Santa Monica, CA Car Insurance

Are rates in Santa Monica higher or lower than those in neighboring areas? How do they compare to the rest of California? How much can residents of Santa Monica expect to pay for their car insurance? You can see the cost breakdowns and contributing factors in the charts and writeups below:

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How much is car insurance in Santa Monica?

Coverage for your vehicle in Santa Monica will typically run you about $5 a month more than in the rest of California.

Drivers relocating from out of state may enjoy some cost savings in Santa Monica. You can expect to pay about $20 below the national average for auto insurance in Santa Monica.

Although these are the average car insurance rates in Santa Monica, you could end up paying something different. Insurance companies take an array of factors into consideration when determining how much to charge you for your car insurance. Your monthly premium is calculated off of your age, gender, vehicle make and model, driving record, and even your credit score depending on the circumstances.

We've analyzed the average rate for Santa Monica and broken down the different factors to help you understand what exactly you might be asked to pay. And if you're not sure that you're paying the lowest option, simply enter your ZIP Code below and find out!

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Average Car Insurance Rates by Age

The more time you've spent on the road, the more experience you have. That experience can really work in your favor when it comes to auto insurance. In this case, 18-24-year-olds pay a lot more than drivers 65 and older.

Every ten years or so you can expect to see a decline in your monthly premium. You may see your rates begin to go back up once you hit retirement age in Santa Monica.

Average Car Insurance Rates by Gender

Female drivers pay, on average, slightly less than their male counterparts. Male and female drivers in Santa Monica, however, both pay the same monthly amount for insurance coverage.

Average Auto Insurance Rates by Driving Record

One of the biggest factors in determining your car insurance rates is your driving record. Drivers with clean records will pay lower rates than those with accidents or violations. In Santa Monica, a driving record with a single accident will usually get you a rate around $74 a month. In addition, drivers with one ticket can expect to pay around $68 a month on average.

Regardless of where you live, accidents, tickets, and other driving infractions can drive your monthly bill way up. So, if cheap car insurance is something you're after, drive safely and keep a clean record.

Average Insurance Rates by Vehicle

According to the first table above, the cheapest vehicles to insure in Santa Monica are by and large trucks and vans, at $57 per month.

Car owners, on the other hand, usually pay around $61 per month, while SUV drivers can expect to pay about $60 a month for auto insurance.

In addition to vehicle type, you can also expect to see slightly different rates based on your vehicle's age. Newer vehicles are generally going to be the most expensive to insure. However, once your car is a few years old, you might start to see your rates slide back down slightly. In Santa Monica, the most expensive vehicles to insure are vehicles eleven-to-fourteen years old.

Average Car Insurance Rates by Relationship Status

More often than not, those who are currently married will pay slightly less to insure their vehicle. This oftentimes is a result of owning multiple vehicles that are on the same policy, something some companies will reward with discounts.

Despite married couples normally paying less than single drivers for auto insurance, the rates for both groups in Santa Monica are on par with each other.

Average Car Insurance Rates by Housing Situation

Your housing status is another factor that affects your monthly rate. If you rent your home or apartment, expect to pay around $5 a month more than if you own your own home in Santa Monica. Those who live with their parents, however, can expect to pay a lot more.

Bundling your home or rental insurance and auto insurance policies can oftentimes reduce your average premiums, depending on your insurance company.

Car Insurance Companies in Santa Monica, CA

Recent trends in car insurance for Santa Monica drivers

Average rates are constantly changing, so it's a good idea to know the direction your area is trending when choosing when and where to shop.

In Santa Monica, car insurance rates had been decreasing from 2017-2019, before steadying out in 2020. Insurance rates finished up in 2022, at $57 per month

How does Santa Monica compare to neighboring areas?

Why are car insurance rates in Santa Monica different from other areas?

Car insurance companies look at a variety of factors when they're choosing how much to charge for a policy. While we already mentioned the ones that affect your personal policy, others are influenced by your home address. These include things like:

• Local regulations
• Area crime rates
• Rate of car accidents
• Total amount of drivers in the area
• Access to off-street parking

You'll be hard pressed to change any of these factors yourself, but they're worth considering when thinking about the purchase of a new policy or a move. Knowing that different towns and cities will all have different rates, guides like these can be a good way to get a lay of the land of your particular neighborhood.

How can I find the cheapest car insurance in Santa Monica?

While understanding what the average costs are for drivers like you can be helpful as you get an idea of what you might end up paying, the only way to know exactly what your rate will be is by requesting a quote from car insurance companies.

Don't worry, Compare.com has you covered. Just type in your ZIP below, answer a few questions, and you'll be comparing the cheapest quotes from dozens of car insurance companies providing auto coverage in Santa Monica in no time.

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Santa Monica Insurance FAQs

What factors affect car insurance quotes in Santa Monica?

Auto insurance companies take a wide array of factors into consideration when calculating your monthly payment. These include things like your vehicle's year, make and model, your gender and age, as well as your credit score, driving record, address, and marital status.

Why is the cost of car insurance in Santa Monica different from other neighboring cities?

Car insurance companies take local factors into consideration when determining how much to charge for coverage. Things like crime rates, local laws, and parking situations -- which can vary from city to city -- can significantly affect your rate.

Which car insurance company will offer me the cheapest rate in Santa Monica?

Since the factors that go into calculating your monthly payment vary from person to person, there isn't one company that will always offer the cheapest rate to everybody. You can be confident that you're receiving the best price possible however, by using sites like Compare.com to compare multiple quotes at once.

Do I need to change my insurance if I move to Santa Monica?

Any major life event, whether it be moving to a new area, finding a new job, getting married, or any other notable event always presents a good opportunity to re-evaluate your current insurance policy. Regardless of your previous rate, there may be cheaper options in your new location, so it's a good idea to use services like Compare.com to compare quotes from dozens of companies side-by-side.

Do I need to wait for my policy to expire to switch to a different car insurance company?

No. Regardless of how much time is left on your current policy, you can switch companies at any time. So, whether you're considering moving to Santa Monica or just curious if you're getting the best rates, why not take 10 minutes and see if Compare.com can save you some extra cash?