In Santa Maria, the cheapest insurer depends on your coverage needs and driver profile. For full coverage, National General offers the lowest rates, whereas State Farm is the most affordable for families with teens. These differ from the minimum coverage leader, GEICO. While Chubb stands out for the best customer service and overall value, based on MoneyGeek's scoring approach, the ideal for you depends on your specific preferences and coverage necessities.
Cheapest and Best Car Insurance in Santa Maria, CA, (2024)
Updated: December 19, 2024
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Key Takeaways
In Santa Maria, while GEICO offers the cheapest minimum coverage car insurance at $364 per year, Chubb's most expensive policy at $675 highlights potential savings of $311 annually, demonstrating significant benefits from comparing providers for cost-effective options.
In Santa Maria, by selecting the cheapest full coverage car insurance provider, National General at $846 annually, over the most expensive provider, Farmers at $1,853 annually, drivers can save a significant $1,007 per year, highlighting the substantial financial benefits of comparing insurance rates.
In Santa Maria, military drivers can find the most affordable full coverage car insurance with National General, which offers an annual premium of $846, providing a cost-effective option while ensuring comprehensive protection.
Why Trust MoneyGeek? We analyzed 352,910 quotes in California, including the city of Santa Maria, from 18 companies. We used six sources and original research to rate the cheapest companies and develop a scoring system for Santa Maria insurance providers based on ZIP codes in the city only. Our scores are based on affordability, customer satisfaction, claims experience, coverages offered and financial stability.
These rates reflect the cheapest car insurance quotes in Santa Maria, CA, as of July 2024.
352,910Quotes Analyzed
18Companies Compared
Cheapest Minimum Liability Car Insurance in Santa Maria
MoneyGeek found that GEICO is the cheapest option in Santa Maria for those seeking the cheapest car insurance.
- GEICO: $364 per year
- Mercury: $387 per year
While GEICO offers the most affordable policy, Chubb has the most expensive minimum coverage in Santa Maria, with an annual premium of $675. The difference between GEICO and Chubb's rates is significant at $311 per year.
Data filtered by:Results filtered by:
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Age Group:30-59
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Coverage:Minimum Coverage
| GEICO | $364 | $30 |
| Mercury | $387 | $32 |
| AAA | $393 | $33 |
| National General | $412 | $34 |
| Progressive | $421 | $35 |
| Kemper | $428 | $36 |
| State National | $450 | $37 |
| State Farm | $468 | $39 |
| Allstate | $524 | $44 |
| Travelers | $528 | $44 |
| Farmers | $532 | $44 |
| Hartford | $549 | $46 |
| Capital Insurance Group | $556 | $46 |
| Nationwide | $574 | $48 |
| Chubb | $675 | $56 |
In California, the minimum required car insurance coverage is dictated by state law. Here's what that coverage looks like:
- $15,000 bodily injury per person
- $30,000 bodily injury per accident
- $5,000 property damage liability per accident
If you're at fault in an accident, your minimum coverage policy will cover up to $15,000 for an individual's injuries and up to $30,000 total for injuries to multiple people per accident. If costs exceed these amounts, you'd be personally responsible to cover the difference.
Cheapest Full Coverage Car Insurance in Santa Maria
MoneyGeek found that National General offers the cheapest full coverage car insurance in Santa Maria.
- National General: $846 per year
- AAA: $953 per year
Farmers has the most expensive policy, with an annual cost of $1,853, which underscores the importance of shopping around.
Data filtered by:Results filtered by:
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Age Group:30-59
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Coverage:Full Coverage
| National General | $846 | $71 |
| AAA | $953 | $79 |
| Progressive | $969 | $81 |
| Allstate | $976 | $81 |
| GEICO | $1,033 | $86 |
| State National | $1,075 | $90 |
| Mercury | $1,090 | $91 |
| Hartford | $1,239 | $103 |
| Capital Insurance Group | $1,297 | $108 |
| Kemper | $1,305 | $109 |
| State Farm | $1,312 | $109 |
| Nationwide | $1,483 | $124 |
| Chubb | $1,568 | $131 |
| Travelers | $1,650 | $137 |
| Farmers | $1,853 | $154 |
A full coverage policy for Santa Maria enhances liability limits beyond the basic requirements. This upgraded policy provides $100,000 for bodily injury liability per individual, $300,000 for bodily injury liability per accident and $100,000 for property damage liability per accident. In the insurance industry, such a plan is succinctly referred to as a 100/300/100 policy.
Full coverage insurance not only raises liability limits but also comes with comprehensive and collision coverage, essential components for thorough protection.
Collision Insurance: This type of insurance is crucial as it covers repairs or replacement costs for your vehicle if it's damaged in a collision, whether with another car or an object like a fence or pole. It also covers rollover accidents and pothole damage.
Comprehensive Insurance: With comprehensive insurance, your vehicle is covered for damages outside of collisions. This includes incidents such as theft, vandalism, or natural disasters like hail and storms. or being struck by an animal like a deer.
If you've invested in a brand-new vehicle, securing it with full coverage insurance is a wise decision For older vehicles, the benefit of such extensive coverage might not justify the additional expenditure. Deciding on the amount of car insurance you need is about striking a balance between coverage and cost.
Cheapest Car Insurance in Santa Maria After a Driving Offense
MoneyGeek found that National General is the cheapest option in Santa Maria for drivers who've had a speeding ticket, an at-fault accident, or a DUI. Here are the most competitive annual rates:
- Speeding Ticket: National General ($887 per year)
- At-fault accident: National General ($1,246 per year)
- DUI: National General ($887 per year)
There can be big differences in rates when looking for the cheapest company for a driver with a poor driving record. For example, while National General costs $887 after a DUI, the cost is $4,426 with Hartford.
Data filtered by:Results filtered by:
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Age Group:30-59
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Coverage:Full Coverage
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Incident:Speeding
| National General | $887 | $74 |
| AAA | $1,226 | $102 |
| Allstate | $1,404 | $117 |
| Mercury | $1,435 | $120 |
| Capital Insurance Group | $1,488 | $124 |
| State National | $1,522 | $127 |
| GEICO | $1,535 | $128 |
| Kemper | $1,732 | $144 |
| Progressive | $1,819 | $152 |
| Hartford | $1,841 | $153 |
| State Farm | $1,939 | $162 |
| Chubb | $2,048 | $171 |
| Travelers | $2,454 | $205 |
| Nationwide | $2,555 | $213 |
| Farmers | $2,566 | $214 |
In Santa Maria and similar localities, insurance premiums typically escalate with the gravity of one's driving infractions. For instance, drivers with a speeding ticket may face an average annual rate of $1,763, whereas those with a DUI could see rates soar to an average of $2,915.
Cheapest Car Insurance in Santa Maria for Teens and Their Families
MoneyGeek found that State Farm offers the most affordable full coverage car insurance for both female and male teens in Santa Maria. Explore the cheapest car insurance for teens to secure cost-effective rates for your family. Highlighting the competition:
- State Farm: $2,423 per year for female teens and $2,423 per year for male teens
- Allstate: $2,426 per year for female teens and $$2,426 per year for male teens
These rates are for a family policy including two parents and a teenager, showcasing the value offered by State Farm. With Nationwide presenting the most expensive family teen policy in Santa Maria at $4,463 annually for females, there's an impressive $2,039 gap between the cheapest and most expensive providers for female teens.
Data filtered by:Results filtered by:
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Age:16
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Gender:Female
| State Farm | $2,423 | $2,683 |
| Allstate | $2,426 | $2,613 |
| GEICO | $2,615 | $2,952 |
| Farmers | $2,699 | $3,979 |
| Progressive | $2,954 | $3,246 |
| Capital Insurance Group | $3,060 | $2,988 |
| Travelers | $3,286 | $2,971 |
| Kemper | $3,941 | $5,261 |
| Nationwide | $4,463 | $6,335 |
In Santa Maria, teen drivers looking to insure their vehicles may face significant cost savings by opting for a joint family policy over an individual one. On average, teens can expect to pay around $3,728 for an individual policy, as opposed to a more economical $3,112 when added to a family plan. Insurers typically quote higher rates for young drivers due to their inexperience.
Cheapest Car Insurance in Santa Maria for Military Drivers
MoneyGeek found that National General offers the cheapest full coverage car insurance for military backgrounds in Santa Maria. When seeking the cheapest car insurance for military backgrounds, consider the following providers with their respective annual premiums:
- National General: $846 per year
- AAA: $953 per year
While USAA is not the cheapest in this dataset, at $1,078 per year, it is known for its exceptional service that specifically caters to the needs of active duty military members.
Data filtered by:Results filtered by:
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Age Group:30-59
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Coverage:Full Coverage
| National General | $846 | $71 |
| AAA | $953 | $79 |
| Progressive | $969 | $81 |
| Allstate | $976 | $81 |
| GEICO | $1,033 | $86 |
| State National | $1,075 | $90 |
| USAA | $1,078 | $90 |
| Mercury | $1,090 | $91 |
| Hartford | $1,239 | $103 |
| Capital Insurance Group | $1,297 | $108 |
| Kemper | $1,305 | $109 |
| State Farm | $1,312 | $109 |
| Nationwide | $1,483 | $124 |
| Chubb | $1,568 | $131 |
| Travelers | $1,650 | $137 |
| Farmers | $1,853 | $154 |
How to Compare Cheap Santa Maria Car Insurance Quotes Online
If you are shopping for car insurance in Santa Maria, you can use MoneyGeek's car insurance calculator. This requires just your age, driving history, credit score, desired coverage level and a handful of other key details to generate a swift rate estimate.
Car Insurance Calculator
MoneyGeek's car insurance calculator will give you a customized estimate of your auto insurance cost. It's free to use, requires no personal information and we won't send you any spam.
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Rates updated:
Dec 21, 2024
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Best Car Insurance in Santa Maria: Overview
Choosing the best auto insurance for you depends on what you prioritize, be it service quality, cost, coverage or other aspects. MoneyGeek's rigorous category-specific scoring systems have identified Santa Maria's standout car insurance providers catering to different preferences:
- Best overall: Chubb (MoneyGeek score 82 out of 100)
- Best for service: Chubb (MoneyGeek score 94 out of 100)
- Best cheap: Mercury (MoneyGeek score 80 out of 100)
Chubb reigns as the top provider in Santa Maria for both overall value and service. Mercury is ideal for budget-conscious drivers, maintaining a high level of service despite its lower costs.
Overall Best Car Insurance in Santa Maria
MoneyGeek found that Chubb is the best option in Santa Maria for drivers seeking the best car insurance. Based on the comprehensive ratings, here are the top two providers:
- Chubb: MoneyGeek score of 82 out of 100 ($1,568 per year)
- Capital Insurance Group: MoneyGeek score of 80 out of 100 ($1,297 per year)
Chubb stands out in Santa Maria with the highest MoneyGeek score for a full coverage policy. Its exceptional rating is largely due to its superior claims and coverage scores.
Best OverallChubb
MoneyGeek Score:
82/ of 100
Overview
Claims and Coverage are the primary contributors to Chubb's impressive MoneyGeek score, ensuring comprehensive protection and satisfaction for customers. Chubb is known for its efficiency in handling claims. It offers rental car and/or travel reimbursement and roadside assistance. Chubb's rare coverages, such as antique/classic car Insurance, OEM coverage and diminished value coverage, are standout offerings that cater to various drivers.
Best Car Insurance in Santa Maria for Customer Service
MoneyGeek found that Chubb is the best option for car insurance customer service in Santa Maria. The commendation is based solely on its general satisfaction, outstanding claims handling and comprehensive coverages.
- Chubb: MoneyGeek score of 94 out of 100 ($1,568 per year)
- Capital Insurance Group: MoneyGeek score of 82 out of 100 ($1,297 per year)
Best for Customer ServiceChubb
MoneyGeek Score:
94/ of 100
Overview
Chubb's claims and satisfaction scores contribute to its exceptional MoneyGeek score. The company provides both common coverages: rental car and/or travel reimbursement and roadside assistance, which is a strong positive for policyholders. Chubb offers rare coverages that can greatly benefit a variety of drivers. For instance, it offers antique/classic car insurance and OEM coverage.
Best Cheap Car Insurance Companies in Santa Maria
MoneyGeek found that Mercury is the best option in Santa Maria for cheap car insurance, taking into consideration its excellent balance between affordability and customer satisfaction. The top providers of cheap insurance include:
- Mercury: MoneyGeek score of 80 out of 100 ($387 per year)
- GEICO: MoneyGeek score of 75 out of 100 ($364 per year)
Mercury offers competitive annual premiums ans also consistently excels in customer service and claims satisfaction, important attributes for an insurance company.
Best Cheap CompanyMercury
MoneyGeek Score:
80/ of 100
Overview
Mercury's MoneyGeek evaluation is heavily influenced by its exceptional affordability and satisfaction scores. With an average annual premium of only $387, Mercury ensures that the typical driver pays considerably less for minimum coverage each year. Discounts such as those for an anti-theft system and installing automatic payment further enhance value for customers beyond the benefits of common discounts.
Average Cost of Car Insurance in Santa Maria
On average, the cost of car insurance in Santa Maria is $1,251 annually. Compared to the overall average car insurance cost in California, which is $1,387, Santa Maria's average is less. Furthermore, California's average exceeds the national average of $1,265 by $122, illustrating a state-specific cost variation.
Car insurance premiums are determined by a wide array of factors, with location playing a critical role. Specific regional risk factors, such as accident rates, theft frequencies and urban density, significantly impact car insurance costs.
About Mark Fitzpatrick
Mark Fitzpatrick is a Licensed Property and Casualty Insurance Producer and MoneyGeek's Head of Insurance. He has analyzed the insurance market for over five years, conducting original research and creating personalized content for every kind of buyer. He has been quoted in several insurance-related publications, including CNBC, NBC News and Mashable.
Fitzpatrick earned a master’s degree in economics and international relations from Johns Hopkins University and a bachelor’s degree from Boston College. He is passionate about using his knowledge of economics and insurance to bring transparency around financial topics and help others feel confident in their money moves.