Anyone knows that car insurance companies don’t want you to look for a cheaper policy. Consumers who shop around for cheaper rates are very likely to switch car insurance companies because they stand a good chance of finding a cheaper policy. A recent survey discovered that consumers who compared prices once a year saved an average of $70 a month compared to those who never shopped around.
If finding low prices for insurance is your ultimate goal, then having a grasp of how to get price quotes and compare cheaper coverage can help you succeed in finding affordable rates.
The easiest way to find lower priced auto insurance rates is to make a habit of regularly comparing prices from insurers who sell auto insurance in San Jose.
Step 1: Get an understanding of policy coverages and the things you can control to keep rates low. Many rating factors that result in higher prices such as speeding and a not-so-good credit rating can be rectified by making minor changes in your lifestyle.
Step 2: Obtain price quotes from independent agents, exclusive agents, and direct companies. Exclusive and direct companies can provide rates from a single company like GEICO and State Farm, while independent agents can quote rates for a wide range of insurance providers. Compare rates
Step 3: Compare the price quotes to the premium of your current policy and determine if cheaper coverage is available. If you can save money, make sure the effective date of the new policy is the same as the expiration date of the old one.
Step 4: Notify your company or agent to cancel the current policy and submit any necessary down payment along with the completed application to your new agent or company. Once the paperwork is finalized, place your new certificate of insurance somewhere easily accessible.
An important part of this process is that you use the same level of coverage on each quote request and and to get price quotes from all possible companies. Doing this provides a level playing field and the most accurate and complete price analysis.
If you are paying for car insurance now, you will be able to save money using the techniques covered below. Choosing the most cost-effective car insurance policy in San Jose is really quite simple as long as you have a good starting point. But California drivers need to have an understanding of how companies charge you for coverage and use this information to your advantage.
It’s important to know that having more price comparisons will enable you to find a lower rate.
The companies shown below offer price quotes in California. If several companies are displayed, we suggest you click on several of them to get a more complete price comparison.
| 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 |
| Get Rate Quotes for Your Vehicle Go | |||
Above prices assume married female driver age 40, no speeding tickets, no at-fault accidents, $250 deductibles, and California minimum liability limits. Discounts applied include multi-policy, claim-free, multi-vehicle, homeowner, and safe-driver. Rate information does not factor in San Jose location which can revise auto insurance rates significantly.
Choosing the best vehicle insurance in California is an important decision
Even though it’s not necessarily cheap to insure a vehicle in San Jose, paying for insurance is mandatory in California but it also protects more than you think.
First, just about all states have compulsory liability insurance requirements which means you are required to carry a minimum amount of liability insurance in order to drive the car. In California these limits are 15/30/5 which means you must have $15,000 of bodily injury coverage per person, $30,000 of bodily injury coverage per accident, and $5,000 of property damage coverage.
Second, if you bought your vehicle with a loan, more than likely the lender will force you to have insurance to guarantee loan repayment. If you do not pay your insurance premiums, the lender will be forced to insure your vehicle at a much higher rate and require you to pay the higher premium.
Third, insurance preserves not only your car but also your financial assets. It will also reimburse you for most medical and hospital costs incurred in an accident. Liability coverage also covers legal expenses in the event you are sued. If your vehicle gets damaged, collision and comprehensive (also known as other-than-collision) coverage will pay to repair the damage.
The benefits of carrying enough insurance definitely exceed the price paid, particularly if you ever have a claim. An average driver in America is overpaying more than $750 every year so compare rates each time the policy renews to ensure rates are inline.
Informed drivers save more
Lots of things are taken into consideration when you quote your car insurance policy. Some are obvious such as traffic violations, but other criteria are not quite as obvious like your vehicle usage or how safe your car is. When buying insurance it’s important to understand a few of the rating criteria that aid in calculating insurance rates. If you have a feel for what positively or negatively impacts your premiums, this allows you to make educated decisions that could help you find much lower annual insurance costs.
Can a thief steal your car? – Choosing to buy a car with advanced anti-theft systems can save you some money. Theft deterrent systems such as OnStar, LoJack tracking, and tamper alarms all aid in stopping car theft.
Little extras can really add up – There are quite a few extra coverages that may not really be needed on your policy. Insurance for coverage for rental cars, towing coverage, and extra life insurance coverage are some examples. They may seem like a good idea when discussing your needs, but if you have no use for them consider taking them off your policy.
Costs also based on gender – The statistics show women tend to be less risk to insure than men. This data doesn’t prove that men are WORSE drivers than women. Men and women have fender benders at a similar rate, but the male of the species have costlier accidents. In addition to higher claims, males also receive more major tickets such as reckless driving.
Less chance of injury means lower premiums – Vehicles with good safety scores tend to have better insurance rates. These vehicles result in less severe injuries and lower rates of occupant injuries means lower claim amounts and thus lower rates.
Vehicle risk affects premiums – The make and model of the car you are trying to find cheaper insurance for makes a significant difference in your car insurance bill. The lowest premiums are usually found on smaller low performance passenger cars, but the cost you end up paying is determined by many additional factors.
Premiums drop with age – Teen drivers in California are statistically proven to be inattentive behind the wheel therefore insurance rates are much higher. Older, more experienced drivers have been proven to be more responsible, file fewer claims, and usually have better credit.
Drive fewer miles and save – The more you drive in a year’s time the higher your rates will be. A lot of insurance companies charge rates partially by how you use the vehicle. Autos left parked in the garage receive better premium rates as compared to vehicles used primarily for driving to work. It’s a smart idea to ensure your vehicle rating reflects the correct usage.
Insurance agents can help
When quoting and comparing proper insurance coverage, there really is no one size fits all plan. Every insured’s situation is different and your insurance should unique, too.
Here are some questions about coverages that may help highlight whether your personal situation might need professional guidance.
- Do I have newly-acquired coverage?
- What does PIP insurance cover?
- Can good grades get a discount?
- Why am I required to buy high-risk coverage?
- Does my policy cover my teen driver if they drive my company car?
- When would I need additional glass coverage?
If you can’t answer these questions but one or more may apply to you, you might consider talking to an agent. To find lower rates from a local agent, fill out this quick form or click here for a list of insurance companies in your area.
More effort can pay off
When getting San Jose car insurance quotes online, it’s not a good idea to buy less coverage just to save a little money. There have been many situations where an accident victim reduced liability coverage limits only to regret at claim time that it was a big mistake. Your strategy should be to purchase plenty of coverage at a price you can afford and still be able to protect your assets.
We just presented quite a bit of information on how to compare car insurance premium rates in San Jose. It’s most important to understand that the more quotes you get, the better chance you’ll have of finding cheaper San Jose car insurance quotes. Drivers may even discover the biggest savings come from an unexpected company. Smaller companies may have significantly lower prices on certain market segments than their larger competitors like State Farm and Allstate.
Additional articles
- What to do at the Scene of an Accident (Insurance Information Institute)
- Who Has Cheap Auto Insurance for Used Cars in San Jose? (FAQ)
- What Auto Insurance is Cheapest for a School Permit in San Jose? (FAQ)
- Who Has Affordable Auto Insurance Rates for Teenagers in San Jose? (FAQ)
- How Much are San Jose Car Insurance Rates for a 20 Year Old Male? (FAQ)
- Understanding Limits and Deductibles (Allstate)
- Car Insurance for Teen Drivers with Divorced Parents (Allstate)