Cheapest Auto Insurance in Santa Maria, California (2025)

Drivers in Santa Maria can expect to pay an average of $120 per month for car insurance. The city’s rates are lower than the monthly average of $150 and the national average of $143 per month.

Drivers in Santa Maria pay less likely in part because of the city’s location and comparatively smaller population.1 Even so, you can find cheaper coverage if you compare car insurance quotes from multiple insurers before buying.

Here’s how you can find the most competitive rates from the best insurers in Santa Maria, California.

Cheapest car insurance companies in Santa Maria

Drivers in Santa Maria have affordable coverage options, and the best insurer for you depends on your coverage needs. Driving records, location, average mileage, vehicle type, and age can help determine which insurer offers the best deal.

Clearcover, USAA, and Mile Auto are some of the top picks for drivers in the city. Here’s why.

Best insurer for affordability: Mercury

Best insurer for military members, veterans, and their families: USAA

Best insurer for pay-per-mile insurance: Mile Auto

How to get the cheapest car insurance in Santa Maria

Your location and where you live within a city can affect how much you pay for car insurance. Factors like your driving history, age, and vehicle type also affect insurance costs.

But you have ways to save:2

• Ask about discounts. Most car insurance companies offer discounts for bundling policies, including home insurance, renters insurance, or life insurance. But many insurers also offer rate deductions for good driving, driving fewer miles, and being a student. Ask insurance agents or representatives what discounts apply.

• Consider your car’s value. The value of your vehicle determines how much insurance you need. If you have a new or high-value car, it usually makes sense to opt for higher coverage. But if your vehicle is old or worth less, you might need less extensive protection.

• Compare quotes. Comparing quotes from at least three companies is the most effective way to save money on car insurance. It’s easier to gauge whether or not you’re getting a good deal once you review more than one offer.

Cheapest liability-only car insurance in Santa Maria: USAA

Most states, including California, mandate liability-only car insurance. Liability coverage helps pay for vehicle repairs and medical expenses for the other driver when you cause an accident.3 But there are limitations, and it doesn’t cover your repair costs.

USAA offers the cheapest quotes for liability-only coverage in Santa Maria, with a cost of $62 per month. You can find the most competitive rates from the following insurers.

Cheapest full-coverage car insurance in Santa Maria: Anchor

Full-coverage car insurance typically includes liability, comprehensive, and collision coverage. If you cause an accident or hit an object, collision coverage can help pay for your vehicle repairs. Comprehensive coverage helps cover costs associated with non-collision damages like theft, vandalism, and natural disasters.

Anchor offers the cheapest quotes for full-coverage policies in Santa Maria, with rates of $136 per month. The following insurance companies also offer affordable rates.

Car insurance requirements in California

Drivers in California must have liability insurance, which helps pay for vehicle repairs and medical costs for the other driver. In California, liability insurance includes bodily injury and property damage liability coverage.3

State lawmakers approved an increase in coverage limits, which will take effect on Jan. 1, 2025. The table below reflects this change and the types and amount of coverage all Santa Maria drivers need to carry:4

As you determine your coverage needs, consider the following policies:

California’s Low-Cost Auto Insurance Program

California offers low-income drivers affordable liability-only coverage through the Low-Cost Auto Insurance (CLCA) program. Drivers can work with select companies to secure coverage amounts lower than the state-mandated limits.5

To qualify, you must earn less than the income thresholds set by the state. The size of your family and total income determines eligibility. For example, families of four must make less than $75,000 per year, which is lower than the federal poverty guidelines. You also need a clean driving record, and your car can’t be worth more than $25,000.6

Cheapest car insurance for drivers with an incident

Driving incidents cause your insurance premiums to increase. Car insurance companies determine rates based on your driving record.

Drivers without any incidents can secure lower rates since insurers consider them less risky to insure. However, insurers charge more if you have a speeding ticket, driving under the influence (DUI) violation, or at-fault car accident.

Here’s how each type of incident affects your car insurance rates.

Cheapest car insurance for drivers with a speeding ticket: USAA

Speeding tickets indicate risky driving, which signifies to insurers that you might be more likely to file a claim. Insurance companies charge more for coverage to compensate for the potential cost of future claims. However, it’s still possible to find competitive rates.

The cheapest insurer for drivers with a speeding ticket in Santa Maria is USAA, with a cost of $76 per month. Here are the cheapest car insurance companies in Santa Maria after a speeding ticket.

Cheapest car insurance for drivers with an at-fault accident: USAA

Car insurance companies determine rates based on how likely drivers are to file future claims. If you have an at-fault accident on your driving record, it indicates that you’re more likely to do so. Even though past behavior isn’t always an indicator of future behavior, insurance companies prefer to err on the side of caution.

The cheapest insurer for drivers with an at-fault accident in Santa Maria is USAA, with a cost of $76 per month.

Here’s how much you can expect your car insurance rates to increase with different companies after you cause a car accident.

Cheapest car insurance for drivers with a DUI: USAA

Driving under the influence (DUI) is a serious violation that causes your car insurance costs to skyrocket. If you get a DUI in California, convictions remain on your driving record for 10 years. You might also have to pay fines, lose your license, spend time in jail, and face non-renewal from your insurance company.7

If you’re navigating the aftermath of a DUI, seek out insurance companies that specialize in coverage. The cheapest insurer for drivers with a DUI in Santa Maria is USAA, with a monthly cost of $97.

Here’s how much you can expect your rates to increase after a DUI.

Cheapest car insurance for seniors: USAA

Your age affects your car insurance costs. Young drivers can expect higher insurance costs throughout their teenage years and young adulthood. Around age 35, prices begin to decrease and continue doing so throughout retirement age. However, rates start to increase again around age 70.

The cheapest insurer for senior drivers in Santa Maria is USAA, with a monthly cost of $52.

Here’s the cheapest car insurance in Santa Maria for seniors.

Cheapest car insurance for teens: USAA

Teenage drivers spend significantly more on car insurance due to inexperience and risky behavior behind the wheel. Since most teenagers have insurance through parents or guardians, the costs can affect the family budget.

But you can take steps to save money. Ask about good student discounts, buy a car with additional safety features, and keep your teenager on the family insurance plan as long as possible.

With a cost of $117 per month, the cheapest insurer for teen drivers in Santa Maria is USAA.

Here are the cheapest car insurance quotes for teenage drivers in Santa Maria.

Is car insurance more expensive in Santa Maria?

No. Average rates in Santa Maria are also lower than the state average, possibly due to the city’s agricultural-heavy setting and comparatively smaller population size. Drivers in bigger nearby cities like Santa Barbara and Moreno Valley pay slightly more per month.

Santa Maria drivers pay an average of $120 per month for car insurance, lower than the state average of $150 and much lower than the national average of $143 per month.

More cities in California

Drivers in nearby California cities pay slightly more for car insurance. For example, drivers in Santa Barbara pay an average of $98 per month, about $20 more. Similarly, Moreno Valley residents pay about $10 more than Santa Maria drivers.

Here are the average quotes for some other California cities.

Santa Maria car insurance FAQs