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If you’re looking for cheap car insurance in San Jose, California, you’re in luck. There are a variety of insurance carriers who can help you save money on your car insurance. San Jose is the third-largest city in California, and big cities generally pay more for auto insurance.
However, you can save a great deal of money by shopping around and comparing rates online. We compared a variety of providers to see which one truly offered the lowest prices without sacrificing quality. Let’s take a look at the best companies for cheap car insurance in San Jose.
Overview: Car Insurance in San Jose
It’s important to remember that the price you pay for auto insurance in San Jose is going to depend on several different factors. California law requires that you carry a certain minimum amount of insurance. However, it’s a good idea to carry more than just the minimum, since your car may be damaged by things outside of your control other than an accident. Things like fire, vandalism and theft aren’t typically covered by the minimum limits of car insurance, so you’ll want to look at having comprehensive and collision coverage as well.
Here are some quick facts about finding car insurance in San Jose:
- Bodily injury requirements: $15,000 of bodily injury liability per person and $30,000 of bodily injury liability per accident
- Property damage requirements: $5,000 worth of property damage liability
- Average car insurance rates: $1,698 annually or $141.50 per month
San Jose Insurance Minimum Explained
Even though these numbers are the minimum legal requirements and may seem to fit the bill for cheap car insurance San Jose, you are definitely at risk if you carry only the minimums.
When you consider the high cost of hospital, medical injury and related bills, as well as the pitifully low amount of money legally required to hold for property damage, the minimum requirements can seem like they barely cover anything.
Insurance Rates Per Vehicle
You may be surprised to learn what factors actually influence the rates you pay for cheap car insurance in San Jose. Some are within your control, such as the vehicle you drive or your credit score, while others are beyond your control, like your age and gender.
Every insurance company has a different formula that they use to calculate the rate you pay. With that in mind, it’s always a good idea to seek out the top companies mentioned here and get a free quote that’s customized to your situation. You may even find that you can pay less than the rates quoted here based on a good credit score, a good driving record, as well as other savings, such as being a student or being in the military.
Generally speaking, special editions of cars tend to cost more to insure than their base model counterparts. Special editions are noted by letters like GT or SE. In addition, foreign models of cars tend to typically be more expensive to insure because parts may be harder to get and mechanics may not have as much experience with foreign vehicles as they do with better known American brands.
Insurance Rates by Credit Score
Your credit score is one of the many things that influence how much you pay for cheap car insurance in San Jose. The better your credit score, the less you can expect to pay for auto insurance. However, there are several insurance providers that can still help you save money even if your credit score isn’t the greatest.
Below are the rates for state minimum coverage from the best providers of cheap car insurance in San Jose based on your credit score:
Insurance for Drivers with a Clean Record
If you’re a careful and conscientious driver and you have a spotless record, you can expect to pay less in terms of your car insurance. How much less depends on how much insurance you want, as well as insurance from various companies operating in San Jose.
See the table below for details on the average costs of San Jose car insurance including standard and full coverage compared to state minimum insurance: No matter what your driving record is, it’s a good idea to learn more about car insurance to understand the basics of how it works, so you can find the best approach to save money without missing out on crucial coverage.
| Insurance Agency | State Minimum Insurance | Standard Coverage | Full Coverage |
|---|---|---|---|
| Esurance | $1,520 | $1,640 | $1,799 |
| Auto Club of Southern California | $1,204 | $1,736 | $1,929 |
| 21st Century | $1,330 | $1,639 | $1,820 |
| Nationwide | $1,399 | $1,670 | $1,842 |
Insurance with Driving Infractions
Even if you don’t have a perfect driving record, it’s still a good idea to compare rates. Searching for “cheap car insurance San Jose CA” will provide you with a number of local insurance providers who can give you a more accurate number when you get a quote.
In the meantime, however, you can get a clearer idea of the cost of car insurance in San Jose with driving infractions in the table below:
| Insurance Agency | At-Fault Accident | Speed Violation | DUI |
|---|---|---|---|
| USAA | $2,664 | $1,960 | $4,362 |
| Travelers | $3,643 | $3,289 | $4,233 |
| State Farm | $3,576 | $3,480 | $6,755 |
| Progressive | $3,170 | $2,686 | $3,678 |
| Nationwide | $4,162 | $4,162 | $7,042 |
The Best Auto Insurance Providers in San Jose
There is no “one size fits all” insurance that works for everyone in every situation. That’s why it’s a good idea to take the time to get an individualized quote from a variety of insurance companies.
Since each one calculates insurance rates differently, to a different formula, you may find that you can qualify for cheap car insurance in San Jose even if you don’t have a perfect credit score or driving record!
1. Car Insurance in San Jose For Multiple Cars: Esurance
Whether you’ve got a new teen driver on the road or you want to save money by insuring multiple cars on one policy, Esurance is a reputable and reliable company that can help you save money with insurance for multiple cars.
Esurance is backed by Allstate, a company with decades of experience handling all types of car insurance, so you can rely on their expertise when it comes to saving money by bundling cars on one policy.
- Rideshare drivers
2. Best Premium Car Insurance in San Jose: State Farm
State Farm is a great option for premium or luxury cars.
Not only do they offer many different types of policies, but they go into a great amount of detail about each one and what’s covered.
In a city like San Jose, if you own a premium or luxury car, it’s a good idea to get the best insurance you can afford so that you can enjoy the greatest range of coverage possible in case of an accident or other incidents with your luxury vehicle.
- Active military members
3. Best for Military and Military Families: USAA
Even if you specifically haven’t served in the military, if you have a spouse or close family member such as a parent or grandparent who served or is currently serving, you may still be able to qualify for USAA car insurance.
And if you do, you can enjoy savings right away, making this a great option for cheap car insurance in San Jose for military families.
Beyond providing great car insurance, the company is also well known for its financial strength as well as its excellent customer service.
Read Benzinga's full USAA Auto Insurance Review
- Infrequent drivers
4. Best for Safe Drivers: Root
Root is a unique new car insurance provider that offers policies based on your driving habits. You’ll install an app on your phone that monitors your speed, how often you make sudden turns and stops and mileage.
Then, the app creates a custom quote for you based on how well you drive.
Root doesn’t offer policies to everyone — the company avoids reckless drivers and those who have a long history of driving infractions so the company can keep premiums low. You may be able to save more when you switch to Root.
Choosing The Right Car Insurance in San Jose
Because there is no definitive “perfect” car insurance when it comes to saving money on your auto insurance in San Jose, the right car insurance is one that’s custom-tailored to fit your needs and budget. The best way to find out which company has the cheapest car insurance without losing the crucial coverage options that you need for a well-rounded policy is to seek out quotes from the top insurance providers profiled here.
Not only will this give you a range of accurate quotes to choose from, but specialized insurance experts can also let you know if you qualify for specific discounts. By taking the time to get individualized quotes from the best insurance companies in the area, you’ll be able to enjoy personalized pricing and services that are made for your vehicle, your needs, your budget and your lifestyle.
Want to learn more about finding the best insurance coverage? Check out Benzinga’s guides to the best cheap car insurance in San Francisco, San Diego or Los Angeles, best homeowners insurance in California, best classic car insurance, the best commercial car insurance companies.
*Quotes were obtained using the following profile: base 2015 Toyota Camry, male, 40-years-old. Policies reflect state minimum coverage options. We make every effort to provide the most accurate quotes based on the profile above. Due to the many combined variables involved in insurance quotes, the only way to get an accurate quote is to enter your own information through our partners' secure websites.
