Cheapest Auto Insurance in San Jose, California (2025)

San Jose drivers pay an average of $211 per month for full-coverage car insurance and $91 per month for liability only, Insurify data shows. By comparison, the California statewide averages are $208 and $95, respectively.

San Jose’s near-average car insurance costs may be at least partially due to its relatively low fatality and crash rates. In 2023, about 1.7% of the city’s 2,804 accidents were fatal, according to city government data.

Here’s what you need to know about how San Jose auto insurance costs compare to other cities and how to find affordable car insurance for your unique situation.

3 of the cheapest car insurance companies in San Jose

When shopping for cheap car insurance, it’s important that you focus on finding an insurer that will work well for your individual situation and needs.

“You can shop for car insurance via online comparison sites, individual insurer’s websites, and through local insurance agents,” says Mark Friedlander, director of corporate communications at the Insurance Information Institute.

You can also start your search with the best car insurance companies in California that Insurify identified.

Best insurer for teens and young drivers: Mile Auto

Best insurer for drivers with a speeding ticket: Clearcover

Best insurer for drivers with a DUI: Sun Coast

How to get the cheapest car insurance in San Jose

Finding cheap car insurance is a matter of doing a little extra work in the shopping process to get the best prices for you. To find affordable car insurance premiums in San Jose, consider the following tips:

• Practice safe driving habits. Maintain a clean driving record by obeying traffic laws and avoiding accidents and violations.

• Choose a higher deductible. Higher collision and comprehensive deductibles usually mean lower premiums, as you’re agreeing to pay more up front when you file a claim. If you opt for a higher deductible to potentially lower your premium, ensure you have enough savings to cover it if needed.

• Bundle policies. Inquire about multi-policy discounts for bundling your car insurance with other policies, like homeowners or renters insurance.

• Don’t be shy about discounts. Ask about discounts for safety features in your vehicle, such as anti-lock brakes and passive restraint systems.

• Request multiple quotes. Use an online comparison tool to shop around and compare quotes from different insurance companies to find the best price that suits your specific needs.

Cheapest liability-only car insurance in San Jose: USAA

Liability-only car insurance is a basic form of coverage that protects you financially if you cause an accident. It covers the medical expenses and property damage of the other party involved, up to your policy’s limits. Liability-only insurance is typically the California minimum requirement to legally drive a car and comes with the lowest cost.

Keep in mind that liability-only insurance doesn’t provide coverage for your own vehicle repairs or medical expenses in case of an at-fault accident. Many insurance professionals recommend full coverage to get the greatest amount of financial protection if you cause an accident.

Liability-only policies in San Jose cost an average of $91 per month. Here are the companies with the cheapest liability-only coverage quotes in San Jose.

Cheapest full-coverage car insurance in San Jose: Anchor

Liability-only car insurance provides coverage for damages and injuries caused to others in an accident. It doesn’t cover your vehicle. Full-coverage car insurance, on the other hand, includes liability coverage and also covers damages to your vehicle through collision and comprehensive coverages.

Drivers who have a new or valuable car, live in areas prone to accidents or theft, or want additional protection for their own vehicle can benefit from buying a full-coverage auto insurance policy.

San Jose drivers pay a monthly average of $211 for full-coverage car insurance. Here are the San Jose insurance companies with the cheapest average full-coverage quotes.

Car insurance requirements in California

California requires drivers to carry a minimum amount of car insurance. State lawmakers approved an increase in coverage limits, which will take effect Jan. 1, 2025.

The table below reflects this change and the types and amount of coverage all drivers need to carry:1

But California’s current minimum insurance requirements may not be enough coverage to protect you.

“We recommend purchasing coverage above the state-required minimums and getting a full-coverage policy, which includes collision and comprehensive coverage,” says Friedlander.

“In the end, make sure you have adequate coverage that will provide substantial financial protection from an at-fault accident and not leave you vulnerable to a devastating monetary loss,” he adds.

For additional protection, you can consider buying these optional coverages:

California’s low-cost insurance plan

California provides eligible drivers with a state-sponsored low-cost auto insurance plan. If you’re struggling to afford car insurance, you may be eligible for the state program, as long as you meet the following requirements:

• Meet income eligibility

• Have a car valued at $25,000 or less

• Are a good or new driver

• Are at least 16 years old

• Have a valid California driver’s license

California’s Low Cost Automobile Insurance plan (CLCA) costs $232 to $932 per year, depending on the county, and provides basic liability policies to qualifying drivers. Applicants can also add medical payments and uninsured/underinsured motorist coverages for an extra cost. If you’re interested in the CLCA program, you can learn more about it and apply at MyLowCostAuto.com.

Cheapest car insurance for drivers with an incident

If you’re a driver with an at-fault accident, speeding ticket, driving under the influence conviction, or other moving violation on your record, finding affordable car insurance is crucial. Incidents like these often result in increased insurance prices for three to five years because they indicate a higher likelihood of future claims.3

Too many incidents on your record can also cause the state to require an SR-22 insurance filing, which can also increase your premiums.

Cheapest car insurance for drivers with a speeding ticket: USAA

If you’ve received a speeding ticket, you can anticipate higher monthly auto insurance premiums for several years compared to having a clean driving record. San Jose drivers with speeding tickets pay average monthly rates of $257 for full coverage and $111 for liability-only insurance.

The following table shows rates from top insurers for San Jose drivers with speeding tickets.

Cheapest car insurance for drivers with an at-fault accident: USAA

Another driving incident that can increase auto insurance prices is an at-fault accident. This type of incident can lead to expensive claims for car insurance companies, and they raise prices to cover the higher risk you pose as a driver.

In San Jose, an at-fault accident pushes the average car insurance rate to $244 per month for full coverage and $105 for minimum coverage. The following table highlights the cheapest insurers, on average, for drivers who have an at-fault accident on their records in San Jose.

Cheapest car insurance for drivers with a DUI: USAA

DUIs carry significant weight as a serious driving offense and have a considerable effect on car insurance premiums. Insurance companies view a DUI history as a substantial financial risk, leading to higher premiums.

San Jose drivers with DUIs on their records pay average monthly rates of $340 for full coverage and $147 for liability-only insurance. The table below outlines the cheapest car insurance companies to help you find affordable coverage after a DUI.

Cheapest car insurance for seniors: USAA

Age plays a vital role in determining car insurance rates. Prices typically decrease around age 25 as drivers gain experience. Around age 70, premiums may slightly increase due to factors such as potential health issues and higher accident risks.4 But senior drivers in San Jose pay lower-than-average premiums overall compared to other driver profiles.

The average monthly cost of car insurance for senior drivers in San Jose is $188 for full coverage and $81 for minimum coverage. Here are the cheapest auto insurers for senior drivers in the city.

Cheapest car insurance for teens: USAA

Teenagers face significantly higher car insurance rates than older drivers due to their limited driving experience and increased risk factors. As a teen, one way to get affordable car insurance is by staying on a parent’s policy, which often leads to more favorable premiums.

Choosing a safe and reliable vehicle with good safety features and maintaining good grades to qualify for a good student discount can help further lower insurance costs. Teens can also get a discount if they’re away at school.

The average cost of car insurance for teen drivers in San Jose is $406 per month for full coverage and $175 for liability only. Here are the cheapest car insurance companies for teen drivers in the city.

Is car insurance more expensive in San Jose?

Full-coverage car insurance costs an average of $184 per month in the U.S., compared to $211 in San Jose.

Insurance premiums can vary greatly by city due to factors like weather, crime, and traffic.5

More cities in California

Drivers in many California cities pay less on average for car insurance than drivers in San Jose. Drivers in other, more densely populated cities, like Los Angeles, may pay more for car insurance.

Here’s how San Jose’s average car insurance quotes compare to other major California cities.