Find Car Insurance in Santa Ana, California

What You Should Know About Car Insurance in Santa Ana, CA

You might have heard of Santa Ana due to its proximity — about 7 miles away — to Disneyland, sometimes referred to as the “Happiest Place on Earth.” The city, initially a thriving agricultural center, is also known for its arts scene, including the Santa Ana Star Center, the Bowers Museum, and the Lyon Air Museum, along with its cultural heritage. Incorporated in 1886, the city is the seat of Orange County, covers 27 square miles, and has about 310,000 residents.

Santa Ana offers more than its arts and culture — open-air activities are also a big part of life in this city. Visit the Santiago Creek ECO Center (formerly the Santiago Creek Wildlife and Watershed Center) inside the 30-acre Santiago Creek Nature Reserve. You can also participate in outdoor activities like hiking and bird watching on the 70 acres of Centennial Regional Park. The city is just 35 miles south of Los Angeles on Interstate 5.

Before you set out on the busy highway, protect yourself with the best auto insurance at the best competitive rates in California from agents who provide top-tier service.

How Much Does Car Insurance Cost in Santa Ana, California?

Minimum liability auto coverage in California costs an average of $636 per year, while the average full coverage costs $2,291 per year. This is more than the U.S. average of $622 for minimum and $2,014 for full coverage. Your specific situation will make a difference in how much you pay. You may pay less than your Santa Ana neighbor, for instance, who has a history of filing insurance claims or who has fewer years of driving experience than you.

Why Is Insurance So Expensive in California?

A number of factors, including increased medical and auto repair costs, have caused a rise in insurance rates in California. Uninsured drivers also lead to increasing rates as consumers pay higher premiums for these drivers’ lack of insurance. Other factors include supply chain issues and the rising cost of cars, which means they are more expensive to replace when damaged or stolen.

Affordable Car Insurance Rates Comparison by Cities in California

Check out the comparison of the average monthly rates for residents of Santa Ana and some other California cities in the chart below:

City	Full Coverage Insurance	Liability Insurance Coverage
Santa Ana	$194	$54
Salinas	$168	$47
Yreka	$146	$40
Santa Clarita	$205	$61
San Jose	$192	$51

What Types of Car Insurance Discounts Are Available in Santa Ana?

If you are like many other Santa Ana residents looking for insurance and for ways to get a lower premium, you may be eligible to save through available discounts. These discounts include:

• Auto pay
• Senior citizen
• Good driver
• Low mileage
• Anti-theft

Notable Car Insurance Laws in Santa Ana

California’s at-fault policy means whoever is determined to be at fault in an accident will be on the hook for covering the damage. This is just one of the reasons why maintaining auto insurance is crucial in Santa Ana and throughout the Golden State.

What Are the Mandatory Car Insurance Requirements in Santa Ana?

For the first time in over five decades, in January 2025, California raised its auto liability minimum coverage requirements. It is still illegal to drive without insurance.

The state’s updated minimum coverage levels drivers must have are as follows:

• $30,000 per person bodily injury or death
• $60,000 per accident bodily injury or death
• $15,000 per accident property damage

These higher limits may still be insufficient in a serious accident. Your agent can help you decide if purchasing additional coverage would fit your unique circumstances.

What Is the Penalty for Driving Without Insurance in Santa Ana?

If you are caught driving without insurance in Santa Ana or anywhere else in California, you may be subject to the following penalties:

• First offense: A fine of up to $200 plus variable penalty assessment fees, typically two or three times the fine amount.
• Second offense: A fine of up to $500 plus penalty assessments that may increase your total fines to as much as $1,800.

Your vehicle may also be impounded any time you are caught driving uninsured. When you do purchase insurance after an uninsured driving incident, you will likely be considered a high-risk driver and pay higher rates. These numbers show how important it is to buy at least the minimum required insurance at an average yearly cost of $648 in Santa Ana.

Do Santa Ana-Specific Laws Play a Role in Determining Your Insurance Premiums?

The city of Santa Ana follows California laws. All insurers in California are prohibited from basing rates on a driver’s credit scores. But there are other factors your provider will review when determining your score, including:

• Vehicle age
• Vehicle make and model
• Years of driving experience
• Your driving record
• Your zip code
• Your age

Here Is What You Need to Know When Driving in California

High-occupancy vehicle (HOV) lanes, also referred to as carpool lanes, are commonly found on the inside left lane and contain white diamonds painted on the road to help designate the lanes to drivers. Motorcycles, vehicles with two or more occupants, and mass transit may use HOV lanes during hours of operation. Certain electric vehicles are exempt from these requirements. Drivers transporting blood between certain medical facilities are also exempt from occupancy requirements.

HOV lanes operate differently depending on where you are in the state — Southern California HOV lanes usually operate 24 hours a day, every day. Northern California HOV lanes have designated hours posted near them. During off-peak hours, these lanes are open to all drivers. If you are planning to carpool, you may want to get additional coverage.

Cyclists follow the same rules of the road as automobiles on public property, but not necessarily on private property. Stay alert for unexpected actions by bicyclists. And remember, the law mandates that automobile drivers must give bicyclists at least three feet of space while passing.

Give yourself peace of mind as you navigate the busy Santa Ana highways and city streets by protecting yourself with personalized, high-quality auto coverage. Your InsureOne agent will provide concierge service by helping you with all your insurance requirements, along with cost savings.

How Many Car Accidents Happen in Santa Ana Per Year?

National Highway Traffic Safety Administration Motor Vehicle Crash Data statistics for California in 2023 show 3,727 fatal car accidents in the state, while compiled data for certain California cities for that same year show the following numbers:

City	Annual Average Number of Fatal Car Crashes
Santa Ana	23
Salinas	2
Yreka	0
Santa Clarita	8
San Jose	60

How Many Uninsured/Underinsured Motorists Are in Santa Ana?

Records show that in 2022, according to the statistics from the Insurance Information Institute, 17% of California drivers lacked insurance. This percentage means you are at a higher risk of suffering damage for which you may have to pay out of pocket if one of these uninsured drivers crashes into you. But you can protect yourself by adding uninsured motorist coverage to your policy. Your agent can help.