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Updated
Car insurance in Santa Barbara costs drivers an average of $126 per month. California bumped up its minimum coverage rules in January 2025, leading some companies to increase rates.[1] But the area has a lower population than Los Angeles and San Francisco, which may help bring premiums down.[2]
Still, finding affordable car insurance in Santa Barbara doesn’t have to feel like searching for parking during Fiesta. USAA, Aspire General, and Sun Coast top our list as Santa Barbara’s cheapest insurers, with rates as low as $72 per month.
Let’s look at which companies have cheap car insurance for different types of drivers and ways you can save on coverage.
USAA is Santa Barbara’s most budget-friendly insurer, averaging $72 per month.
Santa Barbara drivers pay around $81 per month for liability coverage and $170 per month for full coverage.
California requires drivers to have liability limits of $30,000 per person and $60,000 per accident for bodily injury, plus $15,000 for property damage.[3]
Despite the citywide average cost, plenty of car insurance companies offer great deals on coverage in Santa Barbara.
Here’s a breakdown of companies in Santa Barbara with the most competitive rates, according to Compare.com data.
Company  | Average Monthly Premium |
|---|---|
| USAA | $72 |
| Aspire General | $75 |
| National General | $80 |
| Sun Coast | $80 |
| GEICO | $82 |
| Mercury | $83 |
| Dairyland | $87 |
| Root | $97 |
| Allstate | $99 |
| Farmers | $102 |
| Direct Auto | $104 |
| Anchor | $105 |
| Bristol West | $110 |
| Kemper Special | $111 |
| State Farm | $111 |
| Travelers | $116 |
| Kemper Rsvp | $123 |
| 21st Century | $127 |
| Nationwide | $156 |
| Chubb | $197 |
The clear winner is USAA, coming in with an average of just $72 per month. That kind of car insurance savings could fund your weekend trips to Solvang or cover a few more dinners at your favorite State Street spot.
Next, we’ll discuss affordable policy options for different driver situations, including rates for young drivers, those with less-than-perfect driving records, and folks looking for full coverage.
While these general rates paint a helpful picture, your premium could swing dramatically when shopping for coverage on car insurance comparison sites. Age, driving record, credit history, discounts, coverages, and even your address play huge roles — a driver in Hope Ranch might see vastly different numbers than someone near the harbor.
Take a look at which insurers consistently deliver the lowest rates across different driver profiles and coverage options, according to our data.
Driver/Coverage Type | Cheapest Insurer | Insurer’s Average Monthly Premium |
|---|---|---|
| State-minimum coverage | USAA | $72 |
| Full coverage | Aspire General | $142 |
| Teens | USAA | $134 |
| Seniors | USAA | $60 |
| Drivers with a speeding ticket | USAA | $93 |
| Drivers with an at-fault accident | USAA | $94 |
| Drivers with a DUI | USAA | $99 |
Each category gets its own analysis in the upcoming sections, so you’ll have an idea of what to expect for your circumstances.
If you’re looking to meet California’s state-minimum requirements, expect to pay around $81 per month in Santa Barbara, according to Compare.com data. Keep in mind that the California Department of Insurance warns against sticking with the lowest limits, since they may not cover the full cost of serious accidents.[3]
Still, if you need only basic coverage, the chart below highlights the five cheapest companies for liability coverage, according to our research.
Company | Average Monthly Premium |
|---|---|
| USAA | $72 |
| Aspire General | $75 |
| National General | $80 |
| Sun Coast | $80 |
| GEICO | $82 |
| Mercury | $83 |
| Dairyland | $87 |
| Root | $97 |
| Allstate | $99 |
| Farmers | $102 |
| Direct Auto | $104 |
| Anchor | $105 |
| Bristol West | $110 |
| Kemper Special | $111 |
| State Farm | $111 |
| Travelers | $116 |
| Kemper Rsvp | $123 |
| 21st Century | $127 |
| Nationwide | $156 |
| Chubb | $197 |
Full coverage makes sense for most people since it goes beyond basic liability to actually protect your own car repairs, too. Full coverage usually includes liability insurance with collision coverage (crash damage to your car) and comprehensive coverage (theft, weather damage, vandalism).
Santa Barbara drivers typically pay an average of $170 per month for this extra protection, but some insurers price full coverage almost as low as what you’d pay for liability-only coverage. If you’re financing or leasing, your lender requires full coverage anyway.
The five companies in the chart below offer the most competitive full-coverage rates in Santa Barbara, according to Compare.com data.
Company | Average Monthly Premium |
|---|---|
| Aspire General | $142 |
| Root | $161 |
| Mercury | $170 |
| USAA | $170 |
| GEICO | $172 |
| Kemper Special | $195 |
| Kemper Rsvp | $198 |
| Sun Coast | $201 |
| Anchor | $206 |
| Dairyland | $212 |
| National General | $227 |
| Allstate | $233 |
| Farmers | $240 |
| Bristol West | $256 |
| State Farm | $260 |
| Direct Auto | $269 |
| Travelers | $273 |
| 21st Century | $298 |
| Nationwide | $366 |
| Chubb | $464 |
Age matters, and young drivers get some of the highest rates partly because they take more risks behind the wheel. In fact, more than one-third of teens say they’ve sent a text while driving, while others say they apply makeup or eat breakfast, according to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA).
Santa Barbara teens can expect to spend about an average of $231 per month for coverage. But certain companies offer more reasonable prices to young drivers.
The insurers below offer the best rates for teens navigating Santa Barbara’s streets, according to Compare.com data.
Company | Average Monthly Premium |
|---|---|
| USAA | $134 |
| Aspire General | $138 |
| Sun Coast | $147 |
| GEICO | $149 |
| Dairyland | $152 |
| Mercury | $153 |
| Root | $170 |
| Bristol West | $196 |
| Allstate | $197 |
| Anchor | $201 |
| Direct Auto | $203 |
| Kemper Special | $204 |
| Farmers | $205 |
| State Farm | $217 |
| Kemper Rsvp | $226 |
| 21st Century | $230 |
| Travelers | $243 |
| Nationwide | $306 |
| Chubb | $408 |
Seniors catch a break on car insurance since years of driving experience translate to lower risk in insurers’ eyes. Santa Barbara drivers 60 and older typically pay around $114 per month for coverage, according to Compare.com data.
Even though seniors already usually pay lower rates, some smart shopping can trim your bill even further. The five insurers below stand out for offering exceptional value to older drivers throughout Santa Barbara, according to Compare.com data.
Company | Average Monthly Premium |
|---|---|
| USAA | $60 |
| GEICO | $67 |
| Mercury | $68 |
| Aspire General | $68 |
| Sun Coast | $73 |
| Dairyland | $76 |
| Allstate | $83 |
| Farmers | $83 |
| Root | $83 |
| Direct Auto | $87 |
| Anchor | $88 |
| State Farm | $90 |
| Bristol West | $94 |
| Travelers | $95 |
| Kemper Special | $101 |
| 21st Century | $103 |
| Kemper Rsvp | $112 |
| Nationwide | $123 |
| Chubb | $153 |
The ticket you received on Highway 101 will likely bump your premium when renewal time rolls around. Our research reveals that just one speeding citation increases car insurance expenses by 36% on average nationwide.
Santa Barbara drivers with recent tickets pay around $158 per month, according to Compare.com data. But the penalty varies widely between companies, with some insurers being more forgiving about minor infractions.
Our data shows that the five companies below offer cheaper rates to drivers with recent violations throughout the Santa Barbara area.
Company | Average Monthly Premium |
|---|---|
| USAA | $93 |
| Aspire General | $94 |
| Sun Coast | $101 |
| GEICO | $107 |
| Dairyland | $108 |
| Mercury | $115 |
| Allstate | $129 |
| Root | $130 |
| Anchor | $131 |
| Farmers | $131 |
| Direct Auto | $131 |
| Bristol West | $139 |
| Kemper Special | $139 |
| State Farm | $141 |
| Travelers | $151 |
| Kemper Rsvp | $155 |
| 21st Century | $168 |
| Nationwide | $203 |
| Chubb | $251 |
Fender benders happen, but causing a car crash can unfortunately skyrocket your insurance costs since companies now see you as a higher risk. Our data shows that one at-fault accident typically drives premiums up by 40% nationwide, which stings almost as much as the accident itself.
Car insurance for Santa Barbara drivers with a recent car accident costs an average of $158 per month, according to Compare.com data. Some companies don’t penalize you as much. Here are five insurers with the lowest insurance costs, according to our research.
Company | Average Monthly Premium |
|---|---|
| Aspire General | $94 |
| USAA | $94 |
| Sun Coast | $100 |
| GEICO | $105 |
| Dairyland | $112 |
| Mercury | $121 |
| Root | $127 |
| Allstate | $129 |
| Anchor | $132 |
| Farmers | $133 |
| Direct Auto | $138 |
| Kemper Special | $139 |
| Bristol West | $141 |
| State Farm | $143 |
| Travelers | $152 |
| Kemper Rsvp | $154 |
| 21st Century | $168 |
| Nationwide | $205 |
| Chubb | $255 |
Of all traffic violations, a DUI affects your insurance the most. Our research shows premiums spike by an average of 61% nationwide after a DUI, making it far more expensive than accidents or speeding tickets.
Santa Barbara drivers with a DUI on their record pay about $165 per month, according to Compare.com.
The silver lining is that some insurers specialize in high-risk coverage and won’t completely price you out of the market. For drivers with a DUI in Santa Barbara, these five insurers have the lowest premiums, according to Compare.com data.
Company | Average Monthly Premium |
|---|---|
| Aspire General | $98 |
| USAA | $99 |
| Sun Coast | $105 |
| GEICO | $112 |
| Dairyland | $120 |
| Mercury | $120 |
| Root | $135 |
| Allstate | $136 |
| Farmers | $140 |
| Direct Auto | $143 |
| Kemper Special | $145 |
| Anchor | $146 |
| Bristol West | $151 |
| State Farm | $153 |
| Travelers | $160 |
| Kemper Rsvp | $161 |
| 21st Century | $167 |
| Nationwide | $215 |
| Chubb | $271 |
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California auto insurance laws require every driver to have insurance — you can’t get around it. The state sets the following minimum coverage amounts for bodily injury and property damage liability that your policy must include:
$30,000 for bodily injury or death per person
$60,000 for bodily injury or death per accident
$15,000 for property damage per accident
Your insurance company must also offer you uninsured/underinsured motorist coverage, which protects you if someone without adequate insurance hits you. You can decline this coverage, but you’ll need to sign a waiver stating you understand you’re giving up this protection.
California’s Department of Insurance recommends having more than the state-minimum policy limits to protect your finances. If you’re leasing your vehicle, your lender will also require comprehensive and collision coverage.
Imagine rear-ending a Tesla on State Street. California’s minimum property damage coverage caps at $15,000. If the damage exceeds that — highly likely with high-end vehicles — that could leave you in a financial crisis, as you’d have to pay for the rest out of pocket.
And consider the possibility of injuries: In 2023, the average payout for injury-related claims was $26,500, while property damage claims averaged $6,500.[4]
If you’re shopping for car insurance in Santa Barbara, you probably have a few questions. We’ve answered some of the most common questions local drivers ask about getting the coverage that fits their needs.
Santa Barbara drivers spend an average of $126 per month for car insurance. If you’re going with liability-only coverage, expect to pay around $81 per month, while full coverage typically runs about $170 per month.
For minimum-liability coverage, USAA offers the cheapest rates in Santa Barbara, at about $72 per month. It’s a great choice for drivers looking to meet state requirements at the lowest possible cost.
It depends. Your premium hinges on multiple factors, including your ZIP code, driving history, and even age. To give you a sense of how local costs stack up against the rest of the country, our data shows that Santa Barbara’s average rate is $126 per month. The national average is $140 per month.
The cheapest car insurance company in California is USAA, with an average rate of $81 per month, according to Compare.com data.
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.
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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.
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At Compare.com, it’s our mission to give you the tools to find the best (and most affordable) insurance for your unique needs and budget. We strive to provide information that’s helpful, clear, and unbiased, and we believe that comparing insurance companies should never put you at risk of spam. Our editorial team — which is made up of experienced writers, editors, insurance agents, and data analysts — has spent thousands of hours researching and creating the coverage overviews, side-by-side comparisons, and detailed reviews you see across our site.
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