San Jose, known for high traffic congestion, requires car insurance for legal compliance
. NerdWallet analyzed insurance rates in the city, considering factors like ZIP code and driving history.
It’s crucial to compare quotes from at least three insurance companies to secure the most economical policy.
Read on to discover the performance and offerings of auto insurance companies in San Jose.
NerdWallet identified the most affordable San Jose companies by analyzing average full coverage rates derived from public filings provided by Quadrant Information Services.
Rates for male and female drivers in all San Jose ZIP codes operating a 2021 Toyota Camry LE were examined.
it’s crucial to compare quotes from multiple companies to ensure you secure the best rate, as rates are individually determined.
Average Car Insurance Cost in San Jose and California
| Average Rates | San Jose | California |
|---|---|---|
| City Rate | $1,680 | — |
| State Rate | $1,660 | — |
Shopping around and comparing quotes from various companies is essential, as prices and offers may change over time.
Average Cost of Car Insurance in San Jose’s Largest ZIP Codes
| ZIP Code | Average Rate |
|---|---|
| 95123 | $1,673 |
| 95127 | $1,728 |
| 95112 | $1,763 |
| 95111 | $1,802 |
| 95122 | $1,833 |
| 95125 | $1,607 |
| 95116 | $1,829 |
| 95124 | $1,437 |
| 95136 | $1,590 |
| 95148 | $1,740 |
Take advantage of potential discounts offered by insurers, such as bundling policies or maintaining a claim-free history.
Cheap Car Insurance in San Jose by Age
Prices for 20-year-olds:
| Company | Rate | NerdWallet Rating |
|---|---|---|
| State Farm | $1,878 | 5.0 |
| Geico | $1,985 | 5.0 |
| Auto Club of SoCal | $2,007 | Not yet rated |
| CIG | $2,013 | Not yet rated |
| The Hartford | $2,261 | 3.5 |
| Travelers | $2,492 | 5.0 |
| Wawanesa | $2,514 | 1.5 |
| Mercury | $2,541 | 4.0 |
| Progressive | $2,795 | 4.5 |
| 21st Century | $2,850 | 3.0 |
Prices for 35-year-olds:
| Company | Rate | NerdWallet Rating |
|---|---|---|
| Geico | $1,150 | 5.0 |
| Auto Club of SoCal | $1,199 | Not yet rated |
| CIG | $1,258 | Not yet rated |
| Grange Insurance Association | $1,274 | Not yet rated |
| 21st Century | $1,288 | 3.0 |
| Mercury | $1,364 | 4.0 |
| State Farm | $1,375 | 5.0 |
| Progressive | $1,404 | 4.5 |
| The Hartford | $1,582 | 3.5 |
| Kemper | $1,633 | Not yet rated |
Prices for 60-year-olds:
| Company | Rate | NerdWallet Rating |
|---|---|---|
| 21st Century | $1,014 | 3.0 |
| Auto Club of SoCal | $1,027 | Not yet rated |
| Geico | $1,091 | 5.0 |
| CIG | $1,145 | Not yet rated |
| Grange Insurance Association | $1,172 | Not yet rated |
| State Farm | $1,179 | 5.0 |
| Mercury | $1,211 | 4.0 |
| The Hartford | $1,355 | 3.5 |
| Pure | $1,447 | Not yet rated |
| Progressive | $1,521 | 4.5 |
Comparing quotes remains essential, as the cheapest company may change as you age.
San Jose’s Cheapest Companies and Rates by Driving Record
Good drivers:
| Company | Rate | NerdWallet Rating |
|---|---|---|
| Geico | $1,150 | 5.0 |
| Auto Club of SoCal | $1,199 | Not yet rated |
| CIG | $1,258 | Not yet rated |
| Grange Insurance Association | $1,274 | Not yet rated |
| 21st Century | $1,288 | 3.0 |
| Mercury | $1,364 | 4.0 |
| State Farm | $1,375 | 5.0 |
| Progressive | $1,404 | 4.5 |
| The Hartford | $1,582 | 3.5 |
| Kemper | $1,633 | Not yet rated |
Drivers with a DUI:
| Company | Rate | NerdWallet Rating |
|---|---|---|
| Grange Insurance Association | $2,232 | Not yet rated |
| Mercury | $2,407 | 4.0 |
| CIG | $2,497 | Not yet rated |
| Infinity | $2,864 | 2.5 |
| Geico | $2,886 | 5.0 |
| Progressive | $2,943 | 4.5 |
| Kemper | $2,961 | Not yet rated |
| Travelers | $3,446 | 5.0 |
| Auto Club of SoCal | $3,680 | Not yet rated |
| Wawanesa | $3,930 | 1.5 |
Drivers with an at-fault accident:
| Company | Rate | NerdWallet Rating |
|---|---|---|
| CIG | $1,626 | Not yet rated |
| Grange Insurance Association | $1,786 | Not yet rated |
| Auto Club of SoCal | $1,859 | Not yet rated |
| Geico | $2,055 | 5.0 |
| State Farm | $2,142 | 5.0 |
| Progressive | $2,208 | 4.5 |
| CSAA | $2,349 | Not yet rated |
| Mercury | $2,513 | 4.0 |
| The Hartford | $2,537 | 3.5 |
| Travelers | $2,578 | 5.0 |
Identifying economical car insurance in San Jose
It involves assessing coverage options, endorsements, and discounts from various providers.
Utilizing data from Quadrant Information Services,
we assigned Bankrate Scores to each company, indicating their likelihood of offering affordable and effective coverage.
Our analysis identified Wawanesa, Geico, and Mercury as top providers based on Bankrate Scores.
| Insurance Company | Bankrate Score | J.D. Power Score | Avg. Annual Premium (Full Coverage) | Avg. Annual Premium (Minimum Coverage) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Wawanesa | 3.1 | 879/1,000 | $1,603 | $576 |
| Geico | 4.4 | 824/1,000 | $1,682 | $365 |
| Mercury | 3.2 | 827/1,000 | $1,864 | $523 |
| National General | 3.5 | Not rated | $1,965 | $623 |
| Progressive | 4.2 | 803/1,000 | $2,007 | $538 |
Wawanesa:
Wawanesa, a California-exclusive regional insurer, excels in customer service, ranking highest in J.D. Power’s Customer Satisfaction for the state.
While offering perks like special vehicle equipment coverage, it lacks an iOS app and falls short in claims management.
Geico:
Geico provides San Jose drivers with convenient online tools via its mobile app for policy management and claims filing.
With competitive rates, various coverages, and discounts, it lacks a broad range of endorsements for policy customization.
Mercury:
Mercury offers below-average rates and ranks fourth in J.D. Power’s Customer Satisfaction Index.
Providing endorsements like rideshare coverage, it has a sparse discount list, and its mobile app is limited to Android users.
National General:
Owned by Allstate, National General excels in financial strength, offering a full range of coverage and optional endorsements.
Guaranteeing repairs at Gold Medal Repair Shops, it lacks accident forgiveness and gap insurance.
Progressive:
Progressive offers diverse coverages, discounts, and online tools but scores below the industry average in J.D. Power’s Customer Satisfaction.
Despite varied add-ons, it provides an option for personalized policies through the Name Your Price Tool.
For affordable car insurance in San Jose, obtain quotes from multiple providers, practice safe driving, and consider participating in a telematics program for potential discounts.
Also read: Cheap Sr22 Insurance Tn
Frequently Asked Questions
1. What is the best car insurance company?
The best car insurance company varies for each driver.
It typically involves finding a balance between reasonable rates, diverse coverages, available discounts, excellent customer service, and high ratings from third-party agencies.
Comparing quotes and options from different insurers is the most reliable way to determine what suits your needs.
2. How much car insurance do I need in San Jose?
In San Jose, the minimum liability coverage requirements are the same as California’s statewide standards: 15/30/5.
3. Why are car insurance rates high in San Jose?
The average cost of full coverage car insurance in San Jose is $2,239, and minimum coverage is $596.
While these figures are lower than the California state averages, they may seem high compared to the national average of $2,014 for full coverage and $622 for minimum coverage.
Urban areas like San Jose tend to have higher rates due to increased accidents in congested traffic.
4. What is required to purchase car insurance in San Jose?
After finding affordable car insurance, you’ll likely need to provide your driver’s license copy, vehicle identification number (VIN), and banking information to complete the purchase.
Methodology:
Bankrate uses Quadrant Information Services to analyze 2023 rates across states and D.C. Rates are weighted based on population density.
Quoted rates are for a 40-year-old driver with a clean record, good credit, and specific coverage limits. For minimum coverage, Bankrate uses each state’s requirements.
The base profile includes a 2021 Toyota Camry, commuting five days a week, and an annual mileage of 12,000 miles. These rates are samples for comparative purposes.