The type of vehicle requiring insurance is one of the main factors that determines the availability of low-cost car insurance for a learners permit. Vehicles with reasonable performance levels, good safety features, or a track record of few liability claims will cost quite a bit less to insure than fast, unsafe models. The table below ranks auto insurance prices for a selection of the most budget-friendly automobiles to buy coverage for.
| Make, Model, and Trim Level | Estimated Cost for Full Coverage |
|---|---|
| Honda Accord LX 4-Dr Sedan | $6,066 |
| Ford Escape Limited 2WD | $6,124 |
| Honda CR-V EX-L 4WD | $6,132 |
| Toyota Prius | $6,551 |
| Jeep Wrangler Sport Islander Package 4WD 2-Dr | $6,762 |
| Dodge Grand Caravan SE | $6,820 |
| Honda Odyssey EX W/Rear Entertainment | $7,134 |
| GMC Sierra SL Extended Cab 2WD | $7,192 |
| Toyota Tacoma Double Cab 4WD | $7,201 |
| Chevrolet Equinox LS AWD | $7,192 |
| Toyota RAV4 Limited 4WD | $7,200 |
| Chevrolet Impala LT | $7,192 |
| Chevrolet Malibu LT | $7,247 |
| Ford Explorer Limited 4WD | $7,254 |
| Ford F-150 Lariat Super Cab 4WD | $7,247 |
| Dodge Ram 3500 Crew Cab Laramie 2WD | $7,257 |
| Ford Focus SEL 4-Dr Sedan | $7,506 |
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Prices based on single male driver age 16, no speeding tickets, no at-fault accidents, $1,000 deductibles, and California minimum liability limits. Discounts applied include safe-driver, and claim-free. Price information does not factor in specific garaging location which can increase or decrease premium rates substantially.
Based upon these rates, we can assume that makes and models like the Honda Accord, Ford Escape, and Honda CR-V are likely to be a few of the most affordable vehicles to insure for new drivers. Auto insurance rates will tend to be more expensive anyway just because there is more claim exposure for a learners permit, but generally speaking those specific models will tend to have the lowest prices available.
For new drivers, one of the more important criteria that determine the amount you pay for auto insurance is where your residence is in San Francisco. Areas with more people or more claims are more likely to pay higher prices, whereas areas with lower crime rates and fewer weather claims benefit from having to pay less for coverage.
The illustration below rates the most expensive places in California for a learners permit to buy auto insurance in. San Francisco is listed at #3 with a yearly premium of $1,745 for the average policyholder, which is around $145 per month.
| Rank | City | Average Per Year |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Los Angeles | $2,146 |
| 2 | Glendale | $2,142 |
| 3 | San Francisco | $1,745 |
| 4 | Oakland | $1,738 |
| 5 | Sacramento | $1,669 |
| 6 | Stockton | $1,603 |
| 7 | San Bernardino | $1,580 |
| 8 | Long Beach | $1,578 |
| 9 | Garden Grove | $1,554 |
| 10 | Santa Clarita | $1,548 |
| 11 | Riverside | $1,542 |
| 12 | Moreno Valley | $1,536 |
| 13 | Fontana | $1,519 |
| 14 | Fresno | $1,517 |
| 15 | Anaheim | $1,488 |
| 16 | Modesto | $1,487 |
| 17 | Santa Ana | $1,483 |
| 18 | San Jose | $1,437 |
| 19 | Huntington Beach | $1,402 |
| 20 | Fremont | $1,361 |
| Compare Rates Now Go | ||
Premium amounts are estimated as the specific geographic location can revise insurance rates noticeably.
Finding reliable, affordable auto insurance is challenging, and finding out which insurers offer the cheapest car insurance rates for a learners permit will involve even more rate comparisons.
Each company uses a slightly different approach to set premium rates, so we need to take a look at the car insurance companies with the overall best prices in California. It’s a good idea to know that California car insurance rates are determined by lots of factors which can significantly increase or decrease the price of coverage. This price fluctuation is why drivers need to take the time to shop around to find the lowest insurance rates for a learners permit. Prices can be altered by many factors and can change without notice, so the best price the last time you shopped around may now be wasting a lot of money.
Best Cheap Insurance Rates in California
| Rank | Company | Cost Per Year |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | USAA | $1,155 |
| 2 | CSAA | $1,186 |
| 3 | Century National | $1,190 |
| 4 | Wawanesa | $1,192 |
| 5 | Nationwide | $1,263 |
| 6 | 21st Century | $1,338 |
| 7 | Grange | $1,433 |
| 8 | Mercury | $1,488 |
| 9 | Allstate | $1,543 |
| 10 | Progressive | $1,558 |
| 11 | GEICO | $1,575 |
| 12 | Allied | $1,603 |
| 13 | MetLife | $1,606 |
| 14 | The Hartford | $1,623 |
| 15 | State Farm | $1,682 |
| 16 | Unitrin | $1,733 |
| 17 | Esurance | $1,756 |
| 18 | Travelers | $1,842 |
| 19 | Bristol West | $1,849 |
| 20 | Farmers | $1,966 |
| Get a Custom Quote Go | ||
USAA has some of the best car insurance rates in San Francisco at around $1,155 each year. This is $496 less than the average policy premium paid by California drivers of $1,651. CSAA, Century National, Wawanesa, and Nationwide also rank well as some of the most economical San Francisco, CA insurance companies.
In the rate table above, if you currently have coverage with Wawanesa and switched to USAA, you might achieve an annual savings of in the neighborhood of $37. Drivers with Nationwide could save as much as $108 a year, and 21st Century customers might cut rates by $183 a year.
To see if you’re overpaying, click here to start your custom quote or feel free to get quotes from the companies below.
Understand that those rates are averaged across all insureds and vehicles and and are not calculated with a specific zip code for a learners permit. So the car insurance company that is best suited for you may not even be in the top 24 companies shown above. That point stresses why you need to get car insurance quotes using your own specific driver information and vehicle.
Car insurance rates are higher with tickets and accidents
One of the best ways to maintain the cheapest car insurance rates in San Francisco for new drivers is to drive carefully and not have accidents or get tickets. The diagram below demonstrates how traffic citations and accidents can influence auto insurance costs for each age group. The premiums assume a married female driver, comprehensive and collision coverage, $500 deductibles, and no other discounts are factored in.
The data charted above shows the average cost of auto insurance in California per year with no violations or accidents is $2,160. Get one speeding ticket and the average cost surges to $2,520, an increase of $360 each year. Now include one accident along with the one speeding ticket and the yearly cost of car insurance for a learners permit increases to an average of $3,527. That’s an increase of $1,367, or $114 per month, just for not driving carefully!
Get discounts on San Francisco auto insurance rates
Car insurance companies that sell policies for a learners permit may also offer premium discounts that can reduce rates by as much as 35% or more if you can meet the requirements. Larger car insurance companies and a partial list of their discounts are:
- Farm Bureau may include discounts for 55 and retired, multi-policy, multi-vehicle, renewal discount, and driver training.
- State Farm may offer discounts for driver’s education, Steer Clear safe driver discount, multiple autos, student away at school, accident-free, and anti-theft.
- Progressive has discounts for multi-policy, good student, homeowner, online signing, multi-vehicle, and online quote discount.
- Allstate discounts include premier discount, farm vehicle, economy car, defensive driver, and utility vehicle.
- Nationwide policyholders can earn discounts including defensive driving, good student, anti-theft, easy pay, and family plan.
- MetLife offers discounts including good driver, good student, claim-free, defensive driver, multi-policy, and accident-free.
The example below illustrates the difference between insurance rates with and without discounts applied to the policy rates. The costs are based on a female driver, no claims or driving violations, California state minimum liability limits, full coverage, and $100 deductibles. The first bar for each age group shows premium with no discounts. The second shows the rates with paperless filing, good student, continuous coverage, anti-theft, vehicle safety, and passive restraint discounts applied. When discounts are applied, theaverage yearly reduction on car insurance for a learners permit is 28% or $1,150.
How to find cheaper auto insurance for a learners permit
It is possible to find better rates, and here are some of the recommended money-saving solutions that can help California drivers buy cheaper car insurance.
- Avoid accidents and claims
- Full coverage is expensive so only insure older vehicles for liability only
- Higher physical damage deductibles lower rates
- Just one traffic violation will increase your rates
- Earn a discount by not filing claims
- Comparison shop at least once a year
The last idea is incredibly important, as was noted in this piece. Prices charged by companies in San Francisco change a lot, so don’t hesitate to buy from a new company if a more affordable price is available.
Brand loyalty is great, but it’s not a great idea if that faithfulness ends up costing you a lot of money every month. Take a couple minutes and shop around and find cheaper insurance for a learners permit.
If you aren’t sure which coverage you need and prefer to get some help when comparing insurance rates for new drivers, the insurance agencies below are a good start to answer your questions and help you decide which coverages are best.
To find an auto insurance agency close to where you live, click the link after the list.
- Kajal Pashmi – State Farm Insurance Agent
3138 Geary Blvd – San Francisco, CA 94118 – (415) 742-4459 - Riskguard Insurance Solutions
422 Presidio Ave – San Francisco, CA 94115 – (415) 447-4212 - Jessica Liu Insurance Services
3428 Balboa St – San Francisco, CA 94121 – (415) 386-2283