Santa Barbara, CA Car Insurance

What rates can residents of Santa Barbara expect to pay for their car insurance? How do rates in Santa Barbara measure up compared to neighboring areas, including California as a whole? Discover the factors that go into calculating the average cost in our writeups and charts below:

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How much is car insurance in Santa Barbara?

Auto insurance coverage in Santa Barbara is about $10 cheaper than it is in the rest of California.

Compared to the rest of the country, auto insurance in Santa Barbara is more affordable. You can expect to pay about $35 below the national average for auto insurance in Santa Barbara.

Bear in mind that while these rates are the average costs for drivers in Santa Barbara, it doesn't mean that's what you'll pay. Insurance companies take in a number of factors when deciding what amount to charge you for insuring your vehicle. The bill you'll see each month is calculated based on things like age, gender, vehicle make and model, driving record, and in some cases, credit score.

Don't sweat it however, we've broken down average rates for Santa Barbara residents so that you can get a more accurate idea of what you might pay. If you think you might be overpaying for insurance in your area, 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 turn into some real savings when it comes to auto insurance rates. In this case, 18-24-year-olds pay significantly more than someone who is at retirement age.

For every 10 years, you can expect to see a decrease in your monthly premium. Santa Barbara drivers may see their rates begin to go back up once they hit retirement age.

Average Car Insurance Rates by Gender

Car insurance rates for women are generally cheaper than they are for men. In Santa Barbara, the difference comes out to about $4 per month. As you can see in the table above, male drivers in the area typically pay $48 on average, while female drivers typically pay $44 each month.

Average Auto Insurance Rates by Driving Record

Your rates can vary wildly depending on your driving record. Those with clean records will see the most affordable rates, whereas even a single accident or infraction can cost you. In Santa Barbara, a driving record with a single accident will usually get you a rate around $55 a month. In addition, drivers with one ticket can expect to pay around $51 a month on average.

When it comes to your monthly premium, accidents, tickets, and other driving infractions can really take a toll. That's why it's important to drive safely and keep your record clean so you can keep your rates as low as possible.

Average Insurance Rates by Vehicle

In Santa Barbara, the cheapest vehicles to insure are by and large trucks and vans, with drivers paying around $42 per month for insurance coverage.

SUV drivers will see rates of about $50, while the rates for car owners average out to about $46 a month.

You may also see different rates based on the age of your vehicle. Generally, newer vehicles are going to cost the most to insure. Once your car is a few years old however, your rates may start to dip back down a bit. In Santa Barbara, the most expensive vehicles to insure are vehicles less than one year old.

Average Car Insurance Rates by Relationship Status

Generally speaking, married policyholders will pay slightly less to insure their vehicle. This usually boils down to owners having multiple vehicles on the same policy, something many companies extend special discounts for.

In Santa Barbara, the difference in rates based on relationship status can be as much as $5 a month.

Average Car Insurance Rates by Housing Situation

Another factor taken into consideration is your living accommodations. Homeowners in Santa Barbara can expect to pay around $5 a month less than those who rent. But those who live at home with their parents can expect to pay significantly more.

That said, if you bundle your homeowners or rental insurance policy with your auto insurance, many companies will offer you a discount to make up for it and reduce your overall costs.

Car Insurance Companies in Santa Barbara, CA

Recent trends in car insurance for Santa Barbara drivers

Since car insurance rates are constantly changing, it's a good idea to know the local trends in your area before deciding on where to shop.

In Santa Barbara, the rates for car insurance had been decreasing from 2017-2018, but started to rise from 2019-2021, when they hit a high of $49. Policy premiums finished down in 2022, at $40 per month.

How does Santa Barbara compare to neighboring areas?

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

Car insurance companies will take into account many factors when deciding how much to charge for a policy. While we mentioned the factors that affect your personal policy, others are based around where you park your car. These include things like:

• Road Safety (total number of local car accidents)
• Amount of drivers in the area
• Regional regulations
• Off-street parking access
• Regional crime rates

A decent level of familiarity with these factors can be helpful when you're ready to purchase of a new policy or thinking about making a move. Different cities and towns will each have different rates, so guides like these are a handy way to get started.

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

In the end, the only way to know exactly what your rate will be is to request a quote from a car insurance company.

Good news! Compare.com does all of that work for you. Simply enter your ZIP below, answer a few questions, and you'll be comparing the cheapest quotes from many of the car insurance companies offering plans in Santa Barbara.

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Santa Barbara Insurance FAQs

What factors affect car insurance quotes in Santa Barbara?

Car insurance companies calculate quotes based on a wide array of factors. These include things like your gender and age, but also factors like your driving record, credit score, address and marital status, as well as your vehicle's year and make and model.

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

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

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

There isn't one company that will offer the cheapest rate to everybody. What companies will charge you are based on many different factors that vary from person to person, such as your driving record, what kind of car you drive, how many drivers will be on your policy, and a number of other factors. Because of this, it's a good idea to use sites like Compare.com to compare multiple quotes at once. That way, you can be confident you're getting the best price.

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

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 Barbara 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?