Cheap Auto Insurance Quotes in San Jose, CA (2023)

San Jose stands as California’s oldest civilian settlement, founded back in 1777. The city has come a long way from its humble beginnings to become one of the largest cities in the state.^[1] With just under 1 million residents calling San Jose home,^[2] many are drivers on the lookout for cheap car insurance options.

San Jose drivers pay an average of $125 per month for minimum-coverage car insurance, which is 42% less per month than the California average of $217. We explore cheap auto insurance options for drivers in San Jose below.

How much does car insurance cost in San Jose?

Where you live has a big impact on your car insurance premiums. But other factors can also determine how much you’ll pay for car insurance, like your driving history, age, vehicle features, and policy type.

Although multiple factors come into play, understanding the average car insurance costs for drivers in your city is helpful. At the very least, looking at the averages can help you avoid overpaying. Insurify data scientists conducted an analysis to better understand average car insurance costs for San Jose drivers.

Here’s an overview of some of the cheapest car insurance options in San Jose:

• Cheapest liability-only insurance: Mile Auto, a pay-per-mile insurance company, offers drivers the cheapest liability-only policies, at $69 per month on average.

• Cheapest full-coverage policy: Mile Auto offers drivers an average monthly premium of $129 for a full-coverage policy.

• Cheapest insurance for young drivers: Mile Auto offers young drivers the cheapest insurance in San Jose, with an average premium of $154 per month.

See More: Cheap Auto Insurance in California 

Cheapest car insurance in San Jose: Mile Auto

Locking in the cheapest car insurance policy in San Jose could mean big savings for your budget. On average, you might find the best rates through Mile Auto, which offers liability-only coverage at $69 per month and full-coverage policies at $129 per month. Keep in mind, though, that Mile Auto might have strict requirements for the maximum number of miles you can drive each year and still qualify for a low rate.

Every insurance company has a slightly different way of determining premiums. As a driver, getting quotes from multiple insurance companies can help you avoid overpaying.

Here’s a look at the average monthly costs for San Jose drivers, broken down by insurance company.

Average cost of auto insurance in San Jose

Average car insurance costs in San Jose vary dramatically based on the company. The average monthly rates range from $99 with Mile Auto to $332 with Dairyland. Although Mile Auto and Travelers tend to offer the lowest rates, you can confirm the lowest rates for your situation by shopping around.

Below is a breakdown of average monthly costs for San Jose drivers by insurance company.

Average car insurance premiums in San Jose by marital status

Marriage affects your financial situation, including your car insurance premiums. Generally, married policyholders find lower car insurance costs because insurers view them as less likely to file a claim.

In San Jose, married drivers pay an average of $215 per month for car insurance. In contrast, unmarried drivers pay an average of $226 per month.

How much car insurance do you need in San Jose?

When driving on California roads, you must carry a minimum amount of car insurance. It’s possible to get around this requirement by proving your financial responsibility through a cash deposit or bond to the DMV to the tune of $35,000.

The high cost of getting around insurance requirements means that most Golden State drivers choose to carry insurance. Drivers need at least 15/30/5 insurance, which breaks down to the following:^[3]

• $15,000 per person and $30,000 per accident in bodily injury liability coverage

• $5,000 in property damage liability coverage

Although this insurance will get you on the road, it represents a bare-bones policy and doesn’t include help with fixing your own vehicle after an at-fault car accident. Drivers who want more protection can opt for collision and comprehensive coverage.

After you purchase your car insurance policy, you’ll need to have proof of insurance available whenever you drive. You might be required to present this proof when in an accident, renewing your vehicle registration, or requested by law enforcement.

California DMV information

The California Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) has physical offices, but California drivers can handle many required tasks online. For example, you can pay reinstatement fees or request a replacement driver’s license through the website.^[4]

Tips for getting cheap car insurance in San Jose

Cheap car insurance can be a big win for any budget.

One way to “save on car insurance premiums is to raise your deductible,” says Kayla Johnson, financial planner at Corbett Road Wealth Management. “If you’ve got a sufficient emergency fund – three to six months’ worth of essential expenses in cash – then you can afford to raise your deductible.”

Other ways to get cheap car insurance include pursuing discounts, bundling with your homeowners insurance or renters insurance policy, and driving safely. But the only way to know whether you’re getting the best rate is to shop around and compare quotes from several different insurers.

Learn More: Compare Home and Auto Insurance Bundles

How age affects car insurance rates in San Jose

With age comes driving experience, which often translates to lower rates for mature drivers. In San Jose, teen drivers pay a monthly average of $768 for car insurance. In contrast, drivers in their 60s pay an average of $170 per month for car insurance.

Cheapest car insurance for young drivers in San Jose

On average, young drivers in San Jose find the most affordable car insurance through Mile Auto, at $154 per month for full-coverage policies. Shopping around across multiple insurance companies might help you turn up the cheapest rates.

See More: Compare Car Insurance by Age and Gender

Cheapest car insurance for middle-aged drivers in San Jose

Middle-aged drivers in San Jose find the lowest average monthly rates for a full-coverage policy through Progressive, at $110 per month. At $111 per month, Mile Auto is a close second. Maintaining a violation-free driving record throughout your decades on the road may lead to the most affordable rates.

Cheapest car insurance for senior drivers in San Jose

Sun Coast offers senior drivers average monthly rates of $79, which is the most affordable option. As you age behind the wheel, brushing up on your skills through a defensive driving course could lead to a discount.

How credit scores affect cheap car insurance in San Jose

Many insurance companies consider your credit information when determining premiums. However, the state of California prohibits insurers from using your credit score when determining your insurance rates.^[5]

FICO scores run on a scale between 300 and 850. While a good credit score falls between 670 and 739, a poor credit score is below 579. Generally, drivers with excellent credit scores pay less for car insurance than drivers with poor credit scores.

Here’s a look at average full-coverage monthly costs for San Jose drivers by credit score:

Related Read: Car Insurance Rates by Credit Tier

The effect of driving habits on car insurance in San Jose

Driving habits are another factor that insurance companies consider when setting premiums. Drivers with a record clean of speeding tickets, DUIs, and at-fault accidents typically pay less for car insurance than those with past infractions.

In the tables below, you’ll see a breakdown of how different driving violations could affect your car insurance costs.

Cheapest car insurance with an accident in San Jose: Mile Auto

After an at-fault accident, your insurance premiums will likely rise. But some insurance companies still put affordable rates within reach. For example, you can find average monthly premiums of $184 through Mile Auto.

Cheapest car insurance with a DUI in San Jose: Mile Auto

A DUI is one of the most serious driving offenses, which often equates to higher car insurance costs. You should expect to pay more for car insurance after a DUI, and some insurance companies might not cover you at all. But affordable rates aren’t out of reach. For example, drivers pay an average of $256 per month through Mile Auto.

Cheapest car insurance with a speeding ticket in San Jose: Mile Auto

It’s easy to get a speeding ticket. This infraction typically leads to higher car insurance costs, but shopping around can pay off. On average, drivers pay $129 per month through Mile Auto.

Car insurance in other California cities

Car insurance rates can vary widely from city to city — even within the same state. Here’s a look at car insurance quotes in some other California cities:

• Cheap Auto Insurance Quotes in Los Angeles, CA

• Cheap Auto Insurance Quotes in San Francisco, CA

• Cheap Auto Insurance Quotes in Sacramento, CA

• Cheap Auto Insurance Quotes in Anaheim, CA

• Cheap Auto Insurance Quotes in Fresno, CA

How to save on car insurance in San Jose

Car insurance companies don’t offer a fixed premium rate for all drivers. Instead, different drivers find different rates.

Here are some ways you can save money on car insurance as a driver in San Jose:

• Look for discounts. Many insurance companies offer discounts for good driving, multiple cars, insurance bundles, and more.

• Shop around. You can compare quotes across multiple insurance companies in a matter of minutes. Shopping around is the best way to avoid overpaying for this necessity.

• Increase your deductible. Higher deductibles translate to lower insurance premiums. Just be sure your deductible is an amount you’re comfortable paying out of pocket if you ever need to file a claim.

San Jose driving conditions

San Jose drivers enjoy an average of 257 sunny days per year.^[6] With fewer rainy days than average, drivers in this city might more easily avoid the treacherous conditions of a snowy or slick road.

Auto theft statistics in San Jose

In 2022, the San Jose Police Department reported 5,896 stolen vehicles. This is an increase of nearly 1% from 2021.^[7]

Find local San Jose agents

San Jose car insurance FAQs

Here are answers to some commonly asked questions about car insurance in San Jose.