For high risk drivers, one of the more important criteria that are used to help calculate the cost of insurance is where your car is garaged. More populated areas tend to have higher rates, whereas areas with lower vehicle theft rates and fewer weather claims have the benefit of cheaper car insurance.
The illustration below lists the highest-priced places in California for drivers requiring a SR22 to buy an auto insurance policy in. San Francisco is ranked at #3 with the annual price of $1,693 for the average insured, which is about $141 each month.
| Rank | City | Premium Per Year |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Los Angeles | $2,146 |
| 2 | Glendale | $2,058 |
| 3 | San Francisco | $1,693 |
| 4 | Oakland | $1,687 |
| 5 | Sacramento | $1,652 |
| 6 | San Bernardino | $1,644 |
| 7 | Long Beach | $1,626 |
| 8 | Santa Clarita | $1,580 |
| 9 | Garden Grove | $1,554 |
| 10 | Stockton | $1,541 |
| 11 | Moreno Valley | $1,536 |
| 12 | Fontana | $1,535 |
| 13 | Riverside | $1,527 |
| 14 | Fresno | $1,517 |
| 15 | Santa Ana | $1,497 |
| 16 | Anaheim | $1,488 |
| 17 | Modesto | $1,487 |
| 18 | San Jose | $1,423 |
| 19 | Fremont | $1,403 |
| 20 | Huntington Beach | $1,374 |
| 21 | San Diego | $1,368 |
| 22 | Oxnard | $1,358 |
| 23 | Irvine | $1,343 |
| 24 | Bakersfield | $1,340 |
| 25 | Chula Vista | $1,311 |
| Compare Prices Now Go | ||
Annual rates are estimated as the specific geographic location can influence insurance rates noticeably.
The make and model of vehicle needing coverage is probably the most important factor when consumers are trying to find low-priced auto insurance for drivers requiring a SR22. Vehicles with limited speed and performance, an excellent safety record, or a track record of few liability claims will cost less to insure than adrenaline junky models.
The data below shows car insurance costs for a number of the cheapest automobiles to buy insurance for.
| Make and Model | Estimated Cost for Full Coverage |
|---|---|
| Honda Accord EX 4-Dr Sedan | $5,230 |
| Hyundai Elantra SE Touring Station Wagon | $5,318 |
| Honda CR-V LX 2WD | $5,356 |
| Ford Escape XLS 2WD | $5,364 |
| Jeep Wrangler Rubicon 4WD 2-Dr | $5,650 |
| Toyota Prius | $5,781 |
| Toyota Tacoma 2WD | $5,856 |
| Ford Edge SE AWD | $5,865 |
| Chevrolet Malibu Hybrid | $5,915 |
| Dodge Grand Caravan Crew | $5,971 |
| Ford Explorer Eddie Bauer AWD | $5,976 |
| Chevrolet Impala LTZ | $6,183 |
| Toyota Camry XLE | $6,193 |
| Ford Fusion S 4-Dr Sedan | $6,191 |
| Toyota RAV4 2WD | $6,196 |
| Ford F-150 Lariat Crew Cab Platinum 2WD | $6,239 |
| GMC Sierra 2500HD SLE Regular Cab 4WD | $6,245 |
| Ford Focus S 4-Dr Sedan | $6,279 |
| GMC Sierra SLE Regular Cab 2WD | $6,346 |
| Dodge Ram 3500 Crew Cab Laramie 2WD | $6,413 |
| Honda Odyssey Touring | $6,533 |
| Jeep Grand Cherokee Limited 2WD | $6,538 |
| Nissan Altima 3.5 SR 4-Dr Sedan | $6,533 |
| Compare Cheap Rates Go | |
Data rating is based on single female driver age 40, two speeding tickets, two at-fault accidents, $1,000 deductibles, and California minimum liability limits. Discounts applied include homeowner, multi-vehicle, and multi-policy. Rates do not factor in the specific area where the vehicle is garaged which can raise or lower coverage prices substantially.
Based on these rates, models like the Honda Accord, Hyundai Elantra, and Honda CR-V are likely to be the more affordable vehicles to insure for high risk drivers. Prices will tend to be more expensive anyway because of the fact that there is a higher risk for drivers requiring a SR22, but generally speaking those vehicles will tend to have the lowest insurance prices that you are likely to find.
The example below shows how choosing a deductible can impact insurance premiums when researching cheap insurance for drivers requiring a SR22. The rates are based on a married female driver, comprehensive and collision coverage, and no policy discounts are applied.
In the chart above, a 40-year-old driver could lower their car insurance rates by $360 a year by switching the physical damage coverage from a $100 deductible to a $500 deductible, or save $544 by switching to a $1,000 deductible. Youthful drivers, like the 20-year-old, could drop their prices up to $896 annually just by choosing larger deductibles. When insureds make the decision to increase the deductibles on their policy, it is a good idea to have enough spare savings to be able to cover the extra out-of-pocket expense, which is the main disadvantage of using high deductibles.
How accidents and tickets impact rates
The obvious way to snag the cheapest insurance prices for high risk drivers is to drive safely and avoid accidents and keep your driving record clean. The example below demonstrates how traffic citations and fender-benders can drive up insurance premiums for each age group. The data assumes a married female driver, full coverage, $1,000 deductibles, and no other discounts are factored in.
In the previous chart, the average cost of auto insurance in San Francisco per year with no accidents and a clean driving record is $1,912. Get two speeding tickets and the average cost surges to $2,709, an increase of $797 each year. Now add two accidents along with the two speeding tickets and the yearly cost of insurance for drivers requiring a SR22 increases to an average of $6,015. That’s an increase of $4,103, or $342 per month, just for not driving carefully!
How to find cheaper car insurance for drivers requiring a SR22
It is possible to find better rates, and here are some of the recommended thrifty ideas that can help you get lower-cost coverage.
- Do not get into accidents that are your fault
- Lower rates by purchasing a safer vehicle
- Ensure your driving record is clean
- Increase your policy deductibles
- Higher credit scores may earn you cheaper rates
- Older vehicles may not need full coverage
- Compare rates once a year for cheaper prices
The last tip in the list is certainly critical, as we hit on in this article. Insurance prices can change significantly in a year, so don’t be unwilling to switch to a new company if a cheaper price is available. Brand loyalty is great, but it isn’t a good idea if that devotion results in you overpaying money that could be going to better use. Take a few minutes and compare prices to find cheaper auto insurance for drivers requiring a SR22 in San Francisco.
The agencies below can help you decide which coverages are best, since some drivers aren’t sure which coverage they need and prefer to get some guidance when shopping around for cheaper insurance for drivers requiring a SR22. It can be hard to find the cheapest rates, and getting professional guidance from a licensed agent can provide you satisfaction knowing you have adequate coverage if you have an accident or claim. To find a San Francisco insurance agency close to you, click the button at the bottom of the list.
- Joshin Bruguera – State Farm Insurance Agent
399 Cortland Ave – San Francisco, CA 94110 – (415) 821-3600 - Dave and Jake Stewart State Farm Insurance
821 Folsom St #101 – San Francisco, CA 94107 – (415) 982-9033 - State Farm: Michael Woo
2166 Market St – San Francisco, CA 94114 – (415) 565-6777