San Mateo Car Insurance

How much does car insurance cost in San Mateo, CA? Check out the average rates that drivers pay below.

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What Is the Average Cost of Car Insurance in San Mateo?

Monthly Average Rates by Country, State, and City

Car insurance rates vary from driver to driver and are based on many factors that include driving history, claims history and where you live. Each city in California has different rates, and below, you can compare average rates with the national average. According to our data, drivers who live in San Mateo typically pay around $141.72 per month compared to the national average of $146.43 per month. The best way to get a low rate is by comparison shopping. SmartFinancial can do that for you at no cost while pairing you with a reputable insurance company so you have no surprises if you have an accident.

AreaAverage Monthly Rate
National $146.43
California $146.70
San Mateo, California $141.72

San Mateo, CA Best Car Insurance Companies

car insurance in San Mateo

Certain insurers will offer you better rates than others based on a myriad of factors, so you may get a better deal from one insurer over another for various reasons, and that’s why it’s important to compare. According to our data, Direct Auto generally has the most affordable car insurance in San Mateo coming in around $61.96 per month. Other companies to consider if you live in San Mateo is Mercury Insurance Company with an average cost of $127.47 per month and Esurance which typically runs around $130.05 per month. Check out the full list below. SmartFinancial rates the following insurers as the best insurance companies for drivers in San Mateo.

RankCompanyAverage Monthly RateComparison State Average
1 Direct Auto $61.96-57.76%
2 Mercury Insurance Company $127.47-13.10%
3 Esurance $130.05-11.35%
4 USAA $140.13-4.48%
5 SAFECO $154.995.65%
6 Mercury $156.636.77%
7 Auto Club $166.8313.72%
8 Allstate $167.2814.03%
9 21st Century $169.9215.83%
10 California Capital $170.5916.29%

How Much is Car Insurance in San Mateo, CA?

how much is auto insurance in San Mateo

Rates can vary from city to city. The residents of Anaheim typically pay $147.70 per month while people who live in Bakersfield will pay $135.20 per month on average. See what people pay for car insurance in other cities in California.

California CitiesMonthly Average Rate
Anaheim $147.70
Bakersfield $135.20
Fresno $133.68
Long Beach $152.90
Los Angeles $183.96
Oakland $161.64
Pasadena $160.67
Riverside $144.32
Sacramento $144.25
San Bernardino $143.87
San Diego $128.21
San Francisco $164.03
San Jose $139.56
San Mateo $141.69
Santa Barbara $127.24
Stockton $138.34

Cheap Car Insurance in San Mateo by Zip Codes

find cheap auto insurance in San Mateo

Every zip code rates differently with every insurer. Your zip code determines the crime rate in your area as well as other risks. Below, you can see how average rates range across the state of California. If you live in an area that is rated high in crime, you can make sure to garage your car in a safe place. That ought to save you some money. Covered and gated structures are best. Make sure to tell your insurance agent about the precautions you’re taking.

San Mateo, CA ZIP CodeAverage Monthly Rate
94401$151.55
94402$144.63
94403$139.48
94404$120.68

Car Insurance Rates by Driver's Age Group in San Mateo

Generally speaking, you pay more in car insurance the younger you are and the older you are. Teens and young adults often pay around $316.02 per month in San Mateo. Compare that to drivers in their 30’s who typically pay around $131.98 per month drivers in their 40s at $121.04 per month. It’s always a good idea to check for discounts that apply at any age. Some discounts include away-at-school discount, safe driver discount, mature driver discount, good student discount as well as multi-policy and bundling discounts.

Age GroupAverage Monthly Rate
16-19$316.02
20s$172.29
30s$131.98
40s$121.04
50s$116.09
60s$103.56
70+$129.14

Cheapest Insurance for Teenage Drivers in San Mateo

If you are teen in San Mateo you are probably looking for a good deal on car insurance. Since teenage drivers typically pay the highest rates of any other age group, it’s important to compare multiple companies. According to our research, Mercury Insurance Company typically charges around $120.48 per month. This is likely the most affordable option in San Mateo. You might also want to consider Kemper Auto Premier and USAA who also offer good affordable policies for teen drivers.

CompanyAverage Monthly Rate
Mercury Insurance Company$120.48
Kemper Auto Premier$238.45
USAA$261.04
Mercury$278.21
Auto Club$281.33

Cheapest Insurance for 20 Year-olds in San Mateo

20 year-olds in San Mateo might want to consider Kemper Auto Premier who, on average, offers car insurance rates around $83.43 per month. Mercury Insurance Company , SAFECO , Esurance and USAA are also in the top 5 cheapest rates available.

CompanyAverage Monthly Rate
Kemper Auto Premier$83.43
Mercury Insurance Company$149.45
SAFECO$158.17
Esurance$167.51
USAA$171.87

Cheapest Insurance for 30 Year-olds in San Mateo

If you are in your 30s in San Mateo our research has found that Direct Auto typically has the most affordable coverage coming in around $61.96 per month, followed by Esurance at $118.80 and Mercury Insurance Company at $122.76.

CompanyAverage Monthly Rate
Direct Auto$61.96
Esurance$118.80
Mercury Insurance Company$122.76
USAA$128.62
Mercury$142.91

Cheapest Insurance for 40 Year-olds in San Mateo

On average, Kemper Auto Premier offers car insurance for 40 year-olds in San Mateo for around $107.15 per month. If you are looking for affordable coverage, you may also want to consider Mercury Insurance Company or Esurance. The full list of top companies is below.

CompanyAverage Monthly Rate
Kemper Auto Premier$107.15
Mercury Insurance Company$115.25
Esurance$116.28
USAA$129.74
Mercury$133.34

Cheapest Insurance for 50 Year-olds in San Mateo

Oftentimes 50 year-olds enjoy some of the lowest rates of any other age group. In San Mateo we found that Mercury Insurance Company generally offers the most affordable coverage at $87.38 per month.

CompanyAverage Monthly Rate
Mercury Insurance Company$87.38
Kemper Auto Premier$99.76
SAFECO$100.17
Esurance$109.00
USAA$118.53

Cheapest Insurance for 60 Year-olds in San Mateo

If you live in San Mateo and you’re in your 60s, our data indicates that Esurance usually has the best rates at $98.10 per month. The top 5 list of car insurance companies is below.

CompanyAverage Monthly Rate
Esurance$98.10
Mercury Insurance Company$106.31
USAA$107.26
Auto Club$108.92
State Farm$110.33

Driver's Coverage Auto Insurance Rates in San Mateo, CA

driver's coverage

Typically, drivers who currently have car insurance coverage will receive a cheaper monthly quote than drivers who do not. Since car insurance is a requirement in all 50 states, companies may question why you don't currently have coverage. Because of this, they may see you as a higher risk driver. In San Mateo, the average monthly rate for a driver who is currently insured is $138.40 while drivers who are not currently covered will pay around $146.26.

CoverageAverage Monthly Rate
Not Currently Insured $146.26
Currently Insured $138.40

Compare Recent Car Insurance Quotes in San Mateo

auto insurance quotes in San Mateo city

Your vehicle plays a big part in how you rate for car insurance. The more your car is worth, the higher your car insurance rate. To lower your monthly premiums, you can set a higher deductible, but you’ll need to pay that deductible if you have an accident. Generally speaking, the newer a car is, the more it’s worth, and you may pay more in premiums, but the latest safety features will earn you a discount. The overall safety ratings of a car are also considered when determining your rate. In San Mateo a driver of a 2020 Honda Accord can expect to pay around $82.99 per month while someone that owns a 2023 Lexus RX may pay around $122.90 per month. Check out the list of recent quotes in San Mateo below.

VehicleAverage Monthly Rate
2020 Honda Accord$82.99
2023 Lexus RX$122.90
2011 Toyota Prius$94.43
2020 Dodge Journey$117.13
2024 Lexus NX$143.75
2024 Ford Mustang$128.60
2002 Lexus Sc$125.25
2015 Lexus IS$157.71
2024 Toyota Rav4$95.02
2021 Toyota Venza$115.63

FAQ's for Drivers in San Mateo, CA

driver’s frequently asked question in San Mateo

What Is the Minimum Liability Coverage Requirement in San Mateo, CA?

Every state requires drivers to have a minimum amount of liability coverage. California drivers are required to carry liability insurance to pay for damages and injuries inflicted on someone else in an auto accident.

  • $15,000; Bodily injury coverage per person; Max. payment for a single person that you injure in an auto accident.
  • $30,000; Bodily injury coverage per accident; Max. payment for all injuries that you cause in an accident when more than one person is hurt.
  • $5,000; Property damage per accident; Max. payment for damaged property in an accident caused by you.

You like to keep it simple, and so do we! Just don’t go too minimalist and skip the auto insurance altogether (see our FAQ for more information). In California, you are legally required to obtain something called liability insurance.* This is for your protection if you are deemed “at fault” in an accident that causes injury and lost wages to another driver or passenger in another vehicle. Liability coverage pays up to the amounts listed below. It also pays for damages to the other driver’s vehicle. Trust us, you’d want this coverage even if it wasn’t legally required!

What Is the Blood Alcohol Concentration (BAC) limit in San Mateo, CA?

It is illegal for an individual to operate a motor vehicle in California with the following BAC percentages:

  • .08%+ @ 21 years old or older
  • .04%+ for commercial vehicle drivers
  • .01%+ @ < 21 years old

What are the chemical test refusal penalties in California?

According to California’s implied consent law, you are only required to take a breath or blood test upon being arrested. However, if you are not arrested and refuse the test, the officer may identify additional probable causes for driving under the influence and arrest you, thus forcing you into taking the test.

Check Out Other Rates in San Mateo, CA Nearby Cities:

Daly City, CA

Redwood City, CA

San Bruno, CA

South San Francisco, CA

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Commute Time in San Mateo, CA

27.8 Miles
map

Commute Time in United States

26.4 Miles
people

Number of Nearest Insurance Agents in San Mateo, CA

182

Methodology
The statistics listed on this page are from our own in house reporting. We track and record quotes that carriers have provided based on various criteria. The rates and averages shown on this page should only be used as an estimate.

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