PriceProtect™
DriveShield™
GarageGuard™
Services
Insurance
Car Insurance
Compare Car Insurance with Jerry
Jerry’s Expert Advice
Car Insurance Estimates
Home & Renters Insurance
Renters Insurance
Repairs
Car Repair Estimates
Repair Estimates for Popular Services
Advice
Read Car Content
Browse Jerry Car Advice
Check Out Expert Car QnA
Learn About How We Create Content
Jerry Data & Research
The Cheapest Car Insurance for San Mateo Drivers
The Cheapest Car Insurance for San Mateo Drivers
Compare 50+ top insurance companies including Progressive, Travelers, AAA, Nationwide (and more!) to find the best and cheapest car insurance in California.
Find Insurance Savings
No long forms
No spam or unwanted calls
Quotes from top insurance companies
R.E. Fulton
Expert Insurance Writer and Editor
Reviewed by Josh Damico, Head of Insurance Operations
Edited by Lina Zhang, Lisenced Insurance Agent
Learn more about our insurance review board
What's on this page?
- Cheapest Car Insurance Quotes in San Mateo
- Best Car Insurance Companies in San Mateo
- Best cheap car insurance quotes in San Mateo
- Car insurance quotes in San Mateo by rating factors
- How Do Different Factors Impact Your Car Insurance Costs in San Mateo?
- Cheap car insurance quotes in Los Angeles after driving violations
- Cheap car insurance quotes in San Mateo by age
- Cheap car insurance quotes in San Mateo based on insurance history
- Cheap car insurance quotes in San Mateo for popular cars
- How to lower car insurance costs in Los Angeles
- FAQ
- Methodology
- Meet our Experts
Load full table of contents
Cheapest Car Insurance Quotes in San Mateo
1234
On average,
auto insurance
in San Mateo costs about $89 per month for minimum coverage liability insurance, and about $241 per month for full coverage insurance. Los Angeles drivers pay 12% less than the California
average. | Insurance Company | Premium (monthly) | Customer | Car | Insurance Coverage |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Progressive | $100 | Christina, 44 Zip: 94404 | KIA Sportage X-Line Pres | • 50,000/100,000 Liability • Comp / Collision |
| Allstate | $204 | Gavin, 26 Zip: 94402 | Nissan Altima 2.5 | • 50,000/100,000 Liability • Comp / Collision |
Travelers | $108 | Minerva, 40 Zip: 94402 | Volkswagen Tiguan SE | • 250,000/500,000 Liability • Comp / Collision |
| Nationwide | $78 | Hilda, 37 Zip: 94402 | Nissan Maxima S | • 25,000/50,000 Liability |
Clearcover | $189 | Chester, 44 Zip: 94403 | Jaguar XF Premium | • 25,000/50,000 Liability • Comp / Collision |
Last Updated Jan 27, 2025Best Car Insurance Companies in San Mateo
There is no single best car insurance company for everyone. The most important reason is that every customer gets different
car insurance quotes
based on their profile—meaning that the most affordable company is different for everyone. Besides price, you also need to consider factors such as claims handling and customer service. To help drivers better compare the cheapest car insurance companies, Jerry conducted the largest insurance survey in the nation—and what we found surprised us. While big-name carriers like GEICO and State Farm got mixed reviews for policy cost and customer service, smaller insurers like Aspire Advantage and National General came through with the highest ratings from actual customers.
The table below shows how drivers in San Mateo rate different companies on a scale of 0 to 5.
[city table 2]
Best cheap car insurance quotes in San Mateo
California has a minimum liability insurance requirement, which is the minimal amount of car insurance you need to have in San Mateo and gives you the cheapest rate. But minimum liability often isn’t enough coverage: you should consider getting full coverage if you want to cover the repair or replacement costs for your own car.
Cheap minimum liability insurance quotes in San Mateo
In order to legally hit the road, San Mateo , California drivers need to meet California minimum coverage limits for bodily injury liability and property damage liability
California minimum liability coverage includes $15,000 in bodily injury liability per person, $30,000 per accident, and $5,000 for damage to property. These coverages are commonly referred to as 15/30/5 coverage. With this basic liability coverage, you’ll be covered up to the policy’s limits if you cause injuries or property damage while driving.
Here are some examples of San Mateo car owners that Jerry recently assisted with obtaining minimum liability coverage.
Michael (25 years old)
CoverageState Minimum
San Mateo, CA (Zip Code: 94401)
Honda HR-V EX$143
per month
National General
Thomas (33 years old)
CoverageState Minimum
San Mateo, CA (Zip Code: 94403)
Acura RSX$70
per month
Do you need more than minimum coverage in San Mateo?
Most drivers in San Mateo need higher liability coverage than the 15/30/5 state minimum mandated by
California car insurance laws
. In an at-fault accident, you could be responsible for medical bills and vehicle repairs well over the 15/30/5 limit, especially if you cause serious injuries to another person. If the car is totaled, the cost to replace it can be more than $40,000—well above that scant $5,000 property damage limit.
And keep in mind:
California’s car accident laws
allow drivers to file bodily injury lawsuits for up to two years after a car accident and sue for property damage for up to three years—so your liability extends long past the initial accident! The bottom line: For better financial protection, you should consider 50/100/50 or 100/300/100 liability coverage—even if you choose not to have full coverage on your car.
Cheap full coverage car insurance quotes in San Mateo
Full coverage car insurance
is the only way to protect yourself from costs associated with repairing or replacing your car. Full coverage includes comprehensive and collision coverage.
Collision coverage
covers the cost of fixing or replacing your car after an accident, while comprehensive coverage
pays out if your car is stolen or damaged by something other than a collision, such as vandalism, theft, or natural disasters. If you have a loan on the car, your lender will typically require collision and comprehensive coverage. On top of a full-coverage policy, you can purchase
uninsured motorist coverage
to guard against uncovered injuries or damage in an accident caused by a driver without car insurance. The table below shows some recent examples of cheapest San Mateo full coverage quotes that Jerry’s agents helped our customers obtain.
| Insurance Coverage | Insurance Company | Premium (monthly) | Customer | Car |
|---|---|---|---|---|
• 50,000/100,000 Liability • Comp / Collision | Progressive | $100 | Christina, 44 Zip: 94404 | KIA Sportage X-Line Pres |
• 50,000/100,000 Liability • Comp / Collision | Nationwide | $124 | Inez, 36 Zip: 94403 | Honda Accord LX |
• 25,000/50,000 Liability • Comp / Collision | Safeco | $260 | Katharine, 31 Zip: 94401 | Jeep Renegade Trailhawk |
• 50,000/100,000 Liability • Comp / Collision | Allstate | $204 | Gavin, 26 Zip: 94402 | Nissan Altima 2.5 |
• State Minimum Liability • Comp / Collision | National General | $124 | Daniel, 44 Zip: 94403 | Toyota Prius |
Last Updated Jan 27, 2025The easiest and fastest way to find the cheapest car insurance for your preferred coverage option is to compare car insurance rates online.
Jerry,
a top insurance agency
, offers a free app that compares car insurance quotes and provides end-to-end service to customers with the help of 100+ licensed insurance agents.By helping lots of drivers in San Mateo find car insurance, we found that the average cost for minimum liability coverage is $89 per month or$1,073 per year. The average cost for full coverage insurance in Los Angeles is $241 per month or $2,892 per year.
| Insurance coverage | Average insurance cost (monthly) | Average insurance cost (yearly) |
|---|---|---|
State minimum coverage | $95 | $1,141 |
Full coverage | $153 | $1,841 |
While average insurance rates can help you predict your own insurance costs, it's important to note that each driver's insurance premium is calculated based on many factors such as the type of car, driving record, claims history, and demographics.
Average cost of car insurance in San Mateo by zip code
Even within the same city, car insurance rates can still vary based on where you live. Neighborhoods that have a greater incidence of auto theft, car accidents, and other situations that can lead to insurance claims will be flagged as “high-risk.” Drivers living in these neighborhoods tend to pay more than people in other areas of the city.
Average cost of car insurance in San Mateo by zip code
Even within the same city, car insurance rates can still vary based on where you live. Neighborhoods that have a greater incidence of auto theft, car accidents, and other situations that can lead to insurance claims will be flagged as “high-risk.” Drivers living in these neighborhoods tend to pay more than people in other areas of the city.
| Zip Code | Average State Minimum Coverage Rate | Average Full Coverage Rate |
|---|---|---|
94401 | $71 | $271 |
94402 | $88 | $381 |
94403 | $119 | $138 |
"Jerry is the new benchmark in app usefulness. Period. It is SO EASY and the results are SO GOOD, and they specifically point out that no one is going to start calling and emailing me all the time. I gave very little info, it pulled up all my existing insurance info, and showed me how to get the same insurance for less, lesser coverage for huge savings, or better coverage for about the same I currently pay. I am personally saving around $1,400/year with my new insurance, and the entire process (including follow ups to sign the docs from the insurance companies) took less than an hour. If you make over $1,400/hour, this may not be worth your time. Otherwise, get the app and use it now!"
Sean S.
Car insurance quotes in San Mateo by rating factors
- Your driving record and claims history: Insurance companies will charge more if you’ve had accidents or tickets.
- Your age: Drivers younger than 25 years old will pay higher insurance rates as insurance companies consider young drivers a higher risk due to limited driving experience.
- The kind of car you have: Collision and comprehensive coverage are more costly for luxury, high-performance, and sports cars.
- Where you keep your car: Rates are likely higher if you regularly park your car in a neighborhood with a higher incidence of auto insurance claims.
- How you use your car: Insurance companies often charge more if you drive your car to and from work than use it for leisure.
How Do Different Factors Impact Your Car Insurance Costs in San Mateo?
How Do Different Factors Impact Your Car Insurance Costs in San Mateo?
Allowed (with applicable limitations): Driving experience, marital status, zip code.
Prohibited (or effectively prohibited): Gender, age, credit history, education, occupation, employment status, insurance history.
Learn more abut the car insurance rating factors in San Mateo:
Cheap car insurance quotes in Los Angeles after driving violations
Your
California driving history
impacts your auto insurance quotes. If insurance companies notice a history of violations, they’ll see you as a higher risk and charge a steeper rate. Some common violations that could increase your insurance rates include:- Speeding
- DUIs
- At fault accident
- Reckless driving
- Driving on a suspended license
Cheapest car insurance in Los Angeles after speeding ticket
In San Mateo, a speeding ticket could increase your car insurance rate by about 13%. Jerry is proud to help drivers with varying speeding tickets save on car insurance.
| Speeding Type | Insurance Company | Premium (monthly) | Customer | Car | Insurance Coverage |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Speeding 1-5 | Travelers | $68 | Anthony, 38 Zip: 94403 | Alfa Romeo Stelvio | • 100,000/300,000 Liability |
Speeding 6-10 | Allstate | $48 | Elijah, 35 Zip: 94404 | Porsche Cayenne | • 100,000/300,000 Liability |
Last Updated Jan 23, 2025Cheapest car insurance in Los Angeles after DUI
In San Mateo,
a DUI violation
can increase your insurance rate by as much as 22%. If you have a DUI offense on your record, car insurance rates can vary significantly from one insurance company to another. You may need to compare rates from many insurance companies to find low-cost options after a DUI.Jerry has helped many San Mateo drivers obtain affordable auto insurance rates after a DUI.
Cheapest car insurance in Los Angeles after an at-fault accident
One of the most important factors affecting car insurance rates is your car accident or claim history. For San Mateo drivers, car accidents could result in an average rate increase of 15%.
California is an at-fault state. If you were involved in an at-fault accident in the recent past, your car insurance rates could skyrocket. Jerry has helped many San Mateo drivers save on car insurance after accidents.
| Accident Type | Insurance Company | Premium (monthly) | Customer | Car | Insurance Coverage |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
At Fault With Injury | Progressive | $235 | Elsie, 24 Zip: 94401 | Honda HR-V LX | • 50,000/100,000 Liability • Comp / Collision |
At Fault With No Injury | Allstate | $204 | Violet, 26 Zip: 94402 | Nissan Altima 2.5 | • 50,000/100,000 Liability • Comp / Collision |
Not At Fault | Nationwide | $124 | Eula, 36 Zip: 94403 | Honda Accord LX | • 50,000/100,000 Liability • Comp / Collision |
Safeco | $260 | Helen, 31 Zip: 94401 | Jeep Renegade Trailhawk | • 25,000/50,000 Liability • Comp / Collision |
Last Updated Jan 28, 2025Cheapest car insurance in Los Angeles after other driving violations
In addition to speeding tickets and DUIs, other violations such as
reckless driving
and driving on a suspended license can also cause your in car insurance costs to increase in San Mateo.We’ve compiled a list of various other driving violations and how we helped drivers with these violations save on their car insurance.
| Violation | Insurance Company | Premium (monthly) | Customer | Car | Insurance Coverage |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Driving on Sus. License | Progressive | $112 | Nelle, 38 Zip: 94403 | Mercury Grand Marquis LS | • State Minimum Liability |
Last Updated Jan 28, 2025Cheap car insurance quotes in San Mateo by age
Young drivers pay very high insurance rates due to limited driving experience. As young people turn 25, their insurance rates can drop. Car insurance costs often start rising again at the age of 75.
Cheapest car insurance in San Mateo for young drivers
Teen drivers
aged 16 to 19 pay the highest insurance rates out of any age group in San Mateo. For teen car owners that drive a newer car, full coverage would afford better financial protection as teens are more likely to get into accidents—and staying on a parent’s policy is the best way to keep rates low.Anne (24 years old)
Coverage50,000 per person
100,000 per accident bodily injury
Comp / Collision
San Mateo, CA (Zip Code: 94401)
Honda HR-V LX$235
per month
National General
Calvin (22 years old)
$72
per month
Cheapest car insurance in San Mateo for senior drivers
Car insurance rates start to rise once you get into your mid-70s.
Car insurance rates for seniors
tend to be higher due to several reasons. Older drivers are more susceptible to being involved in accidents and more prone to severe injuries in the event of a collision, leading to significant medical expenses and increased costs for insurance providers.
Over 3,500,000 customers and counting
We love saving our customers money. Turns out, they love it too! Here's what they have to say about their switch with Jerry:
Great feel for this app, It's helping me save money!
Aaron
Fast and friendly service!
Carlisa
Good rates.
DIanna
The general is affordable and will work with you on your monthly payments
Curtis
Cheap car insurance quotes in San Mateo based on insurance history
An important factor in your car insurance rates is your insurance history—i.e., whether you are currently insured or not.
Any lapse in your insurance coverage
usually leads to an increase in car insurance rates.To help our customers make insurance payments on time and to avoid a lapse in coverage, Jerry sends payment reminders to eligible customers when a payment is coming up or if they’re late on their payments.
We have helped many customers who are currently not insured or have had a lapse in coverage find savings on a new auto insurance policy.
Minerva (44 years old)
Currently Insured
Coverage50,000 per person
100,000 per accident bodily injury
Comp / Collision
San Mateo, CA (Zip Code: 94404)
$100
per month
Travelers
Delia (40 years old)
Currently Insured
Coverage250,000 per person
500,000 per accident bodily injury
Comp / Collision
San Mateo, CA (Zip Code: 94402)
$108
per month
Rose (37 years old)
Currently Insured
Coverage25,000 per person
50,000 per accident bodily injury
San Mateo, CA (Zip Code: 94402)
$78
per month
Safeco
Helen (31 years old)
Currently Insured
Coverage25,000 per person
50,000 per accident bodily injury
Comp / Collision
San Mateo, CA (Zip Code: 94401)
$260
per month
Mercury
Joshua (42 years old)
Currently Insured
Coverage30,000 per person
60,000 per accident bodily injury
Comp / Collision
San Mateo, CA (Zip Code: 94401)
$203
per month
Cheap car insurance quotes in San Mateo for drivers with poor credit
Using a driver's credit score to influence premiums is considered discriminatory in California and is therefore not used as a rating factor when determining how much you'll pay for auto insurance each year. It’s also illegal for any insurance company to deny coverage to California drivers solely on the basis of their credit history.
Cheap car insurance quotes in San Mateo for popular cars
The type of car you drive is a major rating factor in car insurance premiums. Costs associated with the type of car include the cost of repairs or replacements, likelihood of theft, and the overall safety record of the vehicle.
Popular car models in San Mateo include:
| Popular Car | Insurance Company | Premium (monthly) | Customer | Insurance Coverage |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| KIA Sportage X-Line Pres | Progressive | $100 | Minerva, 44 Zip: 94404 | • 50,000/100,000 Liability • Comp / Collision |
Last Updated Jan 28, 2025Cheapest car insurance in San Mateo for new vs. old car
A new car is typically more expensive to insure than an older car. We have found that the average insurance cost for a car older than 10 years is $83 per month in San Mateo. The average cost for insuring a car less than four years old goes up to $93 per month.
Rachel (38 years old)
$143
per month
Gavin (26 years old)
Coverage50,000 per person
100,000 per accident bodily injury
Comp / Collision
San Mateo, CA (Zip Code: 94402)
$204
per month
Travelers
Minerva (40 years old)
Coverage250,000 per person
500,000 per accident bodily injury
Comp / Collision
San Mateo, CA (Zip Code: 94402)
$108
per month
Hilda (37 years old)
2011 Nissan Maxima S
Coverage25,000 per person
50,000 per accident bodily injury
San Mateo, CA (Zip Code: 94402)
$78
per month
Bristol West
Gabriel (35 years old)
$110
per month
Clearcover
Chester (44 years old)
Coverage25,000 per person
50,000 per accident bodily injury
Comp / Collision
San Mateo, CA (Zip Code: 94403)
$189
per month
How to lower car insurance costs in Los Angeles
1. Shop around and compare quotes
Different insurance companies use different rules to set your premium, and those rules are constantly changing! To make sure you always have the most affordable car insurance, experts recommend comparing quotes from at least three companies and shopping for new rates every six months.
Jerry makes this tedious process simple! In just 45 seconds, Jerry can collect quotes from a pool of 55+ top insurance providers to help you identify the best auto insurance coverage at the best price. Better yet—Jerry provides this service for free!
2. Hunt for car insurance discounts
Every insurance company offers
a set of discounts
, but the exact discount offered varies by company. Some common discounts include: - Good driver discounts. California state law mandates 20% insurance discounts for drivers with one or fewer points on their license who have continuously held a license for three years with no at-fault accidents responsible for injury or death.
- Telematics discounts. Many companies offer easy-to-win discounts to drivers who use telematics to track their driving habits. You might even get a discount just for signing up!
- Good student discounts. Are you a full-time student in either high school or college? Do you have a B average or better? You probably qualify for a discount from your insurance company.
- Bundling discounts.Bundle your home and auto insurance(or auto and renters) with the same company, and you could get a discount on both policies.
3. Increase your deductible for comprehensive and collision coverage
If you’ve got full coverage car insurance, increasing your deductible is an easy way to keep your monthly expenses low without sacrificing coverage.
FAQ
How much is car insurance in San Mateo?
People living in San Mateo pay on average $89 per month – or $1,073 per year – on state-minimum liability coverage. Full coverage in San Mateo costs on average $241 per month of $2,892 per year.
With car insurance though, there’s no such thing as average. It is important to know that car insurance varies greatly based on a driver’s individual situation. Shopping around for car insurance quotes is the best way to get an accurate idea of how much you can expect to pay on insurance. Luckily, Jerry is here to take the hassle out of insurance shopping! At the click of a button, Jerry will help you compare personalized quotes from top insurance providers. Best of all, it’s 100% free.
What is the cheapest car insurance in San Mateo?
Based on thousands of San Mateo drivers Jerry has worked with, car insurance in San Mateo costs an average of $89 per month for state-minimum coverage and $241 per month for full coverage.
No single insurance company has the cheapest insurance for everyone, but by shopping for insurance quotes, you can find the cheapest insurance company for you. Jerry takes the hard work and the waiting out of insurance shopping – generating you quotes with the best coverage and best prices in seconds, 100% free. Try Jerry Today!
What is the best car insurance in San Mateo?
Learn more about how fellow car owners rate various insurance companies and get free quotes in seconds with Jerry.
What is the minimum car insurance in San Mateo, California?
California's minimum insurance requirements—known as the 15/30/5 rule—mandate the following:
- $30,000 for bodily injury liability per accident
Methodology
The Insurance Research Team analyzes insurance products and services to drive insights and help consumers make informed purchase decisions.
Insurance research: We analyzed over 25 million car insurance quotes; conducted the largest insurance shopping survey (over 15,000 customers surveyed and 85 carriers reviewed in the past 18 months).
We surveyed insurance policyholders for their experience with their insurers in the following areas: (1) insurance cost (2) customer service (3) insurance buying experience (4) insurance renewal experience (5) claim experience. In addition, we asked people what they like about their insurers and what areas in which their insurers could improve. The driver characteristics used in calculating average rates for auto insurance include: single driver, single car, currently insured, clean driving record.
For the quotes and sold policies included in this article, please note that personal information has been hidden. Not all customers find savings.
Team: The team consists of licensed insurance agents, insurance industry veterans, and data scientists.
Meet our Experts
R.E. Fulton
Expert Insurance Writer and Editor
R.E. Fulton is an expert insurance writer specializing in car ownership topics from car shopping and loan advice to insurance and repair guides. R.E.’s mission is to create unique and accessible content that helps readers to become more successful and independent car owners. R.E. has written and edited over 900 high-performing articles for Jerry, with an average of 1 million+ views.
As a senior writer on Jerry’s editorial team, R.E. draws on over 10 years of experience as a professional writer and digital publishing specialist. Prior to joining Jerry’s editorial team in 2021, R.E. worked as a writing coach at Columbia University, the Rochester Institute of Technology (RIT), and the University of Rochester. They serve as a managing editor for peer-reviewed history publication Nursing Clio, where their work has appeared regularly since 2015.
Lina Zhang
Licensed Insurance Agent
15 Years Working in Insurance
Lina Zhang is Vice President of Operations at Jerry. She helped to found Jerry in order to take the confusion and mystery expenses out of car ownership and help drivers achieve financial success. Leading a global team responsible for operations, talent acquisition, legal, and content, Lina has been a key contributor to Jerry’s rapid growth.
Prior to Jerry, Lina and her Jerry co-founders, Art Agrawal and Musawir Shah, created YourMechanic, the largest on-demand car repair services provider. In one year, Lina built and scaled YourMechanic operations from just five markets to more than 50. Before founding YourMechanic, Lina served as an intellectual property attorney at Morrison & Foerster LLP and a postdoctoral biomedical researcher at Stanford University.
Lina is a member of the State Bar of California, and a licensed property and casualty insurance broker in all 50 states and Washington, D.C.
Josh Damico
Head Of Insurance Operations
18+ Years Experience in Insurance
Josh Damico is Jerry’s Vice President Insurance Operations and a licensed insurance professional with 18 years of experience in the industry. Previously, Josh worked for 14 years at GEICO, most recently as Director of Insurance Sales, Service, and Underwriting in the Buffalo, New York region, where he doubled the size of the team to 950+ licensed associates. Josh Damico is a licensed insurance agent in 48 states. Josh has appeared on news channels like FOX and CBS to offer insurance expertise and tips to drivers across the country. His work has appeared in Business Insider, Kelley Blue Book, and Digital Insurance and been quoted in The Balance, GOBankingRates, and Inspiring Workplaces.
*Illustration only. For all the pricing information presented in this article (including various tables), please note that not all customers find savings and the information is for illustrative purposes only. Savings depend on type of car, location, policy features, driving history and other factors. Drivers who switch through Jerry save over $70/month on average.