In San Diego, the three most affordable car insurance companies are GEICO, Progressive and Kemper. Insurance costs can vary based on your driving history and the coverage you choose. The table below breaks down various driver categories to show which company offers the best rates for each.
Cheapest Car Insurance in San Diego, CA
Updated: December 22, 2024
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Key Takeaways
The top five cheapest car insurance companies for San Diego drivers are GEICO, Progressive, Kemper, National General and AAA.
The lowest monthly car insurance rates in San Diego are $34 for minimum coverage and $81 for full coverage.
On average, drivers in San Diego pay $50 per month for state minimum coverage and $120 for full coverage.
Why Trust MoneyGeek? MoneyGeek analyzed car insurance companies using data collected from the California Department of Insurance and Quadrant Information Services. Learn more.
Cheapest Car Insurance Rates and Companies in San Diego
| GEICO | Minimum Coverage | $34 |
| Progressive | Full Coverage | $81 |
| GEICO | Teens | $164 |
| GEICO | Young Adults | $39 |
| GEICO | Senior Drivers | $33 |
| National General | Drivers With a Speeding Ticket | $44 |
| National General | Drivers With a DUI | $44 |
| Capital Insurance Group | Drivers With an Accident | $53 |
| GEICO | Military Affiliated Drivers | $34 |
Cheapest Car Insurance Coverage in San Diego
When searching for the cheapest car insurance in San Diego, always compare rates from multiple providers. Costs vary based on age, driving history, vehicle type and coverage needs. Remember, the cheapest car insurance provider in California might not be the most affordable provider in San Diego. Comparing car insurance quotes ensures you get affordable coverage without losing out on necessary protection.
Cheapest Minimum Coverage Car Insurance in San Diego
GEICO offers the cheapest minimum coverage car insurance in San Diego at $34 per month, followed by Progressive at $36 per month. Check the table below to find more providers offering affordable rates for minimum coverage.
| GEICO | $34 | $17 |
| Progressive | $36 | $15 |
| Kemper | $41 | $9 |
| National General | $42 | $9 |
| AAA | $43 | $8 |
| State Farm | $45 | $5 |
| Mercury | $46 | $5 |
| Capital Insurance Group | $46 | $4 |
| State National | $48 | $3 |
| Farmers | $50 | $1 |
Cheapest Full Coverage Car Insurance in San Diego
Progressive offers the cheapest full coverage car insurance in San Diego at $971 per year. Check the table below to see more providers offering great rates for full coverage.
| Progressive | $81 | $39 |
| GEICO | $87 | $33 |
| National General | $90 | $31 |
| AAA | $100 | $20 |
| Mercury | $108 | $12 |
| Kemper | $109 | $12 |
| Capital Insurance Group | $109 | $11 |
| State National | $112 | $8 |
| Hartford | $112 | $8 |
| State Farm | $117 | $3 |
Cheapest Car Insurance in San Diego by Age
In California, your age doesn't impact your car insurance rates. Instead, insurers look at your driving record, car type and how much you drive, among other factors. This means a safe, low-mileage driver could get a better rate, no matter their age.
Cheapest Car Insurance in San Diego for Teens
Allstate, GEICO and State Farm offer affordable car insurance for teens in San Diego. Check the table below to find the lowest rates for teens in the city.
| GEICO | $164 | $73 | $254 | $27 |
| State Farm | $177 | $59 | $202 | $78 |
| Allstate | $213 | $24 | $242 | $39 |
Cheapest Car Insurance in San Diego for Young Adults
GEICO offers the cheapest car insurance for young adults in San Diego, with an annual rate of $470. This is 37% cheaper than the city average. Progressive and Capital Insurance Group are also affordable for this age group, offering rates of $505 and $618 per year, respectively.
| GEICO | $39 | $23 |
| Progressive | $42 | $20 |
| Capital Insurance Group | $51 | $11 |
| State Farm | $52 | $11 |
| National General | $52 | $10 |
| AAA | $54 | $8 |
| State National | $56 | $6 |
| Mercury | $57 | $5 |
| Farmers | $58 | $4 |
Cheapest Car Insurance in San Diego for Seniors
GEICO provides the cheapest car insurance for seniors in San Diego at $395 annually. Check the table below to explore options from other providers and find the best rates for senior drivers.
| GEICO | $33 | $17 |
| State Farm | $34 | $16 |
| Progressive | $36 | $14 |
| National General | $43 | $7 |
| Capital Insurance Group | $44 | $6 |
| Hartford | $45 | $5 |
| AAA | $45 | $5 |
| State National | $46 | $4 |
| Mercury | $47 | $3 |
| Kemper | $47 | $3 |
| Nationwide | $50 | $0 |
Cheapest Car Insurance in San Diego After a Driving Offense
Insurance providers assess risk when calculating car insurance premiums, and your driving record plays a key role in this. Violations like speeding tickets, accidents or DUIs can significantly raise your rates. Even the cheapest car insurance for drivers with violations will be more expensive than for those with clean records. We've broken down affordable providers so you can find cheap car insurance after an accident and for other driving offenses.
Cheapest Car Insurance in San Diego After a DUI
San Diego drivers with a DUI can still find affordable car insurance. National General offers the cheapest minimum coverage at $531 annually for these drivers. Check the table below to explore options from other providers and find the best rates for drivers with a DUI.
| National General | $44 | $74 |
| Mercury | $74 | $45 |
| Progressive | $75 | $43 |
| Capital Insurance Group | $80 | $39 |
| GEICO | $80 | $38 |
| Farmers | $85 | $33 |
| Kemper | $93 | $25 |
| Travelers | $116 | $2 |
Cheapest Car Insurance in San Diego After an Accident
Capital Insurance Group offers the most affordable minimum coverage car insurance for drivers with an at-fault accident record in San Diego, with an annual rate of $639. Check the table below to explore options from other providers and find the most affordable rates.
| Capital Insurance Group | $53 | $27 |
| GEICO | $60 | $21 |
| National General | $63 | $18 |
| State National | $67 | $13 |
| AAA | $68 | $13 |
| Farmers | $68 | $13 |
| Progressive | $69 | $11 |
| State Farm | $72 | $9 |
| Hartford | $74 | $7 |
| Nationwide | $79 | $1 |
Cheapest Car Insurance in San Diego After a Ticket
National General offers the most affordable car insurance for drivers with a speeding record in San Diego at an annual rate of $531. GEICO follows with a rate of $608 per year. Check the table below to explore options from other providers and find the best rates.
| Capital Insurance Group | $51 | $20 |
| National General | $44 | $26 |
| GEICO | $51 | $20 |
| Kemper | $55 | $16 |
| AAA | $57 | $13 |
| Mercury | $59 | $12 |
| Progressive | $63 | $7 |
| State National | $67 | $3 |
| Farmers | $68 | $2 |
| State Farm | $69 | $1 |
Cheapest Car Insurance in San Diego for Military Drivers
Military drivers, including active-duty members, veterans, and their families, often find special discounts and competitive rates on car insurance. In San Diego, the cheapest car insurance providers for military drivers for minimum coverage are GEICO at $403 annually and USAA at $424 annually.
| GEICO | $34 | $16 |
| USAA | $35 | $14 |
| Progressive | $36 | $14 |
| Kemper | $41 | $8 |
| National General | $42 | $8 |
| AAA | $43 | $7 |
| State Farm | $45 | $4 |
| Mercury | $46 | $4 |
| Capital Insurance Group | $46 | $4 |
| State National | $48 | $2 |
How Much Does Car Insurance Cost in San Diego?
In San Diego, full coverage car insurance averages $1,442 yearly. State minimum coverage, in contrast, costs about $605 annually. These average rates reflect a 40-year-old driver with good credit and a clean driving record, but individual rates may differ.
San Diego Auto Insurance Cost by Driver Profile
See how your car insurance rates stack up. This table shows average costs for various drivers, helping you find affordable state minimum coverage.
| Teen Drivers | No Data | $280 |
| Young Adults | $62 | $151 |
| Senior Drivers | $50 | $117 |
| Drivers With Bad Credit | No Data | No Data |
| Drivers With a Speeding Ticket | $70 | $170 |
| Drivers With a DUI | $118 | $283 |
| Drivers With an Accident | $81 | $193 |
| Military Affiliated Drivers | $49 | $118 |
How Expensive Is Car Insurance San Diego?
In San Diego, car insurance is about 13% more affordable than the California average. Minimum coverage costs around $50 monthly, while full coverage is about $120. That's less than the state averages of $58 and $138, respectively.
| City Avg Rate | $50 | $120 |
Car Insurance Requirements in San Diego
In California, drivers are legally required to carry car insurance that meets state minimum coverage limits. These limits ensure that a policy provides a basic level of financial protection for bodily injury liability and property damage liability.
California's minimum coverage amounts are as follows:
- $15,000 for bodily injury liability per person.
- $30,000 for bodily injury liability per accident.
- $5,000 for property damage liability per accident.
An auto insurance policy with these coverages helps cover expenses if you're responsible for an accident. The bodily injury liability pays for other people's medical bills and related costs, while property damage liability takes care of damages to someone else's property.
For instance, if you're at fault in an accident and the other driver incurs $10,000 in medical expenses, your minimum coverage for bodily injury liability per person would cover this cost, as it's within the $15,000 limit. However, if the expenses exceed your coverage, you may have to pay out of pocket. Additionally, if you need SR-22 insurance in San Diego, these are the minimum coverage amounts you must maintain.
Cheapest Car Insurance in San Diego: Bottom Line
Finding affordable car insurance in San Diego means looking at your age, driving history and car type. GEICO and Progressive offer the cheapest rates, on average, but always compare quotes from different insurers to make sure you're getting the best deal.
Cheap San Diego Car Insurance: FAQ
MoneyGeek helps you find affordable car insurance in San Diego. We answer common questions about cheap options and guide you to the best coverage for your needs. Our information is clear and easy to understand, making your search simple.
What is the cheapest car insurance company in San Diego, California?
The cheapest car insurance company in San Diego, California, is typically GEICO, with average rates of $34 monthly for minimum coverage. For full coverage, Progressive is cheapest at $81 monthly. However, rates vary based on age, driving history and coverage needs, so it’s best to compare quotes.
What is the average cost of car insurance in San Diego, California?
The average cost of car insurance in San Diego, California, is around $1,442 per year for full coverage, while minimum coverage averages approximately $605 per year. These rates can vary depending on your specific circumstances.
Is car insurance in San Diego, California, expensive?
In San Diego, car insurance is about 13% more affordable than the California average. Factors like lower traffic congestion, accident rates and crime rates contribute to the lower premiums. Shopping around and comparing quotes can help you find more affordable options.
How We Chose the Cheapest Car Insurance in San Diego, CA
To help San Diego drivers find the most affordable auto insurance companies, MoneyGeek analyzed San Diego auto insurance rates based on data and information from the California Department of Insurance and Quadrant Information Services.
San Diego Driver Profile
MoneyGeek created a sample driver profile to calculate car insurance quote averages in San Diego with the following characteristics:
- 40-year-old male
- 2012 Toyota Camry LE
- Clean driving record
- 12,000 miles driven annually
Certain factors — such as age, driving record, credit score and military affiliation — were adjusted to find the most suitable insurance companies for specific driver profiles.
Coverage Levels in San Diego
MoneyGeek compared the most affordable insurance providers for both minimum and full coverage auto insurance policies.
The minimum coverage requirements in California are:
- $30,000 bodily injury liability per person
- $60,000 bodily injury liability per accident
- $25,000 property damage liability per accident
For a full coverage policy, we used the following coverage limits:
- $100,000 bodily injury liability per person
- $300,000 bodily injury liability per accident
- $100,000 property damage liability per accident
- Comprehensive and collision insurance, each with a $1,000 deductible
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.