
State Farm, USAA, Liberty Mutual, Erie, and Farmers are our top picks for new car insurance.
Full Coverage Averages
Full Coverage Averages
• Annual Premium: $1,407
• Monthly Premium: $117
Full Coverage Averages
• Annual Premium: $3,061
• Monthly Premium: $255
Buying or leasing a new car is a great feeling. It’s more than just that new car smell (though that doesn’t hurt); new cars come with the latest safety and entertainment features. And unlike a used vehicle, a new car is fresh from a dealer’s lot with a clean maintenance history, so you won’t be hit with unexpected service needs right after you buy it.
Maybe you received the new car as a gift, or maybe you saved for years while driving used cars to afford your new one. Whatever the circumstances, you want to protect your new purchase, especially if you get into an at-fault accident. We’ll guide you through our recommendations for the best insurance provider for your new ride. Let’s begin finding the best car insurance for your new vehicle in terms of cost, claims process, customer satisfaction, and other factors.
Company | New car replacement coverage | Gap coverage | Better car replacement coverage | Original parts coverage | Annual premium |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
State Farm | No | Yes, if you financed your vehicle with a State Farm loan | No | No, but has a satisfaction guarantee for non-OEM (original equipment manufacturer) parts | $2,167 |
USAA | No | Yes, if you financed your vehicle with a USAA loan | Car replacement assistance, which adds 20% to the actual cash value of your car | No | $1,407 |
Liberty Mutual | Yes, for 1 year or 15,000 miles | Yes | Yes, for 1 model year newer and 15,000 fewer miles than current vehicle | Yes | $3,061 |
Erie | No | No | No | No | $1,647 |
Farmers | Yes, for 2 years or 24,000 miles | No | No | Yes, for vehicles up to 10 years old | $2,979 |
If you’re not sure where to look for insurance for your new car, State Farm is a great place to start. The company offers low auto insurance rates and excellent customer service — J.D. Power gave it above-average customer satisfaction ratings in every region.1 There’s a reason State Farm is the largest auto insurer in the U.S.
When you’ve taken on the expense of a new car, you’ll want to save on auto insurance costs. State Farm offers some of the lowest rates on the market without compromising quality. In addition to baseline low rates, State Farm offers discounts for newer vehicles.
New cars have improved safety features, which can decrease the risk of injuries and damages in an accident. For this reason, you can get discounts for owning a new vehicle. You’ll save money if your new car has any of the following features:
State Farm also offers an array of bundling options, so you’ll save money by combining your auto insurance with your life, home, condo, or renters insurance.
If you financed your new car with a loan from State Farm Bank, you’ll automatically receive Payoff Protector, State Farm’s alternative to gap insurance. Because new cars depreciate quickly, the amount you owe on your vehicle might be less than what it’s worth. In the event of a total loss, State Farm will cancel any remaining outstanding principal on your loan after the insurance payout. Like regular gap insurance, however, Payoff Protector doesn’t cover loan interest, fees, or late charges.
If you bought your new car to make side cash by driving for Lyft or Uber, State Farm is a good choice for your insurance. State Farm’s rideshare insurance extends the coverage you carry on your personal policy, providing added protection beyond what states require Lyft and Uber to offer.
Rideshare companies only offer liability insurance, and only when you’ve matched with a rider or have a rider in your car. That means if you get into an accident while you’re waiting to match with a rider or driving to a rider, you won’t be covered. Even in a covered accident, liability coverage does not extend to your own vehicle and limits may vary. With State Farm, the coverages you choose for your personal policy will protect you when rideshare coverage doesn’t.
In the event of a claim, you’ll deal directly with State Farm rather than a partner company. Your deductible won’t increase if you add rideshare coverage, but expect your premiums to rise by 15 to 20 percent. If you plan to use your vehicle primarily for rideshare driving, check out our roundup of the best car insurance for rideshares.
USAA offers financial services to military members both past and present, as well as their families. The company is known for its competitive rates and top-notch customer service. If you’re affiliated with the military, USAA is a great choice for protecting your new vehicle.
Although USAA does not offer new car replacement coverage, it does have something similar — car replacement assistance. If your car is totaled, this optional coverage will add 20 percent to the actual cash value (ACV) of your car when you receive your insurance payout. For example, if your car was worth $20,000 at the time of the accident, USAA will pay you $24,000. If you own your car outright, this coverage can help you buy a new vehicle in the event of a total loss.
DID YOU KNOW?
After five years, the average vehicle will be worth about 45 percent of its original sticker price.2
If you financed your vehicle, either through USAA or another lender, car replacement assistance serves as gap insurance. The difference is that gap insurance will cover the difference between what you owe on the car and its worth, while car replacement assistance will add 20 percent to your car’s ACV, whether that’s higher or lower than the loan difference.
To buy car replacement assistance coverage, you must carry collision and comprehensive coverage, and your vehicle cannot be leased. If you choose USAA and drive a leased vehicle, you will need to purchase gap insurance through your dealer (which can be expensive) or through a stand-alone gap insurance provider.
If you financed your new car with a USAA loan, you have the option to purchase Total Loss Protection, which also functions like gap insurance. Total Loss Protection pays for the difference between what you owe on a loan and what your car is worth, up to $50,000. Unlike most other forms of gap coverage, Total Loss Protection pays for your collision or comprehensive deductible as well, for up to $1,000.
Total Loss Protection will not pay for a new vehicle if your car is totaled, but it will give you peace of mind that regardless of how much your new car depreciates after you buy it, you won’t be on the hook for your loan in the event of a total loss.
Additionally, if you haven’t purchased your vehicle yet, USAA offers competitive auto loans. Its new car loan APRs start at 4.09 percent, which is less than the average interest rate for a new vehicle of 5.18 percent, according to Experian.3
USAA offers a special discount for new vehicles. To qualify, your vehicle must be less than three years old. Though USAA doesn’t disclose the exact amount of the discount, your agent should apply it to your policy automatically. The discount isn’t available in Puerto Rico.
With several coverage options that benefit new car owners specifically, Liberty Mutual is a solid option for protecting your new ride. The company offers several ways to protect yourself from the costs of depreciation that are common with new cars. Customize your policy based on your circumstances and needs.
Because new cars depreciate after you drive them off the lot, your car’s worth might be less than what you paid even a few months after you bought it. In the event of a total loss, your insurance payout will equal the ACV of your vehicle at the time of the incident. This might not be enough money to pay for a new vehicle. That’s where new car replacement coverage comes in.
Here’s how it works:
To be eligible for Liberty Mutual’s new car replacement coverage, your vehicle must meet the following requirements:
If you don’t meet these requirements, look into gap coverage or better car replacement instead.
If you financed or leased your new vehicle, you’ll be on the hook for the full value of the loan or lease in the event of a total loss. Gap coverage pays for the difference between what you owe and the car’s worth (minus your deductible, for collision or comprehensive claims). Depending on your circumstances, gap coverage could save you thousands of dollars during a stressful time.
Many institutions require you to purchase gap coverage for your financed vehicle. It’s much less expensive to purchase gap coverage from your insurance provider than from the dealer, but not every company offers this coverage. Since Liberty Mutual does, it’s a good option for new car owners who financed or leased their vehicles.
TIP:
Consider gap coverage if you financed your car for 60 months (five years) or more, or if you put down less than 20 percent when you financed the vehicle.
Liberty Mutual’s better car replacement coverage is similar to its new car replacement, but with wider eligibility. As long as your vehicle is not leased, you can purchase this coverage. It’s a good option if you purchased your new car more than a year ago.
In the event of a total loss, Liberty Mutual will give you money to buy a replacement vehicle that is one model year newer and has 15,000 fewer miles than the one you had. So, if your car is stolen or totaled, you’ll get a vehicle upgrade.
Serving customers for almost a century, Erie offers plenty of coverage options for new car owners. If you live in one of the 12 states (and Washington, D.C.) where the company provides insurance, you can enjoy unique add-ons like rate lock, which keeps your premiums in place even if you file a claim.
New cars tend to have higher premiums since it costs more to repair or replace them. Even if the value of your brand new vehicle depreciates, you may still see your insurance rates increase due to inflation, natural disasters, or higher numbers of claims in your area.
Fortunately, Erie offers Rate Lock, a unique benefit that keeps your premiums the same every year — unless you add or remove a driver or vehicle, or move to a new address. You can still enjoy Rate Lock benefits if you add or remove coverages. Considering that Erie’s average rates for full coverage are 31 percent lower than the national average, Rate Lock ensures that you’ll keep enjoying affordable premiums.
Rate Lock isn’t available in all states, and it’s limited to only three years if you’re in Virginia. However, if you do qualify, it’s worth adding to your policy.
Erie offers gap insurance like other providers, but it comes with extra perks. If you’re about to purchase or lease a new car, you can get gap insurance through Erie’s Auto Security endorsement. It’s an excellent option for new car owners who want robust protection. You’ll get gap coverage, along with new and better vehicle replacement at no extra cost.
When you sign up for Auto Security, you get:
In addition to low rates and great gap insurance, Erie also boasts stellar claims and customer satisfaction ratings. The company consistently ranks high in J.D. Power’s Auto Insurance Study, placing second in the mid-Atlantic region and first in the North Central and Southeast regions. It also ranked third in J.D. Power’s Claims Satisfaction Study, beating more widely available providers like Nationwide and State Farm.5
Erie received an A- on CRASH Network’s 2025 Insurer Report Card, scoring sixth out of 97 providers.6 The report holds a survey of collision repair shops, measuring how well providers secure quality repairs and customer service. Based on Erie’s performance, customers can expect a smooth repair process when they file a claim.
Founded in 1928, Farmers is known for its array of discounts and coverage options. It’s a good choice for new car owners looking for flexibility and an impressive new car replacement option.
Like Liberty Mutual, Farmers offers new car replacement coverage. With this coverage, Farmers will cover the cost of a new vehicle of the same make and model in the event of a total loss. Farmers’ coverage lasts longer than Liberty Mutual’s — for up to two years or 24,000 miles.
New car replacement coverage is a good idea if you want to replace your totaled car with another new one. If you own a vehicle that’s expensive or depreciates quickly (e.g., luxury, electric, or other specialty vehicles like classic cars), this coverage is an especially wise choice.
Many people buy a new car with the intention of using it for many years. That means keeping it maintained with high-quality auto parts.
If your car sustains damage in an accident, a mechanic can use either OEM or aftermarket parts when they repair it.
OEM parts come from the same manufacturer as the car (e.g., Toyota) and work only in that manufacturer’s cars, while aftermarket parts are made to fit a range of vehicles. If you bring your car to a dealership, they will use OEM parts. A repair shop will typically use aftermarket parts unless you pay extra for OEM parts.
Aftermarket parts aren’t necessarily worse than OEM ones (in some cases, they might even be better), though quality varies. OEM parts are more expensive, but you know what you’re getting and they often come with warranties.7
Farmers offers optional OEM coverage on vehicles 10 years old and newer, which covers the cost of using factory-original parts in covered repairs. That way, you’re not paying for OEM parts out of pocket. People who put a lot of miles on their car each year, like road trippers and daily distance commuters, might consider buying OEM coverage for the peace of mind in knowing that their new car will always have durable and high-quality parts.
After almost 100 years in the insurance business, Farmers has established a solid reputation. The Better Business Bureau gave Farmers an A+ rating, and Farmers has been accredited with the BBB since 1951. In other words, the BBB determined that Farmers is committed to resolving consumer complaints in good faith, and customer interactions are likely to be positive.8
Farmers also has an A rating with AM Best for financial strength, meaning that if you need to file a claim for your new car, you can be sure Farmers will be able to pay it.9
At AutoInsurance.com, we assess auto insurance providers based on four main categories:
Learn more about our ratings and methodology.
Yes, car insurance tends to be more expensive for new cars since they are worth more than used vehicles. However, it also depends on other factors, including your car’s make and model and safety ratings. Additionally, your car will be more expensive to insure if it’s statistically more likely to be stolen.
USAA consistently receives the highest customer satisfaction ratings, topping J.D. Power’s Auto Insurance Study for every region. The provider only serves military families, so non-military customers can choose Nationwide or Erie for their high third-party scores.
These are our picks for the top 10 best auto insurance companies:
That said, each auto insurance company offers different coverage options at varying prices, so the best insurer will depend on factors that are specific to you.
These car insurance providers are great options for teens and college students:
Because insurance for young drivers can be expensive, the best providers offer car insurance discounts for taking a driver’s education course, getting good grades, or being a college student away from home.
In every state except New Hampshire, you need to buy auto insurance for a new car before you drive off the lot. If you already have an auto insurance policy, your provider can usually add your new car (and remove your old one, if you have one) quickly, even while you’re still at the dealership.
If you don’t have auto insurance yet, providers can get you a quote quickly. In most cases, you should call your insurance provider or shop around for quotes at least 24 hours before you plan to buy a new car.
It’s Now a Buyer’s Market for Auto Insurance, J.D. Power Finds. J.D Power. (2025, June 10).
https://www.jdpower.com/business/press-releases/2025-us-auto-insurance-study
How Much Do Cars Depreciate per Year?. Experian. (2025, May 20).
https://www.experian.com/blogs/ask-experian/how-much-do-cars-depreciate-per-year/
Average Car Loan Interest Rates by Credit Score. Experian. (2025, June 20).
https://www.experian.com/blogs/ask-experian/average-car-loan-interest-rates-by-credit-score/
Consumer Insurance Search Results. National Association of Insurance Commissioners. (2025).
https://content.naic.org/cis_refined_results.htm
Auto Insurance Repair Cycle Times Improve but Price Increases Take a Toll, J.D. Power Finds J.D. Power. (2024, Oct 29).
https://www.jdpower.com/business/press-releases/2024-us-auto-claims-satisfaction-study
Top Rated U.S. Car Insurance Companies for 2025. Crash Network. (2025)
https://www.crashnetwork.com/irc/
Aftermarket Versus Manufacturer Car Parts. Edmunds. (2024, Jan 01).
https://www.edmunds.com/car-maintenance/aftermarket-versus-manufacturer-car-parts.html
Overview of ratings. Better Business Bureau. (2025).
https://www.bbb.org/all/overview-of-ratings
Login Required. (2025). AM Best.
https://ratings.ambest.com/CompanyProfile