The Cheapest Auto Insurance Companies in Santa Ana, California, in 2025

USAA offers the lowest rates in Santa Ana, but your personal costs will vary based on your age, driving record, and other factors.

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Lequita Westbrooks
Lequita WestbrooksSenior Editor

Lequita Westbrooks is an insurance editor at Compare.com. Her writing and editing experiences span several industries, including insurance, personal finance, higher education, and more. She excels at explaining complex topics like auto insurance in simple, easy-to-understand language and is passionate about helping readers save money. Lequita graduated from the University of South Florida, where she earned her Bachelor’s degree in English.

John Leach
Reviewed byJohn Leach
John Leach
John LeachLicensed Insurance Agent

John Leach is a licensed insurance agent who reviews and fact-checks articles for Compare.com. John has several years of experience reviewing and editing various insurance topics, and he also holds a valid personal lines producer license from the California Department of Insurance (NPN #20461358).

He’s also an alumnus of the University of California, Santa Barbara, where he earned a bachelor’s degree in linguistics.

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Santa Ana drivers pay an average of $170 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, Root, and Sun Coast offer the most affordable rates, with the cheapest average liability rate starting at just $98 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.

Key Takeaways
  • USAA offers the cheapest car insurance in Santa Ana, at $98 per month on average.

  • Liability coverage costs $111 per month in Santa Ana, while full coverage averages $229.

  • 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.

The below rates are estimated rates current as of: Monday, June 16 at 12:00 PM PDT
Company
sort ascsort desc
Average Monthly Premium
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USAA$98
Root$100
Sun Coast$101
Anchor$105
Mercury$105
Dairyland$109
Direct Auto$110
National General$117
GEICO$130
Allstate$135
Farmers$139
State Farm$151
Travelers$157
Bristol West$160
21st Century$172
Nationwide$212
Disclaimer: Table data sourced from real-time quotes from Compare.com's 50-plus partner insurance providers and quote estimates from Quadrant Information Services. Actual quotes may vary based on the policy buyer's unique driver profile.

USAA has the lowest average monthly liability rate, at $98.

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
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Cheapest Insurer
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Insurer’s Average Monthly Premium
sort ascsort desc
State-minimum coverageUSAA$98
Full coverageMercury$182
TeensRoot$177
SeniorsUSAA$81
Drivers with a speeding ticketUSAA$119
Drivers with an at-fault accidentSun Coast$116
Drivers with a DUIUSAA$151
Drivers with excellent creditRoot$91
Drivers with poor creditUSAA$114
Disclaimer: Table data sourced from real-time quotes from Compare.com's 50-plus partner insurance providers and quote estimates from Quadrant Information Services. Actual quotes may vary based on the policy buyer's unique driver profile.

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 $98 per month.

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  • Santa Ana drivers pay an average of $111 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

    Disclaimer: Table data sourced from real-time quotes from Compare.com's 50-plus partner insurance providers. Actual quotes may vary based on the policy buyer's unique driver profile.
  • 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 $229 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

    Disclaimer: Table data sourced from real-time quotes from Compare.com's 50-plus partner insurance providers. Actual quotes may vary based on the policy buyer's unique driver profile.
  • 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 $337 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

    Disclaimer: Table data sourced from real-time quotes from Compare.com's 50-plus partner insurance providers. Actual quotes may vary based on the policy buyer's unique driver profile.
  • 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 $152, 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

    Disclaimer: Table data sourced from real-time quotes from Compare.com's 50-plus partner insurance providers. Actual quotes may vary based on the policy buyer's unique driver profile.
  • 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 $206 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

    Disclaimer: Table data sourced from real-time quotes from Compare.com's 50-plus partner insurance providers. Actual quotes may vary based on the policy buyer's unique driver profile.
  • 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 $194, 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

    Disclaimer: Table data sourced from real-time quotes from Compare.com's 50-plus partner insurance providers. Actual quotes may vary based on the policy buyer's unique driver profile.
  • 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 $274 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

    Disclaimer: Table data sourced from real-time quotes from Compare.com's 50-plus partner insurance providers. Actual quotes may vary based on the policy buyer's unique driver profile.

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California Auto Insurance Requirements

Flag of Santa Ana, California, with a blue and yellow design featuring a city seal, waving against a blue sky with clouds.

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:

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]

Is minimum coverage enough in Santa Ana?

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 $170, according to our data. Santa Ana drivers pay an average of $111 per month for liability coverage and $229 for full coverage.

  • Is car insurance in Santa Ana expensive?

    Yes. Santa Ana drivers pay an average monthly premium of $170, compared to the national average of $150. 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 $98 per month, according to our data.

Disclaimer

Our editorial team created this article with the help of highly trained generative AI tools. Additionally, multiple insurance experts — including at least one licensed agent — have rigorously reviewed, fact-checked, and edited every word and data point you see here.

We write, edit, and review all the content on Compare.com according to our strict editorial standards, regardless of how we created it. Learn more about our editorial process.

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.

Related Articles

Sources

  1. Law Office of Melinda Helbock. "The Cities in California with the Most and Least Car Accidents."
  2. California DMV. "Auto Insurance Requirements."
  3. Insurance Information Institute. "How much auto coverage do I need?."
  4. NAIC. "What You Should Know About Auto Insurance Coverage."
  5. U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. "Risk Factors for Teen Drivers."
  6. Iihs.org. "Older drivers."
  7. California DMV. "Mature Driver Improvement Program."
  8. Insurance Information Institute. "Do auto insurance premiums go up after a claim?."
  9. Insurance Information Institute. "What if I can't find auto coverage?."
  10. California Department of Insurance. "Automobile Insurance."
About Compare.com

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  • 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.
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