Best and Cheapest Renters Insurance in San Jose, CA (Sept 2024)


Updated: September 13, 2024

Advertising & Editorial Disclosure

Travelers is the best renters insurance provider in San Jose, California, with a MoneyGeek score of 87 and an average annual premium of $124 for $20,000 in personal property coverage. The cheapest is Capital Insurance Group, with a MoneyGeek score of 89 and an annual premium of $68.

The top provider balances customer service with affordability. Depending on your needs, other providers may be best. MoneyGeek also found the best and cheapest renters insurance in California for those who live elsewhere in the state.

MoneyGeek Logo IconBest & CheapestRentersSan Jose, CA
2024

Table of Contents

Why Trust MoneyGeek? We analyzed information from the California Department of Insurance and Quadrant Information Services to determine top renters insurance options in San Jose.

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Renters insurance premiums in San Jose represent the most competitive estimates as of September 2024.

768Quotes Analyzed
 
8Providers Analyzed
 
7ZIP Codes

Overall Best Renters Insurance in San Jose, CA

The best renters insurance providers in San Jose for a policy with $20,000 in personal property coverage are:

  • Travelers: MoneyGeek score of 87 out of 100 ($124 per year)
  • Nationwide: MoneyGeek score of 87 out of 100 ($120 per year)

Travelers balances cost and service quality, earning an affordability score of 44 out of 55 and a customer satisfaction score of 28 out of 30.

Company logo for Travelers
Best OverallTravelers
MoneyGeek Score:
87/ of 100

Overview

Travelers ranks first for coverages in San Jose, with an annual premium of $124. Its contents replacement cost coverage ensures your personal property is replaced at its current value without deducting for depreciation. The scheduled personal property coverage financially protects high-value items like jewelry and fine art from a wide range of losses, offering renters peace of mind.

Best Renters Insurance in San Jose, CA
Data filtered by:Results filtered by:
Coverage:
Coverage:$20K Personal Property
TravelersMoneyGeek Score87Annual Premium$ 124
NationwideMoneyGeek Score87Annual Premium$ 120
State FarmMoneyGeek Score85Annual Premium$ 121
Capital Insurance GroupMoneyGeek Score82Annual Premium$ 68
AllstateMoneyGeek Score80Annual Premium$ 122
FarmersMoneyGeek Score78Annual Premium$ 132
ChubbMoneyGeek Score61Annual Premium$ 259

Cheapest Renters Insurance in San Jose, CA

In San Jose, Capital Insurance Group offers the cheapest renters insurance at $68 annually for $20,000 in personal property coverage.

  • Capital Insurance Group: $68 per year
  • Nationwide: $120 per year

Personal property coverage helps replace or repair your belongings if damaged, lost or stolen. Cheap renters insurance policies often have lower personal property coverage limits. Higher coverage limits can lead to higher monthly costs but offer better protection if you have many personal belongings.

Cheapest Renters Insurance in San Jose, CA
Data filtered by:Results filtered by:
Coverage:
Coverage:$20K Personal Property
Capital Insurance GroupMoneyGeek Score89Annual Premium$ 68
TravelersMoneyGeek Score84Annual Premium$ 124
NationwideMoneyGeek Score84Annual Premium$ 120
State FarmMoneyGeek Score84Annual Premium$ 121
AllstateMoneyGeek Score80Annual Premium$ 122
FarmersMoneyGeek Score76Annual Premium$ 132
ChubbMoneyGeek Score49Annual Premium$ 259

Cheapest Renters Insurance With a High Deductible in San Jose, CA

Capital Insurance Group offers San Jose's cheapest renters insurance for a policy with $20,000 in personal property coverage and a $2,000 deductible. Here are the top options for higher deductible policies:

  • Capital Insurance Group: $53 per year
  • Nationwide: $94 per year

A deductible is the amount you pay out of pocket before your insurance covers the rest. Higher deductibles usually mean lower premiums, while lower deductibles result in higher premiums. Balancing these factors ensures adequate coverage when filing a claim. Renters should consider their financial situation and potential risks when selecting a deductible.

Cheapest High Deductible Renters Insurance in San Jose, CA
Data filtered by:Results filtered by:
Coverage:
Coverage:$20K Personal Property
Deductible:
Deductible:$ 2,000
Capital Insurance GroupMoneyGeek Score82Annual Premium$ 53
NationwideMoneyGeek Score89Annual Premium$ 94
TravelersMoneyGeek Score89Annual Premium$ 100
State FarmMoneyGeek Score82Annual Premium$ 119
AllstateMoneyGeek Score77Annual Premium$ 122
FarmersMoneyGeek Score75Annual Premium$ 129
ChubbMoneyGeek Score61Annual Premium$ 239
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HOW TO SET YOUR DEDUCTIBLE

Ensure your deductible is an amount you can comfortably pay out of pocket in case you need to make a claim. Opting for a higher deductible can lower your annual premium, resulting in overall savings while still maintaining adequate coverage.

Best Renters Insurance for Customer Service in San Jose, CA

Travelers offers the best renters insurance for service quality in San Jose, with an average annual premium of $128 for $20,000 in personal property coverage.

  • Travelers: MoneyGeek score of 96 out of 100 ($124 per year)
  • Nationwide: MoneyGeek score of 95 out of 100 ($120 per year)

Great customer service is crucial for renters seeking insurance because it ensures a smooth and supportive experience, particularly during claims. Efficient service means your case is handled quickly and effectively, reducing stress and helping you recover faster. MoneyGeek evaluates insurance providers based on customer satisfaction from J.D. Power surveys, which assess service quality in the context of renters insurance.

Company logo for Travelers
Best Service QualityTravelers
MoneyGeek Score:
96/ of 100

Overview

In San Jose, Travelers ranks first for customer satisfaction, coverage and financial stability, with an annual premium of $124.

Travelers' contents replacement cost add-on covers personal property losses at full replacement value without deducting for depreciation. Its scheduled personal property coverage offers higher coverage limits for special items like jewelry, fine art, musical instruments and computers without requiring appraisals or item listings.

Best Renters Insurance For Service Quality in San Jose, CA
Data filtered by:Results filtered by:
Coverage:
Coverage:$20K Personal Property
TravelersMoneyGeek Score96Annual Premium$ 124
NationwideMoneyGeek Score95Annual Premium$ 120
ChubbMoneyGeek Score93Annual Premium$ 259
State FarmMoneyGeek Score86Annual Premium$ 121
AllstateMoneyGeek Score77Annual Premium$ 122
FarmersMoneyGeek Score77Annual Premium$ 132
Capital Insurance GroupMoneyGeek Score61Annual Premium$ 68

Best Renters Insurance for High Personal Property Limits in San Jose, CA

For San Jose renters needing high personal property coverage, State Farm offers the best option with an annual premium of $220. Here are the top providers for a policy with $100,000 in personal property coverage:

  • State Farm: MoneyGeek score of 94 out of 100 ($220 per year)
  • Travelers: MoneyGeek score of 93 out of 100 ($296 per year)

Renters with many belongings need higher personal property coverage to financially protect items like furniture, electronics and clothing from theft, damage or loss. Higher coverage can increase premiums, so find a provider that balances cost with excellent service. High-value items like jewelry or art may need additional coverage beyond standard policies.

Company logo for State Farm
Best High Personal Property LimitState Farm
MoneyGeek Score:
94/ of 100

Overview

State Farm ranks first in affordability and customer satisfaction for expensive homes in San Jose, with an annual premium of $220. It provides cyber event/ID theft coverage, which covers the costs of recovering from identity theft, and earthquake damage coverage, which protects your home and belongings from earthquake-related risks.

Best Renters Insurance for High Personal Property Limits in San Jose, CA
State FarmMoneyGeek Score94Annual Premium$ 220
TravelersMoneyGeek Score93Annual Premium$ 296
FarmersMoneyGeek Score87Annual Premium$ 247
NationwideMoneyGeek Score87Annual Premium$ 368
Capital Insurance GroupMoneyGeek Score82Annual Premium$ 208
AllstateMoneyGeek Score80Annual Premium$ 373
ChubbMoneyGeek Score61Annual Premium$ 790
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SCHEDULED PERSONAL PROPERTY COVERAGE

You need additional coverage if you own valuables like fine jewelry or art since standard policies often don't cover these items. Choose a provider offering scheduled personal property coverage to protect your high-value possessions.

Best Renters Insurance for Military Families in San Jose, CA

For renters with military backgrounds in San Jose, the top providers for a policy with $20,000 in personal property coverage are:

  • USAA: MoneyGeek score of 100 out of 100 ($284 per year)
  • Travelers: MoneyGeek score of 87 out of 100 ($124 per year)

USAA provides tailored products for active military members, veterans and their families. While other insurers might offer lower premiums, USAA's specialized benefits often make it a better choice for service members.

Company logo for USAA
Best for MilitaryUSAA
MoneyGeek Score:
100/ of 100

Overview

USAA is San Jose's top insurance provider for renters with a military background. It charges an average annual premium of $284 and excels in customer satisfaction.

Its contents replacement cost coverage ensures that stolen or damaged items can be replaced with new ones at their current retail prices. The worldwide personal property coverage financially protects your belongings while deployed abroad.

Best Renters Insurance for Military in San Jose, CA
Data filtered by:Results filtered by:
Coverage:
Coverage:$20K Personal Property
USAAMoneyGeek Score100Annual Premium$ 284
TravelersMoneyGeek Score87Annual Premium$ 124
NationwideMoneyGeek Score87Annual Premium$ 120
State FarmMoneyGeek Score85Annual Premium$ 121
Capital Insurance GroupMoneyGeek Score82Annual Premium$ 68
AllstateMoneyGeek Score80Annual Premium$ 122
FarmersMoneyGeek Score78Annual Premium$ 132
ChubbMoneyGeek Score61Annual Premium$ 259

Average Cost of Renters Insurance in San Jose, CA

The average renters insurance cost in San Jose is $135 annually ($11 monthly), cheaper than California's average of $148 and the national average of $145. These rates are based on a policy with a $20,000 personal property limit, $100,000 liability limit and a $1,000 deductible.

Renters insurance costs can vary depending on the amount of personal property coverage you choose. Consider using a personal property coverage calculator to estimate your needs and find a suitable policy.

Personal Property Coverage Calculator

When figuring out how much renters insurance you need, experts recommend the standard $100,000 in liability insurance and enough personal property protection to cover your possessions. Use MoneyGeek's calculator to estimate the value of your possessions so you know how much personal property coverage to buy.

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Factors That Impact Renters Insurance Costs in San Jose

The cost of renters insurance in San Jose depends on several factors. Understanding them can help you find a policy that fits your budget and needs.

  • Location: Crime rates and weather risks in your area can affect your premium.
  • Coverage amount: Higher coverage limits increase your insurance costs.
  • Deductible: A higher deductible lowers your monthly premium but means higher out-of-pocket costs in a claim.
  • Claims history: A history of claims may lead to higher premiums due to increased perceived risk.
  • Credit score: A better credit record can result in lower premiums.

What Renters Insurance Covers in San Jose, CA

Renters insurance covers personal property, liability and additional living expenses. It protects financially against theft, fire and other unforeseen events. Liability coverage helps in case of lawsuits for injuries or property damage.

Here's what renters insurance covers:

  • Personal property coverage: Protects your belongings against fire, theft or vandalism. For example, if a wildfire damages your apartment in California, this coverage helps replace your possessions.
  • Personal liability coverage: Covers expenses if someone gets injured in your rental property and you're found legally responsible. For instance, if a guest slips and falls in your California apartment, your insurance will cover their medical bill.
  • Loss of use coverage: Covers additional living expenses if your rental becomes uninhabitable due to a covered event. For example, if an wildfire makes your California apartment unlivable, loss of use coverage can help pay for your hotel stay and other related expenses.
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COMMONLY COVERED PERILS

Renters insurance typically covers losses from incidents like theft, fire and water damage. Understanding your policy's specific coverage is key to ensuring you're protected. Here are common situations renters insurance covers:

  • Fire or lightning
  • Windstorm or hail
  • Explosions
  • Riots
  • Aircraft
  • Vehicles
  • Smoke damage

What Renters Insurance Does Not Cover in San Jose

While renters insurance provides a financial safety net, it doesn't cover every situation:

  • Natural disasters: Standard policies typically exclude damage from floods.
  • Roommate's belongings: Personal property coverage usually doesn't extend to a roommate's possessions unless they're listed on the policy.
  • High-value items: Expensive items like jewelry or electronics may require additional coverage if their value exceeds the policy limit.
  • Business equipment: Property used for business purposes is generally not covered under standard renters insurance.
  • Pest damage: Damage from pests like bed bugs or rodents is usually not covered.
  • Car theft: While personal property stolen from your car may be covered, the theft of the vehicle itself is not.

FAQ: Renters Insurance in San Jose, CA

Choosing the best renters insurance provider in San Jose depends on your needs. We address some frequently asked questions to help you make an informed decision.

How much is renters insurance in San Jose, California, on average?
What is the cheapest renters insurance company in San Jose, CA?
What is the best renters insurance company in San Jose, CA?
Do I need renters insurance in San Jose, CA?

About Mark Fitzpatrick


Mark Fitzpatrick headshot

Mark Fitzpatrick is a Licensed Property and Casualty Insurance Producer and MoneyGeek's Head of Insurance. He has analyzed the insurance market for over five years, conducting original research and creating personalized content for every kind of buyer. He has been quoted in several insurance-related publications, including CNBC, NBC News and Mashable.

Fitzpatrick earned a master’s degree in economics and international relations from Johns Hopkins University and a bachelor’s degree from Boston College. He is passionate about using his knowledge of economics and insurance to bring transparency around financial topics and help others feel confident in their money moves.