Finding affordable San Jose auto insurance is at the top of most driver’s to-do lists, but actually knowing how to do it or taking the time to learn is another story. A recent study found that drivers are overpaying over $800 a year on average for car insurance and over 70% haven’t compare rates recently. This adds up to a lot of wasted money that could be saved if drivers just shopped around once a year.
How to Find Cheaper Auto Insurance in San Jose
The best way to lower your insurance premium is to make a habit of shopping around and comparing rates from other insurance companies. Here’s how to do it.
Step 1: The first thing to do is learn about the coverages on your policy so you can decide which deductibles and limits are best for you. The limits your best friend has on his or her policy are not necessarily the best choice for your situation.
Step 2: Car insurance is sold both direct and through agents. You should compare prices from direct companies like GEICO, Progressive, and The General as well as from both independent and exclusive agents. Independent agents can quote prices from multiple companies, while exclusive agents are generally restricted to only one company, like State Farm.
Step 3: Once you have several different car insurance quotes, compare them to your current policy. If the coverages are identical and the price is substantially lower, you may have found a good reason to switch companies. It is very important that you use the same levels of coverage on each quote so you have an apples-to-apples comparison. It also helps to get as many quotes as possible in order to have the best selection of prices.
Step 4: Before switching your policy, make sure the effective date on the new policy matches the expiration date on the old policy. This prevents any coverage lapses which increase your rates. Complete a signed application and submit your down payment. Print off the temporary certificate of insurance to place in your car until your actual policy arrives in the mail.
SanJoseCoverage.com can help you find companies to quote with, as well as help you learn about the coverages on your policy. Our vehicle guides help you compare deductibles, illustrate how risky driving behavior can increase rates, as well as put you in touch with licensed San Jose insurance agents if you prefer to have their professional advice when shopping around.
Auto Insurance Rates in San Jose
The table below illustrates example insurance rates for various vehicles in San Jose. The rates are based on a 40-year old married female driver with a clean driving record. Full coverage is included with $250 deductibles for both comprehensive and collision. Minimum California liability limits of $15,000 of bodily injury liability coverage per person, $30,000 of bodily injury coverage per accident, and $5,000 of property damage liability are included. Policy discounts include multi-policy, multi-vehicle, claim-free, homeowner, and safe-driver. The specific garaging location in San Jose is not factored into the rates, and that can significantly change the rates based on where you live.
| Make, Model, and Trim Level | Annual Policy Premium | 6-month Policy Premium | Monthly Premium |
|---|---|---|---|
| Chevrolet Impala LS | $1,450 | $725 | $121 |
| Chevrolet Malibu LS | $1,488 | $744 | $124 |
| Chevrolet Silverado LS Regular Cab 2WD | $1,432 | $716 | $119 |
| Dodge Grand Caravan Hero | $1,488 | $744 | $124 |
| Dodge Ram Crew Cab Laramie 2WD | $1,746 | $873 | $146 |
| Ford Escape XLT 4WD | $1,294 | $647 | $108 |
| Ford F-150 Lariat Crew Cab Platinum 4WD | $1,664 | $832 | $139 |
| Ford Focus SES 2-Dr Coupe | $1,670 | $835 | $139 |
| Honda Accord EX 4-Dr Sedan | $1,256 | $628 | $105 |
| Honda CR-V EX 2WD | $1,256 | $628 | $105 |
| Honda Civic EX-L 2-Dr Coupe | $1,846 | $923 | $154 |
| Nissan Altima 2.5 4-Dr Sedan | $1,488 | $744 | $124 |
| Toyota Camry SE | $1,588 | $794 | $132 |
| Toyota Corolla XRS | $1,626 | $813 | $136 |
| Toyota RAV4 Limited 2WD | $1,488 | $744 | $124 |
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