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Icon CheckLast updated: October 9, 2024

The Best Car Insurance Companies of 2024

State Farm, GEICO, Allstate, Erie, and USAA are among the top companies according to our research.

Best Overall for Price and Coverage
State Farm Logo

Full Coverage Averages
• Annual Premium: $1,697
• Monthly Premium: $141

Read our State Farm review.
Easy claims process
High-quality customer service
X No accident forgiveness

Cheapest Widely Available
Geico Logo

Full Coverage Averages
• Annual Premium: $1,572
• Monthly Premium: $131

Read our GEICO review.
Low premiums
Good rates for bad credit
X Costly rates with DUI

Best for Bundling Home and Auto
Allstate Logo 2023

Full Coverage Averages
• Annual Premium: $2,639
• Monthly Premium: $220

Read our Allstate review.
Save up to 25% with bundling
X Higher rates

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Looking for the best auto insurance? Our team of experts researched hundreds of carriers and identified the top 10 auto insurance providers to make your shopping process easier. We assess providers on factors like price, claims servicing, coverage options, and customer satisfaction. For each provider, we use industry research, pricing data, and experience from real-life customers to inform our review.

We ranked State Farm number one overall for its competitive pricing that doesn’t compromise on customer service and claims. GEICO also received top marks as one of the best cheap auto insurance companies. For those looking to bundle home and auto insurance, we recommend Allstate. Providers Erie and USAA – whose availability are limited by region and military affiliation respectively – are also excellent options for those who qualify.

When it comes to car insurance providers, there’s no one-size-fits-all. If you have a spotty driving history, check out the best auto insurance companies for a bad record. Families with young drivers can find the best auto insurance for teens.  Ride a motorcycle? See our top insurance picks for motorcycles.

Editor’s note: We updated this article on April 30, 2024, with new info on carriers based on the latest research, pricing data, and market conditions.

Car on a computer screenKey Takeaways

  1. State Farm – Best Overall Auto Insurance for Quality and Affordability
    Known for its easy claims process and commitment to customer satisfaction, State Farm offers high-quality coverage at reasonable costs.
  2. GEICO – Best Cheap Auto Insurance
    Available in all 50 states and D.C., GEICO has some of the cheapest, most widely available insurance on the market.
  3. Allstate – Best Auto Insurance for Bundling Home and Auto
    With a great bundling discount and wide availability, Allstate is our top choice for insuring your car and home together.

10 Best Auto Insurance Companies of 2024

  1. 1.

    Best Overall for Quality and Affordability: State Farm

  2. 2.

    Cheapest Car Insurance Rates: GEICO

  3. 3.

    Best for Bundling Home and Auto: Allstate

  4. 4.

    Best for Military: USAA

  5. 5.

    Best for Full Coverage: Erie

  6. 6.

    Best for Families With Young Drivers: Auto-Owners

  7. 7.

    Best for Mileage-Based Insurance: Nationwide

  8. 8.

    Best for Customer Satisfaction: Amica

  9. 9.

    Best for High-Risk Drivers: Progressive

  10. 10.

    Best for Seniors: AARP

Comparison of the Best Auto Insurance of 2024

Company Best for Average annual premium for full coverage Average annual premium for minimum coverage J.D. Power Claims Satisfaction score
(industry average is 873 out of 1,000)1
States available
State Farm Quality coverage for price $1,697 $482 891 48 and D.C. (no longer selling new policies in MA or RI)
GEICO Affordability and availability $1,572 $413 871 All and D.C.
Allstate Bundling home and auto $2,639 $597 882 All and D.C.
Erie Full coverage $1,495 $483 902 (#2 overall) 12: IL, IN, KY, MD, NY, NC, OH, PA, TN, VA, WV, WI, and D.C.
USAA Military $1,322 $356 900 All and D.C.
Auto-Owners Families with young drivers $1,643 $386 888 26: AL, AZ, AR, CO, FL, GA, ID, IL, IN, IA, KS, KY, MI, MN, MO, NE, NC, ND, OH, PA, SC, SD, TN, UT, VA, and WI
Nationwide Mileage-based insurance $1,805 $613 875 46 and D.C. (all except AK, HI, LA, and MA)
Amica Customer satisfaction $2,283 $854 909 (#1 overall) 49 and D.C. (all except Hawaii)
Progressive Bad driving records $1,891 $481 870 All and D.C.
Hartford (AARP) Seniors $2,316 $735 877 All and D.C.

Detailed List of the Best Auto Insurance Companies of 2024

1. Best Overall for Quality and Affordability - State Farm

What We Like Most:

  • Multiple discounts for safe driving, including one specifically for young drivers
  • Local agents
  • Discounts for multiple cars

State Farm offers all of the standard coverage options, as well as a few extras like rideshare insurance — and you can manage your policy with a user-friendly mobile app. An A++ rating for financial stability from AM Best and an above-average score for claims satisfaction from J.D. Power make it a reliable and affordable provider.

ProsWho It's Best For
  • pro
    Most drivers
  • pro
    Young drivers and their families
  • pro
    Rideshare drivers
  • pro
    Drivers with an at-fault accident
ConsWho It's Not Best For
  • con
    People who need gap insurance or new car coverage
  • con
    Customers who want to purchase their policy online

State Farm Driving Discounts and Competitive Rates

One way State Farm is able to keep rates low is by offering a number of auto insurance discounts. Depending on where you live, you might be able to save by:

  • Remaining accident- and violation-free
  • Maintaining good grades if you’re a student, or keeping your vehicle at home while away at college
  • Taking a driver education course if you’re under 21
  • Insuring multiple vehicles in your household
  • Purchasing another type of policy, like home or renters insurance
  • Having a vehicle with an anti-theft device or certain safety features
  • Renewing your policy with State Farm for at least three years

Reasonable Rates for Drivers With an At-Fault Accident

On average, the cost of auto insurance after an accident increases by about 30 percent for three to five years. State Farm’s rates increase by an average of only 28 percent, making it a good choice for drivers with an at-fault accident on their record.

Coverage for Rideshare Drivers

If you use your vehicle for a rideshare or delivery service like Uber, Lyft, or DoorDash, it’s wise to purchase rideshare coverage. State Farm is one of the best options for rideshare drivers, due to its strong protections and availability. Many major insurers offer rideshare coverage only in a handful of states, but with State Farm, you can add it to your policy everywhere except Alaska, Hawaii, Illinois, Massachusetts, North Carolina, Rhode Island, and South Dakota.

2. Cheapest Car Insurance Rates - GEICO

What We Like Most:

  • Save money with defensive driving courses
  • Cheapest rates after a speeding ticket
  • Save by installing safety equipment

GEICO has some of the cheapest auto insurance prices in the country, especially if you live in New York or New Jersey. Unlike State Farm, which has a wide agent network, GEICO conducts most of its business online. If budget is top of mind for you, consider GEICO as your car insurance provider.

ProsWho It's Best For
  • pro
    Drivers on a budget
  • pro
    Federal employees, seniors, and students
  • pro
    People with bad credit
  • pro
    Drivers with a speeding ticket
ConsWho It's Not Best For
  • con
    People with a DUI
  • con
    Customers who want to bundle insurance policies

Low Premiums for Drivers on a Budget

While no single insurance provider will be the cheapest for absolutely everybody, GEICO is a good bet for most drivers. With an average annual cost of $1,572 for full coverage, GEICO is the cheapest large service provider available in all 50 states and D.C. However, expect lower prices in states like Maine and higher prices in states like Louisiana, where car insurance is more expensive in general.

Save More With GEICO Discounts

GEICO stands out for offering a number of discounts:

Available GEICO discount Potential savings
Defensive driving or driver education course Varies
Good student 15%
Five years accident-free 22%
Emergency military deployment 25%
Federal employee 12%
Military 15%
Other affiliation Varies
Multi-vehicle 25%
Bundling Varies
Air bag 23%
Anti-lock brakes 5%
Anti-theft system 23%
Daytime running lights 3%
New vehicle (3 years old or newer) 15%

Good Rates for Drivers With Bad Credit

Drivers with bad credit pay more for auto insurance, an average of 72 percent more, to about 3,315 annually for full coverage. GEICO’s rates increase to only $2,554 – 30 percent less than the national average – it is a solid choice for those with a low credit score.

3. Best for Bundling Home and Auto - Allstate

What We Like Most:

  • Three ways to earn a student discount
  • Pay-per-mile option for drivers with low mileage
  • No waiting period to purchase accident forgiveness

For people who own their home, Allstate is a great choice because it offers strong bundling and homeowners discounts. It also stands out as one of the two major insurers on our list to offer pay-per-mile insurance — and is unique for the ability to insure multiple cars on the same policy that are either pay-per-mile or traditional unlimited mileage. Its rates are on the higher side, especially compared to companies like USAA, Erie, or GEICO.

ProsWho It's Best For
  • pro
    People who own their home
  • pro
    Low-mileage drivers
  • pro
    New and teen drivers
  • pro
    Safe drivers
ConsWho It's Not Best For
  • con
    Customers looking for the absolute lowest rates
  • con
    Drivers with a DUI or speeding ticket

Easy to Bundle

Allstate makes it easy to bundle home and auto policies, whether you’re a homeowner, renter, or condo owner. You’ll save the most if you’re a homeowner — up to 25 percent.

Pay-Per-Mile Option

Along with Nationwide, Allstate is one of the only major insurers on our list to offer pay-per-mile insurance, called Milewise. You’ll pay a base daily rate, plus a per-mile rate based on how much you drive. If you take a road trip, Allstate caps daily mileage charges at 250 miles.

Milewise is available in the following states: Arizona, Delaware, Idaho, Illinois, Indiana, Maryland, Minnesota, Missouri, Ohio, Oklahoma, Oregon, Pennsylvania, South Carolina, Virginia, Washington, West Virginia, and Wisconsin.

Heads up: as of 2024, Milewise is no longer available in Florida, Massachusetts, New Jersey, or Texas.

Multiple Paths to a Student Discount

Many providers require students to hold a B average (3.0 GPA) or higher to qualify for a student discount. Not only does Allstate have a lower grade threshold, but it also offers two alternate paths to the discount for young drivers who are not full-time students. Drivers qualify if they are under age 25, unmarried, and fulfill just one of the following criteria:

  • Full-time student with a B-minus average (2.7 GPA) or higher
  • Complete the teenSMART driver education program, available to Allstate customers at a discounted rate of $69.95
  • Attend school at least 100 miles away from home and don’t take their car

Between its pay-per-mile option and multiple paths to a student discount, Allstate may be a good choice for college students who take their vehicle to school.

4. Best for Military - USAA

What We Like Most:

  • Cheapest rates for teens on a family policy or on their own
  • Special discount for teens transitioning off their parents’ policy
  • Strong customer service and claims process

USAA offers financial services like insurance, banking, and investment advice for members and veterans of the U.S. military, pre-commissioned officers, and their spouses and children. If you qualify, USAA is a great choice — offering the cheapest car insurance rates of our top picks along with exceptional customer service. It’s the only provider on our list available exclusively to those affiliated with the U.S. military.

FYI:

USAA membership is completely free.

ProsWho It's Best For
  • pro
    Military members, veterans, and their families
  • pro
    Young drivers and their families
  • pro
    Customers who plan to purchase roadside service
  • pro
    Classic car owners
ConsWho It's Not Best For
  • con
    People not affiliated with the U.S. military

Extensive Discounts

USAA has various car insurance discounts available, including the following:

  • 10 percent off for bundling home and auto
  • 10 percent off if your parents also have a USAA car insurance policy
  • 3 percent off for setting up automatic payments
  • Up to 15 percent off for garaging your car on a military base
  • Up to 60 percent off for putting your car in storage if you’re deployed
  • Discount for teen drivers who maintain good grades
  • Discount for driving fewer miles
  • Discount for having two or more vehicles on a policy

These discounts make USAA a great choice whether you’re the parent of a teen driver, deployed overseas, or the child of veteran parents.

Coverage for All Vehicle Types

Aside from regular cars, USAA also offers insurance for these vehicles:

In many cases, insuring more than one vehicle on a policy will get you a discount.

Domestic and International Insurance

If you have to go overseas for a permanent change of station (PCS), USAA will not make you cancel your policy. Instead, the company will protect your car while you’re away, offering liability coverage, personal injury protection, and vehicle storage. USAA also offers information about moving abroad and returning to the U.S. for the following countries:

  • Azores
  • Belgium
  • Cuba
  • France
  • Germany
  • Greece
  • Guam
  • Italy
  • The Netherlands
  • Portugal
  • Puerto Rico
  • South Korea
  • Spain
  • U.S. Virgin Islands
  • United Kingdom 
5. Best for Full Coverage - Erie
Erie Insurance Logo

What We Like Most:

  • Low rates for teen drivers on a family policy
  • High claims and customer service satisfaction
  • Rate Lock options prevent premium increases, even after an accident

We like Erie for its low prices, solid claims satisfaction ratings, and additional benefits for those who plan to purchase full-coverage auto insurance. Unlike the major providers, which operate in nearly every state, Erie’s main downside is that it’s available in only 12 states and D.C.

ProsWho It's Best For
  • pro
    Drivers who plan to purchase full coverage
  • pro
    Customers concerned about rising insurance costs
  • pro
    People who want accident forgiveness
  • pro
    People who live in Illinois, Indiana, Kentucky, Maryland, New York, North Carolina, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Tennessee, Virginia, West Virginia, Wisconsin, or the District of Columbia
ConsWho It's Not Best For
  • con
    Drivers with an at-fault accident
  • con
    Drivers with a DUI

Highly Competitive Prices

Erie offers the lowest rates among our top picks (with the exception of USAA, which is available only to military customers), with the average cost of a full coverage policy coming in at $1,238 annually. The company doesn’t compromise on quality of service, holding a score of 902 out of 1,000 for claims satisfaction from J.D. Power — the second highest behind Amica.

Lock in Your Rates

Since 2021,  auto insurance rates have been on the rise, increasing by over 20 percent from 2023 to 2024 (the previous year, rates rose by over 15 percent).2

Erie offers a unique feature called Rate Lock, which keeps your premium stable year after year. If you add this feature to your policy, your premium will increase only if you move or change the vehicles or drivers on your policy. If you change your coverages, your policy will reflect only that adjustment.

Rate Lock protects you not only from inflation and market fluctuations, but also from increases due to accidents or speeding tickets. Keep in mind that Rate Lock doesn’t guarantee coverage, meaning Erie can refuse to renew your policy in the event of a serious violation like a DUI.

Additional Perks

When you add comprehensive coverage to your Erie policy, you get the following additional benefits:

  • Glass repair and wiper blades: If your windshield is replaced, Erie provides glass repair with no deductible and supplies a new set of wiper blades.
  • Locksmith service: If you lock your keys in your car, Erie reimburses you for locksmith services up to $75.
  • Personal items coverage: Erie offers coverage of up to $350 for personal items like clothing and luggage inside the insured vehicle. Most auto policies do not include coverage for personal items. This option is also available with Erie’s collision insurance.

Erie’s Auto Plus package, available for $35 per year, also includes a range of benefits:

  • Extended rental car coverage: Additional days of rental car coverage are provided after an accident.
  • Death benefit: In the event a covered accident results in death, Erie provides a death benefit of $10,000 per person.
  • Deductible waiver: Erie waives the deductible on your auto policy in certain situations.
  • Enhanced coverage limits: Erie provides higher limits for specific coverage aspects, such as locksmith costs and personal items.
6. Best for Families With Young Drivers - Auto-Owners
Auto-Owners Insurance logo

What We Like Most:

  • Low premiums for adding a teen to a policy
  • Good rates even after an accident
  • Discount for GPS monitoring

Operating in 26 states, Auto-Owners Insurance stands out for its reasonable rates for teen drivers on a family policy, bundling discount, and policy add-ons.

ProsWho It's Best For
  • pro
    Drivers under age 25 and their families
  • pro
    People who need gap insurance
  • pro
    Drivers with an at-fault accident
  • pro
    Customers with a new vehicle
ConsWho It's Not Best For
  • con
    People with bad credit
  • con
    People who need an SR-22

Low Premiums for Families With Teens

The cost of adding a teen driver to a policy can be $2,500 to $3,000 annually (and sometimes more), making teens some of the most expensive drivers to insure. On average, adding a teen to an Auto-Owners policy costs $1,841 annually ($153 monthly), making it one of the cheapest providers for families with teens.

The company also offers the following discounts for teen drivers:

  • Good student discount, up to 20 percent off for drivers under 25 who maintain a B average (3.0) GPA or higher
  • Away at school discount, for students who attend university at least 100 miles away and keep their car at home
  • GPS monitoring discount, for attaching a GPS device to the vehicle a teen uses most or if the teen has an eligible tracking app on their phone

New-Vehicle Coverage Options

Auto-Owners offers a couple of coverage options that benefit customers with new vehicles:

  • Loan or lease gap: Covers the difference between the actual cash value of the vehicle and the amount remaining on the loan or lease in the event of a total loss.
  • Diminished value coverage: After an accident, your car may lose value even if it’s fully repaired. This coverage pays for the difference in value when you trade in your car, making it a good option for customers who like to upgrade their vehicle regularly.

Reasonable Rates After an Accident

Auto-Owners rates go up by an average of 15 to 25 percent after an accident (compared to the national average of 50 percent). If you have an at-fault accident on your record, it’s worth getting a quote. Additionally, the company will waive your collision deductible if you’re involved in an accident with another vehicle insured by Auto-Owners.

Once you’re accident-free for three years, you can purchase accident forgiveness for your policy.

7. Best for Mileage-Based Insurance - Nationwide

What We Like Most:

  • Discounts for taking a defensive driver course
  • Network of local agents
  • Usage-based insurance program for low-mileage drivers

Nationwide is one of the few major providers to offer a pay-per-mile insurance option in nearly every state, which can help you save money if you don’t drive much. Nationwide also offers special coverages like gap protection, a vanishing deductible, and a total loss deductible waiver.

ProsWho It's Best For
  • pro
    Low-mileage drivers
  • pro
    Customers with a new vehicle
  • pro
    People with safe driving habits
  • pro
    Older drivers
ConsWho It's Not Best For
  • con
    Drivers with a DUI
  • con
    Rideshare drivers

Nationwide’s SmartMiles Low-Mileage Insurance

Pay-per-mile insurance is most likely to benefit people who drive fewer than 8,000 to 10,000 miles per year, for example:

  • Remote workers
  • People who commute by public transit or live close to work
  • Retirees
  • Stay-at-home parents
  • People with a second car they don’t use as much

Nationwide offers a plan called SmartMiles, which charges you based on how much you drive. With SmartMiles, you’ll pay a monthly base rate, plus a per-mile rate. For example:

Monthly base rate $60
Per-mile cost $0.07
Miles driven per month 500
Monthly cost $60 + $0.07 x 500 = $95

TIP:

If you go on a road trip, Nationwide will cap the daily mileage charge at 250 miles.

Nationwide’s pay-per-mile insurance is more widely available than Allstate’s. Nationwide offers SmartMiles everywhere except Alaska, Hawaii, Louisiana, North Carolina, New York, and Oklahoma.

Nationwide Discounts for Safe Driving

Most major providers offer a discount for tracking driving behaviors like braking, acceleration, and speed — often known as a telematics discount. Typically, this discount can earn you anywhere from 5 to 10 percent off for signing up and 15 to 30 percent off depending on your driving habits.

Nationwide’s telematics program, called SmartRide, stands out in that you get 10 percent off for signing up and up to 40 percent off for safe driving. This is a higher discount than what you’ll see with many other providers.

Customers should take note that SmartRide is available only with a traditional unlimited mileage policy. SmartMiles customers can earn up to 10 percent for safe driving habits.

Loyal Customer Perks

Nationwide offers the following perks to its customers:

  • Up to $400 for car key replacement and lockout services
  • Fender bender forgiveness, so a minor accident ($2,000 or less after deductible) doesn’t increase your premium
  • Up to $250 in locksmith reimbursement if you’re locked out of your house
  • Waived or reimbursed lower deductible if you experience an auto and property loss
  • Guaranteed repairs when you take your vehicle to an in-network mechanic
8. Best for Customer Satisfaction - Amica
Amica Logo 2023

What We Like Most:

  • One of the highest-ranked midsize insurers for customer satisfaction
  • Choose from traditional or dividend policies
  • Bundle auto insurance with renters' or homeowners' insurance

One of the oldest auto insurance companies in the country, Amica stands out for its exceptional customer service. It holds a score of 909 out of 1,000 from J.D. Power for claims satisfaction — the highest overall — and receives few customer complaints, according to the NAIC.3 Amica is not the cheapest provider on our list, but in exchange for higher rates, you’ll receive an exceptional level of service.

ProsWho It's Best For
  • pro
    Drivers who value customer service
  • pro
    Customers who plan to purchase full coverage
  • pro
    People with a good driving record
  • pro
    People who need gap insurance
ConsWho It's Not Best For
  • con
    High-risk drivers
  • con
    Customers looking for the cheapest insurance

Dividend-Paying Policy

Amica is a mutual insurance company, meaning it is owned by policyholders rather than investors or stockholders. Because of this, Amica offers customers the option of purchasing a traditional policy or a dividend-paying policy.

The company reports that policyholders receive an average of 5 to 20 percent of their annual premium, which you can receive as a check or credit toward your next bill. A dividend-paying policy often costs more upfront but saves you money in the long run.

Premium Coverage Option

For those who want extra peace of mind, Amica offers a Platinum Choice Auto plan. The package includes the following protections, which can also be purchased individually:

  • Glass repair or replacement with no deductible
  • Credit monitoring service
  • New-car replacement (for vehicles less than one year old with fewer than 15,000 miles)
  • Prestige rental reimbursement, with no daily limit and a $5,000 maximum

Even if this premium option isn’t for you, you’ll still receive great protection with Amica’s standard coverage options:

  • Bodily injury and property damage liability
  • Medical payments and personal injury protection (PIP)
  • Uninsured/underinsured motorist
  • Collision and comprehensive
  • Rental car reimbursement
  • Loan/lease (gap) protection
  • Roadside assistance
  • Glass repair
  • Rideshare (in some states)

Amica Discounts

Amica offers the following discounts, which can help you save on your premium:

  • Loyalty, when you’ve stayed with any auto insurance (not just Amica) for at least two years — with a higher discount the longer you’ve stayed
  • Owning a home, even if you don’t insure it with Amica
  • Bundling a home, umbrella, or life insurance policy can save you up to 30 percent.
  • Insuring multiple vehicles on the same policy will save you up to 25 percent.
  • Driver education, for drivers under age 21 who complete an approved course
  • Good student, for drivers under 25 who maintain at least a B average
  • Student away at school, for college students who don’t take their car to school
  • Legacy, for children under 30 whose parents have held an Amica policy for at least five years
  • Accident-free, if you haven’t filed an at-fault claim in three years
  • Defensive driver, for drivers who take an approved course (age varies by state)
  • Vehicle features, if your car has an anti-theft device, electronic stability control, passive restraints (like airbags), forward-collision warning, or adaptive headlights
  • Paid in full, when you pay your entire premium upfront
  • Paperless, when you sign up to receive policy documents and bills electronically
  • AutoPay, when you set up your premium for automatic payments
9. Best for High-Risk Drivers - Progressive

What We Like Most:

  • Cheaper rates for drivers with a DUI
  • Several ways to save if your premium increases
  • Accident forgiveness automatically applies to policy in most states

If you’re a driver with a bad driving record or high-risk designation, Progressive is a good option because it offers reasonable rates and a discount for demonstrated safe driving behaviors. In particular, Progressive is a good choice for drivers with DUIs. Unlike companies like Allstate, which may drop your policy or raise your rate drastically after a DUI, Progressive accepts drivers with DUIs and its rate increases are comparatively modest.

ProsWho It's Best For
  • pro
    Drivers with a DUI
  • pro
    People with bad credit
  • pro
    Customers who want a diminishing deductible
  • pro
    Rideshare drivers
ConsWho It's Not Best For
  • con
    Teen drivers
  • con
    Drivers with a clean record

Good Rates for Drivers With a DUI

A DUI will raise your insurance premium more than nearly any other violation. On average, rates rise by about 75 percent after a DUI, though the exact amount depends on factors like your state and your blood alcohol concentration (BAC) at the time of arrest. Progressive’s rates increase by only about 30 percent for drivers with a DUI, to approximately $2,437 annually.

Rideshare Coverage

Progressive offers coverage for drivers who work for Lyft, Uber, DoorDash, or similar services. When you add rideshare coverage, Progressive extends the protections on your personal policy to the periods when the app is on and you’re waiting to match with a passenger. These include:

  • Bodily injury and property damage liability
  • Comprehensive and collision
  • Uninsured/underinsured motorist
  • Personal injury protection/medical payments
  • Roadside assistance and trip interruption
  • Rental car reimbursement

Once you’re transporting a passenger, the rideshare company’s own insurance will kick in, but often with a high deductible. Progressive will reimburse you the difference between the rideshare company’s deductible and the deductible on your personal policy. For example, if the rideshare’s deductible is $2,000 and yours is $500, Progressive will give you $1,500 in the event of a covered incident.

Diminishing Deductible

Progressive offers an optional diminishing deductible add-on, which it calls Deductible Savings Bank Coverage. If you purchase it, Progressive lowers your deductible by $50 every six-month policy renewal you go without an accident or a violation ($100 for annual policies).

You can get a diminishing deductible with an auto, RV, motorcycle, or boat policy.

10. Best for Seniors - AARP
AARP logo

What We Like Most:

  • Best option for seniors
  • RecoverCare adds more coverage
  • Discounted policies from The Hartford

If you’re 50 or older, consider The Hartford, car insurance from the American Association of Retired Persons (AARP). This program is for AARP members only, but you can become a member online easily. Annual costs begin at $12 for the first year and go to $16 per year from the second year on, with discounts if you sign up for multiple years. The car insurance is also affordable, saving members an average of $507 each year, making it worth the membership fees. It’s the only provider on our list that specifically caters to seniors.

ProsWho It's Best For
  • pro
    AARP members
  • pro
    Drivers with a clean record
  • pro
    People with a new car
  • pro
    Safe drivers
ConsWho It's Not Best For
  • con
    Drivers under age 50
  • con
    People who live in the following places, where The Hartford sells auto but not home insurance: Alabama, Alaska, Delaware, D.C., Florida, Idaho, Iowa, Mississippi, Montana, Nebraska, Nevada, New York, North Dakota, Rhode Island, South Dakota, Washington, and Wyoming

Post-Accident Assistance

If you get into an accident and have medical payments coverage or PIP, your insurance company will cover your medical costs, lost wages, and child care, in some cases. However, AARP goes above and beyond with services we haven’t seen from any other car insurance provider. If you’re hurt in an accident, the RecoverCare program will provide these services:

  • Dog walking
  • Food prep
  • House cleaning
  • Lawn maintenance
  • Snow removal
  • Transportation

In other words, you won’t have to depend on your friends and family for your basic household needs. Even if you’re injured, you can maintain your independence — an important factor for many older adults.

Accident Forgiveness

The stereotype that older adults have more car accidents isn’t true. In fact, drivers 55 and older are 85 percent less likely to be involved in car crashes compared to the national average. Accident rates are even lower for those 65 and older, according to data from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.

Of course, accidents can happen to anyone, but with The Hartford, once you’ve had a clean driving record for five consecutive years, your rates won’t go up after your first accident. If you’re a good driver with a solid record, The Hartford offers accident forgiveness, a great insurance feature that we haven’t seen from many other providers.

Easy Claims Process

No one enjoys making a car insurance claim, but AARP makes it as easy as possible for older adults. If you have a claim, call its phone line (available 24/7) to speak to a human. You’ll describe your claim, submit documentation and photos, and track your claim online. In the meantime, you’ll benefit from AARP’s network of repair shops, glass installers, roadside assistance, and rental car partners.

Methodology

We take a three-pronged approach to choose the best auto insurance providers:

  • Company information: We analyze data about each company and the car insurance it provides, including information on coverages and discounts. We also consider third-party customer satisfaction and financial strength ratings from AM Best, the Better Business Bureau, J.D. Power, Moody’s, the National Association of Insurance Commissioners, and S&P Global Ratings.
  • Proprietary data: AutoInsurance.com has been connecting people to car insurance providers for over 20 years, during which time we have collected millions of data points on customer transactions. We analyze our data to find out which customers had the most success with which companies.
  • Institutional knowledge: We’ve amassed institutional knowledge on each insurance provider’s strengths and weaknesses. We also consult with Paul Ford, the president of insurance at Centerfield, AutoInsurance.com’s parent company. Paul has spent nearly three decades working in the insurance industry, with tenures at Canadian Access, InsLogic, Capital One Insurance Services, NetQuote, Bankrate, and Datalot.

How Does Car Insurance Work?

Here’s how car insurance works:

  1. You enter a contract with the insurance provider that protects you against losses if you’re involved in a car accident or theft.
  2. You’ll pay a premium, usually monthly, to uphold your coverage. You’ll also choose a deductible, the amount you’ll pay to repair your car before your insurance provider contributes.
  3. If you’re in a primary at-fault car accident, meaning you hit someone else’s car or property, you’ll file a claim with your insurer.
  4. Your insurer may accept or reject your claim. If it’s accepted, your insurer will reimburse you for your losses, such as bodily injuries or property damage, after you meet your deductible. If it’s rejected (for example, because you were driving for Uber and your policy doesn’t cover commercial activity), you’ll have to pay out of pocket.

Is car insurance worth it?

Car insurance is not only worth it in cases of major accidents, thefts, or damages, but also legally necessary. Almost all states in the U.S. require some form of auto insurance to protect against bodily injury liability and property damages liability. However, beyond the minimum state requirements, you’ll have to decide for yourself how much coverage you need.

How much car insurance do I need?

How much car insurance you need depends on factors like how much your state requires and how much you can afford to pay out of pocket in the event of an accident.

Types of Car Insurance Coverage

All states require:

  • Property damage liability will reimburse you for any damage that you or someone else driving your car caused to another vehicle or property like a building. For example, it might kick in if you run into a mailbox.

All states except Florida and New Jersey require:

  • Bodily injury liability is coverage for any injuries or deaths that you or another driver cause while driving your car. So, if you accidentally hit a pedestrian, you’re liable, meaning you have to cover their medical costs. But if the person’s injuries are more than your insurance covers, you could be sued for the additional costs.

Some states also require medical payments or personal injury protection, uninsured motorist coverage, and underinsured motorist coverage.

  • Medical payments or personal injury protection: Medical coverage or personal injury protection (PIP) reimburses you for medical expenses for any injuries that happened to you or your passengers, or any wages you lost because of said injuries. PIP is required in no-fault states.
  • Uninsured/underinsured motorist coverage: Even though auto insurance is required in all states except New Hampshire and Virginia, not everyone complies. If you’re in an accident with another driver with no or insufficient insurance, or you’re involved in a hit-and-run, uninsured/underinsured motorist coverage will pay for a serious accident.

TIP:

To see your state’s requirements, read our auto insurance guide.

Supplementary Auto Insurance Coverage

Once you’ve hit the minimum requirements, you can decide which additional coverages you want. We recommend drivers increase their liability limits to at least $300,000 per accident. Increasing your liability limits typically adds only a few dollars per month to your premium, and this will protect your assets in the event of a serious accident. We also often recommend drivers hold comprehensive and collision coverage, especially if they drive a vehicle that’s 10 years old or newer. And, if you rely on your car daily, rental reimbursement is a low-cost add-on that will save you money and hassle in the event your car is in the shop for repairs.

Depending on your needs, you may also want to purchase additional coverages, such as:

  • Emergency road service
  • Accidental death and dismemberment
  • Custom equipment
  • Gap or loan/lease protection
  • Glass repair
  • New-car replacement
  • Optional basic economic loss
  • Rental reimbursement
  • Rideshare
  • Transportation/travel expense

Average Cost of Car Insurance

The average cost of car insurance in 2019, the last year federal data was available, was $1,070.47. However, the average car insurance cost differs by state. See below for your state’s average annual cost of auto insurance.4

State Average cost of auto insurance in 2019
Alabama $932.14
Alaska $991.09
Arizona $1,063.93
Arkansas $897.92
California $1,051.79
Colorado $1,174.87
Connecticut $1,237.55
D.C. $1,289.93
Delaware $1,440.58
Florida $1,414.17
Georgia $1,259.49
Hawaii $839.87
Idaho $738.10
Illinois $939.64
Indiana $777.05
Iowa $714.86
Kansas $818.99
Kentucky $935.61
Louisiana $1,557.22
Maine $696.37
Maryland $1,236.61
Massachusetts $1,182.69
Michigan $1,495.94
Minnesota $892.17
Mississippi $975.58
Missouri $929.91
Montana $834.86
Nebraska $807.30
Nevada $1,292.52
New Hampshire $864.35
New Jersey $1,395.53
New Mexico $932.67
New York $1,445.30
North Carolina $741.70
North Dakota $703.73
Ohio $802.72
Oklahoma $908.95
Oregon $990.00
Pennsylvania $992.33
Rhode Island $1,382.64
South Carolina $1,114.90
South Dakota $745.33
Tennessee $863.39
Texas $1,143.85
Utah $954.14
Vermont $785.37
Virginia $861.18
Washington $1,066.84
West Virginia $946.03
Wisconsin $767.42
Wyoming $776.224

How to Save on Car Insurance

Many factors that affect the cost of auto insurance are out of our control, such as age, ZIP code, vehicle, and driving history. However, there are several things you can do to save on auto insurance:

  1. Compare quotes from at least three companies to ensure you’re finding the lowest rates.
  2. Look for discounts. It pays to find a company whose discounts align with your own circumstances.
  3. Check local and regional companies, which sometimes offer cheaper rates than the big providers.
  4. Shop around every six months, as rates fluctuate regularly and the cheapest company for you may change.
  5. Adjust your policy by raising your deductibles or changing your coverages.
  6. Get a pay-per-mile policy if you drive fewer than 10,000 miles per year.

Frequently Asked Questions

What are the rules of auto insurance?

The rules of auto insurance differ by state, but most states require property damage and bodily injury liability. Exceptions include Florida and New Jersey, which don’t require bodily injury liability, and New Hampshire and Virginia, which don’t require any auto insurance. Some states also require medical payments, personal injury protection, uninsured motorist, or underinsured motorist coverage.

How does car insurance work when you are at fault?

How car insurance works when you are at fault depends on what state you’re in. In no-fault states, your car insurance may cover the accident or damage through medical payments or personal injury protection. However, if you don’t have collision coverage and you’re not in a no-fault state, then you’ll have to pay for the repairs out of pocket. As of October 2023, these are the no-fault states:

Can someone drive your car without being on the insurance?

Someone else can drive your car without being on the insurance as long as they have your permission. With permissive use, your insurer will cover any damages that the driver caused, even if they’re not on your insurance policy. However, if someone uses your car regularly, it’s a good idea to add them to a policy, as your insurer may reject the claim if they find out you loan your car regularly and did not disclose the information when you signed up for the policy.

How long after getting car insurance can you use it?

When you can use your car insurance after getting it depends on the effective date of your policy. You can request a specific effective date when you sign up for your policy; it can be on the same day or within 30 days.

Citations

  1. Auto Insurers Manage Customer Expectations as Repair Cycle Times Double in Two Years, J.D. Power Finds. J.D. Power. (2023, Oct 26).
    https://www.jdpower.com/business/press-releases/2023-us-auto-claims-satisfaction-study

  2. Consumer Price Index News Release. U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. (2024, Mar 12).
    https://www.bls.gov/news.release/archives/cpi_03122024.htm

  3. Amica Prop & Cas Ins Co National Complaint Index Report. National Association of Insurance Commissioners. (2023).
    https://content.naic.org/cis_refined_results.htm?TABLEAU=CIS_COMPLAINTS&COCODE=12287&:refresh

  4. 2020/2021 Auto Insurance Database Report. National Association of Insurance Commissioners. (2024, Jan).
    https://content.naic.org/sites/default/files/publication-aut-pb-auto-insurance-database.pdf