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Cheapest car insurance in Santa Cruz, California (Nov 2024)
Cheapest car insurance in Santa Cruz, California (Nov 2024)
Compare 55+ insurance companies including Progressive, Travelers, AAA, Nationwide (and more!) to find the best and cheapest car insurance in Santa Cruz, California.
Find Insurance Savings
No long forms
No spam or unwanted calls
Quotes from top insurance companies
R.E. Fulton
Licensed Insurance Agent —Senior Content Writer
Reviewed by Josh Damico, Vice President Insurance Operations
Edited by Lina Zhang, Licensed Insurance Agent, VP of Operations
What's on this page?
- Cheapest car insurance quotes in Santa Cruz
- Cheapest Santa Cruz car insurance for good drivers
- Best Car Insurance Companies in Santa Cruz
- Best cheap car insurance quotes in Santa Cruz
- Average cost of car insurance in Santa Cruz
- Car insurance quotes in Santa Cruz by rating factors
- How do different factors impact your car insurance costs in Santa Cruz?
- How to lower car insurance costs in Santa Cruz
- FAQ
- Methodology
- Meet our experts
Load full table of contents
Cheapest car insurance quotes in Santa Cruz
On average,
auto insurance
in Santa Cruz costs about $99 per month for minimum coverage liability insurance, and about $216 per month for full coverage insurance. Santa Cruz drivers pay 17% less than the national average. | Insurance company | Premium (monthly) | Customer | Car | Insurance coverage |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Progressive | $71 | Danny, 40 Zip: 95060 | Subaru Forester S | • State Minimum Liability • Comp / Collision |
| Travelers | $125 | Brian, 50 Zip: 95062 | Ford Transit T-150 | • 100,000/300,000 Liability • Comp / Collision |
| Nationwide | $159 | Willie, 38 Zip: 95062 | Toyota RAV4 HV SE | • 100,000/300,000 Liability • Comp / Collision |
| Safeco | $192 | Jimmy, 31 Zip: 95062 | Ford Focus Titanium | • 500,000/500,000 Liability • Comp / Collision |
| National General | $234 | Gilbert, 22 Zip: 95064 | Honda Civic LX | • State Minimum Liability • Comp / Collision |
Last Updated Nov 17, 2024Cheapest Santa Cruz car insurance for good drivers
Insurance rates are calculated based on your driving record, age, zip code, past claims, and vehicle type. While the majority of these factors aren’t in your control—you can be a good driver and keep your driving record clean.
Good drivers in Santa Cruz can save up to 40% on their insurance, and with Jerry's DriveShield™, you can track your driving and unlock discounts for safe driving habits. Discover how other drivers are using DriveShield™ to save on their insurance below.
Customer | Driving Score | Insurance Savings | Has Violations | Insurance Coverage |
|---|---|---|---|---|
Giovanni, 25 | 88 | 28% | No |
|
Alex, 34 | 98 | 35% | No |
|
Paul, 44 | 76 | 20% | No |
|
Dina, 54 | 96 | 31% | No |
|
David, 65 | 74 | 24% | No |
|
Best Car Insurance Companies in Santa Cruz
There is no single best car insurance company for everyone. The most important reason is that every customer gets different
car insurance quotes
based on their profile—meaning that the most affordable company is different for everyone. Besides price, you also need to consider factors such as claims handling and customer service. To help drivers better compare the cheapest car insurance companies, Jerry conducted the largest insurance survey in the nation—and what we found surprised us. While big-name carriers like GEICO and State Farm got mixed reviews for policy cost and customer service, smaller insurers like Aspire Advantage and National General came through with the highest ratings from actual customers.
The table below shows how drivers in Santa Cruz rate different companies on a scale of 0 to 5.
| Insurance company | Overall rating | Price | Claims experience | Customer service |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Progressive | 4.4 | 3.9 | 3.9 | 4.3 |
| USAA | 4.3 | 4.8 | 4.8 | 4.8 |
| Geico | 4 | 3.5 | 3.8 | 3.9 |
| State Farm | 3.9 | 3.3 | 3.7 | 4 |
Liberty Mutual | 2.8 | 3.2 | 2.7 | 2.7 |
How'd we get these scores?
Jerry's experts conducted one of the largest car insurance surveys in the United States. We surveyed 15,000 policyholders, in all 50 states, over the span of 18 months. These policyholders hold insurance policies with 87 different insurance companies. We surveyed policyholders to gauge their satisfaction with their insurance carriers in: policy cost, customer service, buying and renewal experience, as well as claim experience. These scores were all reported by real customers of the insurance companies.
How'd we get these scores?
Jerry's experts conducted one of the largest car insurance surveys in the United States. We surveyed 15,000 policyholders, in all 50 states, over the span of 18 months. These policyholders hold insurance policies with 87 different insurance companies. We surveyed policyholders to gauge their satisfaction with their insurance carriers in: policy cost, customer service, buying and renewal experience, as well as claim experience. These scores were all reported by real customers of the insurance companies.
Best cheap car insurance quotes in Santa Cruz
California’s minimum car insurance requirements reflect how much insurance you need the carry to legally drive as well as the cheapest coverage option in Santa Cruz. However, minimum liability coverage provides minimal financial protection.
You’ll need full coverage if you want to cover the cost of repairing or replacing your own vehicle–but that’s not as easy to get in the Golden State as it once was thanks to the current car insurance crisis. Take a listen to what Jerry’s experts have to say about the state of the insurance industry in California, and how it could affect your policy choices in Santa Cruz.
Cheap minimum liability insurance quotes in Santa Cruz
In order to legally hit the road, Santa Cruz , California drivers need to meet California minimum coverage limits for bodily injury liability and property damage liability
California minimum liability coverage includes $15,000 in bodily injury liability per person, $30,000 per accident, and $5,000 for damage to property. These coverages are commonly referred to as 15/30/5 coverage. With this basic liability coverage, you’ll be covered up to the policy’s limits if you cause injuries or property damage while driving.
Here are some examples of Santa Cruz car owners that Jerry recently assisted with obtaining minimum liability coverage.
Danny (40 years old)
$71
per month
Melvin (44 years old)
$143
per month
Do you need more than minimum coverage in Santa Cruz?
Most drivers in Santa Cruz need higher liability coverage than the 15/30/5 state minimum mandated by
California car insurance laws
. In an at-fault accident, you could be responsible for medical bills and vehicle repairs well over the 15/30/5 limit, especially if you cause serious injuries to another person. If the car is totaled, the cost to replace it can be more than $40,000—well above that scant $5,000 property damage limit.
And keep in mind:
California’s car accident laws
allow drivers to file bodily injury lawsuits for up to two years after a car accident and sue for property damage for up to three years—so your liability extends long past the initial accident! The bottom line: For better financial protection, drivers should consider purchasing a full coverage with higher liability limits of 50/100/50 or 100/300/100.
Cheap full coverage car insurance quotes in Santa Cruz
Full coverage car insurance
is the only way to protect yourself from costs associated with repairing or replacing your car. Full coverage includes comprehensive and collision coverage.
Collision coverage
covers the cost of fixing or replacing your car after an accident, while comprehensive coverage
pays out if your car is stolen or damaged by something other than a collision, such as vandalism, theft, or natural disasters. If you have a loan on the car, your lender will typically require collision and comprehensive coverage. On top of a full-coverage policy, you can purchase
uninsured motorist coverage
to guard against uncovered injuries or damage in an accident caused by a driver without car insurance. The table below shows some recent examples of cheapest Santa Cruz full coverage quotes that Jerry’s agents helped our customers obtain.
| Insurance coverage | Insurance company | Premium (monthly) | Customer | Car |
|---|---|---|---|---|
• State Minimum Liability • Comp / Collision | Progressive | $71 | Danny, 40 Zip: 95060 | Subaru Forester S |
• 500,000/500,000 Liability • Comp / Collision | Safeco | $192 | Jimmy, 31 Zip: 95062 | Ford Focus Titanium |
• 100,000/300,000 Liability • Comp / Collision | Nationwide | $159 | Willie, 38 Zip: 95062 | Toyota RAV4 HV SE |
• 100,000/300,000 Liability • Comp / Collision | Travelers | $125 | Brian, 50 Zip: 95062 | Ford Transit T-150 |
• State Minimum Liability • Comp / Collision | National General | $234 | Gilbert, 22 Zip: 95064 | Honda Civic LX |
Last Updated Nov 17, 2024The easiest and fastest way to find the cheapest car insurance for your preferred coverage option is to compare car insurance rates online.
Jerry,
a top insurance agency
, offers an app that compares car insurance quotes for free and provides end-to-end service to customers with the help of 100+ licensed insurance agents.
"Jerry is the new benchmark in app usefulness. Period. It is SO EASY and the results are SO GOOD, and they specifically point out that no one is going to start calling and emailing me all the time. I gave very little info, it pulled up all my existing insurance info, and showed me how to get the same insurance for less, lesser coverage for huge savings, or better coverage for about the same I currently pay. I am personally saving around $1,400/year with my new insurance, and the entire process (including follow ups to sign the docs from the insurance companies) took less than an hour. If you make over $1,400/hour, this may not be worth your time. Otherwise, get the app and use it now!"
Sean S.
Average cost of car insurance in Santa Cruz
By helping lots of drivers in Santa Cruz find car insurance, we found that the average cost for minimum liability coverage is $99 per month or$1,188 per year. The average cost for full coverage insurance in Santa Cruz is $216 per month or $2,597 per year.
While average insurance rates can help you predict your own insurance costs, it's important to note that each driver's insurance premium is calculated based on many factors such as the type of car, driving record, claims history, and demographics.
Average cost of car insurance in Santa Cruz by zip code
Even within the same city, car insurance rates can still vary based on where you live. Neighborhoods that have a greater incidence of auto theft, car accidents, and other situations that can lead to insurance claims will be flagged as “high-risk.” Drivers living in these neighborhoods tend to pay more than people in other areas of the city.
| Zip Code | Average State Minimum Coverage Rate | Average Full Coverage Rate |
|---|---|---|
95060 | $113 | $181 |
95062 | $62 | $172 |
Compare car insurance costs in other states
Car insurance quotes in Santa Cruz by rating factors
Insurance companies in Santa Cruz use many rating factors when
deciding your auto insurance premium
: - Your driving record and claims history: Insurance companies will charge more if you’ve had accidents or tickets.
- Your age: Drivers younger than 25 years old will pay higher insurance rates as insurance companies consider young drivers a higher risk due to limited driving experience.
- The kind of car you have: Collision and comprehensive coverage are more costly for luxury, high-performance, and sports cars.
- Where you keep your car: Rates are likely higher if you regularly park your car in a neighborhood with a higher incidence of auto insurance claims.
- How you use your car: Insurance companies often charge more if you drive your car to and from work than use it for leisure.
How do different factors impact your car insurance costs in Santa Cruz?
How do different factors impact your car insurance costs in Santa Cruz?
Allowed (with applicable limitations): Driving experience, marital status, zip code.
Prohibited (or effectively prohibited): Gender, age, credit history, education, occupation, employment status, insurance history.
Learn more about the car insurance rating factors in Santa Cruz:
Cheap car insurance quotes in Santa Cruz after driving violations
Your
California driving history
impacts your auto insurance quotes. If insurance companies notice a history of violations, they’ll see you as a higher risk and charge a steeper rate. Some common violations that could increase your insurance rates include:- Speeding
- DUIs
- At fault accident
- Reckless driving
- Driving on a suspended license
Cheapest car insurance in Santa Cruz after speeding ticket
In Santa Cruz, a speeding ticket could increase your car insurance rate by about 13%. Jerry is proud to help drivers with varying speeding tickets save on car insurance.
Last Updated Nov 17, 2024Cheapest car insurance in Santa Cruz after DUI
In Santa Cruz,
a DUI violation
can increase your insurance rate by as much as 22%. If you have a DUI offense on your record, car insurance rates can vary significantly from one insurance company to another. You may need to compare rates from many insurance companies to find low-cost options after a DUI.Jerry has helped many Santa Cruz drivers obtain affordable auto insurance rates after a DUI.
Charlie (44 years old)
$87
per month
Cheapest car insurance in Santa Cruz after an at-fault accident
One of the most important factors affecting car insurance rates is your car accident or claim history. For Santa Cruz drivers, car accidents could result in an average rate increase of 15%.
California is an at-fault state. If you were involved in an at-fault accident in the recent past, your car insurance rates could skyrocket. Jerry has helped many Santa Cruz drivers save on car insurance after accidents.
| Accident type | Insurance company | Premium (monthly) | Customer | Car | Insurance coverage |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
At Fault With Injury | Progressive | $71 | Louisa, 39 Zip: 95060 | Subaru Forester S | • State Minimum Liability • Comp / Collision |
At Fault With No Injury | Travelers | $125 | Pauline, 49 Zip: 95062 | Ford Transit T-150 | • 100,000/300,000 Liability • Comp / Collision |
Not At Fault | Allstate | $78 | Helena, 64 Zip: 95060 | Ford Econoline E150 Wagon | • 25,000/50,000 Liability • Comp / Collision |
At Fault With No Injury | Nationwide | $159 | Marcus, 37 Zip: 95062 | Toyota RAV4 HV SE | • 100,000/300,000 Liability • Comp / Collision |
Last Updated Nov 21, 2024Cheapest car insurance in Santa Cruz after other driving violations
In addition to speeding tickets and DUIs, other violations such as
reckless driving
and driving on a suspended license can also cause your in car insurance costs to increase in Santa Cruz.We’ve compiled a list of various other driving violations and how we helped drivers with these violations save on their car insurance.
| Violation | Insurance company | Premium (monthly) | Customer | Car | Insurance coverage |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Failure to Obey Signal | Progressive | $245 | Brandon, 35 Zip: 95062 | Toyota RAV4 XSE | • 50,000/100,000 Liability • Comp / Collision |
Cell Phone | National General | $253 | Ivan, 22 Zip: 95062 | Volkswagen Tiguan S | • State Minimum Liability • Comp / Collision |
Failure to Obey Signal | Clearcover | $127 | Rosie, 35 Zip: 95062 | Toyota RAV4 XSE | • 50,000/100,000 Liability • Comp / Collision |
Seat Belt | Aspire Advantage | $139 | Delia, 30 Zip: 95060 | Toyota Tacoma Access Cab | • State Minimum Liability • Comp / Collision |
Last Updated Nov 15, 2024Cheap car insurance quotes in Santa Cruz by driving experience
Inexperienced drivers, such as teens or newly licensed motorists, pay higher than average insurance rates. As drivers gain more experience, their insurance rates can drop. Car insurance costs often start rising again at the age of 75 due to increased risk factors.
Cheapest car insurance in Santa Cruz for young drivers
Teen drivers
aged 16 to 19 pay the highest insurance rates out of any age group in Santa Cruz. For teen car owners that drive a newer car, full coverage would afford better financial protection as teens are more likely to get into accidents.In the meantime, teens should consider sharing a policy with a household member, such as a parent or guardian. Most drivers can save up to $2,055 annually by keeping a teen driver on their policy, and with Jerry, you may be able to save even more.
Benjamin (23 years old)
$292
per month
Embark General
Curtis (22 years old)
CoverageState Minimum
Santa Cruz, CA (Zip Code: 95060)
Mercury Grand Marquis LS$78
per month
Mae (22 years old)
$114
per month
Frances (22 years old)
$70
per month
Cheapest car insurance in Santa Cruz for senior drivers
Older drivers
in Santa Cruz are more likely to be involved in an accident. Furthermore, they’re much more vulnerable to injuries after a car accident. All of this can be very expensive, which is why car insurance companies charge older adults in Santa Cruz more for coverage. Cynthia (65 years old)
$70
per month
Brent (73 years old)
Coverage100,000 per person
300,000 per accident bodily injury
Santa Cruz, CA (Zip Code: 95060)
$118
per month
Cheap car insurance quotes in Santa Cruz based on insurance history
An important factor in your car insurance rates is your insurance history—i.e., whether you are currently insured or not.
Any lapse in your insurance coverage
usually leads to an increase in car insurance rates.To help our customers make insurance payments on time and to avoid a lapse in coverage, Jerry sends payment reminders to eligible customers when a payment is coming up or if they’re late on their payments.
We have helped many customers who are currently not insured or have had a lapse in coverage find savings on a new auto insurance policy.
Abbie (39 years old)
$71
per month
Maurice (37 years old)
Currently Insured
Coverage100,000 per person
300,000 per accident bodily injury
Comp / Collision
Santa Cruz, CA (Zip Code: 95062)
$159
per month
Clearcover
Ida (52 years old)
Currently Insured
Coverage25,000 per person
50,000 per accident bodily injury
Comp / Collision
Santa Cruz, CA (Zip Code: 95060)
$90
per month
Over 4,000,000 customers and counting
We love saving our customers money. Turns out, they love it too! Here's what they have to say about their switch with Jerry:
Grateful for this app and helping me save money!
Aaron
Fast and friendly service!
Carlisa
Everything is super easy to access in the app and I can get ahold of someone anytime I need!
Alecia
The General is affordable and will work with you on your monthly payments.
Curtis
Cheap car insurance quotes in Santa Cruz for popular cars
The type of car you drive is a major rating factor in car insurance premiums. Costs associated with the type of car include the cost of repairs or replacements, likelihood of theft, and the overall safety record of the vehicle.
Popular car models in Santa Cruz include:
| Popular Car | Insurance Company | Premium (monthly) | Customer | Insurance Coverage |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Toyota Camry LE | National General | $108 | Esther, 32 Zip: 95060 | • State Minimum Liability • Comp / Collision |
| Honda Civic LX | National General | $234 | Victoria, 21 Zip: 95064 | • State Minimum Liability • Comp / Collision |
| Toyota Prius | Aspire Advantage | $89 | Maggie, 26 Zip: 95062 | • State Minimum Liability |
Last Updated Nov 21, 2024How to lower car insurance costs in Santa Cruz
1. Shop around and compare quotes
Different insurance companies use different rules to set your premium, and those rules are constantly changing! To make sure you always have the most affordable car insurance, experts recommend comparing quotes from at least three companies and shopping for new rates every six months.
Jerry makes this tedious process simple! In just 45 seconds, Jerry can collect quotes from a pool of 55+ top insurance providers to help you identify the best auto insurance coverage at the best price. Better yet—Jerry compares quotes for free!
2. Hunt for car insurance discounts
Every insurance company offers
a set of discounts
, but the exact discount offered varies by company. Some common discounts include: - Good driver discounts. California state law mandates 20% insurance discounts for drivers with one or fewer points on their license who have continuously held a license for three years with no at-fault accidents responsible for injury or death.
- Telematics discounts. Many companies offer easy-to-win discounts to drivers who use telematics to track their driving habits. You might even get a discount just for signing up!
- Good student discounts. Are you a full-time student in either high school or college? Do you have a B average or better? You probably qualify for a discount from your insurance company.
- Bundling discounts.Bundle your home and auto insurance(or auto and renters) with the same company, and you could get a discount on both policies.
3. Increase your deductible for comprehensive and collision coverage
If you’ve got full coverage car insurance, increasing your deductible is an easy way to keep your monthly expenses low without sacrificing coverage.
FAQ
How much is car insurance in Santa Cruz?
People living in Santa Cruz pay on average $99 per month – or $1,188 per year – on state-minimum liability coverage. Full coverage in Santa Cruz costs on average $216 per month or $2,597 per year.
With car insurance though, there’s no such thing as average. It is important to know that car insurance varies greatly based on a driver’s individual situation. Shopping around for car insurance quotes is the best way to get an accurate idea of how much you can expect to pay on insurance. Luckily, Jerry is here to take the hassle out of insurance shopping! At the click of a button, Jerry will help you compare personalized quotes from top insurance providers. Best of all, it’s 100% free.
What is the cheapest car insurance in Santa Cruz?
Based on thousands of Santa Cruz drivers Jerry has worked with, car insurance in Santa Cruz costs an average of $99 per month for state-minimum coverage and $216 per month for full coverage.
No single insurance company has the cheapest insurance for everyone, but by shopping for insurance quotes, you can find the cheapest insurance company for you. Jerry takes the hard work and the waiting out of insurance shopping – generating you quotes with the best coverage and best prices in seconds, 100% free. Try Jerry Today!
What is the best car insurance in Santa Cruz?
Shopping for the best coverage at the best price is important, but customer service may play a role in what insurance company you pick, too. Metlife,
Encompass
, and Direct Auto receive good ratings from Santa Cruz drivers, based on the largest car insurance survey in the nation conducted by Jerry.Learn more about how fellow car owners rate various insurance companies and get free quotes in seconds with Jerry.
What is the minimum car insurance in Santa Cruz, California?
California's minimum insurance requirements—known as the 15/30/5 rule—mandate the following:
- $30,000 for bodily injury liability per accident
Methodology
The Insurance Research Team analyzes insurance products and services to drive insights and help consumers make informed purchase decisions.
Insurance research: We analyzed over 25 million car insurance quotes; conducted the largest insurance shopping survey (over 15,000 customers surveyed and 85 carriers reviewed in the past 18 months).
We surveyed insurance policyholders for their experience with their insurers in the following areas: (1) insurance cost (2) customer service (3) insurance buying experience (4) insurance renewal experience (5) claim experience. In addition, we asked people what they like about their insurers and what areas in which their insurers could improve. The driver characteristics used in calculating average rates for auto insurance include: single driver, single car, currently insured, clean driving record.
For the quotes and sold policies included in this article, please note that personal information has been hidden. Not all customers find savings.
Team: The team consists of licensed insurance agents, insurance industry veterans, and data scientists.
Meet our experts
R.E. Fulton
Licensed Insurance Agent —Senior Content Writer
R.E. Fulton is an expert insurance writer specializing in car ownership topics from car shopping and loan advice to insurance and repair guides. R.E.’s mission is to create unique and accessible content that helps readers to become more successful and independent car owners. R.E. has written and edited over 900 high-performing articles for Jerry, with an average of 1 million+ views.
As a senior writer on Jerry’s editorial team, R.E. draws on over 10 years of experience as a professional writer and digital publishing specialist. Prior to joining Jerry’s editorial team in 2021, R.E. worked as a writing coach at Columbia University, the Rochester Institute of Technology (RIT), and the University of Rochester. They serve as a managing editor for peer-reviewed history publication Nursing Clio, where their work has appeared regularly since 2015.
Lina Zhang
Licensed Insurance Agent
Licensed in 50 states and Washington DC
Lina Zhang is Vice President of Operations at Jerry. She helped to found Jerry in order to take the confusion and mystery expenses out of car ownership and help drivers achieve financial success. Leading a global team responsible for operations, talent acquisition, legal, and content, Lina has been a key contributor to the AllCar™ app’s 10x growth in its first year of operation. Prior to Jerry, Lina and her Jerry co-founders, Art Agrawal and Musawir Shah, created YourMechanic, the largest on-demand car repair services provider. In one year, Lina built and scaled YourMechanic operations from just five markets to more than 50. The trio left YourMechanic to incubate Jerry at Y Combinator in 2017. Lina’s previous roles include intellectual property attorney at Morrison & Foerster LLP and a biomedical researcher at Stanford University.
Josh Damico
Head Of Insurance Operations
18+ Years Experience in Insurance
Josh Damico is Jerry’s vice president of insurance operations and a licensed insurance professional with nearly two decades of experience in the industry. Previously, Josh held executive roles at Geico, where he had vast regional oversight and leadership opportunities. He holds a bachelor’s degree in business administration and management from Medaille College, and has appeared on news channels including FOX and CBS to offer insurance expertise and tips to drivers across the country. His work has appeared in Business Insider, Kelley Blue Book, and Digital Insurance and been quoted in The Balance, GOBankingRates, and Inspiring Workplaces.
*Illustration only. For all the pricing information presented in this article (including various tables), please note that not all customers find savings and the information is for illustrative purposes only. Savings depend on type of car, location, policy features, driving history and other factors. Drivers who switch through Jerry save over $70/month on average.