Best San Antonio, TX Auto Insurance in 2024

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Rachel Bodine

Feature Writer

Rachel Bodine graduated from college with a BA in English. She has since worked as a Feature Writer in the insurance industry and gained a deep knowledge of state and countrywide insurance laws and rates. Her research and writing focus on helping readers understand their insurance coverage and how to find savings. Her expert advice on insurance has been featured on sites like PhotoEnforced, AllWo...

Feature Writer

Tim Bain

Licensed Insurance Agent

Tim Bain is a licensed insurance agent with 23 years of experience helping people protect their families and businesses with the best insurance coverage to meet their needs.  His insurance expertise has been featured in several publications, including Investopedia and eFinancial. He also does digital marking and analysis for KPS/3, a communications and marking firm located in Nevada. 

Licensed Insurance Agent

UPDATED: Nov 15, 2024

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It’s all about you. We want to help you make the right coverage choices.

Advertiser Disclosure: We strive to help you make confident insurance decisions. Comparison shopping should be easy. We partner with top insurance providers. This doesn’t influence our content. Our opinions are our own.

Editorial Guidelines: We are a free online resource for anyone interested in learning more about auto insurance. Our goal is to be an objective, third-party resource for everything auto insurance related. We update our site regularly, and all content is reviewed by auto insurance experts.

Top Pick in San Antonio TX: State Farm
4.1

Company Facts

Full Coverage in San Antonio TX

$142/mo

A.M. Best Rating

B

Complaint Level

High
Best Online App in San Antonio TX: AAA
4.1

Company Facts

Full Coverage in San Antonio TX

$117/mo

A.M. Best Rating

A

Complaint Level

Best 24/7 Support in San Antonio TX: Erie
4.3

Company Facts

Full Coverage in San Antonio TX

$148/mo

A.M. Best Rating

A+

Complaint Level

San Antonio StatisticsDetails
Population1,511,946
Density3,710 per square mile
Average Annual Cost of Insurance$5,579
Cheapest Car Insurance CompanyState Farm and USAA
Road ConditionsPoor Share: 29%
Mediocre Share: 31%
Fair Share: 11%
Good Share: 29%
VOC: $710

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With a rich colonial heritage, San Antonio is a charming city to live in and boasts of a 15-mile manmade riverwalk lined with every imaginable attraction that you can think of. Located a level below the streets, this walkway is meant for only pedestrians, which means zero interruption from any traffic.

Such a beautiful city attracts a lot of tourists, and this can lead to traffic congestion. Since San Antonio is densely populated (the second-highest in the state, after Houston), having the right auto insurance coverage is essential for your safety.

High population density means a high probability of accidents.

Not only should you focus on getting the right amount of coverage from a reputable insurance company.This starts with knowing how much auto insurance companies are required to cover get you on the road in your city.

We can hear you mutter — “Who has the time to research laws?”

We understand that buying car insurance can be a hassle. This is why we are putting together this comprehensive guide to answer all your questions. Trust us; you will not need to look at any other guide for car insurance. You can even use our FREE online tool to get quotes from multiple providers in your zip code.

Table of Contents

How much should I spend on an auto insurance policy in San Antonio?

Whenever we buy auto insurance or have to renew our policy, the first thing that comes to our mind is the cost of insurance. We know, it can on the higher side sometimes.

Unlike our other shopping expeditions, the auto-insurance-buying process isn’t as engaging for all of us. This is the reason that most of us end up getting costly policies with coverage that doesn’t meet our needs. The worst part is many consumers end up missing insurance discount opportunities that are available to them.

But we want to provide you all the details about how much auto insurance costs in your city and what factors contribute to that cost.

This doesn’t have to be you. Knowing a few key things before you get an insurance quote can prepare you to get what you need with all the right discounts for the cheapest car insurance.

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Do gender & age determine your property damage liability?

There’s good news. Gender and age don’t make you more liable for property damage than your cohorts of the opposite gender or other ages. But these factors can affect your auto insurance rates. Younger drivers get the most expensive rates because of their lack of experience with driving. Men are also more likely to pay more than women, especially when young. It’s all based on perceived risk and the likelihood of you being in an accident.

Let’s look at how much the average rates are for different age groups.

Age17253560
Average Annual Rates$8,061$3,275$2,633$2,503

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You can’t help noticing how significantly higher the premiums are for 17-year-old drivers in San Antonio.

Some would assume the age premium is based on experience. A 16-year-old naturally has less experience than a 30-year-old driver. Some studies suggest it’s more than that.

According to the CDC, teen drivers are much riskier than drivers over the age of 25. They are less experienced and more likely to engage in risky behavior including not using seat belts. They are also more likely to drive distracted.

In the year 2007, about 2,364 drivers between the age group of 16 and 19 died because of fatal crashes in America.

The median age of the population in San Antonio is 33.6, so rates should be stable for most drivers. If you have a teen driver in the house, it may not seem fair to penalize your child for being a child. This is why some insurance companies provide personalized service with programs aimed at teen drivers. They reward good grades, clean driving history, etc. with lower rates.

Gender is another factor that you have no control over that impacts your rates. Some insurance companies are closing this gap, but many still charge a little bit more for male drivers due to perceived risk. You can use the chart below to see what insurance might cost you based on age.

In fact, some states have banned the use of age as a factor to determine rates.

GenderMaleFemale
Average Annual Rates$4,118$3,893

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Between males and females, the average rates for male drivers are higher than those for their female counterparts in San Antonio.

DemographicsAverage Annual Rates
Single 17-year-old female$7,357.71
Single 17-year-old male$8,766.04
Single 25-year-old female$3,184.53
Single 25-year-old male$3,366.52
Married 35-year-old female$2,595.63
Married 35-year-old male$2,670.77
Married 60-year-old female$2,434.52
Married 60-year-old male$2,572.33
Average$4,118.50

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Quite clearly, male drivers are paying a higher rate in all age groups. Though after the age of 25, other factors take precedence in the calculation of rates, younger males almost always pay more than females.

Do I pay more for auto insurance based on where I live in San Antonio?

Where you live matters for your general wellbeing. It also determines how much you might have to pay for cheap auto insurance. What’s the likelihood of your car being vandalized or stolen? If you can park in a driveway, you face a lower risk of being hit by an errant driver just passing by. If you live on a busy street, you’re more likely to get in an accident just leaving your driveway. These are all factors that determine the rates and type of coverage you need.

It’s all based on the probability of a claim. If you want to compare rates by zip code, you can use our online tool.

Zip CodeAverage Annual Rates
78202$6,115.45
78203$5,957.36
78204$5,928.52
78205$6,024.09
78206$6,843.52
78207$6,213.98
78208$6,116.22
78209$5,880.92
78210$5,914.36
78211$6,212.83
78212$5,936.12
78213$6,035.49
78214$6,083.96
78215$5,865.70
78216$6,251.61
78217$6,170.55
78218$6,068.94
78219$5,856.54
78220$6,097.07
78221$6,046.72
78222$5,886.08
78223$5,850.17
78224$5,987.32
78225$6,135.93
78226$6,276.38
78227$6,210.05
78228$6,193.53
78229$6,337.46
78230$5,801.51
78231$6,111.56
78232$5,961.26
78233$5,894.15
78234$5,942.34
78235$5,953.79
78237$6,248.73
78238$6,169.16
78239$5,761.53
78240$6,143.83
78241$6,407.63
78242$6,161.81
78243$6,356.88
78244$5,875.63
78245$6,086.29
78247$6,022.20
78248$5,888.65
78249$6,065.98
78250$6,077.79
78251$6,060.77
78252$6,256.80
78253$5,873.39
78254$6,003.84
78255$6,069.18
78256$6,032.68
78257$6,057.61
78258$5,832.82
78259$5,975.73
78260$6,137.10
78261$5,875.18
78263$5,834.17
78264$5,912.76
78266$5,579.30
78284$6,752.74
78285$6,725.14

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What’s the best car insurance company in San Antonio?

The factors that determine your rates are assigned different weights by each auto insurance provider when calculating the final premium. The lowest rate isn’t the same for every driver, even if you’re neighbors with a similar driving record.

The cheapest car insurance starts with a base rate. Then insurers add in discounts. Sometimes, they’re simple. You can get a discount for going paperless or working for certain partner companies. Others require more work. Many insurers now offer telematics programs that track your driving habits and offer feedback, giving you a score after a set time. All of this varies from one company to another.

Many insurers guide you through the process online asking you questions to determine what discounts you qualify for. Our online calculator allows you to enter your information once and get comparable quotes from several companies at once. You can quote basic liability insurance, collision coverage, and more in seconds.

In this section, we will look at the rates offered by different insurers based on various factors.

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What companies offer the cheapest car insurance rates?

Auto Insurance Monthly Rates by Provider, Age, & Gender

Insurance CompanyAge: 17 FemaleAge: 17 MaleAge: 25 FemaleAge: 25 MaleAge: 35 FemaleAge: 35 MaleAge: 60 FemaleAge: 60 Male
Allstate$809$974$375$390$304$306$300$300
American Family$717$945$376$431$256$287$243$280
Farmers$620$780$289$310$250$275$238$260
Geico$498$513$245$242$226$245$220$252
Liberty Mutual$750$850$300$325$280$295$260$270
Nationwide$555$712$230$249$196$199$173$183
Progressive$867$967$244$247$206$195$184$187
State Farm$448$572$202$207$185$185$165$165
Travelers$670$750$270$285$240$255$220$230
USAA$398$431$186$198$140$140$135$133

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State Farm and USAA are the cheapest providers in San Antonio across all age groups. USAA offers coverage to only members of the military and their families.

Does your commute affect your auto insurance quote?

If you live close to your office or carpool to work every day, there’s some good news for you. Insurance companies charge a lower rate if you drive less. If you’ve ever gotten a quote online, you might remember the question about how far your work commute is and how many days a week you go into the office. Cheaper car insurance is just one more benefit of working at home.

Insurance Provider10 miles commute/ 6000 annual mileage25 miles commute/12000 annual mileage
Allstate$5,493.42$5,773.60
American Family$5,302.49$5,302.49
Geico$3,591.93$3,732.97
Nationwide$3,746.50$3,746.50
Progressive$4,645.32$4,645.32
State Farm$3,195.91$3,195.91
USAA$2,609.76$2,676.96

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Allstate, Geico, and USAA are among companies that offer cheaper rates if your annual mileage is around 6,000. You can find out other insurers in your city apart from the ones in the table above to get better rates for low mileage.

What are the best and cheapest insurance company rates for coverage levels?

Insurance ProviderLowMediumHigh
Allstate$5,498.03$5,582.68$5,819.82
American Family$4,911.90$5,099.44$5,896.12
Geico$3,434.41$3,603.90$3,949.03
Nationwide$4,012.56$3,587.17$3,639.77
Progressive$4,405.35$4,622.48$4,908.12
State Farm$3,006.45$3,180.82$3,400.45
USAA$2,533.23$2,629.58$2,767.27

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Every auto owner can buy a policy with the minimum required coverage of 30/60/25 to drive in San Antonio. You’re paying to cover damage to other parties if you’re at fault in an auto accident. So it’s often the cheapest option initially.

The problem is when something happens, your car isn’t covered. If you’re hit by an uninsured or underinsured driver who leaves the scene of the accident, you may have no recourse. This is why many drivers pay more for collision, uninsured motorist coverage, and other additional coverages. Each driver can adjust coverage, deductibles, and more to find a rate that makes sense for them.

In the table above, you can see how much rates would increase as you buy a higher level of coverage.

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What are the best car insurance rates for credit history?

Insurance ProviderPoorFairGood
Allstate$7,155.67$5,247.88$4,496.98
American Family$7,258.04$4,602.45$4,046.98
Geico$5,666.95$3,196.90$2,123.49
Nationwide$4,492.62$3,610.16$3,136.72
Progressive$5,228.94$4,519.40$4,187.62
State Farm$4,516.38$2,819.79$2,251.55
USAA$3,853.74$2,254.29$1,822.06

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Your ability to pay off debt also plays a role in your auto insurance premium calculation. Although it’s considered unfair by many people, insurance companies still use your credit record to penalize you for anything less than an excellent record.

Those with a poor credit history have to pay a lot in auto insurance premiums.

In the state of Texas, drivers with a poor credit record are charged $2,088 over and above the base rate.

This number is higher than what drivers with a DUI (driving under the influence of alcohol) record are charged.

If you have a poor credit history, State Farm and Nationwide are reasonable choices for your auto insurance needs.

Can insurance companies charge more if you have a clean driving record?

Insurance ProviderClean recordWith 1 accidentWith 1 DUIWith 1 speeding violation
Allstate$4,348.10$6,772.21$7,065.63$4,348.10
American Family$4,827.11$6,159.38$5,396.36$4,827.11
Geico$3,103.47$4,110.16$3,424.57$4,011.58
Nationwide$3,253.11$3,253.11$4,808.46$3,671.31
Progressive$4,048.78$5,244.19$4,731.06$4,557.24
State Farm$2,832.14$3,257.97$3,861.39$2,832.14
USAA$1,963.59$2,920.63$3,434.36$2,254.87

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Your driving record is one of the easiest contributing factors to identify if you’re comparing auto insurance rates. It’s not the only one, though. Some insurance companies will charge a deposit or take other steps to ensure you’ll pay if you have a low credit score. Many others increase rates.

In the state of Texas, drivers with a poor credit record are charged $2,088 over and above the base rate. No matter what type of insurance you’re looking at, this can be a major factor in your premium.

The cost of low credit is higher than what drivers with a DUI (driving under the influence of alcohol) record are charged.

If you have a poor credit history, State Farm and Nationwide offer reasonable choices for your auto insurance needs.

Are car insurance rates in San Antonio competitive?

When you move to a new city and your insurance rates shoot up, it’s natural to wonder why. Regardless of zip code, credit score, or driving history, living in a city like San Antonio can drive your rates up and determine your insurance protection.

Metro Report – Growth and Prosperity

San Antonio has been witnessing significant growth and prosperity in the last couple of years. By the year 2021, San Antonio is expected to become the sixth-largest city in America, surpassing Philadelphia.

This is why residents are increasingly spending more time in traffic even for short commutes. One of the reasons behind San Antonio’s dramatic growth is a rise in immigration.

Immigrants constitute about 13.5 percent of the total population in San Antonio, with a share of around 16 percent in the city’s workforce. They contribute 9 percent to the population growth.

AreaChange in JobsChange in Gross Metropolitan ProductChange in Jobs at Young Firms
San Antonio-New Braunfels, TX2%0.7%3.1%

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On the growth scale, San Antonio ranks 60th among the top 100 metropolitan areas. When it comes to jobs, the city has witnessed an incredible growth of 2 percent from 2016 to 2017 and ranks at 28th among the fastest-growing metros.

AreaChange in ProductivityChange in Standard of LivingChange in Average Annual Wage
San Antonio-New Braunfels, TX-1.3%-1.2%0.8%

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Though San Antonio has reported a significant job growth, it has also experienced a dip in overall prosperity. It is ranked 91st among the top 100 metro areas. Productivity and standard of living continue to be the lowest in the city compared to the top metro areas. All this combined leads to higher rates with major insurers.

Since there has been growth in jobs, population, and wages, motorists in San Antonio can expect a rise in auto insurance premiums.

Median Household Income

The median household income in San Antonio is $50,044 while the median wage in the country is $60,336 as per data from the U.S. Census Bureau. Though San Antonio is way below the national median, it has witnessed a growth of 1.58 percent from 2016 to 2017.

Why does the median household income matter when you’re searching for cheap car insurance?

The average annual cost of auto insurance in San Antonio is $4,118 which means auto owners are paying almost 8.23 percent of their income in auto premiums. The higher your rates compared to income, the more expensive it is to be mobile. Unfortunately, this has a cascading effect on other markers of overall financial wellbeing.

Homeownership in San Antonio

Believe it or not, homeownership can help you get a better auto insurance rate for a couple reasons.

Auto insurers consider homeowners as less likely to engage in reckless behavior. So they offer lower rates.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=K6_sYtLCb6A

Since the risk is low, the premiums tend to be lower.

As per the U.S. Census Bureau, about 54.8 percent of the people are homeowners — a rise from the homeownership share of 53.6 percent in 2016.

The second reason is bundling. When you own a home, you need homeowners insurance. If you bundle your home and auto with the same insurance agent or company, you get discounts on both policies.

The median property value in the city was $148,200 in the year 2017, which increased from the previous year’s price of $133,900.

Education in San Antonio

Some of the leading universities in the city are The University of Texas at San Antonio, San Antonio College, and Northwest Vista College.

In the year 2016, universities awarded 29,112 degrees. The most common concentrations for a Bachelors’s degree are General Psychology, General Biological Sciences, and General Business Administration and Management.

TuitionPrivate (4-year-college)Public - In-state Students (4-year-college)Public - Out-of-state Students (4-year-college)
Costs$27,000$5,039 $15,636

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 Wages by Race and Ethnicity in Common Jobs

The highest-paid ethnicity in San Antonio is Asians, followed by Whites. The average annual salary earned by Asians is $66,972, which is 1.2 times that of Whites.

The most common jobs among the residents of San Antonio are Office and Administrative Support Occupations, Sales and Related Occupations, and Management Occupations.

 Wages by Gender in Common Jobs

The wage disparity among men and women is quite stark in Texas, with male workers making an annual average salary of $65,834 while females earn $47,183 on average.

Even for jobs that require the same skillset and experience, male workers make much more than females.

Poverty by Age and Gender

A staggering percentage of San Antonio’s population lives in poverty the 18.6 percent of people who live below the Census Bureau’s income threshold is much higher than the national average of 13.4 percent.

The biggest demographic with the lowest income are females in the age group of 25 to 34, followed by females in the age group of 18 to 24 and males in the age group of 18 to 24.

 Poverty by Race and Ethnicity

Whites are the most common ethnicity living in poverty, although this ethnic group is also among the highest-earning ones in San Antonio.

After Whites, Hispanics and Blacks are the poorest in San Antonio.

Employment by Occupations

The growth in San Antonio’s population over the last couple of years is reflected in the employment growth in the city. In 2017, the growth in employment was 2.31 percent, and there were 706,000 employees compared to 690,000 employees in the previous year.

The most common jobs in San Antonio are:

  • Office and Administrative Support Occupations
  • Sales and Related Occupations
  • Management Occupations

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What’s it like driving in San Antonio?

Nobody likes to drive in peak hour city traffic given a choice, most people would drive on expressways where they can cover a 30-mile distance in 10 minutes.

Depending on where you live in your city, you can either have a smooth commute or might have to crawl with the traffic.

Let’s look at the driving experience of regular commuters in San Antonio.

Roads in San Antonio

San Antonio enjoys the most progressive system of freeways since the beginning of the expressway system in 1949. To this day, Bexar County in San Antonio has the widest network of freeways in the country.

Major Highways

The San Antonio area has around 1,436 lane miles and 258 centerline miles of freeways. Let’s look at the major highways running through the city.

  • I-10
  • I-35
  • I-37
  • U.S. 90

Popular Road Trips/Sites

San Antonio is a bustling city that attracts a lot of people from around the country. The riverwalk in the middle of the city remains one of the top tourist attractions; however, there are many fun things to see and do in the city.

Here’s a video on what to see and do in San Antonio.

There are plenty of breathtaking drives close to San Antonio that can give you a break from the hustle and bustle of city life.

  • Bandera Pass: This is a historic route frequently used by the Indians and Spaniards that separates the Medina and Guadalupe river valleys. To see the Bandera Pass, you can take the Texas Highway 173, which gives you uninterrupted scenic views of mountain ranges.
  • The Devil’s Backbone: Famous for being the most haunted stretch of road in Texas, this drive would offer you expansive vistas of what looks like the wild west from another time. If you choose to take this route, you will be rewarded with many landmarks of the Texas Hill Country.

Road Conditions

The National Transportation Research Group conducted research to assess the pavement condition and operating costs for urban areas. Let’s look at their analysis for San Antonio.

  • Poor Share: 29 percent
  • Mediocre Share: 31 percent
  • Fair Share: 11 percent
  • Good Share: 29 percent
  • Vehicle Operating Cost: $710

The Texas Department of Transportation has recently proposed an expansion project for some portions of Highway 151, as commuters regularly face congestions on this highway.

This $80 million project would include the addition of two more lanes to the four-lane highway, among other improvements, and might take three years for completion.

Does your city use speeding or red light cameras?

You may or may not like cameras that capture driving behavior, but some streets on Leon Valley and Balcones Heights use cameras on red lights.

Despite support for red-light cameras, the Governor of Texas recently signed a bill to remove these cameras from the streets. However, a few cities might keep those cameras operational until their contracts with these systems are in place.

Between 2018 and 2019, around 61,737 citations were issued in the city of Leon Valley. These cameras have helped reduce accidents by a whopping 43 percent.

What are the common vehicles in San Antonio?

Your auto insurance rates are heavily impacted by what kind of car you drive the more luxurious your model, the more will be the auto premiums.

But rates also depend on more macro-level, city-wide factors as well such as the theft rate or how many households own a car in your city.

Most Popular Vehicles Owned

In San Antonio, Chevrolet Suburban 1500 is one of the most unusually popular cars amongst motorists. This data is based on the cars serviced by Your Mechanic in the city.

In the same study’s muscle car index, San Antonio was found to be among the top cities where people are likely to own a powerful V8 engine car over an efficient engine. Around 18.6 percent of cars serviced by Your Mechanic has a V8 engine.

How many cars are there per household?

The large majority of households in San Antonio own two cars, followed by one car. This trend is in line with the rest of the country, as, on average, most households own two cars.

Households Without a Car

YearHouseholds Without VehiclesVehicles Per Household
20158.40%1.68
20168.30%1.71

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From 2015 to 2016, car ownership has increased by a slight percentage.

Speed Traps in San Antonio

San Antonio is one of the top cities in Texas to enforce speed traps on a range of streets.

Speed traps are a mechanism meant to ensure motorists follow the law and speed limits while driving.

Speed traps in San Antonio have an 88 percent acknowledgment rate from motorists, which means that they have encountered these while driving.

Vehicle Theft in San Antonio

The instances of motor vehicle theft in San Antonio are quite high as per data from the FBI. In the year 2017, around 6,864 vehicles were stolen in the city which is much lower than the theft rate of Houston, where 11,596 vehicles were stolen.

Based on the crime index, San Antonio doesn’t come out as a safe city to live in. On the scale of zero to 100, San Antonio scored a four in terms of crime — which means it’s safer than only 4 percent of the cities in America.

The safest neighborhoods in San Antonio according to Neighborhood scout are:

  • Fm Road 2696 / Midnight Dr
  • Route 211 / Route 16
  • American Legion Memorial Hwy / Oakland Bend
  • Smithson Valley Rd / Laurie Michelle
  • E Borgfeld Dr / Dal Cin Dr
  • Mesa Ranch / Mesa Ridge
  • Route 90 Service Road / Ray Ellison Dr
  • E Evans Rd / Angostura Blvd
  • W Fm 471 / Gass Rd
  • Fm 1560 N / W Fm 471

Here’s a look at the violent and property crime data of San Antonio.

ParticularsViolent CrimeProperty Crime
Number10,78974,100
Crime Rate/1,000 Residents7.1449.01

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Your chances of becoming a victim of violent crime in San Antonio are one in 140 compared to one in 228 in Texas. You can also look at the specific crime details to know what types of crimes are happening around San Antonio.

Type of CrimeNumber
Murder124
Rape1,279
Robbery2,303
Assault7,083
Burglary11,750
Theft55,472

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What is the traffic like in San Antonio?

If you live in a bustling and growing city, traffic congestion is a part of your life. Let’s look at the traffic data for your city.

Traffic Congestion in San Antonio

A recent study by TomTom revealed the traffic condition in San Antonio is getting worse. The global traffic index ranked San Antonio among the top 50 most congested cities in America.

As it’s among the fastest-growing cities, the traffic in San Antonio is poised to get worse, and drivers would spend almost an extra 40 minutes a day in traffic by the year 2040.

Let’s look at more information in this table from Inrix, another traffic analytics firm offering insights into your city’s traffic.

Urban AreaHours Lost in CongestionYear over Year ChangeCost of Congestion (Per Driver)Inner City Travel Time
San Antonio605%$8324 minutes

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Transportation

Heavy traffic during peak hours also impacts commute time for everyone. Employees in San Antonio have a commute time of 23.6 minutes, which is shorter than the national average of 25.5 minutes.

Almost 2 percent of the population in San Antonio have commutes of more than 90 minutes.

One aspect contributing to the traffic congestion in the city is the fact that most prefer to drive alone to work. Almost 79 percent of people drive by themselves to work, and only 10.5 percent carpool.

What are the busiest highways?

As per the report by Texas A&M Transportation Institute, San Antonio is one of those cities where growth-induced traffic is getting worse.

The most congested highways in the San Antonio-New Braunfels area are:

  • McAllister Freeway/U.S. 281
  • PanAm Expressway/IH 35/IH10
  • Charles West Anderson Loop/SL 1604 N
  • N PanAm Expressway/IH 35
  • Charles West Anderson Loop/SL 1604 NW
  • Connally Loop N/IH 410
  • N PanAm Expressway/IH 35
  • Bandera Road/SH 16
  • Connally Loop NW/IH 410
  • Connally Loop N/IH 410
  • Culebra Road/FM 471

How safe are San Antonio’s streets and roads?

Crashes and accidents are a part of every city — wherever there are people driving, there are certain unfortunate events, as well. In this section, we will present some facts and figures from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration about the crash rate in San Antonio.

Fatalities (All Crashes) by County in San Antonio

In the table below, you can look at the number of fatal crashes by county. Bexar county, by far, has the maximum incidences of fatal crashes.

Counties20142015201620172018
Atascosa County17176910
Bandera County88277
Bexar County184189226164181
Comal County2017241613
Guadalupe County1519241923
Kendall County59541
Medina County39141717
Wilson County144748

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Fatalities in Crashes Involving an Alcohol-Impaired Driver (BAC = .08+) by County

Out of all the counties in San Antonio, Bexar County has the highest number of crashes involving alcohol-impaired drivers. The crash numbers are significantly higher than in other counties.

Counties20142015201620172018
Atascosa County95203
Bandera County53032
Bexar County7482967077
Comal County671175
Guadalupe County3813611
Kendall County33210
Medina County15447
Wilson County71214

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Bexar County is famous for motorists who are constantly found driving impaired, and it has the third-highest number of alcohol-induced crashes in Texas.

During the Fiesta season in summer, the city witnesses a 20 percent increase in crashes due to alcohol-impaired driving.

Single-Vehicle Crash Fatalities by County in San Antonio

Again, the fatality rate in Bexar County is quite high for single-vehicle crashes. If you live in Bexar County, you might have to pay high insurance rates because of the high probability of a crash.

Counties20142015201620172018
Atascosa County513366
Bandera County44245
Bexar County113110134109106
Comal County12111257
Guadalupe County147879
Kendall County36120
Medina County26878
Wilson County93204

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Fatalities in Crashes Involving Speeding by County in San Antonio

When it comes to speeding, Bexar county witnesses the maximum number of fatalities in San Antonio.

Counties20142015201620172018
Atascosa County37133
Bandera County53123
Bexar County6973605846
Comal County561452
Guadalupe County381017
Kendall County07221
Medina County034115
Wilson County61406

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Fatalities in Crashes Involving a Roadway Departure by County in San Antonio

For specific county details on fatalities by roadway departure, you can look at the table below.

Counties20142015201620172018
Atascosa County1211388
Bandera County63144
Bexar County7592876874
Comal County881179
Guadalupe County79201111
Kendall County18221
Medina County1411911
Wilson County103525

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Fatalities in Crashes Involving an Intersection (or Intersection Related) by County in San Antonio

We all know that intersections are a hotbed for crashes and as per the data below, the intersections in Bexar country are quite dangerous.

Counties20142015201620172018
Atascosa County11001
Bandera County32011
Bexar County3940413049
Comal County51325
Guadalupe County24613
Kendall County01110
Medina County00121
Wilson County20312

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Passenger Car Occupant Fatalities by County in San Antonio

While in most head-on collisions, the driver bears the maximum impact, however, when a vehicle is hit from any other side, it can be fatal to other passengers in a car.

Counties20142015201620172018
Atascosa County94041
Bandera County02123
Bexar County5472715954
Comal County44785
Guadalupe County1614114
Kendall County15211
Medina County13484
Wilson County31134

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Pedestrian Fatalities by County in San Antonio

At times, pedestrians can also get hit by drivers who miscalculate the time their car takes to reach a pedestrian path which can lead to fatal crashes.

Counties20142015201620172018
Atascosa County00111
Bandera County00110
Bexar County5746685054
Comal County46341
Guadalupe County42035
Kendall County10010
Medina County21251
Wilson County30100

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Pedal cyclist Fatalities by County in San Antonio

Just like pedestrians, pedal cyclists also become victims of road crashes which leads to fatalities.

Counties20142015201620172018
Atascosa County00000
Bandera County01000
Bexar County15545
Comal County00100
Guadalupe County10001
Kendall County00000
Medina County00000
Wilson County00000

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Interstates with Most Fatal Crashes in Texas

We have also included data about the fatalities as per road type in the state of Texas.

Road TypeFatal Crashes
Collector Arterial600
Freeway and Expressway260
Local261
Minor Arterial652
Rural176
Unknown10
Urban402
Other982
Total Fatal Crashes3,343

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What is Allstate America’s Best Drivers Report?

Allstate Insurance conducts research every year to find out how safe cities in America are for driving.

As per Allstate’s America’s Best Drivers Report 2019, San Antonio is ranked as 138th safest city for driving, which is up by three positions from the previous year.

The years between claims are 8.2, which is lower than the national average of 10.57 years. The good thing is that the relative probability of a collision is 29 percent compared to the national average.

How is ridesharing in San Antonio?

If you like to use ridesharing, you will be glad to know most of the ridesharing providers operate in San Antonio. Here are some taxi services you get in the city:

  • Lyft
  • Lyft Plus
  • Lyft Premier
  • Uber X
  • Uber XL
  • Uber Select
  • Blacklane
  • Carmel
  • Jayride
  • Talixo

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What are E-star repair shops?

Oftentimes, when we get involved in an accident, finding a repair shop that’s close by isn’t easy. If you’re ever in a situation like this, you can look for an E-star repair shop to get your car fixed.

E-star, a program by Esurance, offers easy access to repair shops in your area.

What is the weather like in San Antonio?

Because San Antonio is a southern city, it enjoys warm weather all through the year and reports zero inches of snow.

Here are some basic weather trends in San Antonio from Climate Data:

  • Annual high temperature: 79.8 F
  • Annual low temperature: 57.6 F
  • Average temperature: 68.7 F
  • Average annual precipitation: 32.91 inches

When it comes to natural disasters, San Antonio has witnessed thunderstorm winds, hails, floods, and drought. The probability of an earthquake in San Antonio is much lower than the national average.

On the tornado index, San Antonio has a higher probability of an occurrence than the national average.

How is the public transit?

The public transit system of San Antonio, known as the VIA Metropolitan Transit, operates buses around the city.

To take a ride, you have to pay $1.30 for a regular bus and $2.60 for express bus service. VIA also offers passes and affordable options for travelers and regular commuters.

  • Day Pass: $2.75
  • Seven-Day Pass: $12
  • 31-Day Pass: $38
  • Semester Pass: $38

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What types of alternative transportation are used in San Antonio?

Sometimes you don’t want to use public transit and want to explore your city at your own pace. For these times, renting a bike or scooter is the perfect option.

If you need a bike rental, you can register for San Antonio Bike Share and rent a bike whenever you want. The bike-share program of the city is designed for short trips.

How to rent a bike:

  • You can choose a membership account as per your requirement. The cost of one trip is $3.25, and you have the option to buy a monthly unlimited membership for $19.49.
  • Using your account, you can rent a bike and go for as many trips as you want; however, each trip should be for 60 minutes or less.
  • After finishing every ride, you must dock your bike at one of their stations and make sure it beeps.

If you aren’t in the mood to bike, you also have an option to get electric scooters in San Antonio.

With services like Bird and Lime, you can rent a scooter close to your location by using an app and following the instructions for a safe ride to anywhere you like.

What is it like parking in metro areas

Finding a parking spot downtown always makes everyone jittery, especially during peak office hours. But you can use the city’s parking map to make your life easier.

The city has a total of 14 lots and garages to help people park with ease. Look for the parking sign to locate their lots.

When you park on the street, you can pay at the solar-powered pay stations, which accept both coins and debit/credit cards. You also have the option to park at one of the private lots or garages that can be booked by downloading the Parkopedia app.

If you own an electric vehicle, you can look for a charging station on Charge Hub.

What’s the air quality like in San Antonio?

On the Air Quality Index, San Antonio scores a 33, which is considered good for health. However, with a rise in population, the air quality might get impacted, as more and more people buy cars to commute, which contributes to the overall pollution level.

Air Quality Index201720182019
Days with AQI362365273
Days Good262251141
Days Moderate94103126
Days Unhealthy for Sensitive Groups4105
Days Unhealthy211
Days Very Unhealthy000

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As per the data from the United State Environmental Protection Agency, the days with good air quality has been on a downfall from 2017 to 2019.

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Do active military and military veterans receive car insurance discounts?

Those who have served in the military, or are currently serving, get special discounts from auto insurance companies. In fact, some insurers offer extra discounts for personnel who are deployed in emergency missions.

Veterans by Service Period

San Antonio has a large population of military personnel who have served in the Gulf War post the year 2001, followed by veterans from the Vietnam War.

Military Bases within an Hour

In the vicinity of San Antonio, there are many military bases, and the closest one is the Joint Base San Antonio. This military base is under the United States Air Force 502d Air Base Wing, Air Education and Training Command (AETC).

Military Discounts by Providers

As an act of gratitude for your service, most insurance providers offer discounts on auto insurance. Specifically, Geico offers a 15 percent discount, Liberty Mutual offers a 4 percent discount, and MetLife offers a 15 percent discount.

Discounts also vary based on your experience, so don’t forget to check with your insurance for discount options.

USAA Availability in State

Apart from the option to buy from any insurance provider, military personnel has the privilege to get auto insurance from USAA — a provider offering coverage to only those who serve or have served.

Thankfully, USAA is available in Texas — in fact, it is headquartered in San Antonio. Let’s look at the rates offered by USAA compared to other providers in Texas.

Insurance ProvidersAverage Annual Rate ($4,043)Percentage Change (+/-)
Geico$3,263-19.29%
Nationwide$3,867-4.35%
Progressive$4,66415.37%
State Farm$2,879-28.77%
USAA$2,487-38.47%

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The average annual premium of Texas is $4,043, and USAA is offering the cheapest rates in the state. It’s almost 38 percent lower than the average rate.

Are there unique city laws in San Antonio

All cities have their own set of unique laws and San Antonio is no different. Here are some things you should be familiar with when traveling around the city.

Hands-Free Laws

Before the state of Texas banned the use of handheld devices while driving in 2017, San Antonio already had a law that prohibited drivers from using cell phones for texting or calling while they are behind the wheel.

The law in San Antonio also prohibits people from using a smartphone or other electronic devices while they’re waiting at a red light.

Food Trucks

Starting your own food truck business is exciting, especially in a young, growing city like San Antonio. You just have to make sure all your paperwork is in place before you buy your dream truck: things like registering your business and getting a food inspection certificate.

Let’s look at what all should you do before getting out there with your truck.

  • San Antonio Food Truck Association: Yes, there’s a food truck association in San Antonio. You can join this association to get mentorship help or meet up with others to get an idea about how to work smoothly in the food truck business.
  • Texas Sales and Use Tax Permit: You will need to get this permit to operate a food truck business in San Antonio.
  • Insurance Coverage: Since you’re thinking of buying a food truck, which you will use to get to different locations, you must get the appropriate amount of liability and property damage coverage.
  • Registration with DMV: Before getting a permit for your truck, you will need to register your vehicle with the Texas DMV.
  • Food Truck Inspection: You have to get your food truck inspected to get a permit for running your operation. To set up an inspection appointment, you can call 210-207-8853.

Tiny Homes

Living in a tiny home is a dream for some people. There’s something addictive about the low cost of these houses and no burden of a mortgage.

But, if you’re planning to get a tiny home, make sure you meet the legal requirements stated in your city’s legislature.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3_Ep3iqSRT8

To qualify for a tiny home, the house should be 400 square feet or less in size. You have the option to choose either a stationary or movable tiny home, but the laws are different for both types.

Having a movable property might mean your house comes under the RV code while having the tiny home on a foundation means you will have to follow the residential home building code.

Whichever option you choose, make sure that you’re aware of the local regulations regarding where can you put up your tiny home.

Parking Laws

As per the Texas Motor Vehicle Laws, it’s illegal to park your vehicle at certain spots. Let’s look at where you can’t leave your vehicle.

  • At an intersection, crosswalk, sidewalk, or railroad track
  • Blocking a driveway
  • Within 15 feet of a fire hydrant, 20 feet of a crosswalk, or 30 feet of a stop sign/yield sign/traffic signal

The City of San Antonio also prohibits parking in areas where it jeopardizes traffic safety or mobility.

How much is car insurance in San Antonio?

The average annual premium in San Antonio is $4,043, and what you pay for auto insurance may vary depending on a lot of personal factors.

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What’s the most affordable car insurance option in San Antonio?

State Farm and USAA are the cheapest car insurance providers in San Antonio, but USAA only offers coverage to the members of the US military.

Should you get liability or full coverage in San Antonio?

Depending on your needs, you can either choose just liability or you can go for full coverage. If you have an old car that isn’t of much value, it wouldn’t make sense to pay a lot for collision or comprehensive insurance.

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