The Cheapest Full-Coverage Car Insurance Companies in 2024

Full-coverage auto policies offer broader protection than basic liability insurance. They extend coverage to your vehicle for a variety of incidents, including damage from car accidents, weather, animals, theft, and vandalism. Despite the name, these policies don’t cover everything, so it’s worth considering additional coverage for complete protection.

The national average rate for full coverage is $176 per month, but USAA, Auto-Owners, and State Farm offer cheaper-than-average rates, according to our research. Even higher-risk drivers — like teens or people with a DUI — can find cheap car insurance if they know where to look.

Below, we explore full-coverage options based on driver backgrounds, locations, and needs, as well as how to find the cheapest full-coverage policy for your specific needs.

Key Takeaways:

• Full-coverage car insurance typically includes comprehensive and collision coverage on top of basic liability.
• People who drive financed, leased, or high-value vehicles need full coverage.
• The cheapest companies offer average full-coverage rates under $100 per month, but dozens of factors affect your premiums.

Cheap Full-Coverage Car Insurance Companies

The average driver pays $176 per month for a full-coverage car insurance policy, according to Compare.com data. But a lot of companies offer cheaper-than-average rates.

We’ve listed the cheapest options for full-coverage insurance in the table below.

Auto-Owners and USAA are well-respected insurers offering the cheapest car insurance for full coverage, on average (29% and 13% less than the next-cheapest option, respectively). But these companies aren’t available to everyone. USAA is only for military members and their families, while Auto-Owners offers car insurance in only 26 states.

State Farm and GEICO offer policies to a larger audience, alongside valuable discounts, significant average savings, and strong reputations for good customer care.

Finally, Safeco is a great way to get cheap rates and an excellent telematics discount. But it lags behind the others in customer and claims satisfaction.

The 5 Best Full-Coverage Car Insurance Companies in 2024

No single insurance company is best for everyone. Since more than a dozen factors affect what you pay for car insurance, rates and coverage options can vary widely from one person to the next. That said, our research shows the following five companies are a great starting point.

• These companies were chosen based on a combination of factors, including average rates, available coverages and discounts, customer reviews, and industry ratings. We prioritized companies with wide availability, coverage options, and discounts offering great rates and a strong reputation.

But keep in mind that the best car insurance companies we chose may not be the best for your unique situation. Research a wide range and compare quotes from several companies when looking for your next policy.

Nationwide: Best for teen drivers

• Average full-coverage premium: $217 per month
• Compare.com rating: 4.70 out of 5
• J.D. Power Customer Satisfaction Index: 806 out of 1,000 (below average)
• NAIC Complaint Index: 62 (above average)
• Available Discounts: 10

Teens and young drivers can often get cheap auto insurance rates from Nationwide, in addition to several student-focused discounts, SmartRide (Nationwide’s telematics program), and SmartMiles (pay-per-mile insurance). They can also access perks like accident forgiveness, vanishing deductibles, and a total loss deductible waiver, which can help you save money in the long run while incentivizing safe driving.

Nationwide also offers dozens of other insurance products, which can help parents with a teen driver on their auto policy access additional discounts and coverages.

Erie: Best for drivers over 40

• Average full-coverage premium: $116 per month
• Compare.com rating: 4.75 out of 5
• J.D. Power Customer Satisfaction Index: 855 out of 1,000 (above average)
• NAIC Complaint Index: 20 (average)
• Available Discounts: 6

Erie offers affordable full-coverage policies to drivers over 40, averaging between $110 and $116 per month, depending on age. Policies come with robust coverage and additional perks, including:

• Erie Rate Lock: Stabilizes your rate — even after a claim — as long as your address, vehicles, and drivers remain the same.
• Emergency roadside service: Provides roadside assistance coverage, including towing and labor.
• Erie Auto Plus: Includes diminishing deductibles, increased coverage limits, waived deductibles, transportation expenses, and death benefits.

GEICO: Best for drivers with bad credit

• Average full-coverage premium: $368 per month
• Compare.com rating: 4.65 out of 5
• J.D. Power Customer Satisfaction Index: 818 out of 1,000 (below average)
• NAIC Complaint Index: 93 (above average)
• Available Discounts: 16

Drivers with poor credit pay an average of $589 per month for full-coverage car insurance — 125% more than people with excellent credit. Low credit increases other costs outside auto insurance, so saving money is crucial.

GEICO offers low rates, great coverage options, and robust discounts that can save you 3%–25% on your premiums. You can also access dozens of insurance products and work with an excellent customer service team. For many drivers, GEICO provides a chance to save money without sacrificing quality.

USAA: Best for drivers with a speeding ticket

• Average full-coverage premium: $106 per month
• Compare.com rating: 4.91 out of 5
• J.D. Power Customer Satisfaction Index: 876 out of 1,000 (above average)
• NAIC Complaint Index: 79 (above average)
• Available Discounts: 9

Speeding tickets raise full-coverage rates by 27%, on average. But USAA auto insurance for the average driver with a speeding ticket is 76% cheaper than the national average. And USAA’s wide array of discounts can help you save even more.

Among the highest-rated companies in the country, USAA is available only to military members and their families. If you’re not eligible, consider one of the other companies listed here.

State Farm: Best for drivers with a DUI

• Average full-coverage premium: $244 per month
• Compare.com rating: 4.90 out of 5 stars
• J.D. Power Customer Satisfaction Index: 833 out of 1,000 (average)
• NAIC Complaint Index: 97 (above average)
• Available Discounts: 10

Full-coverage policies for drivers with a DUI conviction cost an average of $536 per month — 96% more than for people with a clean driving record. But State Farm’s average rates cut premiums in half. You can also access many discounts, including the loyalty discount, the Drive Safe & Save telematics program, and bundling opportunities — even if you have a DUI.

These standard insurance policies include personalized customer and claims service from a local insurance agent. Plus, State Farm offers a top-notch website and mobile app for your convenience.

Cheap Full-Coverage Car Insurance by State

Your location has a huge effect on your car insurance rates. Each state has unique rules for coverage requirements, fault designations, and the ability to sue for damages, which affect the risk insurance companies take when offering policies. Similarly, rates can vary from one area to the next, based on local claim frequencies, traffic patterns, and crime rates.

Here are the cheapest auto insurance companies for each state, based on data from Compare.com.

Cheap Full Coverage for Drivers With an Incident

Speeding tickets, accidents, and DUIs raise car insurance rates substantially — 27% or more compared to drivers with a clean record. They also disqualify you from safe driver discounts. Still, many insurers offer great rates, even if you have a mark on your record.

The table below shows the cheapest car insurance companies for full-coverage policies for drivers with less-than-perfect records.

The average driver pays $171 per month after any of the above incidents, so these insurers could save you thousands on your car insurance bill each year. American Family and Allstate offer coverage in most places, have strong reputations, and offer a wide range of coverage options with the lowest average rates — about 33% less than others on the list.

Auto-Owners and Amica are well-liked by customers and are just shy of 50% cheaper than average but offer limited availability — just 26 and four states, respectively. Bristol West also offers cheap rates, but its customer service falls behind the rest.

What Full-Coverage Car Insurance Includes

Full-coverage car insurance typically includes a combination of insurance policies that protect you and your vehicle in various situations. While “full coverage” doesn’t have a standard definition, virtually all full-coverage policies will include at least the following:

• Liability insurance: Covers costs associated with injury, death, or property damage to others when you cause an accident.
• Collision insurance: Pays for damage to your vehicle if you collide with another vehicle or object.
• Comprehensive insurance: Covers damage to your vehicle from non-collision events, such as theft, vandalism, or natural disasters.

But this may not be enough to fully protect you. Consider adding the following, often optional, coverages to your policy:

• Uninsured/underinsured motorist protection: Covers costs if a driver without any or enough insurance hits you.
• Gap insurance: Covers the difference between what you owe on your car and its current market value if you total it.
• Roadside assistance: Provides services like towing, flat tire changes, and lockout assistance if your car breaks down or strands you on the side of the road.
• Rental reimbursement: Pays for a rental car while your vehicle is in the repair shop during a covered claim.
• MedPay or personal injury protection (PIP): Covers medical expenses and sometimes lost wages, regardless of who’s at fault.
• Umbrella insurance: Offers additional liability protection beyond your auto and home liability limits.

Is Full Coverage Right For You?

Full-coverage car insurance is typically mandatory if you finance or lease your vehicle. But drivers with higher-value, paid-off vehicles can also benefit from these policies. You may also want better protection for your car if you live in an area prone to severe weather, car theft, or frequent accidents.

To decide if full coverage is worth the extra cost, compare the value of your car to your insurance premiums. If your vehicle is older and its market value is low, the additional expense for full coverage may not be worth it. Let’s look at an example.

If your car is worth $5,000 and you have a full-coverage policy with a $1,000 deductible, you can get a maximum payout of $4,000 if you total it. Since the average additional cost of full-coverage insurance compared to liability-only policies is $1,680 annually, you might be better off saving that money for your next car purchase.

But keep in mind it largely depends on your specific situation. If you rely on your car for work and can’t afford to replace it if you get in an accident, full coverage may still be worth keeping, regardless of your vehicle’s value.

Full Coverage Insurance FAQs

Full-coverage car insurance has more moving parts than minimum-coverage policies. Let’s review some quick answers to the most common questions about full-coverage policies.

Which company has the cheapest full-coverage car insurance?

Auto-Owners offers the cheapest average rates for full-coverage auto insurance, at $82 per month, according to Compare.com data. But USAA, State Farm, GEICO, and Safeco also offer full coverage at competitive rates. At the end of the day, the cheapest company on average may not be your cheapest option, so compare full-coverage insurance quotes from several insurers before you buy.

Do you need full coverage on a financed car?

Yes, you need full coverage — which includes liability, collision, and comprehensive coverages — for a financed car. Your lender will share requirements with you when you get your car loan. Some lenders may also require additional coverage options, such as gap insurance.

Is GEICO or Progressive cheaper?

It depends. GEICO and Progressive are known for cheaper-than-average rates, with GEICO offering lower rates on average, based on Compare.com data. But the cheapest in general doesn’t necessarily mean it’s the cheapest for you since several factors affect your specific rates. Compare personalized car insurance quotes to find out which company offers you the best deal.

Data Methodology:

Data scientists at Compare.com analyzed more than 50 million real-time auto insurance quotes from more than 75 partner insurers in order to compile the rates and statistics seen in this article. Compare.com’s auto insurance data includes coverage analysis and details on drivers’ vehicles, driving records, insurance histories, and demographic information.

All the rates listed in this article have been collected from a combination of real Compare.com quotes and external insurance rate data gathered in collaboration with Quadrant Information Services. Compare.com uses these observations to provide readers with insights into how auto insurance companies determine their premiums.

Rating Methodology:

Compare.com’s mission is to help our readers make more informed decisions about their personal finances. Our editorial staff has crafted a proprietary, objective rating formula — the Compare.com Rating — to make it easier for our readers to analyze and compare many of the industry’s most well-known insurers. The score you see referenced in this article is based on several factors, including:

• Cost: How the insurer’s average rates compare to its direct competitors and the industry as a whole. This includes available savings opportunities, such as discounts and other factors.
• Customer satisfaction: How satisfied existing customers are with the service they receive. This includes the insurer’s scores among various third-party studies, such as the J.D. Power U.S. Insurance Shopping and Claims Satisfaction studies, and the National Association of Insurance Commissioners (NAIC) Complaint Index, among others.
• Ease of use: How easy it is for policyholders to utilize their policies. This includes mobile app availability, customer service availability, payment flexibility, and other related factors.
• Availability: The overall scope of the company’s insurance offerings. This includes available coverage types, national footprint, and other related factors.
• Industry reputation: A measure of the insurer’s overall standing within the industry. This includes its AM Best Financial Strength rating, BBB accreditation, and other related factors.

Sources:

1. J.D. Power, “2023 U.S. Auto Insurance Study,” accessed May 3, 2024.
2. J.D. Power, “2023 U.S. Auto Claims Satisfaction Study,” accessed May 3, 2024.
3. National Association of Insurance Commissioners, “Nationwide Gen Ins Co National Complaint Index Report,” accessed May 3, 2024.
4. National Association of Insurance Commissioners, “Erie Ins Co National Complaint Index Report,” accessed May 3, 2024.
5. National Association of Insurance Commissioners, “Geico Gen Ins Co National Complaint Index Report,” accessed May 3, 2024.
6. National Association of Insurance Commissioners, “USAA Cas Ins Co National Complaint Index Report,” accessed May 3, 2024.
7. National Association of Insurance Commissioners, “State Farm Gen Ins Co National Complaint Index Report,” accessed May 3, 2024.