It’s an obvious assumption that car insurance companies don’t want policyholders to shop around. Insureds who shop around for the cheapest price are inclined to switch to a new company because there is a good probability of finding a policy with more affordable rates. A recent survey revealed that drivers who shopped around every year saved about $860 a year compared to drivers who never shopped around.
If finding the lowest price on Mazda 3 insurance in San Jose is why you’re reading this, then having a grasp of how to get price quotes and compare insurance can help simplify the process.
The easiest way to get affordable car insurance rates in San Jose is to compare quotes once a year from providers in California.
- First, read about what is in your policy and the factors you can control to prevent expensive coverage. Many factors that result in higher prices such as accidents, traffic tickets, and a lousy credit rating can be rectified by making lifestyle changes or driving safer.
- Second, quote rates from direct carriers, independent agents, and exclusive agents. Direct and exclusive agents can only quote rates from one company like GEICO or State Farm, while independent agencies can quote prices from multiple sources.
- Third, compare the new quotes to your current policy to determine if you can save on 3 insurance in San Jose. If you find a lower rate and buy the policy, make sure coverage is continuous and does not lapse.
- Fourth, provide written notification to your current company to cancel your existing policy and submit payment and a signed application for the new coverage. Once coverage is bound, put the certificate verifying coverage in your glove compartment.
The key thing to remember is to use the same level of coverage on every quote request and and to analyze all possible companies. Doing this enables a level playing field and the best price selection.
Quoting and buying affordable coverage in San Jose is not as hard as you think. If you have coverage now or need a new policy, you will benefit by learning to lower your rates and still get good coverage. Drivers just have to use the most efficient way to quote multiple rates from many different companies online.
Discounts for affordable auto insurance rates
Companies offering auto insurance don’t always advertise all available discounts in a way that’s easy to find, so we researched some of the best known and also the more inconspicuous credits available to you.
- Air Bag Discount – Factory options such as air bags can qualify for discounts of 25 to 30%.
- Employee of Federal Government – Active or former government employment can earn a discount up to 10% with select insurance companies.
- Theft Deterrent – Cars, trucks, and SUVs optioned with advanced anti-theft systems are stolen with less frequency and will save you 10% or more on 3 insurance in San Jose.
- Distant Student – Youth drivers who live away from home to go to college and do not take a car to college can be insured at a reduced rate.
- Home Ownership Discount – Being a homeowner can get you a discount due to the fact that maintaining a home is proof that your finances are in order.
- Paper-free Discount – Some of the larger companies will provide an incentive for buying a policy and signing up over the internet.
Don’t be shocked that most discount credits are not given to all coverage premiums. Most only cut the cost of specific coverages such as physical damage coverage or medical payments. So even though you would think adding up those discounts means a free policy, it just doesn’t work that way.
The diagram below compares Mazda 3 insurance premiums with and without discounts. The rate quotes are based on a female driver, a clean driving record, 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, claim-free, multi-car, safe-driver, homeowner, and multi-policy discounts applied.
Some companies who may offer some of the discounts shown above include:
If you are trying to find affordable San Jose car insurance quotes, ask all the companies which discounts they offer. Discounts may not apply to policies in San Jose. To choose companies who offer online Mazda 3 insurance quotes in California, follow this link.
Most companies such as GEICO, State Farm and Progressive provide coverage price quotes from their websites. Getting Mazda 3 insurance prices online is fairly straightforward because you just enter the coverage amounts you desire into the form. Behind the scenes, their quoting system orders your driving record and credit report and returns a price quote based on many factors.
Being able to quote online for Mazda 3 insurance in San Jose makes comparing rates easy, and it is imperative to compare as many rates as possible in order to find the most affordable premium.
To find out if lower rates are available, check out the insurance providers below. If you currently have coverage, we recommend you copy your coverages exactly as they are listed on your policy. Doing this assures you will have a fair comparison for similar coverage.
The companies in the list below are our best choices to provide free rate quotes in California. If several companies are displayed, it’s a good idea that you visit as many as you can in order to find the most affordable rates.
Mazda 3 coverage statistics
The premium table shown below highlights detailed analysis of insurance policy prices for Mazda 3 models. Learning as much as possible about how insurance policy premiums are calculated helps drivers make smart choices when buying a policy.
| Model | Comp | Collision | Liability | Medical | UM/UIM | Annual Premium | Monthly Premium |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3 I Sport 4-Dr Sedan | $378 | $708 | $596 | $36 | $178 | $1,896 | $158 |
| 3 I SV 4-Dr Sedan | $378 | $708 | $596 | $36 | $178 | $1,896 | $158 |
| 3 I Touring 4-Dr Sedan | $378 | $834 | $596 | $36 | $178 | $2,022 | $169 |
| 3 S Sport 4-Dr Hatchback | $428 | $834 | $596 | $36 | $178 | $2,072 | $173 |
| 3 S Sport 4-Dr Sedan | $428 | $834 | $596 | $36 | $178 | $2,072 | $173 |
| 3 S Grand Touring 4-Dr Hatchback | $428 | $834 | $596 | $36 | $178 | $2,072 | $173 |
| 3 S Grand Touring 4-Dr Sedan | $428 | $834 | $596 | $36 | $178 | $2,072 | $173 |
| Get Your Own Custom Quote Go | |||||||
Data variables include single female driver age 30, no speeding tickets, no at-fault accidents, $250 deductibles, and California minimum liability limits. Discounts applied include claim-free, safe-driver, homeowner, multi-vehicle, and multi-policy. Information does not factor in vehicle location which can affect price quotes greatly.
Choosing deductibles
One of the hardest decisions when shopping for auto insurance is how high should the physical damage deductibles be. The comparisons below determine the cost difference when you choose different physical damage coverage deductibles. The first pricing table uses a $250 comprehensive and collision deductible and the second rate chart uses a $500 deductible.
| Model | Comp | Collision | Liability | Medical | UM/UIM | Annual Premium | Monthly Premium |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3 I Sport 4-Dr Sedan | $342 | $576 | $442 | $26 | $132 | $1,543 | $129 |
| 3 I SV 4-Dr Sedan | $342 | $576 | $442 | $26 | $132 | $1,543 | $129 |
| 3 I Touring 4-Dr Sedan | $342 | $678 | $442 | $26 | $132 | $1,645 | $137 |
| 3 S Sport 4-Dr Hatchback | $386 | $678 | $442 | $26 | $132 | $1,689 | $141 |
| 3 S Sport 4-Dr Sedan | $386 | $678 | $442 | $26 | $132 | $1,689 | $141 |
| 3 S Grand Touring 4-Dr Hatchback | $386 | $678 | $442 | $26 | $132 | $1,689 | $141 |
| 3 S Grand Touring 4-Dr Sedan | $386 | $678 | $442 | $26 | $132 | $1,689 | $141 |
| Get Your Own Custom Quote Go | |||||||
| Model | Comp | Collision | Liability | Medical | UM/UIM | Annual Premium | Monthly Premium |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3 I Sport 4-Dr Sedan | $278 | $464 | $442 | $26 | $132 | $1,342 | $112 |
| 3 I SV 4-Dr Sedan | $278 | $464 | $442 | $26 | $132 | $1,342 | $112 |
| 3 I Touring 4-Dr Sedan | $278 | $546 | $442 | $26 | $132 | $1,424 | $119 |
| 3 S Sport 4-Dr Hatchback | $314 | $546 | $442 | $26 | $132 | $1,460 | $122 |
| 3 S Sport 4-Dr Sedan | $314 | $546 | $442 | $26 | $132 | $1,460 | $122 |
| 3 S Grand Touring 4-Dr Hatchback | $314 | $546 | $442 | $26 | $132 | $1,460 | $122 |
| 3 S Grand Touring 4-Dr Sedan | $314 | $546 | $442 | $26 | $132 | $1,460 | $122 |
| Get Your Own Custom Quote Go | |||||||
Above prices assume married male driver age 30, no speeding tickets, no at-fault accidents, and California minimum liability limits. Discounts applied include homeowner, claim-free, multi-vehicle, multi-policy, and safe-driver. Rates do not factor in specific San Jose garaging location which can increase or decrease insurance rates substantially.
Based on this data, we can arrive at the conclusion that using a $250 deductible will cost in the ballpark of $18 more each month or $216 annually than quoting the higher $500 deductible. Since you would have to pay $250 more if you turn in a claim with a $500 deductible as compared to a $250 deductible, if you tend to have at a minimum 14 months between claim filings, you would save more money if you elect the higher deductible.
The illustration below shows how choosing a deductible and can influence Mazda 3 annual premium costs for each age group. The prices are based on a married female driver, full coverage, and no policy discounts are applied.
Informed Decisions Result in Lower Insurance Prices
Lots of things are part of the equation when quoting car insurance. Most are fairly basic such as your driving record, but some are not as apparent such as whether you are married or how safe your car is. Consumers need to have an understanding of the different types of things that aid in calculating the price you pay for insurance. If you understand what controls the rates you pay, this enables you to make decisions that could result in better insurance rates.
The itemized list below are some of the most common factors used by companies to determine your rate level.
Deter theft and pay less – Choosing to buy a car that has an advanced theft prevention system can save you some money. Anti-theft devices like OnStar, LoJack tracking, and tamper alarms can thwart your vehicle from being stolen.
Coverage lapses lead to higher prices – Driving your car without having proper coverage is not a good idea and your next policy will cost more because you let your insurance coverage expire. And not only will insurance be more expensive, not being able to provide proof of insurance can result in a license revocation or jail time. You may have to file a SR-22 with the California DMV.
Safety ratings are a factor – Cars with high safety ratings tend to be cheaper to insure. Safe vehicles result in less severe injuries and any reduction in injury severity means less claims paid which can mean better rates for you. If your Mazda has ratings of a minimum four stars on Safercar.gov or an “acceptable” rating on iihs.org it may be receiving lower rates.
With age comes responsibility – Mature drivers are more cautious drivers, are lower risk to insure, and get fewer tickets. Young drivers are proven to be inattentive and easily distracted when driving with friends therefore insurance rates are much higher.
The following data uses these assumptions: single driver, full coverage with $1000 deductibles, and no discounts or violations.
Gender and auto insurance costs – Over the last 50 years, statistics have shown that females tend to be a little less risky than males. That doesn’t necessarily mean that women are better drivers. Both sexes are responsible for at-fault accidents at a similar rate, but the men have costlier accidents. Not only are claims higher, but men get ticketed for serious violations such as DWI and reckless driving.
The illustration below shows the difference between Mazda 3 car insurance rates for male and female drivers. The rates are based on a clean driving record, no at-fault accidents, comp and collision included, $500 deductibles, single marital status, and no other discounts are factored in.
Do you really need roadside assistance? – There are quite a few optional add-on coverages you can purchase on your insurance policy. Coverages like vanishing deductibles, towing coverage, and extra life insurance coverage are probably not needed. They may seem good when you first buy your policy, but if they’re wasting money eliminate the coverages to reduce your premium.
What type of vehicle do you drive? – The performance level of the car you need insurance for makes a significant difference in your auto insurance rates. Small economy passenger cars generally have the cheapest insurance rates, but many other things help determine your insurance rates.
The following data assumes a married female driver age 30, full coverage with $250 deductibles, and no discounts or violations. It shows Mazda 3 insurance rates compared to other vehicles that have different performances.
Get married and get better rates – Being married can get you a discount when shopping for insurance. Having a significant other usually means you are more mature than a single person and insurance companies like that drivers who are married file infrequent claims.
Claims statistics for a Mazda 3 – Insurance companies use past insurance losses to calculate a price that will offset any claims. Models that historically have a trend towards higher claim severity or frequency will have higher premium rates.
The table shown below demonstrates the loss history for Mazda 3 vehicles. For each policy coverage type, the claim probability for all vehicles averaged together is set at 100. Percentage numbers below 100 suggest losses that are better than average, while values over 100 indicate a higher chance of having a claim or an increased probability of a larger loss.
| Vehicle Make and Model | Collision | Property Damage | Comp | Personal Injury | Medical Payment | Bodily Injury |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Mazda 3 | 99 | 104 | 96 | 106 | 110 | 103 |
| Mazda 3 Hatchback | 91 | 80 | 96 | 81 | 73 | 86 |
Statistics Source: Insurance Institute for Highway Safety for 2013-2015 Model Years
Do I just need basic coverages?
When quoting and choosing coverage, there really isn’t a perfect coverage plan. Your financial needs are unique.
For example, these questions might help in determining if your insurance needs might need professional guidance.
- Is my Mazda 3 covered for smoke damage?
- Are rock-chip repairs free?
- Am I covered by my spouse’s policy after a separation?
- Am I missing any policy discounts?
- How do I file an SR-22 for a DUI in California?
- Can I still get insurance after a DUI?
- Should I buy additional glass protection?
- How many claims can I have before being canceled?
- I have good health insurance, so how much medical payments coverage do I need?
- Am I covered when renting a car or should I buy coverage from the car rental agency?
If it’s difficult to answer those questions but you think they might apply to your situation then you might want to talk to an agent. To find an agent in your area, simply complete this short form. It only takes a few minutes and you can get the answers you need.
When to get advice from an insurance agency
Many people just prefer to get professional advice from a licensed agent and that can be a smart move Good agents can make sure you are properly covered and help file insurance claims. A nice benefit of comparing car insurance online is the fact that drivers can get better rates and still have a local agent. And buying from local insurance agencies is still important in San Jose.
To help locate an agent, after submitting this form (opens in new window), your coverage information is sent to participating agents in San Jose who want to provide quotes for your business. There is no need to search for any insurance agencies because prices are sent directly to your email. If for some reason you want to quote rates from a specific insurance company, don’t hesitate to find their quoting web page and fill out their quote form.
Choose an insurance agent wisely
When researching an insurance agent, you need to know there are two types of insurance agents from which to choose. Agents in San Jose can be classified as either exclusive or independent (non-exclusive). Both types can provide car insurance policies, but it is important to understand the subtle differences since it may influence which type of agent you select.
Independent Insurance Agents
Independent insurance agents are normally appointed by many insurers and that allows them to write policies with an assortment of companies depending on which coverage is best. If they find a cheaper price, your agent can switch companies and you can keep the same agent. If you need lower rates, it’s recommended you get rate quotes from independent agents to have the most options to choose from. Most can insure with less well-known companies that may have much lower rates than larger companies.
The following is a small list of independent agents in San Jose that can possibly get you pricing information.
- Sergio Plascencia Insurance Agency
3136 Story Rd – San Jose, CA 95127 – (408) 254-8336 – View Map - San Jose Insurance
2542 S Bascom Ave – Campbell, CA 95008 – (408) 371-3700 – View Map - All Solutions Insurance – San Jose
574 Blossom Hill Rd – San Jose, CA 95123 – (408) 225-4300 – View Map
Exclusive Car Insurance Agents
Exclusive insurance agents can only quote rates from one company and some examples include Allstate, State Farm and Farmers Insurance. Exclusive agents cannot provide rate quotes from other companies so they really need to provide good service. Exclusive agents are well schooled on the products they sell which helps them compete with independent agents. Consumers often buy insurance from these agents mostly because of high brand loyalty rather than having the cheapest rates.
The following are exclusive insurance agents in San Jose willing to provide price quotes.
- Farmers Insurance – Jeff Senigaglia
950 S Bascom Ave #2113 – San Jose, CA 95128 – (408) 297-6686 – View Map - Joe Fiorentino – State Farm Insurance Agent
1153 Redmond Ave Ste C – San Jose, CA 95120 – (408) 927-7526 – View Map - Allstate Insurance: Phuong Tran
510 N 1st St Ste 224 – San Jose, CA 95112 – (408) 993-9898 – View Map
Finding a good car insurance agent requires more thought than just the price. Some important questions to ask are:
- Is the agency involved in supporting local community causes?
- What kind of financial rating does the company have?
- Will their companies depreciate repairs to your car based on the mileage?
- How experienced are they in personal risk management?
- Do they offer claims assistance after hours?
- Do the agents have professional certifications like CPCU or CIC?
- Will the agent or a CSR service your policy?
After talking to the agent and getting positive feedback to any questions you have and a low price estimate, you’ve probably found an insurance agent that will provide car insurance coverage. Just keep in mind policyholders can cancel coverage at any point so never assume you’re contractually obligated to a specific company for the full policy term.
Three main reasons to buy auto insurance
Despite the high cost of buying insurance for a Mazda 3 in San Jose, buying auto insurance may not be optional for several reasons.
- The majority of states have compulsory liability insurance requirements which means it is punishable by state law to not carry specific limits of liability protection if you don’t want to risk a ticket. 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.
- If you have a loan on your Mazda 3, most lenders will have a requirement that you buy full coverage to guarantee loan repayment. If you do not keep the policy in force, the lender may insure your Mazda at a much higher rate and require you to fork over the higher premium.
- Insurance safeguards not only your vehicle but also your financial assets. It will also cover medical expenses for you, your passengers, and anyone else injured in an accident. Liability coverage, the one required by state law, also pays expenses related to your legal defense if you are named as a defendant in an auto accident. If your vehicle suffers damage from an accident or hail, your auto insurance policy will pay all costs to repair after the deductible has been paid.
The benefits of buying auto insurance are without a doubt worth the cost, especially with large liability claims. Today the average American driver is wasting up to $869 every year so you should quote your policy with other companies at every renewal to save money.
The best rates come from being thorough
As you go through the steps to switch your coverage, it’s a bad idea to buy lower coverage limits just to save a few bucks. There are too many instances where consumers will sacrifice uninsured motorist or liability limits only to discover later they didn’t have enough coverage. The goal is to purchase plenty of coverage for the lowest price.
Consumers change insurance companies for a number of reasons such as delays in paying claims, not issuing a premium refund, policy cancellation or even questionable increases in premium. Regardless of your reason, switching auto insurance companies is actually quite simple.
You just learned some good ideas how to compare Mazda 3 insurance prices in San Jose. The key concept to understand is the more rate comparisons you have, the more likely it is that you will get a better rate. You may even discover the biggest savings come from some of the lesser-known companies.
To learn more, feel free to visit the resources below:
- A Tree Fell on Your Car: Now What? (Allstate)
- Who Has the Cheapest Auto Insurance Quotes for Handicapped Drivers in San Jose? (FAQ)
- What Auto Insurance is Cheapest for Hybrid Vehicles in San Jose? (FAQ)
- What Insurance is Cheapest for 16 Year Olds in San Jose? (FAQ)
- Who Has the Cheapest Auto Insurance for a Nissan Rogue in San Jose? (FAQ)
- Who Has Affordable Auto Insurance for Teenage Males in San Jose? (FAQ)
- Who Has Affordable San Jose Auto Insurance After a Speeding Ticket? (FAQ)
- Avoiding Deer Collisions (Insurance Information Institute)
- Event Data Recorders FAQ (iihs.org)
- Five Mistakes to Avoid (Insurance Information Institute)