How to Get the Cheapest Santa Cruz Car Insurance

Beginners to shopping for insurance online may find shopping for low-cost Santa Cruz car insurance quite difficult.

It's important to compare prices periodically because rates are constantly changing. Despite the fact that you may have had the best deal a couple years back there is a good chance you can find better rates now. Starting now, forget anything you know (or think you know) about car insurance because you're going to learn the only way to find lower rates on car insurance.

How to Lower your Car Insurance Rates

Consumers need to have an understanding of the different types of things that help determine your car insurance rates. Having a good understanding of what influences your rates empowers consumers to make smart changes that may reward you with much lower annual insurance costs.

  • Men pay higher rates - Statistics show women are more cautious behind the wheel. However, this does not mean women are BETTER drivers than men. Both sexes tend to get into accidents at about the same rate, but the males have costlier accidents. They also receive more costly citations such as reckless driving. Young males are several times more likely to be in an accident and are penalized with high car insurance rates.
  • How's your driving record? - Drivers who don't get tickets receive lower rates compared to drivers with tickets. Even one speeding ticket can bump up the cost twenty percent or more. Drivers who have flagrant citations such as DUI or reckless driving may need to file a SR-22 with their state motor vehicle department in order to keep their license.
  • Higher safety ratings means cheaper insurance - Vehicles with high crash test scores can get you lower premiums. These vehicles protect occupants better and fewer injuries means less money paid by your insurance company and more competitive rates for policyholders.
  • Liability insurance protects assets - Liability coverage is the coverage that protects you if ever you are found to be at fault for personal injury or accident damage. It will provide legal defense coverage which can be incredibly expensive. This coverage is very inexpensive when compared with rates for comp and collision, so do not cut corners here.

Santa Cruz Car Insurance Comparisons

There are several ways to compare quotes from different Santa Cruz insurance companies. One of the best ways to find competitive insurance rates involves getting comparison quotes online. This is very easy and can be done in a couple of different ways.

  1. The fastest way to compare a lot of rates at once is to use a rate comparison form like this one (opens in new window). This easy form prevents you from having to do a different quote for each company you want a rate for. Just one form will get you rate comparisons . It's the fastest way to compare.
  2. Another way to compare rate quotes requires you to visit each individual company website to request a price quote. For examples sake, we'll assume you want to compare , and . To get each rate you have to take the time to go to each site and enter your policy data, which is why most consumers use the first method. To view a list of companies in Santa Cruz, click here.
  3. The least recommended method to get comparison rates is to spend time driving to different Santa Cruz agent offices. Shopping for car insurance online eliminates the need for an insurance agent unless you prefer the professional advice that only a license agent can provide. However, consumers can find lower rates online and still use a local agent and we'll talk about that later.

It's your choice how you get your quotes, but be sure to compare exactly the same coverage information for each price quote. If you use unequal deductibles or liability limits it will be next to impossible to truly determine the lowest rate in Santa Cruz. Quoting even small variations in limits can result in a big premium difference. Keep in mind that comparing a large number of companies will increase your chances of finding the best offered rates.

Take advantage of discounts

Insuring your vehicles can cost a lot, but discounts can save money and there are some available to cut the cost considerably. A few discounts will automatically apply when you get a quote, but lesser-known reductions have to be asked about before you will receive the discount.

  • Accident Forgiveness - A handful of insurance companies permit an accident before hitting you with a surcharge as long as you don't have any claims for a set time period.
  • Good Student - This discount can earn a discount of 20% or more. The discount lasts well after school through age 25.
  • 55 and Retired - If you're over the age of 55, you may be able to get a small decrease in premiums.
  • Lower Rates for Military - Being on active duty in the military may qualify for rate reductions.
  • Organization Discounts - Belonging to a civic or occupational organization is a good way to get lower rates on car insurance.

It's important to note that most discounts do not apply to the entire policy premium. Most only apply to the cost of specific coverages such as liability, collision or medical payments. So despite the fact that it appears adding up those discounts means a free policy, you're out of luck. But any discount will reduce your overall premium however.

To choose companies who offer car insurance discounts in Santa Cruz, click here to view.

Are car insurance companies telling the truth?

Car insurance companies such as State Farm, GEICO and Progressive continually stream ads on TV and radio. They all seem to make an identical promise that you can save after switching your coverage to them. How can each company make the same claim?

Insurance companies have a certain "appetite" for the type of customer that makes them money. An example of a desirable insured could be between 30 and 50, a clean driving record, and drives less than 10,000 miles a year. A customer who meets those qualifications is entitled to the best price and most likely will save when they switch companies.

Drivers who don't qualify for the requirements will have to pay higher premiums and ends up with business going elsewhere. The ads state "people who switch" not "people who quote" save that much money. That is how insurance companies can advertise the way they do.

Because of the profiling, you need to compare many company's rates. Because you never know which company will provide you with the cheapest rates.

How to know if you need help

When buying proper insurance coverage for your vehicles, there really is not a best way to insure your cars. Each situation is unique.

These are some specific questions may help highlight whether your personal situation might need professional guidance.

  • Does my policy cover me when driving someone else's vehicle?
  • Do I need to file an SR-22 for a DUI in California?
  • Should I buy additional glass protection?
  • Do I have coverage when using my vehicle for my home business?
  • Why am I required to buy high-risk coverage?
  • Do I qualify for additional discounts?

If you're not sure about those questions but one or more may apply to you, then you may want to think about talking to an insurance agent. To find lower rates from a local agent, complete this form.

More information is available on the California Department of Insurance website through this link. Consumers can learn about insurance regulations, file complaints about a company, and find disaster information.

California car insurance

Shop smart and save

Lower-priced car insurance can be bought from both online companies as well as from independent agents in Santa Cruz, so compare prices from both to have the best chance of lowering rates. Some car insurance companies don't offer online price quotes and most of the time these smaller companies sell through independent agents.

We just showed you many tips how you can compare car insurance prices online. The most important thing to understand is the more rate comparisons you have, the better likelihood of reducing your rate. Consumers may even find the best prices are with a company that doesn't do a lot of advertising.

As you go through the steps to switch your coverage, it's not a good idea to reduce coverage to reduce premium. In many cases, someone dropped comprehensive coverage or liability limits to discover at claim time that the savings was not a smart move. Your aim should be to buy a smart amount of coverage at an affordable rate.