Affordable coverage from 35+ carriers across the San Diego Metro area, with
same-day SR-22 filings and bilingual agents at every location.
✅ Last updated: May 6, 2026
A-MAX serves the San Diego Metro area through our offices and 35+ carriers, including non-standard carriers that work with drivers other companies decline.
California minimum required: 30/60/15 liability coverage
Member cities: San Diego, Chula Vista, Escondido, Oceanside, Carlsbad, El Cajon, La Mesa, National City, Vista, Encinitas, Poway
Same-day coverage: Available in most cases
SR-22 filings: Filed electronically with the California DMV, often within an hour
Bilingual service: English and Spanish at every location
How to start: Online quote, call 1-800-921-AMAX, or walk into any A-MAX office in the San Diego Metro area
San Diego Metro drivers don't all have the same insurance situation. Some are commuting daily on I-5, I-805, I-15, I-8, SR-52, SR-54, SR-56, SR-78, SR-94, or SR-163. Some drive across the border into Tijuana every weekend at San Ysidro or Otay Mesa. Some are picking up a teen driver. Some need an SR-22 yesterday. Some had a lapse last month and are getting back on the road. Whatever brought you to this page, you're probably looking for two things: a price that works on your budget, and someone who will actually pick up the phone.
That's how A-MAX has worked since 2002, and it's how we've grown to multiple offices across San Diego Metro. Our agents compare quotes from 35+ carriers, including non-standard carriers that work with drivers other companies decline.
Walk in, call 1-800-921-AMAX, or quote online. Most customers leave covered the same day.
Liability-only coverage. California state minimum (30/60/15). The most affordable option, often best for older or paid-off vehicles. Learn more →
Full coverage. Liability + collision + comprehensive. Required if you're financing or leasing. Learn more →
SR-22 filings. Court-ordered, DUI, license reinstatement. We file electronically with the California DMV, often within an hour of binding the policy. Learn more →
Insurance for unlicensed drivers. You can still get auto insurance in California without a current license. Learn more →
Non-owner insurance. Coverage when you don't own a car but still drive someone else's. Learn more →
Mexican auto insurance. Cross-border coverage for trips into Mexico. Learn more →
If a court or the California DMV told you that you need an SR-22 to keep driving, we can file it the same day. Most filings go through within an hour of binding your policy.
You can still get auto insurance in California without a current license. Many drivers do, and it's usually a step toward getting your license back.
A suspended license doesn't have to mean no coverage. We work with carriers that insure drivers in this exact situation, often the same day.
Coverage lapsed last week, last month, or last year? Walk in, give us 20 minutes, and you can leave with a policy bound today. No judgment, no lecture.
An at-fault accident on your record makes most companies hike your rate or drop you. We work with carriers that don't.
A DUI on your record changes your insurance options, but it doesn't end them. Most A-MAX carriers will work with drivers in this situation, and we can often file the SR-22 the same day.
California prohibits credit-based insurance scoring for personal auto, so your credit history won't affect your auto rate here. We compare carriers built for non-standard drivers.
If multiple companies have already declined or non-renewed you, A-MAX has carriers built for exactly this situation.
Adding a teen to your policy is one of the bigger rate increases most families face. We'll compare it across 35+ carriers to find the most affordable option.
First time getting your own auto insurance? An A-MAX agent will walk you through every choice. No insurance jargon.
Walk into any A-MAX location and most customers leave covered the same day. Bring your license, your VIN, and proof of any prior insurance if you have it.
Low down payment options and flexible monthly plans available across our locations. We'll find the carrier that fits what you can pay today.
Rates across San Diego Metro vary by city, ZIP, driver history, vehicle, and annual mileage. The fastest way to know your real number is to quote: about 10 minutes online or by phone.
ZIP-level traffic congestion and accident rates. Dense ZIPs along the I-5, I-805, I-15, and I-8 corridors often carry higher base rates than outlying areas.
Vehicle theft rates by ZIP. San Diego's proximity to the border puts several ZIPs among California's higher-theft areas, which feeds into comprehensive premiums.
Vehicle make and model. SUVs, trucks, and frequently-stolen models often carry higher comprehensive premiums.
Comprehensive premiums in fire-exposure ZIPs. Vehicles garaged in eastern San Diego County backcountry and foothill areas can see higher comprehensive rates.
Annual mileage. California is a mileage-based rating state, so a long commute matters.
At-fault accidents and tickets in the last 3 years (California limits how far back insurers can look).
Coverage gaps. A recent lapse adds risk to most carriers.
Note: California prohibits credit-based insurance scoring for personal auto, so credit history won't push your rate up here.
For neighborhood-level color, see the city pages linked below.
California requires every driver to carry at least 30/60/15 in liability coverage:
$30,000 for injury or death of one person per accident
$60,000 for injury or death of two or more people per accident
$15,000 for property damage per accident
That's the legal minimum, but it doesn't cover damage to your car. If you owe money on your car, your lender almost always requires full coverage (which adds collision and comprehensive).
We can run both quotes side by side so you see the actual price difference for your situation. More on California minimum coverage →
A-MAX has multiple offices across the San Diego Metro area. Pick your city for the full store list, hours, and directions:
Most San Diego Metro customers walk out with active coverage in under 30 minutes. To make it that fast, bring:
Don't have all of these? Come in anyway. Our agents will figure out what they can with what you bring.
Hablamos tu idioma. Todas nuestras oficinas tienen al menos un agente bilingüe.
A-MAX has multiple offices serving the San Diego Metro area. Use the city list below to find the office closest to you.
See the city list below for every San Diego Metro city we serve. Each city page has its full store list, hours, and directions.
California requires 30/60/15 liability coverage. $30,000 per person for bodily injury, $60,000 per accident for bodily injury, and $15,000 per accident for property damage.
Same day in most cases. Walk into any A-MAX office in the area, bind a policy, and we file the SR-22 electronically with the California DMV. Most filings go through within an hour.
They can. Dense traffic on the I-5, I-805, and I-15 corridors adds annual mileage and accident exposure, ZIP-level vehicle theft rates feed into comprehensive premiums (San Diego's border proximity matters here), and vehicles garaged in eastern San Diego County fire-exposure ZIPs can see higher comprehensive rates. California prohibits credit-based insurance scoring for personal auto, so credit history doesn't factor in here. Shopping 35+ carriers (about 10 minutes) tends to surface a better rate than a single online quote.
Yes. San Diego A-MAX locations write Mexican auto insurance for trips across the border at San Ysidro and Otay Mesa, including same-day coverage for short Tijuana trips and longer stays in Baja. Bring your current policy details to make the cross-border quote faster, or start online.
Yes. A-MAX is built for non-standard auto: SR-22, suspended license, no prior insurance, lapsed coverage, after-DUI, after-accident, and high-risk. We compare 35+ carriers including non-standard carriers that work with drivers other companies decline.
Yes. Most A-MAX policies can be set up on a monthly payment plan, often with a low down payment. The exact down payment depends on the carrier, the coverage, and your driving record.
Sí. Cada oficina de A-MAX tiene al menos un agente bilingüe. Llama al 1-800-921-AMAX ahora y habla con alguien en español.
Online quote: Get my quote (about 10 minutes) . Call: 1-800-921-AMAX . Walk in to any A-MAX location. Most customers are in and out in under 30 minutes with active coverage.
Disclaimer. Specific carriers, products, and discounts available in San Diego Metro may differ from those listed on this page. Same-day coverage and SR-22 filing times depend on carrier underwriting and state processing; your A-MAX agent will give you actual timing during your quote. This page is for general information about car insurance options in San Diego Metro, California, and is not insurance advice. For a binding quote, contact an A-MAX agent.