A recent NerdWallet.com study revealed that almost 70% of drivers kept buying from the same company for at least the last four years, and 38% of drivers have never quoted auto insurance rates at all. Drivers in Santa Ana could save up to 35% every year by just comparing quotes, but they don't invest the time required to do a rate comparison.
If your goal is the lowest price, then the best way to get affordable auto insurance rates in Santa Ana is to begin comparing prices regularly from different companies that insure vehicles in California.
Step 1: Learn about how auto insurance works and the things you can change to prevent high rates. Many risk factors that result in higher prices like speeding tickets, accidents and a not-so-good credit score can be improved by being financially responsible and driving safely. Read the full article for more information to help reduce premium rates and find hidden discounts.
Step 2: Obtain price quotes from exclusive agents, independent agents, and direct providers. Direct and exclusive agents can only provide price estimates from a single company like Progressive and State Farm, while independent agencies can provide prices from many different companies. Select a company
Step 3: Compare the new rate quotes to your existing rates to see if switching to a new carrier will save money. If you find a lower rate quote and buy the policy, make sure coverage is continuous and does not lapse.
The most important part of shopping around is that you'll want to compare the same amount of coverage on every quote request and and to analyze as many different companies as possible. Doing this provides an accurate price comparison and a better comparison of the market.
The are a couple different ways to compare rate quotes from many auto insurance companies in California. The easiest way to do a complete rate comparison is to perform an online rate comparison. When comparing auto insurance rates, know that having more price comparisons provides better odds of finding a better price. Not every company allows you to get price estimates online, so you should also compare quotes from the smaller companies as well.
The following companies are ready to provide price comparisons in California. If multiple providers are shown, it's a good idea that you compare several of them to get the best price comparison.
Three reasons to not skimp on car insurance
Even though it can be expensive, paying for car insurance is required for several reasons.
- Just about all states have minimum mandated liability insurance limits which means you are required to carry a specific minimum amount of liability insurance in order to get the vehicle licensed. 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 bought your Honda CR-V with a loan, it's guaranteed your bank will require that you buy full coverage to guarantee loan repayment. If you cancel or allow the policy to lapse, the bank may buy a policy for your Honda at a more expensive rate and force you to pay for the expensive policy.
- Insurance safeguards not only your vehicle but also your financial assets. It also can pay for many types of medical costs for you, any passengers, and anyone injured in an accident. Liability coverage also pays expenses related to your legal defense if you are named as a defendant in an auto accident. If your vehicle suffers damage from an accident or hail, collision and comprehensive (also known as other-than-collision) coverage will pay all costs to repair after the deductible has been paid.
The benefits of having insurance greatly outweigh the cost, especially if you ever need it. According to a 2015 survey, the average American driver is overpaying more than $830 a year so it's recommended you shop around each time the policy renews to ensure rates are inline.
Rates and other information
The coverage information shown below covers detailed analysis of insurance costs for Honda CR-V models. Being more informed about how auto insurance policy rates are figured can assist in making smart choices when selecting a coverage provider.
| Model | Comp | Collision | Liability | Medical | UM/UIM | Annual Premium | Monthly Premium |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| CR-V LX 2WD | $208 | $392 | $424 | $26 | $128 | $1,178 | $98 |
| CR-V EX 2WD | $208 | $392 | $424 | $26 | $128 | $1,178 | $98 |
| CR-V LX 4WD | $208 | $392 | $424 | $26 | $128 | $1,178 | $98 |
| CR-V EX 4WD | $238 | $392 | $424 | $26 | $128 | $1,208 | $101 |
| CR-V EX-L 2WD | $238 | $392 | $424 | $26 | $128 | $1,208 | $101 |
| CR-V EX-L 4WD | $238 | $392 | $424 | $26 | $128 | $1,208 | $101 |
| Get Your Own Custom Quote Go | |||||||
Data based on single male driver age 50, no speeding tickets, no at-fault accidents, $500 deductibles, and California minimum liability limits. Discounts applied include homeowner, claim-free, multi-policy, safe-driver, and multi-vehicle. Premium amounts do not factor in the specific area where the vehicle is garaged which can decrease or increase insurance rates noticeably.
How high should deductibles be?
One frequently asked question is which comprehensive and collision deductibles to buy. The rates below help summarize how much more you'll pay of buying low and high coverage deductibles. The first price estimate table uses a $100 deductible and the second set of rates uses a $500 deductible.
| Model | Comp | Collision | Liability | Medical | UM/UIM | Annual Premium | Monthly Premium |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| CR-V LX 2WD | $332 | $564 | $376 | $22 | $112 | $1,431 | $119 |
| CR-V EX 2WD | $332 | $564 | $376 | $22 | $112 | $1,431 | $119 |
| CR-V LX 4WD | $332 | $564 | $376 | $22 | $112 | $1,431 | $119 |
| CR-V EX 4WD | $380 | $564 | $376 | $22 | $112 | $1,479 | $123 |
| CR-V EX-L 2WD | $380 | $564 | $376 | $22 | $112 | $1,479 | $123 |
| CR-V EX-L 4WD | $380 | $564 | $376 | $22 | $112 | $1,479 | $123 |
| Get Your Own Custom Quote Go | |||||||
| Model | Comp | Collision | Liability | Medical | UM/UIM | Annual Premium | Monthly Premium |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| CR-V LX 2WD | $242 | $382 | $376 | $22 | $112 | $1,134 | $95 |
| CR-V EX 2WD | $242 | $382 | $376 | $22 | $112 | $1,134 | $95 |
| CR-V LX 4WD | $242 | $382 | $376 | $22 | $112 | $1,134 | $95 |
| CR-V EX 4WD | $278 | $382 | $376 | $22 | $112 | $1,170 | $98 |
| CR-V EX-L 2WD | $278 | $382 | $376 | $22 | $112 | $1,170 | $98 |
| CR-V EX-L 4WD | $278 | $382 | $376 | $22 | $112 | $1,170 | $98 |
| Get Your Own Custom Quote Go | |||||||
Cost estimates assume married male driver age 30, no speeding tickets, no at-fault accidents, and California minimum liability limits. Discounts applied include claim-free, multi-vehicle, multi-policy, safe-driver, and homeowner. Table data does not factor in specific garaging location which can modify coverage prices significantly.
Based on the figures above, using a $100 deductible will cost in the ballpark of $24 more each month or $288 each year averaged for all CR-V models than choosing the higher $500 deductible. Because you would pay $400 more to file a claim with a $500 deductible as compared to a $100 deductible, if you tend to have at least 17 months between claim filings, you would most likely save money by selecting a higher deductible.
The diagram below shows how different deductible levels and can affect Honda CR-V annual premium costs for different insured age categories. The data assumes a single female driver, comprehensive and collision coverage, and no other discounts are factored in.
Driving violations and accidents
The information below illustrates how speeding tickets and fender-benders drive up Honda CR-V insurance costs for each age group. The rates are based on a married female driver, full physical damage coverage, $100 deductibles, and no discounts are applied to the premium.
Full coverage or liability only
The diagram below illustrates the difference between Honda CR-V annual premium costs when comparing full coverage to liability only. The price estimates are based on no driving violations, no at-fault accidents, $250 deductibles, drivers are single, and no additional discounts are factored in.
When to stop buying full coverage
There is no exact formula to eliminate physical damage coverage on your policy, but there is a guideline you can use. If the annual cost of comprehensive and collision coverage is 10% or more of the replacement cost of your vehicle minus the policy deductible, then it might be time to buy liability only.
For example, let's assume your Honda CR-V replacement value is $4,000 and you have $1,000 full coverage deductibles. If your vehicle is severely damaged, the most you would get paid by your company is $3,000 after paying your deductible. If you are paying more than $300 annually for comprehensive and collision coverage, then it could be time to drop full coverage.
There are some conditions where dropping physical damage coverage is not recommended. If you haven't paid off your loan, you must maintain physical damage coverage as part of the loan conditions. Also, if your finances do not allow you to purchase a different vehicle if your current one is damaged, you should maintain full coverage.
Lower rate quotes by applying discounts
Some insurers don't list every available discount very clearly, so the list below contains both the well known in addition to some of the lesser obvious discounts that you can inquire about if you buy Santa Ana car insurance online.
- Early Payment Discounts - By paying your policy upfront instead of paying each month you can actually save on your bill.
- Anti-theft System - Vehicles equipped with anti-theft or alarm systems have a lower chance of being stolen and therefore earn up to a 10% discount.
- Military Discounts - Having a deployed family member could mean lower rates.
- Good Student - This discount could provide a savings of up to 20% or more. Many companies even apply the discount to college students up until you turn 25.
- Discounts for Safe Drivers - Accident-free drivers can save as much as half off their rates than less cautious drivers.
- Driver's Education for Students - Teen drivers should successfully complete driver's ed class as it will make them better drivers and lower rates.
- E-sign - Many insurance companies give back up to $50 get Santa Ana car insurance on your computer.
As is typical with insurance, some credits don't apply to the overall cost of the policy. A few only apply to individual premiums such as medical payments or collision. So when it seems like you could get a free car insurance policy, companies wouldn't make money that way. Any amount of discount will help lower your car insurance premiums.
The diagram below illustrates the difference between Honda CR-V auto insurance costs with and without discounts applied to the premium. Data assumes a male driver, no tickets, no at-fault accidents, California state minimum liability limits, comp and collision included, and $100 deductibles. The first bar for each age group shows premium with no discounts. The second shows the rates with marriage, homeowner, multi-policy, claim-free, multi-car, and safe-driver discounts applied.
Car insurance companies that may have some of the discounts shown above include:
If you are trying to find affordable Honda CR-V insurance quotes, ask each insurance company which discounts can lower your rates. Some of the earlier mentioned discounts might not be offered in Santa Ana.
Neighborhood insurance agents
Some consumers would prefer to sit down with an agent and that can be a great decision A nice benefit of comparing car insurance online is that drivers can save money and get lower prices and still choose a local agent.
Upon completion of this quick form, your information is submitted to local insurance agents in Santa Ana who will give you quotes for your car insurance coverage. It simplifies rate comparisons since you won't have to even leave your home due to the fact that quote results will go instantly to you. You can find the lowest rates without requiring a lot of work. If you have a need to compare rates from a particular provider, you just need to jump over to their website and submit a quote form there.
Finding the right insurance company requires you to look at more than just the quoted price. Before buying a policy in Santa Ana, get answers to these questions.
- Does the agency have a good rating with the Better Business Bureau?
- If you are a high risk driver, do they have special markets for your coverage?
- How would your car be valued if totaled?
- Where would your vehicle be repaired?
- Can they help ensure a fair claim settlement?
- Does the agency provide any after hours assistance?
- How much can you save by raising your physical damage deductibles?
When do I need an agent's advice?
When quoting and comparing adequate coverage for your personal vehicles, there is no "best" method to buy coverage. Everyone's needs are different.
For instance, these questions may help highlight if you might need an agent's assistance.
- Are rock chip repairs covered?
- Am I covered while delivering pizza?
- How can I get the company to pay a claim?
- How can I find cheaper teen driver insurance?
- Does my car insurance cover rental cars?
- What is PIP insurance?
- Do I have coverage if my license is suspended?
If you don't know the answers to these questions but you think they might apply to your situation, you might consider talking to an insurance agent. To find an agent in your area, complete this form.
Best auto insurance in Santa Ana
Finding a high-quality auto insurance provider is difficult considering how many companies provide coverage in California. The ranking data in the lists below could help you decide which insurers to look at comparing rates from.
Top 10 Santa Ana Car Insurance Companies Overall
- USAA
- American Family
- AAA of Southern California
- State Farm
- The Hartford
- AAA Insurance
- GEICO
- The General
- Titan Insurance
- Progressive
Top 10 Santa Ana Car Insurance Companies Ranked by Customer Satisfaction
- Titan Insurance - 95%
- USAA - 94%
- AAA of Southern California - 92%
- AAA Insurance - 91%
- Nationwide - 90%
- State Farm - 90%
- The Hartford - 89%
- GEICO - 89%
- The General - 88%
- 21st Century - 88%
Final considerations
The cheapest Honda CR-V insurance in Santa Ana is available online and from local insurance agents, so you need to shop Santa Ana car insurance with both to get a complete price analysis. Some insurance companies may not provide rate quotes online and usually these small, regional companies provide coverage only through independent agents.
As you shop your coverage around, never buy poor coverage just to save money. There are too many instances where an insured cut liability coverage limits and learned later that the savings was not a smart move. Your goal is to get the best coverage possible for the lowest price, but do not skimp to save money.
We just covered many ideas to get a better price on Honda CR-V insurance in Santa Ana. The key thing to remember is the more providers you compare, the better chance you'll have of finding cheaper Santa Ana car insurance quotes. You may even be surprised to find that the lowest premium rates come from a small local company.
Much more information about insurance in California can be found at the links below
- Eight Auto Insurance Myths (Insurance Information Institute)
- Who Has Cheap Santa Ana Auto Insurance Quotes for a Ford Fusion? (FAQ)
- Preventing Carjacking and Theft (Insurance Information Institute)
- Collision Insurance Coverage (Nationwide)
- Get the Right Protection (InsureUonline.org)