The top-rated car insurance companies
We scored dozens of car insurance companies based on price, discounts offered, coverage options, customer experience, and financial strength to find the best insurance providers overall.
The 10 best car insurance companies based on their policycentral scores are USAA, Erie, State Farm, Auto-Owners, COUNTRY Financial, GEICO, NJM, Travelers, Amica, and Encompass
Why you can trust our picks for the best car insurance companies
Methodology
We calculated our expert ratings by considering cost, availability, customer experience and satisfaction, and coverage options. Our own policycentral agents — who have years of experience working with real car insurance shoppers — also weighed in.
We assigned weights to each category based on its relative importance, then found the weighted average of these values for each company. The raw scores we assigned to each company were converted into a “z-score” and then a “t-score,” which were then standardized on a 5-point scale.
To come up with our company ratings, we accumulated company data for price, financial strength, customer experience, and coverage options. We assigned a weight to each category based on research and insight from our own licensed insurance editors and operations specialists. Here’s how our ratings categories break down:
Price (35%): We gave each company a score based on its average rate and available discounts.
Financial strength (25%): We gave point values based on each company’s A.M. Best Financial Strength Rating, S&P credit rating, and Moody’s credit rating.
Customer experience (20%): We scored companies based on how they performed on the most recent J.D. Power Auto Claims Satisfaction and Digital Experience surveys. This category also considers a company's complaint index, which is provided by the National Association of Insurance Commissioners.
Coverage options (20%): We scored companies for the number of coverage types offered and the quality of these options. Less common endorsements earned higher scores compared to add-ons that most companies offer.
How we calculated coverage cost:
We determined the average costs for full-coverage car insurance from each company using rate data provided by Quadrant Information Services.
These rates were from every ZIP code across every state, along with the District of Columbia. Rates were for a 30-year-old male driver with a 2017 Toyota Camry. Our sample full-coverage policy included the following limits:
Bodily injury liability: $50,000 per person, $100,000 per accident
Property damage liability: $50,000 per accident
Uninsured/underinsured motorist: $50,000 per person, $100,000 per accident
Comprehensive: $500 deductible
Collision: $500 deductible
Some carriers may be represented by affiliates or subsidiaries. Rates provided are a sample of costs. Your actual quotes may differ.
USAA
5.0
All 50 states
Bundle home & auto
Usage-based discount
Good student discount
Coverage for rideshare drivers
Mobile app
Offers classic car insurance
Offers motorcycle insurance
Why we chose it
For eligible drivers affiliated with the military, USAA auto insurance is unmatched. USAA is known for cheap rates and consistently offering some of the best customer service in the industry.
Pros and cons
Pros
Low rates
Available nationwide
High customer service ratings
Cons
Only available to military members and their families
Erie
4.9
Offers new car replacement
Good student discount
Accident forgiveness
Mobile app
Bundle home & auto
Coverage for rideshare drivers
Offers classic car insurance
Offers gap coverage
Offers motorcycle insurance
Usage-based discount
Why we chose it
Erie’s range of available coverage options, affordable rates, and top claims service makes it our pick for the best overall car insurance company. On the downside, it’s only available in 12 states.
Pros and cons
Pros
Low car insurance rates
Lots of useful add-ons, like new car replacement
Accident forgiveness automatically included after three years
Cons
Not available in every state
State Farm
4.8
Bundle home & auto
Coverage for rideshare drivers
Good student discount
Mobile app
Usage-based discount
Offers classic car insurance
Offers motorcycle insurance
Why we chose it
As the largest car insurance company in the U.S., State Farm offers reliable customer service and affordable rates (including for drivers who don’t have a clean driving record).
Pros and cons
Pros
Available in almost every state
Low rates for teens and drivers with accidents
High customer satisfaction ratings
Cons
Limited coverage options
Auto-Owners
4.7
Bundle home & auto
Offers gap coverage
Good student discount
Mobile app
Offers classic car insurance
Offers motorcycle insurance
Why we chose it
Auto-Owners is known for offering cheap rates, lots of endorsements (including gap insurance), and for having solid customer service. Auto-Owners is also a standout insurance company for drivers who want to bundle their home and auto insurance.
Pros and cons
Pros
Lower-than-average rates
Offers gap coverage
Owned by its policyholders
Cons
Not offered in every state
COUNTRY Financial
4.7
Mobile app
Bundle home & auto
Good student discount
Offers classic car insurance
Offers new car replacement
Why we chose it
COUNTRY Financial doesn’t offer car insurance everywhere, but it’s cheaper than average in the 19 states where it’s available. COUNTRY also receives very few complaints from its customers compared to other companies.
Pros and cons
Pros
Lower-than-average rates
Lots of coverage options
Low number of customer complaints
Cons
Only available in 19 states
Not rated by S&P or Moody’s
GEICO
4.7
Offers classic car insurance
Offers motorcycle insurance
Usage-based discount
Mobile app
All 50 states
Good student discount
Why we chose it
GEICO is available in every state and the District of Columbia. While GEICO doesn’t offer as many endorsements as other companies do, it has some of the cheapest car insurance rates around.
Pros and cons
Pros
Available in all 50 states
Easy-to-use digital tools
Plenty of discounts
Cons
Only sells through GEICO agents
Doesn’t underwrite its other products
NJM
4.7
Mobile app
Bundle home & auto
Good student discount
Offers gap coverage
Why we chose it
While it’s only available in Connecticut, Maryland, New Jersey, Ohio, and Pennsylvania, NJM has fantastic car insurance rates for lots of different types of drivers, as well as exceptional customer service and claims satisfaction scores.
Pros and cons
Pros
Lower-than-average rates
Offers gap coverage
Good customer service ratings
Cons
Only available in five states
Travelers
4.7
Accident forgiveness
Bundle home & auto
Usage-based discount
Offers gap coverage
Offers new car replacement
All 50 states
Coverage for rideshare drivers
Mobile app
New homebuyer discount
Why we chose it
Travelers is a good fit for drivers looking for cheaper-than-average rates and extra coverage offerings — though it doesn’t have as high a claims satisfaction score as some competitors.
Pros and cons
Pros
Offers useful add-ons like new car replacement and gap coverage
Cheaper-than-average rates
Receives few complaints for service
Cons
Has lower satisfaction ratings than competitors
Amica
4.6
Offers gap coverage
Offers new car replacement
Bundle home & auto
Mobile app
New homebuyer discount
Offers motorcycle insurance
Why we chose it
Amica scored well thanks in no small part to its outstanding customer service ratings. Amica also offers a range of coverage options, but it can be more expensive than competitors.
Pros and cons
Pros
Outstanding customer service
Wide range of coverage options, including a premium tier
Affordable rates for good drivers
Cons
Can be pricey for drivers with spotty records
Encompass
4.6
Bundle home & auto
Accident forgiveness
Offers gap coverage
Offers new car replacement
Why we chose it
Encompass’s car insurance may be more expensive than average, but it offers a wide range of useful add-ons, including accident forgiveness and gap insurance.
Pros and cons
Pros
Lots of coverage options
Long list of discounts
Good customer service
Cons
No online quote tool
No online claims filing
Not available in every state
Breaking down the best car insurance companies
While Erie has the best overall score on our analysis of cost, coverage offerings, customer service, and claims satisfaction, that doesn’t mean it’s necessarily the best car insurance company for your specific coverage needs.
The best way to find the right car insurance company for you is to shop around and compare quotes from more than one company.
Best car insurance for customizing coverage: Travelers
Best car insurance for bundling: Auto-Owners
Best car insurance after an accident: State Farm
Best usage-based car insurance: Progressive
Best car insurance for at-home workers: Nationwide
Best car insurance overall: Erie
Erie is our pick for best overall car insurance company because it combines extensive coverage options with top-notch customer service and affordable rates. One of Erie’s few downsides is that it’s only available in 12 states.
Coverage options: Erie offers extras like gap insurance, new or better car replacement, personal item coverage, rate lock after a claim, rental car reimbursement, ridesharing coverage, and roadside assistance.
Customer satisfaction ratings: Erie scored near the top of the J.D. Power Claims Satisfaction Study in 2022, but it receives slightly more complaints than average according to the National Association of Insurance Commissioners.
Price: The average cost of Erie car insurance is $98 a month or $1,181 per year, which is 29% cheaper than the national average.
State availability: District of Columbia, Illinois, Indiana, Kentucky, Maryland, New York, North Carolina, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Tennessee, Virginia, West Virginia, Wisconsin
Best car insurance for customer service: Amica
Amica is the best car insurance company for drivers who value top-rated customer service. Amica consistently earns top scores for customer satisfaction and gets fewer complaints than most of its competitors.
Coverage options: Amica offers a range of endorsements, including gap coverage, full glass coverage, new car replacement, rental reimbursement coverage, and roadside assistance.
Customer satisfaction ratings: Amica earned a score of 903 on the 2022 J.D. Power Claims Satisfaction Study, much higher than the average score of 873. Amica also receives a fewer than average number of complaints from customers, according to the National Association of Insurance Commissioners.
Price: The average cost of Amica car insurance is $144 a month or $1,723 per year, 5% more expensive than the national average.
State availability: Alabama, Alaska, Arizona, Arkansas, California, Colorado, Connecticut, Delaware, District of Columbia, Florida, Georgia, Idaho, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Kentucky, Louisiana, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Mississippi, Missouri, Montana, Nebraska, Nevada, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New Mexico, New York, North Carolina, North Dakota, Ohio, Oklahoma, Oregon, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, South Carolina, South Dakota, Tennessee, Texas, Utah, Vermont, Virginia, Washington, West Virginia, Wisconsin, Wyoming
Best car insurance for customizing coverage: Travelers
Travelers is our pick for the best car insurance company for drivers who want to customize their coverage. Travelers offers a wide range of car insurance coverage options that aren’t available everywhere, including add-ons for rideshare drivers and non-owners car insurance.
Coverage options: You can personalize your Travelers car insurance coverage with accident forgiveness, gap insurance, new car replacement, non-owners insurance, rental reimbursement, rideshare coverage, and roadside assistance coverage.
Customer satisfaction ratings: Travelers scored lower than average on the 2022 J.D. Power Claims Satisfaction and Digital Experience Studies. But Travelers receives fewer complaints than some competitors.
Price: The average cost of Travelers car insurance is $132 a month or $1,586 per year, which is 3% cheaper than the national average.
State availability: Alabama, Alaska, Arizona, Arkansas, California, Colorado, Connecticut, Delaware, District of Columbia, Florida, Georgia, Hawaii, Idaho, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Kentucky, Louisiana, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Mississippi, Missouri, Montana, Nebraska, Nevada, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New Mexico, New York, North Carolina, North Dakota, Ohio, Oklahoma, Oregon, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, South Carolina, South Dakota, Tennessee, Texas, Utah, Vermont, Virginia, Washington, West Virginia, Wisconsin, Wyoming
Best car insurance for bundling: Auto-Owners
Auto-Owners is the best car insurance company for drivers who want to bundle their home and auto insurance. The cost of a combined home and auto bundle with Auto-Owners is 12% cheaper than average. Auto-Owners also offers a common loss perk that can lower (or get rid of) your auto deductible when your home and car are damaged in the same incident.
Coverage options: Auto-Owners offers accident forgiveness, diminished value coverage, gap coverage, rental car coverage, trip interruption coverage, rental gap coverage, rental reimbursement coverage, roadside assistance coverage, and a waived deductible if you’re involved in a crash with someone who also has Auto-Owners car insurance.
Customer satisfaction ratings: Auto-Owners scored an 865 on the 2022 J.D. Power Claim Satisfaction Study, which is about average. That said, according to the NAIC, Auto-Owners receives fewer complaints than expected.
Price: The average cost of Auto-Owners car insurance is $101 a month or $1,209 per year, which is 26% cheaper than the national average.
State availability: Alabama, Arizona, Arkansas, Colorado, Florida, Georgia, Idaho, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Kentucky, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, Nebraska, North Carolina, North Dakota, Ohio, Pennsylvania, South Carolina, South Dakota, Tennessee, Utah, Virginia, Wisconsin
Best car insurance for families with teens: GEICO
GEICO is the best car insurance company for families with a newly licensed driver or a teen with their learner’s permit, thanks to its very competitive rates for young drivers. GEICO’s mobile apps and online tools also make it a good pick for families who are looking for a way to manage their policy online.
Coverage options: GEICO offers just a few coverage options besides what makes up a basic policy. These extras include mechanical breakdown coverage, rental reimbursement coverage, and roadside assistance. GEICO does not offer gap insurance.
Customer satisfaction ratings: GEICO received a score of 874 on the 2022 J.D. Power Claims Satisfaction Study, which is about average. GEICO gets more complaints than average, according to the NAIC.
Price: The average cost of GEICO car insurance for a family with a 16 to 21-year-old driver on their policy is $155 a month or $1,856 per year, which is 30% cheaper than average.
State availability: Alabama, Alaska, Arizona, Arkansas, California, Colorado, Connecticut, Delaware, District of Columbia, Florida, Georgia, Hawaii, Idaho, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Kentucky, Louisiana, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Mississippi, Missouri, Montana, Nebraska, Nevada, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New Mexico, New York, North Carolina, North Dakota, Ohio, Oklahoma, Oregon, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, South Carolina, South Dakota, Tennessee, Texas, Utah, Vermont, Virginia, Washington, West Virginia, Wisconsin, Wyoming
Best car insurance after an accident: State Farm
State Farm is the best car insurance company for drivers with an accident or other violation on their records. That’s because State Farm’s car insurance rates remain much lower than average after an at-fault accident, speeding ticket, or a DUI.
Coverage options: State Farm doesn’t offer many extra types of car insurance, but you can add rental reimbursement, rideshare coverage, and roadside assistance to a basic policy. State Farm does not offer gap insurance.
Customer satisfaction ratings: State Farm earned a score of 882 on the 2022 J.D. Power Claims Satisfaction Study — higher than the industry average of 871. State Farm scores even better on the Digital Experience Study, where it’s ranked among the best for online and mobile offerings.
Price: The average cost of State Farm car insurance after an accident is $117 a month or $1,574 per year, which is about half as expensive as the national average.
State availability: Alabama, Alaska, Arizona, Arkansas, California, Colorado, Connecticut, Delaware, District of Columbia, Florida, Georgia, Hawaii, Idaho, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Kentucky, Louisiana, Maine, Maryland, Michigan, Minnesota, Mississippi, Missouri, Montana, Nebraska, Nevada, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New Mexico, New York, North Carolina, North Dakota, Ohio, Oklahoma, Oregon, Pennsylvania, South Carolina, South Dakota, Tennessee, Texas, Utah, Vermont, Virginia, Washington, West Virginia, Wisconsin, Wyoming
Best car insurance for veterans and military families: USAA
We chose USAA as the best car insurance for drivers who are in the military or a part of a military family for its cheap rates and exceptional customer service. In fact, USAA has the lowest average car insurance rates of any company that we reviewed at just $87 per month for a full-coverage policy. That’s $594 cheaper than the national average.
Coverage options: USAA’s car insurance coverage options include gap insurance, rental reimbursement, rideshare coverage, and roadside assistance.
Customer satisfaction ratings: USAA score of 889 on the 2022 J.D. Power Claims Satisfaction Study is much higher than average, while its Digital Experience score is the second highest of any company J.D. Power reviewed.
Price: The average cost of USAA car insurance is $87 a month or $1,044 per year, which is 36% cheaper than the national average.
State availability: Alabama, Alaska, Arizona, Arkansas, California, Colorado, Connecticut, Delaware, District of Columbia, Florida, Georgia, Hawaii, Idaho, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Kentucky, Louisiana, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Mississippi, Missouri, Montana, Nebraska, Nevada, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New Mexico, New York, North Carolina, North Dakota, Ohio, Oklahoma, Oregon, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, South Carolina, South Dakota, Tennessee, Texas, Utah, Vermont, Virginia, Washington, West Virginia, Wisconsin, Wyoming
Best usage-based car insurance: Progressive
Progressive is the best car insurance company for drivers who qualify for a telematics or usage-based discount for staying safe on the road. If you’re unsure about Progressive’s Snapshot program, which tracks your driving and awards savings for safe behaviors behind the wheel, you can try it out for 30 days and see what you could save before you sign up.
Coverage options: Progressive lets drivers personalize their car insurance with custom parts coverage, gap insurance, a lower deductible for every claim-free policy period, pet injury protection, rental car reimbursement, rideshare coverage, and roadside assistance.
Customer satisfaction ratings: Progressive scored an 861 on the 2022 J.D. Power Claims Satisfaction Study — lower than the industry average of 871. But Progressive did better on the Digital Experience Study, where it placed third best.
Price: The average cost of Progressive car insurance with Snapshot is $70 a month or $840 per year, which is 53% cheaper than the national average.
State availability: Alabama, Alaska, Arizona, Arkansas, California, Colorado, Connecticut, Delaware, District of Columbia, Florida, Georgia, Hawaii, Idaho, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Kentucky, Louisiana, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Mississippi, Missouri, Montana, Nebraska, Nevada, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New Mexico, New York, North Carolina, North Dakota, Ohio, Oklahoma, Oregon, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, South Carolina, South Dakota, Tennessee, Texas, Utah, Vermont, Virginia, Washington, West Virginia, Wisconsin, Wyoming
Best car insurance for remote workers: Nationwide
The best car insurance company for remote workers is Nationwide, since they can take advantage of its low-mileage car insurance program, SmartMiles. Nationwide’s SmartMiles, which bases your rates on how much you drive, is available in every state, comes with a 10% discount, and has a pricing structure that allows drivers to take long trips without fear of getting overcharged.
Coverage options: You can add a lot of extra coverage options to your Nationwide car insurance policy, including accident forgiveness, gap insurance, rental reimbursement coverage, roadside assistance, total loss damage waiver, and a vanishing deductible for every year you go without a claim.
Customer satisfaction ratings: Nationwide’s score on the 2022 J.D. Power Claims Satisfaction Study is nearly identical to the national average. Nationwide also receives fewer complaints than expected, according to the NAIC.
Price: The average cost of Nationwide car insurance is $121 a month or $1,475 per year, which is 10% cheaper than the national average.
State availability: Alabama, Arizona, Arkansas, California, Colorado, Connecticut, Delaware, District of Columbia, Florida, Georgia, Idaho, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Maine, Maryland, Michigan, Minnesota, Mississippi, Missouri, Montana, Nebraska, Nevada, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New Mexico, North Dakota, Ohio, Oregon, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, South Carolina, South Dakota, Tennessee, Texas, Utah, Vermont, Virginia, Washington, West Virginia, Wisconsin, Wyoming
Best car insurance for luxury vehicles: AIG
If you have a high-value or luxury car, AIG is the best car insurance company for you. That’s because AIG has lots of experience insuring high-value property (including high-value homes and yachts), and offers a handful of speciality endorsements and very high levels of liability coverage.
Coverage options: Drivers can insure their luxury or collectible cars with AIG’s $1 million liability limits, agreed value appraisement, and cash settlement options.
Customer satisfaction ratings: AIG only receives a fraction of the expected complaints, according to the NAIC, indicating solid customer service. AIG wasn’t ranked by J.D. Power for claims satisfaction, though.
Price: The average cost of AIG car insurance is $267 a month or $3,210 per year, 95% more expensive than the national average.
State availability: Alabama, Alaska, Arizona, Arkansas, California, Colorado, Connecticut, Delaware, District of Columbia, Florida, Georgia, Hawaii, Idaho, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Louisiana, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Mississippi, Missouri, Montana, Nebraska, Nevada, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New Mexico, New York, North Carolina, North Dakota, Ohio, Oklahoma, Oregon, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, South Carolina, South Dakota, Tennessee, Texas, Utah, Vermont, Virginia, Washington, West Virginia, Wisconsin, Wyoming
List of the best auto insurance companies
Best car insurance overall: Erie
Best car insurance for customer service: Amica
Best car insurance for customizing coverage: Travelers
Best car insurance for bundling: Auto-Owners
Best car insurance for families with teens: GEICO
Best car insurance after an accident: State Farm
Best car insurance for veterans and military families: USAA
Best usage-based car insurance: Progressive
Best car insurance for remote workers: Nationwide
Best car insurance for luxury vehicles: AIG
Our in-depth reviews of the best car insurance companies
Here’s a full list of our top car insurance company ratings, along with each company’s average rates and customer service scores (which were based on ratings from the J.D. Power Auto Claims Satisfaction Survey and NAIC Complaint Index).
policycentral rating | Average premium | AM Best Financial Strength Rating | J.D. Power Claims Satisfaction | NAIC Complaint Index | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
5.0 out of 5 | $1,044 | A++ | 890 | 1.02 | |
4.9 out of 5 | $1,181 | A+ | 893 | 1.27 | |
4.8 out of 5 | $1,141 | A++ | 882 | 0.67 | |
4.7 out of 5 | $1,574 | A+ | 903 | 0.66 | |
4.7 out of 5 | $1,165 | A++ | 865 | 0.66 | |
4.7 out of 5 | $1,416 | A+ | NA | 0.14 | |
4.7 out of 5 | NA | A+ | NA | 0.97 | |
4.7 out of 5 | $1,192 | A++ | 874 | 1.07 | |
4.7 out of 5 | $1,262 | A+ | 896 | 0.06 | |
4.7 out of 5 | $1,351 | A++ | 854 | 0.37 | |
4.6 out of 5 | $1,040 | A | NA | 0.22 | |
4.5 out of 5 | $1,526 | A+ | NA | 0.17 | |
4.5 out of 5 | $689 | A | NA | 0.51 | |
4.4 out of 5 | $2,084 | A | 882 | 0.81 | |
4.4 out of 5 | $1,780 | A+ | 861 | 0.65 | |
4.4 out of 5 | $1,041 | A | NA | 0.10 | |
4.3 out of 5 | $1,479 | A | 874 | 0.16 | |
4.3 out of 5 | $1,475 | A+ | 868 | 0.39 | |
4.2 out of 5 | $2,055 | A+ | 889 | 0.73 | |
4.2 out of 5 | $1,405 | A | 865 | 0.76 | |
4.1 out of 5 | $1,923 | A | 870 | 1.18 | |
4.0 out of 5 | $1,341 | A- | NA | 0.00 | |
3.9 out of 5 | $1,987 | A- | NA | 1.18 | |
3.8 out of 5 | $959 | B | NA | 1.04 | |
3.7 out of 5 | $2,134 | A | 847 | 0.64 | |
3.5 out of 5 | $1,898 | A+ | 838 | 5.57 | |
3.3 out of 5 | $2,577 | A | 830 | 0.71 | |
3.1 out of 5 | $916 | NA | NA | 1.79 | |
2.9 out of 5 | $1,967 | NA | NA | 0.00 |
Companies ordered from highest to lowest policycentral scores
Comparing the best car insurance companies
If you’ve narrowed your search down to a couple of companies, check out our car insurance reviews and compare companies directly.
Best car insurance by state
The best car insurance company for you can depend on where you live. Some of the best-reviewed auto insurance companies (like COUNTRY, Wawanesa, and others) only offer coverage in a few states.
Your rates also depend on lots of factors, especially where you live — costs can even change depending on your city and ZIP code. We found the best company in each state for full-coverage insurance and compared it with the average rate in that state.
Best company | Monthly rate at best company | Average statewide rate | |
|---|---|---|---|
Travelers | $83 | $144 | |
GEICO | $77 | $116 | |
Auto-Owners | $76 | $133 | |
State Farm | $80 | $147 | |
Wawanesa | $80 | $153 | |
American National | $70 | $154 | |
GEICO | $68 | $155 | |
State Farm | $97 | $179 | |
GEICO | $85 | $150 | |
State Farm | $134 | $233 | |
Auto-Owners | $88 | $135 | |
GEICO | $65 | $101 | |
American National | $41 | $91 | |
Pekin | $56 | $111 | |
State Farm | $59 | $101 | |
State Farm | $59 | $97 | |
GEICO | $76 | $128 | |
GEICO | $97 | $182 | |
State Farm | $124 | $211 | |
Auto-Owners | $51 | $91 | |
GEICO | $67 | $149 | |
GEICO | $85 | $129 | |
GEICO | $89 | $202 | |
State Farm | $80 | $118 | |
National General | $75 | $139 | |
State Farm | $62 | $132 | |
State Farm | $71 | $158 | |
Auto-Owners | $86 | $135 | |
GEICO | $96 | $183 | |
State Farm | $56 | $107 | |
GEICO | $84 | $185 | |
State Farm | $72 | $122 | |
Kemper | $79 | $171 | |
Erie | $62 | $90 | |
State Farm | $64 | $117 | |
State Farm | $59 | $84 | |
State Farm | $79 | $143 | |
State Farm | $71 | $120 | |
State Farm | $81 | $139 | |
State Farm | $79 | $153 | |
American National | $57 | $168 | |
State Farm | $93 | $124 | |
State Farm | $68 | $111 | |
Farm Bureau | $87 | $152 | |
GEICO | $82 | $130 | |
State Farm | $52 | $87 | |
State Farm | $70 | $112 | |
PEMCO | $76 | $144 | |
State Farm | $72 | $135 | |
GEICO | $57 | $92 | |
American National | $62 | $116 |
Simple guides to finding the best auto insurance
What are the different types of car insurance?
All of our picks for the top car insurance companies have the basic coverage that every driver needs in order to be fully protected. It’s a good idea to get familiar with the different types of car insurance coverage before you start shopping, so you know exactly what’s going into your policy.
Coverage type | What it does |
|---|---|
Property damage liability | Covers the cost of the other party's repairs if you're at-fault in a car accident |
Bodily injury liability | Pays for the other party's medical bills and related expenses if you cause an accident |
Uninsured/underinsured motorist coverage | Covers the costs if you're hit by a driver without insurance, or who doesn't have enough insurance to pay for the damage |
Collision coverage | Pays for damage to your own car after an accident, even if you were the one at-fault |
Comprehensive coverage | Covers damage to your car not caused by a collision, like damage from extreme weather, fire or theft |
Personal injury protection | Required in no-fault states, pays for your own medical expenses after an accident |
MedPay | Available in at-fault states, pays for medical bills after an accident, usually up to a limited amount |
→ Learn more about the different types of car insurance coverage
Common car insurance endorsements
Nearly every car insurance company — and all of our picks for the best companies — offers optional coverage add-ons (called endorsements) that drivers can add to a basic policy.
Accident forgiveness: Sometimes offered as a loyalty perk, this keeps your rates from going up after your first at-fault accident.
Classic car coverage: This is a separate kind of car insurance policy specifically designed for classic cars, which need unique coverage thanks to their speciality parts and infrequent use.
Gap coverage: Gap insurance helps pay off the remainder of your lease or loan if your car is totaled (it may be required by your lessor or lender).
Full glass coverage: Waives the deductible for repairs if your windows or windshield are cracked or damaged (in some states, you never pay a deductible on safety glass repairs)
Mechanical breakdown protection: While it excludes normal wear and tear, mechanical breakdown protection covers the cost of repairs that aren’t normally covered by insurance, like when your engine, brakes, or suspension has issues.
New or better car replacement coverage: When you have new or better car replacement and your vehicle is totaled within the first few years of its life, you’ll be paid enough to replace it with the same model, or a car that’s one model year younger.
Non-owner insurance coverage: Not exactly an endorsement, this type of car insurance is for people who frequently use friends’ cars or rentals for short periods of time but don’t have a vehicle of their own.
Original equipment manufacturer parts coverage: Usually available for newer vehicles, OEM coverage ensures that any repairs to your vehicle will use original parts from the manufacturer wherever possible.
Custom equipment coverage: Aftermarket additions to your car, like a fancy stereo system or a custom paint job, won’t be covered by insurance unless you add a custom equipment endorsement.
Rental reimbursement coverage: Covers the cost of temporary transportation, like a rental or a taxi, while your regular car is being repaired after a covered accident.
Rideshare insurance coverage: Extends your regular car insurance coverage if you drive for a rideshare service like Uber or Lyft.
Roadside assistance coverage: Covers emergency roadside services like towing, jumpstarts, lockout help, and transportation if you’re stranded.
What affects your car insurance rates?
Although auto insurance companies charge different rates — and some are better than others for certain drivers — most of the time companies determine rates according to:
While it’s true that companies use these factors when they calculate your car insurance, local laws where you live might keep insurance providers from using certain factors, like your gender or credit history, to determine your rates.
How much does car insurance cost?
The average driver pays $1,638 a month for car insurance, but it’s possible to find cheaper rates, especially if you shop around.
Here’s how much a full-coverage car insurance policy costs at our top 10 car insurance companies:
Average cost per month | Average cost per year | |
|---|---|---|
$87 | $1,044 | |
$95 | $1,141 | |
$97 | $1,165 | |
$98 | $1,181 | |
$99 | $1,192 | |
$105 | $1,262 | |
$113 | $1,351 | |
$118 | $1,416 | |
$131 | $1,574 |
How to find the best car insurance rates
The easiest way to find the best car insurance rates is by comparing quotes from a few companies before you buy a policy. Shopping around, even if you already have car insurance, can keep your rates lower over time.
Here are some other ways to help get better car insurance rates:
Bundle your insurance: Get your auto insurance and your home, condo, or life insurance from the same company and save.
Get the right amount of coverage: If you have two cars but one is old, you may not need full-coverage on both.
Drive safely: Avoid accidents and violations on the road and you’ll get better rates
Pay annually instead of monthly: Most car insurance companies offer a “paid in full” discount if you pay for the whole thing at the start of your policy.
Sign up for usage-based discounts: Many companies offer programs where you share information about your driving through an app or in-car device and earn savings for safe driving.
Make sure your insurance company has the right information: If your rates have gone up recently, check with your insurance company that it’s got accurate information about your vehicle usage and mileage, in case you’re being overcharged.
Switch companies when it’s time to renew: Don’t automatically renew your car insurance before comparing quotes to see if there’s a better deal out there.
What do people look for in the best car insurance company?
A 2022 policycentral survey asked 1,500 drivers what the most important factors were when choosing an auto insurance company. The largest percentage (27%) said that claims satisfaction scores were the number one factor in choosing car insurance.
We also found that having a bad claims experience is the main reason why policyholders would decide to switch to a new policy.
Behind claims satisfaction, 17% of drivers wanted the ability to bundle more than one policy. Another 17% said that cheap coverage was the most important factor when choosing a car insurance company.
Car insurance trends in 2024
A mix of factors over the past few years has led to more expensive car insurance rates, and drivers are increasingly looking to switch companies to avoid the price crunch and save money.
According to a 2023 J.D. Power report on car insurance shopping trends, high numbers of drivers were interested in shopping around in 2023, thanks in part to rate increases. And more drivers are looking into usage-based insurance (UBI) as a way to save money — according to J.D. Power, UBI was offered to to 22% of car-insurance shoppers and purchased 18% of the time.
Read more about what policycentral has written about the car insurance landscape:
Auto Insurance Affordability Survey
We surveyed insured drivers on whether they were worried about being able to afford their insurance and found that 40% are worried, including 55% of younger drivers.
2022 Road Rage Survey
We polled Americans on aggressive driving and found that 3 in 10 people have been victims of road rage, while 48% of people have driven aggressively themselves.
The Best and Worst States to Own an Electric Vehicle
Our rankings take into account local tax incentives, EV ownership, charging stations, and electricity and insurance costs.
How to choose the best car insurance company
We connect you to some of the biggest auto insurance providers to make it easy to find your best car insurance company — whether you’re shopping for your first policy or you need to switch companies because your coverage needs have changed.
While you’re looking for the best car insurance company for you, the questions that you should ask are:
1. Do this company’s rates fit into my budget?
According to recent income data from the Census Bureau, car insurance may take up more than 2% of the typical household income. [1] But other groups like senior-aged drivers, who can live on on a fixed income, may pay an even larger part of their earnings on insurance.
2. Is it easy to file a claim with this company?
You can get a sense of a company’s customer service and claims fulfillment from our auto insurance guides, rankings, and reviews. Customer service is important, since it won’t matter how cheap a company is if it’s unresponsive or combative when it comes time to actually file a claim for damage.
3. Does this company offer the protection I need?
The best auto insurance company for you should offer the right amount of coverage for your needs. You may need more car insurance if you:
Need to insure more than one vehicle: If you have multiple vehicles at home, you might need to find a company that’s willing to insure them all together.
Have a teenage driver at home: Teen drivers are expensive to insure, so look for a company that offers usage-based car insurance or special discounts for new drivers.
Have a history of accidents, tickets, or other violations: You may need high-risk or non-standard insurance if you have past violations on your record, like multiple accidents or a DUI.
Drive a leased or financed vehicle: A lessor or lender will require you to get full-coverage insurance or gap coverage, and sometimes even new car replacement coverage.
What is the best place to get car insurance?
Our top car insurance companies include Erie, GEICO, State Farm, and Progressive. But no matter which company you choose, the best place to get car insurance is online.
That’s because getting online quotes from a marketplace like policycentral is the best way to see the most competitive car insurance rates from large and small car insurance companies, all at the same time.
What car insurance discounts are available with the top companies?
All the best car insurance companies have at least a few discounts available. You should compare the discounts each company offers and look out for the ones that apply to you.
Safety discounts offered by the best companies
Accident-free discount: If you’re accident-free and have a clean record for a certain amount of time, you can earn major savings.
Offered by: Amica, Auto-Owners, GEICO, Nationwide, Progressive, State Farm, Travelers, USAA
Defensive driving course discount: Most car insurance companies offer discounts to drivers who complete accredited driving safety courses.
Offered by: Amica, GEICO, Nationwide, State Farm, Travelers
Driver discounts offered by the best companies
Affinity or employment discount: You may be able to get an insurance discount if a professional organization, alumni association, bank or credit union, or another group your employer partners with a specific company.
Offered by: GEICO, Travelers
Child of a legacy insured: Get a discount if your parents have a car insurance policy with the same company.
Offered by: Amica
Emergency deployment discount: Receive a discount if you’re deployed and won’t be driving.
Offered by: GEICO, USAA
Good student discount: Full-time students who keep up a high grade point average can qualify for lower car insurance rates.
Offered by: Amica, Auto-Owners, Erie, GEICO, Nationwide, Progressive, Travelers, USAA
Homeowner discount: Own a home and receive a discount on your car insurance.
Offered by: Amica, Progressive, Travelers
Military discount: Receive a discount if you’re a member of the military, a veteran, or a part of a military family.
Offered by: GEICO, USAA*
Student away-from-home: Parents or guardians get a discount if a young driver on their policy attends school more than 100 miles away from home and doesn’t have a car with them.
Offered by: Amica, Auto-Owners, Progressive, Travelers
Vehicle discounts offered by the best companies
Anti-theft system discount: Most insurance companies offer a range of discounts for having different types of safety and security equipment in your car.
Offered by: Amica, Auto-Owners, Erie, GEICO, Nationwide, State Farm
Hybrid/EV discount: Receive a lower rate for insuring an electric vehicle.
Offered by: Travelers
New car discount: Insure a new car and get a discounted rate.
Offered by: Amica, Travelers, USAA
Policy discounts offered by the best companies
Automatic payments discount: If you opt to pay your premiums automatically, you’ll save money.
Offered by: Amica, Auto-Owners, Nationwide, Progressive
Bundling discount: Bundling your car insurance policy with another type of coverage can earn you a big discount at most companies.
Offered by: Amica, Auto-Owners, Erie, GEICO, Nationwide, Progressive, State Farm, Travelers, USAA
Electronic billing discount: Receive an electronic statement instead of a paper bill and get a discount.
Offered by: Amica, Auto-Owners, Nationwide, Progressive
Loyalty discount: You can earn lower rates for renewing your policy with the same company year after year.
Offered by: Amica, Travelers, USAA
Multi-vehicle discount: Most companies offer a multi-car discount for insuring two or more cars on the same policy.
Offered by: Amica, Auto-Owners, GEICO, Progressive, State Farm, Travelers
Online quote discount: Request a quote online and get a discount on your final rate.
Offered by: Auto-Owners, Progressive, Travelers
Paid-in-full discount: Most companies offer a paid-in-full discount to drivers who pay their entire premium at the start of the policy.
Offered by: Amica, Auto-Owners, Erie, Progressive, Travelers
Usage-based discounts offered by the best companies
If you sign up for usage-based car insurance, what you pay will depend on your driving habits. You may have to agree to sharing data about your driving with your insurance company using an app or electronic device, or you may have to log your miles manually.
GEICO: DriveEasy
Erie: YourTurn
Nationwide: SmartRide
Progressive: Snapshot
State Farm: Drive Safe & Save
Travelers: IntelliDrive
USAA: SafePilot
Frequently asked questions
What is the number one car insurance company in the US?
State Farm is the number one car insurance company in the country according to size. State Farm has more than 16% of the market share in the US and it ranks ahead of GEICO, Allstate, USAA, Progressive, and others.
Which insurance company has the highest customer satisfaction rating?
USAA consistently has the highest claims satisfaction rating of any car insurance company, according to J.D. Power. Besides USAA, Amica and State Farm have high claims satisfaction scores.
What are the main types of auto coverage?
The main types of car insurance are bodily injury and property damage liability coverage, uninsured motorist coverage, personal injury protection, and medical payments coverage. Comprehensive and collision coverage, which make up a full-coverage policy are also very common.
Are big car insurance companies better?
Not necessarily. While small car insurance companies may not have the online presence or coverage options of some larger insurance companies, they may have better customer service and lower prices than larger competitors.
