Cheap Liability Car Insurance: Cheapest Companies, Average Rates, and How to Save in 2026

The lowest average liability coverage premium is $43 per month from Country Financial, according to Compare.com data. But rates can shift substantially based on where you live, what you drive, and your personal record.

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J.J. Starr
Written byJ.J. Starr
J.J. Starr
J.J. StarrInsurance Writer

J.J. Starr is an insurance and personal finance expert who has been writing for Compare.com since 2022. Her work has been published across the web, appearing on sites such as Insurify.

Prior to writing for Compare.com, J.J. was a registered banker and life insurance consultant, holding a Series 6, FINRA, and life insurance license. She also earned a master’s degree in writing from New York University.

J.J. has a passion for helping people save money by explaining complex topics like car insurance in a way that is simple and easy to understand.

Lequita Westbrooks
Lequita WestbrooksSenior Editor

Lequita Westbrooks is an insurance editor at Compare.com. Her writing and editing experiences span several industries, including insurance, personal finance, higher education, and more. She excels at explaining complex topics like auto insurance in simple, easy-to-understand language and is passionate about helping readers save money. Lequita graduated from the University of South Florida, where she earned her Bachelor’s degree in English.

David C. Marlett
David C. Marlett, Ph.D., CPCUExpert Reviewer, Insurance
  • Professor of Risk Management

  • 25+ years in insurance

  • Former commercial lines underwriter

David Marlett is a Professor of Risk Management in the Department of Finance, Banking and Insurance at Appalachian State University. In his role, he serves as Managing Director of the university’s Brantley Risk & Insurance Center and holds the IIANC Distinguished Professorship. He also serves on the Board of Directors for the Invest program and previously chaired the Loman Advisory Committee for the CPCU Society.

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Key Takeaways
  • Liability-only car insurance costs an average of $99 per month, according to Compare.com data.

  • Country Financial, Auto-Owners, and USAA offer the lowest average liability premiums nationwide.

  • Rates vary sharply by driver profile, with teens paying the lowest average rate of $59 and seniors paying $31.

The Cheapest Liability Car Insurance Companies Nationwide

Every auto insurance company uses its own formula to calculate your car insurance rate. Insurers look at a range of risk factors, but some put more weight on certain factors than others. That’s why the cheapest company isn’t the same for every driver.

The companies in the table below offer some of the cheapest average liability insurance rates, according to data from Compare.com.

The below national rates are estimated rates current as of: Thursday, July 9 at 5:00 PM PDT. 
Company
Average Monthly Premium
Country Financial$43
Auto-Owners$46
USAA$52
NJM$53
State Farm$54
Erie$70
Allstate$74
Mile Auto$76
Progressive$80
GEICO$81
American Family$82
Commonwealth Casualty$83
Safeco$84
The General$85
National General$88
Direct Auto$92
Mercury$94
GAINSCO$97
Dairyland$98
Travelers$98
Elephant$105
Bristol West$106
Farmers$107
AssuranceAmerica$110
Root$110
Anchor$115
Chubb$119
Clearcover$120
Plymouth Rock$123
Liberty Mutual$129
21st Century$133
Shelter$133
The Hartford$139
State Auto$153
CSAA$159
Amica$247
We sourced this data by analyzing real quotes from Compare.com's 100-plus partner insurance companies alongside rate filings collected and distributed by Quadrant Information Services. Actual quotes may vary. Data updated on Thursday, July 9 at 5:00 PM PDT.

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Cheapest Liability Car Insurance Rates by Driver Type

Car insurance companies consider several personal factors when calculating rates, including your age, marital status, driving record, and gender. Where permitted, insurers can consider your credit history. The cheapest insurer for one type of driver may not be the cheapest for another.

This table shows the cheapest liability car insurance company for each driver type, according to Compare.com data.

Driver Type
Cheapest Company
Cheapest Average Monthly Premium
Good driversCountry Financial$43
TeensCountry Financial$59
SeniorsCountry Financial$31
Recent speeding ticketCountry Financial$62
Recent accidentCountry Financial$61
DUI convictionCountry Financial$59
Drivers with excellent creditCountry Financial$40
Drivers with poor creditCountry Financial$50
We sourced this data by analyzing real quotes from Compare.com's 100-plus partner insurance companies alongside rate filings collected and distributed by Quadrant Information Services. Actual quotes may vary. Data updated on .

Cheapest liability car insurance for good drivers

Country Financial offers the cheapest liability insurance rates for drivers with a clean record, with insurance premiums starting at $43 per month, according to Compare.com data.

Good drivers have plenty of affordable options. The table below compares the lowest liability insurance rates for drivers with a clean record.

The below national rates are estimated rates current as of: Thursday, July 9 at 5:00 PM PDT. 
Company
Average Monthly Premium
Country Financial$43
Auto-Owners$46
USAA$52
NJM$53
State Farm$54
Erie$70
Allstate$74
Mile Auto$76
Progressive$80
GEICO$81
American Family$82
Commonwealth Casualty$83
Safeco$84
The General$85
National General$88
Direct Auto$92
Mercury$94
GAINSCO$97
Dairyland$98
Travelers$98
Elephant$105
Bristol West$106
Farmers$107
AssuranceAmerica$110
Root$110
Anchor$115
Chubb$119
Clearcover$120
Plymouth Rock$123
Liberty Mutual$129
21st Century$133
Shelter$133
The Hartford$139
State Auto$153
CSAA$159
Amica$247
We sourced this data by analyzing real quotes from Compare.com's 100-plus partner insurance companies alongside rate filings collected and distributed by Quadrant Information Services. Actual quotes may vary. Data updated on Thursday, July 9 at 5:00 PM PDT.

Cheapest liability car insurance for teens

The lowest average liability premium for teen drivers is $59 per month, and Country Financial, Auto-Owners, and USAA offer some of the lowest rates, according to Compare.com data.

Check out the table below to compare the cheapest companies for teens.

The below national rates are estimated rates current as of: Thursday, July 9 at 5:00 PM PDT. 
Company
Average Monthly Premium
Country Financial$59
USAA$96
Auto-Owners$102
State Farm$110
Erie$129
Root$132
GEICO$145
The General$152
Allstate$156
American Family$159
Commonwealth Casualty$161
Dairyland$162
GAINSCO$165
Mercury$172
Mile Auto$173
Clearcover$176
Bristol West$182
Safeco$188
Elephant$188
National General$189
Direct Auto$190
Liberty Mutual$216
Plymouth Rock$226
Travelers$227
Anchor$230
Farmers$231
21st Century$233
AssuranceAmerica$255
Chubb$271
Shelter$285
The Hartford$370
State Auto$457
Amica$459
CSAA$483
We sourced this data by analyzing real quotes from Compare.com's 100-plus partner insurance companies alongside rate filings collected and distributed by Quadrant Information Services. Actual quotes may vary. Data updated on Thursday, July 9 at 5:00 PM PDT.

Cheapest liability car insurance for seniors

Senior drivers can find liability coverage for an average of $31 per month from Country Financial. Auto-Owners and USAA also offer some of the lowest rates.

The table below compares the lowest liability insurance rates for senior drivers.

The below national rates are estimated rates current as of: Thursday, July 9 at 5:00 PM PDT. 
Company
Average Monthly Premium
Country Financial$31
Auto-Owners$33
State Farm$38
USAA$39
Erie$47
Mile Auto$54
Allstate$56
GEICO$59
American Family$60
Commonwealth Casualty$62
National General$62
Mercury$67
Direct Auto$71
The General$71
Travelers$72
Safeco$74
Shelter$75
Chubb$77
AssuranceAmerica$77
Farmers$77
The Hartford$80
Elephant$80
Dairyland$82
GAINSCO$83
Bristol West$85
Anchor$86
21st Century$94
Plymouth Rock$98
State Auto$99
CSAA$100
Liberty Mutual$103
Root$107
Clearcover$108
Amica$173
We sourced this data by analyzing real quotes from Compare.com's 100-plus partner insurance companies alongside rate filings collected and distributed by Quadrant Information Services. Actual quotes may vary. Data updated on Thursday, July 9 at 5:00 PM PDT.

Cheapest liability car insurance after a speeding ticket

Drivers with a recent speeding ticket can find liability coverage for as low as $62 per month, on average. Country Financial, Auto-Owners, and USAA have the lowest average rates for drivers with a speeding ticket.

You can find the lowest liability insurance rates for drivers with a recent speeding ticket in the table below.

The below national rates are estimated rates current as of: Thursday, July 9 at 5:00 PM PDT. 
Company
Average Monthly Premium
Auto-Owners$62
Country Financial$62
USAA$69
State Farm$69
Mile Auto$89
Commonwealth Casualty$94
Erie$97
Allstate$99
American Family$109
National General$109
GEICO$111
GAINSCO$111
Safeco$115
Direct Auto$116
Dairyland$120
The General$122
Elephant$124
Root$125
Travelers$131
Bristol West$135
Anchor$140
Farmers$140
Mercury$142
AssuranceAmerica$143
Chubb$154
Clearcover$156
Liberty Mutual$167
Plymouth Rock$170
21st Century$184
Shelter$187
The Hartford$210
State Auto$215
CSAA$218
Amica$363
We sourced this data by analyzing real quotes from Compare.com's 100-plus partner insurance companies alongside rate filings collected and distributed by Quadrant Information Services. Actual quotes may vary. Data updated on Thursday, July 9 at 5:00 PM PDT.

Cheapest liability car insurance after an accident

After an at-fault accident, drivers can find liability coverage averaging $61 per month from Country Financial. Auto-Owners and USAA also offer the most affordable car insurance, according to Compare.com.

See the table below to find the cheapest companies for liability coverage after an accident.

The below national rates are estimated rates current as of: Thursday, July 9 at 5:00 PM PDT. 
Company
Average Monthly Premium
Country Financial$61
Auto-Owners$62
USAA$71
State Farm$72
Erie$96
Allstate$101
Mile Auto$105
GEICO$107
Commonwealth Casualty$110
American Family$113
National General$118
GAINSCO$120
The General$122
Safeco$123
Dairyland$129
Direct Auto$129
Root$132
Travelers$136
Elephant$136
Plymouth Rock$137
Bristol West$141
Farmers$145
AssuranceAmerica$147
Anchor$148
Mercury$157
Chubb$161
Liberty Mutual$172
Clearcover$183
Shelter$187
21st Century$188
The Hartford$206
State Auto$217
CSAA$241
Amica$355
We sourced this data by analyzing real quotes from Compare.com's 100-plus partner insurance companies alongside rate filings collected and distributed by Quadrant Information Services. Actual quotes may vary. Data updated on Thursday, July 9 at 5:00 PM PDT.

Cheapest liability car insurance after a DUI

At $59 per month, Country Financial offers the lowest average liability premium after a DUI, followed by Auto-Owners and USAA, according to Compare.com data.

The table below highlights the cheapest liability insurance companies for drivers with a DUI.

The below national rates are estimated rates current as of: Thursday, July 9 at 5:00 PM PDT. 
Company
Average Monthly Premium
Country Financial$59
Auto-Owners$60
USAA$75
State Farm$78
Erie$101
Allstate$107
American Family$108
Mile Auto$110
Commonwealth Casualty$113
GEICO$115
The General$116
National General$127
Direct Auto$133
GAINSCO$140
Dairyland$141
Travelers$141
Safeco$144
Elephant$151
Mercury$152
Bristol West$153
Farmers$154
AssuranceAmerica$159
Root$159
Clearcover$160
Anchor$166
Chubb$172
21st Century$178
Liberty Mutual$186
Plymouth Rock$190
Shelter$196
State Auto$204
The Hartford$218
CSAA$229
Amica$377
We sourced this data by analyzing real quotes from Compare.com's 100-plus partner insurance companies alongside rate filings collected and distributed by Quadrant Information Services. Actual quotes may vary. Data updated on Thursday, July 9 at 5:00 PM PDT.

Cheapest liability car insurance for drivers with excellent credit

Drivers with excellent credit can pay as little as $40 per month. Country Financial, Auto-Owners, and USAA lead the group in the following table.

The below national rates are estimated rates current as of: Thursday, July 9 at 5:00 PM PDT. 
Company
Average Monthly Premium
Auto-Owners$32
Country Financial$40
State Farm$43
USAA$45
Erie$49
GEICO$63
Mile Auto$63
Allstate$64
American Family$68
Commonwealth Casualty$73
The General$75
Safeco$76
Mercury$77
National General$78
Direct Auto$81
Travelers$84
GAINSCO$85
Dairyland$86
Farmers$90
Bristol West$94
Elephant$95
AssuranceAmerica$97
Liberty Mutual$98
Chubb$100
Root$101
Anchor$101
Plymouth Rock$107
Clearcover$113
Shelter$118
21st Century$121
State Auto$128
The Hartford$131
CSAA$146
Amica$213
We sourced this data by analyzing real quotes from Compare.com's 100-plus partner insurance companies alongside rate filings collected and distributed by Quadrant Information Services. Actual quotes may vary. Data updated on Thursday, July 9 at 5:00 PM PDT.

Cheapest liability car insurance for drivers with poor credit

Drivers with poor credit can find liability coverage from Country Financial for an average of $50 per month. Auto-Owners and USAA offer some of the lowest rates as well. The table below shows the cheapest options for drivers with poor credit.

The below national rates are estimated rates current as of: Thursday, July 9 at 5:00 PM PDT. 
Company
Average Monthly Premium
Country Financial$50
USAA$63
Auto-Owners$80
State Farm$88
Allstate$90
Mile Auto$93
American Family$95
GEICO$99
Commonwealth Casualty$101
Safeco$103
The General$104
National General$108
Mercury$112
Direct Auto$112
Erie$118
GAINSCO$119
Dairyland$120
Travelers$120
Elephant$128
Bristol West$130
Farmers$131
AssuranceAmerica$134
Root$134
Plymouth Rock$141
Anchor$141
Clearcover$147
Liberty Mutual$147
21st Century$163
Shelter$163
The Hartford$185
State Auto$188
CSAA$194
Chubb$230
Amica$302
We sourced this data by analyzing real quotes from Compare.com's 100-plus partner insurance companies alongside rate filings collected and distributed by Quadrant Information Services. Actual quotes may vary. Data updated on Thursday, July 9 at 5:00 PM PDT.

What Liability Car Insurance Covers

Liability car insurance covers injuries and property damage you cause to other people, up to your policy’s limits. It includes bodily injury liability, which pays for things like medical bills, lost wages, and pain and suffering. The property damage liability coverage helps repair or replace someone else’s property, like a car or fence.[1]

Your liability insurance won’t pay for your medical bills or car repairs. Depending on the type of loss, your policy, and your state’s laws, coverages like collision, comprehensive, medical payments, personal injury protection, or your health insurance may help instead.

Nearly every state requires you to have liability coverage. The states that don’t still require you to prove financial responsibility (meaning you can cover damages if you cause a crash).[2] Minimum coverage requirements vary by state, and any claim costs above your limits are your responsibility.

Liability-only insurance protects other people and their property, not your vehicle. That’s why it’s worth comparing it to full-coverage insurance, which extends protection to your vehicle.

Liability-only vs. full coverage: What’s the difference?

Liability-only coverage provides the protection your state requires. But it doesn’t safeguard your car. Full-coverage car insurance includes liability insurance plus collision, which pays for damage to your vehicle after an accident, and comprehensive coverage, which pays for non-collision events like theft, hail, fire, and vandalism.

If you finance or lease your car, you typically need full coverage because lenders usually require it. It may also be a better fit for newer or higher-value vehicles. Liability-only may make more sense for an older, paid-off car with a lower market value or for drivers who can afford to repair or replace their vehicle out of pocket.

Coverage
What It Covers
Bodily injury liabilityOther people’s medical expenses, lost wages, and related injury costs if you cause an accident, up to your policy limits
Property damage liabilityRepairs or replacement for another person’s vehicle or other property you damage
CollisionDamage to your vehicle from a crash with another car or object, minus your deductible
ComprehensiveDamage to your vehicle from non-collision events such as theft, hail, fire, vandalism, floods, falling objects, or animals, minus your deductible

Is Liability-Only Car Insurance Right for You?

If you finance or lease your vehicle, your lender’s agreement almost certainly requires collision and comprehensive coverage. But if you own a lower-value car outright, liability-only insurance may be worth it.

Drivers who could comfortably repair or replace their vehicle out of pocket may also choose liability-only coverage. Young drivers and other high-risk drivers often face higher insurance premiums, making it especially important to compare liability-only and full-coverage costs before choosing a policy.

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What Affects Liability Car Insurance Rates?

Woman with long hair driving a car, focused and wearing a seatbelt, with blurred outdoor scenery visible through the windows.

Insurers use personal, geographic, and vehicle-related information to estimate how likely you are to file a claim and how much that claim could cost.[3]

  • Age: Your age affects what you pay. Younger drivers typically pay more because they have less driving experience.

  • Driving record: Existing tickets, accidents, and DUIs on your driving record can all push your rates up.

  • ZIP code and state: Local traffic, claim costs, insurance laws, weather, and theft rates all affect premiums.

  • Credit history: Insurers may use credit-based insurance scores where state law allows.

  • Annual mileage: Driving more miles increases your chances of getting into an accident.

  • Vehicle: Your car’s repair costs, safety features, market value, and theft risk all play a role.

  • Coverage limits: Higher limits generally result in higher premiums.

  • Claims history: Previous claims can increase the cost of your next policy.

How to Get Cheap Liability Car Insurance

The cheapest policy isn’t always the best value. Drivers looking for cheap car insurance quotes have several ways to lower their costs. The tips below can help you find affordable liability coverage.

  1. Get several quotes. Compare quotes from multiple insurers with the same liability limits from several insurers to get the lowest rate.

  2. Ask about available discounts. Ask what discounts you qualify for, then look for ways to get more, such as completing a defensive driving course.

  3. Bundle your insurance policies. Buying auto coverage with your renters or homeowners insurance can qualify you for a multi-policy discount on both premiums.

  4. Keep a clean driving record. Tickets and at-fault accidents can raise costs for years. Avoiding them can help you qualify for a safe driver discount and lower rates over time.

  5. Choose the right deductibles. Raise your comprehensive and collision coverage deductibles to lower premiums.

  6. Work on your credit. Resolve errors and work to raise your score, as drivers with better credit pay lower rates.

  7. Shop again before every renewal. Rates and coverage needs change over time, so compare quotes often to make sure you’re getting the best rates.

Cheap Liability Car Insurance FAQs

Below, we answer some questions drivers ask most often when comparing liability-only policies, from finding the lowest rates to choosing the right coverage limits.

  • What is the cheapest car insurance for just liability?

    If you’re looking for only liability coverage, Country Financial offers the cheapest liability car insurance, averaging $43 per month, according to Compare.com data. But the cheapest option can change depending on the policy. That’s why GEICO may be the cheapest option for one driver, but State Farm may be the cheapest option for you.

  • How much should liability car insurance cost?

    Liability car insurance costs an average of $99 per month, according to Compare.com data. Your actual premium depends on your state, limits, driving history, age, location, and other rating factors.

  • How much liability coverage do you need for your car?

    You need to carry at least your state’s required liability limits. You may want higher limits if the minimum coverage could leave you vulnerable to large out-of-pocket expenses after an at-fault accident. Also consider optional coverage, like roadside assistance, based on your needs.

  • What is property damage liability insurance?

    Property damage liability insurance pays to repair or replace another person’s vehicle or other property you damage in an accident, up to the limit shown on your policy.

  • How can you find the most affordable liability car insurance?

    Compare quotes from several insurers using the same liability limits, deductibles, and coverage options. Shop again before each renewal because rates and the cheapest companies for your driver profile can change over time.

Sources

  1. Naic.org. "Insurance Topics."
  2. Insurance Information Institute. "Is it legal to drive without insurance?."
  3. Insurance Information Institute. "What determines the price of an auto insurance policy?."

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.

About Compare.com

Compare.com's #1 goal is to save you money. We publish resources that are based on hard-hitting data and years of industry experience to help you make more informed decisions with your wallet.

  • All of Compare.com's content is written and reviewed for accuracy by a team of experienced writers and editors who are experts on the topics they cover.
  • None of Compare.com's content is ever influenced by the companies and brands we partner with.
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  • All of the content you see on Compare.com is based on comprehensive analysis and all data is gathered and vetted from trustworthy sources.

Learn more about us, our team, and what makes us tick.

J.J. Starr
Written byJ.J. StarrInsurance Writer
J.J. Starr
J.J. StarrInsurance Writer

J.J. Starr is an insurance and personal finance expert who has been writing for Compare.com since 2022. Her work has been published across the web, appearing on sites such as Insurify.

Prior to writing for Compare.com, J.J. was a registered banker and life insurance consultant, holding a Series 6, FINRA, and life insurance license. She also earned a master’s degree in writing from New York University.

J.J. has a passion for helping people save money by explaining complex topics like car insurance in a way that is simple and easy to understand.

Lequita Westbrooks
Edited byLequita WestbrooksSenior Editor
Lequita Westbrooks
Lequita WestbrooksSenior Editor

Lequita Westbrooks is an insurance editor at Compare.com. Her writing and editing experiences span several industries, including insurance, personal finance, higher education, and more. She excels at explaining complex topics like auto insurance in simple, easy-to-understand language and is passionate about helping readers save money. Lequita graduated from the University of South Florida, where she earned her Bachelor’s degree in English.

David C. Marlett, Ph.D., CPCU
Reviewed byDavid C. Marlett, Ph.D., CPCUExpert Reviewer, Insurance
David C. Marlett
David C. Marlett, Ph.D., CPCUExpert Reviewer, Insurance
  • Professor of Risk Management

  • 25+ years in insurance

  • Former commercial lines underwriter

David Marlett is a Professor of Risk Management in the Department of Finance, Banking and Insurance at Appalachian State University. In his role, he serves as Managing Director of the university’s Brantley Risk & Insurance Center and holds the IIANC Distinguished Professorship. He also serves on the Board of Directors for the Invest program and previously chaired the Loman Advisory Committee for the CPCU Society.

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