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Best Cheap Car Insurance in New Orleans
Southern Farm Bureau, GEICO, USAA, Nationwide, and Safeway offer some of the best auto insurance coverage in New Orleans.
Best Value
Editor's Rating:
4.3/5
4.3/5Best for Online Purchasing
Editor's Rating:4.9/5
4.9/5
Full Coverage Averages in New Orleans
- Annual Premium: $2,985
- Monthly Premium: $249
Best for Military and Veterans
Editor's Rating:5/5
5/5
Full Coverage Averages in New Orleans
- Annual Premium: $2,286
- Monthly Premium: $191
Last updated: June 1, 2026
Best Cheap Car Insurance in New Orleans: Key Takeaways
USAA, Southern Farm Bureau, and GEICO offer the cheapest average rates for New Orleans drivers.
New Orleans has the highest car insurance rates in the country — full coverage costs an average of $5,993/year, which is 53 percent higher than the state average.
Minimum coverage in the city costs $1,769/year on average, which is 35 percent more expensive than the state average.
Southern Farm Bureau has the lowest average rates for non-military drivers at $2,710/year for full coverage and $948/year for minimum coverage.
Farm Bureau also has the strongest customer service record on our list.
Our Top Picks for the Best Cheap Auto Insurance in New Orleans
- Best Value: Southern Farm Bureau
- Best for Online Purchasing: GEICO
- Best for Military and Veterans: USAA
- Best for Low-Mileage Drivers: Nationwide
- Best for High-Risk Drivers: Safeway
Compare the Best Cheap Auto Insurance in New Orleans
| Company | Full Coverage Annual Avg. | Minimum Coverage Annual Avg. | Southeast Customer Satisfaction (J.D. Power) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Southern Farm Bureau | $2,710 | $948 | Not rated |
| GEICO | $2,985 | $1,116 | Above average |
| USAA | $2,286 | $882 | Above average |
| Nationwide | Data not available | Data not available | Above average |
| Safeway | $4,029 | $2,244 | Not rated |
| New Orleans | $5,993 | $1,769 | – |
Breaking Down the Best Cheap Auto Insurance in New Orleans
1. Southern Farm Bureau - Best Value
4.3
Editor's Rating:
- Average New Orleans Rate for Minimum Coverage
- $79 mo.
- Average New Orleans Rate for Full Coverage
- $226 mo.
Cheapest rates for most drivers in New Orleans- Strong customer service ratings
- Local, community-oriented agents
Membership required- Basic mobile features
Why we chose it
Southern Farm Bureau is an umbrella company that encompasses six regional Farm Bureau affiliates, including Louisiana Farm Bureau. New Orleans is the most expensive city in the country for car insurance, which can make finding affordable rates more challenging.
However, Farm Bureau has the cheapest average rates for both full and minimum coverage in New Orleans after USAA, making it a great option for cost-conscious drivers. You must be a Farm Bureau member to access its insurance products, which costs a nominal fee per year, but anyone can join, and it can pay for itself in savings.
Who it’s best for
Drivers looking for the cheapest rates, those who want to work with a local agent, those who don’t need many add-on coverages
Southern Farm Bureau New Orleans Pricing
| Southern Farm Bureau | Full coverage | Minimum coverage |
|---|---|---|
| Monthly | $226 | $79 |
| Annually | $2,710 | $948 |
| Difference from New Orleans average | -55% | -46% |
2. GEICO - Best for Online Purchasing
4.9
Editor's Rating:
- Average New Orleans Rate for Minimum Coverage
- $93 mo.
- Average New Orleans Rate for Full Coverage
- $249 mo.
- Convenient online quotes and purchasing
- Competitive rates
- Many discounts available
- Limited agent presence
- Doesn't underwrite home insurance
Why we chose it
Unlike many other insurance companies, GEICO does not have many agents and prioritizes online touchpoints for customers. You can easily get a quote online and continue through to purchase without ever speaking with an agent. It ranked slightly above average for the Southeast region in J.D. Power’s U.S. Auto Insurance Study, so you can still expect a decent customer service experience.
GEICO also has a long list of discounts available, including some specifically for young drivers like a good student discount, as well as discounts for safe drivers, homeowners, and drivers with new vehicles. The company also offers discounts to military members and federal employees.
FYI:
While GEICO offers a military discount across the country, Louisiana state law requires all auto insurers to provide a discount to active duty military members.
Who it’s best for
Those who prefer to buy a policy online, drivers eligible for many of the company’s discounts, families with teen drivers
GEICO New Orleans Pricing
| GEICO | Full coverage | Minimum coverage |
|---|---|---|
| Monthly | $249 | $93 |
| Annually | $2,985 | $1,116 |
| Difference from New Orleans average | -50% | 37% |
3. USAA - Best for Military and Veterans
5
Editor's Rating:
- Average New Orleans Rate for Minimum Coverage
- $74 mo.
- Average New Orleans Rate for Full Coverage
- $191 mo.
- Lowest rates in New Orleans
- Coverage tailored for the military community
- Excellent customer service
- Military eligibility required
- Limited to members
- Fewer branch locations
Why we chose it
USAA offers the cheapest full coverage and minimum coverage rates, on average, for New Orleans drivers, at over 40 percent below the city average. It provides insurance coverage and other services specifically for the military community, and which you must become a member to access.
USAA has two telematics programs to help drivers save even more. Both programs track your driving and reward you for safe driving. The first, SafePilot, provides a discount of up to 30 percent depending on your driving score. The second, SafePilot Miles, is similar but also takes your mileage into account. As such, it’s ideal for those who drive less than average.
Who it’s best for
Those eligible for USAA membership, including current and retired members of the military and their families
USAA New Orleans Pricing
| USAA | Full coverage | Minimum coverage |
|---|---|---|
| Monthly | $191 | $74 |
| Annually | $2,286 | $882 |
| Difference from New Orleans average | -62% | -50% |
4. Nationwide - Best for Low-Mileage Drivers
4.8
Editor's Rating:
- Average Rate for Minimum Coverage
- $60 mo.
- Average Rate for Full Coverage
- $162 mo.
- Ranked 3rd for Southeast customer satisfaction
- Pay-per-mile program
- Generous telematics discount
- Not available in select states
- Expensive for teen drivers
Why we chose it
Nationwide is another highly-rated car insurance provider in Louisiana, ranking third for Southeast customer satisfaction in J.D. Power’s most recent study. It also ranked first for usage-based insurance in the same study and first in J.D. Power’s Digital Experience Study in the service category, making it a good option for those who plan to participate in one of its telematics programs and prioritize user-friendly digital tools.1
Like USAA, Nationwide offers two telematics programs, SmartRide and SmartMiles. The former can get you a discount of up to 40 percent if you drive safely, which is one of the highest telematics discounts available from any insurer. The latter is best for drivers who don’t drive very often as it charges you based on how much you drive each month.
Who it’s best for
Those who drive less than average, drivers who plan to manage their policy online
5. Safeway - Best for High-Risk Drivers
- Average New Orleans Rate for Minimum Coverage
- $187 mo.
- Average New Orleans Rate for Full Coverage
- $336 mo.
- Offers coverage for high-risk drivers
- Affordable rates for Louisiana drivers with low credit
- A rating from AM Best
- Higher premiums for safe drivers
- Limited states
- Lower satisfaction ratings
Why we chose it
Safeway Insurance is a high-risk insurer that specializes in coverage for drivers who may have trouble finding policies from standard insurers, including those with poor credit or major violations like DUIs. It operates in 12 states, including Louisiana.
Its rates are higher than average in New Orleans, but if you have a spotty driving record, you can expect to pay more for car insurance. Safeway provides all the coverage you need to legally drive in Louisiana and potentially get your license reinstated if it’s been suspended. It also offers a low-mileage discount to drivers who drive fewer than 5,000 miles per year.
Who it’s best for
Drivers with violations, including at-fault accidents or DUIs; people with low credit
Safeway New Orleans Pricing
| Safeway | Full coverage | Minimum coverage |
|---|---|---|
| Monthly | $336 | $187 |
| Annually | $4,029 | $2,244 |
| Difference from New Orleans average | -33% | +27% |
New Orleans Best Cheap Picks — Detailed Customer Satisfaction Summary
| Company | J.D. Power Auto Insurance Study – Southeast2 | CRASH Network Report Card3 | J.D. Power Claims Satisfaction4 | NAIC Complaint Index5 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Southern Farm Bureau | Not rated | B+ | Not rated | 0.40 |
| GEICO | 670 | C- | 697 | 1.95 |
| USAA | 749 | C- | 741 | 3.00 |
| Nationwide | 691 | C | 729 | 2.00 |
| Safeway | Not rated | D+ | Not rated | 5.85 |
| Average | 667 (out of 1,000) | C+ | 700 (out of 1,000) | 1 |
| What the study measures | Customer satisfaction regionally, based on responses from over 40,000 customers | Claims handling and payment practices, based on an annual survey of collision repair shops | Satisfaction with the claims process, based on responses from nearly 10,000 customers who recently filed a claim | Consumer complaints relative to market share. The lower the score, the better |
Cheapest Full Coverage Car Insurance in New Orleans
USAA offers the most affordable full coverage rates in New Orleans, with an average annual premium of $2,286. For those not eligible for USAA, Southern Farm Bureau has the best rates at $2,710 per year, followed by GEICO at $2,985 per year.
| Company | Annual New Orleans Average | Monthly New Orleans Average |
|---|---|---|
| USAA | $2,286 | $191 |
| Farm Bureau | $2,710 | $226 |
| GEICO | $2,985 | $249 |
| State Farm | $3,247 | $271 |
| Progressive | $3,985 | $332 |
| Safeway | $4,029 | $336 |
| Allstate | $5,016 | $418 |
| New Orleans average | $5,993 | $499 |
| Louisiana average | $3,903 | $325 |
| U.S. average | $2,356 | $196 |
Cheapest Minimum Coverage Car Insurance in New Orleans
USAA also offers the cheapest minimum coverage rates for New Orleans drivers at 50 percent below the state average. Non-military drivers can find the cheapest average rates from Farm Bureau ($948 per year) and State Farm ($1,068 per year).
| Company | Annual New Orleans Average | Monthly New Orleans Average |
|---|---|---|
| USAA | $882 | $74 |
| Farm Bureau | $948 | $79 |
| State Farm | $1,068 | $89 |
| GEICO | $1,116 | $93 |
| Progressive | $1,164 | $97 |
| Allstate | $1,176 | $98 |
| Safeway | $2,244 | $187 |
| New Orleans average | $1,769 | $147 |
| Louisiana average | $1,310 | $109 |
| U.S. average | $722 | $60 |
How Many Car Accidents Happen in New Orleans?
According to state data, there were 60 fatal crashes and 8,164 crashes involving injuries in New Orleans in 2024.6 There were also over 100,000 crashes that involved property damage only. Most fatal crashes occurred in September and May, and on Sunday and Tuesday.
Minimum Auto Insurance Requirements in Louisiana
Choosing higher coverage limits beyond Louisiana minimums can provide significantly better financial protection in the event of a serious accident.
Louisiana has the following minimum coverage requirements for drivers:
- Bodily injury liability: $15,000 per person/$30,000 per accident
- Property damage liability: $25,000 per accident
Louisiana’s minimum coverage limits are quite low, even by minimum coverage standards. If you get into a serious accident and are responsible for the other party’s damages, you may need more coverage than the minimum limits afford you. If you don’t have it, you’ll be on the hook for the difference. It’s a good idea to get limits of at least 100/300/100 if you can, and add comprehensive and collision coverages to help pay for any damage to your own vehicle.
Methodology
At AutoInsurance.com, we assess auto insurance providers according to the following four key factors:
- Price (40%): We analyzed average full and minimum coverage premiums for safe drivers with good credit in New Orleans, as well as high-risk drivers with violations or poor credit. Full coverage averages use the following limits:
- Bodily injury liability: $100,000 per person/$300,000 per accident
- Property damage liability: $100,000 per accident
- Uninsured/underinsured motorist: Same as bodily injury
- Collision and comprehensive: $500 deductible
- Claims handling (25%): Claims handling is a key role of insurance companies. We assess insurers’ claims practices through sources like the CRASH Network Insurer Report Card and J.D. Power’s Auto Claims Satisfaction Study, and financial strength from sources like AM Best.
- Customer experience (25%): We assess various aspects of the customer experience, including the process of getting a quote and purchasing coverage. We also evaluate online and agent support, as well as the user experience on each insurer’s website and mobile app. Our analysis uses insights from J.D. Power, the NAIC Complaint Index, and app store reviews.
- Coverage options (10%): We take each company’s coverage options into account and prioritize those that go beyond the state-required minimums, including new car replacement, gap coverage, and more.
Read more about our ratings and methodology.
Frequently Asked Questions
USAA has the cheapest car insurance in New Orleans, Louisiana, at $2,286 per year for full coverage and $882 per year for minimum coverage. However, it’s only available to those affiliated with the military. For other drivers, Southern Farm Bureau has the cheapest average rates.
In New Orleans, $150 a month is right around the minimum coverage average, so it’s a decent rate for that type of policy. If you’re paying $150 for full coverage, that’s significantly below the city average.
There are many ways to lower your car insurance payment, including shopping around with different providers to see if you can get a better rate elsewhere. Rates change periodically, so it’s a good idea to shop around regularly to make sure your current insurer is still providing a competitive rate and switch if you need to.
It’s not necessarily better or worse to have a $500 deductible versus $1,000, but it depends on your budget. A higher deductible translates to a lower premium, but it means you’ll have to pay more out of pocket before insurance kicks in if you need to file a claim. A higher deductible can work out better financially in the long run as long as you have the money on hand to cover it if needed.
Sources
Auto Insurer Websites and Apps Become Battleground for New Customers as Policy Shopping Activity Skyrockets, JD Power Finds. JD Power. (2025, May 14).
https://www.jdpower.com/business/press-releases/2025-us-insurance-digital-experience-studyTrust Emerges as Top Driver of Customer Satisfaction with Auto Insurance as Prices Continue to Surge, JD Power Finds. JD Power. (2024, June 11).
https://www.jdpower.com/business/press-releases/2024-us-auto-insurance-studyTop Rated U.S. Car Insurance Companies for 2026. Crash Network. (2026).
https://www.crashnetwork.com/irc/Satisfaction with Auto Insurance Claims Strained by Higher Deductibles, More Total Losses, JD Power Finds. JD Power. (2025, Oct 28).
https://www.jdpower.com/business/press-releases/2025-us-auto-claims-satisfaction-studyResults by Complaint Index. NAIC. (2026).
https://content.naic.org/cis_refined_results.htm?TABLEAU=CIS_COMPLAINTS&COCODE=24112&:refreshSection B Fatal Information. LSU. (2026).
https://carts.lsu.edu/datareports/report/crash
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