If you want to save money, the best way to find cheaper quotes for car insurance rates is to start doing a yearly price comparison from insurers who sell auto insurance in San Francisco.
- Step 1: Get a basic knowledge of coverages and the steps you can take to drop your rates. Many things that drive up the price like distracted driving and an unfavorable credit rating can be remedied by making minor changes in your lifestyle. Read the full article for the details to get cheaper coverage and find discounts that may have been missed.
- Step 2: Compare price quotes from independent agents, exclusive agents, and direct companies. Direct companies and exclusive agencies can only provide price estimates from a single company like GEICO and Allstate, while agents who are independent can provide price quotes for many different companies.
- Step 3: Compare the new rates to your current policy and determine if cheaper Fusion coverage is available. If you can save money and switch companies, make sure there is no lapse between the expiration of your current policy and the new one.
- Step 4: Notify your current company of your decision to cancel your current policy. Submit payment and a signed application to your new agent or company. As soon as coverage is bound, put the certificate verifying coverage with your registration paperwork.
One key aspect when comparing rates is that you’ll want to make sure you compare identical deductibles and limits on every quote request and and to analyze as many auto insurance providers as possible. Doing this helps ensure a fair price comparison and plenty of rates choose from.
We don’t have to tell you that car insurance companies want to keep you from comparing prices. Consumers who compare other prices are likely to switch auto insurance companies because there are good odds of finding a lower rate. A recent auto insurance study discovered that consumers who did price comparisons regularly saved $865 annually as compared to drivers who never compared other company’s rates.
If finding the cheapest rates on insurance is your objective, then having some knowledge of the best ways to shop for coverages can help simplify the process.
If you have coverage now or want to find a cheaper company, use these cost-cutting techniques to buy cheaper auto insurance while maintaining coverages. Buying the cheapest auto insurance in San Francisco seems hard but is not really that difficult. Smart shoppers just need to learn the quickest method to shop online.
Most major insurance companies like State Farm, Allstate and GEICO allow consumers to get prices for coverage from their websites. Getting quotes for Ford Fusion insurance in San Francisco is possible for anyone as you simply enter your required coverages into the form. When complete, their rating system orders your credit score and driving record and gives you a price quote determined by many factors. This makes it simple to compare prices and it is important to do this if you want to find the lowest possible payments on auto insurance.
In order to find out how much you’re overpaying now, compare quotes from the companies shown below. To compare your current rates, we recommend you replicate the limits and deductibles exactly as they are listed on your policy. This guarantees you will have a rate comparison based on the exact same insurance coverage.
The following companies provide free quotes in San Francisco, CA. If several companies are displayed, we recommend you get price quotes from several of them to find the most competitive auto insurance rates.
Here’s why car insurance is not optional
Even though it can be expensive, paying for car insurance may not be optional for several reasons.
- Most states have minimum mandated liability insurance limits which means it is punishable by state law to not carry a specific level of liability if you want to drive legally. 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.
- If you took out a loan on your Ford, most banks will require that you have physical damage coverage to ensure loan repayment if the vehicle is totaled. If you default on your policy, the lender may have to buy a policy to insure your Ford for a lot more money and require you to reimburse them for the much more expensive policy.
- Insurance safeguards both your assets and your Ford Fusion. It also can pay for many types of medical costs for not only you but also any passengers injured in an accident. As part of your policy, liability insurance will also pay to defend you if you are sued as the result of your driving. If you have damage to your Ford as the result of the weather or an accident, comprehensive and collision coverage will pay to repair the damage minus the deductible amount.
The benefits of carrying enough insurance more than cancel out the cost, especially with large liability claims. An average driver in America overpays as much as $855 a year so you should quote rates at every renewal to make sure the price is not too high.
Analysis of Ford Fusion rates
The information shown next showcases estimates of prices for Ford Fusion models. Being able to understand how car insurance prices are determined can benefit drivers when making smart choices when selecting a policy.
| Model | Comp | Collision | Liability | Medical | UM/UIM | Annual Premium | Monthly Premium |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Fusion S 4-Dr Sedan | $334 | $662 | $534 | $32 | $160 | $1,722 | $144 |
| Fusion SE 4-Dr Sedan | $378 | $780 | $534 | $32 | $160 | $1,884 | $157 |
| Fusion Hybrid 4-Dr Sedan | $378 | $898 | $668 | $40 | $200 | $2,184 | $182 |
| Fusion SEL 4-Dr Sedan | $378 | $780 | $534 | $32 | $160 | $1,884 | $157 |
| Fusion Sport 4-Dr Sedan | $378 | $780 | $534 | $32 | $160 | $1,884 | $157 |
| Fusion SEL AWD 4-Dr Sedan | $420 | $898 | $534 | $32 | $160 | $2,044 | $170 |
| Fusion Sport AWD 4-Dr Sedan | $420 | $898 | $534 | $32 | $160 | $2,044 | $170 |
| Get Your Own Custom Quote Go | |||||||
Data variables include single male driver age 40, no speeding tickets, no at-fault accidents, $250 deductibles, and California minimum liability limits. Discounts applied include claim-free, homeowner, safe-driver, multi-vehicle, and multi-policy. Rates do not factor in your specific San Francisco location which can impact rates significantly.
Analysis of deductible levels
One frequently asked question is how high should the deductibles for physical damage be. The rates shown below can help show the cost difference of buying low and high insurance deductibles. The first price estimate table uses a $100 physical damage coverage deductible and the second set of rates uses a $500 deductible.
| Model | Comp | Collision | Liability | Medical | UM/UIM | Annual Premium | Monthly Premium |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Fusion S 4-Dr Sedan | $380 | $686 | $442 | $26 | $132 | $1,691 | $141 |
| Fusion SE 4-Dr Sedan | $430 | $810 | $442 | $26 | $132 | $1,865 | $155 |
| Fusion Hybrid 4-Dr Sedan | $430 | $932 | $552 | $32 | $166 | $2,137 | $178 |
| Fusion SEL 4-Dr Sedan | $430 | $810 | $442 | $26 | $132 | $1,865 | $155 |
| Fusion Sport 4-Dr Sedan | $430 | $810 | $442 | $26 | $132 | $1,865 | $155 |
| Fusion SEL AWD 4-Dr Sedan | $478 | $932 | $442 | $26 | $132 | $2,035 | $170 |
| Fusion Sport AWD 4-Dr Sedan | $478 | $932 | $442 | $26 | $132 | $2,035 | $170 |
| Get Your Own Custom Quote Go | |||||||
| Model | Comp | Collision | Liability | Medical | UM/UIM | Annual Premium | Monthly Premium |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Fusion S 4-Dr Sedan | $278 | $464 | $442 | $26 | $132 | $1,342 | $112 |
| Fusion SE 4-Dr Sedan | $314 | $546 | $442 | $26 | $132 | $1,460 | $122 |
| Fusion Hybrid 4-Dr Sedan | $314 | $630 | $552 | $32 | $166 | $1,694 | $141 |
| Fusion SEL 4-Dr Sedan | $314 | $546 | $442 | $26 | $132 | $1,460 | $122 |
| Fusion Sport 4-Dr Sedan | $314 | $546 | $442 | $26 | $132 | $1,460 | $122 |
| Fusion SEL AWD 4-Dr Sedan | $348 | $630 | $442 | $26 | $132 | $1,578 | $132 |
| Fusion Sport AWD 4-Dr Sedan | $348 | $630 | $442 | $26 | $132 | $1,578 | $132 |
| Get Your Own Custom Quote Go | |||||||
Data assumes married male driver age 30, no speeding tickets, no at-fault accidents, and California minimum liability limits. Discounts applied include claim-free, safe-driver, homeowner, multi-policy, and multi-vehicle. Rate information does not factor in garaging location in San Francisco which can impact premium rates greatly.
We can derive from the above data that using a $100 deductible costs about $35 more each month or $420 annually across all Ford Fusion models than buying the higher $500 deductible. Since you would pay $400 more to settle a claim with a $500 deductible as compared to a $100 deductible, if you average more than 11 months between claim filings, you would more than likely save some money if you choose a higher deductible.
The chart below highlights how deductible selection and can influence Ford Fusion yearly insurance costs for different age groups of insureds. The premiums are based on a married female driver, comp and collision included, and no discounts are taken into consideration.
Lower-cost Ford Fusion insurance in San Francisco
Auto insurance is neither fun to buy or cheap, but you may find discounts that can drop the cost substantially. A few discounts will be applied at quote time, but some need to be specifically requested before they will apply.
- Student in College – Kids who are enrolled in a college that is more than 100 miles from San Francisco without a vehicle on campus may qualify for this discount.
- New Vehicle Savings – Insuring a new Fusion may earn a small discount because newer models have to meet stringent safety requirements.
- Pay Early and Save – By paying your entire bill at once instead of making monthly payments you can avoid the installment charge.
- San Francisco Homeowners Pay Less – Owning a house in San Francisco can save a few bucks because owning a home shows financial diligence.
- Low Mileage – Driving fewer miles may allow you to get lower premium rates due to less chance of an accident.
- Defensive Driver Discount – Taking a class that teaches defensive driving techniques could possibly earn you a 5% discount depending on where you live.
- Accident-Free Discounts – Drivers who don’t have accidents can earn big discounts when compared to bad drivers.
- Telematics Discount – San Francisco drivers who agree to allow their insurance company to track vehicle usage by using a telematics device in their vehicle like Allstate’s Drivewise could possibly reduce rates if they have good driving habits.
Don’t be surprised that some credits don’t apply to the whole policy. Most only cut the price of certain insurance coverages like liability and collision coverage. Despite the fact that it seems like you can get free auto insurance, it just doesn’t work that way.
The illustration below compares Ford Fusion insurance costs with and without discounts applied to the rates. The costs are based on a female driver, no driving violations, no at-fault accidents, California state minimum liability limits, full coverage, and $500 deductibles. The first bar for each age group shows premium with no discounts. The second shows the rates with multi-car, claim-free, multi-policy, homeowner, marriage, and safe-driver discounts applied.
A list of companies and a summarized list of policyholder discounts include:
- GEICO discounts include five-year accident-free, seat belt use, good student, daytime running lights, and federal employee.
- SAFECO has discounts for bundle discounts, teen safe driver, teen safety rewards, accident prevention training, multi-car, anti-theft, and homeowner.
- State Farm has savings for good student, accident-free, passive restraint, student away at school, multiple policy, and safe vehicle.
- MetLife may offer discounts for accident-free, good driver, claim-free, good student, defensive driver, and multi-policy.
- 21st Century includes discounts for driver training, air bags, 55 and older, student driver, and theft prevention.
- Progressive offers discounts including online signing, homeowner, good student, continuous coverage, multi-policy, and multi-vehicle.
If you need lower rates, check with every prospective company the best way to save money. Discounts might not be available to policyholders in your area. If you would like to view insurers who offer auto insurance discounts in San Francisco, click this link.
When should I talk to a local insurance agent?
Certain consumers would rather talk to an insurance agent and doing so can bring peace of mind Professional insurance agents can make sure you are properly covered and help you file claims. One of the great benefits of getting free rate quotes online is you may find cheap insurance rates but still work with a licensed agent.
By using this simple form, the coverage information gets sent to companies in San Francisco who want to provide quotes for your business. It’s much easier because you don’t need to search for any insurance agencies due to the fact that quote results will go immediately to you. If you have a need to compare prices from a particular provider, you just need to visit that company’s website and complete a quote there.
Choosing the best insurer should include more criteria than just a low price. Any good agent in San Francisco should know the answers to these questions.
- How long have they worked with personal auto insurance coverage?
- When do they do policy reviews?
- What companies can they write with?
- Do the agents have professional certifications like CPCU or CIC?
- Which insurance company do they prefer to write with?
The difference between San Francisco auto insurance agents
If you want to buy insurance from local San Francisco agents, you must know there are a couple different types of agents and how they are slightly different. Agents in San Francisco can be classified as either exclusive or independent (non-exclusive). Both sell insurance policies, but it is a good idea to know the difference between them because it can impact which agent you choose.
Exclusive Insurance Agents
Agents that choose to be exclusive can only quote rates from one company and some examples include AAA, Allstate, and State Farm. These agents are unable to place coverage with different providers so they have no alternatives for high prices. These agents are well trained on their company’s products and that allows them to sell at a higher price point.
The following are exclusive insurance agencies in San Francisco willing to provide rate quotes.
Sandy Lee – State Farm Insurance Agent
188 S Park St #4 – San Francisco, CA 94107 – (415) 227-9833 – View Map
Adrienne Ng – State Farm Insurance Agent
425 Market St #2252 – San Francisco, CA 94105 – (415) 292-8088 – View Map
Angela Chan – State Farm Insurance Agent
756 Sacramento St – San Francisco, CA 94108 – (415) 956-4888 – View Map
Independent Agencies or Brokers
Independent insurance agents often have many company appointments so they can quote policies through lots of different companies and find you cheaper rates. If premiums increase, an independent agent can move your coverage and you don’t have to do anything. When comparing insurance prices, it’s a good idea to compare quotes from several independent agencies to have the most options to choose from.
Shown below is a list of independent agencies in San Francisco that can give you price quotes.
Blum-Blackfield Insurance Agency
2 Twin Peaks Blvd – San Francisco, CA 94114 – (415) 665-1440 – View Map
United General Insurance Agency
3150 California St Ste 4A – San Francisco, CA 94115 – (415) 922-7283 – View Map
Milber Health Insurance Agent
1492 11th Ave – San Francisco, CA 94122 – (415) 564-8829 – View Map
Information about specific coverages
Having a good grasp of auto insurance can help you determine the right coverages and the correct deductibles and limits. The coverage terms in a policy can be ambiguous and even agents have difficulty translating policy wording. These are typical coverage types offered by auto insurance companies.
Comprehensive (Other than Collision)
This coverage covers damage caused by mother nature, theft, vandalism and other events. A deductible will apply then your comprehensive coverage will pay.
Comprehensive can pay for things such as damage from flooding, damage from getting keyed, hitting a bird, theft and damage from a tornado or hurricane. The maximum payout your auto insurance company will pay is the ACV or actual cash value, so if the vehicle is not worth much consider removing comprehensive coverage.
Protection from uninsured/underinsured drivers
This coverage provides protection from other drivers when they either are underinsured or have no liability coverage at all. Covered claims include hospital bills for your injuries and also any damage incurred to your Ford Fusion.
Since a lot of drivers only purchase the least amount of liability that is required (15/30/5), it only takes a small accident to exceed their coverage. For this reason, having high UM/UIM coverages should not be overlooked.
Collision insurance
Collision insurance pays for damage to your Fusion from colliding with another car or object. You will need to pay your deductible then your collision coverage will kick in.
Collision coverage protects against things like hitting a parking meter, hitting a mailbox and colliding with another moving vehicle. This coverage can be expensive, so analyze the benefit of dropping coverage from vehicles that are older. Drivers also have the option to increase the deductible on your Fusion in order to get cheaper collision rates.
Liability
This coverage protects you from damage or injury you incur to other’s property or people in an accident. It protects YOU from claims by other people, and doesn’t cover your injuries or vehicle damage.
Liability coverage has three limits: bodily injury for each person, bodily injury for the entire accident, and a limit for property damage. As an example, you may have liability limits of 15/30/5 that means you have a limit of $15,000 per injured person, $30,000 for the entire accident, and a total limit of $5,000 for damage to vehicles and property.
Liability coverage protects against things such as repair bills for other people’s vehicles, funeral expenses, repair costs for stationary objects and loss of income. How much liability coverage do you need? That is your choice, but buy as large an amount as possible. California requires drivers to carry at least 15/30/5 but drivers should carry more coverage.
The chart below shows why buying the state minimum limits may not provide adequate coverage.
Medical expense insurance
Med pay and PIP coverage provide coverage for immediate expenses for nursing services, X-ray expenses, dental work and pain medications. The coverages can be utilized in addition to your health insurance policy or if you lack health insurance entirely. Medical payments and PIP cover both the driver and occupants and will also cover if you are hit as a while walking down the street. PIP is not an option in every state but can be used in place of medical payments coverage
Quote often and quote early
As you go through the steps to switch your coverage, it’s very important that you do not sacrifice coverage to reduce premiums. In too many instances, someone sacrificed physical damage coverage and found out when filing a claim they didn’t have enough coverage. Your goal should be to buy the best coverage you can find for the lowest price, but don’t skip important coverages to save money.
Low-cost Ford Fusion insurance in San Francisco is definitely available both online and with local San Francisco insurance agents, and you should be comparing both to get a complete price analysis. Some companies don’t offer rate quotes online and many times these small, regional companies work with local independent agencies.
We just showed you many ideas to shop for Ford Fusion insurance online. It’s most important to understand that the more you quote San Francisco car insurance, the better chance you’ll have of finding inexpensive San Francisco car insurance quotes. Consumers could even find that the biggest savings come from a small mutual company. These companies may often insure only within specific states and give better rates compared to the large companies like Progressive or GEICO.
To read more, feel free to browse the resources below:
- Auto Insurance Facts and Statistics (Insurance Information Institute)
- What Insurance is Cheapest for a Dodge Ram in San Francisco? (FAQ)
- What Insurance is Cheapest for Young Drivers in San Francisco? (FAQ)
- Who Has Affordable San Francisco Car Insurance for Electric Cars? (FAQ)
- Who Has Cheap San Francisco Car Insurance for Veterans? (FAQ)
- Who Has the Cheapest Car Insurance for a Nissan Altima in San Francisco? (FAQ)
- State Laws for Cellphones and Texting (iihs.org)
- Insurance Losses by Make and Model (iihs.org)
- Car Insurance FAQ (Trusted Choice)