How do I find cheap car insurance in Santa Barbara, CA?

Getting good quality coverage shouldn’t cost you an arm and a leg. Whether you’re just looking for the minimum liability insurance requirements or want to customize your policy with extra add-ons like roadside assistance or rental car reimbursement, Insurify can help you find cheap car insurance that doesn’t break the bank. Shop around first before committing to a policy.

How much does car insurance cost in Santa Barbara, CA?

Despite being on the coast of California, car insurance is relatively affordable in Santa Barbara, at $163 each month or $1,956 annually. However, know that these costs differ for each person based on their unique driving history, insurance needs, and profile. Also, how much you pay will change depending on the car insurance company you choose to buy from, so shop around first.

What drives up car insurance rates in Santa Barbara, CA?

A lot of factors can impact how much you’ll pay for your car insurance policy: your age , what you drive, and where you drive all matter. However, maybe the most important factor is your driving record. A history with a long list of claims, accidents, and violations will raise rates big-time. An easy way to keep monthly costs low is by being safe and careful behind the wheel.

Cheap Auto Insurance Quotes in Santa Barbara, CA, for 2023

Cheapest Car Insurance
Mininum Car Insurance Requirements
Insurance Rates by Driving History
Insurance Rates by Credit Tier
How to Get the Cheapest Car Insurance
Frequently Asked Questions

Cheapest Car Insurance
Mininum Car Insurance Requirements
Insurance Rates by Driving History
Insurance Rates by Credit Tier
How to Get the Cheapest Car Insurance
Frequently Asked Questions

Quick Facts

The average cost of car insurance in Santa Barbara is $163 per month or $1,956 yearly.
Car insurance in Santa Barbara is $93 less than the average monthly cost in California.
The cheapest top car insurance provider in Santa Barbara on average is Travelers.

Car Insurance in Santa Barbara, CA

With average car insurance rates of $163 each month, Santa Barbara falls significantly below the state’s average monthly rate of $256. All California drivers need auto insurance coverage, no matter what city they choose to live in, so it’s well worth your time to compare car insurance quotes to find the best possible rate.

Quotes by Top Companies

Disclaimer: Table data sourced from real-time quotes from Insurify's 50-plus partner insurance providers. Actual quotes may vary based on the policy buyer's unique driver profile.

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Cheap Car Insurance California

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Cheapest Car Insurance in Santa Barbara, CA

What is the cheapest car insurance in Santa Barbara?

Travelers is the cheapest top car insurance provider on average in Santa Barbara, with rates starting at $109 per month. It’s still important to compare car insurance rates since everyone’s situation is unique.

Auto insurance rates differ based on your insurance needs and what insurance agency you buy from. Whether you’re looking for minimum liability coverage or full coverage, there are plenty of different companies that can help you get a car insurance policy you can afford. Sometimes, you can get the same policy for cheaper from a different insurer, so be sure to shop around.

Insurance Company	Average Monthly Quote
Travelers	$109
Progressive	$119
National General	$126
Bristol West	$203
Dairyland	$269
Bluefire	$92
Mile Auto	$93
Metromile	$94
Aspire General	$107
Clearcover	$108
Freedom National	$111
Anchor	$126
21st Century	$128
Mercury	$140
Sun Coast	$140
Workmen’s	$146
Kemper	$153
Safeco	$167
SafeAuto	$175
MAPFRE	$240
Infinity	$295
Pronto	$450

Disclaimer: Table data sourced from real-time quotes from Insurify's 50-plus partner insurance providers. Actual quotes may vary based on the policy buyer's unique driver profile.

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Minimum Car Insurance Requirements in California

All motor vehicles operated or parked on California roadways are required to be insured. Proof of insurance must be carried in your car at all times and must be available when:

Requested by law enforcement
Renewing vehicle registration
The vehicle is involved in a car accident

The minimum liability insurance requirements for private passenger vehicles in California^[1] are:

$15,000 per person for bodily injury
$30,000 per accident for bodily injury

As a major part of your liability insurance, bodily injury coverage covers medical bills for people other than the policyholder who are injured during an accident. California is an at-fault state, meaning the driver who is responsible for the collision is also responsible for paying for any resulting expenses, either through their car insurance provider or out of pocket.

$5,000 per accident for property damage

If it’s determined that an insured driver is at fault for an accident, this coverage pays for repairs to the property of the other involved parties. Additionally, property damage coverage can cover legal costs if the insured driver is involved in a lawsuit following the accident.

Santa Barbara Car Insurance Rates by Driving and Accident History

There are some factors that can either hurt or help how much you pay for monthly insurance costs, and your driving record is one of them^[2]. If your history shows a list of claims, collisions, and tickets, then you might find yourself paying a higher premium. Insurance companies see high-risk drivers as dangerous and, therefore, more expensive to insure.

Driver History	Average Monthly Cost
Clean Record	$162
Speeding Ticket	$217
At-Fault Accident	$237
DUI	$322

Disclaimer: Table data sourced from real-time quotes from Insurify's 50-plus partner insurance providers. Actual quotes may vary based on the policy buyer's unique driver profile.

See More:

High-Risk Car Insurance California

DUI Car Insurance California

Santa Barbara Car Insurance Rates by Credit Tier

Your credit score usually affects how much you pay for your auto insurance, but California is one of a handful of states that have outlawed insurance companies from using credit tiers to determine how much they charge for policies^[3]. Most states still use this number as a measure of financial health and responsibility, but California law finds it to be discriminatory and outdated.

How to Get the Cheapest Car Insurance in Santa Barbara

An easy way to save big on your policy is by shopping around and comparing car insurance quotes. Insurify does all the hard work to sift through rates from hundreds of different insurance companies to help make sure you get the best deal. All it takes is a few clicks to get started and make your profile. From there, you’re just a few minutes away from getting your free quote.

While there are a few different ways to get cheap car insurance, like finding eligible discounts, comparing quotes side by side is a guaranteed way to get a cheaper rate. This way, you don’t have to go through the trouble of doing more research or bundling your auto insurance policy with existing policies like life insurance, renters insurance, or homeowners insurance.

Frequently Asked Questions

How do I find cheap car insurance in Santa Barbara, CA?
Getting good quality coverage shouldn’t cost you an arm and a leg. Whether you’re just looking for the minimum liability insurance requirements or want to customize your policy with extra add-ons like roadside assistance or rental car reimbursement, Insurify can help you find cheap car insurance that doesn’t break the bank. Shop around first before committing to a policy.
How much does car insurance cost in Santa Barbara, CA?
Despite being on the coast of California, car insurance is relatively affordable in Santa Barbara, at $163 each month or $1,956 annually. However, know that these costs differ for each person based on their unique driving history, insurance needs, and profile. Also, how much you pay will change depending on the car insurance company you choose to buy from, so shop around first.
What drives up car insurance rates in Santa Barbara, CA?
A lot of factors can impact how much you’ll pay for your car insurance policy: your age, what you drive, and where you drive all matter. However, maybe the most important factor is your driving record. A history with a long list of claims, accidents, and violations will raise rates big-time. An easy way to keep monthly costs low is by being safe and careful behind the wheel.

Compare Car Insurance Quotes Instantly

Secure. Free. Easy-to-use.

Based on 3,806+ reviews

4.8/5

Methodology

Insurify data scientists analyzed more than 90 million quotes served to car insurance applicants in Insurify’s proprietary database to calculate the premium averages displayed on this page. These premiums are real quotes that come directly from Insurify’s 50+ partner insurance companies in all 50 states and Washington, D.C. Quote averages represent the median price for a quote across the given coverage level, driver subset, and geographic area.

Unless otherwise specified, quoted rates reflect the average cost for drivers between 20 and 70 years old with a clean driving record and average or better credit (a credit score of 600 or higher).

Liability-only premium averages correspond to policies with the following coverage limits:

Bodily injury limits between state-minimum rates and $50,000 per person, $100,000 per accident
Property damage limits between $10,000 and $50,000
No additional coverage

Full-coverage premium averages correspond to the same bodily injury and property damage limits in addition to:

Comprehensive coverage with a $1,000 deductible
Collision coverage with a $1,000 deductible

Quotes for Allstate, Farmers, GEICO, State Farm, and USAA are estimates based on Quadrant Information Services’ database of auto insurance rates.

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Sources

California Department of Motor Vehicles. "State Minimum Car Insurance." Accessed May 27, 2022
The Online Traffic School, Inc. - California. "How California Traffic Tickets Affect Auto Insurance?." Accessed July 21, 2022
The Pew Charitable Trusts. "Some States Take Aim at 'Discriminatory' Auto Insurance Pricing." Accessed July 21, 2022

Maria SanchezInsurance Writer

Maria Sanchez is a personal finance writer specializing in auto, home, and renters insurance. With a special interest in educational content, Maria distills complex financial information to be more accessible to the greater public. She holds degrees from the University of Massachusetts and the London School of Economics.

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Edited byDanny SmithHome and Pet Insurance Editor

Danny SmithHome and Pet Insurance Editor

P&C license candidate in Massachusetts
4+ years in content creation and marketing

As Insurify’s home and pet insurance editor, Danny also specializes in auto insurance. His goal is to help consumers navigate the complex world of insurance buying.

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