Best cheap car insurance in San Antonio

Drivers in Bexar County should be prepared for the unexpected by carrying at least the minimum car insurance required. A driver in San Antonio pays $578 on average for basic coverage and $1,853 for full auto insurance.

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Skyline of San Antonio

San Antonio, Texas, drivers are involved in 22,000 reported traffic accidents per year. The most common reasons are distracted driving or driving under the influence of alcohol. When shopping for the best car insurance in San Antonio, deciding on how much coverage you need will make a difference on how much you’ll pay. To help you find the cheapest car insurance, we gathered information on the best car insurance San Antonio companies, such as customer reviews, financial strength ratings, optional coverages and discounts available.

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Best car insurance companies in San Antonio

We ran multiple car insurance quotes San Antonio to narrow down the list of best carriers in the area. The four finalists provided the best value for a variety of driver types, with a combination of satisfactory customer ratings and affordable premiums.

Geico

Geico tops our list of best cheap car insurance in San Antonio. The carrier provides quality, low-cost auto insurance to nearly all types of drivers. Besides coming in as the cheapest car insurance San Antonio has, Geico’s optional coverages are worth noting.

You can add roadside service to be there for you if you break down or need a jump start. Mechanical breakdown coverage steps in after your vehicle’s warranty ends to cover the cost of qualifying repairs and auto parts.

USAA

San Antonio is known as Military City, USA, because it has four military bases. USAA specializes in affordable car insurance for military and qualifying family members. The carrier consistently tops J.D. Power’s customer satisfaction study for all areas nationwide due to its specialized insurance that meets the needs of active duty and retired personnel.

Overseas auto insurance is in force worldwide to cover deployed or transferred personnel’s vehicles. If you prefer to leave your car home, you’ll receive a vehicle storage discount while you’re away.

Mercury

Mercury Insurance is best known for providing basic, no-frills auto insurance coverage. If you’re on a tight budget and need the minimal amount of San Antonio car insurance to legally drive, Mercury Insurance may be your best bet.

What makes Mercury insurance unique compared to the other cheapest car insurance San Antonio companies is who it’s best for – the hardest-to-insure drivers. If you have poor credit (or none at all) or serious accidents, you may not find affordable coverage through other carriers. Mercury typically provides the lowest premiums to individuals many carriers may consider “high-risk drivers”.

State Farm

State Farm is the largest auto insurance company in the country. Best known for the large number of discounts and optional coverages the carrier offers, State Farm is our pick for drivers with newer-model vehicles in search of full car insurance coverage.

Full coverage includes liability, comprehensive and collision. You can expand your protection by adding uninsured/underinsured motorist and medical payments insurance. If you work as an Uber or Lyft driver, State Farm’s optional rideshare insurance will make sure you are covered while you work.

Cheapest car insurance in San Antonio

How do San Antonio car insurance premiums compare to the rest of the Lone Star State?

The annual average cost of car insurance in Texas is $496 for minimum liability and $1,800 for full car insurance. San Antonio prices run below and above the state’s average, depending on the car insurance company you choose. To find the best rate, get several car insurance quotes San Antonio companies offer.

If you’re in search of minimum coverage, you’ll likely get the best annual pricing from Geico – if you have good credit and no recent accidents and claims. Mercury may be the cheapest alternatives if you don’t have the best track record with your credit or driving history. If you or a loved one is retired or active duty personnel, USAA is the best choice for minimum or full coverage. When insuring a newer vehicle with full coverage, look at State Farm or Allstate. You may save more with either carrier if you bundle homeowners or renters insurance through them.

San Antonio insurance requirements

The state of Texas required all drivers to have a set minimum amount of coverage. San Antonio insurance requirements are:

• Bodily injury liability: $30,000 per person and a limit of $60,000 total per accident
• Property damage liability: $25,000

You may want to consider more car insurance, especially if you have a more expensive vehicle or own a home or other assets.

Liability coverage only pays a maximum amount if you cause damage or injury to a third party – it won’t pay for damages to your own vehicle. If you max out the limits, any other injuries or damages you caused someone else will have to come out of your pocket. You may be sued for the additional amount or face losing your home to pay for a serious accident if your auto insurance limits weren’t high enough.

Car insurance discounts in San Antonio

As long as you own a vehicle, you’ll need car insurance. Finding the best discounts and lowest car insurance premiums can save you thousands of dollars over a lifetime of driving. Most car insurance companies provide a handful of discounts you can take advantage of. You may even qualify for more than one discount.

Consider the following discounts to save on your San Antonio car insurance:

• Military discount: If you don’t go with USAA, most car insurance providers offer military personnel a discount on their car insurance.
• Multi-car discount: The average San Antonio household has two vehicles. Insuring both with one carrier could earn you extra savings.
• Driving safety: One of the most recent developments in car insurance are telematics, which track your driving habits and distances to give your insurance company a better idea of how you drive. If you’re a responsible driver, enroll for a carrier’s safe driving program, download the app and drive carefully. You could get a significant discount on your car insurance bill of up to 30% off.

Frequently asked questions

What is the best car insurance company?

You have options when it comes to car insurance in the Military City. There are several top car insurance companies to choose from. To find the best and cheapest car insurance San Antonio premiums, compare quotes from three to four companies, such as Geico, State Farm, Mercury, USAA and Allstate.

How much does car insurance in San Antonio cost?

The average cost of annual San Antonio car insurance is $578 for basic coverage and $1,853 for full auto insurance. Coverage premiums depend on many factors including the type of vehicle, amount of coverage, your driving record, age and credit score. To find the best price, get several car insurance quotes San Antonio to compare.

How much car insurance do I need in San Antonio?

To legally drive in San Antonio, Texas, you’ll need $30,000 per person and $60,000 per accident in bodily injury liability insurance and $25,000 in property damage liability coverage. Minimum liability insurance does not pay for damages to your vehicle or injuries to you, so consider full insurance coverage to expand your protection.

What are the best car insurance companies San Antonio has for military?

There is a large military presence in San Antonio. The best car insurance company for active and retired military personnel is USAA. Geico gets honorable mention because of the discounts offered to the Armed Forces.

Methodology

Bankrate utilizes Quadrant Information Services to analyze rates for all ZIP codes and carriers in all 50 states and Washington, D.C. Quoted rates are based on a 40-year-old male and female driver with a cleaning driving record, good credit and the following full coverage limits:

• $100,000 bodily injury liability per person
• $300,000 bodily injury liability per accident
• $50,000 property damage liability per accident
• $100,000 uninsured motorist bodily injury per person
• $300,000 uninsured motorist bodily injury per accident
• $500 collision deductible
• $500 comprehensive deductible

To determine minimum coverage limits, Bankrate used minimum coverages that meet each state’s requirements. Our sample drivers own a 2018 Honda Accord, commute five days a week and drive 12,000 miles annually.

These are sample rates and should be used for comparative purposes only. Your quotes may be different.