The Cheapest Auto Insurance Companies in Santa Ana, California, in 2026

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.

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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).

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Santa Ana drivers pay an average of $148 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 National General offer the most affordable rates, with the cheapest average liability rate starting at just $85 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 $85 per month on average.

  • Liability coverage costs $99 per month in Santa Ana, while full coverage averages $196.

  • 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 in Santa Ana, CA, are estimated rates current as of: Tuesday, March 31 at 5:00 PM PDT. 
Company
sort ascsort desc
Average Monthly Premium
sort ascsort desc
USAA$85
Aspire General$88
National General$94
Sun Coast$94
GEICO$97
Mercury$98
Dairyland$102
Root$114
Allstate$117
Farmers$120
Direct Auto$122
Anchor$123
Bristol West$129
Kemper Special$130
State Farm$130
Travelers$136
Kemper Rsvp$145
21st Century$149
Nationwide$184
We sourced this data by analyzing real quotes from Compare.com's 100-plus partner insurance companies alongside rate filings collected and distributed by Quadrant Information Services. Actual quotes may vary. Data updated on Tuesday, March 31 at 5:00 PM PDT.

USAA has the lowest average monthly liability rate, at $85.

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
sort ascsort desc
Cheapest Insurer
sort ascsort desc
Insurer’s Average Monthly Premium
sort ascsort desc
State-minimum coverageUSAA$85
Full coverageAspire General$167
TeensUSAA$159
SeniorsUSAA$70
Drivers with a speeding ticketUSAA$110
Drivers with an at-fault accidentUSAA$111
Drivers with a DUIUSAA$118
Drivers with excellent creditUSAA$83
Drivers with poor creditUSAA$104
We sourced this data by analyzing real quotes from Compare.com's 100-plus partner insurance companies alongside rate filings collected and distributed by Quadrant Information Services. Actual quotes may vary. Data updated on .

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 $85 per month.

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  • Santa Ana drivers pay an average of $99 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.

    The below rates in Santa Ana, CA, are estimated rates current as of: Tuesday, March 31 at 5:00 PM PDT. 

    Average Liability Rates by Company

    Company
    Average Monthly Premium
    USAA$85
    Aspire General$88
    National General$94
    Sun Coast$94
    GEICO$97
    Mercury$98
    Dairyland$102
    Root$114
    Allstate$117
    Farmers$120
    Direct Auto$122
    Anchor$123
    Bristol West$129
    Kemper Special$130
    State Farm$130
    Travelers$136
    Kemper Rsvp$145
    21st Century$149
    Nationwide$184
  • 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 $196 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.

    The below rates in Santa Ana, CA, are estimated rates current as of: Tuesday, March 31 at 5:00 PM PDT. 

    Average Full-Coverage Rates by Company

    Company
    Average Monthly Premium
    Aspire General$167
    Root$189
    Mercury$199
    USAA$199
    GEICO$203
    Kemper Special$229
    Kemper Rsvp$233
    Sun Coast$236
    Anchor$242
    Dairyland$249
    National General$267
    Allstate$274
    Farmers$282
    Bristol West$300
    State Farm$305
    Direct Auto$316
    Travelers$321
    21st Century$350
    Nationwide$430
  • 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 $274 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.

    The below rates in Santa Ana, CA, are estimated rates current as of: Tuesday, March 31 at 5:00 PM PDT. 

    Average Rates for Teens

    Company
    Average Monthly Premium
    USAA$159
    Aspire General$163
    Sun Coast$174
    GEICO$175
    Dairyland$177
    Mercury$183
    National General$192
    Root$199
    Anchor$219
    Bristol West$233
    Allstate$234
    Direct Auto$237
    Kemper Special$241
    Farmers$241
    State Farm$255
    Kemper Rsvp$269
    21st Century$272
    Travelers$285
    Nationwide$364
  • 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 $133, 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.

    The below rates in Santa Ana, CA, are estimated rates current as of: Tuesday, March 31 at 5:00 PM PDT. 

    Average Rates for Seniors

    Company
    Average Monthly Premium
    USAA$70
    National General$75
    GEICO$79
    Aspire General$79
    Mercury$80
    Sun Coast$84
    Dairyland$88
    Allstate$97
    Farmers$97
    Root$97
    Direct Auto$100
    Anchor$102
    State Farm$104
    Bristol West$109
    Travelers$111
    Kemper Special$117
    21st Century$120
    Kemper Rsvp$130
    Nationwide$144
  • 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 $187 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.

    The below rates in Santa Ana, CA, are estimated rates current as of: Tuesday, March 31 at 5:00 PM PDT. 

    Average Rates With a Ticket

    Company
    Average Monthly Premium
    USAA$110
    Aspire General$111
    National General$117
    Sun Coast$119
    GEICO$127
    Dairyland$128
    Mercury$137
    Root$153
    Allstate$153
    Direct Auto$153
    Anchor$153
    Farmers$154
    Bristol West$163
    Kemper Special$164
    State Farm$166
    Travelers$177
    Kemper Rsvp$183
    21st Century$197
    Nationwide$240
  • 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 $185, according to Compare.com data. You can often find a much better deal with one of the five insurers highlighted below.

    The below rates in Santa Ana, CA, are estimated rates current as of: Tuesday, March 31 at 5:00 PM PDT. 

    Average Rates With an Accident

    Company
    Average Monthly Premium
    Aspire General$110
    USAA$111
    Sun Coast$117
    National General$121
    GEICO$123
    Dairyland$131
    Mercury$144
    Root$148
    Allstate$152
    Farmers$155
    Anchor$156
    Direct Auto$162
    Kemper Special$162
    Bristol West$165
    State Farm$167
    Travelers$178
    Kemper Rsvp$181
    21st Century$197
    Nationwide$241
  • 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 $192 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.

    The below rates in Santa Ana, CA, are estimated rates current as of: Tuesday, March 31 at 5:00 PM PDT. 

    Average Rates With a DUI

    Company
    Average Monthly Premium
    Aspire General$114
    USAA$118
    Sun Coast$122
    National General$131
    GEICO$133
    Dairyland$142
    Mercury$142
    Root$159
    Allstate$163
    Farmers$167
    Kemper Special$168
    Direct Auto$170
    Anchor$173
    Bristol West$179
    State Farm$181
    Kemper Rsvp$188
    Travelers$189
    21st Century$194
    Nationwide$256

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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 $148, according to our data. Santa Ana drivers pay an average of $99 per month for liability coverage and $196 for full coverage.

  • Is car insurance in Santa Ana expensive?

    Yes. Santa Ana drivers pay an average monthly premium of $148, compared to the national average of $136. 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 $85 per month, according to our data.

Disclaimer

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

  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."

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.

About Compare.com

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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