120+ more){kind=small}
6+ years writing about insurance, travel, and personal finances
Contributor to brands like Credible
In addition to insurance, Nick specializes in writing about business, entrepreneurship, personal finance, and travel. He’s been featured in myriad web publications, including Fox Business.
){kind=small}
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.
){kind=small}
Licensed property and casualty insurance agent
10+ years editing experience
NPN: 20461358
John is Insurify’s Chief Copy Editor, helping ensure the accuracy and readability of Insurify’s content. He’s a licensed agent specializing in home and car insurance topics.
Updated
Santa Clara drivers pay $87 per month for liability coverage, which is slightly lower than the California and nationwide averages. For full-coverage insurance, Santa Clara residents pay an average of $205 per month, which is lower than the California state average but more expensive than the national average.
Santa Clara County ranks No. 15 in the country for motor vehicle thefts by volume, according to data from the National Insurance Crime Bureau, though vehicle theft rates vary across the county. Santa Clara has more reported thefts and higher insurance rates than nearby Saratoga, but far fewer thefts and similar costs to San Jose.
Although Santa Clara has fewer vehicle thefts and a smaller population than San Jose, it has a higher rate of rideshare drivers and drivers with tickets on their record, according to Insurify data. The average rates in Santa Clara are much lower than in larger California cities like Los Angeles and San Francisco.
The fewer insurance products in your policy, the less you’ll pay for coverage. A liability insurance policy contains only the state’s required coverages. California’s minimum liability insurance requirements are $30,000 in bodily injury per person, $60,000 in bodily injury per accident, and $15,000 in property damage liability coverage.[1]
USAA and GEICO have the cheapest liability coverage in Santa Clara on average, but it’s important to compare quotes from several auto insurers.
Below, you can compare the cheapest rates for liability-only insurance in Santa Clara.
Insurance Company | Average Monthly Quote: Liability Only |
|---|---|
| USAA | $64 |
| GEICO | $65 |
| Aspire General | $66 |
| Sun Coast | $68 |
| Mercury | $70 |
| National General | $70 |
| Progressive | $72 |
| Dairyland | $79 |
| Direct Auto | $82 |
| Root | $84 |
| Anchor | $91 |
| Farmers | $91 |
| Bristol West | $98 |
| State Farm | $98 |
| Kemper Special | $99 |
| Travelers | $102 |
| Kemper Rsvp | $110 |
| 21st Century | $112 |
| Hugo | $143 |
| First Acceptance | $149 |
| Chubb | $175 |
Liability quotes in Santa Clara start at $64/mo.
Aspire General and Root have the cheapest average full-coverage car insurance rates in Santa Clara. On average, Santa Clara drivers pay $205 per month for full-coverage insurance.
Though Santa Clara drivers don’t legally need to purchase additional types of insurance coverage, it’s still a good idea. Congestion on Route 101 and a high countywide rate of motor vehicle thefts make comprehensive and collision coverage a viable insurance solution for worst-case scenarios.
Here are the cheapest rates for full-coverage car insurance in Santa Clara.
Insurance Company | Average Monthly Quote: Full Coverage |
|---|---|
| Aspire General | $120 |
| Root | $131 |
| GEICO | $138 |
| Mercury | $140 |
| Progressive | $143 |
| USAA | $146 |
| Kemper Special | $158 |
| Kemper Rsvp | $162 |
| Sun Coast | $166 |
| Anchor | $173 |
| National General | $194 |
| Dairyland | $197 |
| Direct Auto | $201 |
| Farmers | $207 |
| Bristol West | $214 |
| State Farm | $224 |
| Travelers | $236 |
| 21st Century | $256 |
| First Acceptance | $337 |
| Chubb | $399 |
Santa Clara’s average car insurance cost is slightly lower than the state average but very similar to that in nearby San Jose.
Santa Clara residents pay much lower rates than drivers in the state’s larger cities of Los Angeles and San Francisco, which both have higher rates of traffic congestion and vehicle theft. But Santa Clara County has a high vehicle theft rate, which may offset some of the benefits of living in a less congested city.
The table below shows how car insurance costs vary by city in California.
City | Average Monthly Quote |
|---|---|
| Lompoc | $108 |
| Ridgecrest | $109 |
| San Luis Obispo | $109 |
| Chico | $110 |
| Santa Cruz | $112 |
| Redding | $113 |
| Hanford | $114 |
| Santa Maria | $115 |
| Woodland | $115 |
| Tulare | $118 |
| Visalia | $118 |
| Palm Desert | $119 |
| Campbell | $121 |
| Poway | $121 |
| Santee | $121 |
| Santa Barbara | $123 |
| Hollister | $125 |
| La Quinta | $125 |
| La Mesa | $127 |
| Napa | $127 |
| Petaluma | $129 |
| Dublin | $130 |
| Santa Rosa | $130 |
| Cathedral City | $131 |
| Chula Vista | $131 |
| Vista | $131 |
| Novato | $132 |
| Pacifica | $132 |
| San Marcos | $132 |
| Bakersfield | $133 |
| Brentwood | $133 |
| Yuba City | $133 |
| Folsom | $134 |
| Fresno | $134 |
| Milpitas | $134 |
| Palm Springs | $134 |
| Beaumont | $135 |
| Oceanside | $135 |
| San Clemente | $135 |
| San Diego | $135 |
| Hemet | $137 |
| Lake Forest | $137 |
| Temecula | $137 |
| Fremont | $138 |
| Lodi | $138 |
| San Ramon | $138 |
| Concord | $139 |
| Oxnard | $139 |
| Camarillo | $140 |
| Cupertino | $140 |
| Escondido | $140 |
| San Jose | $140 |
| Saratoga | $140 |
| West Sacramento | $140 |
| Aliso Viejo | $141 |
| Palo Alto | $141 |
| Redlands | $141 |
| Ceres | $142 |
| Fairfield | $142 |
| San Mateo | $143 |
| El Cerrito | $144 |
| Menifee | $144 |
| Modesto | $144 |
| Roseville | $144 |
| Laguna Niguel | $145 |
| National City | $145 |
| Watsonville | $145 |
| Citrus Heights | $146 |
| Elk Grove | $146 |
| El Cajon | $147 |
| Norco | $147 |
| Tracy | $147 |
| Colton | $148 |
| Wildomar | $148 |
| Murrieta | $149 |
| South San Francisco | $149 |
| Placentia | $150 |
| Stockton | $150 |
| Thousand Oaks | $151 |
| Antioch | $153 |
| Huntington Beach | $153 |
| Pittsburg | $153 |
| Vallejo | $153 |
| Corona | $154 |
| Lathrop | $154 |
| Orange | $154 |
| Riverside | $154 |
| Hayward | $155 |
| Moreno Valley | $155 |
| Berkeley | $156 |
| Chino | $156 |
| Perris | $156 |
| Brea | $157 |
| Cypress | $157 |
| San Leandro | $157 |
| Chino Hills | $158 |
| Newport Beach | $158 |
| La Mirada | $159 |
| Ontario | $159 |
| Santa Ana | $159 |
| Irvine | $161 |
| Rialto | $161 |
| Sacramento | $161 |
| San Bernardino | $161 |
| Fontana | $162 |
| Garden Grove | $162 |
| Fountain Valley | $164 |
| Hesperia | $164 |
| Azusa | $165 |
| Rancho Cucamonga | $165 |
| Victorville | $165 |
| Anaheim | $167 |
| Buena Park | $167 |
| Adelanto | $169 |
| San Pedro | $169 |
| La Puente | $170 |
| Simi Valley | $170 |
| Whittier | $170 |
| Norwalk | $171 |
| Pomona | $172 |
| San Francisco | $172 |
| Covina | $173 |
| Diamond Bar | $173 |
| Torrance | $174 |
| Long Beach | $175 |
| Oakland | $175 |
| Paramount | $175 |
| Carson | $178 |
| Richmond | $178 |
| Cerritos | $179 |
| Temple City | $179 |
| Walnut | $179 |
| Lancaster | $182 |
| Santa Clarita | $186 |
| Culver City | $187 |
| Pasadena | $188 |
| El Monte | $189 |
| Palmdale | $189 |
| Bell Gardens | $191 |
| San Gabriel | $195 |
| Lynwood | $204 |
| Compton | $206 |
| Santa Monica | $207 |
| Inglewood | $210 |
| Burbank | $221 |
| Studio City | $224 |
| Los Angeles | $230 |
| Winnetka | $242 |
| Reseda | $247 |
| Northridge | $250 |
| West Hollywood | $256 |
| Glendale | $276 |
| Beverly Hills | $279 |
*Quotes generated for Insurify users in and around Santa Clara, California within the last 10 days. Last updated on October 4, 2026. Actual quotes may vary based on the policy buyer’s unique driver profile.
*Quotes generated for Insurify users in and around Santa Clara, California within the last 10 days. Last updated on October 4, 2026. Actual quotes may vary based on the policy buyer’s unique driver profile.
Drivers in Santa Clara have lower-than-average rates of DUIs and traffic tickets, but a slightly higher rate of accidents than in other California cities.
Below, you can see the cheapest car insurance companies in Santa Clara, based on different driving records.
Cheapest car insurance for Santa Clara drivers with a clean driving record: USAA
Cheapest car insurance for drivers with a speeding ticket in Santa Clara: USAA
Cheapest car insurance for Santa Clara drivers with an at-fault accident: USAA
Cheapest car insurance for drivers with a DUI in Santa Clara: USAA
Mistakes happen, but even one infraction can increase your car insurance rates in Santa Clara. About 0.7% of drivers in Santa Clara have a DUI on their record, 3.5% have a speeding ticket, and 5.7% have an at-fault accident, according to Insurify data.
California is an at-fault state, which means the person who caused the accident is responsible for the damages. Upon renewal, your premium may increase after an at-fault accident.
Here’s how overall average monthly quotes vary by driving record in Santa Clara.
Driving Record | Average Monthly Quote |
|---|---|
| Clean driving record | $146 |
| Speeding ticket | $186 |
| At-fault accident | $188 |
| DUI | $200 |
Nearly 2 million people live in Santa Clara County, and that doesn’t include the millions more who travel through Santa Clara for work or vacation. Residential parking can be a problem in Santa Clara, especially near places like hospitals and transit stations. Make sure you give yourself enough time to find a place to park in these high-traffic areas.
Due to California’s high uninsured motorist rate and extra congestion during events at Levi’s Stadium, Santa Clara residents may find themselves at an increased risk of filing a claim when simply driving downtown on a Sunday afternoon.
It’s also worth noting that though less than 10% of the city is in a flood zone, levees protect more than one-third of Santa Clara. The city faces risks from riverine and localized flooding.[2]
You may want to consider a full-coverage policy in Santa Clara to protect your vehicle against the city’s moderate flooding risks, uninsured drivers, and high traffic congestion.
Santa Clara County was the second most-congested county in the San Francisco Bay Area during the fourth quarter of 2024, according to the California Department of Transportation.[3] U.S. Route 101 southbound from Shoreline Boulevard to Oakland Road used to be notorious for its congestion, but remote working has decreased bottlenecks since the pandemic. The average one-way commute time in Santa Clara is around 26 minutes.[4]
Santa Clara has live traffic cameras around Levi’s Stadium, but California state law AB 645 allows speeding traffic cameras in only six cities — the nearest of which is San Jose. That said, both the California State Transportation Agency and Santa Clara County’s sheriff’s office have recently announced efforts to curb dangerous driving habits.
Your driving history matters, but other drivers can also affect your car insurance premiums. Insurance companies consider Santa Clara’s rates of traffic violations, accidents, and DUIs when setting premiums for car and motorcycle insurance.
Car accidents related to alcohol or drug usage are a top cause of death for teens in Santa Clara County. Teen drivers have limited driving experience and pose greater risks of filing claims, so auto insurers typically charge them higher car insurance rates.
It’s also important to note California’s laws don’t permit teen drivers to send text messages even in hands-free mode. Penalties for doing so include a minimum fee of $162.
Teen drivers in Santa Clara pay monthly averages of $154 for liability policies and $364 for full-coverage policies. The table below shows the cheapest liability insurance rates for teen drivers in Santa Clara.
Insurance Company | Average Monthly Quote: Liability Only |
|---|---|
| USAA | $115 |
| GEICO | $116 |
| Aspire General | $117 |
| Sun Coast | $121 |
| Root | $124 |
| Mercury | $125 |
| Progressive | $128 |
| Dairyland | $134 |
| National General | $136 |
| Direct Auto | $157 |
| Bristol West | $170 |
| Anchor | $172 |
| Kemper Special | $176 |
| Farmers | $178 |
| State Farm | $186 |
| 21st Century | $195 |
| Kemper Rsvp | $195 |
| Travelers | $207 |
| Hugo | $254 |
| First Acceptance | $264 |
| Chubb | $350 |
Insurify partners with top insurers for real quotes
People aged 65 and older make up just over 10% of Santa Clara’s population. Senior drivers in Santa Clara can find the cheapest coverage from USAA, GEICO, and Aspire General.
Below, you can compare the cheapest average liability insurance rates for senior drivers in Santa Clara.
Insurance Company | Average Monthly Quote: Liability Only |
|---|---|
| GEICO | $53 |
| USAA | $53 |
| National General | $56 |
| Mercury | $57 |
| Aspire General | $60 |
| Sun Coast | $62 |
| Progressive | $65 |
| Dairyland | $69 |
| Direct Auto | $69 |
| Farmers | $74 |
| Anchor | $74 |
| State Farm | $79 |
| Root | $79 |
| Bristol West | $84 |
| Travelers | $84 |
| Kemper Special | $90 |
| 21st Century | $91 |
| Kemper Rsvp | $100 |
| Hugo | $130 |
| First Acceptance | $135 |
| Chubb | $136 |
Take a look at the following information to help you find the best rates and choose a policy that fits your auto insurance needs in Santa Clara.
USAA has the cheapest liability coverage in California, with an average monthly premium of $66. GEICO and Aspire General also have affordable coverage, with respective monthly liability rates of $68 and $68.
Car insurance in Santa Clara costs an average of $146 per month. A liability policy costs $87, while a full-coverage policy costs more, at $205 per month. Your deductible and coverage options will ultimately determine how much you pay for coverage.
USAA has the cheapest car insurance in Santa Clara, at $64 per month for liability coverage. But other insurance companies may offer you a lower rate. Ask your insurance agent to compare quotes from multiple auto insurance services.
Santa Clara is one of the largest cities in the Bay Area and is in a county with a very high rate of motor vehicle theft. It also faces risks from flooding and traffic congestion, which is why its insurance rates may be different from neighbors like Sunnyvale and Stanford.
About 5.7% of Santa Clara drivers have an at-fault accident on their record, and 0.7% have a DUI, Insurify data shows. This can affect overall car insurance quotes in the city. Your driving history, vehicle type, age, gender, and ZIP code also affect rates.
Yes. Insurance companies typically offer discounts that Santa Clara locals can take advantage of. It’s always smart to look into bundling discounts, which you can earn by buying your auto insurance from the same company that issues your life insurance, renters insurance, or home insurance. The California Department of Insurance also offers a low-cost liability insurance program for eligible drivers.
Insurify data scientists analyzed more than 250 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:
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6+ years writing about insurance, travel, and personal finances
Contributor to brands like Credible
In addition to insurance, Nick specializes in writing about business, entrepreneurship, personal finance, and travel. He’s been featured in myriad web publications, including Fox Business.
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.
Licensed property and casualty insurance agent
10+ years editing experience
NPN: 20461358
John is Insurify’s Chief Copy Editor, helping ensure the accuracy and readability of Insurify’s content. He’s a licensed agent specializing in home and car insurance topics.
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.
