Updated
Santa Ana drivers pay an average of $157 per month for car insurance. The city’s higher-than-average rates may be due to its dense population and higher traffic volume, which typically lead to more accidents and claims.[1]
You can find rates below the citywide average if you know where to look. Our research shows USAA, Aspire General, and GEICO offer the most affordable rates, with the cheapest average liability rate starting at just $93 per month.
We explore the cheapest insurers in Santa Ana for different driver types, help you pick the right company for your situation, and share practical tips to lower your car insurance costs.
USAA offers the cheapest car insurance in Santa Ana, at $93 per month on average.
Liability coverage costs $110 per month in Santa Ana, while full coverage averages $203.
California requires all drivers to have liability insurance with minimum limits of $30,000 per person and $60,000 per accident for bodily injury, plus $15,000 for property damage.[2]
The Cheapest Car Insurance Companies in Santa Ana, California
Even though Santa Ana’s rates are higher than average, you can still find affordable coverage from several companies. The data below shows the most budget-friendly insurers in Santa Ana, according to Compare.com data.
Company | Average Monthly Premium |
|---|---|
| USAA | $93 |
| Aspire General | $94 |
| GEICO | $96 |
| Sun Coast | $97 |
| Mercury | $101 |
| Progressive | $101 |
| National General | $103 |
| Dairyland | $112 |
| Direct Auto | $116 |
| Root | $120 |
| Anchor | $129 |
| Farmers | $131 |
| Bristol West | $140 |
| Kemper Special | $142 |
| State Farm | $142 |
| Travelers | $150 |
| Kemper Rsvp | $158 |
| 21st Century | $162 |
| Hugo | $206 |
| First Acceptance | $215 |
| Chubb | $253 |
USAA has the lowest average monthly liability rate, at $93.
The next sections break down the cheapest companies for different driver profiles and coverage needs so you can find the best fit for your specific situation.
Cheapest Car Insurance in Santa Ana by Driver and Coverage Type
Car insurance rates can vary from driver to driver. That’s because personal factors such as your age, driving record, and where you live in a state affect your rates. It’s crucial to compare quotes from companies that tend to offer better rates for people with similar backgrounds to yours.
The breakdown below highlights the most affordable insurers for various driver types and coverage levels, according to our analysis.
Driver/Coverage Type | Cheapest Insurer | Insurer’s Average Monthly Premium |
|---|---|---|
| State-minimum coverage | USAA | $93 |
| Full coverage | Aspire General | $173 |
| Teens | USAA | $167 |
| Seniors | USAA | $77 |
| Drivers with a speeding ticket | USAA | $120 |
| Drivers with an at-fault accident | USAA | $124 |
| Drivers with a DUI | USAA | $130 |
| Drivers with excellent credit | USAA | $86 |
| Drivers with poor credit | USAA | $113 |
We’ve included detailed information for each driver category in the sections that follow.
Find the Best Company for You
Policies in Santa Ana start as low as $93 per month.
Cheapest state-minimum coverage: USAA
Santa Ana drivers pay an average of $110 per month for minimum coverage, according to Compare.com data. State minimums often fall short of covering medical bills and property damage in serious accidents.[3] That’s why many insurance experts recommend buying more than the state minimum.
If you need only basic liability coverage, the five companies highlighted below offer the most competitive rates in Santa Ana.
Average Liability Rates by Company
Company | Average Monthly Premium |
|---|---|
| USAA | $93 |
| Aspire General | $94 |
| GEICO | $96 |
| Sun Coast | $97 |
| Mercury | $101 |
| Progressive | $101 |
| National General | $103 |
| Dairyland | $112 |
| Direct Auto | $116 |
| Root | $120 |
| Anchor | $129 |
| Farmers | $131 |
| Bristol West | $140 |
| Kemper Special | $142 |
| State Farm | $142 |
| Travelers | $150 |
| Kemper Rsvp | $158 |
| 21st Century | $162 |
| Hugo | $206 |
| First Acceptance | $215 |
| Chubb | $253 |
Cheapest full coverage: Aspire General
Liability coverage covers only other drivers, which is why most drivers need full coverage. It protects your car and your finances more completely. Full coverage includes comprehensive and collision insurance on top of liability protection.
Comprehensive insurance covers theft, vandalism, and weather damage, and collision coverage pays for crash repairs to your vehicle. Lenders and leasing companies require you to maintain full coverage if you finance or lease your car.[4]
Santa Ana drivers pay an average of $203 per month for full coverage. But several insurers offer full coverage for close to what you’d pay for a liability-only policy.
The chart below shows the five most affordable full-coverage options in Santa Ana, according to our data.
Average Full-Coverage Rates by Company
Company | Average Monthly Premium |
|---|---|
| Aspire General | $173 |
| Root | $191 |
| GEICO | $204 |
| Mercury | $208 |
| Progressive | $210 |
| USAA | $216 |
| Kemper Special | $236 |
| Kemper Rsvp | $241 |
| Sun Coast | $244 |
| Anchor | $250 |
| National General | $288 |
| Dairyland | $297 |
| Direct Auto | $301 |
| Farmers | $307 |
| Bristol West | $320 |
| State Farm | $332 |
| Travelers | $349 |
| 21st Century | $380 |
| First Acceptance | $506 |
| Chubb | $592 |
Cheapest for teens: USAA
Teen drivers face some of the steepest insurance costs of any age group. Drivers ages 16–19 are three times as likely to be in a fatal crash as drivers 20 and older, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).[5]
The average teen pays nearly double the amount someone 20 or older pays for car insurance, according to our data.
Santa Ana teens pay $279 per month, on average. You can still find reasonable rates as a teen driver, especially if you shop around.
Here are five companies with the best rates for teen drivers in Santa Ana, according to our research.
Average Rates for Teens
Company | Average Monthly Premium |
|---|---|
| Aspire General | $167 |
| USAA | $167 |
| GEICO | $171 |
| Sun Coast | $172 |
| Root | $178 |
| Progressive | $179 |
| Mercury | $180 |
| Dairyland | $190 |
| National General | $200 |
| Direct Auto | $222 |
| Bristol West | $243 |
| Anchor | $244 |
| Kemper Special | $252 |
| Farmers | $256 |
| State Farm | $269 |
| Kemper Rsvp | $280 |
| 21st Century | $282 |
| Travelers | $305 |
| Hugo | $365 |
| First Acceptance | $381 |
| Chubb | $506 |
Cheapest for seniors: USAA
Cheaper auto insurance rates are one of the perks of getting older. Senior drivers typically get the best rates of any age group because of their years of driving experience and safer driving habits.[6] California drivers 55 and older often qualify for additional discounts, such as the mature driver discount.[7]
Seniors in Santa Ana pay a monthly average of $142, according to Compare.com data. Even with these already-low average rates, you can probably find an even better deal from several companies.
Below, we highlight five insurers offering the most competitive rates for senior drivers in Santa Ana.
Average Rates for Seniors
Company | Average Monthly Premium |
|---|---|
| USAA | $77 |
| GEICO | $78 |
| Mercury | $82 |
| National General | $83 |
| Aspire General | $85 |
| Sun Coast | $88 |
| Progressive | $92 |
| Dairyland | $97 |
| Direct Auto | $97 |
| Anchor | $106 |
| Farmers | $107 |
| Root | $113 |
| State Farm | $114 |
| Bristol West | $120 |
| Travelers | $123 |
| Kemper Special | $129 |
| 21st Century | $131 |
| Kemper Rsvp | $143 |
| Hugo | $187 |
| First Acceptance | $195 |
| Chubb | $196 |
Cheapest after a ticket: USAA
Getting a traffic ticket can lead to a premium increase when your policy renews. Moving violations stay on your driving record for three years and signal to insurers that you’re a higher risk.[8] In fact, our research shows that even a single speeding ticket causes average rates to increase by 37% nationwide.
Drivers with a recent ticket in Santa Ana pay $200 per month, according to Compare.com data.
Here are several insurers offering much lower rates for Santa Ana drivers with recent tickets, according to Compare.com data.
Average Rates With a Ticket
Company | Average Monthly Premium |
|---|---|
| Aspire General | $120 |
| USAA | $120 |
| Sun Coast | $123 |
| GEICO | $127 |
| Progressive | $129 |
| National General | $129 |
| Dairyland | $140 |
| Mercury | $140 |
| Root | $144 |
| Direct Auto | $147 |
| Anchor | $160 |
| Farmers | $169 |
| Bristol West | $178 |
| Kemper Special | $181 |
| State Farm | $181 |
| Travelers | $195 |
| Kemper Rsvp | $201 |
| 21st Century | $215 |
| Hugo | $262 |
| First Acceptance | $274 |
| Chubb | $324 |
Cheapest after an accident: USAA
Like a speeding ticket, causing an accident can make your rates spike significantly because it tells insurers you’re more likely to file claims in the future. At-fault accidents typically remain on your record for three to five years.
We found that a single at-fault accident causes average rates to increase by 41% nationwide.
Santa Ana drivers with a recent accident pay a monthly average of $202, according to Compare.com data. You can often find a much better deal with one of the five insurers highlighted below.
Average Rates With an Accident
Company | Average Monthly Premium |
|---|---|
| Aspire General | $121 |
| USAA | $124 |
| Sun Coast | $125 |
| GEICO | $126 |
| Progressive | $130 |
| National General | $135 |
| Dairyland | $145 |
| Mercury | $149 |
| Root | $149 |
| Direct Auto | $156 |
| Anchor | $165 |
| Farmers | $174 |
| Kemper Special | $183 |
| Bristol West | $183 |
| State Farm | $187 |
| Travelers | $201 |
| Kemper Rsvp | $203 |
| 21st Century | $219 |
| Hugo | $265 |
| First Acceptance | $276 |
| Chubb | $335 |
Cheapest after a DUI: USAA
A DUI conviction typically leads to the sharpest increase in car insurance rates of any incident. Our research shows average rates increase by 61% nationwide after a DUI. Not only will a DUI make it hard to find affordable coverage, but it may also be difficult to find coverage at all. Some companies won’t insure drivers with recent DUI convictions.
Fortunately, some insurers specialize in high-risk drivers, including drivers with DUIs.[9]
If you have a DUI conviction in Santa Ana, you’ll pay around $215 per month for car insurance, according to Compare.com data.
You don’t have to pay high rates forever. The chart below shows the five cheapest companies for Santa Ana drivers with DUI convictions, according to Compare.com data.
Average Rates With a DUI
Company | Average Monthly Premium |
|---|---|
| Aspire General | $129 |
| USAA | $130 |
| Sun Coast | $133 |
| GEICO | $136 |
| Progressive | $138 |
| National General | $144 |
| Mercury | $150 |
| Dairyland | $157 |
| Direct Auto | $162 |
| Root | $168 |
| Anchor | $180 |
| Farmers | $183 |
| Kemper Special | $195 |
| Bristol West | $196 |
| State Farm | $199 |
| Travelers | $210 |
| Kemper Rsvp | $216 |
| 21st Century | $220 |
| Hugo | $282 |
| First Acceptance | $294 |
| Chubb | $354 |
Get Cheaper Rates in Minutes
Compare personalized quotes from Santa Ana’s top insurers.
California Auto Insurance Requirements
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California requires all drivers to have car insurance, just like nearly every other state. Drivers must have the following minimum coverage to be roadworthy in the Golden State:
$30,000 for bodily injury liability per person
$60,000 for bodily injury liability per accident
$15,000 for property damage liability per accident
Companies must offer you uninsured/underinsured motorist coverage, but you don’t have to purchase it and may sign a waiver declining the coverage.[10]
Most car insurance experts recommend buying coverage above the state’s minimum limits. The California Department of Insurance suggests considering higher liability limits, especially if you have a lot of assets you want to protect.
Additionally, a serious accident can easily exceed the state’s minimum limits. For example, if you cause an accident that totals a $40,000 car, your $15,000 of property damage coverage would leave you responsible for $25,000 out of pocket.
Keep in mind that lenders require comprehensive and collision coverage if you finance or lease your car.
Santa Ana Auto Insurance FAQs
Here are answers to some of the most common questions about car insurance in Santa Ana.
How much is car insurance in Santa Ana?
The average monthly cost of car insurance in Santa Ana is $157, according to our data. Santa Ana drivers pay an average of $110 per month for liability coverage and $203 for full coverage.
Is car insurance in Santa Ana expensive?
Yes. Santa Ana drivers pay an average monthly premium of $157, compared to the national average of $143. Keep in mind that car insurance costs in Santa Ana depend on several factors, including your address and driving history — all of which can mean you pay more or less than the average.
What’s the cheapest auto insurance company in Santa Ana?
USAA offers the cheapest car insurance in Santa Ana, at an average rate of $93 per month, according to our data.
Our editorial team used highly trained generative artificial intelligence (AI) tools to assist with the first draft of this article before multiple insurance experts — including at least one licensed agent — rigorously reviewed, fact-checked, and edited every word and data point you see here.
We research, write, edit, and review all content on Compare.com in accordance with our strict editorial standards to ensure accuracy, clarity, and helpfulness. Learn more about our editorial process here.
Sources
- Law Office of Melinda Helbock. "The Cities in California with the Most and Least Car Accidents."
- California DMV. "Auto Insurance Requirements."
- Insurance Information Institute. "How much auto coverage do I need?."
- NAIC. "What You Should Know About Auto Insurance Coverage."
- U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. "Risk Factors for Teen Drivers."
- Iihs.org. "Older drivers."
- California DMV. "Mature Driver Improvement Program."
- Insurance Information Institute. "Do auto insurance premiums go up after a claim?."
- Insurance Information Institute. "What if I can't find auto coverage?."
- California Department of Insurance. "Automobile Insurance."
Methodology
Data scientists at Compare.com analyzed more than 50 million real-time auto insurance quotes from more than 75 partner insurers in order to compile the rates and statistics seen in this article. Compare.com’s auto insurance data includes coverage analysis and details on drivers’ vehicles, driving records, insurance histories, and demographic information.
All the rates listed in this article have been collected from a combination of real Compare.com quotes and external insurance rate data gathered in collaboration with Quadrant Information Services. Compare.com uses these observations to provide readers with insights into how auto insurance companies determine their premiums.
Compare.com's #1 goal is to save you money. We publish resources that are based on hard-hitting data and years of industry experience to help you make more informed decisions with your wallet.
- All of Compare.com's content is written and reviewed for accuracy by a team of experienced writers and editors who are experts on the topics they cover.
- None of Compare.com's content is ever influenced by the companies and brands we partner with.
- Compare.com's editorial team operates independently of any of the company's partnership or business development interests. We publish unbiased information strictly for the benefit of our readers.
- All of the content you see on Compare.com is based on comprehensive analysis and all data is gathered and vetted from trustworthy sources.
Learn more about us, our team, and what makes us tick.
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