Really, the only way to quote cheaper car insurance rates in San Jose is to compare prices regularly from insurers in California. Rate comparisons can be done by following these guidelines.
Step 1: Try to learn a little about how companies set rates and the factors you can control to keep rates low. Many factors that increase rates like speeding tickets, careless driving and bad credit can be remedied by making small lifestyle or driving habit changes. This article gives more ideas to find cheap prices and get additional discounts that may have been overlooked.
Step 2: Compare price quotes from direct carriers, independent agents, and exclusive agents. Exclusive and direct companies can only provide price estimates from one company like GEICO or Allstate, while independent agents can provide rate quotes for a wide range of insurance providers. Begin your rate comparison
Step 3: Compare the new rate quotes to your current policy premium and determine if cheaper 328i coverage is available in San Jose. If you find a lower rate quote, ensure there is no coverage lapse between policies.
Step 4: Notify your company or agent of your intent to cancel your current auto insurance policy and submit payment and a completed application to the new company. Make sure you keep your new certificate of insurance somewhere easily accessible.
One key aspect of rate comparisons is that you’ll want to make sure you compare the same liability limits and deductibles on every quote request and and to analyze as many carriers as you can. Doing this guarantees an accurate price comparison and and a good selection of different prices.
It’s safe to assume that car insurance companies don’t want policyholders to shop around. People who compare other rates will, in all likelihood, buy a new policy because there is a good chance of getting low-cost coverage. Surprisingly, a recent survey revealed that consumers who did price comparisons regularly saved approximately $3,400 over four years compared to people who never shopped for cheaper rates.
If saving the most money on auto insurance in San Jose is your ultimate objective, then learning a little about how to compare auto insurance can help you be more efficient.
If you have insurance now, you will be able to save money using the tips covered below. Locating the most cost-effective auto insurance policy in San Jose is really quite simple as long as you have a good starting point. But California drivers can benefit from knowing the way companies set your policy premium because rates fluctuate considerably.
Cheap companies for BMW 328i insurance in California
The companies in the list below can provide price comparisons in San Jose, CA. If multiple companies are shown, we recommend you visit several of them to get the most affordable price.
Data for BMW 328i insurance
The price information shown below highlights estimates of insurance prices for BMW 328i models. Having insight into how rates are calculated helps drivers make decisions when choosing a new policy provider.
| Model | Comp | Collision | Liability | Medical | UM/UIM | Annual Premium | Monthly Premium |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 328I 4-Dr Sedan | $332 | $664 | $464 | $28 | $138 | $1,626 | $136 |
| 328I 4-Dr Sedan | $332 | $664 | $464 | $28 | $138 | $1,626 | $136 |
| 328I Station Wagon | $370 | $764 | $394 | $24 | $118 | $1,670 | $139 |
| 328I 2-Dr Coupe | $370 | $764 | $394 | $24 | $118 | $1,670 | $139 |
| 328I 2-Dr Coupe | $370 | $764 | $394 | $24 | $118 | $1,670 | $139 |
| 328I xDrive 4-Dr Sedan | $370 | $764 | $464 | $28 | $138 | $1,764 | $147 |
| 328I xDrive 4-Dr Sedan | $370 | $764 | $464 | $28 | $138 | $1,764 | $147 |
| 328I 2-Dr Convertible | $370 | $764 | $464 | $28 | $138 | $1,764 | $147 |
| 328I 2-Dr Convertible | $370 | $764 | $464 | $28 | $138 | $1,764 | $147 |
| 328I 2-Dr Coupe | $370 | $764 | $394 | $24 | $118 | $1,670 | $139 |
| 328I xDrive 2-Dr Coupe | $370 | $764 | $394 | $24 | $118 | $1,670 | $139 |
| 328I xDrive Station Wagon | $370 | $764 | $394 | $24 | $118 | $1,670 | $139 |
| Get Your Own Custom Quote Go | |||||||
Prices based on married female driver age 40, no speeding tickets, no at-fault accidents, $250 deductibles, and California minimum liability limits. Discounts applied include multi-policy, homeowner, safe-driver, multi-vehicle, and claim-free. Estimates do not factor in your specific San Jose location which can decrease or increase price quotes considerably.
An analysis of deductible level
A question often asked by San Jose drivers is where to set your physical damage deductibles. The data tables below show the rate difference when you buy lower versus higher deductibles. The first price estimate table uses a $100 deductible for physical damage and the second price table uses a $1,000 deductible.
| Model | Comp | Collision | Liability | Medical | UM/UIM | Annual Premium | Monthly Premium |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 328I 4-Dr Sedan | $430 | $810 | $442 | $26 | $132 | $1,865 | $155 |
| 328I 4-Dr Sedan | $430 | $810 | $442 | $26 | $132 | $1,865 | $155 |
| 328I Station Wagon | $478 | $932 | $376 | $22 | $112 | $1,945 | $162 |
| 328I 2-Dr Coupe | $478 | $932 | $376 | $22 | $112 | $1,945 | $162 |
| 328I 2-Dr Coupe | $478 | $932 | $376 | $22 | $112 | $1,945 | $162 |
| 328I xDrive 4-Dr Sedan | $478 | $932 | $442 | $26 | $132 | $2,035 | $170 |
| 328I xDrive 4-Dr Sedan | $478 | $932 | $442 | $26 | $132 | $2,035 | $170 |
| 328I 2-Dr Convertible | $478 | $932 | $442 | $26 | $132 | $2,035 | $170 |
| 328I 2-Dr Convertible | $478 | $932 | $442 | $26 | $132 | $2,035 | $170 |
| 328I 2-Dr Coupe | $478 | $932 | $376 | $22 | $112 | $1,945 | $162 |
| 328I xDrive 2-Dr Coupe | $478 | $932 | $376 | $22 | $112 | $1,945 | $162 |
| 328I xDrive Station Wagon | $478 | $932 | $376 | $22 | $112 | $1,945 | $162 |
| Get Your Own Custom Quote Go | |||||||
| Model | Comp | Collision | Liability | Medical | UM/UIM | Annual Premium | Monthly Premium |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 328I 4-Dr Sedan | $238 | $426 | $442 | $26 | $132 | $1,264 | $105 |
| 328I 4-Dr Sedan | $238 | $426 | $442 | $26 | $132 | $1,264 | $105 |
| 328I Station Wagon | $266 | $490 | $376 | $22 | $112 | $1,266 | $106 |
| 328I 2-Dr Coupe | $266 | $490 | $376 | $22 | $112 | $1,266 | $106 |
| 328I 2-Dr Coupe | $266 | $490 | $376 | $22 | $112 | $1,266 | $106 |
| 328I xDrive 4-Dr Sedan | $266 | $490 | $442 | $26 | $132 | $1,356 | $113 |
| 328I xDrive 4-Dr Sedan | $266 | $490 | $442 | $26 | $132 | $1,356 | $113 |
| 328I 2-Dr Convertible | $266 | $490 | $442 | $26 | $132 | $1,356 | $113 |
| 328I 2-Dr Convertible | $266 | $490 | $442 | $26 | $132 | $1,356 | $113 |
| 328I 2-Dr Coupe | $266 | $490 | $376 | $22 | $112 | $1,266 | $106 |
| 328I xDrive 2-Dr Coupe | $266 | $490 | $376 | $22 | $112 | $1,266 | $106 |
| 328I xDrive Station Wagon | $266 | $490 | $376 | $22 | $112 | $1,266 | $106 |
| Get Your Own Custom Quote Go | |||||||
Data variables include married male driver age 30, no speeding tickets, no at-fault accidents, and California minimum liability limits. Discounts applied include homeowner, multi-vehicle, multi-policy, safe-driver, and claim-free. Information does not factor in garaging location in San Jose which can impact auto insurance rates substantially.
We can derive from the above data that using a $100 deductible costs approximately $56 more each month or $672 each year than requesting the higher $1,000 deductible. Since you would pay $900 more out of your own pocket with a $1,000 deductible as compared to a $100 deductible, if you normally average at a minimum 16 months between claim filings, you would probably come out ahead if you elect the higher deductible.
The example below shows how choosing a deductible and can change BMW 328i yearly insurance costs for different age categories. The prices are based on a married male driver, full coverage, and no other discounts are factored in.
Price comparison of only insuring for liability
The example below visualizes the comparison of BMW 328i auto insurance rates with full coverage compared to only the California minimum liability coverage. The data is based on no accidents or driving violations, $1,000 deductibles, marital status is single, and no discounts are applied to the premium.
Guidelines for dropping full coverage
There is no clear-cut formula to drop physical damage coverage, but there is a guideline you can consider. If the yearly cost for physical damage coverage is more than about 10% of the replacement cost of your vehicle minus the policy deductible, then it may be the right time to buy liability only.
For example, let’s pretend your BMW 328i claim settlement value is $6,000 and you have $1,000 full coverage deductibles. If your vehicle is damaged in an accident, the most your company will settle for is $5,000 after paying the physical damage deductible. If it’s costing you more than $500 annually for your policy with full coverage, then you might consider buying liability only.
There are some scenarios where removing full coverage is not financially feasible. If you still owe money on your vehicle, you must maintain physical damage coverage in order to prevent your loan from defaulting. Also, if your finances do not allow you to purchase a different vehicle in the event your current vehicle is totaled, you should keep full coverage in place.
Lower rates by qualifying for discounts
Insuring your vehicles can cost a lot, but you can get discounts that you may not know about. Certain discounts will be applied when you quote, but some need to be inquired about before you will receive the discount. If you aren’t receiving every discount you deserve, you could be paying more than you need to.
- Senior Discount – Mature drivers can possibly qualify for a discount up to 10%.
- Discount for Life Insurance – Some insurance companies give better premium rates if you take out life insurance.
- Employee of Federal Government – Federal government employees may qualify for a discount when you quote San Jose auto insurance with select insurance companies.
- Organization Discounts – Being in qualifying clubs or civic groups is a good way to get lower rates on your next renewal.
- Paper-free Discount – A handful of larger companies will give you a small discount for completing your application on the web.
One last thing about discounts, many deductions do not apply to the overall cost of the policy. Some only apply to specific coverage prices like comp or med pay. So even though they make it sound like you could get a free auto insurance policy, companies don’t profit that way.
The information below illustrates the comparison of BMW 328i auto insurance costs with and without discounts applied. The information is based on a female driver, no violations or accidents, California state minimum liability limits, full physical damage coverage, and $100 deductibles. The first bar for each age group shows premium with no discounts. The second shows the rates with multi-policy, safe-driver, homeowner, marriage, multi-car, and claim-free discounts applied.
Companies that may offer policyholders these benefits possibly include:
If you need lower rates, check with all companies you are considering how many discounts you can get. Depending on the company, some discounts might not be available to policyholders in San Jose. To locate providers with significant discounts in San Jose, click here.
Local neighborhood San Jose car insurance agents
Certain consumers still like to sit down with an agent and doing that can be a smart decision One of the great benefits of comparing insurance prices online is the fact that drivers can get cheaper rates but also keep your business local. Buying from local insurance agents is still important in San Jose.
After filling out this form (opens in new window), the quote information gets sent to agents in your area who will return price quotes to get your business. You don’t have to do any legwork as quotes are delivered to the email address you provide. You can find better rates without requiring a lot of work. If you want to compare prices from a specific company, you can always jump over to their website and submit a quote form there.
If you want to buy car insurance from a local San Jose insurance agency, it helps to know the two types of agencies and how they work. Car insurance agents in San Jose are considered either exclusive agents or independent agents.
Independent Car Insurance Agents
Independent insurance agents are appointed with more than one company so they can insure your vehicles with any number of different companies and get the cheapest rates. If they find a lower price, an independent agent can move your coverage and you don’t have to switch agencies.
If you need cheaper car insurance rates, you will definitely want to get insurance quotes from at least one independent agent to maximize your price options.
Featured below is a short list of independent agencies in San Jose that may be able to give you free rate quotes.
All Spectrum Insurance Brokers
4010 Moorpark Ave #117 – San Jose, CA 95117 – (408) 604-0092 – View Map
Nationwide Insurance: Nathan Douglas Gleason Agency
1625 The Alameda Ste 402 – San Jose, CA 95126 – (408) 656-0034 – View Map
Khalsa Insurance Agency
3750 McKee Rd A – San Jose, CA 95127 – (408) 272-2500 – View Map
Exclusive Insurance Agencies
Agents in the exclusive channel have only one company to place business with such as American Family, State Farm, and Allstate. Exclusive agents are unable to provide prices from multiple companies so they really need to provide good service. Exclusive insurance agents are well trained on their products and sales techniques which can be an advantage.
Below are San Jose exclusive agencies who can help you get price quote information.
Steve Sosnowski – State Farm Insurance Agent
841 Blossom Hill Rd #102 – San Jose, CA 95123 – (408) 629-4700 – View Map
Jim Fiorentino – State Farm Insurance Agent
3150 Almaden Expy #204 – San Jose, CA 95118 – (408) 267-3276 – View Map
Farmers Insurance – Roger Nguyen
478 E Santa Clara St #216 – San Jose, CA 95112 – (408) 293-7250 – View Map
Finding a good car insurance agent should depend on more than just the quoted price. The following questions are important to ask.
- Is the agent properly licensed in California?
- How many years of experience in personal auto insurance do they have?
- Can you use your own choice of collision repair facility?
- How long have they been in business?
- Do they assist clients in filing claims?
- Are they full-time agents?
- Do they write coverage based solely on cost?
Quote. Compare. Save.
We just covered some good ideas how to lower your BMW 328i insurance rates in San Jose. The key concept to understand is the more price quotes you have, the better chance you’ll have of finding low cost San Jose auto insurance quotes. Consumers could even find that the best rates are with the smaller companies. Some small companies can often insure niche markets at a lower cost compared to the large companies like State Farm and Allstate.
Discount BMW 328i insurance in San Jose is definitely available on the web as well as from insurance agents, and you need to price shop both in order to have the best chance of saving money. There are still a few companies who may not provide rate quotes online and these small insurance companies prefer to sell through independent agents.
More detailed auto insurance information can be found in these articles:
- Understanding your Policy (NAIC.org)
- How Much are Auto Insurance Quotes for a Honda CR-V in San Jose? (FAQ)
- How Much is San Jose Auto Insurance for First-time Drivers? (FAQ)
- What Insurance is Cheapest for a Jeep Wrangler in San Jose? (FAQ)
- Coverage Information (Progressive Insurance)
- What are my Rights when Filing a Claim? (Insurance Information Institute)
- Credit Impacts Car Insurance Rates (State Farm)
- Side Impact Crash Tests (iihs.org)