)
)
8+ years writing for major outlets, including MarketWatch and Business Insider
Master’s in Education
Taylor Mlam-Samuel is a personal finance writer and credentialed educator. When she’s not helping readers better save and spend money, she can be found teaching.
Featured in
)
)
Licensed auto and home insurance agent
4+ years experience in insurance and personal finance editing
NPN: 20564519
Katie uses her knowledge and expertise as a licensed property and casualty agent in Massachusetts to help readers understand the complexities of insurance shopping.
Featured in
)
)
Media relations director for Insurance Information Institute
20+ years in insurance and communications
Impartial, independent expert
As Senior Director, Media Relations, for Insurance Information Institute, Mark serves as the non-profit’s national spokesperson, sharing information and education on a wide array of insurance issues.
Updated
At Insurify, our goal is to help customers compare insurance products and find the best policy for them. We strive to provide open, honest, and unbiased information about the insurance products and services we review. Our hard-working team of data analysts, insurance experts, insurance agents, editors and writers, has put in thousands of hours of research to create the content found on our site.
We do receive compensation when a sale or referral occurs from many of the insurance providers and marketing partners on our site. That may impact which products we display and where they appear on our site. But it does not influence our meticulously researched editorial content, what we write about, or any reviews or recommendations we may make. We do not guarantee favorable reviews or any coverage at all in exchange for compensation.
Table of contents
- Average cost of car insurance in San Jose, CA
- San Jose liability car insurance
- San Jose full-coverage car insurance
- Car insurance rates in other CA cities
- Cheap car insurance in San Jose by driving record
- Driving in San Jose
- Cheap car insurance for San Jose teen drivers
- Cheap car insurance quotes for San Jose senior drivers
- San Jose auto insurance FAQs
Table of contents
- Average cost of car insurance in San Jose, CA
- San Jose liability car insurance
- San Jose full-coverage car insurance
- Car insurance rates in other CA cities
- Cheap car insurance in San Jose by driving record
- Driving in San Jose
- Cheap car insurance for San Jose teen drivers
- Cheap car insurance quotes for San Jose senior drivers
- San Jose auto insurance FAQs
How much is car insurance in San Jose, CA?
In San Jose, the average monthly cost of car insurance is $81 for minimum coverage and $179 for full coverage. This is lower than the statewide monthly California averages of $94 for liability coverage and $198 for full coverage.
San Jose drivers also pay lower average rates than drivers in other large California cities, such as Los Angeles and nearby San Francisco.
Full coverage in San Jose costs less than the state average but marginally more than the national average of $187. The city has a dense population and heavy traffic, which increases the risk of accidents and can lead to higher insurance premiums.[1]
Shop for San Jose Car Insurance
Liability quotes in San Jose start at $57/mo.
Cheapest liability-only car insurance in San Jose: USAA
USAA offers the lowest liability-only car insurance rates in San Jose, with an average monthly cost of $57. On average, San Jose drivers pay $81 per month for liability coverage, which is lower than the statewide average of $94 per month.
Every California driver must have the state’s minimum liability coverage of $30,000 per person and $60,000 per accident in bodily injury liability and $15,000 per accident in property damage liability.[2]
Below are the insurance companies that offer the lowest rates for liability-only car insurance in San Jose.
Insurance Company | Average Monthly Quote: Liability Only |
|---|---|
| USAA | $57 |
| Aspire General | $61 |
| National General | $64 |
| GEICO | $64 |
| Mercury | $65 |
| Sun Coast | $65 |
| Dairyland | $70 |
| Root | $77 |
| Allstate | $78 |
| Farmers | $81 |
| Direct Auto | $82 |
| Anchor | $83 |
| State Farm | $88 |
| Bristol West | $89 |
| Kemper Special | $89 |
| Travelers | $92 |
| Kemper Rsvp | $99 |
| 21st Century | $100 |
| Nationwide | $124 |
| Chubb | $156 |
Cheapest full-coverage car insurance in San Jose: Aspire General
Aspire General offers the lowest full-coverage car insurance in San Jose, with average rates of $108 per month. Drivers in San Jose pay less for full coverage than drivers in most major California cities.
San Jose has a high rate of vehicle theft, making more robust coverage a good idea. In 2024, Santa Clara County reported more than 9,000 vehicle thefts, ranking No. 15 nationwide. A full-coverage policy with collision and comprehensive coverage can help protect you from these risks in San Jose.
Here are the most affordable rates for full-coverage policies in San Jose.
Insurance Company | Average Monthly Quote: Full Coverage |
|---|---|
| Aspire General | $108 |
| Root | $122 |
| Mercury | $126 |
| USAA | $127 |
| GEICO | $129 |
| Kemper Special | $144 |
| Kemper Rsvp | $147 |
| Sun Coast | $149 |
| Dairyland | $160 |
| Anchor | $160 |
| National General | $169 |
| Allstate | $175 |
| Farmers | $180 |
| Bristol West | $189 |
| State Farm | $195 |
| Direct Auto | $198 |
| Travelers | $204 |
| 21st Century | $223 |
| Nationwide | $275 |
| Chubb | $348 |
Car insurance rates in other California cities
Car insurance in San Jose is more affordable than in many other large California cities, like Los Angeles and San Francisco. The average cost for full coverage is $179 per month, which is less than the state average of $198 per month.
One reason San Jose has lower insurance rates is that common California risk factors, like traffic congestion and vehicle theft, are worse in Southern California counties near Los Angeles.
San Jose is also one of the wealthiest cities in the state, which usually means fewer uninsured drivers on the road.
Drivers in the city pay lower auto insurance rates than in some nearby cities, like Modesto and Oakland, but higher rates than in Santa Cruz.
Below, you can take a closer look at how overall car insurance costs in California cities stack up against San Jose.
City | Average Monthly Quote |
|---|---|
| Anaheim | $152 |
| Bakersfield | $125 |
| Berkeley | $147 |
| Chula Vista | $121 |
| Elk Grove | $137 |
| Fremont | $133 |
| Fresno | $126 |
| Glendale | $256 |
| Long Beach | $163 |
| Los Angeles | $214 |
| Modesto | $137 |
| Moreno Valley | $140 |
| Oakland | $161 |
| Oxnard | $131 |
| Riverside | $143 |
| Sacramento | $150 |
| San Bernardino | $150 |
| San Diego | $124 |
| San Francisco | $165 |
| San Jose | $130 |
| Santa Ana | $144 |
| Santa Barbara | $119 |
| Santa Maria | $107 |
| Stockton | $139 |
| Temecula | $126 |
| Victorville | $153 |
Cheapest recent car insurance quotes in California
Drivers in and around San Jose, California have found policies from Kemper Special, Root, Kemper RSVP, and more, through Insurify in the last few days.
*Quotes generated for Insurify users in and around San Jose, California within the last 10 days. Last updated on May 12, 2026. Actual quotes may vary based on the policy buyer’s unique driver profile.
*Quotes generated for Insurify users in and around San Jose, California within the last 10 days. Last updated on May 12, 2026. Actual quotes may vary based on the policy buyer’s unique driver profile.
Cheapest car insurance quotes in San Jose by driving record
Your driving history plays a big role in how much you pay for car insurance in San Jose. It can also determine which company offers you the lowest rates.
Here are the car insurance companies with the best prices for people with different driving records in San Jose:
Cheapest car insurance for San Jose drivers with a clean driving record: USAA
Cheapest car insurance for drivers with a speeding ticket in San Jose: USAA
Cheapest car insurance for San Jose drivers with an at-fault accident: USAA
Cheapest car insurance for drivers with a DUI in San Jose: USAA
Affordable car insurance for drivers with an incident in San Jose
California is an at-fault state, so drivers who cause an accident must pay for the damages they cause.[3] Insurify data shows that 6% of San Jose drivers have an at-fault accident on their record, which is higher than the state average of 5.3%.
Around 3% of local drivers have a speeding ticket, and 0.8% have a driving under the influence (DUI) conviction, according to Insurify data. Santa Clara County enforces DUI laws with regular sobriety checkpoints, especially during major holidays and events.
Here are the average overall car insurance costs in San Jose for people with different driving records.
Driving Record | Average Monthly Quote |
|---|---|
| Clean driving record | $130 |
| Speeding ticket | $164 |
| At-fault accident | $164 |
| DUI | $172 |
What to know about driving in San Jose
Driving in San Jose comes with local risks that can affect your car insurance. Traffic often gets heavy during Silicon Valley tech conferences and events at the SAP Center and Levi’s Stadium, leading to gridlock and more accidents. It’s worth looking into the ParkSJ program, which offers 90 minutes of free parking in select city garages, making it easier to find secure parking and lowering the risk of theft.
Certain roads and intersections in San Jose see more serious crashes than others. For that reason, the city has designated roads like Alma Avenue and Monterey Road as Priority Safety Corridors with implemented safety projects through its Vision Zero plan.[4]
Planning your route ahead of time can help you avoid heavy traffic, reduce your risk of an accident, and provide peace of mind.
How San Jose traffic affects car insurance rates
San Jose’s main freeways, like U.S. Route 101, Interstate 880, I-280, and state Route 87, typically have congestion during weekday rush hours. During the last few years, the city has had a 33% drop in remote work, the biggest among U.S. tech cities, so more people in the city are commuting again.
Traffic can get even heavier each fall, when San Jose State University students return, adding more drivers to the roads. More cars and busier roads increase the risk of accidents, which can lead to more collision insurance claims and possibly higher insurance rates.
Cheap car insurance for San Jose teen drivers: USAA
USAA has the lowest rates for teen drivers in San Jose, with an average monthly cost of $106.
The San Jose Police Department enforces California’s graduated driver licensing (GDL) law, which requires drivers to have a provisional permit for at least six months and complete 50 hours of supervised driving before graduating. Drivers must be age 16 to get their provisional driver’s license and 18 to receive a full driver’s license in California.
The following insurance companies offer the most affordable liability coverage for teen drivers in San Jose.
Insurance Company | Average Monthly Quote: Liability Only |
|---|---|
| USAA | $106 |
| Aspire General | $111 |
| GEICO | $116 |
| Mercury | $119 |
| Sun Coast | $119 |
| Dairyland | $122 |
| National General | $128 |
| Root | $134 |
| Allstate | $155 |
| Bristol West | $158 |
| Anchor | $159 |
| Direct Auto | $160 |
| Kemper Special | $163 |
| Farmers | $163 |
| State Farm | $172 |
| 21st Century | $180 |
| Kemper Rsvp | $181 |
| Travelers | $192 |
| Nationwide | $243 |
| Chubb | $322 |
Find Cheap Car Insurance in San Jose
Insurify partners with top insurers for real auto insurance quotes
Cheap car insurance quotes for San Jose senior drivers: USAA
Senior drivers in San Jose usually pay less for car insurance coverage than the state average — $74 for liability insurance and $163 for full-coverage insurance.
About 14% of San Jose residents are 65 or older, which is below the state average and highlights the city’s younger, tech-focused population.
Here are some of the cheapest liability insurance rates for seniors in San Jose.
Insurance Company | Average Monthly Quote: Liability Only |
|---|---|
| USAA | $47 |
| National General | $52 |
| GEICO | $52 |
| Mercury | $53 |
| Aspire General | $55 |
| Sun Coast | $59 |
| Dairyland | $61 |
| Allstate | $65 |
| Root | $66 |
| Farmers | $66 |
| Direct Auto | $69 |
| Anchor | $70 |
| State Farm | $71 |
| Bristol West | $76 |
| Travelers | $76 |
| 21st Century | $81 |
| Kemper Special | $81 |
| Kemper Rsvp | $90 |
| Nationwide | $98 |
| Chubb | $121 |
San Jose auto insurance FAQs
Here are answers to some common questions that can help you find the right coverage at the best rates for San Jose car insurance.
How much is car insurance in San Jose, CA?
On average, car insurance in San Jose costs $130 per month. San Jose drivers pay $81 per month for liability coverage and $179 per month for full coverage. You might find lower rates by comparing quotes from at least three companies.
What is the cheapest car insurance company in San Jose?
USAA offers the lowest rates for liability car insurance policy in San Jose, averaging $57 per month. For full-coverage insurance, Aspire General is the most affordable, at $108 per month.
Is $200 per month expensive for car insurance in San Jose?
It depends on your situation. Paying $200 per month is higher than the city average of $130, but it’s still much less than what teen drivers or people with a DUI pay on average in San Jose.
What factors affect car insurance rates in San Jose?
Your driving record, age, where you live, deductible, and the insurance products you select in San Jose all affect your insurance costs. Local traffic and congestion also make a difference in San Jose.
How can you find the cheapest car insurance in San Jose?
The best way to find cheap car insurance in San Jose is to compare quotes from at least three companies. You can usually do this online in just a few minutes. It’s also a good idea to look into bundling your car and home insurance or renters insurance with the same company for a car insurance discount. Ask your insurance agents about the discounts you may qualify for, like good driver or good student discounts.
Methodology
Insurify data scientists analyzed more than 190 million quotes served to car insurance applicants in Insurify’s proprietary database to calculate the premium averages displayed on this page. These premiums are real quotes that come directly from Insurify’s 500+ partner insurance companies in all 50 states and Washington, D.C. Quote averages represent the median price for a quote across the given coverage level, driver subset, and geographic area.
Unless otherwise specified, quoted rates reflect the average cost for drivers between 20 and 70 years old with a clean driving record and average or better credit (a credit score of 600 or higher).
Liability-only premium averages correspond to policies with the following coverage limits:
- Bodily injury limits between state-minimum rates and $50,000 per person, $100,000 per accident
- Property damage limits between $10,000 and $50,000
- No additional coverage
- Comprehensive coverage with a $1,000 deductible
- Collision coverage with a $1,000 deductible
Quotes for Allstate, Farmers, GEICO, State Farm, and USAA are estimates based on Quadrant Information Services’ database of auto insurance rates.
Related articles
)
Cheapest California Car Insurance Quotes From $64/mo.
)
Register and Insure a Salvage Title Vehicle in CA
)
Why Is Car Insurance So Expensive in California?
)
Uninsured Motorist Coverage in California
)
Non-Owner Car Insurance in California
)
Best Car Insurance for New Drivers in California
)
Cheapest Liability Car Insurance in California
)
Cheapest Full-Coverage Car Insurance in California
)
How Much Is Car Insurance for a 17-Year-Old in California?
)
How Much Is Car Insurance for a 16-Year-Old in California?
)
Best Car Insurance in California
)
Car Insurance Discounts for California Drivers
)
Temporary Car Insurance in California
)
Cheap SR-22 Insurance in California
)
Rideshare Insurance in California
)
Car Insurance Requirements in California
)
Cheap Car Insurance in Anaheim, CA, Starting at $67
)
Best Cheap Car Insurance in Victorville, CA, From $68
)
Cheap Car Insurance in Temecula, CA, Starting at $56
)
Stockton Car Insurance: Get Cheap Rates From $61/mo.
)
Cheapest Car Insurance Quotes in Santa Maria, CA
)
Best Cheap Car Insurance in Santa Ana, CA, From $64
)
Cheap Car Insurance in Santa Barbara, CA, Starting at $53
)
San Francisco Car Insurance: Get Cheap Rates From $73/mo.
)
Cheap Car Insurance in San Diego, CA, Starting at $55
)
Best Cheap Car Insurance in San Bernardino, CA, From $66
)
Sacramento Car Insurance: Get Cheap Rates From $66/mo.
)
Best Cheap Car Insurance in Riverside, CA, From $63
)
Best Cheap Car Insurance in Oxnard, CA, From $58
)
Best Cheap Car Insurance in Oakland, CA, From $71
)
Cheap Car Insurance in Moreno Valley, CA, Starting at $62
)
Cheap Car Insurance in Modesto, CA, Starting at $60
)
Compare Cheap Los Angeles Car Insurance Quotes From $94/mo.
)
Long Beach Car Insurance: Get Cheap Rates From $72/mo.
)
Best Cheap Car Insurance in Glendale, CA, From $113
)
Best Cheap Car Insurance in Fremont, CA, From $59
)
Compare Cheap Fresno Car Insurance Quotes From $56/mo.
)
Best Cheap Car Insurance in Elk Grove, CA, From $60
)
Cheap Car Insurance in Chula Vista, CA, Starting at $53
)
Cheap Car Insurance in Berkeley, CA, Starting at $65
Sources
- United States Census Bureau. "QuickFacts San Jose city, California."
- State of California Department of Motor Vehicles. "Insurance Requirements."
- California Department of Insurance. "So You've Had an Accident, What's Next?."
- City of San Jose. "Vision Zero Action Plan 2025."
)
)
8+ years writing for major outlets, including MarketWatch and Business Insider
Master’s in Education
Taylor Mlam-Samuel is a personal finance writer and credentialed educator. When she’s not helping readers better save and spend money, she can be found teaching.
Featured in
Taylor Mlam-Samuel is a personal finance writer and credentialed educator. When she’s not helping readers better save and spend money, she can be found teaching.
)
)
Licensed auto and home insurance agent
4+ years experience in insurance and personal finance editing
NPN: 20564519
Katie uses her knowledge and expertise as a licensed property and casualty agent in Massachusetts to help readers understand the complexities of insurance shopping.
Featured in
)
)
Media relations director for Insurance Information Institute
20+ years in insurance and communications
Impartial, independent expert
As Senior Director, Media Relations, for Insurance Information Institute, Mark serves as the non-profit’s national spokesperson, sharing information and education on a wide array of insurance issues.
)
)
)
)
)