Updated: December 20, 2024
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Your driving record and coverage preferences influence the best auto insurance company in San Diego.
GEICO is the best for full and minimum coverage and as a young adult. Chubb is excellent customer service and CIG for teens or with a violation. State Farm tops the list for senior drivers and Travelers with a new car.
If you want to spend the least possible, we determined the cheapest car insurance companies in San Diego.
In San Diego, GEICO emerges as the top choice for full coverage car insurance, achieving a MoneyGeek score of 74 out of 100 and offering an affordable annual premium of $918, attributed to its exceptional balance of affordability and commendable customer satisfaction.
USAA emerges as the top car insurance provider for military members in San Diego, boasting a high MoneyGeek score of 85 out of 100, making it an ideal choice for the military community seeking comprehensive full coverage auto insurance.
In San Diego, GEICO emerges as the best choice for minimum coverage auto insurance, boasting a MoneyGeek score of 78 out of 100 and an annual premium of $355, thanks to its perfect affordability score combined with strong customer service; Progressive, while offering higher essential coverage scores, trails with a score of 70 and a $424 premium, making it more costly with slightly lower satisfaction.
Why Trust MoneyGeek? We ranked the top providers in San Diego with data collected from Quadrant Information Services and the California Department of Insurance. Our scoring system considers affordability, financial stability, customer satisfaction, claims management and coverage availability.
The following companies provide the best overall auto insurance in San Diego with full coverage:
GEICO tops our list because it ranks extremely high in affordability and good in customer satisfaction. It has the second-lowest average premium in San Diego and the fourth-highest ranking in customer satisfaction out of 14 providers. This implies you can get better customer service at a low cost than most insurers.
With a military affiliation, USAA has the best full coverage auto insurance in San Diego, scoring 85 out of 100.
Our scoring system found AAA offers the best auto insurance in California, with a 71 out of 100 and an average statewide yearly premium of $1,001 for full coverage, higher than in San Diego with GEICO.
How was this MoneyGeek score calculated?
MoneyGeek’s score for the overall best car insurance was calculated with the following weights:
Has the second-lowest average premium
Fourth-highest customer satisfaction score
Offers mechanical breakdown insurance, classic car insurance and roadside assistance
Scores below average in claims management
Lacks new car replacement, gap insurance and deductible modification add-on coverages
GEICO is the best insurer in San Diego for balancing cost and customer service, costing about $918 annually for full coverage, the second-lowest rate among the 14 insurers reviewed for this category. Additionally, GEICO has various unique add-ons, such as mechanical breakdown insurance (MBI), which few companies offer.
Although GEICO gets an average score on essential coverages, its mechanical breakdown insurance may be a better warranty at a lower cost than what a dealer’s coverage provides. You can purchase MBI if your car is less than 15 months old with fewer than 15,000 miles,, and it covers all systems and parts in your car.
With the company’s roadside assistance, you won’t need to pay for jumpstarting, towing or replacing flat tires if your car breaks down. You can also use this add-on coverage to access locksmith services if you lose your car keys or lock them inside the vehicle.
GEICO stands out among the 14 insurance companies we scored in San Diego. With an average yearly cost of $918, the insurer received the second-best rating for affordability after National General. That company may be the lowest-priced in San Diego, but it also has extremely poor claims management and few essential coverages, which dropped its overall score.
GEICO also ranked fourth-best for customer satisfaction — those that ranked better than it, CGI, Chubb and State Farm, scored much lower on affordability.
For instance, CGI has the highest customer satisfaction score, but its policy costs around $1,298 a year, which is hundreds more than GEICO. It also scored way below average on essential coverages.
Note that the rates above represent full coverage car insurance, and only insurers with sufficient ranking data on all scoring components received a MoneyGeek rating.
| GEICO | 74 | $918 | 4 | 2 | 3 | 5 |
| Progressive | 73 | $937 | 3 | 2 | 4 | 4 |
| National General | 68 | $891 | 3 | 2 | 1 | 4 |
| State Farm | 68 | $1,113 | 4 | 2 | 3 | 5 |
| Capital Insurance Group | 67 | $1,298 | 5 | 3 | 1 | 3 |
| AAA California | 65 | $1,057 | 4 | 2 | 3 | 3 |
| Mercury | 65 | $1,056 | 3 | 2 | 3 | 3 |
| Allstate | 64 | $1,110 | 3 | 2 | 4 | 4 |
| Nationwide | 61 | $1,223 | 3 | 2 | 4 | 4 |
| Travelers | 60 | $1,369 | 4 | 3 | 4 | 5 |
| Chubb | 59 | $1,703 | 5 | 4 | 3 | 5 |
| Farmers | 49 | $1,504 | 3 | 2 | 4 | 3 |
| Kemper | 36 | $1,303 | 1 | 2 | 1 | 2 |
| State National | No Data | $1,341 | 4 | No Data | 0 | 3 |
| Hartford | 57 | $1,357 | 4 | 2 | 4 | 4 |
Without regard for the average full coverage premium amount, the following companies provide the best auto insurance in San Diego for customer service:
Chubb ranked at the top for claims experience, meaning you are likely to get exceptional service with your claims processing. The company also has the second-highest customer satisfaction score. However, it is the most expensive of the 14 companies ranked by MoneyGeek in this category for San Diego. You would pay much more than elsewhere for its level of service.
How was this MoneyGeek score calculated?
MoneyGeek’s score for Best for Customer Service was calculated with the following weights:
Provides the best claims experience
The second-best insurer for customer satisfaction
Offers diminished value and original equipment manufacturer (OEM) coverage
Average ranking for essential coverage options and lacks new car replacement coverage
Chubb has exceptional claims management and customer satisfaction, which makes it our top selection if you value customer service over cost. The insurer provides, at no additional cost, the widely available original equipment manufacturer (OEM) coverage.
Most insurers do not cover replacing original vehicle parts, but this doesn’t apply to Chubb. It promotes and pays for OEM parts to ensure your car continues to perform well after an accident.
Chubb’s diminished value coverage allows you to determine your car’s worth during policy writing, and if it gets totaled or stolen, the company reimburses the agreed amount. That can save you thousands of dollars and pay off a loan or lease you may have on the vehicle.
Insurers with the best customer service will offer more efficient claims processing after a covered accident or incident and respond to your concerns and questions quickly.
Chubb is our top insurer in San Diego for this category due to the high ratings from J.D. Power and the National Association of Insurance Commissioners (NAIC). The insurer ranked second to CIG in the city on customer satisfaction but has better scores for claims management and essential coverages.
For a minimum coverage policy in San Diego, the best companies for balancing service quality and affordability are the following:
Although minimum coverage is the most affordable in San Diego, it does not offer the best financial protection, and you may need to purchase a policy with higher liability limits. And if you want coverage for your vehicle in an at-fault accident, minimum coverage does not provide it — you need a full coverage policy.
Minimum liability auto insurance requirements in California apply to all cities, including San Diego.
How was this MoneyGeek score calculated?
MoneyGeek’s score for the Best Cheap company was calculated with the following weights:
Has the cheapest minimum coverage cost of around $355 per year
Good customer satisfaction score
Has discounts for bundling policies, insuring multiple cars, staying accident-free or having airbags in the car
Scores below average on claims processing
Lacks discounts for going paperless, paying in full and distant student
GEICO has a perfect score on affordability for a minimum coverage policy in San Diego and the fifth-highest score on customer satisfaction, making it our top pick. The insurer offers the most common discounts for drivers, including bundling, multiple cars, good student and safe driving.
With a GEICO policy, you can lower your premium if you bundle auto insurance with renters, home, mobile home or condo insurance. Safe drivers or those with more than one car on their policy can also benefit from a company discount. There is also a discount for full-time students with good grades.
Aside from the standard discounts, GEICO offers various rare discounts, including one for having daytime running lights and another for always wearing your seatbelt.
The best minimum coverage auto insurance company offers the best rate while maintaining good customer service. GEICO offers the best balance of the two factors in San Diego, with a perfect affordability score and the fifth-highest score in customer service.
Progressive, the second-best insurer in the city for minimum coverage, has a higher rating than GEICO on essential coverages and claims management but ranks lower on cost and satisfaction. CIG has the best customer satisfaction but offers one of the highest premiums.
Young drivers in their 20s can find the best full coverage car insurance in San Diego from the following providers:
GEICO has a perfect affordability score, contributing to it having the best auto insurance for young drivers in San Diego. The company combines the most affordable average rate with good customer satisfaction, ranking fourth in our scoring system that compared 14 insurers for this category in the city.
How was this MoneyGeek score calculated?
MoneyGeek’s score for Best for Young Adults was calculated with the following weights:
Has a perfect affordability score, costing an average of $1,059 per year
Ranks well for customer satisfaction
Offers good student and driver’s education discounts
Offers no distant student discount
Below-average claims management
Lacks essential coverage options, such as new car replacement and gap insurance
GEICO tops our list of insurers in San Diego for drivers in their 20s due to its low full coverage premium and quality customer service. The company has good student and driver’s education discounts, which can help young drivers pay less for auto insurance.
GEICO’s student discount is available to full-time student drivers with a B average or better. Young drivers also qualify for a discount after completing a driver’s education course or remaining accident-free for at least five years. You could even get a discount depending on what school you graduated from for college.
Some add-on coverage options from GEICO that benefit young drivers include rental car reimbursement coverage and roadside assistance. If you get a flat tire, lock your keys in the car or run out of gas, roadside assistance sends help.
The primary considerations to make when selecting a suitable auto insurance provider if you are in your 20s include the cost, customer service reputation and applicable discounts that can further reduce your premium.
GEICO meets all these requirements in San Diego since it’s the cheapest and offers good customer service and opportunities like the alumni discount and driver’s education discount. CIG has better customer satisfaction and claims management but only has a good student discount that may not apply to all young drivers.
For balancing affordability and customer service, the best options with a teen driver on a family’s full coverage policy in San Diego are the following:
Of the nine insurers we ranked in this category for San Diego, CIG has the highest satisfaction and claims management ratings. It is also the fifth cheapest, making it the best choice for balancing cost and service quality.
Typically, auto insurance is expensive for teen drivers, although the cost is less when they are on a family policy. Plus, a teen under 18 cannot legally purchase car insurance without a parent or guardian as a co-signer.
In San Diego, a family policy with full coverage that includes a teen costs around $673 less than a teen driver’s individual policy.
You can compare options for the best car insurance for teens to choose the best provider.
How was this MoneyGeek score calculated?
MoneyGeek’s score for Best for Teens was calculated with the following weights:
Offers a good student discount
Highest customer satisfaction rating
Offers the best claims experience
No distant student or driver’s education discount
Limited add-on coverage options
Has no rental car or travel reimbursement coverage
Despite ranking fifth on the affordability scale, CIG emerged at the top of our ranking list for teen drivers on a family policy because of its highly rated customer service. The company was first in customer satisfaction and claims management. It also offers a good student discount, which applies to teens who maintain a consistent B average or better. The percentage discount may be from 0 - 20%.
Teen drivers may also benefit from the company’s add-on 24/7 roadside assistance coverage that pays for services in a breakdown. This coverage is great for teen drivers since it helps them stay safe on the road — should they need help with a flat tire, run out of gas or experience an accident. There is also an add-on full glass coverage that pays for repairing glass parts if they get damaged in a covered claim.
The best company for teen drivers has discounts and coverage options specific to the age group. Auto insurance costs are more for teenage drivers because they have less experience and may get involved in at-fault accidents.
CIG is the best in San Diego because it offers the best customer service, has a good-priced policy and offers a teen-specific discount of up to 20% of the total premium. State Farm offers good student, distant student and driver’s education discounts but ranks lower on satisfaction and claims management.
The best auto insurance for senior drivers in San Diego for a full coverage policy comes from the following companies:
State Farm offers the best coverage for seniors due to its perfect affordability score and third-highest customer satisfaction rating.
Policyholders will likely have an excellent customer experience with the insurer while paying a low premium. Costs for drivers in their 60s are more or less the same as what drivers in their 30s through 50s pay. However, the premium may increase for those in their 70s. You can secure the best rate in San Diego by shopping around.
How was this MoneyGeek score calculated?
MoneyGeek’s score for Best for Seniors was calculated with the following weights:
Offers the lowest rate for a full coverage policy at around $869 per year
Has the third-highest customer satisfaction rating
Provides roadside assistance and rental car and/or travel reimbursement coverage
Ranks below average on claims management
Lacks gap insurance, deductible modification and new car replacement coverage
Offers no unique add-on coverages
If you are a senior driver in San Diego, State Farm offers the best auto insurance due to its high affordability and customer service. The company has a few add-on coverage options that ensure you get adequate assistance in case of an accident or breakdown.
With the rental car and/or travel reimbursement coverage from State Farm, you have coverage for car rental costs on a covered claim up to the limits stipulated in your policy. You could also receive reimbursement for transportation and accommodation costs up to $500, and a deductible reimbursement of up to $500 if you get into an at-fault accident while using a rental car.
State Farm’s roadside assistance add-on covers mechanical labor costs for a maximum of one hour at the location of the breakdown. Also available with this coverage are towing services, locksmith services for up to one hour and delivery of oil, gas, a battery or a change of tire. If you work for a ridesharing company, you may also benefit from the insurer’s rideshare insurance add-on.
Seniors, while often safe drivers, are more prone to severe injuries in an accident. That makes choosing medical payments coverage on their San Diego auto policy a good decision as it provides additional financial protection.
Although rates for seniors are comparable to middle-aged drivers, taking advantage of applicable discounts can help minimize policy costs. For example, State Farm and GEICO offer senior driver, defensive driving and safe driving discounts that can help reduce costs. However, State Farm is cheaper and has better customer service despite GEICO's slightly better claims experience.
The following providers top our list for the best auto insurance if you have a DUI driving offense in San Diego:
CIG scores the highest in customer satisfaction and offers the second-best claims experience, making it our best selection if you have a driving offense in San Diego. It is also the fifth cheapest for a DUI of 14 providers, offering a great way to balance cost and customer service.
How much an insurer charges you for auto insurance in San Diego after a violation depends on the severity. For instance, the average cost of full coverage auto insurance in San Diego is $1,295 annually with a clean driving record. A DUI increases the annual rate by about $1,812, while a speeding ticket increases the premium by roughly $520.
While auto insurance costs more after a moving violation, you can still find the best auto insurance with a poor record if you compare rates from multiple providers.
How was this MoneyGeek score calculated?
MoneyGeek’s score for Best for Drivers With Offenses was calculated with the following weights:
Has the highest customer satisfaction score
Ranks second in claims management
Cheaper than most other insurers, costing about $2,323 per year with a DUI
Offers roadside assistance
Lacks most of the common coverage options, including rental car reimbursement and new car replacement coverage
No better car replacement coverage
CIG may not be the most affordable insurer in San Diego with a moving violation, but it is our top pick because it ranks top for customer experience and is more likely to offer you the best service when you file your claim after an accident.
While CIG offers no new or better car replacement coverage, its add-on roadside assistance service can be useful. With this coverage, you have coverage for the costs associated with a covered breakdown.
CIG also offers an add-on coverage for custom parts, which pays to replace name-brand car parts after damage. Policyholders may also purchase full glass repair coverage to cover the cost of repairing glass parts after damage from a covered accident or incident.
The best auto insurance company for drivers with a moving violation is one that offers a fair price or has discounts that can help lower the premium, which likely spiked after the offense.
With CIG, you may only get a discount if you are a student with good grades, whereas Chubb, the second-best option in San Diego with a DUI driving offense, has multiple discounts available, such as for having anti-lock brakes or daytime running lights, bundling policies and VIN etching. But, Chubb’s average cost with a DUI in San Diego is over a thousand dollars more than CIG, so even the discounts may not make the policy affordable for many. That’s why CIG came out on top — it scored well for affordability without discounts while having great customer service and claims management.
The best auto insurance company for drivers with a new car in San Diego is Travelers.
MoneyGeek rated insurers in this category based on customer service and affordability scores for California drivers with a 2022 car model. We considered providers that offer better car or new car replacement coverage.
New car replacement coverage helps you get a replacement for your totaled car if the cause of damage is a covered accident. You may get the same make and model as the damaged vehicle if you add this coverage to your full coverage policy. Meanwhile, better car replacement pays for a newer version than your current car after a total loss.
Aside from offering new car replacement coverage, Travelers ranked top for affordability and second-best for customer satisfaction, making it our top pick for this category.
How was this MoneyGeek score calculated?
MoneyGeek’s score for Best for New Cars was calculated based on insurers offering new or better car replacement coverage and the following weights:
Offers the lowest full coverage premium at around $1,444 per year
Second-best insurer for customer satisfaction
Offers new car replacement coverage
Ranks among the highest for essential coverages
Lacks better car replacement coverage
No deductible modification coverage
Travelers is our top selection in San Diego if you have a new car since it has the lowest premium, great customer service and provides the most essential coverage options, including add-on new car replacement coverage.
Known as Premier New Car Replacement, this coverage offers you a brand new car of the same make and model if yours gets totaled in an accident within five years of purchase. If you have a leased or financed car, you may also use the package’s included gap insurance to protect your finances. It covers the difference between the vehicle’s actual value and the unpaid loan or lease balance after the car gets totaled.
With Travelers, you can also get common coverages like roadside assistance and rental car reimbursement. Roadside assistance is especially valuable because it provides assistance for car breakdowns, such as towing, tire changes, battery jumpstarts and more.
With a new car, your best auto insurance provider has new or better car replacement as an add-on coverage. With either, you are sure that you will get a replacement car if yours gets totaled in a covered accident.
Travelers combines affordability and customer service and offers new car replacement coverage. Allstate, our second-best choice in San Diego, also offers new car replacement coverage but costs more than Travelers.
Affordability, financial stability and service reputation are some of the factors that define the best auto insurance providers in San Diego. When purchasing a suitable policy for your needs, consider weighing options based on these factors.
Although MoneyGeek offers well-researched information about the top providers in the city, you can use the following steps to conduct your own research and identify the most suitable carrier for your needs.
MoneyGeek utilized information from J.D. Power and the NAIC and a unique scoring system to determine the best insurers. Although our analysis can help you find the top choice in a matter of minutes, you may check out these sources for a more detailed comparison. You can also find more details about insurers through the California Department of Insurance, or directly through each company’s website.
To get an accurate estimate of your premium, you may need to gather and compare quotes from at least three different companies. Our rates for this study are based on a sample driver, which means your actual premium will vary depending on a variety of attributes, such as your location, driving record and age.
If you choose a policy with wrong coverage limits, you may not receive adequate financial protection in an at-fault accident. Before buying a policy, ensure your preferred provider has coverage options and discounts that suit your profile. For instance, student discounts may be more relevant if you have a teen driver on your policy. You can check out the insurer’s website, call or visit their office to determine what is available.
An insurer’s ability to pay claims can be predicted by its financial stability. Generally, larger insurance providers are more financially capable of settling claims regardless of changing conditions, while smaller ones may not offer the same claims experience.
Your preferences in terms of customer experience, affordability and claims experience, among others, will influence the best auto insurance provider in San Diego for your needs. We responded to commonly asked questions below to help you get started in the purchase process.
GEICO is the overall best auto insurance provider in San Diego, costing $918 on average per year for full coverage and with a MoneyGeek score of 74 out of 100. However, the best option will also vary based on your profile. For Instance, USAA is the best for active-duty military and veterans, Chubb is the best for customer service and CIG is the top option for teen drivers on a family policy.
GEICO offers the best cheap auto insurance in San Diego. Its minimum coverage policy costs approximately $355 yearly. The company has a MoneyGeek rating of 78 out of 100 and is our pick for combining affordability and customer service in addition to discounts that further reduce the total policy costs.
About Mark Fitzpatrick
Mark Fitzpatrick is a Licensed Property and Casualty Insurance Producer and MoneyGeek's Head of Insurance. He has analyzed the insurance market for over five years, conducting original research and creating personalized content for every kind of buyer. He has been quoted in several insurance-related publications, including CNBC, NBC News and Mashable.
Fitzpatrick earned a master’s degree in economics and international relations from Johns Hopkins University and a bachelor’s degree from Boston College. He is passionate about using his knowledge of economics and insurance to bring transparency around financial topics and help others feel confident in their money moves.
