When looking for the cheapest car insurance, you might start with USAA, Erie Insurance, Root Insurance, Geico, and State Farm. Based on our in-depth research, these companies all offer competitive prices.
What does our research include? To find the cheapest car insurance companies, our team analyzed millions of data points from Quadrant Information Services. This data includes rates for drivers of many ages and driving backgrounds. It also includes rates from the top 100 most populous ZIP codes in each state (with a maximum of 10 per large city). We also analyzed what discounts each company offers. Some companies offer better discounts for students, while others offer better discounts for military members.
Below, we look at average rates and coverage options to help you find the best auto insurance provider for your needs. If you’re wondering how to get cheap car insurance, we recommend seeking quotes from multiple providers so you can compare coverage and rates. In addition to the insurance company you choose, factors such as your age, vehicle, and driving history can affect your premium.
Methodology: How We Rate Insurers
We don’t just recommend any company that offers cheap rates. In this article, we’ll cover our top picks that offer affordable insurance plus other features like reliable customer service and a variety of coverage options. To rate insurance companies, we consider industry standing, availability, coverage, cost, customer service, and technology.
Industry Standing
This rating includes the longevity of a company along with its rating on the Better Business Bureau (BBB). We also look at the company’s market share according to the National Association of Insurance Commissioners (NAIC) and its financial strength rating from AM Best. The AM Best rating shows how easily a company can handle its claims obligations and is a good indicator of an insurance company’s stability.
Availability
Not all car insurance companies are available to everyone. We note where drivers can get insurance from a certain company and whether there are restrictions for membership. That said, we don’t weigh this category as heavily as some others because smaller companies can still offer great coverage and service. Erie is one of the cheapest providers in the 12 states where it operates, for example.
Coverage
Next, we consider what coverage options a company offers. All companies offer standard coverage like liability and collision coverage (skip to our car insurance coverage section for more information on these). What makes an insurance provider different are the extra options it offers. These can include:
- Roadside assistance
- Rental car reimbursement
- Trip interruption
- Gap insurance
- Rideshare insurance
- Accident forgiveness
- New car replacement
We also note if a company offers usage-based insurance. Also called telematics insurance, this type of insurance tracks your driving habits in real time and awards discounts for safe driving. Examples are Progressive’s Snapshot® and Root insurance.
Cost And Discounts
In this article we highlight our cost research, which includes discounts and data from Quadrant Information Services. Most companies offer multiple discounts, so it’s up to you to decide which ones work best for your situation.
We look at cost data for full coverage and minimum coverage in each state that includes the top 10 providers in each state. Full coverage includes comprehensive and collision coverage with a deductible of $500.
Our cost data also includes rates for both male and female drivers of the following ages: 16, 17, 18, 19, 21, 25, 30, 35, 40, 45, 50, 55, 65, and 75. Standard average rates are for 35-year-old drivers with good driving records unless noted otherwise in this article.
We also include cost data for people with speeding tickets, at-fault accidents, and DUIs in our analysis. Averages combine rates for three vehicles: a 2022 Hyundai Accent SE, a 2022 Toyota Camry, and a 2022 Ford F-150 XL.
Customer Service
It’s important to choose a company with a good customer service reputation. For this rating, we incorporate scores from our own customer survey in which we asked nearly 8,000 respondents about their satisfaction with their car insurance experience. We also look at customer ratings on Trustpilot and ratings and complaints on the BBB. The NAIC complaint ratio factors into our rating, as well. This ratio compares the number of insurance complaints for a company to its size and the industry average. Finally, we include scores from the following J.D. Power studies in this category:
- J.D. Power 2022 U.S. Insurance Shopping Study℠
- J.D. Power 2022 U.S. Auto Claims Satisfaction Study℠
- J.D. Power 2022 U.S. Auto Insurance Study℠
Technology
The last category in our ratings is technology. For this, we first consider whether a company offers online quotes. Most do, but some only sell plans through agents, which makes it a bit harder to compare your options. We also look at a company’s mobile app and its reviews, along with its usage-based app and reviews if it has one.
Affordability Ratings On Our Insurance Survey
We surveyed nearly 8,000 car insurance customers on a variety of topics, including cost. Here’s how our survey respondents ranked companies when asked how satisfied they were with affordability:
| Car Insurance Company | Affordability Rating On Customer Survey |
|---|---|
| American Family | 4.2 |
| Erie | 3.9 |
| Travelers | 3.8 |
| State Farm | 3.8 |
| USAA | 3.8 |
| Liberty Mutual | 3.8 |
| AAA | 3.7 |
| Farm Bureau | 3.7 |
| Nationwide | 3.7 |
| Progressive | 3.7 |
| Auto-Owners | 3.7 |
| Geico | 3.7 |
| Allstate | 3.6 |
| Farmers | 3.5 |
| Kemper | 3.5 |
You’ll see this list has some similarities and some differences to our cost rankings later in this article. American Family, in particular, was ranked at the top of the list by customers. Our cost data doesn’t include discounts, so this may be one reason American Family was ranked better in the survey than in the cost comparisons below.
How People Shop For Car Insurance
When our team surveyed car insurance customers on their experiences, we asked what the most important factors are when choosing car insurance. Cost was the most important factor for 28 percent of the participants, while 25 percent said having coverage options was most important. Because drivers are required to purchase car insurance in most states, it makes sense that many people want to find the cheapest rates.
So, how and how often do most people shop? According to our survey, 30 percent prefer to use a quote comparison tool online, and 24 percent get quotes online from individual companies. Many people also use independent brokers or call agents over the phone. Of course, since most companies offer multi-policy discounts, a number of respondents said someone else does the shopping.
Unfortunately, cheap car insurance may not stay cheap forever. On average, 41 percent of respondents said they’ve experienced a rate increase without an obvious cause like a ticket or accident.
Cheapest Car Insurance Company
According to cost data from Quadrant Information Services, USAA tends to be the cheapest provider overall with full coverage rates as low as $1,054 per year on average.
Cheapest Auto Insurance Companies
In our study of the cheapest auto insurance companies, we found several companies with relatively low rates. While some other car insurance companies provide cheap auto insurance, we are going to focus in this article on the five mentioned above. These providers have the best rates for minimum car insurance coverage as well as the cheapest full coverage insurance.
Low-Cost Auto Insurance
| Our Overall Rating | Our Cost Rating | Estimated Annual Cost | |
|---|---|---|---|
| USAA | 4.6 | 5 | $1,054 |
| Erie Auto Insurance | 4.4 | 4.9 | $1,238 |
| Root Insurance | 4 | 4.3 | Depends on driving habits |
| Geico | 4.6 | 4.6 | $1,308 |
| State Farm | 4.7 | 4.6 | $1,481 |
Cheapest Minimum-Coverage Insurance
Many drivers choose minimum coverage because it’s the most affordable option. The exact coverage amounts depend on your state, so costs can vary by state. Overall, cheap options for minimum coverage include USAA, Auto-Owners, Erie, and Geico.
| Car Insurance Company | Annual Cost | Monthly Cost |
|---|---|---|
| USAA | $333 | $28 |
| Auto-Owners | $349 | $29 |
| Erie | $459 | $38 |
| Geico | $468 | $39 |
| State Farm | $543 | $45 |
| Nationwide | $613 | $51 |
| Industry Average | $635 | $53 |
| American Family | $685 | $57 |
| Progressive | $687 | $57 |
| Allstate | $725 | $60 |
| Travelers | $730 | $61 |
| Farmers | $881 | $73 |
Cheapest Companies For Different Situations
Depending on your situation, you may find different rates from different providers. Below are a few affordable providers for a variety of drivers and driving records you can use as a starting point for comparing quotes.
- Cheapest for 16-year-olds: Erie, Auto-Owners, and State Farm
- Cheapest for 21-year-olds: USAA, Geico, and Auto-Owners
- Cheapest for 35-year-olds: USAA, Geico, and Erie
- Cheapest for seniors: USAA, Erie, and Geico
- Cheapest for a DUI: State Farm, American Family, and USAA
- Cheapest for a speeding ticket: USAA, Erie, and Nationwide
- Cheapest for an at-fault accident: USAA, Erie, and State Farm
Car Insurance Cost For 16-Year-Olds
Our cost data shows Erie is the cheapest regional provider for 16-year-olds and State Farm is the cheapest national provider. These rates are for 16-year-olds on their own policies. You’ll probably save money if you add a teen to a family plan, instead.
| Car Insurance Company | Annual Cost | Monthly Cost |
|---|---|---|
| Erie | $3,410 | $284 |
| Auto-Owners | $3,533 | $294 |
| State Farm | $4,146 | $345 |
| Geico | $4,466 | $372 |
| Nationwide | $4,567 | $381 |
| USAA | $4,784 | $399 |
| American Family | $4,888 | $407 |
| Industry Average | $6,912 | $576 |
| Travelers | $7,206 | $600 |
| Allstate | $8,350 | $696 |
| Progressive | $11,174 | $931 |
| Farmers | $12,429 | $1,036 |
Car Insurance Cost For 21-Year-Olds
Twenty-one-year-olds don’t pay as much for insurance as teens but they aren’t out of the woods quite yet. For this age group, USAA and Geico are cheap options.
| Car Insurance Company | Annual Cost | Monthly Cost |
|---|---|---|
| USAA | $1,609 | $134 |
| Geico | $1,844 | $154 |
| Auto-Owners | $2,074 | $173 |
| Erie | $2,103 | $175 |
| Nationwide | $2,147 | $179 |
| State Farm | $2,322 | $194 |
| American Family | $2,469 | $206 |
| Travelers | $2,513 | $209 |
| Industry Average | $2,786 | $232 |
| Progressive | $2,872 | $239 |
| Farmers | $3,295 | $275 |
| Allstate | $3,302 | $275 |
Car Insurance Cost For 35-Year-Olds
Car insurance rates level off for drivers from ages 35 to 55 as the risk of accident decreases. For these drivers, we found USAA and Geico are once again the cheapest options.
| Car Insurance Company | Annual Cost | Monthly Cost |
|---|---|---|
| USAA | $1,113 | $93 |
| Geico | $1,293 | $108 |
| Erie | $1,303 | $109 |
| Auto-Owners | $1,345 | $112 |
| Nationwide | $1,392 | $116 |
| State Farm | $1,483 | $124 |
| American Family | $1,619 | $135 |
| Travelers | $1,668 | $139 |
| Progressive | $1,758 | $146 |
| Industry Average | $1,785 | $149 |
| Allstate | $2,152 | $179 |
| Farmers | $2,210 | $184 |
Senior Car Insurance Cost
Drivers ages 65 and over pay slightly more for insurance because their risk of accident increases on average. We found USAA, Erie, and Geico are all affordable for 65-year-old drivers.
| Car Insurance Company | Annual Cost | Monthly Cost |
|---|---|---|
| USAA | $1,057 | $88 |
| Erie | $1,219 | $102 |
| Geico | $1,227 | $102 |
| Auto-Owners | $1,247 | $104 |
| Nationwide | $1,263 | $105 |
| State Farm | $1,353 | $113 |
| Travelers | $1,465 | $122 |
| American Family | $1,516 | $126 |
| Progressive | $1,566 | $131 |
| Industry Average | $1,648 | $137 |
| Allstate | $2,090 | $174 |
| Farmers | $2,110 | $176 |
DUI Car Insurance Cost
If you get a DUI, you can expect to pay much more for car insurance during the next few years. Compared to the national average for good drivers, drivers with DUIs pay about 89 percent more per year. Some of the more affordable companies for this situation include State Farm, American Family, and USAA.
| Car Insurance Company | Annual Cost | Monthly Cost |
|---|---|---|
| State Farm | $2,180 | $182 |
| American Family | $2,211 | $184 |
| USAA | $2,236 | $186 |
| Erie | $2,326 | $194 |
| Progressive | $2,328 | $194 |
| Travelers | $2,332 | $194 |
| Nationwide | $2,867 | $239 |
| Auto-Owners | $2,971 | $248 |
| Farmers | $3,260 | $272 |
| Industry Average | $3,277 | $273 |
| Geico | $3,376 | $281 |
| Allstate | $3,582 | $298 |
Speeding Ticket Car Insurance Cost
Having a speeding ticket increases your risk level in the eyes of auto insurance companies. Compared to good drivers, people with speeding tickets pay about 34 percent more for coverage per year. USAA, Erie, Nationwide, and State Farm are affordable companies for this situation.
| Car Insurance Company | Annual Cost | Monthly Cost |
|---|---|---|
| USAA | $1,413 | $118 |
| Erie | $1,549 | $129 |
| Nationwide | $1,656 | $138 |
| State Farm | $1,794 | $150 |
| Geico | $1,856 | $155 |
| Travelers | $2,023 | $169 |
| American Family | $2,061 | $172 |
| Auto-Owners | $2,119 | $177 |
| Progressive | $2,311 | $193 |
| Industry Average | $2,313 | $193 |
| Allstate | $2,746 | $229 |
| Farmers | $3,071 | $256 |
At-Fault Accident Car Insurance Cost
Drivers with an at-fault accident pay about 55 percent more for full-coverage car insurance annually according to our cost data. If you have an accident in your past and are looking for cheaper insurance, try USAA, Erie, State Farm, or American Family.
| Car Insurance Company | Annual Cost | Monthly Cost |
|---|---|---|
| USAA | $1,647 | $137 |
| Erie | $1,832 | $153 |
| State Farm | $1,882 | $157 |
| American Family | $1,935 | $161 |
| Auto-Owners | $1,995 | $166 |
| Nationwide | $2,063 | $172 |
| Travelers | $2,193 | $183 |
| Geico | $2,364 | $197 |
| Industry Average | $2,689 | $224 |
| Progressive | $2,822 | $235 |
| Farmers | $3,567 | $297 |
| Allstate | $3,598 | $300 |
Cheapest Car Insurance By State
Besides your age and driving history, your location has a big influence on what you pay for insurance. States have different population densities, severe weather patterns, and insurance regulations, for example. Below, you can see the cheapest company in each state compared to the average cost for each state.
| State | Cheapest Provider | Cheapest Provider Monthly Cost | State Average Monthly Cost |
|---|---|---|---|
| Alabama | Nationwide | $92 | $123 |
| Alaska | Geico | $90 | $117 |
| Arizona | Geico | $89 | $146 |
| Arkansas | State Farm | $102 | $127 |
| California | Progressive | $122 | $174 |
| Colorado | Geico | $93 | $155 |
| Connecticut | Geico | $74 | $250 |
| Delaware | State Farm | $105 | $181 |
| Washington, D.C. | Geico | $78 | $159 |
| Florida | Geico | $161 | $246 |
| Georgia | Geico | $103 | $135 |
| Hawaii | Allstate | $117 | $152 |
| Idaho | State Farm | $57 | $89 |
| Illinois | Country Insurance | $83 | $112 |
| Indiana | Geico | $67 | $111 |
| Iowa | State Farm | $70 | $98 |
| Kansas | Nationwide | $80 | $123 |
| Kentucky | Geico | $94 | $148 |
| Louisiana | Southern Farm Bureau | $163 | $232 |
| Maine | Auto-Owners Insurance | $46 | $80 |
| Maryland | Geico | $167 | $152 |
| Massachusetts | Progressive | $160 | $221 |
| Michigan | Progressive | $128 | $315 |
| Minnesota | State Farm | $102 | $136 |
| Mississippi | National General | $76 | $120 |
| Missouri | State Farm | $112 | $145 |
| Montana | Progressive | $83 | $162 |
| Nebraska | Farmers Mutual Insurance of Nebraska | $105 | $135 |
| Nevada | Geico | $104 | $179 |
| New Hampshire | State Farm | $71 | $112 |
| New Jersey | Geico | $113 | $170 |
| New Mexico | Geico | $81 | $121 |
| New York | Progressive | $108 | $232 |
| North Carolina | Nationwide | $81 | $114 |
| North Dakota | State Farm | $92 | $114 |
| Ohio | Grange Mutual | $62 | $86 |
| Oklahoma | State Farm | $104 | $144 |
| Oregon | State Farm | $83 | $111 |
| Pennsylvania | Nationwide | $92 | $137 |
| Rhode Island | Geico | $119 | $154 |
| South Carolina | American National | $57 | $139 |
| South Dakota | American Family | $107 | $138 |
| Tennessee | State Farm | $87 | $107 |
| Texas | Texas Farm Bureau | $84 | $146 |
| Utah | Geico | $82 | $126 |
| Vermont | State Farm | $63 | $88 |
| Virginia | Erie Insurance | $78 | $95 |
| Washington | Pemco | $99 | $120 |
| West Virginia | Nationwide | $86 | $128 |
| Wisconsin | Geico | $62 | $102 |
| Wyoming | American National | $73 | $147 |
#1 USAA: Cheapest Car Insurance For Military Families
Whether you’re searching for liability insurance or a full coverage policy, USAA provides some of the cheapest average rates. USAA costs about $1,054 per year on average.
USAA provides perks such as roadside assistance, accident forgiveness, rental car coverage, and car replacement assistance (CRA). Plus, the USAA mobile app makes filing a claim simple. USAA also offers other types of insurance, including life insurance, homeowners/renters insurance, and health insurance.
The company is known for its superior customer satisfaction. USAA earned the second-highest score among large insurers in the J.D. Power Insurance Shopping Study and ranked near the top in every region in the J.D. Power Auto Insurance Study.
However, not everyone will qualify for coverage with USAA because it covers only military members, veterans, and their families.
USAA auto insurance might be right for you if:
- You are part of the military, a veteran, or a military family member
- You want the cheapest car insurance available
To learn more about this affordable car insurance provider, check out our USAA auto insurance review.
#2 Erie Insurance: Cheapest Car Insurance For Bundling Discounts
Erie Insurance provides cheap car insurance quotes online and is known for its customer service. Drivers pay an average of $1,238 per year for a full-coverage policy from Erie Insurance. The downside with Erie Insurance is that coverage isn’t available in every state. You can only get an auto insurance policy if you live in these locations:
- Illinois
- Indiana
- Kentucky
- Maryland
- New York
- North Carolina
- Ohio
- Pennsylvania
- Tennessee
- Virginia
- Washington, D.C.
- West Virginia
- Wisconsin
Erie Auto Insurance Reviews
Looking at the BBB ratings for Erie Insurance, you’ll find this provider has an A+ rating. Furthermore, the J.D. Power Auto Insurance Study suggests Erie is a leader wherever coverage is sold.
Erie Insurance might be right for you if:
- You live in a covered state
- You have had an at-fault accident
- Your credit score is excellent
#3 Root Insurance: Best Usage-Based Insurance
Root Insurance is a little different from other insurance providers. Instead of basing your auto insurance premium mainly on your driving record, it weighs your driving behavior first. To get a quote from Root Insurance, your driving behavior first has to be recorded through the Root mobile app, which can take a couple of weeks.
Since Root provides coverage only to good drivers, it pays out less often, making it one of the cheapest car insurance providers. However, Root can deny coverage if you aren’t a good driver.
Root Insurance provides all the standard types of coverage. On top of that, every plan comes with roadside assistance.
Root might be for you if:
- You are a good driver
- You prefer doing everything through a mobile app
#4 Geico: Cheapest Car Insurance For Good Drivers
Geico isn’t just well known because of its commercials – it’s also one of the cheapest auto insurance providers. According to pricing data from Quadrant Information Services, Geico costs about $1,308 per year on average.
While Geico might not be the best choice for someone with a spotty driving record, safe drivers find a lot of benefits in using the provider. Perks offered by Geico include roadside assistance, ridesharing insurance, and mechanical breakdown coverage.
Geico Insurance Reviews
In addition, the company has an A+ rating from the BBB, plus it scored highly in the J.D. Power Auto Insurance Study. When you use the organization’s website, you will find the quote process is simple and you can track claims with ease.
You can find various plans covering property damage liability and bodily injury liability coverage, as well as comprehensive plans. No matter what type of coverage you opt for, you are likely to get one of the lowest rates through Geico.
Geico might be for you if:
- You want to customize coverage
- You don’t have infractions on your driving record
To get to know this cheap auto insurance provider better, check out our Geico auto insurance review.
#5 State Farm: Cheapest Car Insurance For Students
State Farm is another one of the cheapest car insurance company options and is especially well-suited to students and teen drivers. According to Quadrant Information Services, the average cost of a full-coverage auto insurance policy from State Farm is $1,483 per year.
State Farm Discounts
State Farm offers Drive Safe & Save Discounts to help you keep more money in your pocket. By participating in the program, you can save up to 30 percent. The program is simple to use and can be performed from OnStar or your smartphone.
In addition, State Farm is a provider that performs well on both the J.D. Power Insurance Shopping Study and the Auto Insurance Study, although some regions rank it slightly lower than others.
State Farm might be a good fit for you if:
- You want to participate in the safe driving program
- You have poor credit
- You are an inexperienced driver
- Your driving record shows an accident
For more on this cheap car insurance provider, read our State Farm auto insurance review.
How Car Insurance Coverage Works
When you get a car insurance quote, you’ll see options for basic liability coverage and enhancements for full coverage insurance. The company website may give you a few different plan options or let you customize everything. Here’s how it all works.
Basic Coverage
All states except New Hampshire and Virginia require basic car insurance coverage. (Accident victims can sue at-fault drivers in both these states, so insurance is still a good idea.) Required coverage may include:
- Bodily injury liability insurance: This covers other people’s medical bills when you cause an accident.
- Property damage liability insurance: This covers other people’s repair bills when you cause an accident.
- Uninsured/underinsured motorist: This covers your car and medical bills if someone without enough insurance causes an accident.
- Personal injury protection (PIP): This covers medical bills and other costs like funeral expenses and lost wages after an accident.
- Medical payments (MedPay): This covers medical bills up to a limit after an accident.
Most states require bodily injury and property damage liability insurance. Some also require uninsured/underinsured motorist coverage, and a few require medical coverage through PIP or MedPay. If your state doesn’t require these, you can choose to add them instead.
Full Coverage
Full coverage means liability coverage (plus other minimum requirements) along with comprehensive and collision coverage.
- Collision coverage: This covers your car repairs if you cause an accident.
- Comprehensive coverage: This covers your car repairs after damage from the environment, severe weather, vandalism, or collision with stationary objects. It also covers theft.
These coverages pay up to the value of your vehicle. If your car is totaled, the insurance company will cut you a check for the cash value of your vehicle. These options have a deductible, which is the amount you pay before the insurance coverage kicks in.
Extra options
Any reputable car insurance company offers the coverage options we outlined above. Where things differ is in the extra options a company offers. These may include:
- Accident forgiveness
- New car replacement
- Roadside assistance
- Rental car coverage
- Trip interruption coverage
- Usage-based insurance
- Classic car insurance
- Rideshare insurance
- Mechanical breakdown insurance
- Diminishing deductible
- Original replacement parts
- Gap insurance
- Pay-per-mile insurance
Pay attention to these options as you compare quotes to see what makes different companies unique.
What Affects Car Insurance Rates?
The Insurance Information Institute (III) details all the factors that go into determining your rates. While a few of these seem obvious, a couple might surprise you.
- Driving record: If you drive well and have a clean driving record, you will generally find lower car insurance rates. If you have had serious traffic violations or accidents, received a DUI, or are considered a high-risk driver, you will pay more.
- Use of vehicle: The more you drive, the greater your risk. If you do a lot of commuting or traveling, insurance companies will give you a higher rate. If you don’t spend a lot of time driving, you can sign up for what’s known as a “pleasure” rate.
- Age: Once you hit 25 years old, you will notice your car insurance premiums begin to decrease. That’s because you aren’t considered as much of a risk as a young driver. As you become a senior, the rates will once again start to rise.
- Location: Urban drivers can expect to pay higher car insurance rates because of the increase in vandalism, accidents, and theft.
- Vehicle type: Some cars are known to be expensive to insure, while others are rated as the cheapest. Insurance companies consider the cost of your vehicle as well as the likelihood of theft, price of repairs, and overall safety record.
- Credit history: Credit scores are usually taken into account as a way to examine your reliability. A poor credit history indicates a higher likelihood of filing a claim.
- Gender: Statistics from the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) show that women get into fewer car accidents than men. As a result, women pay less for car insurance on average.
- Auto insurance coverage: The limits, deductible, and policy options you choose affect the price you pay for coverage.
How To Keep Your Car Insurance Rates Low
You can keep your car insurance costs low by choosing your car wisely, increasing your deductibles, maintaining a high credit score and a good driving record, finding the best discounts, and reducing insurance limits. You can also shop around to compare rates from providers.
If you have speeding tickets or accidents on your driving profile or have poor credit, you might pay a higher insurance premium. Still, there are ways to save money on your insurance costs.
- Consider what car you buy: Before you buy a car, get a quote on insurance. You might be surprised at what models raise your rates.
- Reduce comprehensive car insurance: If you have an older car, consider removing collision coverage or comprehensive coverage. Just make sure you have the money to replace the vehicle if something happens. Not every state requires you to carry personal injury protection, either. Play with the plans to see what works for your financial situation.
- Increase deductibles: If you have some money in your savings, you can increase the deductible to lower the premium.
- Maintain a good credit score: This is an automatic way to get bigger savings.
- Look for low-income car insurance: Some states have government-sponsored auto insurance programs that help low-income drivers afford car insurance. While not everyone qualifies, it might be something to look into if you are struggling to make ends meet. In California, for instance, if you have a valid driver’s license and meet the other eligibility requirements, you can qualify for California’s Low-Cost Auto Insurance (CLCA) program. New Jersey has a similar program, the Special Automobile Insurance Policy (SAIP), available to drivers who are eligible for Federal Medicaid with hospitalization.
Car Insurance Discounts
One of the easiest ways to save money is to look for discounts on car insurance policies. Some providers offer better discounts for students and others offer better discounts for owning a home. Here’s a partial list of some car insurance discounts you may find:
- Good student discount
- Safe driver discount
- Multi-policy discount
- Multi-vehicle discount
- Defensive driving course discount
- Good driver discount
- Military deployment discount
- Veteran discount
- Discounts for various safety features
- New vehicle discount
How To Shop For Car Insurance
The key to finding cheap auto insurance is knowing how to shop. Because of the many factors that are unique to you, what might be considered low-cost car insurance for you may not be the same for someone else. Here are a few tips that might help:
- Shop: Don’t necessarily go with the first company you find. Instead, shop around. Each company has different car insurance discounts and rates.
- Don’t assume one company is the best: Just because you see a lot of commercials for a car insurance company doesn’t make it the cheapest car insurance provider. Do your research to determine who deserves your business.
- Check local insurers: While many of the big companies can provide low insurance costs, you don’t want to look past local companies. Call a local broker to see what’s offered in your area.
Cheap Monthly Car Insurance
If you don’t drive a lot, you might consider pay-per-mile or usage-based insurance. There are many options, such as Allstate’s Drivewise and State Farm’s Drive Safe & Save. These let the insurer track how many miles you drive and how well you do on the road in exchange for a discount.
With a little work and some patience, you will find the auto insurers with the best car insurance rates for your situation.
Cheapest Auto Insurance: Conclusion
In this review, we found that USAA is the cheapest auto insurance company.
While we all want to save money, it’s important to remember the cost of auto insurance isn’t the only factor to consider. After all, if you decide to go with just state minimum coverage and you cause an accident, you might be liable for the additional damages out of pocket. This expense is something to consider when you’re trying to save a dollar on coverage long-term. Sometimes, paying more is better.
When choosing an auto insurance provider, you can’t strictly assess your options based on affordable auto insurance prices. You might get the lowest rate but have a company that drags its feet when it comes time to pay. In the meantime, you are left without a vehicle and in worse shape than if you had paid more for your auto insurance.
When you do your online comparison shopping among insurance providers, always consider:
- Price
- Customer satisfaction scores
- Reliability ratings
- Financial reputation
- Ease of filing an auto insurance claim
All these factors together will help you to find the provider that fits your needs, and you can save money in the process.
Find some frequently asked questions about cheap car insurance below: