Expert San Antonio, TX Car Insurance Advice (Compare Costs & Companies)

Choosing the right car insurance can be difficult. Even if you spend hours comparing providers on the internet, you often find yourself left with an overwhelming list of options.

Then once you have that list, you’re left with the chore of figuring out which one has the best Texas car insurance with the most robust coverage.

Luckily, finding the right San Antonio, TX car insurance doesn’t have to be a complicated affair. Below you will find all of the research and data necessary to guide your purchase, along with some other fascinating information about insuring your vehicle in San Antonio, TX.

You can start your journey towards effective, affordable auto insurance in San Antonio today. Enter your ZIP code above to get started.

The Cost of Car Insurance in San Antonio

To make sure you know exactly what to expect when it comes to the cost of your car insurance in San Antonio, we have broken down insurance premiums by age, gender, ZIP code, and much more.

You might find yourself asking how does my San Antonio, TX stack up against other top metro auto insurance rates? We’ve got your answer below.

Male vs. Female vs. Age

Two of the biggest factors insurance companies use when determining your premiums are your age and your gender.

These states no longer using gender to calculate your auto insurance rates — Hawaii, Massachusetts, Michigan, Montana, North Carolina, and Pennsylvania. But age is still a significant factor because young drivers are often considered high-risk. Texas does use gender, so check out the average monthly auto insurance rates by age and gender in San Antonio, TX. Find high-risk car insurance here,

According to City Data, the median age in San Antonio is 33.6 years old, slightly younger than the Texas state average of 34.7 years old. This means that most drivers won’t have to worry about the higher rates that insurance companies often charge their youngest drivers.

The table above provides the average annual rates for car insurance in San Antonio based on age, gender, and marital status.

Generally, 17-year-old drivers are charged the highest rates, with males being charged more than females, while 60-year-old drivers of both genders are charged the lowest rates. Based on age difference alone, there’s a $6,193 difference in average rates between 17-year-old males and 60-year-old males.

The table below gives more details about the way marital status and gender impact your rates.

As you can see, your marital status impacts the rates car insurance providers charge. The reason behind this is that, theoretically, married drivers are more stable, making them more responsible behind the wheel and a lower risk to insure.

These aren’t the only factors that go into your rate, however. Continue reading below to find out what other information auto insurance companies in San Antonio, Texas use to calculate your rates.

San Antonio, TX auto insurance rates by company and age is an essential comparison because the top auto insurance company for one age group may not be the best company for another age group.

Cheapest ZIP Codes in San Antonio

While the city you live in can play a part in your rates at a state level, the ZIP code you live in within San Antonio can also have a sizable influence on your rates.

Check out the monthly San Antonio, TX auto insurance rates by ZIP Code below:

The cost of coverage in your ZIP code can vary based on things like crime levels and weather patterns, so moving from one neighborhood to another can drastically change your insurance premiums if it puts you in a different ZIP code.

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

If you’re concerned about the way drivers are rated by age, gender, and ZIP code, don’t panic just yet. While these factors can and do impact your insurance rates, every carrier has their own process for determining how much to charge their customers.

Which San Antonio, TX auto insurance company has the cheapest rates? And how do those rates compare against the average Texas auto insurance company rates? We’ve got the answers below.

To help you find the best insurance in the city, we’ve broken down rates in San Antonio by some of the many other factors that can impact your premiums. A little bit of research can help you find the company offering the best rates for people like you.

Cheapest Car Insurance Rates by Company

While insurance rates are determined by your age, marital status, and ZIP code, there can still be a cost difference of thousands of dollars between companies.

For example, in the table above you can see that rates for a 17-year-old male can be anywhere from $5,170 to $11,687, which shows that just because you’re in a higher rating bracket doesn’t mean there is no way to save money on your insurance.

Because of this, you should choose your insurance carrier based on the rates they charge for your particular demographic instead of choosing a company because they are generally cheaper than their competition.

Best Car Insurance for Commute Rates

According to the Federal Highway Administration, in 2016 Texans drove a total of 17,099,340 miles across the state. The table below shows the average rates for drivers in San Antonio based on their commutes.

As indicated above, not every carrier charges higher rates based on the length of your commute, but there are many who do. Depending on the insurance company you choose, you could save hundreds of dollars with a reduced commute.

If you have a longer commute than average, you might be able to save money on your insurance by choosing a company that does not take driving distance into account when assigning rates.

Best Car Insurance for Coverage Level Rates

The table above shows the average rates of insurance in San Antonio based on coverage levels. Choosing lower insurance levels can get you an affordable car insurance in San Antonio, but you could be missing out on vital coverage options you need to keep yourself financially secure, so choose your coverage levels wisely.

Your coverage level will play a major role in your San Antonio auto insurance rates. Find the cheapest San Antonio, TX auto insurance rates by coverage level below:

The difference in premium between the highest and lowest levels of coverage is sometimes as little as $300-$400 a year, which means that choosing full coverage might not cost as much as you would think. Consider your budget carefully, of course, but it is possible to opt for higher coverage levels without breaking the bank.

Best Car Insurance for Credit History Rates

Though it may be surprising to some, your credit history can play an important role in determining your insurance rates as well. Though there are some states that prevent insurance companies from taking credit history into account, Texas is not one of them.

Your credit score will play a major role in your San Antonio auto insurance rates unless you live in these states where discrimination based on credit is not allowed: California, Hawaii, and Massachusetts. Find the cheapest San Antonio, TX auto insurance rates by credit score below.

The table below shows how your credit history can impact your insurance rates.

All of the insurance companies above charge at least a $1,000 difference between a good credit rating and a poor credit rating, with more than a $3,000 difference in rates for some companies.

While this can be frustrating if you have poor credit, it could serve as a good incentive to work on improving your score in the future.

Best Car Insurance for Driving Record Rates

While some people are surprised that your credit score can impact your insurance rates, nobody should be surprised to hear that your driving record is one of the determining factors in your annual premium.

Your driving record will play a major role in your San Antonio auto insurance rates. For example, other factors aside, a San Antonio, TX DUI may increase your auto insurance rates 40 to 50 percent. Find the cheapest San Antonio, TX auto insurance rates by driving record.

Each company is different, so some won’t penalize you at all for a single speeding ticket, while others will increase your rates by a few hundred dollars a year.

On the other side of the equation, many companies may significantly increase your rates if you have a DUI, but others may only raise your rates by a few hundred dollars. Choosing the right company could save you thousands of dollars a year, which is why it’s so important to shop around when getting auto insurance quotes in San Antonio.

Read more: Can my car insurance be canceled from a DUI?

Car Insurance Factors in San Antonio

As you’ve seen, there are many factors that impact your insurance coverage and rates, including where you live. Below are some of the most recent reports related to the San Antonio economy that can be helpful in determining how much you should be spending on car insurance.

Factors affecting auto insurance rates in San Antonio, TX may include your commute, coverage level, tickets, DUIs, and credit. Controlling these factors will help you get the best cheap auto insurance in San Antonio, TX.

Metro Report — Growth and Prosperity

The data our researchers gathered from the Brookings Institution’s annual Metro Monitor Report is below. The Metro Monitor breaks down the economic performance of the 100 largest metropolitan regions in the country, giving you an idea of how your city is doing economically.

The Metro Monitor tracks several factors by region, including growth and prosperity, and charts the rate of change over the previous one, five, and 10-year periods, breaking the data down into composite scores. Here are the numbers for San Antonio:

• Percentage change in jobs at young firms:  +3.1 percent
• Percentage change in jobs:  +2.0 percent
• Percentage change in Gross Metropolitan Product:  +0.7 percent
• Percentage change in standard of living:  -1.2 percent
• Percentage change in productivity:  -1.3 percent
• Percentage change in average annual wage:  +0.8 percent

These statistics show an increase in job growth and a decrease in standard of living in San Antonio. While the city still ranks among the top 40 best performing metro areas for prosperity and job growth, San Antonio is fighting inflation and other issues, just like the rest of the country.

Median Household Income

When you’re considering car insurance rates, it’s also worth looking at how these numbers translate into a percentage of a person’s income. The income information below is based on statistics from Data USA.

San Antonio residents have a median annual income of approximately $50,044, which is slightly less than the nationwide median income of $60,336.

The average cost of car insurance in San Antonio is $4,118.51, which means that approximately 8.23 percent of the typical driver’s income is devoted to their car insurance premiums.

To manually determine the percentage of your income spent on your car insurance, take the amount of your premium divided by your income (either gross or net), then multiply by 100.

For example, if a person is earning $40,000 and paying $2,000 for insurance each year, they spend five percent of their gross annual income on their car insurance.

You can use our calculator to determine the percentage of your income you spend on car insurance.

Homeownership in San Antonio

Owning a home can significantly reduce your car insurance rates. While these two things may not initially seem related, the idea is that someone who is responsible enough (and financially stable enough) to own a home is more likely to be able to pay their insurance premiums than someone who isn’t.

There is also the thought that having commitments like a mortgage or a spouse makes a person more likely to drive safely than they otherwise might, which is another factor insurance companies consider when determining your rates.

In 2017, 54.8 percent of housing units in San Antonio were owner occupied, which was a slight increase from 2016, but noticeably lower than the national average of 63.9 percent.

The median property value in San Antonio was $148,200 in 2017, with more than $3,000 in annual property taxes.

Education in San Antonio

San Antonio is home to a number of colleges and universities, including the University of Texas at San Antonio, San Antonio College, and Northwest Vista College. In 2016 alone, universities in San Antonio awarded over 29,112 degrees to graduating students.

The student body in San Antonio has more women than men, with 69,892 female students and 52,473 male students.

Many insurance companies give discounts to students who maintain a certain GPA. If you or your child are in college, it might be worth asking your insurance company about student discounts.

The median cost of tuition in San Antonio is $27,000 for private four-year colleges, $5,039  for in-state students at public four-year colleges, and $15,636 for out-of-state students at public four-year colleges, so saving money on your car insurance is a great way to free up funds to pay for pricey tuition fees.

San Antonio is home to a number of community colleges, including Palo Alto College, St. Philip’s College, and Sanford-Brown College-San Antonio. The majority of community college degrees earned in the city are Liberal Arts and Sciences degrees, with Nursing degrees in a sizable second place.

Wage by Race and Ethnicity in Common Jobs

If you’ve ever wondered how factors like race and ethnicity impact wages, the table below reveals the most recent stats from Data USA regarding wages for common jobs in Texas, along with the percentage of income going to car insurance for those individuals. There is no specific information for drivers in San Antonio, so the information below applies to the entire state of Texas.

Wages for the same job vary widely based on race and ethnicity, with some people earning 50 percent less than others for the same exact job. Depending on your wages, the percentage of your income going toward car insurance could comprise more than half of your annual earnings if you work an entry-level position.

The highest-earning demographic in managerial roles still spend more than five percent of their income on auto insurance in San Antonio, Texas.

Wage by Gender in Common Jobs

While some people might consider the concept controversial, the gender wage gap is real and there are plenty of statistics to prove it. Once again, there are no statistics specific to San Antonio, so the information below is for the state of Texas.

In 2017, full-time male workers in Texas earned approximately 1.4 times more than female workers, with the highest discrepancy in higher-paid managerial positions.

Female Average Salary — $47,183
Male Average Salary — $65,834

These numbers indicate an $18,700 wage gap between the genders. This is an average across multiple positions and industries, but there is a clear difference in salaries between the genders for the same position, so even if male and female employees have the exact same job role, the data shows that men still earn more money.

This means that women are likely to spend a higher portion of their income on car insurance, even if they pay a lower insurance rate because of their gender.

Poverty by Age and Gender

As you can see from the chart above, there are more women than men living in poverty in San Antonio, with the highest rates of poverty shown in women between the ages of 25 to 34.

According to Data USA, 18.6 percent of people in San Antonio live below the poverty line, which is considerably higher than the nationwide average of 13.4 percent, but lower than the percentage in some other major metropolitan areas in Texas. Given what we saw in the previous section about the wage gap, it makes sense that women are more likely to experience poverty than men.

People living in poverty generally spend much more of their income on car insurance, making it more likely that they do not carry collision and comprehensive coverage or other types of insurance that could protect them financially.

Poverty by Race and Ethnicity

Poverty statistics can be broken down in a number of ways, including by race and ethnic group. In San Antonio, the number of people living in poverty by ethnic group are as follows:

• White/Caucasian – 208,283 people
• Hispanic – 198,296 people
• African American – 23,948 people
• Other – 19,346 people

Data USA’s statistics reveal that white people are the demographic with the highest rate of poverty, followed by Hispanics, and then African Americans.

 Employment by Occupations

In spite of higher than average poverty rates in San Antonio, the city’s employment rates grew 2.31 percent between 2016 and 2017.

The most common occupations in San Antonio are Office/Administrative Support Occupations, employing 102,832 people, Sales and Related Occupations, employing 78,040 people, and Management Occupations, employing 59,104 people.

In comparison to other areas, San Antonio has a higher than expected number of people employed in Construction, Food Preparation, and Grounds Maintenance occupations.

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Driving in San Antonio

Driving in a large city can be challenging. The larger population often translates to more traffic and more accidents, while navigating around construction and other issues can make getting from place to place a hassle.

Below is a comprehensive guide to getting around in San Antonio.

Roads in San Antonio

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-7AZ7hFJM7k

Driving in San Antonio doesn’t have to be difficult. A little knowledge of the city, including major highways, local traffic laws, and weather conditions, can go a long way toward improving your commute. Keep reading to learn more.

Major Highways in San Antonio

They say everything is bigger in Texas, but it isn’t just size that is impressive in the Lone Star State. Texas tends to have more of everything, too, including highways, with an astonishing 25 interstates running across the state. These 25 interstates make up 3,501.15 miles of roadway in Texas. The active interstates are as follows:

SanAntonio_Interstates.csv

Four of these interstates run directly through San Antonio: Interstate 10, Interstate 35, Interstate 37, and Interstate 410.

Interstate 35 is the ninth longest interstate in the United States, stretching 1,568.38 miles across the central U.S., connecting San Antonio to other major cities such as Austin and Dallas, expanding beyond the state into Oklahoma, and all the way up to Duluth, Minnesota at the end of the line.

When it comes to highways in San Antonio, Texashighwayman.com says the following:

“Bexar County still has one of the largest systems of state highways and freeways in the nation. In 2017, there were 1,004 centerline miles and 3,384 lane miles of state-maintained roadways in Bexar County, with 258 centerline miles and approximately 1,436 lane miles of freeways in the greater San Antonio area.”

When it comes to tollways, San Antonio has the US 281 North from Loop 1604 to the Comal County line, the Loop 1604 northern arc from Military Dr. West to I-10 East and its interchanges with SH 151, I-10 West, US 281 North, I-35 North, and I-10 East.

Popular Road Trips/Sites

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BBq63wnfORs

The video above reveals the top seven unique places to visit in Texas. If you’re looking for more fantastic ways to keep yourself entertained in and around San Antonio, here are a few suggestions from the most popular road trip and adventure sites:

• River Walk Christmas Light Display – Cypress trees decked out in twinkling lights, a gondola ride with Santa, and carolers by the boatload are just a few of the things you’ll see on the River Walk at Christmas. Better yet, it’s all completely free!
• Must-See Texas Monuments and Institutions – Everything from the Marfa lights to the infamous bat bridge in Austin made the list of iconic places to visit in the state, so fill up your tank and head out on the road to check out these amazing sights.
• Best Spring Road Trip Ideas – Nearby Texas Hill Country made this list of best spring road trips in the United States, and for good reason. It’s an incredibly beautiful scenic area, with excellent wine tours and bluebonnets as far as the eye can see.
• Tulips in the Spring – There is a brand new pick-your-own tulip farm opening just outside of San Antonio, giving you the opportunity to wander a gorgeous flower farm before picking a bouquet for your loved ones.
• Beautiful Places in San Antonio – Looking for a local road trip to occupy your time? Check out some of the most beautiful places in the city for a fun-filled day on the road.
• Texas BBQ – A short trip will take you to any number of fantastic BBQ restaurants, some of which have won the distinction of being named the best in the state.

These are just a few of the things you can see and do within a day’s drive of San Antonio. Texas is brimming with ways to keep yourself cultured, fed, and entertained, so there is no shortage of things to do with your time.

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Road Conditions in San Antonio

A study by the National Transportation Research Group tracked the pavement conditions and extra vehicle operating costs in urban areas with populations of 500,000 or more. San Antonio was included in this study, and the following road conditions were reported:

Poor Share – 29 percent
Mediocre Share – 31 percent
Fair Share – 11 percent
Good Share – 29 percent
Vehicle Operating Costs – $710 annually

The Texas Department of Transportation provides frequent updates on roadway projects both in and around San Antonio to improve road conditions for drivers, so watching the local news or checking their website often are both excellent ways of keeping yourself informed.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MEJAye9NQQ0

Does San Antonio use speeding or red light cameras?

Each year there are hundreds of deaths and tens of thousands of injuries caused by drivers running red lights across the nation.

In 2017, 890 people in the United States were killed in a crash where one of the drivers ran a red light. More than 50 percent of the victims were the people who were hit by the red light runner, including pedestrians, as well as drivers and passengers in the other vehicle. Nationwide, an estimated 132,000 people were injured in accidents involving a red light violation.

Many states, including Texas until very recently, have installed cameras to catch people running a red light. But just how much do they actually help?

A recent IIHS study comparing large cities with red light cameras to those without found that cities who used the devices reduced the fatal red light running crash rate by 21 percent and the rate of all other types of crashes at intersections by 14 percent.

Texas recently passed a law banning red light cameras due to a fear of violation of privacy, but this means that the state will lose out on this source of revenue and the accident rate due to red light violations is likely to increase by 30 percent or more.

Vehicles in San Antonio

Every city has its own unique trends when it comes to vehicle ownership, and San Antonio is no different. Let’s take a look at those trends, along with information on speed traps, vehicle theft rates, and other car-related statistics in your city.

Most Popular Vehicles Owned

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_A9MEDbqFfk

According to yourmechanic.com, 51 percent of the cars owned by drivers in San Antonio are American cars, with the Chevrolet Suburban 1500 being considered the most unusually popular vehicle owned by city residents. People in Texas are also much more likely than people in northern states to choose a vehicle with a V-8 engine.

How many cars per household

The average household in San Antonio has two vehicles, with 280,000 households, or 40 percent of San Antonio residents having two vehicles in 2017. This is far more than the 144,000 households who have three cars and the 163,000 households that have only one vehicle.

There are 64,500 households that have four cars and 23,800 households with five or more, but the number of households that don’t have a vehicle at all is a surprising 24,000, which means there are a significant number of people who get by with only bikes, walking, and public transportation.

Households without a Car

While most San Antonio residents own at least two vehicles, there are plenty of households that don’t have a car at all. The data below (from 2015-2016) shows just what percentage of people are getting by with their feet, bicycles, and rideshare apps.

Speed Traps in San Antonio

When a driver is speeding and a police officer appears out of a hidden spot — often between buildings or behind trees and foliage — to issue a ticket, that is considered a speed trap. Theoretically, speed traps are supposed to encourage drivers to go the speed limit, but they also help the city bring in a significant amount of revenue.

San Antonio is currently ranked ninth in the top 10 worst cities for speed traps in Texas.

Vehicle Theft in San Antonio

If you have comprehensive coverage, your stolen vehicle will be replaced, but that doesn’t stop you from feeling scared and violated when you’re the victim of a crime.

Surprisingly, vehicle theft isn’t just a concern for people with new, expensive automobiles — the most commonly stolen vehicles are often older family sedans or minivans. This means that the people most likely to have their cars stolen are also the least likely to have comprehensive coverage.

While skipping the comprehensive coverage can keep your insurance costs low, keep in mind that a liability-only policy won’t protect you in case of car theft. If your car is one of the ones on the table of most commonly stolen vehicles above, you may want to think carefully about buying comprehensive car insurance.

Below is a chart of the FBI crime statistics for San Antonio during 2017:

According to Neighborhood Scout, these are the safest neighborhoods in San Antonio:

• Fm Road 2696 / Wilderness Oak
• Fm Road 2696 / Midnight Dr
• Route 90 Service Road / Ray Ellison Dr
• E Borgfeld Dr / Dal Cin Dr
• Route 211 / Route 16
• Smithson Valley Rd / Laurie Michelle
• Mesa Ranch / Mesa Ridge
• Luke Blvd / State Loop
• Road / Harney Rd
• Scenic Oaks

Below is a table showing the annual crime rate in San Antonio:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=C_vxNMCgV3Y

Traffic in San Antonio

If you’re going to be driving in San Antonio, you probably want to know what the local traffic is like. Below are detailed accounts of the traffic congestion, busiest highways, transportation options, and much more.

Traffic Congestion

According to the Inrix Global Traffic Scorecard, traffic congestion increased 5 percent in San Antonio from 2017-2018.

Keep in mind that traffic congestion isn’t just a nuisance; it contributes to your overall commute time and increases the number of accidents on the road, both of which can raise your insurance premiums.

Minor changes, such as leaving for work a little earlier or carpooling, can be an easy way to reduce the time you spend in traffic. You can also take public transit to work or arrange to work from home for part of the week to further reduce your commute time. This can help keep your premiums low.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gCiU2rWBbGs

Transportation

The average commute time in San Antonio is 23.6 minutes, which comes in just below the national average of 25.5 minutes.

Just under 2 percent of commuters in San Antonio have what is referred to as a “super commute,” which means they are traveling 90 minutes or more each way, though the numbers don’t specify if these are strictly driving commutes or if they are including bikes and public transit in their calculations.

At the other end of the spectrum, just over one percent of commuters in San Antonio are lucky enough to have a commute of fewer than five minutes each way.

In 2017, a stunning 79.3 percent of people in San Antonio commuted to work alone, which unfortunately means the majority of cars on the road during rush hour only have one person in them.

Another 10.5 percent of commuters in San Antonio carpooled to work, while a lucky 4.09 percent of people work at home, which means their commute is completely virtual. Another 2.7 percent of people in the city use public transportation to get to and from work, while 1.58 percent of people walk.

Busiest Highways

According to Texas A&M Transportation Institute, San Antonio has 11 of the most congested highways in the state of Texas. These delays waste 15,879,800 gallons of fuel and cost drivers in the city $930,098,232 each year. The busiest roads include McAllister Fwy, PanAm Expy, and the Charles W. Anderson Loop.

How safe are San Antonio streets and roads?

When considering how safe you are driving on the streets of San Antonio, it’s important to take the information about vehicular fatalities into account.

Traffic fatalities can have a number of causes, but a sizable portion of them are caused by people driving under the influence.

Additionally, a number of fatalities are caused by drivers going over the speed limit.

It isn’t just speeding and drinking that cause accidents, however. Below is a table of fatalities caused by roadway departures.

A large number of fatalities involve traveling through intersections, so it is important to be cautious when while doing so.

Below are the passenger car occupant fatality statistics for San Antonio and the surrounding counties:

There are also a surprisingly high number of pedestrian fatalities in Bexar County:

In comparison, the number of pedacyclist fatalities in Bexar County is in the single digits:

Below is a chart of data from the NHTSA regarding highways in the state of Texas with the most fatal crashes, broken down by road type.

An arterial road is basically a high-capacity urban road. An arterial road may be categorized either as a highway or a minor arterial road based on the level of traffic it sees.

Collector roads do exactly that, collect traffic from local roadways and direct drivers to arterial roads. The table above shows that a significant number of Texas’ fatal crashes take place on minor arterial and collector roads.

The U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT) provides data regarding fatalities and injuries in San Antonio due to highway and railroad crashes, which are listed in the table below.

Allstate America’s Best Drivers Report

Another important thing to take into consideration when choosing car insurance in San Antonio is how drivers in the city compare to the rest of the nation. According to Allstate’s Best Drivers in America Report, San Antonio is ranked as the 138th safest city to drive in as of 2018.

The average time between claims in San Antonio is 8.2 years, which means San Antonio residents are doing an excellent job avoiding accidents.

Ridesharing

If you want to take advantage of ridesharing services in San Antonio, it’s key to know what options are available to you and the rates you can expect to pay. Below is a list of rideshare companies available in San Antonio:

• Zum
• Social DRV
• Summon
• Bounce
• Flywheel
• Arro
• Wingz
• HopSkipDrive
• Carma
• Sitbaq
• Kango
• Taxi

EStar Repair Shops

If you’ve been in an accident and are in need of repairs, consider taking your car to an EStar repair shop. EStar is a program sponsored by Esurance to help you find the best repair shops in your area.

Below is a list of the top 10 repair shops in San Antonio according to Estar:

Weather in San Antonio

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_L1EBhyfvsE

San Antonio residents enjoy mostly mild weather in the cooler months and hot, humid temperatures during the summer months. The following table reveals U.S. Climate Data’s stats regarding average temperatures in San Antonio.

It may seem odd to read about weather and natural disasters in an article about car insurance, but these things impact your premium and the likelihood that you will file a car insurance claim.

Bexar County has seen a higher than average number of natural disasters, including fires, hurricanes, floods, storms, tropical storms, and tornadoes. If your car is damaged in a natural disaster, you would file a claim through your comprehensive insurance coverage.

Liability pays for the damage you cause to other people and their vehicles, and collision coverage pays for damage to your car if you are in an accident, but comprehensive is the coverage you need to protect yourself from damage related to things like weather, vandalism, and theft.

Public Transit in San Antonio

The public transit system in San Antonio is VIA Metropolitan Transit, which offers bus service, van service, Primo (faster service with fewer stops), and VIA link (an app-based service that provides pick-up by a driver who takes you to a public transit stop). They even have VIAtrans, a paratransit service offering specialized help to people with disabilities who have difficulty accessing public transit.

The fare information for the VIA Metropolitan Transit system is included in the chart below:

Cost of Alternate Transportation in San Antonio

If you’re looking for options outside of driving and public transit, a scooter or bike rental might be perfect for you. Whether you’re planning a weekend trip into the city or just want to get some exercise, these are the most popular options for scooter or bike rentals in San Antonio:

• Bird – The company offers scooter rentals on a per-minute fixed rate, depending on your location. Bird also offers monthly rentals, in case you need a scooter for a while but you don’t want to purchase one of your own.
• Lime – Offers both scooter and bike rentals for a fixed rate. You will need to check the app for costs, however, as these fluctuate based on the time of day, day of the week, and specific location.

Parking in San Antonio

One of the most frustrating parts of living and working in a large city is trying to find a good parking spot. San Antonio has a number of parking garages available, including:

• Central Library Garage (600 Soledad)
• Cesar Chavez Gsa Lot – 700 E. Cesar E. Chavez Blvd
• City Tower Garage (100 Blk N. Main)
• Convention Center Garage (850 E. Commerce)
• Dolorosa Lot (Dolorosa @ Santa Rosa)
• Houston Street Garage (111 College St)
• Houston/Nolan Lot (Houston @ Elm)
• I-35 Lots (Between Commerce and Martin)
• I-37 Lot (10th St. And Austin St.)
• Market Square Lot (612 W. Commerce)
• Martinez Lot (S. Alamo St. And Martinez St.)
• Municipal Court (401 S. Frio)
• S. Alamo Lot (418 S. Alamo St.)
• St. Mary’s Street Garage (204 E. Travis)

There is plenty of free parking as well, but the paid lots are more reliable when it comes to finding an available place to park your vehicle. People looking for nearby parking can use the ParkMobile app or other similar options to find and pay for parking around the city.

People driving electric vehicles can find charging stations by using the interactive ChargePoint map. At the San Antonio International Airport, you can charge your electric vehicle for free in the short-term and long-term parking lots when you pay for parking.

Air Quality in San Antonio

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=C_BzIV5bTsA

The vehicular traffic in San Antonio contributes significantly to the air quality in the city. While strict government regulations and vast improvements in automobile technology have reduced emissions for vehicles over the years, cars still produce a hefty amount of air pollution.

The table below outlines the air quality in San Antonio based on data drawn from the Environmental Protection Agency’s 2016-2018 reports.

Military/Veterans

If you are currently serving or have ever served in any branch of the U.S. military, you may be eligible for discounts on your car insurance in San Antonio.

Military Veterans by Service Period

As of 2017, approximately 48,813 people in San Antonio were veterans of the second Gulf War, while 29,841 people served in the first Gulf War in the 1990s. Another 36,261 people served in Vietnam, and 6,760 people served in the Korean War or WWII.

The population of former service members residing in San Antonio who fought in the first Gulf War is significantly higher than the number of personnel who served in any other conflict.

Military Bases within an Hour

There are six military bases in or around San Antonio:

• Brooks City Base
• Lackland AFB
• Joint Base San Antonio
• Fort Sam Houston Army Base
• Randolph AFB
• Camp Bullis Army Base

Military Discounts by Providers

Many insurance companies offer military discounts, though they often have restrictions, such as only being available for active members or only being available in certain cities. Below is a chart of auto insurance companies in San Antonio, TX that currently offer a military discount, though they may not all apply to you or your situation.

USAA Available in Texas

USAA is an insurance company that offers coverage in Texas and is only available to military members and their families. Their rates tend to be much lower than the rates available through other companies, so if you are or were a member of the military, it might be best for you to reach out to USAA car insurance for a quote.

Unique San Antonio Laws

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Hands-Free Laws

In 2017, the Governor of Texas signed a bill making it illegal to text while driving. First-time offenders could be fined up to $99, while repeat offenders could be fined upwards of $200.

The law is specific to reading, sending, or writing messages, so it does not include making phone calls. None of this is new to San Antonio residents, however, because the city put in place a texting-while-driving ban all the way back in 2010. In fact, San Antonio has a full wireless ban, which means that state law enforcement might not care if you are making a phone call, but local law enforcement certainly will.

Food Trucks

City-specific laws impact many different aspects of driving. For example, San Antonio had laws on the books for decades preventing food trucks from setting up shop within 300 feet of an established restaurant. Given how many restaurants are located in the city, this functioned as an unofficial ban on food trucks until the San Antonio City Council overturned the law in 2015.

Parking Laws

San Antonio also has plenty of parking rules and regulations. Below is a partial list of places it is illegal to park in San Antonio:

• in an intersection, on a sidewalk, crosswalk, or railroad track
• in front of any driveway
• within 15 ft of a fire hydrant
• within 20 ft of a crosswalk
• within 30 ft of a yield sign, stop sign, or traffic signal
• double parking on any street

Tiny Homes

Laws regarding vehicles can also impact tiny homes that are built on wheels. There are two different kinds of tiny homes — a house on wheels (which is legally categorized with RVs) or a tiny house built on a foundation, often built as a mother-in-law apartment on a larger plot of land. To find out if your tiny house needs special zoning or if you have other concerns about your tiny home, check with the San Antonio Housing Authority.

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