Being the fourth largest city in California, the streets of San Francisco are always crowded with the vehicles of its residents and tourists alike. Therefore, the best way to safeguard your family in times of unexpected accidents is to opt for an appropriate San Francisco auto insurance. Residents of San Francisco are able to avail low cost auto insurance programs, with the automobile liability coverage limits reduced. This program is known as California Low Cost Automobile Insurance Program (CLCAIP). Apart from living in the county of San Francisco you need to provide proof of a specific amount of income, a good driving record, and cost of the vehicle you own.

The minimum auto insurance coverage amount that you need to have is regulated by the Californian state law. This amount varies from one state to another. Once you have secured the minimum requirements, you can have more coverage based on your preference or need. As per California State requirement all counties in California, including San Francisco auto insurance requires a minimum coverage of $15,000 for bodily injury per person, $30,000 for bodily injury per accident, and $5,000 for property damage. Coverage for bodily injury per person will take care of the expenditure occurred to treat the people involved in an accident when you are at fault. Similarly, property damage coverage will compensate the damaged to other vehicles when you are responsible for the accident.

The current CACAIP program allows San Francisco drivers to reduce these limits. A driver, who qualifies for this plan, can buy a policy with reduced limits of $10,000 for bodily injury per person, $20,000 for bodily injury per accident, and $3000 for property damage. In order to qualify for this low cost plan you must be more than 19 years old and have an experience of at least 3 consecutive years of driving. You must not be involved in any accidents where you were at fault and have not caused any bodily injury for the last 3 years. The eligibility criterion also requires that your driving history should be clean and good with no conviction or vehicle code felony.

Some of the other pre-requisites for qualifying for the low cost plan include that you cannot be a college student who is still a dependent when it comes to paying income taxes, and you cannot have an in-force policy for another vehicle. You also need to have a valid driving license for at least a period of last one and a half years (18 months). The annual premium rates vary from one county to another. The annual premium for a low cost San Francisco auto insurance policy can come up to $322. Finally, remember that you can start getting free quotes online now to compare options.