We don’t have to tell you that insurance companies want to keep you from comparing rates. Consumers who get comparison quotes once a year will most likely switch car insurance companies because there is a good probability of finding more affordable rates. A recent car insurance study discovered that drivers who shopped around annually saved over $3,450 over four years compared to people who never shopped around.
If finding the best price on auto insurance in San Jose is your objective, knowing the best way to shop and compare auto insurance can save time and make the process easier.
If saving money is your primary concern, then the best way to get cheaper car insurance rates is to annually compare prices from insurance carriers that sell auto insurance in San Jose.
- Read about how companies set rates and the modifications you can make to prevent rate increases. Many factors that cause rate increases such as traffic citations and a not-so-good credit rating can be controlled by making lifestyle changes or driving safer.
- Obtain price quotes from direct, independent, and exclusive agents. Exclusive and direct companies can only quote rates from one company like GEICO or Farmers Insurance, while agents who are independent can provide prices for a wide range of insurance providers.
- Compare the new rate quotes to your current policy to see if a cheaper rate is available in San Jose. If you find a better price and make a switch, verify that coverage does not lapse between policies.
- Provide proper notification to your current company of your intention to cancel your current policy and submit any necessary down payment along with the completed application to your new agent or company. Once received, put the proof of insurance certificate in your vehicle’s glove compartment or console.
An essential thing to point out is to try to compare identical deductibles and limits on every quote request and and to compare all possible companies. This guarantees an accurate price comparison and the best price quote selection.
Best Suzuki Equator insurance price quotes in California
The following companies are ready to provide free quotes in California. If multiple companies are shown, we suggest you visit as many as you can in order to get a fair rate comparison.
Data for Suzuki Equator insurance
The table shown next covers detailed analysis of insurance costs for Suzuki Equator models. Knowing how auto insurance premiums are calculated is important to be able to make smart buying decisions.
Model | Comp | Collision | Liability | Medical | UM/UIM | Annual Premium | Monthly Premium |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Equator Ext Cab 2WD | $332 | $564 | $442 | $26 | $132 | $1,496 | $125 |
Equator Ext Cab 2WD | $332 | $564 | $442 | $26 | $132 | $1,496 | $125 |
Equator Ext Cab 2WD | $380 | $686 | $442 | $26 | $132 | $1,666 | $139 |
Equator Ext Cab 2WD | $380 | $686 | $442 | $26 | $132 | $1,666 | $139 |
Equator Ext Cab 4WD | $380 | $686 | $442 | $26 | $132 | $1,666 | $139 |
Equator Crew Cab 4WD | $430 | $810 | $442 | $26 | $132 | $1,840 | $153 |
Equator Crew Cab 4WD | $430 | $810 | $442 | $26 | $132 | $1,840 | $153 |
Equator Crew Cab 4WD | $430 | $810 | $442 | $26 | $132 | $1,840 | $153 |
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Price data assumes married male driver age 30, no speeding tickets, no at-fault accidents, $100 deductibles, and California minimum liability limits. Discounts applied include multi-vehicle, safe-driver, homeowner, multi-policy, and claim-free. Rates do not factor in specific location which can increase or decrease coverage prices substantially.
The chart below shows how different deductible levels and can impact Suzuki Equator insurance rates for each different age group. The prices are based on a married male driver, full physical damage coverage, and no other discounts are factored in.
How violations and accidents impact rates
The information below illustrates how violations and at-fault accidents can affect Suzuki Equator insurance premiums for each age group. The rates are based on a married male driver, comp and collision included, $1,000 deductibles, and no discounts are applied to the premium.
Comparison of auto insurance rates by gender and age in San Jose
The chart below visualizes the comparison of Suzuki Equator insurance premiums for male and female drivers. The prices are based on no claims or driving violations, comprehensive and collision coverage, $250 deductibles, marital status is single, and no discounts are taken into consideration.
These eight discounts can lower your insurance rates
Some companies don’t always publicize every available discount very clearly, so the list below gives a summary of a few of the more well known and also the lesser-known savings tricks you should be using when you buy San Jose auto insurance online.
- Passive Restraints – Vehicles equipped with air bags or motorized seat belts may qualify for discounts of up to 25% or more.
- Defensive Driver Discounts – Participating in a course that instructs on driving safety could earn you a small percentage discount and easily pay for the cost of the class.
- Student Driver Training – It’s a good idea to have your young drivers enroll and complete driver’s education if offered at their school.
- Drive Safe and Save – Insureds who avoid accidents may save up to 50% more as compared to drivers with claims.
- Multi-Vehicle Discounts – Buying insurance for multiple cars on one policy can get a discount for every vehicle.
- Smart Student Discounts – Excelling in school could provide a savings of up to 20% or more. Earning this discount can benefit you until age 25.
- Theft Prevention Discount – Cars, trucks, and SUVs that have factory anti-theft systems help deter theft and that can save you a little bit as well.
- Online Discount – A few larger online companies will give you a small discount shop San Jose auto insurance over the internet.
While discounts sound great, it’s important to understand that most discount credits are not given to the whole policy. Most only apply to the cost of specific coverages such as liability, collision or medical payments. Just because you may think you could get a free insurance policy, it doesn’t quite work that way.
The information below illustrates the difference between Suzuki Equator yearly insurance costs with and without discounts applied to the rates. The premiums are based on a male driver, no driving violations, no at-fault accidents, California state minimum liability limits, full coverage, and $250 deductibles. The first bar for each age group shows premium with no discounts. The second shows the rates with marriage, multi-policy, safe-driver, multi-car, homeowner, and claim-free discounts applied.
Larger insurance companies and their offered discounts are:
- GEICO offers premium reductions for daytime running lights, defensive driver, multi-policy, membership and employees, and good student.
- MetLife may offer discounts for good driver, accident-free, claim-free, multi-policy, and defensive driver.
- State Farm includes discounts for multiple autos, student away at school, Steer Clear safe driver discount, defensive driving training, and anti-theft.
- Progressive may include discounts for homeowner, good student, continuous coverage, online signing, online quote discount, and multi-policy.
- Mercury Insurance has discounts for good driver, anti-theft, multi-car, age of vehicle, and location of vehicle.
- 21st Century policyholders can earn discounts including automatic seat belts, driver training, 55 and older, teen driver, and student driver.
- Allstate offers discounts for passive restraint, premier discount, resident student, auto/life discount, 55 and retired, FullPay discount, and economy car.
Before buying, ask all the companies which discounts you qualify for. All car insurance discounts might not be available to policyholders in San Jose. To see a list of companies with the best discounts in California, click here to view.
When in doubt talk to an agent
Always remember that when buying coverage online or from an agent for your vehicles, there really is no perfect coverage plan. Everyone’s needs are different and a cookie cutter policy won’t apply.
For instance, these questions might help in determining if your insurance needs could use an agent’s help.
- How much underlying liability do I need for an umbrella policy?
- Are there any extra discounts I can get?
- What does roadside assistance cover?
- Do I need PIP (personal injury protection) coverage in California?
- Is rental equipment covered for theft or damage?
- What is no-fault insurance?
- Can my teen driver be rated on a liability-only vehicle?
If it’s difficult to answer those questions, you may need to chat with a licensed insurance agent. To find lower rates from a local agent, complete this form or you can go here for a list of companies in your area.
Local San Jose insurance agents
Many drivers just prefer to get professional advice from a licensed agent and that is OK! One of the benefits of comparing insurance prices online is the fact that drivers can get cheap car insurance quotes and still have a local agent.
To find an agent, once you fill out this form (opens in new window), the coverage information is immediately sent to participating agents in San Jose who will give you quotes for your coverage. It simplifies rate comparisons since you won’t have to find an agent as quotes are delivered immediately to your email address. Get lower rates AND a local agent. If you have a need to get a rate quote from a particular provider, just go to their quote page and submit a quote form there.
Finding the right insurer should depend on more than just a cheap price. You should also get answers to these questions.
- How many companies do they write for?
- Do they get extra compensation for selling add-on coverages?
- What company do they have the most business with?
- Are they giving you every discount you deserve?
- Can you contact them at any time?
If you’re trying to find a local San Jose insurance agent, you must know there are a couple types of insurance agents that differ in how they can insure your vehicles. Agents are considered either independent or exclusive.
Exclusive Car Insurance Agents
Agents that elect to be exclusive can only write with one company like State Farm, AAA, Farmers Insurance or Allstate. Exclusive agencies are unable to compare other company’s rates so they have to upsell other benefits. Exclusive agents receive extensive training on sales techniques which helps them compete with independent agents.
Listed below are exclusive agencies in San Jose that are able to give price quotes.
Steve Sosnowski – State Farm Insurance Agent
841 Blossom Hill Rd #102 – San Jose, CA 95123 – (408) 629-4700 – View Map
Nhut Ho – State Farm Insurance Agent
2048 Tully Rd – San Jose, CA 95122 – (408) 223-6163 – View Map
Gary Sanchez – State Farm Insurance Agent
2053 Lincoln Ave a – San Jose, CA 95125 – (408) 269-5001 – View Map
Independent Insurance Agents
Agents that elect to be independent are not required to write business for one company so they can insure your vehicles with any number of different companies and get the cheapest rates. To transfer your coverage to a different company, they simply switch companies in-house and the insured can keep the same agent.
When comparing car insurance rates, you will want to include rate quotes from multiple independent agents in order to compare the most rates.
Listed below is a list of independent insurance agents in San Jose that can give you price quotes.
Harrington Insurance Agency
6920 Santa Teresa Blvd #101 – San Jose, CA 95119 – (408) 754-9000 – View Map
Taylor Benefits Insurance Agency
4820 Harwood Rd #130 – San Jose, CA 95124 – (408) 358-7502 – View Map
Nationwide Insurance: Nathan Douglas Gleason Agency
1625 The Alameda Ste 402 – San Jose, CA 95126 – (408) 656-0034 – View Map
Learn about auto insurance coverages for a Suzuki Equator
Knowing the specifics of auto insurance aids in choosing the right coverages and proper limits and deductibles. The coverage terms in a policy can be difficult to understand and coverage can change by endorsement. These are the normal coverages found on the average auto insurance policy.
Collision coverage – Collision coverage will pay to fix damage to your Equator from colliding with another car or object. You will need to pay your deductible and the rest of the damage will be paid by collision coverage.
Collision can pay for claims such as sustaining damage from a pot hole, scraping a guard rail and damaging your car on a curb. Paying for collision coverage can be pricey, so consider dropping it from older vehicles. Drivers also have the option to raise the deductible on your Equator to get cheaper collision coverage.
Med pay and Personal Injury Protection (PIP) – Medical payments and Personal Injury Protection insurance provide coverage for short-term medical expenses for pain medications, nursing services, X-ray expenses, ambulance fees and rehabilitation expenses. The coverages can be utilized in addition to your health insurance policy or if there is no health insurance coverage. It covers all vehicle occupants and will also cover getting struck while a pedestrian. PIP is not available in all states and may carry a deductible
Uninsured/Underinsured Motorist (UM/UIM) – This coverage protects you and your vehicle’s occupants when the “other guys” are uninsured or don’t have enough coverage. Covered losses include injuries to you and your family as well as damage to your Suzuki Equator.
Since a lot of drivers only carry the minimum required liability limits (California limits are 15/30/5), their limits can quickly be used up. This is the reason having UM/UIM coverage should not be overlooked.
Liability car insurance – Liability insurance will cover damage that occurs to other people or property by causing an accident. It protects YOU against claims from other people, and doesn’t cover damage to your own property or vehicle.
Split limit liability has three limits of coverage: per person bodily injury, per accident bodily injury, and a property damage limit. Your policy might show policy limits of 15/30/5 that means you have $15,000 in coverage for each person’s injuries, a per accident bodily injury limit of $30,000, and a total limit of $5,000 for damage to vehicles and property.
Liability coverage protects against claims such as legal defense fees, bail bonds and medical expenses. The amount of liability coverage you purchase is a decision to put some thought into, but you should buy as much as you can afford. California state law requires minimum liability limits of 15/30/5 but you should think about purchasing more coverage.
The illustration below demonstrates why minimum state limits may not be enough coverage.
Comprehensive insurance – Comprehensive insurance pays for damage from a wide range of events other than collision. You first must pay your deductible and then insurance will cover the rest of the damage.
Comprehensive insurance covers things like hitting a deer, rock chips in glass, theft and fire damage. The maximum amount you’ll receive from a claim is the market value of your vehicle, so if the vehicle’s value is low it’s probably time to drop comprehensive insurance.
Compare auto insurance prices regularly to save
When shopping online for auto insurance, you should never buy less coverage just to save a little money. There have been many situations where an accident victim reduced liability limits or collision coverage only to regret at claim time that it was a big error on their part. Your goal should be to buy enough coverage at the best possible price, but don’t skip important coverages to save money.
More affordable auto insurance in San Jose can be bought both online and from local agencies, and you should compare rates from both in order to have the best chance of saving money. Some insurance providers may not have the ability to get a quote online and usually these smaller providers work with independent insurance agents.
More tips and info about auto insurance is located by following these links:
- Car Insurance: When not to Skimp (BankRate.com)
- What Auto Insurance is Cheapest for Low Credit Scores in San Jose? (FAQ)
- Who Has Affordable Auto Insurance Rates for a Chevrolet Silverado in San Jose? (FAQ)
- Car Insurance FAQ (Trusted Choice)
- What is Gap Insurance? (Insurance Information Institute)
- Self-driving cars won’t replace humans (Insurance Institute for Highway Safety)
- Tools for Teen Driving Safety (State Farm)