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

In El Monte, California, the best car insurance is tailored to specific needs. For full coverage, Progressive is cheapest, GEICO is cheapest for minimum coverage. For families with teens, Farmers is most cost-effective.

Exceptional customer service is offered by Chubb, whereas Capital Insurance Group is the best overall choice balancing price and service. Your ideal insurer may vary depending on coverage needs and personal preferences.

GEICO is the cheapest option in El Monte for those looking for the cheapest car insurance. Here's how the companies stack up for minimum coverage:

• GEICO: $547 per year
• Progressive: $548 per year

Chubb is at the higher end with minimum coverage policies, amounting to $1,002 annually. The difference in annual rates, a $455 contrast between the cheapest and most expensive, underscores the importance of shopping around to ensure you're getting the best deal on car insurance.

Do You Need Full Coverage in California?

Across all Californian cities, including El Monte, the minimum required car insurance coverage is governed by state law. Here are the basics:

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

For example, if you're in a covered accident and bear responsibility, your policy will pay up to $15,000 for each injured person's expenses, but not more than $30,000 per accident. Should expenses exceed these limits, you're likely reaching into your own pocket to cover the difference.

Progressive offers the cheapest full coverage car insurance in El Monte.

• Progressive: $1,281 per year
• AAA: $1,457 per year

Farmers has the most expensive full coverage policy in El Monte, costing $2,471 annually. This is $1,190 more than Progressive, highlighting why it's essential to compare rates for full coverage car insurance, which tends to be pricier due to the comprehensive and collision coverage included.

Do You Need Full Coverage in California?

A full coverage policy in El Monte includes coverage for damage to your own vehicle in the form of comprehensive and collision coverages. It usually also includes increased liability limits.

• Collision Insurance: This provides coverage for your vehicle in the event of a collision, whether with another vehicle or or a stationary object like a tree or light pole. It also covers rollover accidents and pothole damage.

• Comprehensive Insurance: This coverage insures your vehicle against various types of damage not caused by collisions, including theft, vandalism, fires, natural disasters and being struck by an animal like a deer.

If you have a new vehicle, it's wise to opt for full coverage insurance for more robust financial protection. If you're leasing or have a car loan, you are typically required to carry full coverage insurance.

On the other hand, owners of older vehicles may find that the extra cost — which can amount to several hundred dollars more per year — is not justified by the value of the vehicle. When deciding how much car insurance coverage you need, consider your ideal balance: more extensive coverage comes with higher premiums, but getting less coverage means you may pay more out of pocket if you need to file a claim.

National General is the cheapest option in El Monte for drivers with infractions such as speeding tickets and DUIs, while Capital Insurance Group offers the lowest rate after an at-fault accident.

• Speeding ticket: National General ($1,702 per year)
• At-fault accident: Capital Insurance Group ($1,798 per year)
• DUI: National General ($1,702 per year)

Hartford has the most expensive rates for all three offenses, highlighting the cost discrepancy between insurers. The identical rates from National General for a speeding ticket and a DUI shows how the severity of the offense may not always impact the rates in the same way for all insurance companies.

In insurance pricing, the gravity of a driving offense correlates with heightened rates due to the increased risk posed to insurers. For example, drivers with a speeding ticket in El Monte may face average annual premiums of around $2,531, while those with a DUI offense could see rates soar to approximately $4,241. This difference underscores the importance for individuals with driving infractions to diligently compare insurance rates to ensure they secure the most financially advantageous policy.

Farmers is the cheapest car insurance for teens in El Monte, offering substantial savings for families:

• Farmers: $3,533 per year for female and male teens
• Capital Insurance Group: $3,587 per year for female and male teens

These rates represent policies that combine coverage for two parents and a teen driver. Nationwide has the most expensive teen family policy in El Monte, with an annual premium difference of $2,473 for a female teen compared with Farmers. This significant variance highlights the importance of comparing rates, especially for high-risk drivers like teenagers.

In El Monte, as in other US cities, young drivers face steep costs when purchasing car insurance independently. On average, a teen's individual annual premium is about $5,156, significantly higher than the $4,300 average premium added to a family plan. This substantial difference — over $850 annually — aligns with insurers' risk assessment.

Teenagers are statistically more likely to be involved in accidents, making them costly to insure independently. Moreover, it's challenging for teens to secure a policy on their own due to their limited credit history and driving experience. Thus, incorporating teens into a family insurance plan not only eases financial strain but also provides greater policy approval prospects.

Progressive is the cheapest option for full coverage car insurance for military backgrounds in El Monte:

• Progressive: $1,281 per year
• USAA: $1,344 per year

USAA is a close second and is not only competitively priced in El Monte but also known for its tailored services to active duty military members. Even though USAA's rates are slightly higher than Progressive, its focus on meeting the unique needs of the military community often makes them a preferred option for many service members.

In El Monte, comparing car insurance rates is a key strategy for cost savings. However, the process is often cumbersome, potentially requiring over an hour to examine rates from three or more companies.

MoneyGeek's car insurance calculator can help you streamline this process. By inputting details like age, driving history, credit score and preferred coverage, you can instantly receive rate estimates.

Choosing the best auto insurance for your needs is a balance between valuing service, cost, coverage and other factors. The top car insurance providers in El Monte for different preferences are:

• Best overall: Capital Insurance Group (MoneyGeek score: 84 out of 100)
• Best for service: Chubb (MoneyGeek score: 94 out of 100)
• Best cheap: Capital Insurance Group (MoneyGeek score: 83 out of 100)

Capital Insurance Group leads in El Monte, offering the best overall value and affordability without a substantial sacrifice in service quality. Chubb, on the other hand, shines as the provider with the top-notch service experience.

Capital Insurance Group offers the best car insurance in El Monte, considering overall satisfaction and affordability.

• Capital Insurance Group: MoneyGeek score of 84 out of 100 ($1,527 per year)
• Chubb: MoneyGeek score of 78 out of 100 ($2,348 per year)

Capital Insurance Group distinguishes itself with a high satisfaction score and an even higher affordability score. This demonstrates the company's ability to provide exceptional service and economic value to its customers.

Chubb is the best option in El Monte for customers prioritizing excellent service in car insurance. This is reflected by an impressive MoneyGeek score that did not take rates into consideration but instead focused on general satisfaction, claims handling and available coverages.

• Chubb: MoneyGeek score of 94 out of 100 ($2,348 per year)
• Capital Insurance Group: MoneyGeek score of 82 out of 100 ($1,527 per year)

Chubb stands out due to its superior performance across several metrics, with notably high satisfaction and claims handling scores.

Capital Insurance Group is the best option in El Monte for cheap car insurance. The MoneyGeek score emphasizes affordability, yet takes into account claims handling and general satisfaction to ensure a comprehensive evaluation of service quality.

• Capital Insurance Group: MoneyGeek score of 83 out of 100 ($646 per year)
• Mercury: MoneyGeek score of 81 out of 100 ($560 per year)

Capital Insurance Group distinguishes itself by not only having a competitive annual premium but also by achieving the highest ratings in customer satisfaction and claims handling. The score is representative of a minimum coverage policy.

The average car insurance premium in El Monte, California stands at $1,667, which is higher than the average cost of car insurance in California at $1,562. When compared with the national average car insurance cost of $1,781, California's average represents savings of $219 annually.

While factors such as driving record, vehicle type and personal demographics play a critical role in determining car insurance rates, geographic location is a major determinant due to variances in traffic patterns, theft rates and other risk-related factors.

Locations like Glendale, which has the most expensive premium at $2,115, demonstrate the influence of urban areas with higher traffic density and associated risks. Conversely, Santa Maria boasts the cheapest premium at $1,106, highlighting how less congested areas may offer more favorable rates. This spectrum of rates within California cities underscores the significance of location in car insurance costs.