The best way to get more affordable auto insurance rates in San Francisco is to start doing an annual price comparison from insurers who provide car insurance in California. Prices can be compared by following these guidelines.
- Step 1: Learn about coverages and the measures you can take to lower rates. Many factors that are responsible for high rates like speeding tickets, accidents and an imperfect credit rating can be rectified by being financially responsible and driving safely. This article provides tips to help prevent expensive coverage and find additional discounts.
- Step 2: Request price quotes from direct, independent, and exclusive agents. Exclusive agents and direct companies can only give prices from one company like GEICO or Farmers Insurance, while agents who are independent can provide prices for many different companies.
- Step 3: Compare the new quotes to your current policy to determine if you can save on Sentra insurance. If you can save some money, make sure coverage does not lapse between policies.
- Step 4: Provide adequate notice to your current company to cancel your current auto insurance policy and submit payment along with a signed and completed policy application to the new insurer. Once coverage is bound, keep the new proof of insurance certificate in your glove compartment.
One thing to remember is that you’ll want to make sure you compare similar limits and deductibles on every quote and to quote with as many companies as possible. This enables a level playing field and plenty of rates choose from.
It’s easy to assume that insurance companies want to keep you from comparing rates. Consumers who compare rates annually are likely to move their business because they have good chances of finding a lower-priced company. A recent insurance study discovered that people who make a habit of shopping around saved $3,450 over four years as compared to drivers who never shopped around for cheaper prices.
If finding low prices for car insurance in San Francisco is the reason for your visit, then having some knowledge of how to find companies and compare car insurance can help you be more efficient.
Shopping for the lowest-priced auto insurance coverage in San Francisco is not as hard as you think. If you have a policy now or need new coverage, you will benefit by learning to find better prices without reducing coverage. Drivers only need to know the proper methods to shop online.
Finding a better price on auto insurance is a fairly straight forward process. You just need to take a couple of minutes comparing rates to see which company has affordable Nissan Sentra insurance quotes.
It’s so simple to compare auto insurance price quotes online takes the place of having to drive around to different agent offices. Quoting Nissan Sentra insurance online can eliminate the need for a local agent unless you have a complicated situation and need the trained advice of a licensed agent. Although, it is possible obtain prices from the web and have a local agent actually service the policy.
The companies shown below can provide quotes in San Francisco, CA. If several companies are displayed, we suggest you visit as many as you can to find the cheapest car insurance rates.
Data for Nissan Sentra insurance
The coverage information shown next highlights different rate quotes for Nissan Sentra models. Knowing how car insurance prices are established can help drivers make decisions on which insurance to purchase.
| Model | Comp | Collision | Liability | Medical | UM/UIM | Annual Premium | Monthly Premium |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sentra 2 | $158 | $372 | $500 | $30 | $150 | $1,210 | $101 |
| Sentra 2.0 S | $158 | $440 | $500 | $30 | $150 | $1,278 | $107 |
| Sentra 2.0 SR | $158 | $440 | $500 | $30 | $150 | $1,278 | $107 |
| Sentra 2.0 SL | $182 | $440 | $500 | $30 | $150 | $1,302 | $109 |
| Sentra SE-R | $182 | $440 | $500 | $30 | $150 | $1,302 | $109 |
| Sentra SE-R SPEC V | $182 | $506 | $500 | $30 | $150 | $1,368 | $114 |
| Get Your Own Custom Quote Go | |||||||
Table data assumes single male driver age 50, no speeding tickets, no at-fault accidents, $1000 deductibles, and California minimum liability limits. Discounts applied include multi-vehicle, homeowner, claim-free, safe-driver, and multi-policy. Estimates do not factor in specific San Francisco garaging location which can increase or decrease coverage prices greatly.
Raise deductibles and save
The hardest decision when buying coverage is which comprehensive and collision deductibles to buy. The following insurance rates can help illustrate the rate fluctuation when you choose different insurance deductibles. The first data set uses a $100 physical damage coverage deductible and the second set of prices uses a $1,000 deductible.
| Model | Comp | Collision | Liability | Medical | UM/UIM | Annual Premium | Monthly Premium |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sentra 2 | $332 | $686 | $442 | $26 | $132 | $1,643 | $137 |
| Sentra 2.0 S | $332 | $810 | $442 | $26 | $132 | $1,767 | $147 |
| Sentra 2.0 SR | $332 | $810 | $442 | $26 | $132 | $1,767 | $147 |
| Sentra 2.0 SL | $380 | $810 | $442 | $26 | $132 | $1,815 | $151 |
| Sentra SE-R | $380 | $810 | $442 | $26 | $132 | $1,815 | $151 |
| Sentra SE-R SPEC V | $380 | $932 | $442 | $26 | $132 | $1,937 | $161 |
| Get Your Own Custom Quote Go | |||||||
| Model | Comp | Collision | Liability | Medical | UM/UIM | Annual Premium | Monthly Premium |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sentra 2 | $184 | $362 | $442 | $26 | $132 | $1,146 | $96 |
| Sentra 2.0 S | $184 | $426 | $442 | $26 | $132 | $1,210 | $101 |
| Sentra 2.0 SR | $184 | $426 | $442 | $26 | $132 | $1,210 | $101 |
| Sentra 2.0 SL | $210 | $426 | $442 | $26 | $132 | $1,236 | $103 |
| Sentra SE-R | $210 | $426 | $442 | $26 | $132 | $1,236 | $103 |
| Sentra SE-R SPEC V | $210 | $490 | $442 | $26 | $132 | $1,300 | $108 |
| Get Your Own Custom Quote Go | |||||||
Cost estimates assume married male driver age 30, no speeding tickets, no at-fault accidents, and California minimum liability limits. Discounts applied include claim-free, multi-policy, safe-driver, multi-vehicle, and homeowner. Prices do not factor in specific zip code location which can change premiums considerably.
Based on this data, we can arrive at the conclusion that using a $100 deductible will cost you roughly $47 more each month or $564 each year across all Nissan Sentra models than quoting the higher $1,000 deductible. Since you would pay $900 more out of your own pocket with a $1,000 deductible as compared to a $100 deductible, if you tend to have more than 19 months between claim filings, you would more than likely save some money going with the higher deductible.
Calculation for raising deductibles
| Average monthly premium for $100 deductibles: | $149 |
| Average monthly premium for $1,000 deductibles (subtract): | – $102 |
| Monthly savings from raising deductible: | $47 |
| Difference between deductibles ($1,000 – $100): | $900 |
| Divide difference by monthly savings: | $900 / $47 |
| Number of months required between physical damage coverage claims in order to save money by choosing the higher deductible | 19 months |
One important issue to know is that raising deductibles means you pay more out-of-pocket at claim time. It will be required that you have some funds available in the event you have to pay the higher deductible in order to repair your vehicle.
Accidents and violations increase rates
The information below demonstrates how citations and at-fault fender-benders impact Nissan Sentra yearly insurance costs for different insured age categories. The rate quotes are based on a single male driver, full coverage, $100 deductibles, and no discounts are taken into consideration.
Price comparison of only insuring for liability
The illustration below shows the comparison of Nissan Sentra annual premium costs with full physical damage coverage compared to only buying liability only. The rate quotes are based on no violations or claims, $100 deductibles, drivers are single, and no discounts are factored in.
When to drop comprehensive and collision
There is no set rule for eliminating full coverage on your policy, but there is a general guideline you can use. If the annual cost of comprehensive and collision coverage is more than around 10% of the vehicle’s replacement cost less your deductible, then it might be time to consider dropping full coverage.
For example, let’s pretend your Nissan Sentra replacement value is $3,000 and you have $1,000 physical damage deductibles. If your vehicle is totaled in an accident, the most you would receive is $2,000 after paying the physical damage deductible. If it’s costing in excess of $200 a year to have full coverage, then it may be the right time to buy liability only.
There are some situations where buying only liability insurance is not advised. If you have an outstanding loan on your vehicle, you must maintain physical damage coverage in order to prevent the bank from purchasing higher-priced coverage. Also, if you can’t afford to buy a different vehicle if your current one is in an accident, you should not consider dropping full coverage.
Companies offer money-saving discounts on Nissan Sentra insurance in San Francisco
Auto insurance is easily one of your largest bills, but companies offer discounts to help bring down the price. Some discounts apply automatically when you complete an application, but some discounts are required to be specially asked for before being credited.
- Defensive Driver – Taking part in a course in driver safety could save 5% or more and easily recoup the cost of the course.
- Online Discount – A handful of larger companies will discount your bill up to fifty bucks for signing up online.
- Government Employees – Active or former government employment may reduce rates when you quote San Francisco auto insurance depending on your company.
- Student in College – Any of your kids who live away from home at college and don’t have a car could qualify for this discount.
- No Charge for an Accident – Not really a discount, but some insurance companies will forgive one accident before your rates go up so long as you haven’t had any claims for a specific time period.
It’s important to understand that many deductions do not apply to the entire policy premium. Most only apply to the cost of specific coverages such as liability and collision coverage. If you do the math and it seems like you can get free auto insurance, it just doesn’t work that way.
The information below shows the comparison of Nissan Sentra auto insurance rates with and without discounts applied to the policy premium. The information is based on a male driver, no claims or driving violations, California state minimum liability limits, comp and collision included, and $1,000 deductibles. The first bar for each age group shows premium with no discounts. The second shows the rates with homeowner, multi-car, marriage, multi-policy, claim-free, and safe-driver discounts applied.
A few companies who might offer these discounts include:
Double check with each insurance company which discounts you may be entitled to. Savings may not be available in San Francisco.
Why do I need car insurance?
Despite the potentially high cost of Nissan Sentra insurance, buying car insurance may be mandatory for several reasons.
First, most states have mandatory liability insurance requirements which means you are required to buy a minimum amount of liability in order to drive the car. In California these limits are 15/30/5 which means you must have $15,000 of bodily injury coverage per person, $30,000 of bodily injury coverage per accident, and $5,000 of property damage coverage.
Second, if your car has a lienholder, it’s guaranteed your bank will make it mandatory that you have comprehensive coverage to guarantee loan repayment. If you do not pay your insurance premiums, the lender may insure your Nissan at an extremely high rate and force you to pay for it.
Third, insurance safeguards both your vehicle and your personal assets. It will also cover medical expenses for not only you but also any passengers injured in an accident. As part of your policy, liability insurance also covers all legal expenses up to the policy limit if someone files suit against you as the result of an accident. If your Nissan gets damaged, collision and comprehensive (also known as other-than-collision) coverage will cover the repair costs.
The benefits of carrying adequate insurance more than offset the price you pay, particularly when you have a large claim. But the average driver in California is wasting up to $825 a year so compare quotes from several companies at every renewal to ensure rates are inline.
How much auto insurance do I need?
When choosing coverage, there isn’t really a one size fits all plan. You are unique so your insurance should reflect that
Here are some questions about coverages that might help in determining if you could use an agent’s help.
- Do I pay less for low miles?
- Can I make deliveries for my home business?
- Can I cancel at any time?
- Do I have ACV or replacement cost coverage?
- Is my vehicle covered by my employer’s policy when using it for work?
- Why am I required to buy high-risk coverage?
- Do I need PIP coverage since I have good health insurance?
If you don’t know the answers to these questions but a few of them apply then you might want to talk to an agent. If you don’t have a local agent, simply complete this short form or click here for a list of auto insurance companies in your area. It only takes a few minutes and you can get the answers you need.
Should I have guidance from a local insurance agent?
A lot of people would rather sit down and talk to an agent and we recommend doing that Professional agents will help you protect your assets and give you someone to call. An additional benefit of comparing rates online is that you can obtain the best rates and still buy from a local agent. And buying from local insurance agents is definitely important in San Francisco.
By using this form (opens in new window), your insurance data is submitted to companies in San Francisco who will give competitive quotes for your coverage. There is no reason to contact any insurance agencies due to the fact that quote results will go directly to you. In the event you want to compare prices from a specific auto insurance provider, you would need to find their quoting web page and fill out the quote form the provide.
Independent or Exclusive: It’s your choice
When searching for local San Francisco agents, you must know there are a couple types of insurance agents to choose from. Insurance agencies in San Francisco are categorized either exclusive or independent (non-exclusive). Both types can sell and service auto insurance coverage, but it’s important to know how they differ because it can impact which agent you choose.
Independent Agencies or Brokers
These type of agents can sell policies from many different companies and that enables them to quote your coverage with lots of companies and get you the best rates possible. If your premiums go up, your policy is moved internally and you stay with the same agent. If you are comparing auto insurance prices, we recommend you get insurance quotes from a couple of independent agencies to have the best price comparison.
The following is a small list of independent agents in San Francisco who may provide pricing information.
Barulich Insurance Agency
San Francisco Pier 33 – Alcatraz Island #203 – San Francisco, CA 94111 – (415) 616-5911 – View Map
Primeras Insurance Agency
3339 23rd St – San Francisco, CA 94108 – (415) 829-7312 – View Map
Wang Insurance
2620 Judah St – San Francisco, CA 94122 – (415) 731-7062 – View Map
Exclusive Auto Insurance Agencies
These type of agents normally can only provide a single company’s rates and some examples include American Family, State Farm, and AAA. Exclusive agents are unable to place coverage with different providers so it’s a take it or leave it situation. Exclusive insurance agents are highly trained in insurance sales which aids in selling service over price.
Shown below is a short list of exclusive insurance agencies in San Francisco that are able to give comparison quotes.
Kiet Nguyen – State Farm Insurance Agent
4198 Mission St – San Francisco, CA 94112 – (415) 587-1880 – View Map
Sandy Lee – State Farm Insurance Agent
188 S Park St #4 – San Francisco, CA 94107 – (415) 227-9833 – View Map
Angela Chan – State Farm Insurance Agent
756 Sacramento St – San Francisco, CA 94108 – (415) 956-4888 – View Map
Deciding on an insurance agency requires you to look at more than just the bottom line cost. Here are some questions you might want to ask.
- What insurance company do they write the most business with?
- Is their price quote a firm figure or are their hidden costs?
- How many years have they been established?
- Will you work with the agent or an assistant?
- Are they giving you every discount you deserve?
- Are they in the agency full-time?
- Which insurance companies are they affiliated with?