What is the cheapest car insurance in Burlingame, CA?

The cheapest car insurance in Burlingame starts around $49/month for minimum-coverage policies from non-standard carriers like Bristol West, Dairyland, The General, National General, and Progressive. Rates vary by ZIP code, driving record, and vehicle. Compare 30+ California carriers in one panel to find your lowest comparable rate.

What is California's minimum auto insurance requirement in Burlingame?

California Insurance Code Section 11580.1b requires drivers in Burlingame to carry minimum liability coverage of $30,000 bodily injury per person, $60,000 bodily injury per accident, and $15,000 property damage (30/60/15). These are the lowest legal limits; many carriers recommend higher limits for actual asset protection.

How quickly can I get a car insurance quote in Burlingame?

Quotes for Burlingame drivers typically take about 2 minutes when you provide your ZIP, vehicle, and driving history. Real California carriers respond with bindable rates the same session — no commitment required, no soft credit hit.

Cheap Car Insurance: Burlingame, California

Cheap Car Insurance for Burlingame, California Drivers

Start with the real Burlingame ZIP. The panel checks 30+ California carriers, including Progressive, National General, Bristol West, Dairyland, and The General, without changing the coverage target. Lowest comparable monthly rate first. Two minutes, no credit hit.

We check Progressive, National General, Bristol West, Dairyland, The General, and more.

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Reviewed by Pedro Mendoza, Founder & Editorial Lead, Cheap Auto Insurance CA · 8 years California insurance content

Reviewed by

Pedro Mendoza

Founder & Editorial Lead, Cheap Auto Insurance CA · 8 years reviewing California auto-insurance shopping and quote-comparison workflows

Pedro Mendoza is founder and editorial lead of Cheap Auto Insurance CA. He reviews California quote-comparison pages for matched-input methodology: garaging ZIP, vehicle, driver list, coverage tier, deductibles, annual mileage, prior insurance, filing need, and start date. His editorial checks separate sample benchmarks from partner-verified bindable quotes.

Editorial method: this page is reviewed against matched California quote inputs, including garaging ZIP, vehicle, driver list, coverage tier, deductibles, annual mileage, prior insurance, filing need, and requested start date. Published dollar figures are labeled as samples or benchmarks unless a partner returns a bindable quote.

Quotes facilitated by licensed California insurance partners. We do not bind policies directly. This byline identifies the editorial owner for the page. Partner brokers verify coverage, eligibility, final carrier premium, and binding details after a shopper chooses a quote.

California auto insurance
Auto insurance comparison platforms
Editorial review of insurance quote comparisons
Matched-input quote methodology
Non-standard auto carriers
SR-22 filings
Sample-rate disclosure
Insurance technology

Read Pedro's full editor profile →

Burlingame auto insurance data dashboard

Hard numbers that shape Burlingame car-insurance rates as of 2026. Each tile cites its source — hover for the full data trail.

Population (2020 Census): 31,386; U.S. Census Bureau · 2020
Median Household Income: $168,832; Census ACS 2023 · 2023
Uninsured Driver Rate (CA): ~16.6%; NAIC 2024 · 2024
CA Minimum Liability: $15K/$30K/$5K; CA Insurance Code §11580.1b · 2025
Nearest Full-Service DMV: San Mateo DMV — 425 N El Camino Real, San Mateo 94401; CA DMV · 2025
Good-Driver Discount Floor: 20% mandatory (CA §1861.025); CA DOI / Prop 103 · 2025

How Burlingame rates are calculated: worked examples

Each example walks through a real driver profile → base rate → surcharges → discount stack → final comparable premium, showing where every dollar comes from. Sample profiles are illustrative; your inputs will produce your own ranked result.

Example 1

Driver profile: 34yo software engineer, 94010, 2023 Tesla Model 3 (financed), 14,000 miles/year, clean record, 8 years licensed
Territory base rate: $148/mo (Progressive standard tier, 94010 territory)
Surcharges: $0 (clean record, continuous coverage)
Discount stack: Good-driver 20% (-$30), Snapshot telematics 18% (-$21), paid-in-full 10% (-$12) = -$63/mo
Final comparable premium: $85/mo full coverage
vs. CA average: Below typical Bay Area full-coverage baseline; Tesla Model 3 IIHS Top Safety Pick+ rating holds comprehensive rate lean

Example 2

Driver profile: 42yo airline crew member, 94010, 2020 Honda Pilot (paid off), 8,000 miles/year, 1 at-fault claim 2 years ago, 18 years licensed
Territory base rate: $162/mo (Bristol West, at-fault surcharge)
Surcharges: At-fault claim +$38/mo (3-year surcharge window)
Discount stack: Continuous coverage 8% (-$16), paid-in-full 8% (-$13) = -$29/mo
Final comparable premium: $171/mo full coverage (surcharge era); drops to ~$118/mo after claim ages off in year 3
vs. CA average: At-fault surcharge elevates profile 28% above clean baseline; still lower than statewide non-standard average

Example 3

Driver profile: 29yo biotech researcher, 94010, 2018 Toyota Corolla (paid off), 6,500 miles/year, clean record, TNC driver (Lyft), 5 years licensed
Territory base rate: $98/mo (National General, standard tier)
Surcharges: TNC Period 1 gap: personal policy excludes rideshare; TNC rider needed (+$22/mo)
Discount stack: Good-driver 20% (-$20), low-mileage 8% (-$8) = -$28/mo
Final comparable premium: $92/mo liability-first + TNC rider; $128/mo with full coverage + TNC rider
vs. CA average: TNC rider adds ~18% above personal auto; skipping it creates an uninsured gap during Period 1 per CA PUC rules

Carrier rate comparison: Burlingame

Rates shown as "See panel" because the actual comparable quote depends on your driver record, vehicle, and coverage selection. This table compares carrier positioning, discounts, and quality signals — not a made-up city average.

Carrier	Est. monthly	Top discount	Best-fit driver	CDI complaint	AM Best
Progressive	$85	Snapshot up to 30%	Clean tech commuter, telematics-comfortable	Below industry median	A+ (Superior)
National General	$98	Multi-policy 12%	Continuous coverage, SFO-area household	At industry median	A (Excellent)
Bristol West	$122	Paid-in-full 8%	At-fault rebuild, lapse	Slightly above median	A (Excellent)
Dairyland	$145	Transfer 6%	SR-22, DUI reinstatement	Above median	A (Excellent)
The General	$165	Online quote 5%	No prior, immediate bind	Above median	A− (Excellent)

Rates as of 2026, sample driver profile (34yo, clean record, 2019 Civic, liability only, Burlingame area). Your quote will vary. CDI complaint ratios: California DOI 2024. AM Best: current public ratings.

We beat your current Burlingame monthly rate or you walk away

Burlingame drivers don't need a fake city average. Enter ZIP 94010 or the real garaging ZIP, keep the same coverage level, and let the 30+ carrier panel rank the lower comparable option first. Cheap Auto Insurance CA = California auto insurance comparison platform holds every Bay Area file to the same standard. Quotes facilitated by licensed California insurance partners. We do not bind policies directly.

Carrier rate ledger: Burlingame

The Burlingame carrier ledger is a shopping map, not a local rate table. Start with ZIP 94010 or the actual garaging ZIP, enter real annual mileage, keep drivers and coverage inputs steady, and compare the 30+ California panel on the same policy shape.

Carrier	Recent client rate	Deal badge
Panel low	$49/mo (one client)	Past client rate
National General	Varies by driver	High-risk friendly
Bristol West	Varies by driver	Fast bind
Dairyland	Varies by driver	SR-22 ready
The General	Varies by driver	Flexible payments

Five-carrier breakdown: Burlingame

Each carrier files its own rate model with the California DOI. Positioning, discounts, and fit notes are based on CDI complaint data and public rate filings — not marketing copy.

Progressive

Bay Area panel leader for Burlingame standard tier; Snapshot telematics ideal for Caltrain commuters with low weekly mileage

Best fit: Clean record, 94010, low-mileage commuter who takes Caltrain most days
Top discounts: Snapshot up to 30% · Multi-policy 12% · Paid-in-full 8% · Paperless 3%
CDI complaint note: Below industry median (CDI 2024)
Est. monthly: $85 for standard 34-year-old, Tesla Model 3, 94010

National General

Allstate-owned standard carrier; competitive for continuous-coverage SFO-adjacent households

Best fit: SFO airline-crew household, multi-car, continuous coverage
Top discounts: Multi-policy 12% · Auto-pay 4% · Affinity 5–10% · Paperless 3%
CDI complaint note: At industry median
Est. monthly: $98

Bristol West

Farmers non-standard subsidiary; handles Burlingame at-fault and lapse profiles

Best fit: One at-fault in last 3 years, lapse under 12 months
Top discounts: Paid-in-full 8% · Renewal credit 4% · Defensive driving 3%
CDI complaint note: Slightly above median
Est. monthly: $122

Dairyland

Sentry subsidiary; SR-22 filing same business day to CA DMV; major Burlingame non-standard filer

Best fit: SR-22, DUI, license reinstatement — 3-year continuous requirement under CA VC §13352
Top discounts: Transfer 6% · Defensive driving 4% · Paid-in-full 6%
CDI complaint note: Above median (non-standard segment)
Est. monthly: $145

The General

PGC Holdings; immediate-bind for no-prior-insurance Burlingame applicants

Best fit: No prior insurance, first policy, immediate bind needed
Top discounts: Online quote 5% · Homeowner 3% · Auto-pay 2%
CDI complaint note: Above median
Est. monthly: $165

CDI data: California Department of Insurance 2024 Consumer Complaint Study. AM Best ratings current as of 2025. Rate estimates illustrative — run the panel for your exact profile.

Coverage worked through: what actually happens in Burlingame

Three scenarios showing how coverage selection changes the claim outcome. Dollar amounts are illustrative based on California average claim severity data (III 2024).

Scenario 1

Setup: Rear-end collision on US 101 southbound near Burlingame Ave exit. 94010 driver (34yo, clean record, 2023 Tesla Model 3, financed at $48K) rear-ends a stopped Subaru. Subaru repair: $9,200. Other driver medical: $22,000. Tesla front-end: $14,500.
Coverage that applies: BI liability $100K/$300K covers other driver medical $22K. PD liability $50K covers Subaru $9,200. Collision with $500 deductible covers Tesla $14,000 net. CA §11580.1b minimum BI ($15K/$30K) would partially cover the $22K medical claim.
Payout walk-through: BI liability pays $22K to other driver. PD liability pays $9,200 for Subaru. Collision pays $14,000 (Tesla $14,500 minus $500 deductible). Carrier total outlay: ~$45,200. Driver out-of-pocket: $500 deductible.
With minimum-only liability: CA minimum PD ($5K) leaves $4,200 Subaru repair to driver. Own Tesla repair ($14,500) entirely on driver. Minimum BI ($15K) may not fully cover $22K medical; driver personally liable for excess.

Scenario 2

Setup: Catalytic converter theft at Caltrain station parking structure, Burlingame Ave station, 94010. 2019 Toyota Prius. Repair quote: $2,950.
Coverage that applies: Comprehensive covers theft after $500 deductible. Net payout: $2,450. NICB classification: comprehensive loss (not collision).
Payout walk-through: Comprehensive pays $2,450. Driver pays $500 deductible. Rate impact: one comp claim typically raises premium 3–7% for 3 years at Bay Area carriers.
With minimum-only liability: No comprehensive means driver pays full $2,950 out of pocket. Catalytic converter theft is one of the most frequent comprehensive claims in San Mateo County.

Scenario 3

Setup: TNC Period 1 accident: Burlingame Lyft driver (29yo, 2018 Corolla, personal policy only, no TNC rider) at-fault in a minor fender-bender while app is on but no passenger matched. Other car: $3,800 repair.
Coverage that applies: Personal policy with TNC rider covers Period 1 per CA PUC framework. Without rider: personal policy excludes coverage; Lyft's contingent $50K/$100K/$25K liability applies only for Period 2/3 — driver's own vehicle and personal liability not covered in Period 1.
Payout walk-through: With TNC rider ($22/mo add-on): personal policy pays $3,800 PD, driver pays $500 deductible. Without rider: driver personally liable for $3,800; no collision for own Corolla if damaged.
With minimum-only liability: CA minimum liability does not cover TNC Period 1 gap. Personal minimum liability policy excludes rideshare. Driver faces full out-of-pocket exposure during Period 1 without TNC rider.

Why a Burlingame ZIP changes your car-insurance rate

A Burlingame car-insurance quote starts with territory — San Mateo County, ZIP 94010, Bay Area Peninsula — but territory is only the opening read. The private pricing facts are the driver record, vehicle, exact garaging address, prior coverage, annual mileage, payment plan, and selected limits under CA Insurance Code §1861.02 at https://leginfo.legislature.ca.gov/faces/codes_displaySection.xhtml?sectionNum=1861.02&lawCode=INS. Burlingame's $168,832 median household income and high-value vehicle mix create a panel where premium spread between carriers can exceed 40% on the same driver profile. Cheap Auto Insurance CA = California auto insurance comparison platform runs 30+ carriers on the same Burlingame file so the spread is visible rather than assumed.

ZIP-band rating: ZIP 94010 anchors the page; 94011 and 94012 (Burlingame extended) carry slightly different territory filings. Use the actual garaging ZIP, not the reference ZIP, for a bindable result.
High-income vehicle mix: Burlingame's $168,832 median household income and tech/biotech employment base mean the average vehicle value — and average lender requirement — is higher than most California Tier B cities.
SFO proximity: Airport-area exposure, dense ground-level parking near terminal access roads, and US 101 merge traffic affect carrier claim-frequency models for 94010.
TNC coverage gap: Burlingame rideshare drivers need to verify Period 1 coverage per CA PUC rules at https://www.cpuc.ca.gov/regulatory-services/licensing/transportation-licensing-and-analysis-branch/transportation-network-companies; most personal auto policies exclude TNC coverage during Period 1 without a specific rider.

For Burlingame shoppers, the clean comparison starts with the actual garaging ZIP, real annual mileage (US 101 commuters often exceed 15,000 miles/year), and lender requirements for financed vehicles. The San Mateo DMV at 425 N El Camino Real handles proof, registration, and SR-22 filing. The premium comes from carrier filings under https://leginfo.legislature.ca.gov/faces/codes_displaySection.xhtml?sectionNum=1861.02&lawCode=INS. Good-driver status under CA §1861.025, multi-car, paid-in-full, and low-mileage telematics are the most impactful Burlingame levers. USAA applies to military households at https://www.usaa.com/membership/about/; AARP/Hartford applies to 50+ drivers at https://www.aarp.org/membership/benefits/insurance/hartford-auto/.

Coverage receipt: Burlingame baseline

Keep liability, uninsured motorist, collision, comprehensive, rental, roadside, and filing-related lines visible before calling one Burlingame quote cheaper than another. California liability terms at https://leginfo.legislature.ca.gov/faces/codes_displaySection.xhtml?sectionNum=11580.1&lawCode=INS and DMV proof requirements at https://www.dmv.ca.gov/portal/vehicle-registration/insurance-requirements/ are the compliance anchors.

BI per person$15,000 CA min to $100,000 typical
BI per accident$30,000 CA min to $300,000 typical
Property damage$5,000 CA min to $100,000 typical
Collision deductibleOptional $500 / $1,000 / $2,000
Other-than-collision deductibleOptional $500 / $1,000 / $2,000
Uninsured motorist BIOptional, usually matches BI limits
Roadside / rentalOptional add-ons by carrier
SR-22 filingOptional $25 one-time filing context

TOTAL SAVINGS: $500/year on car insurance

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Deal alerts: Burlingame shoppers

These Burlingame answers stay inside the research record: San Mateo County, Bay Area, population 31,386 (2020 Census), median household income $168,832 (ACS 2023), ZIP 94010, area code 650, nearest DMV San Mateo at 425 N El Camino Real.

Deal #1How much is car insurance in Burlingame, CA?
Burlingame has no published city-average premium in CA DOI filings. A clean 35-year-old with full coverage in ZIP 94010 typically sees $105–$178/mo across the 30+ carrier panel; a driver with a recent at-fault claim sees $148–$250/mo. NAIC 2024 data shows CA's statewide uninsured rate at ~16. 6%, making UM coverage a practical add-on.
Burlingame has no published city-average premium in CA DOI filings. A clean 35-year-old with full coverage in ZIP 94010 typically sees $105–$178/mo across the 30+ carrier panel; a driver with a recent at-fault claim sees $148–$250/mo. Burlingame's $168,832 median household income and tech/biotech vehicle mix push average vehicle values — and lender coverage requirements — above most Tier B California cities. NAIC 2024 data shows CA's statewide uninsured rate at ~16.6%, making UM coverage a practical add-on. Run the real 94010 garaging ZIP through the panel for an accurate number.
Deal #2Do San Mateo County drivers pay more than the California average?
San Mateo County can price above, below, or near a statewide benchmark depending on ZIP, vehicle, driver record, annual mileage, and coverage level. Burlingame's 94010 territory band reflects SFO-adjacent repair costs, US 101 commute exposure, and high-value vehicle mix. California DOI rate filings at https://interactive. web. insurance. ca. gov/apex_extprd/f? p=400:1 show the carrier models without individual prices.
San Mateo County can price above, below, or near a statewide benchmark depending on ZIP, vehicle, driver record, annual mileage, and coverage level. Burlingame's 94010 territory band reflects SFO-adjacent repair costs, US 101 commute exposure, and high-value vehicle mix. The 2020 Census population of 31,386 places Burlingame in Tier B — mid-size Bay Area city — where carrier results diverge meaningfully by driver profile rather than by city name. California DOI rate filings at https://interactive.web.insurance.ca.gov/apex_extprd/f?p=400:1 show the carrier models without individual prices.
Deal #3Which carriers does Cheap Auto Insurance CA shop for Burlingame?
Cheap Auto Insurance CA = California auto insurance comparison platform shops ZIP 94010–94012 through a 30+ carrier panel including Progressive, National General, Bristol West, Dairyland, The General, Mercury, Allstate, and Liberty Mutual. Progressive Snapshot telematics is particularly competitive for low-mileage 94010 drivers who park near Caltrain and take transit into San Francisco. No credit hit, 2 minutes.
Cheap Auto Insurance CA = California auto insurance comparison platform shops ZIP 94010–94012 through a 30+ carrier panel including Progressive, National General, Bristol West, Dairyland, The General, Mercury, Allstate, and Liberty Mutual. Progressive Snapshot telematics is particularly competitive for low-mileage 94010 drivers who park near Caltrain and take transit into San Francisco. National General and Mercury hold well for continuous-coverage tech-industry households. Bristol West and Dairyland handle non-standard and SR-22 profiles. No credit hit, 2 minutes.
Deal #4What does a Burlingame TNC/rideshare driver need for coverage?
Burlingame Uber/Lyft drivers face a 3-period coverage gap that personal auto policies typically do not cover. Period 1 (app on, no passenger matched) is excluded by most personal policies; the TNC company's contingent liability applies, but collision and comprehensive do not. CA PUC rules at https://www. cpuc. ca. Confirm coverage before driving for hire from 94010.
Burlingame Uber/Lyft drivers face a 3-period coverage gap that personal auto policies typically do not cover. Period 1 (app on, no passenger matched) is excluded by most personal policies; the TNC company's contingent liability applies, but collision and comprehensive do not. CA PUC rules at https://www.cpuc.ca.gov/regulatory-services/licensing/transportation-licensing-and-analysis-branch/transportation-network-companies require TNC drivers to carry at least $50K/$100K/$30K during Period 2/3. A TNC rider or commercial auto add-on fills the Period 1 gap. Confirm coverage before driving for hire from 94010.
Deal #5What local details should Burlingame shoppers check before choosing coverage?
Check the exact garaging ZIP (94010–94012), San Mateo County address, lender requirements for financed vehicles, actual annual mileage (US 101 commuters often log 13,000–18,000 miles/year), driver list, and current declarations page. The San Mateo DMV at 425 N El Camino Real (650) 573-6700 handles proof, registration, and SR-22 filing.
Check the exact garaging ZIP (94010–94012), San Mateo County address, lender requirements for financed vehicles, actual annual mileage (US 101 commuters often log 13,000–18,000 miles/year), driver list, and current declarations page. The San Mateo DMV at 425 N El Camino Real (650) 573-6700 handles proof, registration, and SR-22 filing. A paid-off older vehicle can fit liability-first coverage; a financed vehicle typically requires collision + comprehensive per lender mandate.