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Crash Course:
GEICO often has the cheapest car insurance rates, but that’s not always the case.
The average cost of car insurance in the U.S. is $766 per year for minimum coverage and $1,983 annually for full-coverage policies.
State Farm is typically one the cheapest car insurance providers for drivers with speeding tickets and other traffic violations.
Compare auto insurance rates from multiple companies to find your cheapest rates.
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The provider with your cheapest car insurance rates depends on where you live, personal characteristics, and your driving record among other factors. While we found that GEICO offers the most affordable rate estimates in many cases, the company with your lowest premiums could vary.
Our research team pulled cost estimates from the nation’s best car insurance companies for a wide variety of driver profiles and locations. You’ll find the prices we received below, along with some recommended providers and tips for finding the cheapest car insurance rates.
GEICO has some of the lowest national average rate estimates for minimum coverage at $655 per year or $55 per month. However, another provider may offer you better rates depending on your location and situation.
Note that while USAA is another solid choice for the cheapest car insurance in the U.S., it’s only available for those in the military, veterans, and family members. If you qualify for coverage, there’s a strong chance that USAA could have some of your lowest rates.
Cheapest Auto Insurance Providers: At a Glance
In the following sections, we’ll go into detail about auto insurance rates and providers for different scenarios. The list below has the cheapest national provider and price estimates for drivers in several different categories.
Cheapest overall: GEICO at $55 per month
Cheapest for drivers with an accident: State Farm at $185 per month
Cheapest for drivers with a speeding ticket: Nationwide at $170 per month
Cheapest for older adults: GEICO at $102 per month
Cheapest for drivers with a DUI: Progressive at $176 per month
Cheapest for drivers with poor credit: Nationwide at $190 per month
Cheapest for military members: USAA at $35 per month
*These estimates are based on a standardized profile of a 40-year-old driver with good credit and a clean driving record. All estimates that appear in this article use the same profile unless otherwise noted.
Cheapest Car Insurance by Coverage Type
Minimum-coverage policies are likely to be the cheapest car insurance option available to you. These are plans that only satisfy the minimum insurance requirements in your state and they typically only include liability coverage.
While the definition of “full coverage” varies, it generally refers to policies that include protection against personal injuries and property damage in addition to liability insurance.
You’ll find average estimates for both minimum and full coverage options in the following sections.
Cheapest Minimum-Coverage Car Insurance
The table below shows the providers with the cheapest national average estimates for a minimum-coverage policy. Auto-Owners, Erie Insurance, and GEICO have the cheapest average estimates for minimum-liability insurance policies.
Car Insurance Company
Monthly Cost Estimate
Annual Cost Estimate
Erie Insurance
$34
$410
*USAA
$35
$416
Auto-Owners
$38
$461
GEICO
$55
$655
Nationwide
$57
$682
Progressive
$59
$711
State Farm
$60
$722
Travelers
$66
$796
Kemper
$87
$1,038
Allstate
$95
$1,141
American Family
$95
$1,145
Farmers
$102
$1,228
*USAA is only available to military personnel, veterans, and select family members.
Cheapest Full-Coverage Car Insurance
Below are the providers with the cheapest national estimates for full-coverage car insurance. Erie Insurance, Nationwide, and GEICO offer the cheapest full-coverage estimates among major providers.
Car Insurance Company
Monthly Cost Estimate
Annual Cost Estimate
*USAA
$98
$1,179
Erie Insurance
$121
$1,456
Auto-Owners
$124
$1,491
Nationwide
$130
$1,556
Progressive
$136
$1,628
Travelers
$137
$1,643
GEICO
$148
$1,779
State Farm
$156
$1,872
American Family
$178
$2,131
Kemper
$195
$2,338
Farmers
$227
$2,722
Allstate
$231
$2,768
*USAA is only available to military personnel, veterans, and select family members.
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Cheapest Car Insurance by State
Each state has its own insurance regulations and risk factors, leading to substantial differences in the cost of coverage. That means the company offering the cheapest car insurance in one state won’t necessarily offer the lowest rates in another.
In the following sections, you’ll find the cheapest auto insurance providers and rates for each state.
Cheapest Minimum-Coverage Policy by State
Minimum-coverage policies will almost always be the cheapest car insurance option. In the table below, you’ll find the most affordable provider in each state for minimum-liability policies, along with their monthly and annual rate estimates.
State
Cheapest Car Insurance Company*
Cheapest Monthly Rate Estimate
Cheapest Annual Rate Estimate
Alabama
Country Financial
$28
$341
Alaska
GEICO
$40
$484
Arizona
Safeway
$33
$392
Arkansas
Progressive
$32
$387
California
Progressive
$28
$337
Colorado
American National
$18
$221
Connecticut
GEICO
$38
$459
Delaware
Travelers
$69
$826
District of Columbia
Chubb
$31
$372
Florida
GEICO
$44
$527
Georgia
Country Financial
$45
$540
Hawaii
GEICO
$24
$283
Idaho
American National
$12
$140
Illinois
Erie Insurance
$24
$290
Indiana
Auto-Owners
$32
$387
Iowa
Pekin
$21
$247
Kansas
Progressive
$25
$297
Kentucky
State Farm
$33
$400
Louisiana
Southern Farm Bureau
$59
$705
Maine
Auto-Owners
$25
$303
Maryland
Erie Insurance
$70
$840
Massachusetts
Plymouth Rock
$58
$693
Michigan
Auto-Owners
$57
$681
Minnesota
North Star Mutual
$52
$622
Mississippi
Progressive
$23
$281
Missouri
Missouri Farm Bureau
$23
$270
Montana
Progressive
$22
$259
Nebraska
Progressive
$23
$271
Nevada
State Farm
$64
$772
New Hampshire
The Hanover
$16
$189
New Jersey
GEICO
$64
$762
New Mexico
Central Insurance
$27
$329
New York
Progressive
$82
$981
North Carolina
Erie Insurance
$27
$318
North Dakota
North Star Mutual
$23
$276
Ohio
Erie Insurance
$10
$116
Oklahoma
Progressive
$30
$355
Oregon
Country Financial
$39
$463
Pennsylvania
Erie Insurance
$36
$428
Rhode Island
Progressive
$83
$997
South Carolina
American National
$18
$216
South Dakota
Farmers Mutual of Nebraska
$19
$228
Tennessee
Erie Insurance
$19
$226
Texas
Texas Farm Bureau
$34
$402
Utah
Auto-Owners
$59
$713
Vermont
Union Mutual
$19
$224
Virginia
Erie Insurance
$17
$207
Washington
PEMCO
$14
$168
West Virginia
Erie Insurance
$15
$182
Wisconsin
Erie Insurance
$21
$254
Wyoming
GEICO
$16
$192
*USAA had the lowest rate estimates in many states. However, since the provider is only available to military members, veterans, and select family members, we listed the cheapest car insurance provider available to the general public in this table.
Cheapest Full-Coverage Car Insurance by State
Full-coverage policies offer far greater financial protection than liability-only policies, covering your own car repair costs in the event of an accident. However, they usually come at a much higher cost.
The table below shows the cheapest providers for full-coverage policies in each state, along with their monthly and annual rate estimates.
State
Cheapest Car Insurance Company*
Cheapest Monthly Rate Estimate
Cheapest Annual Rate Estimate
Alabama
Travelers
$97
$1,169
Alaska
GEICO
$93
$1,112
Arizona
Travelers
$97
$1,169
Arkansas
State Farm
$119
$1,433
California
Progressive
$87
$1,045
Colorado
American National
$71
$857
Connecticut
GEICO
$83
$990
Delaware
Travelers
$143
$1,713
District of Columbia
Progressive
$87
$1,040
Florida
GEICO
$161
$1,928
Georgia
Progressive
$113
$1,356
Hawaii
GEICO
$73
$871
Idaho
American National
$34
$406
Illinois
Progressive
$104
$1,245
Indiana
Travelers
$90
$1,081
Iowa
Pekin
$60
$718
Kansas
Nationwide
$83
$1,001
Kentucky
Travelers
$106
$1,273
Louisiana
Southern Farm Bureau
$169
$2,029
Maine
Auto-Owners
$53
$639
Maryland
Travelers
$162
$1,947
Massachusetts
Plymouth Rock
$145
$1,737
Michigan
GEICO
$155
$1,860
Minnesota
Nationwide
$142
$1,707
Mississippi
Progressive
$68
$814
Missouri
Auto-Owners
$89
$1,068
Montana
Progressive
$64
$765
Nebraska
Nationwide
$89
$1,067
Nevada
GEICO
$154
$1,846
New Hampshire
The Hanover
$54
$645
New Jersey
New Jersey Manufacturers
$134
$1,603
New Mexico
Progressive
$140
$1,684
New York
Travelers
$206
$2,476
North Carolina
Erie Insurance
$81
$972
North Dakota
Progressive
$67
$809
Ohio
Cincinatti Financial
$55
$659
Oklahoma
Oklahoma Farm Bureau
$81
$967
Oregon
Progressive
$83
$997
Pennsylvania
Donegal
$120
$1,442
Rhode Island
Quincy
$97
$1,165
South Carolina
State Farm
$88
$1,050
South Dakota
Progressive
$110
$1,325
Tennessee
Tennesee Farmers
$73
$872
Texas
Redpoint County Mutual
$101
$1,217
Utah
Progressive
$106
$1,270
Vermont
State Farm
$49
$587
Virginia
State Farm
$85
$1,017
Washington
Mutual of Enumclaw
$62
$742
West Virginia
Progressive
$59
$703
Wisconsin
Auto-Owners
$93
$1,117
Wyoming
Farmers
$76
$917
*USAA had the lowest rate estimates in many states. However, since the provider is only available to military members, veterans, and select family members, we listed the cheapest car insurance provider available to the general public in this table.
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Cheapest Car Insurance by Age
Age is one of the most important factors that affects the cost of your premiums. Younger drivers and especially teens pay some of the highest rates of any driver category. Rates also tend to go up for older adults, though not by as much.
Our research team has provided rate estimates for several different ages of drivers in the following sections.
Cheapest for 16-Year-Old Drivers
The average rate estimate of a full-coverage policy for a 16-year-old driver is $8,160 per year. Auto-Owners Insurance has the lowest average estimates for 16-year-olds overall, with Erie Insurance following closely behind.
Car Insurance Company
Monthly Rate Estimate
Annual Rate Estimate
Auto-Owners
$281
$3,368
Erie Insurance
$370
$4,440
*USAA
$414
$4,972
State Farm
$431
$5,167
Nationwide
$472
$5,662
American Family
$483
$5,797
GEICO
$533
$6,394
Travelers
$798
$9,571
Kemper
$839
$10,068
Allstate
$1,042
$12,502
Progressive
$1,057
$12,679
Farmers
$1,230
$14,765
*USAA is only available to military personnel, veterans, and select family members.
Cheapest for 20-Year-Old Drivers
On average, 20-year-old drivers pay around $3,752 for a full-coverage auto policy. Once again, Erie Insurance and Auto-Owners have the cheapest rate estimates for 20-year-olds.
Car Insurance Company
Monthly Rate Estimate
Annual Rate Estimate
Auto-Owners
$173
$2,197
*USAA
$134
$2,230
Erie Insurance
$175
$2,855
GEICO
$154
$3,162
State Farm
$194
$3,216
Progressive
$239
$3,461
Nationwide
$179
$3,547
Travelers
$209
$3,685
American Family
$206
$3,734
Allstate
$275
$5,301
Kemper
$314
$5,625
Farmers
$275
$5,785
*USAA is only available to military personnel, veterans, and select family members.
Cheapest for 21-Year-Old Drivers
Rates start to drop around the age of 21, though drivers still pay an average of $2,786 per year for full-coverage car insurance. GEICO easily offers the lowest rate estimates for 21-year-old drivers.
Car Insurance Company
Monthly Rate Estimate
Annual Rate Estimate
GEICO
$154
$1,844
Auto-Owners
$173
$2,074
Erie Insurance
$175
$2,103
Nationwide
$179
$2,147
State Farm
$194
$2,322
American Family
$206
$2,469
Travelers
$209
$2,513
Progressive
$239
$2,872
Farmers
$275
$3,295
Allstate
$275
$3,302
Kemper
$314
$3,763
*USAA
$134
$1,609
*USAA is only available to military personnel, veterans, and select family members. **Data taken from 2022 information.
Cheapest for 25-Year-Old Drivers
At an average rate of $2,047 per year for full coverage, costs for 30-year-old drivers start to approach those for middle-aged drivers. Auto-Owners typically offers the cheapest car insurance to 30-year-old motorists.
Car Insurance Company
Monthly Rate Estimate
Annual Rate Estimate
*USAA
$106
$1,270
Auto-Owners
$128
$1,535
Erie Insurance
$128
$1,536
Nationwide
$134
$1,610
Progressive
$139
$1,672
Travelers
$147
$1,759
GEICO
$150
$1,796
State Farm
$160
$1,920
American Family
$193
$2,321
Farmers
$220
$2,636
Kemper
$220
$2,641
Allstate
$236
$2,828
*USAA is only available to military personnel, veterans, and select family members.
Cheapest for Older Drivers
Senior drivers sometimes pay higher premiums than middle-aged drivers, but not by too much. The national average rate for a 65-year-old driver is $1,648 per year for a full-coverage policy.
Car Insurance Company
Monthly Rate Estimate
Annual Rate Estimate
Erie Insurance
$102
$1,219
GEICO
$102
$1,227
Auto-Owners
$104
$1,247
Nationwide
$105
$1,263
State Farm
$113
$1,353
Travelers
$122
$1,465
American Family
$126
$1,516
Progressive
$131
$1,566
Kemper
$171
$2,054
Allstate
$174
$2,090
Farmers
$176
$2,110
*USAA
$88
$1,057
*USAA is only available to military personnel, veterans, and select family members. **Data taken from 2022 information.
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Cheapest Car Insurance by Risk Category
Car insurers also use a variety of risk factors to calculate your prices. Those with a clean driving record typically gain access to the most affordable rates. On the other hand, having at-fault accidents, moving violations, or even a low credit score could increase your cost of car insurance.
You’ll find full-coverage premium estimates for drivers in several different risk categories in the following section.
Cheapest for Drivers With a Speeding Ticket
Those with a speeding ticket on their driving record will typically find their cheapest car insurance rates with Erie Insurance and Auto-Owners.
Monthly Rate Estimate
Annual Rate Estimate
*USAA
$120
$1,438
Erie Insurance
$139
$1,666
Auto-Owners
$169
$2,031
Nationwide
$170
$2,037
State Farm
$175
$2,105
Travelers
$177
$2,123
Progressive
$178
$2,139
GEICO
$206
$2,470
American Family
$240
$2,885
Kemper
$259
$3,107
Allstate
$268
$3,210
Farmers
$296
$3,557
*USAA is only available to military personnel, veterans, and select family members.
Cheapest for Drivers With an At-Fault Accident
Erie Insurance tends to have the cheapest full-coverage rates for drivers with a recent accident, with Auto-Owners being the next most affordable.
Car Insurance Company
Monthly Rate Estimate
Annual Rate Estimate
*USAA
$142
$1,709
Erie Insurance
$164
$1,963
Auto-Owners
$172
$2,058
State Farm
$185
$2,219
Travelers
$189
$2,267
Nationwide
$205
$2,463
Progressive
$213
$2,554
American Family
$229
$2,743
GEICO
$259
$3,103
Kemper
$315
$3,780
Farmers
$346
$4,157
Allstate
$355
$4,256
*USAA is only available to military personnel, veterans, and select family members.
Cheapest for Drivers With a DUI
While the amount varies by location and provider, a DUI increases auto insurance premiums by around 60% on average. Progressive typically offers the cheapest rates for those in search of DUI insurance.
Car Insurance Company
Monthly Rate Estimate
Annual Rate Estimate
Progressive
$176
$2,107
*USAA
$184
$2,209
State Farm
$200
$2,401
Erie Insurance
$201
$2,409
Travelers
$207
$2,489
Auto-Owners
$255
$3,054
American Family
$271
$3,251
Nationwide
$296
$3,551
Allstate
$324
$3,892
Kemper
$337
$4,044
GEICO
$364
$4,373
Farmers
$386
$4,634
*USAA is only available to military personnel, veterans, and select family members.
Cheapest for Drivers With Bad Credit
The states of California, Hawaii, Massachusetts, and Michigan have made it illegal to use your credit score as a factor in calculating your premiums. In other states, having a lower credit score could increase your rates substantially.
Nationwide tends to offer the lowest average estimates for drivers with bad credit.
Car Insurance Company
Monthly Rate Estimate With Poor Credit
Annual Rate Estimate With Poor Credit
*USAA
$188
$2,255
Nationwide
$190
$2,280
GEICO
$239
$2,871
Progressive
$257
$3,081
Kemper
$260
$3,124
Travelers
$285
$3,415
Erie Insurance
$288
$3,458
American Family
$313
$3,753
Auto-Owners
$347
$4,160
Allstate
$369
$4,424
State Farm
$417
$5,006
Farmers
$422
$5,066
*USAA is only available to military personnel, veterans, and select family members.
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Best Cheap Car Insurance Companies
Cost isn’t everything. Not all providers offer the same level of service or have the coverage options you’re looking for. You may never need to file a claim with your provider, but if you do, you’ll want one that’s reliable and easy to work with.
The table below shows our ranking of the best affordable car insurance companies, followed by brief summaries of each provider. These rankings take performance in our auto insurance study into account along with the average rate estimates each provider offers.
Car Insurance Company
Overall Score
Average Minimum-Coverage Monthly Estimate
Average Full-Coverage Monthly Estimate
Travelers
4.6
$66
$137
State Farm
4.6
$60
$156
Erie Insurance
4.6
$34
$121
USAA*
4.5
$35
$98
GEICO
4.4
$55
$148
Progressive
4.5
$59
$136
*USAA is available to only military-members and their families.
Travelers: Best Overall
For car owners looking for affordable rates and lots of coverages, Travelers may be the right provider. We said that the company has the Best Coverage Choices due to its plethora of additional protection plans. Drivers can add new car replacement coverage, rideshare coverage, gap insurance, and other options while still keeping rates affordable.
With an average minimum-coverage estimate of $543 per year, State Farm isn’t typically the absolute cheapest provider. However, this year’s winner of Best Overall in our industrywide insurance study is among the top most affordable options in many cases. When you consider the quality of coverage and service you get alongside the company’s competitive rates, State Farm is a strong option for many drivers.
In many locations, Erie Insurance is one of the cheapest car insurance companies for drivers. The provider has a stellar reputation within the insurance industry and features a thorough selection of both coverage options and discounts.
Erie would likely rank higher on this list if it were available nationwide. Instead, the company only currently serves 12 states, primarily in the Midwest and the Southeast. However, Erie Insurance is certainly an option worth considering for drivers in those states.
Erie Insurance Pros and Cons
Erie Insurance Pros
Erie Insurance Cons
Offers affordable rates in the areas it serves
Only available in 12 states
Many discounts available
Below-average online experience
Strong customer service ratings
No usage-based or telematics options
USAA: Best for Military
Technically speaking, USAA is often the absolute cheapest car insurance option in most places. However, these affordable rates come with a big asterisk, since most people aren’t eligible for USAA auto insurance policies. USAA is only available to members of the U.S. military, veterans, and certain family members. For those who are eligible, however, there’s a good chance that USAA has your cheapest auto coverage.
USAA Pros and Cons
USAA Pros
USAA Cons
Consistently low rates
Only available to military personnel, veterans, and family members
Many discounts available
Mixed reviews from customers
Useful coverage options for military families
To learn more about USAA car insurance, read our comprehensive review of the provider.
GEICO: Most Discount Options
Throughout our research, we found that GEICO offers some of the lowest estimated rates in many markets. On top of that, the company features one of the most robust collections of car insurance discounts of any provider we reviewed. Combined, that means a large number of drivers may find their cheapest car insurance from GEICO.
Progressive was one of the first car insurance companies to offer affordable coverage to drivers with DUIs and those in other high-risk categories, beginning in the 1950s. Based on our research, that appears to be part of the company’s business model to this day. Progressive accepts drivers with poor credit scores, at-fault accidents, and DUIs on their driving records when many other providers deny them.
Progressive Pros and Cons
Progressive Pros
Progressive Cons
Cheap rates for many high-risk drivers
Average customer satisfaction ratings
Offers custom parts coverage
Lacks BBB accreditation
Usage-based insurance and telematics program available
It’s difficult to say how much car insurance should cost since rates vary widely across different locations and driver profiles. The best way to estimate your rates is by looking at the tables above and seeing where you fit in.
Auto coverage premiums are tailored to individual policies. While one provider may offer low-cost insurance to a friend or a neighbor, they might have higher rates for you. This variation is why it’s a good idea to get cheap car insurance quotes online from a few providers and to compare them before making a decision.
Car Insurance Cost Factors
Here are some of the factors that can affect your car insurance premiums:
Car: The age, type, and price of your vehicle can influence premiums.
Age: Teen drivers and older adults usually pay the most for car insurance. Rates for middle-aged drivers tend to be lower.
Credit score: Your credit history plays a major role in the cost of your insurance. The higher your score, the lower your premiums.
Coverage choices: Policies that only satisfy minimum-coverage requirements will typically have the lowest rates. Adding personal property and injury coverage or policy add-ons will increase your rates.
Coverage limits: Setting lower coverage limits typically gets you cheaper car insurance, but it also increases your risk of personal financial liability.
Driving history: If you have recent accidents, speeding tickets, or other violations on your driving record, you’ll pay more for auto insurance. Drivers with a clean driving record have access to the cheapest car insurance prices.
Deductible: Setting a low deductible means that your out-of-pocket costs will be minimal when you need to file an insurance claim. The lower your deductible, the higher your premium is likely to be.
Location: Average car insurance premiums vary from state to state, but auto insurance rates can also change depending on your ZIP code. If you live in a rural area, you’ll likely pay less than you would in a city.
Auto Insurance Discounts
Many companies offer discounts that can substantially reduce your rates, but not all providers have the same opportunities. These are some of the most common discounts available from auto insurers:
Multi-policy discount: Also called a bundling discount, companies that offer multiple kinds of insurance typically have discounts for combining your auto policy with other insurance products like homeowners, renters, or life insurance.
Multi-car discount: You can often get a discount for insuring more than one car under the same policy.
Anti-theft discount: Insurers tend to offer discounts for having car alarms and other anti-theft devices installed on your vehicle.
Good student discount: Some companies reward students who maintain good grades in school with an auto insurance discount.
Safety equipment discount: You can sometimes get a discount for having safety features like air bags and anti-lock brakes installed on your car.
Affinity discount: Some insurers offer discounts to members of groups like the U.S. military and government workers.
Paperless discount: Policyholders can often get a small discount for switching from getting paper bills in the mail to getting them only digitally.
Car Insurance Coverage Plans
Unless you live in New Hampshire or Virginia, you’re required to carry car insurance. The types of coverage and the amount of coverage required vary greatly from state to state. This is often a combination of liability coverage, personal injury protection, and uninsured or underinsured motorist coverage, though many states permit less.
You can always opt for extra coverage. But if you want to find the cheapest car insurance, you’ll want to look for a policy that only satisfies your state’s minimum-coverage requirements.
Standard Coverage Options
These are the standard car insurance options you’ll find from nearly every provider:
Bodily injury liability insurance: Covers medical expenses and lost wages for others involved in an accident you caused.
Property damage liability insurance: Covers damages to others’ vehicles and personal property in an accident for which you’re found at fault.
Uninsured motorist/underinsured motorist insurance: Covers your damages and costs related to injuries in an accident in which the at-fault driver lacks sufficient insurance coverage.
Personal injury protection (PIP): Also known as “no-fault” insurance, PIP covers you and your passengers’ medical expenses and lost wages regardless of who is found at fault for the accident.
Medical payments (MedPay): Covers only medical expenses for you and your passengers, regardless of who is found at fault for an accident.
Collision coverage: Covers damages to your vehicle regardless of who caused the accident.
Comprehensive coverage: Covers damages to your vehicle that aren’t related to car accidents, such as falling trees, extreme weather, and instances of theft or vandalism.
How To Get the Cheapest Car Insurance
While some pieces of your driver profile are out of your control, there are some things you can do to try to get the cheapest auto insurance.
Shop Around
One of the most immediate ways to get cheaper coverage is to simply shop around for car insurance. This may take a little extra time – and may result in a few extra marketing calls and emails – but it’s more than worth it. You might be surprised at how much quotes vary between providers for the exact same driver profile.
These days, it’s easy to get free quotes online from multiple providers with just a bit of information and a few minutes. Doing so allows you to compare rates and find the cheapest auto insurance available to you right now.
Look for Car Insurance Discounts
Almost every provider offers at least a few discounts you can apply to your car insurance policy. Some of these are more general, while others are targeted toward specific drivers. You can find a provider’s list of discounts on its website, but it’s good to ask a local insurance agent which discounts you can use due to varying availability.
Consider Your Coverage Choices
Experts generally agree that it’s a good idea to have a full-coverage policy. While the definition of “full coverage” varies somewhat, it generally refers to a policy that includes protection for your property and medical expenses in addition to liability coverage.
If you’re looking to get the cheapest car insurance, it’s worth considering what coverage you need and what you can live without. For example, those with older, less-expensive cars may not need the same coverage levels and limits as for a brand-new vehicle.
Increase Your Deductible
The amount of your deductible is one of the key factors in the cost of auto premiums. The lower it is, the less you’ll have to pay out of pocket toward a claim, but the more you’ll have to pay for coverage.
Increasing your deductible is an immediate way to get cheaper rates, but it puts you at some financial risk. Be realistic about what you can afford to pay in the event of an unexpected covered loss and consider raising your deductible to the maximum amount you’re comfortable with.
Check Out Regional Providers
For the purpose of this article, we focused mainly on providers that offer coverage nationwide. However, in many places, the cheapest auto insurance companies were smaller providers that only serve specific states or regions.
Don’t overlook these smaller providers. Many offer similar options, discounts, and customer service as their national competitors – sometimes at cheaper rates.
Try Usage-Based Insurance
Many providers now offer usage-based insurance, which charges you by the mile rather than by setting a flat premium. People who don’t drive much are likely to see lower rates on their coverage. This may be a good option if you live in a walkable area, work from home, or otherwise don’t need to drive much.
Consider a Telematics Program
These days, most car insurance companies have mobile app-based programs that can monitor your driving habits and report them back to the company. If you practice good driving behaviors, you’ll see your premiums go down. Many providers even give an immediate discount for signing up for their telematics program.
However, be realistic about your own driving habits and make sure you understand which behaviors factor into your rates. If you practice habits that your insurer deems unsafe, you could also see your rates go up. Some companies penalize motorists for things like driving at night, which may be necessary depending on your life and work patterns.
It’s also worth considering whether or not you want to hand over that much data to your insurance company.
Enroll in a Safe Driving Course
Several car insurers in our study offer discounts for completing a defensive driving class approved by the company or a state agency. Typically called a good driver or safe driver discount, the savings on your policy tend to outweigh the cost of a course. Brushing up on safe driving habits can also help you to avoid car accidents and other traffic violations.
Improve Your Credit Score
This isn’t a quick fix, as repairing your credit score takes a long time. However, if you live in a state where insurers are legally allowed to use your credit rating as a factor in setting rates, expect to pay substantially more if you have a poor or even a fair credit score.
Make sure to pay your bills on time and work toward paying down your credit card and other loan balances. In time, a consistent history of good credit habits will bring your score up and your premiums down.
Cheapest Car Insurance: Conclusion
The most affordable car insurance will almost always be a minimum-liability policy. The cheapest rate we saw for a minimum-coverage policy that’s available to all drivers was $39 per month from GEICO.
However, regional providers such as Auto-Owners and Erie Insurance offered even lower rate estimates in the areas they serve. USAA also has cheaper premium estimates but is only available to military personnel, veterans, and select family members.
Most insurance experts recommend getting a full-coverage policy that includes collision, comprehensive, and personal injury coverages. Depending on your driver profile, you may find full-coverage policies that are affordable and that could reduce your financial risk.
While there are several tactics you can use to try to get cheaper coverage, the single best course of action is to compare auto insurance quotes from several providers. That way you’ll know exactly which company offers you the cheapest car insurance policy.
Compare Car Insurance Rates
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Here are a few frequently asked questions about finding cheap auto insurance:
Who normally has the cheapest car insurance?
On average, GEICO and State Farm offer the cheapest car insurance coverage that’s available to everyone, according to our research. USAA has lower average rates, but it’s only available to military members, veterans, and their families. Some regional providers offer lower rates in the limited areas that they serve.
Why is my car insurance rate so high?
If your car insurance rate is high, it could be for a number of reasons. Factors that affect the cost of insurance include your age, driving history, credit score, and location. In addition, car insurance rates have gone up across the board in recent years.
What is the cheapest level of car insurance?
The cheapest car insurance will almost always be your state’s minimum required coverage level. This typically includes bodily injury and property damage liability insurance. Some states require additional insurance, such as uninsured and underinsured motorist coverage.
Is GEICO really cheap?
GEICO really is cheap for many drivers across the U.S. Throughout our study, GEICO had among the lowest estimated rates in many markets.
Is GEICO cheaper than Liberty Mutual?
In most cases, GEICO is cheaper than Liberty Mutual for car insurance. While Liberty Mutual insurance rates are often competitive, GEICO is consistently among the cheapest providers in the U.S.
Why are GEICO rates so low?
One of the reasons why GEICO rates are so low is that the company is a direct provider, meaning it administers its coverage and claims directly. Many companies use a third-party provider to administer their auto insurance policies, which adds to total costs.
How can I reduce my car insurance?
You can reduce your car insurance costs immediately by cutting back on coverages and coverage limits, by increasing your deductible, and by applying available discounts. You can also enroll in a defensive driving course, try a telematics program, or switch to usage-based insurance. When it’s time to sign up for a new policy, the best way to reduce your car insurance premium is to shop around by getting and comparing quotes from multiple providers.
What age has the cheapest car insurance?
Drivers between the ages of 35 and 65 typically have access to the cheapest car insurance. Teen drivers tend to pay the highest rates, with premiums going down as they get older. Some car insurers charge slightly higher rates to older drivers.
What type of car insurance is cheapest?
Minimum-coverage policies will almost always be the cheapest type of car insurance. These policies only satisfy state minimum requirements and typically offer liability coverage and, in some cases, personal injury coverage. While they’re typically cheaper than full-coverage policies, they also expose you to greater financial risk.
Our Methodology
Our expert review team takes satisfaction in providing accurate and unbiased information. We identified the following rating categories based on consumer survey data and conducted extensive research to formulate rankings of the best car insurance providers.
Affordability: A variety of factors influence cost, so it can be difficult to compare quotes between providers. Our team considers auto insurance rate estimates generated by Quadrant Information Services and discount opportunities when giving this score.
Coverage: Because each consumer has unique needs, it’s essential that a car insurance company offers an array of coverage options. We take into account types of insurance available, maximum coverage limits, and add-on policies.
Industry Standing: Our team considers Better Business Bureau (BBB) ratings, financial strength, and years in business when giving this score.
Availability: Auto insurers with greater state availability and few eligibility requirements are more likely to meet consumer needs.
Customer Service: Reputable car insurance providers operate with a certain degree of care for consumers. We consider complaints filed with the National Association of Insurance Commissioners (NAIC), J.D. Power claims servicing scores, and customer feedback.
Online Experience: Insurers with easy-to-use websites and highly rated mobile apps scored best in this category.
*Data accurate at time of publication.
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