San Jose, CA Car Insurance

On average, San Jose drivers pay around $52 a month for their car insurance. To learn more about what you're likely to pay in the San Jose area, read our guide below.
Map of cities where drivers can find cheaper car insurance
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How does San Jose compare to the surrounding area and the rest of California? What should residents of San Jose expect to pay for their car insurance? See what factors contribute to determining the average cost in our detailed charts and breakdowns below:

How much is car insurance in San Jose?

Area Average Monthly Car Insurance Premium
San Jose$52
CA$56
United States$81

Auto insurance coverage in San Jose is about $4 cheaper than it is in the rest of California.

Compared to the rest of the country, auto insurance in San Jose is more affordable. On average, it's about $29 less to insure your vehicle in San Jose than it is in the rest of the U.S.

While these are the average car insurance rates for San Jose, you could end up paying something different. There are a variety of factors that car insurance companies consider to determine how much to charge you to get your vehicle insured. Things like gender, vehicle make and model, driving record, age and, in some areas, credit score can all affect the final amount you'll be charged for coverage each month.

But don't worry, we've broken down average rates for San Jose residents so that you can get a more accurate idea of what you might pay. If you think you might be overpaying for insurance in your area, enter your ZIP below and find out!


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Average Car Insurance Rates by Age

Age Range Average Premium
Under 18$148
18-24$77
25-34$48
35-44$45
45-54$42
55-64$43
65+$46

Generally, the older you are the more experienced you are behind the wheel, right? That experience can turn into some real savings when it comes to car insurance premiums. As you can see, 18-24-year-olds pay significantly more than drivers of retirement age.

You can expect to see your monthly premium drop about once a decade or so. You may see your rates climb back up once you hit retirement in San Jose.

Average Car Insurance Rates by Gender

Gender Average
Male$52
Female$51

In general, car insurance rates for women are usually cheaper than they are for men. While female drivers pay a bit less than male drivers on their monthly insurance rates, the difference in San Jose is only about $1 a month.

Average Auto Insurance Rates by Driving Record

Infractions Average Monthly Premium
1 Accident$63
Multiple Accidents$65
1 Ticket$68
Multiple Tickets$74

Your rates can change quite drastically depending on your driving record. Those with clean records will see the most affordable rates, whereas even a single accident or infraction can cost you. In San Jose, a driving record with a single accident will usually get you a rate around $63 a month. On a similar note, drivers with one ticket on their record will be looking at a monthly rate of about $68 on average.

Accidents, tickets, and other driving infractions can really cost you when it comes to your monthly rate. In order to reduce your monthly bill and get the cheapest car insurance possible, keep your record clean and drive carefully.

Average Insurance Rates by Vehicle

Vehicle Age Average Monthly Premium
Less Than 1 Year$53
2-3 Years$48
4-5 Years$47
6-7 Years$51
8-10 Years$51
11-14 Years$55
15 Years or Older$51

If you look at the first table above, the cheapest vehicles to insure in San Jose are usually trucks and vans, at $47 per month.

SUV drivers will see rates of about $50, while the rates for car owners average out to about $53 per month.

In addition to vehicle type, you can also expect to see slightly different rates depending on how old your vehicle is. Generally, newer vehicles are going to be the most expensive to insure. However, your rates may start to drop back down once your car is a few years old. In San Jose, the most expensive vehicles to insure are vehicles eleven-to-fourteen years old.

Depending on the age of your vehicle, you can also expect to see slightly different rates. Newer vehicles are generally going to be the most expensive to insure. However, once your car is close to 5 years old, you may start to see your monthly premium drop back down. In San Jose, however, the most expensive vehicles to insure are vehicles eleven-to-fourteen years old.

Average Car Insurance Rates by Relationship Status

Relationship Average Monthly Premium
Single (never married)$54
Married$44
Divorced$45
Widowed$41

Generally speaking, car insurance is slightly cheaper for married policyholders. This can usually be attributed to their policies having multiple vehicles, a factor many companies offer special discounts for.

The difference in rates based on relationship status in San Jose is about $10 a month, with married couples paying less for coverage than single drivers.

Average Car Insurance Rates by Housing Situation

Housing Status Average Monthly Premium
Own$46
Rent$52
Live with parents$74

One other element taken into consideration is your housing situation. Renters can expect to pay around $6 a month more than homeowners in San Jose. But those who live at home with their parents can expect to pay significantly more.

Many companies, however, will offer you a discount to bundle your home or rental insurance with your auto insurance policy, which can help reduce your average premiums.

Car Insurance Companies in San Jose, CA

The average rates for car insurance are constantly changing, so it's a good idea to know the recent trends in your area when selecting an auto insurance policy.

In San Jose, the rates for car insurance decreased from 2017-2020, when they reached a low of $47. Rates began to increase in 2021, and this trend has continued through 2022, when rates have most recently hit $51.

How does San Jose compare to neighboring areas?

Why are car insurance rates in San Jose different from other areas?

When considering how much to charge for coverage, car insurance companies will review several factors. A few of these factors affecting your personal policy have already been mentioned, but others are based around your home address. These include things like:

  • Road safety
  • Prevalence of crime
  • Number of drivers in the region
  • Off-street parking availability
  • Laws

While you won't have the ability to change these factors yourself, they can be handy to keep in mind when seeking a new policy or considering a move. Realizing that different towns and cities will all have different rates, guides like these can be a good way to get a lay of the land of your corner of the world.

How can I find the cheapest car insurance in San Jose?

Arming yourself with information about the average costs for drivers in your area will better prepare you for the real deal. The only way to know for sure what your rate will be is by asking for a quote from car insurance companies.

Don't worry, Compare.com can handle all of this for you. Just put in your ZIP Code below, answer a few questions regarding the factors mentioned above, and you'll be quickly comparing the cheapest quotes from many of the car insurance companies offering policies in San Jose.


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San Jose Insurance FAQs

What factors affect car insurance quotes in San Jose?

Quotes are calculated by car insurance companies who take multiple factors into consideration, including things you can't control like your age and gender, but also factors like your marital status, credit score, address, and driving record.

Why is the cost of car insurance in San Jose different from other neighboring cities?

Car insurance companies take local factors into consideration when determining how much to charge for coverage. Things like parking situations, local laws, and crime rates -- which can vary from city to city -- can significantly affect your rate.

Which car insurance company will offer me the cheapest rate in San Jose?

Since the factors that go into calculating your monthly payment vary from person to person, there isn't one company that will always offer the cheapest rate to everybody. You can be confident that you're receiving the best price possible by using sites like Compare.com to compare multiple quotes at once.

Do I need to change my insurance if I move to San Jose?

Whenever you relocate or experience another major life event, such as getting married or finding a new job, you should consider re-evaluating your current insurance policy. By using services like Compare.com to compare quotes from multiple companies at once, you can be sure to capture any new savings brought about by your new situation.

Do I need to wait for my policy to expire to switch to a different car insurance company?

Not at all, in fact you can switch companies at any point, regardless of how much time is left on your current policy. If you're thinking about moving to San Jose or haven't checked out the latest rates in your area for some time, it might be worth your while to take 10 minutes and see if Compare.com can save you any cash.

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