Cheapest car insurance in San Jose, California (Nov 2024)

Written by Amy Bobinger and 2 others
Dec 6, 2024
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Cheapest car insurance in San Jose, California (Nov 2024)

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Cheapest car insurance quotes in San Jose

On average, auto insurance in San Jose costs about $75 per month for minimum coverage liability insurance, and about $236 per month for full coverage insurance.

Check out some real savings Jerry found drivers like you in San Jose:

Insurance Company
Premium (monthly)
Customer
Car
Liability Limits
Has Full Coverage
Dairyland $139 Laura, 40, San Jose, CA Chevrolet Caprice State Minimum Yes
National General $343 Eleanor, 22, San Jose, CA Toyota Prius 25/50 Yes
Aspire Advantage $149 Erik, 61, San Jose, CA Honda Odyssey Exl State Minimum No
National General $42 Kevin, 53, San Jose, CA Toyota Corolla State Minimum No
Progressive $126 Samuel, 34, San Jose, CA Toyota Corolla Le State Minimum Yes
Last Updated Nov, 2024

Cheapest San Jose car insurance for good drivers

Insurance rates are calculated based on your driving record, age, zip code, past claims, and vehicle type. While the majority of these factors aren’t in your control—you can be a good driver and keep your driving record clean.

Good drivers in San Jose can save up to 40% on their insurance, and with Jerry’s DriveShield™, you can track your driving and unlock discounts for safe driving habits. Discover how other drivers are using DriveShield™ to save on their insurance below.

CustomerDriving ScoreInsurance SavingsHas ViolationsInsurance Coverage
Giovanni, 258828%No– 100/300
– Comp/Collision
Alex, 349835%No– State Minimum Liability
– Minimum Coverage
Paul, 447620%No– 50/100
– Comp/Collision
Dina, 549631%No– 50/100
– Comp/Collision
David, 657424%No– 50/100
– Comp/Collision

Best car insurance companies in San Jose

There is no single best car insurance company for everyone. The most important reason is that every customer gets different car insurance quotes based on their profile—meaning that the most affordable company is different for everyone. Besides price, you also need to consider factors such as claims handling and customer service. 

To help drivers better compare the cheapest car insurance companies, Jerry conducted the largest insurance survey in the nation—and what we found surprised us. While big-name carriers like GEICO and State Farm got mixed reviews for policy cost and customer service, smaller insurers like Aspire Advantage and National General came through with the highest ratings from actual customers. 

The table below shows how drivers in San Jose rate different companies on a scale of 0 to 5.

Insurance companyOverall ratingPriceClaims experienceCustomer service
Progressive4.44.13.54.4
USAA4.33.74.84.3
State Farm4.23.34.74.3
Geico4.13.73.74.2
Liberty Mutual3.93.23.73.8

How’d we get these scores?

Jerry’s experts conducted one of the largest car insurance surveys in the United States. We surveyed 15,000 policyholders, in all 50 states, over the span of 18 months. These policyholders hold insurance policies with 87 different insurance companies. We surveyed policyholders to gauge their satisfaction with their insurance carriers in: policy cost, customer service, buying and renewal experience, as well as claim experience. These scores were all reported by real customers of the insurance companies.

Best cheap car insurance quotes in San Jose

California has a minimum liability insurance requirement, which is the minimal amount of car insurance you need to have in San Jose and gives you the cheapest rate. But minimum liability often isn’t enough coverage: you should consider getting full coverage if you want to cover the repair or replacement costs for your own car.  

Cheap minimum liability insurance quotes in San Jose

In order to legally hit the road, San Jose, California drivers need to meet California minimum coverage limits for bodily injury liability and property damage liability.

California minimum liability coverage includes $15,000 in bodily injury liability per person, $30,000 per accident, and $5,000 for damage to property. These coverages are commonly referred to as 15/30/5 coverage. With this basic liability coverage, you’ll be covered up to the policy’s limits if you cause injuries or property damage while driving. 

Do you need more than minimum coverage in San Jose?

Most drivers in San Jose need higher liability coverage than the 15/30/5 state minimum mandated by California car insurance laws. 

In an at-fault accident, you could be responsible for medical bills and vehicle repairs well over the 15/30/5 limit, especially if you cause serious injuries to another person. If the car is totaled, the cost to replace it can be more than $40,000—well above that scant $5,000 property damage limit. 

And keep in mind: California’s car accident laws allow drivers to file bodily injury lawsuits for up to two years after a car accident and sue for property damage for up to three years—so your liability extends long past the initial accident! 

The bottom line: For better financial protection, drivers should consider purchasing a full coverage with higher liability limits of 50/100/50 or 100/300/100.

Cheap full coverage car insurance quotes in San Jose

Full coverage car insurance is the only way to protect yourself from costs associated with repairing or replacing your car. 

Full coverage includes comprehensive and collision coverage. Collision coverage covers the cost of fixing or replacing your car after an accident, while comprehensive coverage pays out if your car is stolen or damaged by something other than a collision, such as vandalism, theft, or natural disasters. If you have a loan on the car, your lender will typically require collision and comprehensive coverage.  

On top of a full-coverage policy, you can purchase uninsured motorist coverage to guard against uncovered injuries or damage in an accident caused by a driver without car insurance. 

The table below shows some recent examples of cheapest San Jose full coverage quotes that Jerry’s agents helped our customers obtain.

Liability Limits
Has Full Coverage
Insurance Company
Premium (monthly)
Customer
Car
State Minimum Yes Dairyland $139 Laura, 40, San Jose, CA Chevrolet Caprice
25/50 Yes National General $343 Eleanor, 22, San Jose, CA Toyota Prius
State Minimum No Aspire Advantage $149 Erik, 61, San Jose, CA Honda Odyssey Exl
State Minimum No National General $42 Kevin, 53, San Jose, CA Toyota Corolla
State Minimum Yes Progressive $126 Samuel, 34, San Jose, CA Toyota Corolla Le
Last Updated Nov, 2024

The easiest and fastest way to find the cheapest car insurance for your preferred coverage option is to compare car insurance rates online.

Jerry, a top insurance agency, offers a free app that compares car insurance quotes and provides end-to-end service to customers with the help of 100+ licensed insurance agents.

Average cost of car insurance in San Jose

By helping lots of drivers in San Jose find car insurance, we found that the average cost for minimum liability coverage is $75 per month or $902 per year. The average cost for full coverage insurance in San Jose is $236 per month or $2,835 per year.

While average insurance rates can help you predict your own insurance costs, it’s important to note that each driver’s insurance premium is calculated based on many factors such as the type of car, driving record, claims history, and demographics. 

Average cost of car insurance in San Jose by zip code

Even within the same city, car insurance rates can still vary based on where you live. Neighborhoods that have a greater incidence of auto theft, car accidents, and other situations that can lead to insurance claims will be flagged as “high-risk.” Drivers living in these neighborhoods tend to pay more than people in other areas of the city.

Zip CodeAverage State Minimum Coverage RateAverage Full Coverage Rate
94112$85$274
94124$113$385
94109$76$135
94103$106$355
94110$73$249
94107$98$240
94102$95$305
94134$82$296
94121$70$193
94116$61$259
94132$70$364
94105$72$395
94115$141$210
94118$63$114
94117$74$235
94131$135$274
94114$78$263
94123$75$204
94133$77$333
94108$82$318

Car insurance quotes in San Jose by rating factors 

Insurance companies in San Jose use many rating factors when deciding your auto insurance premium:  

  • Your driving record and claims history: Insurance companies will charge more if you’ve had accidents or tickets.
  • Your age: Drivers younger than 25 years old will pay higher insurance rates as insurance companies consider young drivers a higher risk due to limited driving experience.
  • The kind of car you have: Collision and comprehensive coverage are more costly for luxury, high-performance, and sports cars.
  • Where you keep your car: Rates are likely higher if you regularly park your car in a neighborhood with a higher incidence of auto insurance claims.
  • How you use your car: Insurance companies often charge more if you drive your car to and from work than use it for leisure.

Cheap car insurance quotes in San Jose after driving violations

Your California driving history impacts your auto insurance quotes. If insurance companies notice a history of violations, they’ll see you as a higher risk and charge a steeper rate. Some common violations that could increase your insurance rates include:

  • Speeding
  • DUIs
  • At fault accident
  • Reckless driving
  • Driving on a suspended license

Cheapest car insurance in San Jose after speeding ticket

In San Jose, a speeding ticket could increase your car insurance rate by about 13%. Jerry is proud to help drivers with varying speeding tickets save on car insurance.

Speeding Type
Insurance Company
Premium (monthly)
Customer
Car
Liability Limits
Has Full Coverage
Speeding Violation-Minor Dairyland $92 Benjamin, 39, San Jose, CA Honda Civic Dx State Minimum No
Speeding Violation-Minor Bristol West $512 Tillie, 41, San Jose, CA Toyota Prius State Minimum Yes
Speeding Violation-Minor National General $53 Mable, 35, San Jose, CA Honda Pilot Lx State Minimum No
Speeding Violation-Minor National General $80 Jeanette, 31, San Jose, CA Toyota Tacoma Double Cab State Minimum No
Speeding Violation-Minor Bristol West $146 Ricky, 27, San Jose, CA Audi A4 Premium State Minimum No
Last Updated Nov, 2024

Cheapest car insurance San Jose after DUI

In San Jose, a DUI violation can increase your insurance rate by as much as 22%. If you have a DUI offense on your record, car insurance rates can vary significantly from one insurance company to another. You may need to compare rates from many insurance companies to find low-cost options after a DUI.

Cheapest car insurance in San Jose after an at-fault accident

One of the most important factors affecting car insurance rates is your car accident or claim history. For San Jose drivers, car accidents could result in an average rate increase of 15%.

California is an at-fault state. If you were involved in an at-fault accident in the recent past, your car insurance rates could skyrocket. Jerry has helped many San Jose drivers save on car insurance after accidents. 

Accident type
Insurance Company
Premium (monthly)
Customer
Car
Liability Limits
Has Full Coverage
Not At Fault National General $50 Micheal, 49, San Jose, CA Kia Sorento Lx State Minimum No
Not At Fault National General $72 Olga, 26, San Jose, CA Honda Civic Ex State Minimum No
At Fault With Injury National General $65 Gregory, 40, San Jose, CA Toyota Corolla L State Minimum No
Not At Fault Progressive $141 Ella, 42, San Jose, CA Honda Accord Lx State Minimum Yes
At Fault With No Injury Progressive $355 Elnora, 26, San Jose, CA Ford F-150 Super Cab State Minimum Yes
Last Updated Nov, 2024

Cheapest car insurance in San Jose after other driving violations

In addition to speeding tickets and DUIs, other violations such as reckless driving and driving on a suspended license can also cause in your car insurance costs to increase in San Jose.

We’ve compiled a list of various other driving violations and how we helped drivers with these violations save on their car insurance.

Violation
Insurance Company
Premium (monthly)
Customer
Car
Liability Limits
Has Full Coverage
Cell Phone National General $141 Hallie, 28, San Jose, CA Jeep Compass Sport 50/100 No
Reckless Driving Aspire Advantage $58 Augusta, 26, San Jose, CA Toyota Rav4 Se State Minimum No
DUI Bristol West $100 Dylan, 74, San Jose, CA Toyota Camry Se State Minimum No
Driving on Sus. License Progressive $355 Elnora, 26, San Jose, CA Ford F-150 Super Cab State Minimum Yes
Cell Phone National General $113 Donald, 40, San Jose, CA Mazda Cx-9 State Minimum Yes
Last Updated Nov, 2024

Cheap car insurance quotes in San Jose by driving experience

Inexperienced drivers, such as teens or newly licensed motorists, pay higher than average insurance rates. As drivers gain more experience, their insurance rates can drop. Car insurance costs often start rising again at the age of 75 due to increased risk factors.

Cheapest car insurance in San Jose for young drivers

Teen drivers aged 16 to 19 pay the highest insurance rates out of any age group in San Jose. For teen car owners that drive a newer car, full coverage would afford better financial protection as teens are more likely to get into accidents.

In the meantime, teens should consider sharing a policy with a household member, such as a parent or guardian. Most drivers can save up to $2,055 annually by keeping a teen driver on their policy, and with Jerry, you may be able to save even more.

Cheapest car insurance in San Jose for senior drivers

Older drivers in San Jose are more likely to be involved in an accident. Furthermore, they’re much more vulnerable to injuries after a car accident. All of this can be very expensive, which is why car insurance companies charge older adults in San Jose more for coverage.

Cheap car insurance quotes in San Jose based on insurance history

An important factor in your car insurance rates is your insurance history—i.e., whether you are currently insured or not. Any lapse in your insurance coverage usually leads to an increase in car insurance rates.

To help our customers make insurance payments on time and to avoid a lapse in coverage, Jerry sends payment reminders to eligible customers when a payment is coming up or if they’re late on their payments.

We have helped many customers who are currently not insured or have had a lapse in coverage find savings on a new auto insurance policy.

Cheap car insurance quotes in San Jose for popular cars

The type of car you drive is a major rating factor in car insurance premiums. Costs associated with the type of car include the cost of repairs or replacements, likelihood of theft, and the overall safety record of the vehicle.

Popular car models in San Jose include:


Learn more: How to get car insurance before buying a car


Popular Car
Insurance Company
Premium (monthly)
Customer
Liability Limits
Has Full Coverage
Toyota Prius National General $343 Eleanor, 22, San Jose, CA 25/50 Yes
Honda Civic Ex National General $72 Olga, 26, San Jose, CA State Minimum No
Toyota Prius National General $45 Elizabeth, 31, San Jose, CA State Minimum No
Honda Civic Dx Dairyland $92 Benjamin, 39, San Jose, CA State Minimum No
Toyota Camry Se National General $220 Brent, 26, San Jose, CA State Minimum No
Last Updated Nov, 2024

How to lower car insurance costs in San Jose

1. Shop around and compare quotes

Different insurance companies use different rules to set your premium, and those rules are constantly changing! To make sure you always have the most affordable car insurance, experts recommend comparing quotes from at least three companies and shopping for new rates every six months. 

Jerry makes this tedious process simple! In just 45 seconds, Jerry can collect quotes from a pool of 55+ top insurance providers to help you identify the best auto insurance coverage at the best price. Better yet—Jerry provides this service for free!

2. Hunt for car insurance discounts

Every insurance company offers a set of discounts, but the exact discount offered varies by company. Some common discounts include: 

  • Good driver discounts. California state law mandates 20% insurance discounts for drivers with one or fewer points on their license who have continuously held a license for three years with no at-fault accidents responsible for injury or death.
  • Telematics discounts. Many companies offer easy-to-win discounts to drivers who use telematics to track their driving habits. You might even get a discount just for signing up!
  • Good student discounts. Are you a full-time student in either high school or college? Do you have a B average or better? You probably qualify for a discount from your insurance company.
  • Bundling discounts. Bundle your home and auto insurance (or auto and renters) with the same company, and you could get a discount on both policies.

3. Increase your deductible for comprehensive and collision coverage

If you’ve got full coverage car insurance, increasing your deductible is an easy way to keep your monthly expenses low without sacrificing coverage.

FAQ

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MEET OUR EXPERTS
meet-experts-thumbnail
Amy Bobinger

Expert insurance writer and editor Amy Bobinger specializes in car repair, car maintenance, and car insurance. Amy is passionate about creating content that helps consumers navigate challenges related to car ownership and achieve financial success in areas relating to cars. Amy has over 10 years of writing and editing experience. After several years as a freelance writer, Amy spent four years as an editing fellow at WikiHow, where she co-authored over 600 articles on topics including car maintenance and home ownership. Since joining Jerry’s editorial team in 2022, Amy has edited over 2,500 articles on car insurance, state driving laws, and car repair and maintenance.

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Sarah Gray

Sarah Gray is an insurance writer with nearly a decade of experience in publishing and writing. Sarah specializes in writing articles that educate car owners and buyers on the full scope of car ownership—from shopping for and buying a new car to scrapping one that’s breathed its last and everything in between. Sarah has authored over 1,500 articles for Jerry on topics ranging from first-time buyer programs to how to get a salvage title for a totaled car. Prior to joining Jerry, Sarah was a full-time professor of English literature and composition with multiple academic writing publications.

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Josh Damico

As Vice President of Insurance Operations at Jerry, Josh Damico leads teams across product development, operations and carrier relations, integrating Jerry’s smart and fast car insurance customer experience with that of traditional carriers to help customers find savings and coverage. Josh’s nearly 20 years of insurance-industry experience and knowledge generate partnerships with more than 55 name-brand and specialty insurance partners that enable Jerry to serve customers with all types of vehicle and policy needs.

Previously, Josh held executive roles at Geico, where he had vast regional oversight and leadership opportunities. In his most recent role as director of sales, servicing, and underwriting, Josh developed and executed profit and growth strategy for the New England states and New Jersey.

Josh holds a bachelor’s degree in business administration and management from Medaille College.

*Illustration only. For all the pricing information presented in this article (including various tables), please note that not all customers find savings and the information is for illustrative purposes only. Savings depend on type of car, location, policy features, driving history and other factors. Drivers who switch through Jerry save over $70/month on average.

Methodology

The Insurance Research Team analyzes insurance products and services to drive insights and help consumers make informed purchase decisions.

Insurance research

We analyzed over 25 million car insurance quotes; conducted the largest insurance shopping survey (over 15,000 customers surveyed and 85 carriers reviewed in the past 18 months).

We surveyed insurance policyholders for their experience with their insurers in the following areas: (1) insurance cost (2) customer service (3) insurance buying experience (4) insurance renewal experience (5) claim experience. In addition, we asked people what they like about their insurers and what areas in which their insurers could improve. The driver characteristics used in calculating average rates for auto insurance include: single driver, single car, currently insured, clean driving record.

For the quotes and sold policies included in this article, please note that personal information has been hidden. Not all customers find savings.

Team

The team consists of licensed insurance agents, insurance industry veterans, and data scientists.

For illustrative purposes only, results may vary

Editorial Note: This article was written by a paid member of Jerry’s editorial team. Statements in this article represent the author’s personal opinions and do not constitute advice or recommendations. You should consult with an insurance professional about your specific circumstances and needs before making any insurance decisions.