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Erin Gobler is a personal finance writer and journalist who has been writing for Compare.com since 2023. With more than five years of experience personal finance experience, Erin has covered topics such as investing, credit cards, mortgages, insurance, and more.
Her work has been featured in major publications like Business Insider, Fox Business, and Time.
Erin received her bachelor’s degree from the University of Wisconsin-Oshkosh in 2013, studying journalism and political science. She also received a certificate of financial planning from Boston University in 2022.
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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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While we make money through partnerships with some of the brands we discuss in our articles, our editorial team operates 100% independently, and these partners never influence or affect the topics, reviews, ratings, or recommendations we provide. We never guarantee favorable reviews or mentions in exchange for compensation from any brands or partners, and we uphold strict editorial standards to ensure our content is always independent, truthful, and unbiased.
Santa Ana drivers pay an average of $122 per month for liability insurance and $232 per month for full coverage, according to Compare.com data. But your premiums could be different since insurers base your rates on personal factors, such as your age and driving history.
Regardless, Santa Ana residents have plenty of ways to save money on car insurance — you just have to know where to look. Read our guide to find the cheapest insurance in Santa Ana and tips for lowering your rates.
Santa Ana drivers pay an average of $177 per month for car insurance.
Clearcover has the cheapest car insurance in Santa Ana, with an average premium of $112 per month.
California requires 15/30/5 coverage, but these limits will increase in January 2025.
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Location ▲▼ | Average Monthly Premium: Liability ▲▼ | Average Monthly Premium: Full Coverage ▲▼ | Average Monthly Premium: All Policies ▲▼ |
|---|---|---|---|
| Santa Ana | $122 | $232 | $177 |
| California | $113 | $205 | $159 |
| National average | $92 | $176 | $135 |
Santa Ana drivers pay an average of $177 per month for car insurance, according to Compare.com data. For comparison’s sake, California’s statewide average is $159 per month.
But remember, these are just averages. Insurers look at various risk factors to set insurance premiums, so your rate could look different.
In the next section, we’ll take a closer look at some of the cheapest insurance companies in Santa Ana.
Even though Santa Ana’s average insurance rates are high, you can find cheaper rates by shopping around and comparing quotes.
The table below shows the five cheapest car insurance companies in Santa Ana and each company’s average monthly premium, according to Compare.com data.
Company ▲▼ | Average Monthly Premium ▲▼ |
|---|---|
| Clearcover | $112 |
| Sun Coast | $125 |
| Mercury | $131 |
| Safeco | $149 |
| Anchor General | $155 |
Our research found that Clearcover offers the cheapest average premiums in Santa Ana, at $112 per month.
In the next section, we’ll explore a few of the cheapest companies in Santa Ana for different driver demographics.
Compare personalized quotes from the area’s top insurers.
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While there’s no single best car insurance company for everyone, a few stand out in Santa Ana. We chose the following three companies based on a combination of average rates, available discounts, customer ratings and reviews, and available coverages in the city.
Here are the top companies for drivers looking for affordability, high-risk insurance, and safe driver rewards.
Average premium: $112 per month
Compare.com Rating: 3.37 out of 5
Among the cheapest premiums in Santa Ana
Fast claims payment
Rideshare insurance available
No other insurance types available
Limited number of discounts
Above-average number of customer complaints
Clearcover offers some of the cheapest rates in Santa Ana for many demographics, including drivers of all ages and drivers with spotty driving records. You’ll have access to its highly rated website and mobile app, which allow you to file claims and receive quick payments.
Though it doesn’t offer many discounts, it has a military discount and automatically factors in a discount into your price for safe driving, safety features, electronic documents, and paying up front.
Average premium: $125 per month
Compare.com Rating: Not rated
Cheap liability rates
Coverage for high-risk drivers
Network of local independent agents
Limited coverage options
Not available in most states
No online claims filing
It can often be more difficult to get car insurance when you have a spotty driving record, but Sun Coast offers affordable coverage to low-risk and high-risk drivers alike. Santa Ana drivers with less-than-perfect records can find liability rates as low as $79 per month with the insurer.
Sun Coast operates through a network of local independent insurance agents, which means you can expect more hands-on service.
Average premium: $149 per month
Compare.com Rating: 4.59 out of 5
Great discounts for safe drivers
Highly rated telematics program
Variety of insurance and coverage options
Few discounts compared to competitors
Many customer complaints
Below-average customer satisfaction
Safe drivers can find plenty of ways to save money with Safeco. The company offers an impressive telematics program, RightTrack, that rewards you with a large discount when you practice safe driving. It also offers other safe driving rewards, like accident forgiveness, claims-free cash back, and diminishing deductibles.
Safeco also offers a range of insurance products. You can insure your car and home in one place, as well as get other products, like umbrella insurance, pet insurance, cyber protection insurance, and many more.
Compare quotes from Santa Ana’s top companies in minutes.
Your coverage level is a key factor that helps determine your monthly premiums. The cheapest type of policy available is liability coverage at the state’s minimum limits, which vary from state to state.
Basic liability coverage pays for property damage and bodily injury to other people when you’re at fault for an accident, but it doesn’t pay for your injuries or property damage.
The table below highlights the five cheapest liability insurance companies in Santa Ana, according to Compare.com data.
Company ▲▼ | Average Monthly Premium ▲▼ |
|---|---|
| Clearcover | $75 |
| Sun Coast | $79 |
| Mercury | $95 |
| Anchor General | $102 |
| Safeco | $111 |
Clearcover has the cheapest liability-only rates in Santa Ana, with an average premium of $75 per month.
In the next section, you can see how these averages compare to full coverage in Santa Ana.
Full coverage usually describes a car insurance policy that includes liability insurance, as well as other coverage options, such as collision, comprehensive, and uninsured motorist. A full-coverage policy gives you the most protection, but it also tends to cost more.
Unlike liability-only coverage, it pays for your vehicle damage. While it has a higher price tag, it can save you far more money.
Check out the table below highlighting the five cheapest auto insurance companies for full coverage in Santa Ana, according to Compare.com data.
Company ▲▼ | Average Monthly Premium ▲▼ |
|---|---|
| Clearcover | $150 |
| Mercury | $168 |
| Sun Coast | $171 |
| Safeco | $186 |
| Anchor General | $207 |
Clearcover has the cheapest full-coverage rates in Santa Ana, with an average monthly premium of $150.
Your age is another important factor that determines car insurance rates. The younger you are, the higher your premiums. As you get older, your insurance rates tend to get lower (though trends show your rates will increase slightly when you reach your 70s).
The table below breaks down rates in Santa Ana by age and highlights the cheapest insurer for each age group, according to Compare.com data.
Age Group ▲▼ | Citywide Average Monthly Premium ▲▼ | Cheapest Insurer ▲▼ | Cheapest Insurer’s Average Monthly Premium ▲▼ |
|---|---|---|---|
| Teens | $280 | Clearcover | $184 |
| 20s | $215 | Clearcover | $120 |
| 30s | $165 | Clearcover | $106 |
| 40s | $158 | Clearcover | $102 |
| 50s | $151 | Clearcover | $93 |
| 60s | $138 | Clearcover | $100 |
| 70s | $142 | Clearcover | $103 |
In the next few sections, we’ll look a bit more closely at how age affects teens and seniors and the cheapest company for each.
Teenage drivers are the most expensive to insure, and the data makes it clear why. They have fewer years of experience behind the wheel than older drivers and tend to take more risks, including speeding, distracted driving, night and weekend driving, and more, according to the Centers for Disease Control (CDC).
Teen drivers in Santa Ana pay an average of $280 per month for car insurance, but they can get a cheaper policy with Clearcover, at an average of $184 per month.
Seniors usually enjoy lower insurance premiums thanks to their years of driving experience and tendency to drive safely. But once drivers reach age 70, fatal crash rates increase partially due to impairments that come with aging.
Santa Ana seniors in their 60s pay an average of $138 per month for auto insurance. Clearcover offers the cheapest average premiums for this group, with an average rate of $100 per month.
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Your driving record is another factor that has a significant effect on your car insurance rates. Drivers with clean records present the least risk for insurers, which means getting the lowest rates. Meanwhile, having a violation — such as a ticket, at-fault accident, or DUI on your record — is likely to increase your rates.
The table below shows the effects your driving record can have on your insurance premiums in Santa Ana and the cheapest insurer for each infraction, according to Compare.com data.
Driving Record ▲▼ | Citywide Average Monthly Premium ▲▼ | Cheapest Insurer ▲▼ | Cheapest Insurer’s Average Monthly Premium ▲▼ |
|---|---|---|---|
| Clean record | $177 | Clearcover | $109 |
| Speeding ticket | $239 | Clearcover | $149 |
| At-fault accident | $250 | Clearcover | $174 |
| DUI | $254 | Clearcover | $162 |
In the following few sections, we’ll discuss how tickets, accidents, and DUIs affect your insurance premiums.
Speeding is one of the most common driving violations, and it can cost you considerably. Insurance premiums increase an average of 27% nationally after one speeding ticket, according to Compare.com data.
Drivers in Santa Ana with a ticket pay an average of $239 per month, but Clearcover offers lower average rates of $149 per month.
An at-fault accident can also cause your rates to go up. After all, not only have you shown yourself to be a higher insurance risk, but you’ve also likely cost your insurance company money in the form of a claim. Insurance premiums tend to rise by 34% nationally after an at-fault accident, according to Compare.com data.
The average premium for a driver in Santa Ana after an accident is $250 per month. Clearcover offers the cheapest rates for these drivers, with an average monthly premium of $174.
Due to its severity, a DUI has one of the greatest effects on insurance premiums. Nationwide, premiums rise by roughly 50% after a DUI, according to Compare.com data.
We found that the average driver with a DUI pays $254 per month in Santa Ana. But drivers with a DUI can find the lowest rate from Clearcover, at an average of $162 per month.
You don’t need a perfect driving record to find affordable rates.
California state law requires you to have the following insurance coverages:
$15,000 in bodily injury liability per person
$30,000 in bodily injury liability per person
$5,000 in property damage liability
But note that on Jan. 1, 2025, these coverage limits will increase to 30/60/15. Keep in mind that these limits only represent the minimum coverage, and it’s often a good idea to purchase additional coverage. The damages from a serious car accident could far exceed California’s minimum coverage, and you could end up paying the difference out of pocket if your insurance doesn’t cover everything.
California mandatory insurance laws require you to show proof of insurance coverage with the State of California Department of Motor Vehicles. If you fail to do so, the state will suspend your vehicle registration until you meet the requirements.
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Though Santa Ana rates are relatively expensive, you can take steps to lower your costs — and potentially get a policy that’s cheaper than the citywide average. Here are a few strategies to save money on car insurance:
Choose the right policy: It’s important to have enough coverage to protect yourself financially but also one that fits your budget. You can lower your premiums by increasing your deductible or lowering your policy limits. But make sure you can afford the extra costs if you have to file a claim.
Take advantage of discounts: You may be eligible for insurance discounts based on your driving record, insuring multiple cars, being a student, and more. Discounts vary by insurer, so be sure to research what your insurance company offers.
Bundle your policies: You could save on your car insurance premiums by bundling your policy with other insurance products, such as homeowners, renters, or life insurance.
Use the state’s insurance: If you’re struggling to pay for car insurance, look into the California Low Cost Automobile Insurance Program. The program helps drivers get access to affordable state minimum liability insurance.
Shop around for quotes: Don’t just sign up for a policy with the first company you find. Get a free quote from multiple companies to compare prices and overall value. An insurance-comparison site can help you do this quickly.
Get personalized quotes from Santa Ana’s top insurers.
If you’re looking for car insurance in Santa Ana, here are a few additional things you may want to know.
Clearcover has the cheapest overall car insurance in Santa Ana, with an average monthly rate of $112, according to our data. Keep in mind that insurance premiums depend on several personal factors, such as your driving history and age. So, the cheapest company for your situation and needs may be different.
The average cost of car insurance in Santa Ana is $177 per month, according to our research. Liability-only insurance costs an average of $122 per month, and full coverage is $232.
California requires 15/30/5 coverage, which means $15,000 in bodily injury liability per person ($30,000 per accident) and $5,000 in property damage liability. But these limits are set to increase on Jan. 1, 2025, to 30/60/15.
If you drive without insurance in Santa Ana, the DMV will suspend your vehicle registration until you purchase the necessary coverage. You may also be subject to fines ranging from $100 to $200 for your first offense and $200 to $500 for later offenses.
Santa Ana and California statewide car insurance rates tend to be more expensive than the national average. But each person’s rates depend on their unique situation, so there’s no guarantee of whether you’ll pay more or less than the overall average.
Data 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.
Sources:
National Association of Insurance Commissioners, “Clearcover Ins Co National Complaint Index Report,” accessed October 22, 2024.
National Association of Insurance Commissioners, “Safeco Ins Co Of Amer National Complaint Index Report,” accessed October 22, 2024.
J.D. Power, “2024 U.S. Auto Insurance Study,” accessed October 22, 2024.
Centers for Disease Control, “Risk Factors for Teen Drivers,” accessed October 22, 2024.
Insurance Institute for Highway Safety, “Older drivers,” accessed October 22, 2024.
State of California DMV, “Insurance Requirements,” accessed October 22, 2024.
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.
Learn more about us, our team, and what makes us tick.
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Erin Gobler is a personal finance writer and journalist who has been writing for Compare.com since 2023. With more than five years of experience personal finance experience, Erin has covered topics such as investing, credit cards, mortgages, insurance, and more.
Her work has been featured in major publications like Business Insider, Fox Business, and Time.
Erin received her bachelor’s degree from the University of Wisconsin-Oshkosh in 2013, studying journalism and political science. She also received a certificate of financial planning from Boston University in 2022.
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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