Cheapest and Best Car Insurance in Orange, CA (July 2024)

In Orange, California, Progressive offers the cheapest minimum and full coverage car insurance rates. Families with teens may find that Farmers has the most affordable premiums. Chubb leads in customer service, while Capital Insurance Group provides the best overall value and balances cost and service. The choice depends on individual preferences and coverage needs.

MoneyGeek found that Progressive is the cheapest option in Orange, offering the lowest rate for minimum coverage car insurance. For those looking to save on their auto insurance, these are the cheapest providers:

• Progressive: $453 per year
• GEICO: $472 per year

Chubb is the most expensive provider for minimum coverage in Orange, with an annual premium of $808. This $355 difference between the cheapest and costliest options underlines the significance of comparing car insurance rates. By shopping around, drivers can ensure they get the best possible deal for their coverage needs.

For all cities across California, car insurance minimums are defined by state law. These are the required limits:

• $15,000 for bodily injury per person
• $30,000 for bodily injury per accident
• $5,000 for property damage liability per accident

For instance, if you carry a minimum coverage policy and are at fault in an accident, the insurance will cover up to $15,000 for an individual's injuries and a total of $30,000 per accident for multiple injuries. If the injured parties' damages exceed these limits, you are liable for covering the rest out of pocket.

MoneyGeek found that Progressive offers the cheapest cheapest full coverage car insurance in Orange.

• Progressive: $1,037 per year
• GEICO: $1,180 per year

Farmers offers the most expensive full coverage policy in Orange, costing $1,968 per year — $931 more than Progressive's premium. This significant price range highlights the importance of shopping around for cost-effective full coverage, which tends to be pricier than minimum coverage due to its comprehensive protection against various incidents.

Full coverage policies have higher liability liability limits. Consumers also benefit from their comprehensive and collision coverage:

• Collision Insurance: This covers repair costs for your own vehicle in the event of a crash, whether you collide with another vehicle or an inanimate object like a tree or light pole. It also covers rollover accidents and pothole damage.

• **Comprehensive Insurance::*: This type of insurance covers damage to your car caused by non-collision-related incidents such as theft, vandalism, fires, natural disasters or being struck by an animal like a deer.

If you have a brand-new vehicle, opting for full coverage insurance is advisable to protect your financial investment. On the other hand, if your car is older, consider whether the additional cost for this level of protection — potentially amounting to several hundred dollars — is truly necessary. When deciding how much car insurance you need, it's crucial to weigh the cost of higher premiums against the risk of being underinsured by a less comprehensive policy.

MoneyGeek found that the cheapest companies for drivers with a poor driving record vary depending on the driving offense. National General is the most affordable option in Orange for drivers with a speeding ticket and a DUI, while Capital Insurance Group offers the lowest annual premium after an at-fault accident.

• Speeding Ticket: National General ($1,414 per year)
• At-fault accident: Capital Insurance Group ($1,595 per year)
• DUI: National General ($1,414 per year)

Hartford has the most expensive rates for a DUI at $5,115 per year, and Travelers is the most costly after an at-fault accident at $3,255 per year and a speeding ticket at $2,925 per year. The severity of an offense has a significant impact on car insurance rates, but you can still find affordable options.

In cities like Orange, insurance rates typically escalate with the severity of a driving infraction since insurers adjust premiums to reflect increased risk. For instance, drivers with a speeding ticket face an average annual premium of $2,064, while those with a DUI could see an average of $3,444 — a significant $1,380 difference. This variance underscores the importance of shopping around for insurance quotes, as those with traffic violations can benefit from finding more competitive rates, saving them money and ensuring they have the coverage that best fits their needs.

MoneyGeek found that Farmers offers the cheapest full coverage car insurance for male and female teens in Orange. Residents searching for the cheapest car insurance for teens can find the best rates with the following providers:

• Farmers: $2,899 per year for female and male teens
• State Farm: $2,966 per year for female and male teens

These rates are for a policy that includes two parents and a teenager. Nationwide is the most expensive provider of a teen family policy at $4,919 per year for female and male teens. This $2,020 difference between the cheapest and most costly options underlines the need to compare policies, especially when insuring high-risk drivers like teenagers.

In Orange and other cities across the U.S., parents and teens should note the significant cost benefits of adding teenagers to a family car insurance policy rather than purchasing an individual plan. For teens, the average annual premium for an individual policy is $4,189, while being added to a family plan averages $3,511 per year. This striking $678 difference stems from insurers viewing teens as high-risk drivers due to inexperience, leading to higher rates and more stringent approval processes for individual policies. It is often both financially sensible and more feasible for teens to join a family insurance plan to secure coverage.

MoneyGeek found that Progressive is the cheapest option for full coverage car insurance for military backgrounds in Orange.

• Progressive: $1,037 per year
• GEICO: $1,180 per year

USAA, which ranks third with an annual premium of $1,213, stands out for its exceptional service tailored to active duty military members and veterans.

Shopping for car insurance in Orange can take over an hour to evaluate three or more providers.

MoneyGeek's car insurance calculator can streamline this process. Users receive tailored rate estimates almost instantly by inputting personal details such as age, driving record, credit score and desired coverage, saving valuable time while focusing on the vital elements that influence car insurance costs.

Choosing the right auto insurance for you depends on what you prioritize: service quality, cost efficiency, coverage options or a blend of these factors. MoneyGeek's unique scoring system evaluates car insurers in Orange on these factors to recommend the best options. These are the standout companies:

• Best overall: Capital Insurance Group (MoneyGeek score 82 out of 100)
• Best for service: Chubb (MoneyGeek score 94 out of 100)
• Best cheap: Mercury (MoneyGeek score 80 out of 100)

Mercury is a reliable choice if you're budget-conscious but not willing to compromise on service. Those seeking premium customer experiences should consider Chubb, which excels in service. Capital Insurance Group, scoring highest overall, represents a balanced option witsolidng performance in both service and affordability. Each company caters to different consumer needs, ensuring varied options for diverse preferences.

MoneyGeek found that Capital Insurance Group is the best car insurance in Orange, offering an ideal balance of service and affordability. These insurers can save you money while delivering quality coverage and customer service:

• Capital Insurance Group: MoneyGeek score of 82 out of 100 ($1,354 per year)
• Chubb: MoneyGeek score of 77 out of 100 ($1,913 per year)

Capital Insurance Group stands out for its affordable rates and high customer satisfaction, making it a top pick for Orange drivers seeking full coverage policies.

MoneyGeek found that Chubb is the best option in Orange for car insurance, focusing on general satisfaction, claims handling and coverage options.

• Chubb: MoneyGeek score of 94 out of 100 ($1,913 per year)
• Capital Insurance Group: MoneyGeek score of 82 out of 100 ($1,354 per year)

Chubb stands out due to its exceptional performance in claims satisfaction and robust coverage options, leading to its top MoneyGeek score.

MoneyGeek found that Mercury is the best option for affordable car insurance in Orange. The MoneyGeek score for this category is weighted toward affordability, recognizing that the most competitive car insurance provider balances cost with quality service. The rating also considers claims handling and general customer satisfaction. Here are the top two providers:

• Mercury: MoneyGeek score of 80 out of 100 ($479 per year)
• Capital Insurance Group: MoneyGeek score of 80 out of 100 ($573 per year)

Mercury stands out in Orange's competitive market primarily due to its outstanding affordability and high customer satisfaction. The most significant contributors to its MoneyGeek score are its affordability and satisfaction scores, which reflect that consumers receive great value for the cost of a minimum coverage policy.

In Orange, California, the average car insurance premium is $1,462 per year. Compared to the California state average of $1,562, insurance in Orange is cheaper by $100. Meanwhile, the state average is $219 less than the national average of $1,781, showcasing the general affordability of car insurance in California relative to national costs.

Location plays a significant role in determining car insurance costs, and this is due to factors such as traffic density, accident frequency and theft rates. For instance, within California, Glendale has the most expensive premium at $2,433 — $871 more than the state average. On the other hand, Santa Maria has the cheapest premium at $1,251, which is $311 less than California's average. These figures highlight the impact of location on insurance rates, with urban areas generally facing higher costs due to increased risks. Rates may be lower in non-city areas with lower traffic density, leading to a lesser risk of incidents that might warrant an insurance claim.