Astonishing but true according to a recent study, nearly 70% of customers renewed their policy with the same company for at least the last four years, and nearly 40% of drivers have never even shopped around for lower-cost coverage. Many drivers in California could save themselves up to $470 a year, but most just don't grasp the large savings they would see if they switched to a cheaper policy.
To save the most money, the best way to get more affordable Suzuki Forenza insurance is to compare prices annually from insurers that insure vehicles in Santa Ana.
- Get a basic knowledge of individual coverages and the things you can change to prevent rate increases. Many rating criteria that increase rates such as traffic citations, accidents, and a poor credit score can be amended by making lifestyle changes or driving safer.
- Quote rates from direct carriers, independent agents, and exclusive agents. Direct companies and exclusive agencies can only give prices from one company like Progressive or Allstate, while agents who are independent can quote prices from many different companies.
- Compare the new rates to your current policy to see if you can save by switching companies. If you find better rates and make a switch, ensure coverage does not lapse between policies.
- Give notification to your current company of your decision to cancel your current car insurance policy. Submit a signed application and payment to the new insurer. When you receive it, keep your new proof of insurance certificate in your vehicle's glove compartment or console.
A valuable tip to remember is to make sure you enter the same physical damage deductibles and liability limits on every quote and and to analyze as many car insurance companies as possible. This guarantees an accurate price comparison and and a good selection of different prices.
How to get the cheapest Suzuki Forenza insurance in Santa Ana
Just keep in mind that comparing more rates from different companies will increase your chances of finding the best rates. Some smaller insurers do not give online rate quotes, so you should also compare prices from those companies as well.
The auto insurance companies shown below have been selected to offer free quotes in California. If multiple providers are shown, it's highly recommended you visit two to three different companies to get a more complete price comparison.
It may be expensive, but it's not optional
Despite the fact that auto insurance is not cheap in Santa Ana, buying auto insurance is mandatory in California but it also protects more than you think.
- Just about all states have compulsory liability insurance requirements which means the state requires a specific minimum amount of liability insurance in order to license the vehicle. 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 Suzuki, it's most likely the lender will require you to have insurance to ensure they get paid if you total the vehicle. If you let the policy lapse, the bank will be required to insure your Suzuki for a much higher rate and require you to fork over much more than you were paying before.
- Auto insurance preserves your Suzuki Forenza and your assets. It will also cover medical bills for yourself as well as anyone injured by you. One policy coverage, liability insurance, also pays expenses related to your legal defense if you are sued as the result of your driving. If your vehicle suffers damage from an accident or hail, your auto insurance policy will pay to restore your vehicle to like-new condition.
The benefits of insuring your Forenza definitely exceed the cost, especially if you ever need it. As of last year, the average driver in California is overpaying over $865 each year so shop around every year to ensure rates are competitive.
Santa Ana insurance discounts for a Suzuki Forenza
Companies do not list all available discounts very well, so the list below contains both the well known and the harder-to-find credits available to bring down your rates.
- Theft Deterrent - Cars, trucks, and SUVs that have factory anti-theft systems are stolen less frequently and can earn a small discount on your policy.
- Anti-lock Brake Discount - Anti-lock brake equipped vehicles can avoid accidents and earn discounts up to 10%.
- Discount for Life Insurance - Not all insurance carriers offer life insurance, but some may give you a discount if you purchase some life insurance in addition to your auto policy.
- Safety Restraint Discount - Forcing all vehicle occupants to buckle up before driving can save up to 15% on the premium charged for medical payments and/or PIP.
- Drivers Ed for Students - Reduce the cost of insurance for teen drivers by having them complete a driver education course in high school.
Drivers should understand that most of the big mark downs will not be given to the whole policy. Most only reduce specific coverage prices like comprehensive or collision. Despite the appearance that having all the discounts means you get insurance for free, company stockholders wouldn't be very happy. But any discount will reduce the premium cost.
To find insurers that offer some of these discounts in California, click here.
When to talk to an agent
A lot of people just prefer to go talk to an agent and there is nothing wrong with that. An additional benefit of comparing rate quotes online is that you can find the lowest rates and also buy local. Buying insurance from neighborhood agents is important especially in Santa Ana.
After completing this short form, your information is instantly submitted to local insurance agents who can give free rate quotes for your business. There is no need to search for an agent as quotes are delivered to you instantly. You can most likely find cheaper rates without the usual hassles of price shopping. If you wish to compare prices from a specific auto insurance provider, don't hesitate to jump over to their website and fill out their quote form.
When narrowing the list to find a local Santa Ana insurance agent, there are two different agency structures and how they operate. Agents in Santa Ana may be either exclusive or independent (non-exclusive).
Independent Agents
Independent agents are not restricted to one company so they can insure your vehicles through many companies and get you the best rates possible. To transfer your coverage to a different company, they simply move your policy to a different company and you stay with the same agent.
If you need cheaper auto insurance rates, you will definitely want to get rate quotes from multiple independent agents to have the best price comparison.
Shown below is a short list of independent agencies in Santa Ana who can help you get competitive price quotes.
Neighborhood Insurance Agency
1333 E First St - Santa Ana, CA 92701 - (714) 285-9990 - View Map
Mural Insurance Agency
1202 17th St #103 - Santa Ana, CA 92701 - (714) 541-1003 - View Map
Insurance Partners Inc
2107 N Broadway #108 - Santa Ana, CA 92706 - (714) 285-4800 - View Map
Exclusive Auto Insurance Agents
Agents that choose to be exclusive generally can only insure with one company and examples are AAA, Allstate, and State Farm. Exclusive agents cannot provide other company's prices so always compare other rates. Exclusive agencies receive extensive training on what they offer which aids in selling service over price.
Shown below is a list of exclusive agencies in Santa Ana that are able to give comparison quotes.
Farmers Insurance - Rosa Evaristo
2901 W Warner Ave - Santa Ana, CA 92704 - (714) 966-1461 - View Map
Jose Gastelum - State Farm Insurance Agent
1780 E McFadden Ave Ste 114 - Santa Ana, CA 92705 - (714) 557-3344 - View Map
Kelly Davis - State Farm Insurance Agent
2677 N Main St #150 - Santa Ana, CA 92705 - (714) 647-6303 - View Map
Selecting an car insurance agent is decision based upon more than just the quoted price. Below are some questions you should ask.
- Is every driver in your family covered?
- Do they specialize in personal lines auto insurance in Santa Ana?
- Will the quote change when the policy is issued?
- Can you choose the body shop in case repairs are needed?
- Is assistance available after office hours?
- Does the company use OEM repair parts?
- Do the agents have professional certifications like CPCU or CIC?
- Will they make sure you get an adequate claim settlement?
What is the best car insurance company in Santa Ana?
Finding a highly-rated insurer can be a challenge considering how many companies provide coverage in California. The company ratings shown next could help you choose which auto insurers to look at comparing rate quotes with.
| Company | Value | Customer Service | Claims | Customer Satisfaction | A.M Best Rating | Overall Score |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| USAA | 98 | 100 | 100 | 94% | A++ | 98.6 |
| American Family | 98 | 89 | 100 | 86% | A | 95.4 |
| AAA of Southern California | 91 | 94 | 97 | 92% | A+ | 94.1 |
| State Farm | 88 | 93 | 96 | 90% | A++ | 92.4 |
| The Hartford | 94 | 92 | 90 | 89% | A+ | 91.7 |
| AAA Insurance | 88 | 89 | 95 | 91% | A | 91.2 |
| GEICO | 84 | 93 | 93 | 89% | A++ | 90.3 |
| The General | 89 | 91 | 89 | 88% | A- | 90 |
| Titan Insurance | 90 | 87 | 91 | 95% | A+ | 89.6 |
| Progressive | 84 | 91 | 93 | 87% | A+ | 89.5 |
| Mercury Insurance | 88 | 91 | 90 | 85% | A+ | 89.4 |
| Allstate | 85 | 90 | 92 | 88% | A+ | 89.3 |
| Nationwide | 87 | 88 | 84 | 90% | A+ | 88.7 |
| Liberty Mutual | 84 | 87 | 93 | 88% | A | 88.5 |
| 21st Century | 85 | 86 | 87 | 88% | A | 86.7 |
| Esurance | 85 | 80 | 95 | 87% | A+ | 85.9 |
| Safeco | 85 | 85 | 85 | 86% | A | 85.8 |
| Travelers | 80 | 87 | 87 | 83% | A++ | 85.2 |
| Farmers Insurance | 78 | 87 | 88 | 79% | A | 84.3 |
| Compare Rates Now Go | ||||||
Data Source: Insure.com Best Car Insurance Companies
Car insurance policy specifics
Knowing the specifics of a car insurance policy aids in choosing the best coverages and the correct deductibles and limits. Car insurance terms can be confusing and coverage can change by endorsement. Listed below are the usual coverages found on the average car insurance policy.
Comprehensive insurance
Comprehensive insurance pays for damage OTHER than collision with another vehicle or object. You first have to pay a deductible and then insurance will cover the rest of the damage.
Comprehensive can pay for claims like rock chips in glass, a tree branch falling on your vehicle, hail damage, damage from flooding and damage from getting keyed. The maximum payout you'll receive from a claim is the market value of your vehicle, so if your deductible is as high as the vehicle's value consider dropping full coverage.
Liability auto insurance
Liability insurance provides protection from injuries or damage you cause to a person or their property in an accident. Split limit liability has three limits of coverage: bodily injury for each person injured, bodily injury for the entire accident and a property damage limit. You commonly see liability limits of 15/30/5 that translate to $15,000 in coverage for each person's injuries, $30,000 for the entire accident, and $5,000 of coverage for damaged property. Some companies may use one number which is a combined single limit that pays claims from the same limit with no separate limits for injury or property damage.
Liability coverage protects against things such as pain and suffering, repair bills for other people's vehicles and medical expenses. How much coverage you buy is a personal decision, but it's cheap coverage so purchase as high a limit as you can afford. California state minimum liability requirements are 15/30/5 but drivers should carry higher limits.
The next chart shows why buying low liability limits may not be enough.
Med pay and Personal Injury Protection (PIP)
Med pay and PIP coverage reimburse you for bills such as funeral costs, pain medications, nursing services, prosthetic devices and ambulance fees. They are often used to cover expenses not covered by your health insurance policy or if you do not have health coverage. Medical payments and PIP cover you and your occupants and will also cover getting struck while a pedestrian. PIP coverage is not universally available and gives slightly broader coverage than med pay
Collision protection
Collision coverage pays to fix your vehicle from damage resulting from colliding with an object or car. You first must pay a deductible then your collision coverage will kick in.
Collision coverage protects against things like rolling your car, scraping a guard rail, sideswiping another vehicle, crashing into a building and damaging your car on a curb. Collision is rather expensive coverage, so you might think about dropping it from lower value vehicles. It's also possible to bump up the deductible on your Forenza to bring the cost down.
Uninsured/Underinsured Motorist (UM/UIM)
This provides protection from other drivers when they do not carry enough liability coverage. Covered losses include hospital bills for your injuries as well as damage to your Suzuki Forenza.
Since a lot of drivers only purchase the least amount of liability that is required (15/30/5), it only takes a small accident to exceed their coverage. That's why carrying high Uninsured/Underinsured Motorist coverage is a good idea. Most of the time your uninsured/underinsured motorist coverages are set the same as your liability limits.
In the end, you can save money
When trying to cut insurance costs, make sure you don't buy poor coverage just to save money. There are too many instances where someone dropped liability coverage limits and discovered at claim time that it was a big mistake. The aim is to purchase plenty of coverage at the best cost while still protecting your assets.
We just covered some good ideas how to compare Suzuki Forenza insurance car insurance rates in Santa Ana. The key thing to remember is the more times you quote, the better chance you'll have of finding affordable Santa Ana car insurance quotes. Consumers could even find that the best price on insurance is with a smaller regional carrier. These companies can often insure niche markets at a lower cost compared to the large companies like Progressive or GEICO.
Other information
- Prom Night Tips for Teen Drivers (State Farm)
- Who Has Cheap Santa Ana Car Insurance Quotes for Teenage Females? (FAQ)
- What is the Cheapest Auto Insurance in Santa Ana, CA? (FAQ)
- How Much are Car Insurance Quotes with Multiple Speeding Tickets in Santa Ana? (FAQ)
- Who Has Affordable Santa Ana Car Insurance Rates for a Nissan Altima? (FAQ)
- Who Has Cheap Auto Insurance for a Toyota Corolla in Santa Ana? (FAQ)
- How Much are Car Insurance Rates for Good Drivers in Santa Ana? (FAQ)
- Who Has Cheap Car Insurance Rates for Drivers Over Age 60 in Santa Ana? (FAQ)
- New vehicle ratings focus on headlights (Insurance Institute for Highway Safety)
- Higher speed limits cause more fatalities (Insurance Institute for Highway Safety)