Updated: December 16, 2025
Advertising & Editorial Disclosure
GEICO: Most affordable for diverse driver types at $36 per month for minimum coverage and $84 per month for full coverage. Drivers save 20% compared to San Jose's average rates.
AAA: Runner-up for affordability with $37 per month minimum and $90 per month full coverage rates. This insurer offers competitive pricing for senior drivers, drivers with an accident and drivers with a speeding ticket.
Progressive: Stands out as an affordable choice for drivers with a DUI, providing accessible coverage options for this challenging driver category.
Cheapest by Coverage and Driver Profile in San Jose:
For drivers in San Jose seeking full coverage, GEICO offers monthly rates at $84, delivering 42% savings compared to the city average. AAA follows closely at $90 monthly, offering 38% savings below local rates.
GEICO offers minimum coverage at $36 per month, while AAA provides competitive pricing at $37 per month. You can save around 38% to 42% with these insurers compared to San Jose's average insurance costs.
| Geico | $36 | $85 | -42% |
| AAA | $38 | $91 | -38% |
| Progressive | $52 | $98 | -28% |
| State Farm | $57 | $129 | -11% |
| Wawanesa Insurance | $67 | $133 | -4% |
Not in San Jose? Read more about the cheapest car insurance in California or the best car insurance in California.
Young drivers in San Jose have insurance costs due to their driving inexperience. GEICO offers young drivers car insurance at $159 monthly. State Farm follows closely at $179 per month, while AAA rounds out the top three at $180 per month.
You can reduce costs by staying on your parents' policy instead of purchasing separate coverage. Completing a defensive driving course can mean discounts of 5% to 15%.
| Geico | $159 | $1,909 | -37% |
| State Farm | $179 | $2,151 | -30% |
| AAA | $181 | $2,168 | -29% |
| Wawanesa Insurance | $184 | $2,208 | -28% |
| Progressive | $213 | $2,553 | -16% |
GEICO offers the most competitive rates at $90 monthly for full coverage, followed by AAA at $107 and State Farm at $110. Seniors can save by completing a defensive driving course, which reduces premiums up to 10% for three years.
Most insurers also provide accident forgiveness programs specifically for drivers 65 and older, while AAA offers special age-related discounts and credits for defensive driving classes.
| Geico | $91 | $1,089 | -43% |
| AAA | $107 | $1,288 | -32% |
| State Farm | $111 | $1,329 | -30% |
| Progressive | $119 | $1,429 | -25% |
| Allstate | $121 | $1,451 | -24% |
GEICO offers the most affordable coverage at $86 monthly for minimum limits if you have a DUI. Progressive is your second option at $116. For speeding tickets, AAA offers $46 monthly rates, followed by GEICO at $54.
At-fault accidents also see AAA at the top with $46 monthly premiums, while GEICO comes in second at $64. Shopping around after any violation helps you find the best rates.
| At-Fault Accident | AAA | $47 | -55% |
| At-Fault Accident | Geico | $64 | -38% |
| DUI | Geico | $86 | -44% |
| DUI | Progressive | $116 | -25% |
| Speeding Ticket | AAA | $47 | -52% |
| Speeding Ticket | Geico | $54 | -44% |
ZIP code 95112 sees monthly full coverage costs around $171, while drivers in 95124 pay just $120 monthly for the same protection. That $51 difference stems from location-based risk factors like local crime rates, traffic patterns and claim frequency.
| 95112 | $171 |
| 95128 | $160 |
| 95139 | $157 |
| 95131 | $156 |
| 95125 | $156 |
| 95120 | $155 |
| 95119 | $154 |
| 95113 | $149 |
| 95111 | $144 |
| 95122 | $143 |
| 95124 | $120 |
| 95129 | $121 |
| 95130 | $124 |
| 95118 | $124 |
| 95134 | $125 |
| 95117 | $127 |
| 95136 | $127 |
| 95132 | $128 |
| 95123 | $128 |
| 95135 | $129 |
Progressive takes the top spot in San Jose with a MoneyGeek score of 90 out of 100. This insurer offers good coverage options while maintaining competitive rates. GEICO, AAA, State Farm and Auto-Owners round out the city's finest insurance choices.
| Progressive | 90 | 3 | 3 | 2 |
| Geico | 87 | 1 | 7 | 7 |
| AAA | 87 | 2 | 5 | 7 |
| State Farm | 80 | 4 | 4 | 7 |
| Auto Owners | 79 | 8 | 1 | 6 |
Extensive coverage options for comprehensive protection
Snapshot program rewards safe driving with discounts
Round-the-clock customer service and claims support
Higher premiums than AAA and GEICO
Limited discounts for mature drivers
Claims processing delays reported by customers
Progressive ranks first in San Jose through its customer service and comprehensive coverage options. The company also offers 24/7 digital tools and rapid claims processing.
Progressive's comprehensive coverage addresses local theft concerns while its Snapshot program rewards safe driving habits.
Top affordability rankings across all driver types
Mobile app for tech-savvy policy management
Coverage options for high-risk driving records
Heavily digital-focused service limits personal interaction
Limited coverage customization compared to competitors
Poor customer experience performance versus other insurers
GEICO offers competitive rates and a digital-first customer service. It offers the lowest rates for young drivers, seniors and drivers with accidents and speeding tickets.
GEICO's 24/7 digital tools and mobile app allow busy San Jose professionals to manage policies and file claims anytime.
San Jose drivers can find affordable coverage.
Combine auto with home or renters insurance for 15% to 25% savings. Stack on multi-car discounts (10% to 25% per vehicle) plus good driver and paperless billing benefits. Total potential savings can reach 30% to 40% when you layer these discounts.
Increasing your deductible from $500 to $1,000 typically reduces premiums by 10% to 15% annually. Make sure you can comfortably pay the higher amount out-of-pocket if you need to file a claim.
Insurance companies regularly adjust their rates based on San Jose's changing risk factors and claims data. After three years of clean driving, you'll qualify for better rates as violations drop off your record.
Find the right coverage at competitive rates with our San Jose insurance FAQ answers below.
San Jose car insurance runs about $138 monthly for full coverage. While that's not cheap, it's moderate compared to other California cities. Granada Hills drivers pay $243 per month, making it the state's most expensive location, while Weed residents enjoy rates as low as $47 monthly.
Finding affordable car insurance in San Jose starts with understanding how insurers price policies across the city. Traffic congestion, theft risk and California’s insurance requirements all impact your premium.
We partnered with the California Department of Insurance and Quadrant Information Services to analyze hundreds of thousands of quotes from 12 insurers across every San Jose ZIP code.
Our ratings for the best car insurance in San Jose are calculated by a weighted score incorporating affordability (60%), customer experience (30%) and coverage options (10%).
Read more about our methodology, which reveals which insurers maintain competitive rates across San Jose neighborhoods and driver categories while delivering reliable claims service, not just advertised rates for perfect-record drivers.
About Mark Fitzpatrick
Mark Fitzpatrick, a Licensed Property and Casualty Insurance Producer, is MoneyGeek's resident Personal Finance Expert. With over five years of experience analyzing the insurance market, he conducts original research and creates tailored content for all types of buyers. His insights have been featured in publications like CNBC, NBC News and Mashable.
Fitzpatrick holds a master’s degree in economics and international relations from Johns Hopkins University and a bachelor’s degree from Boston College. He's also a five-time Jeopardy champion!
He writes about economics and insurance, breaking down complex topics so people know what they're buying.
