If you want to save the most money, the best way to get cheaper auto insurance rates in San Francisco is to start comparing prices regularly from insurance carriers who sell auto insurance in California.
- Step 1: Take a few minutes and learn about how companies price auto insurance and the steps you can take to lower rates. Many policy risk factors that result in higher prices like high-risk driving behaviors and poor credit history can be eliminated by making small lifestyle or driving habit changes. Later in this article we will cover instructions to help reduce premium rates and get discounts that may be overlooked.
- Step 2: Compare rates from direct carriers, independent agents, and exclusive agents. Exclusive agents and direct companies can only provide price estimates from a single company like Progressive or Allstate, while agents who are independent can quote rates for many different companies.
- Step 3: Compare the new rates to your existing policy to see if you can save by switching companies. If you find a better price and make a switch, make sure coverage does not lapse between policies.
- Step 4: Notify your agent or company of your intent to cancel your current car insurance policy and submit a signed application and payment for the new coverage. Be sure to place the new certificate of insurance in an easily accessible location.
The most important part of shopping around is to use the same liability limits and deductibles on each quote and and to analyze as many car insurance companies as possible. This helps ensure the most accurate price comparison and plenty of rates choose from.
Unthinkable but true, the vast majority of drivers have stayed with the same insurance company for at least the last four years, and 38% of customers have never compared rates to find affordable insurance. Most drivers in America could save an average of almost $860 each year just by shopping around, but most undervalue the amount of savings they would get if they swap their current policy for a cheaper one.
Locating the most cost-effective auto insurance policy in San Francisco is much easier if you have a good place to start. If you are paying for car insurance now, you should be able to save money using these tips. You just have to use the best way to buy auto insurance from many different companies.
The auto insurance companies shown below provide quotes in San Francisco, CA. If multiple companies are shown, it’s highly recommended you compare several of them to get the best price comparison.
Coverage analysis
The rate table displayed below showcases estimates of insurance coverage prices for Audi S5 models. Having a good grasp of how car insurance premiums are calculated helps drivers make decisions on the best policy coverages.
Model | Comp | Collision | Liability | Medical | UM/UIM | Annual Premium | Monthly Premium |
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S5 4.2 Quattro 2-Dr Coupe | $334 | $620 | $578 | $34 | $174 | $1,740 | $145 |
S5 4.2 Quattro 2-Dr Coupe | $334 | $620 | $578 | $34 | $174 | $1,740 | $145 |
S5 3.0 Quattro 2-Dr Convertible | $334 | $556 | $578 | $34 | $174 | $1,676 | $140 |
S5 4.2 Quattro 2-Dr Coupe | $334 | $684 | $578 | $34 | $174 | $1,804 | $150 |
S5 4.2 Quattro 2-Dr Coupe | $334 | $684 | $578 | $34 | $174 | $1,804 | $150 |
S5 3.0 Quattro 2-Dr Convertible | $364 | $620 | $578 | $34 | $174 | $1,770 | $148 |
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Premium data assumes single male driver age 30, no speeding tickets, no at-fault accidents, $1000 deductibles, and California minimum liability limits. Discounts applied include multi-policy, homeowner, multi-vehicle, claim-free, and safe-driver. Price estimates do not factor in San Francisco location which can alter coverage rates noticeably.
Should you raise deductibles?
The hardest decision when buying coverage is how high should the deductibles for physical damage be. The tables below can help you understand how much more you’ll pay when you select higher and lower coverage deductibles. The first data set uses a $250 deductible for comprehensive and collision coverage and the second data table uses a $1,000 deductible.
Model | Comp | Collision | Liability | Medical | UM/UIM | Annual Premium | Monthly Premium |
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S5 4.2 Quattro 2-Dr Coupe | $474 | $986 | $442 | $26 | $132 | $2,085 | $174 |
S5 4.2 Quattro 2-Dr Coupe | $474 | $986 | $442 | $26 | $132 | $2,085 | $174 |
S5 3.0 Quattro 2-Dr Convertible | $474 | $882 | $442 | $26 | $132 | $1,981 | $165 |
S5 4.2 Quattro 2-Dr Coupe | $474 | $1088 | $442 | $26 | $132 | $2,187 | $182 |
S5 4.2 Quattro 2-Dr Coupe | $474 | $1088 | $442 | $26 | $132 | $2,187 | $182 |
S5 3.0 Quattro 2-Dr Convertible | $518 | $986 | $442 | $26 | $132 | $2,129 | $177 |
Get Your Own Custom Quote Go |
Model | Comp | Collision | Liability | Medical | UM/UIM | Annual Premium | Monthly Premium |
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S5 4.2 Quattro 2-Dr Coupe | $292 | $620 | $442 | $26 | $132 | $1,512 | $126 |
S5 4.2 Quattro 2-Dr Coupe | $292 | $620 | $442 | $26 | $132 | $1,512 | $126 |
S5 3.0 Quattro 2-Dr Convertible | $292 | $556 | $442 | $26 | $132 | $1,448 | $121 |
S5 4.2 Quattro 2-Dr Coupe | $292 | $684 | $442 | $26 | $132 | $1,576 | $131 |
S5 4.2 Quattro 2-Dr Coupe | $292 | $684 | $442 | $26 | $132 | $1,576 | $131 |
S5 3.0 Quattro 2-Dr Convertible | $320 | $620 | $442 | $26 | $132 | $1,540 | $128 |
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 safe-driver, multi-vehicle, multi-policy, claim-free, and homeowner. Rates do not factor in vehicle location which can lower or raise premium rates considerably.
We can derive from the above data that using a $250 deductible could cost the average driver approximately $49 more each month or $588 each year than quoting the higher $1,000 deductible. Since the policyholder would be required to pay $750 more to file a claim with a $1,000 deductible as compared to a $250 deductible, if you go more than 15 months between claim filings, you would probably be better off if you opt for a higher deductible.
Responsible drivers pay cheaper San Francisco auto insurance rates
The chart below demonstrates how citations and accidents increase Audi S5 premium costs for different insured age categories. The prices are based on a married male driver, full coverage, $500 deductibles, and no policy discounts are applied.
Audi S5 liability-only versus full coverage
The diagram below visualizes the comparison of Audi S5 insurance costs with full physical damage coverage compared to only buying the minimum liability limits required in California. The data is based on no tickets, no at-fault accidents, $500 deductibles, marital status is single, and no additional discounts are factored in.
When to stop buying physical damage coverage
There isn’t a steadfast formula of when to stop paying for comp and collision coverage, but there is a guideline you can consider. If the annual cost of coverage is more than 10% of the vehicle’s replacement cost less your deductible, then it might be time to consider dropping full coverage.
For example, let’s assume your Audi S5 book value is $5,000 and you have $1,000 physical damage deductibles. If your vehicle is totaled, the most your company will settle for is $4,000 after the deductible is paid. If premium cost is more than $400 annually for physical damage coverage, then you may need to consider dropping full coverage.
There are a few situations where buying only liability insurance is not recommended. If you have an outstanding loan on your vehicle, you are required to maintain full 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 totaled, you should not remove full coverage.
What Impacts Audi S5 Insurance Prices?
Lots of factors are considered when premium rates are determined. Some are pretty understandable like an MVR report, but other factors are less obvious such as whether you are married or how financially stable you are. Smart consumers have a good feel for the rating factors that help determine your premiums. If you understand what determines premiums, this allows you to make good choices that will entitle you to cheaper rates.
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Premiums are high for teenagers – Older insureds are more responsible, tend to file fewer claims, and receive fewer citations. Inexperience drivers are known to be less responsible when driving with friends so they pay higher auto insurance rates.
The chart below is based on a single driver, full coverage with $500 deductibles, and no discounts or violations.
- Credit rating impacts premium costs – A driver’s credit score is a large factor in calculating your auto insurance rates. If your credit score leaves room for improvement, you could be paying less to insure your Audi S5 if you clean up your credit. Drivers who have high credit ratings tend to be less risk to insure than those with lower ratings.
- Insurance rates for married couples – Walking down the aisle may earn you lower rates on your auto insurance policy. Having a spouse is viewed as being less irresponsible and it’s proven that drivers who are married are more cautious.
- Your occupation can affect rates – Occupations such as fire fighters, police officers, and stock brokers generally have the highest rates in part from job stress and lots of time spent away from family. Other occupations like scientists, historians and performers generally pay rates lower than average.
- Urban residents pay more – Having an address in areas with lower population has it’s advantages when buying auto insurance. Less people living in that area means reduced accidents in addition to fewer liability claims. Drivers who live in large California cities have to deal with traffic congestion and longer commute times. The longer drive time can result in more accidents.
- Rates increase with policy add-ons – There are quite a few add-on coverages that you can get tricked into buying on your auto insurance policy. Coverages for roadside assistance, death and dismemberment, and term life insurance are examples of these. They may seem good when you first buy your policy, but if they’re wasting money consider taking them off your policy.
- Raise your coverage deductibles for better rates – Your deductibles are how much you are required to spend if a covered claim is submitted. Physical damage protection, also called comprehensive and collision insurance, is used to repair damage to your car. Examples of some claims that would be covered are a windshield broken by a bird, collision with a deer, and having a roll-over accident. The more expense you choose to pay out-of-pocket, the lower your rates will be.
- Prevent coverage lapses – Having an insurance coverage lapse can be a quick way to increase your auto insurance rates. In addition to paying higher premiums, failure to provide proof of insurance could result in a fine, jail time, or a revoked license. You may need to prove you have insurance by filing a SR-22 with the California DMV.
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Audi S5 claim statistics – Car insurance companies use statistical claims data as a way to help calculate a profitable premium rate. Vehicles that have a trend towards higher claim severity or frequency will be charged more to insure. The table below outlines the collected loss data for Audi S5 vehicles.
For each coverage category, the claim amount for all vehicles compiled together equals 100. Percentage values below 100 indicate better than average losses, while numbers above 100 show a trend for more claims or statistically larger claims.
Car Insurance Loss Data for Audi S5 Models Vehicle Make and Model Collision Property Damage Comp Personal Injury Medical Payment Bodily Injury Audi S5 2dr 4WD 197 85 161 68 Audi S5 Convertible 4WD 162 62 124 BETTERAVERAGEWORSEEmpty fields indicate not enough data collected
Data Source: iihs.org (Insurance Institute for Highway Safety) for 2013-2015 Model Years
Three reasons insurance is important
Even though it can be expensive, insurance may be required and benefits you in several ways.
- Most states have mandatory insurance requirements which means state laws require specific minimum amounts of liability insurance in order to get the vehicle licensed. 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 S5, it’s most likely the lender will require that you buy insurance to guarantee loan repayment. If you let the policy lapse, the lender will be forced to insure your Audi at a much higher premium rate and force you to pay a much higher amount than you were paying before.
- Insurance protects your Audi S5 and your assets. Insurance will also pay for medical bills for both you and anyone you injure as the result of an accident. As part of your policy, liability insurance also pays for attorney fees and expenses if you cause an accident and are sued. If mother nature or an accident damages your car, comprehensive and/or collision insurance will pay to have it repaired.
The benefits of buying enough insurance definitely exceed the cost, especially if you ever need it. An average driver in America is overpaying over $830 a year so it’s recommended you shop around each time the policy renews to help ensure money is not being wasted.