The Cheapest Auto Insurance Companies in San Jose, California, in 2026

USAA has the cheapest auto insurance in San Jose. But how much you pay may vary based on several personal factors.

Secure. Free. Easy-to-use.
Excellent
Been here before? Get your quotes back.
Progressive LogoAllstate LogoLiberty Mutual LogoUSAA LogoThe General LogoBristol West Logo+120 more
Elizabeth Rivelli
Elizabeth RivelliInsurance Writer

Elizabeth Rivelli is an experienced content writer with expertise in insurance and personal finance. Elizabeth has extensive knowledge of various insurance lines, including property and casualty, health, and life insurance, and she’s written for Compare.com since 2023.

Elizabeth’s byline has been featured in dozens of publications, including Investopedia, Forbes, USA Today, Bankrate, and several insurance companies.

Matthew Gross
Edited byMatthew Gross
Matthew Gross headshot
Matthew GrossEditor

Matthew Gross is an editor at Compare.com. With a background in editing and SEO, he’s passionate about creating content that helps readers get the information they need to make more informed decisions. Prior to Compare.com, Matthew brought his user-centered approach to his work with global brands like Apple and Adobe.

Matthew graduated from Illinois State University, where he earned his bachelor’s degree in Journalism.

David C. Marlett
David C. Marlett, Ph.D., CPCUExpert Reviewer, Insurance
  • Professor of Risk Management

  • 25+ years in insurance

  • Former commercial lines underwriter

David Marlett is a Professor of Risk Management in the Department of Finance, Banking and Insurance at Appalachian State University. In his role, he serves as Managing Director of the university’s Brantley Risk & Insurance Center and holds the IIANC Distinguished Professorship. He also serves on the Board of Directors for the Invest program and previously chaired the Loman Advisory Committee for the CPCU Society.

Updated

Why You Can Trust Compare.com: At Compare.com, it’s our mission to find simple ways to help our customers save money on the things they need. While we partner with some of the companies and brands we talk about in our articles, all of our content is written and reviewed by our independent editorial team and never influenced by our partnerships. Learn about how we make money, review our editorial standards, and reference our data methodology to learn more about why you can trust Compare.com.

San Jose, California, drivers pay an average of $133 per month for car insurance. But many car insurance companies offer rates below the citywide average, including USAA, Aspire General, and Sun Coast, with rates starting at $76 per month.

In this guide, we’ll highlight the cheapest car insurance companies in San Jose for different driver types. We’ll also explain how to choose the right car insurance company and share some tips for saving money on your car insurance.

Key Takeaways
  • USAA offers the cheapest car insurance in San Jose, with liability-only rates starting at $76.

  • San Jose drivers pay an average of $87 per month for liability-only coverage and $180 per month for full coverage.

  • California requires drivers to have at least 30/60/15 of personal liability insurance.[1]

The Cheapest Car Insurance Companies in San Jose, California

If you’re shopping for car insurance in San Jose, knowing how much other drivers pay for coverage can be helpful. But regardless of average rates, some car insurance companies offer lower-than-average premiums. The table below lists the cheapest car insurance companies in San Jose, according to Compare.com data.

The below rates in San Jose, CA, are estimated rates current as of: Monday, April 13 at 5:00 PM PDT. 
Company
sort ascsort desc
Average Monthly Premium
sort ascsort desc
USAA$76
Aspire General$79
National General$85
Sun Coast$85
GEICO$87
Mercury$88
Dairyland$91
Root$103
Allstate$105
Farmers$108
Direct Auto$109
Anchor$110
Bristol West$116
Kemper Special$117
State Farm$117
Travelers$123
Kemper Rsvp$130
21st Century$134
Nationwide$165
Chubb$208
We sourced this data by analyzing real quotes from Compare.com's 100-plus partner insurance companies alongside rate filings collected and distributed by Quadrant Information Services. Actual quotes may vary. Data updated on Monday, April 13 at 5:00 PM PDT.

USAA offers the cheapest car insurance in San Jose, with an average monthly premium of $76. But the cheapest company for you may differ based on factors like coverage types and driving history.

Find Car Insurance in San Jose

Compare quotes and get the cheapest coverage for your car.

Excellent
4.6 out of 5 based on 613 reviews
Secure. Free. Easy-to-use.
ProgressiveLiberty MutualAllstate

Cheapest Car Insurance in San Jose by Driver and Coverage Type

The companies mentioned above have the cheapest average car insurance rates, but your actual rate can vary based on factors like your age, driving record, and address. The table below lists the cheapest car insurance companies for a variety of driver types and coverages, based on Compare.com data.

Driver/Coverage Type
sort ascsort desc
Cheapest Insurer
sort ascsort desc
Insurer’s Average Monthly Premium
sort ascsort desc
State-minimum coverageUSAA$76
Full coverageAspire General$150
TeensUSAA$141
SeniorsUSAA$63
Drivers with a speeding ticketUSAA$98
Drivers with an at-fault accidentUSAA$99
Drivers with a DUIUSAA$105
Drivers with excellent creditUSAA$73
We sourced this data by analyzing real quotes from Compare.com's 100-plus partner insurance companies alongside rate filings collected and distributed by Quadrant Information Services. Actual quotes may vary. Data updated on .

In the following sections, we break down each coverage and driver type to help you find the cheapest auto insurance.

  • San Jose drivers pay an average of $87 per month for minimum-coverage car insurance, according to Compare.com data.

    Liability insurance is the cheapest car insurance you can get to legally drive, but most experts recommend purchasing more coverage than your state’s minimum requirements. A minimum-coverage policy may not fully cover your financial responsibilities if you cause an accident that injures another person or damages their property.

    The chart below shows the five cheapest car insurance companies for state-minimum coverage, according to our research.

    The below rates in San Jose, CA, are estimated rates current as of: Monday, April 13 at 5:00 PM PDT. 

    Average Liability Rates by Company

    Company
    Average Monthly Premium
    USAA$76
    Aspire General$79
    National General$85
    Sun Coast$85
    GEICO$87
    Mercury$88
    Dairyland$91
    Root$103
    Allstate$105
    Farmers$108
    Direct Auto$109
    Anchor$110
    Bristol West$116
    Kemper Special$117
    State Farm$117
    Travelers$123
    Kemper Rsvp$130
    21st Century$134
    Nationwide$165
    Chubb$208
  • Most San Jose drivers should consider buying a full-coverage car insurance policy. Full-coverage policies provide liability insurance, plus collision insurance and comprehensive insurance.

    Collision insurance covers damage to your car from a crash with another vehicle or object. Comprehensive insurance covers damage to your car from something other than a collision, like vandalism or a falling tree branch. If you lease or finance your car, your lender usually requires you to buy full-coverage insurance.

    Drivers in San Jose pay an average of $180 per month for full-coverage auto insurance. But even though full coverage costs more than minimum coverage, several insurers offer full coverage for close to the average liability price in San Jose.

    The table below lists the five cheapest companies in San Jose for full-coverage car insurance, according to Compare.com data.

    The below rates in San Jose, CA, are estimated rates current as of: Monday, April 13 at 5:00 PM PDT. 

    Average Full-Coverage Rates by Company

    Company
    Average Monthly Premium
    Aspire General$150
    Root$170
    Mercury$179
    USAA$179
    GEICO$182
    Kemper Special$206
    Kemper Rsvp$209
    Sun Coast$212
    Anchor$218
    Dairyland$224
    National General$240
    Allstate$246
    Farmers$254
    Bristol West$270
    State Farm$274
    Direct Auto$284
    Travelers$289
    21st Century$314
    Nationwide$387
    Chubb$490
  • Teen drivers pay some of the highest car insurance rates of any age group. Insurers consider younger drivers riskier to insure because they lack experience behind the wheel and cause more accidents than older drivers.[2]

    Teen drivers in San Jose pay a monthly average of $244 for car insurance. But you can still find affordable coverage if you’re a teen driver or have one on your policy.

    The table below shows the five cheapest auto insurance companies for teens in San Jose, according to Compare.com data.

    The below rates in San Jose, CA, are estimated rates current as of: Monday, April 13 at 5:00 PM PDT. 

    Average Rates for Teens

    Company
    Average Monthly Premium
    USAA$141
    Aspire General$145
    Sun Coast$156
    GEICO$158
    Dairyland$159
    Mercury$162
    Root$180
    Bristol West$207
    Allstate$209
    Anchor$211
    Direct Auto$213
    Kemper Special$215
    Farmers$217
    State Farm$228
    Kemper Rsvp$238
    21st Century$242
    Travelers$258
    Nationwide$324
    Chubb$430
  • Seniors tend to have the cheapest car insurance rates of any age group. Many seniors drive less frequently than younger drivers and are more cautious on the road.[3]

    Senior drivers in San Jose pay an average of $121 per month for car insurance. Even with these low average premiums, several insurance companies offer better rates for seniors.

    The chart below shows the five cheapest auto insurance companies in San Jose for seniors, based on Compare.com data.

    The below rates in San Jose, CA, are estimated rates current as of: Monday, April 13 at 5:00 PM PDT. 

    Average Rates for Seniors

    Company
    Average Monthly Premium
    USAA$63
    GEICO$71
    Aspire General$72
    Mercury$72
    Sun Coast$77
    Dairyland$79
    Allstate$88
    Farmers$88
    Root$89
    Direct Auto$92
    Anchor$92
    State Farm$95
    Bristol West$99
    Travelers$101
    Kemper Special$106
    21st Century$109
    Kemper Rsvp$118
    Nationwide$130
    Chubb$162
  • Getting a speeding ticket can cause your car insurance premium to go up when your policy renews. That’s because insurance companies consider drivers who speed riskier to insure. According to our research, a single speeding ticket causes average premiums to increase by 37% nationwide.

    San Jose drivers with a recent speeding ticket pay an average of $167 per month for car insurance. But we found several insurers that offer lower-than-average premiums.

    The table below lists the five cheapest car insurance companies in San Jose for drivers with a recent speeding ticket on their record, based on Compare.com data.

    The below rates in San Jose, CA, are estimated rates current as of: Monday, April 13 at 5:00 PM PDT. 

    Average Rates With a Ticket

    Company
    Average Monthly Premium
    USAA$98
    Aspire General$99
    Sun Coast$107
    Dairyland$113
    GEICO$114
    Mercury$122
    Anchor$137
    Allstate$137
    Direct Auto$137
    Root$138
    Farmers$139
    Bristol West$147
    Kemper Special$147
    State Farm$149
    Travelers$160
    Kemper Rsvp$163
    21st Century$177
    Nationwide$214
    Chubb$265
  • An at-fault accident can substantially increase your car insurance premium. Our research shows that a single at-fault accident causes average insurance rates to increase by 41% nationwide.

    San Jose drivers with a recent accident pay an average of $166 per month for car insurance. But some companies offer cheaper rates to these drivers.

    The five insurers below have the cheapest car insurance for San Jose drivers with a recent accident on their driving record, according to Compare.com data.

    The below rates in San Jose, CA, are estimated rates current as of: Monday, April 13 at 5:00 PM PDT. 

    Average Rates With an Accident

    Company
    Average Monthly Premium
    Aspire General$99
    USAA$99
    Sun Coast$106
    GEICO$111
    Dairyland$117
    Mercury$129
    Root$135
    Allstate$137
    Anchor$139
    Farmers$141
    Direct Auto$145
    Kemper Special$146
    Bristol West$149
    State Farm$151
    Travelers$162
    Kemper Rsvp$163
    21st Century$178
    Nationwide$217
    Chubb$270
  • A DUI conviction causes the biggest increase in car insurance rates of any traffic violation. Our research shows that the car insurance rate goes up by an average of 61% nationwide after a DUI conviction.

    San Jose drivers with a DUI conviction pay an average of $174 per month for auto insurance. But if you choose the right insurer, you might find a lower premium.

    The table below shows the five cheapest car insurance companies in San Jose for drivers with a DUI, according to Compare.com data.

    The below rates in San Jose, CA, are estimated rates current as of: Monday, April 13 at 5:00 PM PDT. 

    Average Rates With a DUI

    Company
    Average Monthly Premium
    Aspire General$103
    USAA$105
    Sun Coast$111
    GEICO$119
    Dairyland$125
    Mercury$128
    Root$143
    Allstate$144
    Farmers$149
    Direct Auto$150
    Kemper Special$153
    Anchor$153
    Bristol West$160
    State Farm$161
    Travelers$169
    Kemper Rsvp$170
    21st Century$176
    Nationwide$227
    Chubb$286

Compare Auto Insurance Rates

Find the most affordable auto coverage in San Jose.

Excellent
4.6 out of 5 based on 613 reviews
Secure. Free. Easy-to-use.
ProgressiveLiberty MutualAllstate

California Auto Insurance Requirements

A sunny street lined with tall palm trees, modern buildings, and a central sculpture, under a clear blue sky.

Like most states, California requires drivers to have a minimum amount of auto insurance coverage to legally drive. California’s minimum coverage requirements include:

  • $30,000 per person and $60,000 per accident of bodily injury liability coverage

  • $15,000 per accident of property damage liability coverage

Instead of traditional liability auto insurance, California drivers have several options to meet the state’s financial responsibility requirements. You can make a cash deposit of $75,000 with the Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV), get a DMV-issued self-insurance certificate, or get a surety bond of $75,000 from a licensed insurance company.

Is minimum coverage enough in San Jose?

Most auto insurance experts recommend buying more coverage than the state’s minimum requirements. With liability-only coverage, you risk not having enough insurance if you cause a serious accident.

For example, if you hit another car and cause $30,000 in damage, a minimum-coverage policy would cover only $15,000, leaving you to pay the remaining $15,000 out of pocket.

Minimum-coverage insurance also doesn’t protect your vehicle if it gets damaged or stolen. You’d be responsible for paying for the repairs. Remember that if you lease or finance your car, your lender usually requires you to buy full-coverage insurance with comprehensive and collision coverage.

San Jose Auto Insurance FAQs

  • San Jose drivers pay an average of $133 per month for car insurance, according to Compare.com data. Liability-only insurance costs an average of $87 per month, and full coverage costs $180 per month.

  • USAA offers the cheapest car insurance in San Jose, with an average monthly rate of $76, according to Compare.com data.

  • It depends. San Jose drivers pay an average of $133 per month for auto insurance. That’s compared to the national average of $140 per month. Your address, driving history, age, and more factor into how much you pay for car insurance.

  • USAA offers the cheapest car insurance in California, with rates starting at $81. But the most affordable auto insurer for you depends on your situation. You can compare quotes from multiple companies to find the cheapest insurer for you.

  • It depends. For some drivers, $200 per month is expensive for car insurance, while it might be a good deal for others. Your car insurance premium depends on a variety of personal factors, like your age and location, and some insurance companies offer cheaper rates than others for the same coverage.

Sources

  1. California Department of Motor Vehicles. "Auto Insurance Requirements."
  2. Insurance Information Institute. "What determines the price of an auto insurance policy?."
  3. Insurance Institute for Highway Safety. "Older drivers."

Methodology

Data scientists at Compare.com analyzed more than 50 million real-time auto insurance quotes from more than 75 partner insurers in order to compile the rates and statistics seen in this article. Compare.com’s auto insurance data includes coverage analysis and details on drivers’ vehicles, driving records, insurance histories, and demographic information.

All the rates listed in this article have been collected from a combination of real Compare.com quotes and external insurance rate data gathered in collaboration with Quadrant Information Services. Compare.com uses these observations to provide readers with insights into how auto insurance companies determine their premiums.

About Compare.com

Compare.com's #1 goal is to save you money. We publish resources that are based on hard-hitting data and years of industry experience to help you make more informed decisions with your wallet.

  • All of Compare.com's content is written and reviewed for accuracy by a team of experienced writers and editors who are experts on the topics they cover.
  • None of Compare.com's content is ever influenced by the companies and brands we partner with.
  • Compare.com's editorial team operates independently of any of the company's partnership or business development interests. We publish unbiased information strictly for the benefit of our readers.
  • All of the content you see on Compare.com is based on comprehensive analysis and all data is gathered and vetted from trustworthy sources.

Learn more about us, our team, and what makes us tick.

Elizabeth Rivelli
Written byElizabeth RivelliInsurance Writer
Elizabeth Rivelli
Elizabeth RivelliInsurance Writer

Elizabeth Rivelli is an experienced content writer with expertise in insurance and personal finance. Elizabeth has extensive knowledge of various insurance lines, including property and casualty, health, and life insurance, and she’s written for Compare.com since 2023.

Elizabeth’s byline has been featured in dozens of publications, including Investopedia, Forbes, USA Today, Bankrate, and several insurance companies.

Matthew Gross
Edited byMatthew GrossEditor
Matthew Gross headshot
Matthew GrossEditor

Matthew Gross is an editor at Compare.com. With a background in editing and SEO, he’s passionate about creating content that helps readers get the information they need to make more informed decisions. Prior to Compare.com, Matthew brought his user-centered approach to his work with global brands like Apple and Adobe.

Matthew graduated from Illinois State University, where he earned his bachelor’s degree in Journalism.

David C. Marlett, Ph.D., CPCU
Reviewed byDavid C. Marlett, Ph.D., CPCUExpert Reviewer, Insurance
David C. Marlett
David C. Marlett, Ph.D., CPCUExpert Reviewer, Insurance
  • Professor of Risk Management

  • 25+ years in insurance

  • Former commercial lines underwriter

David Marlett is a Professor of Risk Management in the Department of Finance, Banking and Insurance at Appalachian State University. In his role, he serves as Managing Director of the university’s Brantley Risk & Insurance Center and holds the IIANC Distinguished Professorship. He also serves on the Board of Directors for the Invest program and previously chaired the Loman Advisory Committee for the CPCU Society.

Compare Car Insurance Quotes Instantly

Excellent
4.6 out of 5 based on 613 reviews
Secure. Free. Easy-to-use.
ProgressiveLiberty MutualAllstate