San Mateo drivers pay an average of $123 monthly for full coverage car insurance. Rates range from $120 to $295, based on driving history and vehicle type. The table below shows average costs for different driver profiles to help drivers plan their expenses.
San Mateo, CA, Car Insurance
Updated: January 13, 2025
Advertising & Editorial Disclosure
Cheapest Car Insurance in San Mateo: Key Takeaways
GEICO, Progressive and State Farm are among the cheapest car insurance providers in San Mateo.
GEICO offers the cheapest minimum coverage, $35 per month, while Progressive offers the lowest full coverage rate, $90.
On average, residents pay $50 monthly for minimum coverage and $123 for full coverage.
Car Insurance Quotes in San Mateo, CA
| Young Drivers | $61 | $153 |
| Teens | No Data | $287 |
| Seniors | $50 | $120 |
| Drivers With an Accident | $80 | $196 |
| Drivers With a Speeding Ticket | $70 | $174 |
| Drivers With a DUI | $117 | $295 |
Because insurers calculate premiums differently, you'll need to get quotes from multiple providers for the most accurate estimate.
San Mateo vs. State Average
California
State Average Full Coverage Rate
$1,659
San Mateo, CA
City Average Full Coverage Rate
$1,479San Mateo Car Insurance is Cheap:$180 saved
This is 11% less expensive.
What Is the Average Car Insurance Rate in San Mateo?
In San Mateo, car insurance costs about $1,479 per year for full coverage and $604 for minimum coverage. These rates are lower than California’s averages of $1,659 and $693, respectively.
| State Average | $693 | $1,659 |
| San Mateo Average | $604 | $1,479 |
Cheapest Car Insurance Companies in San Mateo
Car insurance premiums are rising in California, but affordable options are still available in San Mateo. GEICO offers the cheapest minimum coverage at $35 a month, while Progressive has the best rate for full coverage at $90 a month.
WHY CAR INSURANCE IN SAN MATEO IS CHEAPER
Car insurance in San Mateo is often cheaper due to moderate traffic, a suburban environment with lower accident risks and reduced crime rates, including vehicle theft. Mild weather limits claims from natural disasters, and a competitive insurance market helps keep rates affordable. Also, local demographics may indicate responsible driving behavior, further lowering premiums.
Cheap Car Insurance in San Mateo
GEICO offers the cheapest minimum coverage, but rates vary by driver. To find the most affordable car insurance, compare quotes from multiple providers. The table below shows the cheapest rates for various driver profiles.
| GEICO | Minimum Coverage | $35 |
| Progressive | Full Coverage | $90 |
| State Farm | Teens | $180 |
| GEICO | Young Adults | $73 |
| State Farm | Seniors | $56 |
| National General | Drivers With a DUI | $72 |
| CIG | Drivers With an Accident | $95 |
| National General | Drivers With a Speeding Ticket | $72 |
Car Insurance Rates in San Mateo by Company
To find the cheapest car insurance in San Mateo, compare prices from different companies. The table below highlights the most affordable minimum and full coverage options.
Cheapest Car Insurance Companies for Minimum Coverage in San Mateo
GEICO offers the cheapest minimum coverage auto insurance at $35 monthly, followed by State Farm at $39. The table below lists the most affordable options.
| GEICO | $35 | $15 |
| State Farm | $39 | $12 |
| Progressive | $40 | $10 |
| CSAA | $41 | $10 |
| Mercury | $44 | $7 |
| Kemper | $45 | $6 |
| National General | $46 | $4 |
| State National | $47 | $4 |
| CIG | $48 | $3 |
| Farmers | $50 | $0 |
Cheapest Car Insurance Companies for Full Coverage in San Mateo
Progressive offers the cheapest full coverage car insurance in San Mateo at $90 monthly. Below is the full list of providers and their rates for comparison.
| Progressive | $90 | $33 |
| National General | $92 | $32 |
| GEICO | $93 | $30 |
| State Farm | $105 | $18 |
| Mercury | $107 | $17 |
| State National | $107 | $16 |
| Hartford | $109 | $14 |
| Kemper | $112 | $12 |
| CIG | $114 | $9 |
Car Insurance Companies in San Mateo
In San Mateo, GEICO has the lowest rate at $766 annually. CIG is the best cheap provider, with a MoneyGeek score of 84 out of 100. The table below provides more options.
| CIG | 84 | $970 |
| Mercury | 77 | $902 |
| Chubb | 76 | $1,729 |
| State Farm | 76 | $862 |
| GEICO | 70 | $766 |
| Progressive | 69 | $778 |
| Nationwide | 66 | $1,141 |
| CSAA | 65 | $1,016 |
| Hartford | 63 | $963 |
| Travelers | 63 | $1,234 |
| Farmers | 59 | $1,390 |
| Kemper | 59 | $936 |
| Allstate | 59 | $1,188 |
| National General | 59 | $827 |
| State National | No Data | $923 |
*Rates are for a 40-year-old driver with no driving violations.
Car Insurance Cost in San Mateo by Age
Middle-aged drivers and younger seniors pay the lowest car insurance rates in San Mateo, averaging $1,479 per year for 40-year-olds and $1,437 for 65-year-olds. The table below compares average rates for drivers aged 16 to 65.
| 16 | $3,328 | $-614 |
| 17 | $3,317 | $-603 |
| 18 | $3,130 | $-416 |
| 19 | $2,392 | $322 |
| 20 | $2,454 | $260 |
| 21 | $2,133 | $582 |
| 22 | $1,847 | $867 |
| 23 | $1,899 | $815 |
| 24 | $1,820 | $894 |
| 25 | $1,839 | $-56 |
| 40 | $1,479 | $304 |
| 65 | $1,437 | $346 |
Cheapest Car Insurance for Teens in San Mateo
State Farm offers the cheapest overall car insurance for teens in San Mateo, with full coverage at $179 per month. This saves $75 monthly compared to the state average. The table below highlights other affordable providers for this age group.
| State Farm | $179 | $75 | $180 |
| GEICO | $220 | $34 | $253 |
| Allstate | $225 | $29 | $236 |
| Farmers | $235 | $18 | $327 |
| CIG | $247 | $7 | $241 |
| Progressive | $264 | $-11 | $284 |
| Travelers | $276 | $-22 | $244 |
| Kemper | $296 | $-43 | $375 |
| Nationwide | $340 | $-86 | $441 |
*Rates are for 16 to 19-year-old drivers with no driving violations for full coverage policies.
Best Car Insurance Rates for Young Drivers in San Mateo
GEICO offers the cheapest minimum coverage for young drivers in San Mateo at $41 per month and full coverage at $106. The table below shows the lowest rates for different young driver profiles.
| GEICO | Minimum Coverage | $41 |
| GEICO | Full Coverage | $106 |
| National General | Drivers With a DUI | $88 |
| CIG | Drivers With an Accident | $107 |
| National General | Drivers With a Speeding Ticket | $88 |
Cheapest Car Insurance Companies for Young Drivers in San Mateo
GEICO offers the most affordable auto insurance for young drivers at $73 monthly. The table below shows other companies with competitive rates.
| GEICO | $73 | $34 |
| Progressive | $77 | $30 |
| State Farm | $84 | $23 |
| National General | $84 | $23 |
| CIG | $91 | $16 |
| CSAA | $92 | $16 |
| State National | $94 | $14 |
| Mercury | $96 | $11 |
| Hartford | $103 | $4 |
*Rates are for 25-year-old drivers with no driving violations for minimum and full coverage policies.
Best Car Insurance Rates for Seniors in San Mateo
State Farm and National General offer the cheapest car insurance for senior drivers in San Mateo, though rates vary by driving history and coverage type. The table below shows the most affordable providers for different driver and coverage profiles.
| State Farm | Minimum Coverage | $29 |
| State Farm | Full Coverage | $83 |
| National General | Drivers With a DUI | $74 |
| State Farm | Drivers With an Accident | $87 |
| National General | Drivers With a Speeding Ticket | $74 |
Cheapest Car Insurance for Seniors in San Mateo
State Farm offers the cheapest monthly premium for seniors, about $56 for minimum coverage. GEICO is the second most affordable at $62. The table below lists the top car insurance providers for seniors in San Mateo.
| State Farm | $56 | $29 |
| GEICO | $62 | $23 |
| Progressive | $65 | $20 |
| Hartford | $70 | $15 |
| National General | $70 | $15 |
| State National | $73 | $12 |
| Mercury | $75 | $10 |
| CIG | $77 | $8 |
*Rates are for 65-year-old drivers with no driving violations for minimum and full coverage policies.
Car Insurance Cost for High-Risk Drivers in San Mateo
In San Mateo, high-risk drivers pay less than the state average for car insurance. The average annual cost of minimum coverage is $1,069, and full coverage is $2,660. Drivers with DUIs face the highest premiums, while accidents and speeding tickets have a smaller impact.
| State Average | $1,239 | $2,989 |
| San Mateo Average | $1,069 | $2,660 |
DRIVING OFFENSES AFFECT RATES FOR A LIMITED TIME ONLY
Most minor driving incidents, like a not-at-fault accident or speeding ticket, affect insurance rates for a limited time. Serious offenses, such as a DUI, impact rates for longer, and you may need to file an SR-22 to meet your state's minimum coverage requirements.
Cheapest Auto Insurance Rates With a DUI in San Mateo
National General offers the cheapest car insurance for drivers with a DUI in San Mateo at roughly $585 per year for minimum coverage and $1,152 for full coverage. The table below shows more low-cost coverage options.
| National General | $49 | $96 |
| Mercury | $70 | $176 |
| GEICO | $83 | $218 |
| CIG | $83 | $205 |
| Farmers | $85 | $315 |
*Rates are for a 40-year-old driver with a DUI.
Cheapest Auto Insurance Rates With an Accident in San Mateo
CSAA and CIG offer the cheapest auto insurance after an at-fault accident in San Mateo. The table below lists affordable car insurance options for drivers with an at-fault accident violation.
| CSAA | $51 | $163 |
| CIG | $56 | $135 |
| State Farm | $62 | $163 |
| GEICO | $62 | $154 |
| State National | $66 | $152 |
*Rates are for a 40-year-old driver with an at-fault accident.
Cheapest Auto Insurance Rates With a Speeding Ticket in San Mateo
National General is the cheapest car insurance provider for drivers with a speeding ticket in San Mateo, with average monthly rates of $49 for minimum coverage and $96 for full coverage. The table below shows how much other providers charge drivers with speeding tickets.
| National General | $49 | $96 |
| CIG | $53 | $131 |
| GEICO | $53 | $138 |
| Mercury | $56 | $140 |
| CSAA | $51 | $163 |
*Rates are for a 40-year-old driver with a speeding ticket.
Minimum Car Insurance Requirements in San Mateo, CA
In California, each city follows statewide car insurance minimums. Your policy must include at least:
- $15,000 in bodily injury liability per person
- $30,000 in bodily injury liability per accident
- $5,000 in property damage liability per accident
For example, if you're in a minor accident causing $4,000 in damage, your minimum coverage would cover the costs, meeting legal requirements.
Cheap Car Insurance in San Mateo: Bottom Line
GEICO offers San Mateo's most affordable minimum coverage at $35, saving you $15 monthly. Progressive is the best for full coverage, starting at $90 and saving you $33. No matter your age and driving offense, you'll find options that fit your budget. Compare rates to find affordable protection that meets state requirements, such as bodily injury and property damage coverages.
San Mateo Auto Insurance: FAQ
We provide quick answers to common questions about finding affordable and best car insurance options in San Mateo.
What is the cheapest car insurance company in San Mateo, CA?
GEICO offers San Mateo's most affordable minimum coverage car insurance at a monthly rate of $35, saving you about $15.
What is the best car insurance company in San Mateo, CA?
CIG is the overall best car insurance provider in San Mateo, with a MoneyGeek score of 84 out of 100 and an average annual premium of $970 for minimum coverage.
How much does car insurance cost on average in San Mateo, CA?
San Mateo's monthly car insurance rates for minimum coverage range from $50 for senior drivers to $117 for those with a DUI.
Best Cheap Car Insurance in San Mateo: Our Methodology
MoneyGeek analyzed San Mateo auto insurance prices using the California Department of Insurance and Quadrant Information Services data.
San Mateo Driver Profile
To assess the best and most affordable auto insurance options for San Mateo residents, MoneyGeek used the following sample driver profile:
- 40-year-old male
- Clean driving history
- 2012 Toyota Camry LE
- 12,000 miles driven per year
By altering variables such as age, driving records and military status, MoneyGeek also found the top insurers for different types of drivers.
Coverage Levels in San Mateo
In assessing the car insurance quotes for San Mateo, we gathered data for minimum and full coverage policies, ensuring each insurer conformed to California's minimum coverage requirements:
- $15,000 in bodily injury liability per person
- $30,000 in bodily injury liability per accident
- $5,000 in property damage liability per accident
For full coverage policies, MoneyGeek increased limits to:
- $100,000 in bodily injury liability per person
- $300,000 in bodily injury liability per accident
- $100,000 in property damage liability
- Comprehensive and collision coverage with a deductible of $1,000
MoneyGeek’s Scoring System
MoneyGeek scored insurers on a scale of zero to 100, factoring in customer satisfaction, cost-effectiveness, claims management, coverage options and financial stability.
Insurers received scores as indicated below, with a total possible score of 100 points:
- General customer satisfaction (up to 35 points)
- Affordability (up to 30 points)
- Claims experience (up to 20 points)
- Essential coverages (up to 10 points)
- Financial stability (up to five points)
MoneyGeek’s Sources
To gauge rates and assess the best service experiences among California providers, MoneyGeek used six sources:
- Quadrant Information Services provided actual policy quotes in San Mateo
- J.D. Power's studies and the NAIC index contributed to the assessment of customer service
- Claims experience metrics came from J.D. Power and the CRASH Network’s report card
- AM Best and Demotech offered financial stability insights through their ratings
We gathered quotes from insurance companies in San Mateo for the average driver of a Toyota Camry with a clean record, barring specific exceptions.
For more details, see MoneyGeek's methodology.
About Mark Fitzpatrick
Mark Fitzpatrick is a Licensed Property and Casualty Insurance Producer and MoneyGeek's resident Personal Finance Expert. 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's also a 5-time Jeopardy champion!
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.