Liability vs. full coverage: Which should you get in Chula Vista, CA?
When shopping for car insurance, it can be difficult to discern your coverage needs. Aside from vehicle and personal protection, here are a few other reasons why a full coverage policy may benefit you more in the long run.
State minimum insurance leaves you financially vulnerable
The average cost of a liability-only policy in Chula Vista is approximately $447 per year, and is relatively cheaper than a full coverage option—but it’s important to remember that this type of coverage only provides basic protection up to California’s limits. If you’re involved in a serious car accident, these amounts could max out easily, leaving your assets and future income exposed if you can’t pay for costs out of pocket.
Full coverage provides a safety-net and opens the door to add-on options
A full coverage policy in Chula Vista is approximately $1,410 per year, making it 14% less than the state average. This is more expensive upfront than the state minimum, but can provide your vehicle with extra coverage in the form of comprehensive and collision insurance.
It’s especially worth considering if you own a high-value or newer model vehicle. Generally, if you’re in the process of leasing or financing a vehicle, proof of full coverage with comprehensive and collision is mandatory.
Optional car insurance add-ons
Most car insurance providers also offer insurance add-ons to help drivers build a robust and protective policy. The most common add-ons include:
| |
|---|
| This type of insurance add-on covers the cost of a rental vehicle while your car is being repaired in the shop. |
| Guaranteed asset protection, or gap insurance, will cover the ‘gap’ between your vehicle’s actual cash value and remaining loan balance at the time of a total loss accident. |
| (UM/UIM): This insurance will protect you in an accident with an uninsured or underinsured driver. California ranked in the top 10 for uninsured motorists in 2019, making UM/UIM a crucial part of your policy. 10 |
| MedPay will pay for medical expenses for you and your passengers, excluding lost wages. |
| When you’re involved in a collision, damages to your vehicle will be covered, regardless of fault. This is invaluable if you own a high-value or new model vehicle. |
| Comprehensive coverage will pay for damages to your vehicle in non-collision related events, such as severe weather, theft, and vandalism. |
Roadside assistance is essential in California
Drivers in Chula Vista, California, can add roadside assistance
to their car insurance policy through their insurance provider, or by obtaining a membership with a roadside assistance service provider, like AAA. Not only can roadside assistance cover you for flat tires and vehicle lockouts, but it also will provide gasoline services, jumpstart dead batteries, and pay for towing.
Typically, roadside assistance doesn’t cost more than $10-$15 per month extra, unless you purchase a membership, which generally charges an annual fee of varying prices depending on your tier level.
RECOMMENDEDNo spam or unwanted phone calls · No long forms
Penalties for driving without insurance in California
Driving without insurance
is illegal in California and comes with hefty fines and penalties. If you’re caught without at least the state minimum liability insurance, you could face the following charges:Potential vehicle impoundment
Licenses suspension for up to one year
SR-22 filing for up to three years (if involved in an accident, regardless of fault)
Potential vehicle impoundment
License suspension for up to four years
SR-22 filing for up to three years (if involved in an accident, regardless of fault)
Along with these penalties, drivers may also be subject to penalty assessments, which can double their initial fine amount. These charges push the importance of maintaining at least the state minimum amount of car insurance required in California, as the financial repercussions could ultimately cost you more than a policy in the long run.
What affects the cost of car insurance in Chula Vista, CA?
The cost of car insurance in Chula Vista is determined based on a number of factors, such as:
| |
|---|
| Teen drivers generally pay some of the highest rates, whereas most drivers see the lowest premiums once they turn 25. |
| Drivers who are married tend to pay some of the cheapest premium rates, as they are often perceived as low-risk. |
| Maintaining a clean driving record can help you earn some of the best rates in Chula Vista. Any violations, whether it’s a speeding ticket or DUI, can lead to significantly increased car insurance costs. |
| The extent of coverage you choose affects your premiums. Full coverage with low deductibles and high limits will be more expensive than basic liability coverage. |
| If you own an older vehicle, you could receive lower premiums, as older models tend to depreciate in value by 3.4% for every model year of age. |
| Homeownership can change your car insurance rates, with homeowners often seeing lower car insurance costs compared to those who rent. To save even more, you can bundle your auto insurance with your home insurance, making you eligible for discounts. |
Student drivers and educators | Most full-time students will qualify for specialty discounts to help offset the cost of car insurance while attending school. Similarly, teachers can qualify for specific programs to help them achieve lower premiums. |
| How much you drive can affect your rates. If you have a long daily commute or drive frequently, you may pay more. |
| Between 2022 and 2023, there were 177 vehicle thefts in Central Chula Vista alone—and a reported 1,090 in the total Chula Vista area.11 These higher vehicle crime rates can lead to rising full coverage costs due to the increased risk. |
| Wildfires are a growing concern in California. As a result, car insurance rates have increased due to rising claims costs. |
Combined, each of these elements create a picture of the ever changing car insurance landscape in Chula Vista. Below is a deeper dive into a few of these factors, along with the potential rates you could see when shopping for car insurance.
Age
Age has one of the greatest impacts on your overall car insurance costs, with teens seeing the highest rates. As you age, your premiums will generally decrease until you become a senior driver—then they may rise again due to age-related factors.
Monthly car insurance rates for age groups in Chula Vista, CA
| Average full coverage cost | Average state minimum cost |
|---|
| | |
| | |
| | |
| | |
| | |
| | |
Marital status
Believe it or not, your personal relationship status can also contribute to your car insurance costs. Married drivers are often viewed as more financially stable and safe drivers compared to single motorists, thus leading to cheaper overall premiums.
Driving record
Next to age, your driving record can either negatively or positively impact your car insurance rates depending on whether you have a clean driving history, or one with violations. Drivers with no accidents or traffic infractions are generally seen by insurance companies as a low-risk driver who is less likely to file a claim.
On the other hand, drivers with violations, such as speeding tickets or at-fault accidents are seen as riskier to insure and typically see increased premiums.
Average monthly rates after a violation in Chula Vista, CA
| Average full coverage cost | Average state minimum cost |
|---|
| | |
| | |
SR-22 insurance in Chula Vista, CA
Drivers will be required to file an SR-22 certificate in Chula Vista when their license is suspended following a major violation. Generally, this occurs after charges such as a DUI, reckless driving, or driving without insurance.
This type of certificate proves financial responsibility and informs the DMV that you have an active car insurance policy that meets the state minimum requirements. Typically this is filed on your behalf by your insurance provider, but not all California insurers work with SR-22s, and most may charge you higher rates as a result.
Vehicle type
Do you own a newer model or high-value car? If so, you could experience higher overall car insurance rates as your vehicle is seen as more likely to experience theft and vandalism, and higher repair costs. If you own an older model vehicle, you’ll generally receive lower premiums.
Average monthly car insurance rates for popular vehicle types in California
| Average full coverage cost | Average state minimum cost |
|---|
| | |
| | |
| | |
| | |
| | |
Housing situation
Drivers who own a home in Chula Vista will generally pay less for full coverage car insurance than renters as they can not only prove financial responsibility, but also qualify for bundling and multi policy discounts.
| Average full coverage cost by year | Average full coverage cost by month |
|---|
| | |
| | |
Student drivers and educators
Full-time students in Chula Vista can save on their higher premiums by applying for good student, distant student, and teen car insurance discounts with various providers, such as Progressive, State Farm, and GEICO.
Similarly, several insurers offer discounts for educators, and some, such as California Casualty and Horace Mann, even provide specialty packages and programs.
Crime rates
California experiences some of the highest crime rates in the nation. In 2022, there were 902,977 reported property crimes—181,815 of which involved motor vehicle theft.12 The total number of property crimes increased by 5.3% from 2021 to 2022, and shows no signs of slowing. The total number of property crimes increased by 5.3% from 2021 to 2022, and a report by the Council on Criminal Justice in mid-2023 showed that the upward trend in motor vehicle theft shows no signs of slowing, with a nationwide increase of 104.3% since early 2019.13 If you live in a high-crime ZIP code, you may see higher car insurance rates overall.
The cheapest ZIP codes in Chula Vista
| ZIP code | Average annual premium |
|---|
| 91911 | $1,554 |
| 91910 | $1,670 |
| 91914 | $1,673 |
| 91913 | $1,756 |
| 91915 | $1,787 |
The most expensive ZIP codes in Chula Vista
| ZIP code | Average annual premium |
|---|
| 91915 | $1,787 |
| 91913 | $1,756 |
| 91914 | $1,673 |
| 91910 | $1,670 |
| 91911 | $1,554 |
FAQs
What is the average cost of car insurance in Chula Vista?
The average cost of a full coverage policy in Chula Vista is approximately $1,410 per year, whereas the state minimum costs around $447 annually.
Who is the cheapest car insurance in California?
Most drivers find the best savings in Chula Vista with companies such as Travelers, Allstate, and National General.
What is the difference between liability insurance and comprehensive insurance?
Liability insurance covers damages and injuries you cause to third parties in an accident. Comprehensive coverage, which is often included as part of a full coverage policy, covers damages to your vehicle in non-collision related events, such as severe weather, theft and vandalism, and animal crashes.
How can I find the cheapest car insurance in Chula Vista, CA?
The best way to find the cheapest car insurance in Chula Vista is to compare prices from several providers and continuously shop for insurance even once you obtain a policy.
What insurance company is usually the cheapest in Chula Vista?
Travelers is one of the cheapest providers for Chula Vista drivers, offering full coverage rates at as low as $1,022 per year.
How much is car insurance for a young driver in Chula Vista, California?
Young drivers between the ages of 18 and 21 often pay around $201 per month for a full coverage policy and $73 per month for the state minimum.
What are the best ways to lower your car insurance in California?
California drivers can lower their car insurance rates by comparing quotes, shopping for discounts, raising their deductible, and maintaining a clean driving record.
Methodology
All premium data in this article comes from real car insurance quotes obtained through the Jerry app and analyzed by our editorial team. Jerry’s data scientists analyzed over 25 million real quotes issued to users in Jerry’s proprietary database. Jerry is partnered with 55+ insurance companies in 48 states.
Unless otherwise stated, all data represents the average of the lowest quoted price for a currently insured single driver with a single vehicle at time of writing (12/13/2023).
Minimum coverage refers to policies with the following coverage limits: $15,000 per person/$30,000 per accident in bodily injury liability coverage and $5,000 per accident in property damage liability coverage.
Full coverage refers to policies that contain at least the minimum liability required by law in California, along with comprehensive and collision insurance with deductibles of either $500 or $1,000.
Sources
