Santa Barbara Car Insurance

How much does car insurance cost in Santa Barbara, CA? Check out the average rates that drivers pay below.

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What Is the Average Cost of Car Insurance in Santa Barbara?

Monthly Average Rates by Country, State, and City

Car insurance rates vary from driver to driver and are based on many factors that include driving history, claims history and where you live. Each city in California has different rates, and below, you can compare average rates with the national average. According to our data, drivers who live in Santa Barbara typically pay around $139.47 per month compared to the national average of $167.68 per month. The best way to get a low rate is by comparison shopping. SmartFinancial can do that for you at no cost while pairing you with a reputable insurance company so you have no surprises if you have an accident.

AreaAverage Monthly Rate
National $167.68
California $150.67
Santa Barbara, California $139.47

Santa Barbara, CA Best Car Insurance Companies

car insurance in Santa Barbara

Certain insurers will offer you better rates than others based on a myriad of factors, so you may get a better deal from one insurer over another for various reasons, and that’s why it’s important to compare. According to our data, Direct Auto generally has the most affordable car insurance in Santa Barbara coming in around $54.43 per month. Other companies to consider if you live in Santa Barbara is Mercury Insurance Company with an average cost of $87.61 per month and Kemper Auto Premier which typically runs around $99.35 per month. Check out the full list below. SmartFinancial rates the following insurers as the best insurance companies for drivers in Santa Barbara.

RankCompanyAverage Monthly RateComparison State Average
1 Direct Auto $54.43-63.88%
2 Mercury Insurance Company $87.61-41.85%
3 Kemper Auto Premier $99.35-34.06%
4 Esurance $120.30-20.16%
5 USAA $138.92-7.80%
6 Unitrin $140.60-6.68%
7 Mercury $152.361.12%
8 SAFECO $154.002.21%
9 21st Century $164.018.86%
10 Grange $168.9012.10%

How Much is Car Insurance in Santa Barbara, CA?

how much is auto insurance in Santa Barbara

Rates can vary from city to city. The residents of Anaheim typically pay $147.03 per month while people who live in Bakersfield will pay $144.94 per month on average. See what people pay for car insurance in other cities in California.

California CitiesMonthly Average Rate
Anaheim $147.03
Bakersfield $144.94
Fresno $142.81
Long Beach $154.77
Los Angeles $175.66
Oakland $179.29
Pasadena $146.97
Riverside $147.07
Sacramento $153.60
San Bernardino $153.37
San Diego $133.07
San Francisco $172.74
San Jose $151.60
Santa Barbara $139.47
Stockton $147.63

Cheap Car Insurance in Santa Barbara by Zip Codes

find cheap auto insurance in Santa Barbara

Every zip code rates differently with every insurer. Your zip code determines the crime rate in your area as well as other risks. Below, you can see how average rates range across the state of California. If you live in an area that is rated high in crime, you can make sure to garage your car in a safe place. That ought to save you some money. Covered and gated structures are best. Make sure to tell your insurance agent about the precautions you’re taking.

Santa Barbara, CA ZIP CodeAverage Monthly Rate
93110$138.19
93101$138.14
93103$157.89
93106$130.06
93108$157.46
95661$175.26
93109$118.00
93111$118.80
93117$146.89
93105$136.26
93446$95.20
93121$73.18

Car Insurance Rates by Driver's Age Group in Santa Barbara

Generally speaking, you pay more in car insurance the younger you are and the older you are. Teens and young adults often pay around $124.69 per month in Santa Barbara. Compare that to drivers in their 30’s who typically pay around $109.67 per month drivers in their 40s at $165.65 per month. It’s always a good idea to check for discounts that apply at any age. Some discounts include away-at-school discount, safe driver discount, mature driver discount, good student discount as well as multi-policy and bundling discounts.

Age GroupAverage Monthly Rate
40s$124.69
30s$114.35
60s$109.67
20s$165.65
70+$142.68
50s$128.74
16-19$248.38

Cheapest Insurance for Teenage Drivers in Santa Barbara

If you are teen in Santa Barbara you are probably looking for a good deal on car insurance. Since teenage drivers typically pay the highest rates of any other age group, it’s important to compare multiple companies. According to our research, Mercury Insurance Company typically charges around $59.48 per month. This is likely the most affordable option in Santa Barbara. You might also want to consider Kemper Auto Premier and USAA who also offer good affordable policies for teen drivers.

CompanyAverage Monthly Rate
Mercury Insurance Company$59.48
Kemper Auto Premier$83.81
USAA$215.83
Unitrin$216.33
California Capital$232.50

Cheapest Insurance for 20 Year-olds in Santa Barbara

20 year-olds in Santa Barbara might want to consider Kemper Auto Premier who, on average, offers car insurance rates around $93.97 per month. Mercury Insurance Company , Esurance , USAA and SAFECO are also in the top 5 cheapest rates available.

CompanyAverage Monthly Rate
Kemper Auto Premier$93.97
Mercury Insurance Company$97.93
Esurance$140.39
USAA$153.67
SAFECO$154.00

Cheapest Insurance for 30 Year-olds in Santa Barbara

If you are in your 30s in Santa Barbara our research has found that Direct Auto typically has the most affordable coverage coming in around $55.31 per month, followed by Mercury Insurance Company at $57.84 and Kemper Auto Premier at $85.48.

CompanyAverage Monthly Rate
Direct Auto$55.31
Mercury Insurance Company$57.84
Kemper Auto Premier$85.48
Infinity Special$89.08
Esurance$105.27

Cheapest Insurance for 40 Year-olds in Santa Barbara

On average, Direct Auto offers car insurance for 40 year-olds in Santa Barbara for around $52.66 per month. If you are looking for affordable coverage, you may also want to consider Infinity Special or Mercury Insurance Company. The full list of top companies is below.

CompanyAverage Monthly Rate
Direct Auto$52.66
Infinity Special$59.20
Mercury Insurance Company$67.15
Kemper Auto Premier$77.98
Dairyland Auto$79.09

Cheapest Insurance for 50 Year-olds in Santa Barbara

Oftentimes 50 year-olds enjoy some of the lowest rates of any other age group. In Santa Barbara we found that Mercury Insurance Company generally offers the most affordable coverage at $103.86 per month.

CompanyAverage Monthly Rate
Mercury Insurance Company$103.86
Esurance$107.60
USAA$122.19
21st Century$126.88
Mercury$127.29

Cheapest Insurance for 60 Year-olds in Santa Barbara

If you live in Santa Barbara and you’re in your 60s, our data indicates that Esurance usually has the best rates at $81.03 per month. The top 5 list of car insurance companies is below.

CompanyAverage Monthly Rate
Esurance$81.03
21st Century$98.50
Unitrin$109.55
USAA$111.71
Mercury$111.86

Driver's Coverage Auto Insurance Rates in Santa Barbara, CA

driver's coverage

Typically, drivers who currently have car insurance coverage will receive a cheaper monthly quote than drivers who do not. Since car insurance is a requirement in all 50 states, companies may question why you don't currently have coverage. Because of this, they may see you as a higher risk driver. In Santa Barbara, the average monthly rate for a driver who is currently insured is $141.96 while drivers who are not currently covered will pay around $136.07.

CoverageAverage Monthly Rate
Currently Insured $136.07
Not Currently Insured $141.96

Compare Recent Car Insurance Quotes in Santa Barbara

auto insurance quotes in Santa Barbara city

Your vehicle plays a big part in how you rate for car insurance. The more your car is worth, the higher your car insurance rate. To lower your monthly premiums, you can set a higher deductible, but you’ll need to pay that deductible if you have an accident. Generally speaking, the newer a car is, the more it’s worth, and you may pay more in premiums, but the latest safety features will earn you a discount. The overall safety ratings of a car are also considered when determining your rate. In Santa Barbara a driver of a 2020 Nissan Altima can expect to pay around $121.77 per month while someone that owns a 2018 Ford Fusion may pay around $72.49 per month. Check out the list of recent quotes in Santa Barbara below.

VehicleAverage Monthly Rate
2020 Nissan Altima$121.77
2018 Ford Fusion$72.49
2002 Infiniti Q45$128.89
2012 Volkswagen Passat$96.80
2006 Honda Element$102.95
2012 Buick Enclave$256.31
2016 Chevrolet Malibu Limited$324.34
2012 Toyota Tacoma$258.35
2006 Honda Civic$417.99

FAQ's for Drivers in Santa Barbara, CA

driver’s frequently asked question in Santa Barbara

What Is the Minimum Liability Coverage Requirement in Santa Barbara, CA?

Every state requires drivers to have a minimum amount of liability coverage. California drivers are required to carry liability insurance to pay for damages and injuries inflicted on someone else in an auto accident.

  • $15,000; Bodily injury coverage per person; Max. payment for a single person that you injure in an auto accident.
  • $30,000; Bodily injury coverage per accident; Max. payment for all injuries that you cause in an accident when more than one person is hurt.
  • $5,000; Property damage per accident; Max. payment for damaged property in an accident caused by you.

You like to keep it simple, and so do we! Just don’t go too minimalist and skip the auto insurance altogether (see our FAQ for more information). In California, you are legally required to obtain something called liability insurance.* This is for your protection if you are deemed “at fault” in an accident that causes injury and lost wages to another driver or passenger in another vehicle. Liability coverage pays up to the amounts listed below. It also pays for damages to the other driver’s vehicle. Trust us, you’d want this coverage even if it wasn’t legally required!

What Is the Blood Alcohol Concentration (BAC) limit in Santa Barbara, CA?

It is illegal for an individual to operate a motor vehicle in California with the following BAC percentages:

  • .08%+ @ 21 years old or older
  • .04%+ for commercial vehicle drivers
  • .01%+ @ < 21 years old

What are the chemical test refusal penalties in California?

According to California’s implied consent law, you are only required to take a breath or blood test upon being arrested. However, if you are not arrested and refuse the test, the officer may identify additional probable causes for driving under the influence and arrest you, thus forcing you into taking the test.

Check Out Other Rates in Santa Barbara, CA Nearby Cities:

Camarillo, CA

Thousand Oaks, CA

Lompoc, CA

Ventura, CA

Oxnard, CA

 

Santa Maria, CA

 

Simi Valley, CA

 

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Commute Time in Santa Barbara, CA

17.2 Miles
map

Commute Time in United States

26.4 Miles
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Number of Nearest Insurance Agents in Santa Barbara, CA

109

Methodology
The statistics listed on this page are from our own in house reporting. We track and record quotes that carriers have provided based on various criteria. The rates and averages shown on this page should only be used as an estimate.

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