico, many San Diego residents drive their cars when they vacation in Mexico. Keep in mind that your U.S. insurance policy isn't valid in Mexico. Even if your insurance coverage meets California minimums, you'll have to purchase extra coverage if you decide to drive your car over the border.
How Much Do San Diego Drivers Pay for Car Insurance?
The Zebra reports that San Diego drivers pay, on average, $1773 a year for car insurance. That's lower than the California average of $1868 a year but higher than the annual nationwide average of $1548. San Diego residents pay more than the national average because, like most cities in California, San Diego has more drivers on its roadways. With so many drivers on the road, there's a bigger chance that accidents will occur.
Factors That Can Affect an Individual San Diego Driver's Insurance Rates
If you're a San Diego driver shopping for car insurance, you might pay higher or lower rates than the citywide average. That's because providers look at your individual profile when calculating your rates. As The Zebra notes, insurance rates typically factor in the following:
- Your Age: Because they have less driving experience than other age groups, teen drivers in San Diego pay the highest insurance rates. If you're a teen driver, you can expect to pay $3844 more a year for car insurance than drivers in their 20s. Aging out of your teens will earn you a decrease in rates, and by the time you're in your 50s and 60s, you can count on paying the lowest rates in town.
- Your Marital Status: Because married drivers tend to file fewer claims than single drivers, insurance companies charge them lower rates. If you're a married driver living in San Diego, you save up to $73 a year on your premiums.
- Your Driving Record: Maintaining a clean driving record is an excellent way to minimize your car insurance costs. If you get a speeding ticket, are involved in an at-fault accident, or get arrested for a DUI, your insurance company will raise your rates.
- Your Location: Insurance providers analyze the number of auto thefts and acts of vandalism occurring in each San Diego ZIP code. If you reside in a ZIP code with high rates of auto thefts, vandalism, and uninsured drivers, you'll pay higher car insurance premiums.
A Comparison of Quotes for San Diego Drivers
When searching for affordable car insurance, it's essential to shop around for quotes. Prices vary from one insurance company to the next because each provider has its own formula for calculating rates. MoneyGeek gathered quotes from several providers for different groups of San Diego drivers. Here's what they found for San Diego drivers who have a clean record and want minimum coverage:
- Progressive: $427 a year
- Esurance: $510 a year
- GEICO: $442 a year
- USAA: $465 a year
- AAA: $511 a year
- MetLife: $570 a year
- Allstate: $655 a year
- Mercury: $554 a year
- State Farm: $665 a year
- Travelers: $604 a year
- Hartford: $708 a year
- Farmers: $779 a year
- Allied: $717 a year
If you're a San Diego driver and you opt for full coverage, here's what you can expect to pay, on average:
- Progressive: $971 a year
- Esurance: $903 a year
- GEICO: $1052 a year
- USAA: $1116 a year
- AAA: $1165 a year
- MetLife: $1117 a year
- Allstate: $1149 a year
- Mercury: $1303 a year
- State Farm: $1383 a year
- Travelers: $1493 a year
- Hartford: $1434 a year
- Farmers: $1465 a year
- Allied: $1556 a year
MoneyGeek also looked at quotes for San Diego drivers with different types of violations on their record. If you're a San Diego driver and you have a recent speeding ticket, at-fault accident, or DUI on your record, these are your most affordable options:
- Esurance: $1139 a year with a recent speeding ticket/$1403 a year with an at-fault accident/$2228 a year with a DUI
- GEICO: $1551 a year with a recent speeding ticket/$1774 a year with an at-fault accident/$2459 a year with a DUI
- Progressive: $1847 a year with a recent speeding ticket/$2008 a year with an at-fault accident/$2304 a year with a DUI
- Mercury: $1704 a year with a recent speeding ticket/$2260 a year with an at-fault accident/$2131 a year with a DUI
- USAA: $1220 a year with a recent speeding ticket/$1945 a year with an at-fault accident/$3151 a year with a DUI
- AAA: $1535 a year with a recent speeding ticket/$1761 a year with an at-fault accident/$3595 a year with a DUI
- Allstate: $1624 a year with a recent speeding ticket/$2045 a year with an at-fault accident/$3596 a year with a DUI
- Farmers: $2010 a year with a recent speeding ticket/$2512 a year with an at-fault accident/$2512 a year with a DUI
- Travelers: $2210 a year with a recent speeding ticket/$2442 a year with an at-fault accident/$3045 a year with a DUI
- State Farm: $2033 a year with a recent speeding ticket/$2116 a year with an at-fault accident/$4247 a year with a DUI
- Allied: $2178 a year with a recent speeding ticket/$2501 a year with an at-fault accident/$3756 a year with a DUI
- MetLife: $1446 a year with a recent speeding ticket/$1879 a year with an at-fault accident/$7026 a year with a DUI
- Hartford: $2254 a year with a recent speeding ticket/$3163 a year with an at-fault accident/$5278 a year with a DUI
Check this out if you need additional information, resources, or guidance on car insurance.
Sources:
Cheap Auto Insurance Quotes in San Diego, CA (2021) | insurify.com
San Diego, CA Car Insurance | thezebra.com
Compare the Cheapest Car Insurance Quotes in San Diego, CA | moneygeek.com
California Minimum Car Insurance: Everything You Need to Know | caranddriver.com
Full Coverage Car Insurance California: Everything You Need To Know | caranddriver.com
Car Insurance | caranddriver.com
Hearst Autos Research
Hearst Autos Research, produced independently of the Car and Driver Editorial staff, provides articles about cars and the automotive industry to help readers make informed purchasing choices.
