Astonishing but true, most consumers have remained with the same auto insurance company for more than four years, and about 40% of consumers have never even compared rates from other companies. With the average premium in California being $1,387, drivers could save almost 35% each year just by comparing rates, but they just assume it's a time-consuming process to compare rate quotes.
Truthfully, the best way to get low-cost BMW M3 insurance is to compare prices regularly from companies in Santa Ana. You can compare rates by following these steps.
First, try to learn a little about what is in your policy and the steps you can take to prevent expensive coverage. Many risk factors that result in higher prices such as traffic tickets, fender benders, and a poor credit score can be amended by making minor driving habit or lifestyle changes.
Second, get rate quotes from direct, independent, and exclusive agents. Direct and exclusive agents can give quotes from one company like Progressive or Allstate, while independent agencies can provide rate quotes from multiple companies. Begin your rate comparison
Third, compare the new rate quotes to the premium of your current policy to see if a cheaper rate is available in Santa Ana. If you find a better price and decide to switch, make sure there is no coverage gap between policies.
The critical component of shopping around is to compare similar deductibles and liability limits on each quote request and and to get quotes from as many auto insurance providers as possible. Doing this helps ensure a fair rate comparison and the best price selection.
Most of the larger companies allow consumers to get prices from their websites. Getting BMW M3 insurance prices online doesn't take a lot of time as all you need to do is type in your coverage preferences into a form. When the form is submitted, the company's rating system orders credit information and your driving record and gives you a price quote based on these factors.
This makes it a lot easier to compare rates and it's very important to compare as many rates as possible if you want to get the cheapest price on insurance.
To compare pricing, compare quotes from the companies shown below. If you have a policy now, it's recommended you copy the coverage information just like they are on your policy. This ensures you will be getting a rate comparison for exact coverage.
The companies shown below provide free rate quotes in California. If more than one company is shown, we recommend you click on several of them in order to get a fair rate comparison.
Detailed insurance information
The premium information displayed below outlines a range of prices for BMW M3 models. Having a good understanding how prices are determined can aid in making decisions on the best policy coverages.
Model | Comp | Collision | Liability | Medical | UM/UIM | Annual Premium | Monthly Premium |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
M3 4-Dr Sedan | $480 | $970 | $456 | $26 | $136 | $2,068 | $172 |
M3 CI 2-Dr Coupe | $524 | $1082 | $456 | $26 | $136 | $2,224 | $185 |
M3 2-Dr Convertible | $524 | $1082 | $456 | $26 | $136 | $2,224 | $185 |
Get Your Own Custom Quote Go |
Data rating is based on married male driver age 40, no speeding tickets, no at-fault accidents, $100 deductibles, and California minimum liability limits. Discounts applied include multi-vehicle, safe-driver, homeowner, multi-policy, and claim-free. Rates do not factor in Santa Ana location which can increase or decrease auto insurance rates significantly.
Full coverage or liability only
The diagram below shows the comparison of BMW M3 annual premium costs with and without physical damage coverage. The data is based on no accidents, no driving violations, $250 deductibles, drivers are single, and no discounts are factored in.
When to drop comp and collision
There is no clear-cut formula for eliminating comp and collision coverage, but there is a general guideline. If the annual cost of your full coverage insurance is 10% or more of the replacement cost minus the deductible, the it may be a good time to stop paying for full coverage.
For example, let's say your BMW M3 replacement value is $6,000 and you have $1,000 policy deductibles. If your vehicle is destroyed, the most you would receive is $5,000 after you pay the deductible. If you are paying over $500 a year for full coverage, then you might want to consider buying only liability coverage.
There are some situations where dropping physical damage coverage is not advised. If you have an outstanding loan on your vehicle, you have to carry full coverage as part of the loan conditions. Also, if you cannot afford to purchase a different vehicle if your current one is totaled, you should not opt for liability only.
Three main reasons to buy car insurance
Despite the high cost of buying insurance for a BMW M3 in Santa Ana, paying for car insurance is a good idea for several reasons.
- Most states have mandatory insurance requirements which means state laws require a minimum amount of liability insurance in order to be legal. In California these limits are 15/30/5 which means you must have $15,000 of bodily injury coverage per person, $30,000 of bodily injury coverage per accident, and $5,000 of property damage coverage.
- If you have a lien on your BMW, it's guaranteed your bank will require that you have insurance to guarantee their interest in the vehicle. If you let the policy lapse, the bank may insure your BMW at an extremely high rate and require you to fork over the higher premium.
- Car insurance preserves both your assets and your car. It will also reimburse you for medical bills for you, any passengers, and anyone injured in an accident. Liability coverage will also pay attorney fees if you are named as a defendant in an auto accident. If your vehicle suffers damage from an accident or hail, comprehensive and/or collision insurance will pay to repair the damage minus the deductible amount.
The benefits of insuring your M3 definitely exceed the price paid, particularly if you ever have a claim. As of last year, the average driver in California is overpaying over $865 each year so it's very important to do a rate comparison every year to make sure the price is not too high.
Discounts can help save money on BMW M3 insurance in Santa Ana
Not too many consumers would say auto insurance is affordable, but you may be missing some discounts that you may not even be aware of. Certain credits will be shown at the time you complete a quote, but a few must be asked about before they will apply.
- Discount for Life Insurance - Companies who offer life insurance give a break if you buy auto and life insurance together.
- Buy New and Save - Insuring a new M3 is cheaper compared to insuring an older model.
- Early Renewal Discounts - A few larger companies offer discounts for buying a new policy before your current expiration date. You can save around 10% with this discount.
- Onboard Data Collection - Drivers that enable data collection to scrutinize their driving habits remotely such as Progressive's Snapshot may see discounts as long as the data is positive.
- Santa Ana Homeowners Pay Less - Just being a homeowner can save you money because maintaining a house is proof of financial responsibility.
One last thing about discounts, most discounts do not apply to the entire cost. Most only apply to the price of certain insurance coverages like comp or med pay. Despite the fact that it seems like it's possible to get free car insurance, companies don't profit that way.
The example below compares BMW M3 insurance costs with and without discounts applied to the rates. Data assumes a female driver, no violations or claims, California state minimum liability limits, comprehensive and collision coverage, and $1,000 deductibles. The first bar for each age group shows premium with no discounts. The second shows the rates with multi-car, safe-driver, marriage, homeowner, multi-policy, and claim-free discounts applied.
If you would like to view providers who offer online BMW M3 insurance quotes in Santa Ana, click here to view.
Auto insurance can be complex
When quoting and choosing the right insurance coverage for your vehicles, there really is not a single plan that fits everyone. Your needs are not the same as everyone else's.
These are some specific questions could help you determine whether your personal situation would benefit from an agent's advice.
- How can I get my company to pay me more for my totaled car?
- Am I covered if my car is in a flood?
- Do I need motorclub coverage?
- Do I have coverage when making deliveries for my home business?
- Where can I get insurance after a DUI in California?
- What are the liability requirements in my state?
- What is an adequate liability insurance limit?
If you can't answer these questions then you might want to talk to a licensed agent. If you don't have a local agent, fill out this quick form. It is quick, free and you can get the answers you need.
Car insurance is available from local agents
A small number of people just prefer to talk to a local agent. Good insurance agents can point out coverage gaps and help in the event of a claim. One of the best bonuses of comparing insurance prices online is that drivers can save money and get cheap rate quotes but still work with a licensed agent.
After completing this short form, your insurance coverage information is instantly submitted to insurance agents in Santa Ana that provide free Santa Ana auto insurance quotes to get your business. You don't have to find an agent on your own as quotes are delivered to you. If for some reason you want to get a rate quote from one company in particular, you can always find their quoting web page and submit a quote form there.
Picking the best provider requires you to look at more than just a cheap quote. These are some valid questions you should ask.
- Do they have 24-hour customer assistance?
- What company holds the largest book of business for them?
- Are they full-time agents?
- How long has their agency been in business in Santa Ana?
- Who is covered by the car insurance policy?
- Does the company use OEM repair parts?
- Will your rates increase after a single accident?
Do you need an independent or exclusive car insurance agent?
When looking for a reputable agency, you should know the different types of agents and how they differ in how they quote coverages. Car insurance agents in Santa Ana are classified as either independent (non-exclusive) or exclusive. Either type can properly insure your vehicles, but it's worth mentioning the difference in how they write coverage since it may influence buying decisions.
Exclusive Agents
Agents that elect to be exclusive are contracted to one company and some examples include American Family, State Farm, and Allstate. They generally cannot provide rate quotes from other companies so it's a take it or leave it situation. Exclusive agents receive a lot of sales training on their company's products which helps them sell insurance even at higher premiums. Some insured continue to choose to use a exclusive agent primarily because of high brand loyalty and the convenience of having all coverages with one company.
Below is a short list of exclusive insurance agencies in Santa Ana who may provide you with comparison quotes.
- Farmers Insurance: Sandy Hocking-Cline
1801 Park Ct Pl - Santa Ana, CA 92701 - (714) 973-9100 - View Map - Farmers Insurance - Juan Chavez
207 N Main St - Santa Ana, CA 92701 - (714) 202-0092 - View Map - David Reyes - State Farm Insurance Agent
1077 W 17th St b - Santa Ana, CA 92706 - (714) 285-0155 - View Map
Independent Agents (or Brokers)
Independent insurance agents can sell policies from many different companies so they can quote policies with any number of different companies and find you the best rates. If they find a cheaper price, the agent simply finds a different carrier and you won't have to switch agencies. If you are comparing car insurance prices, we recommend you get rate quotes from several independent agencies for maximum quote selection. Most independent agents also contract with companies you've never heard of that can offer cheaper rates than bigger companies.
Listed below are independent agents in Santa Ana that are able to give rate quotes.
- CRC Insurance Services Inc
1551 N Tustin Ave # 450 - Santa Ana, CA 92705 - (714) 689-0101 - View Map - Palmer Insurance and Income Tax
631 N Main St - Santa Ana, CA 92701 - (714) 835-0840 - View Map - Ayala's Insurance
2020 N Grand Ave #107 - Santa Ana, CA 92705 - (714) 210-5770 - View Map
If you receive good responses to any questions you have as well as a affordable price, you may have found an insurance agency that meets the criteria to insure your vehicles. Just be aware that you can always terminate your policy at any time so never assume that you are permanently stuck with any specific agency with no way to switch.
Car insurance coverages for a BMW M3
Learning about specific coverages of car insurance aids in choosing which coverages you need and the correct deductibles and limits. The coverage terms in a policy can be impossible to understand and coverage can change by endorsement.
Collision - This coverage covers damage to your M3 caused by collision with a stationary object or other vehicle. You will need to pay your deductible then your collision coverage will kick in.
Collision coverage protects against claims like rolling your car, driving through your garage door, damaging your car on a curb, backing into a parked car and hitting a parking meter. This coverage can be expensive, so analyze the benefit of dropping coverage from older vehicles. You can also bump up the deductible on your M3 to get cheaper collision coverage.
Uninsured or underinsured coverage - This protects you and your vehicle's occupants from other motorists when they are uninsured or don't have enough coverage. Covered claims include hospital bills for your injuries and also any damage incurred to your BMW M3.
Since a lot of drivers have only the minimum liability required by law (which is 15/30/5), it doesn't take a major accident to exceed their coverage limits. This is the reason having UM/UIM coverage should not be overlooked.
Medical expense coverage - Personal Injury Protection (PIP) and medical payments coverage kick in for expenses like hospital visits, pain medications, surgery and rehabilitation expenses. They are often used in conjunction with a health insurance plan or if you do not have health coverage. They cover not only the driver but also the vehicle occupants as well as if you are hit as a while walking down the street. PIP is only offered in select states and may carry a deductible
Comprehensive protection - Comprehensive insurance covers damage from a wide range of events other than collision. You first have to pay a deductible then your comprehensive coverage will pay.
Comprehensive can pay for things like hitting a bird, hitting a deer, fire damage and a tree branch falling on your vehicle. The most you can receive from a comprehensive claim is the ACV or actual cash value, so if it's not worth much more than your deductible it's probably time to drop comprehensive insurance.
Liability coverages - This can cover damage or injury you incur to other people or property by causing an accident. Split limit liability has three limits of coverage: bodily injury for each person, bodily injury for the entire accident, and a limit for property damage. You might see values of 15/30/5 which means $15,000 in coverage for each person's injuries, a limit of $30,000 in injury protection per accident, and $5,000 of coverage for damaged property.
Liability insurance covers things like pain and suffering, repair costs for stationary objects and emergency aid. How much liability coverage do you need? That is up to you, but you should buy as high a limit as you can afford. California requires minimum liability limits of 15/30/5 but it's recommended drivers buy more coverage.
The illustration below demonstrates why buying minimum limits may not provide adequate coverage.
One last thing about your coverage
When trying to cut insurance costs, it's not a good idea to buy less coverage just to save a little money. There are a lot of situations where someone sacrificed collision coverage and learned later that the few dollars in savings costed them thousands. Your strategy should be to find the BEST coverage at the best cost and still be able to protect your assets.
You just read many ideas to lower your BMW M3 insurance car insurance rates in Santa Ana. The key concept to understand is the more times you quote, the better likelihood of getting the cheapest BMW M3 rate quotes. You may even discover the biggest savings come from an unexpected company.
A few companies may not provide rates over the internet and these small insurance companies only sell coverage through independent agents. Lower-priced insurance in Santa Ana can be purchased online as well as from independent agents in Santa Ana, and you need to price shop both to have the best selection.
Much more information about insurance in California is available on the following sites:
- Hybrid vehicles cost insurers more (Insurance Institute for Highway Safety)
- Who Has Cheap Santa Ana Auto Insurance for 18 Year Olds? (FAQ)
- What Car Insurance is Cheapest for Immigrants in Santa Ana? (FAQ)
- Who Has Affordable Santa Ana Auto Insurance for Uninsured Drivers? (FAQ)
- Who Has Cheap Santa Ana Auto Insurance Quotes for a Ford Fusion? (FAQ)
- How Much are Car Insurance Rates for Good Drivers in Santa Ana? (FAQ)
- Vehicle Safety Ratings (iihs.org)
- Self-driving cars won't replace humans (Insurance Institute for Highway Safety)
- Dangers of fake or stolen airbags (Insurance Institute for Highway Safety)