+120 more*These quotes are from Compare.com users within the last 10 days. Updated on September 14, 2026
*These quotes are from Compare.com users within the last 10 days. Updated on September 14, 2026
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Senior Director, Media Relations, with Triple-I
30+ years of industry experience
Leadership positions at several trade organizations
Updated
Your age, gender, driving history, vehicle make and model, where you live, and credit history (in most states) will affect the car insurance quotes you receive.
Comparing car insurance quotes from multiple companies is the best way to ensure you’re getting the best coverage at the cheapest rates available to you.
Compare.com’s proprietary database of car insurance quotes shows that Country Financial, Auto-Owners, and NJM have the lowest national average rates.
Prices of consumer goods have been on the rise since 2020, and although inflation has begun to slow in the last couple of years, the cost of auto insurance continues to increase.
In fact, from 2022 to 2026, the average American driver experienced a roughly 40% increase in their auto insurance bill, according to Compare.com data. And in 2026, average rates have climbed by roughly another 1%.
But that doesn’t necessarily mean you’re stuck with ever-increasing rates. Some insurers are raising premiums at a faster rate than their competitors, while others are better equipped to withstand the rising automobile prices and repair costs that have contributed to the recent spike in insurance prices.
Regardless of your current rates or the looming increases, the single best way to get cheaper car insurance is to compare quotes from as many companies as possible.
Every car insurance company calculates its rates differently, using its own unique formula to determine how much to charge. That means rates can vary widely from one insurer to the next.
For example, a driver with a recent speeding ticket pays an average of $198 per month for a full-coverage policy with GEICO. But Liberty Mutual averages $264 per month for a driver with the same infraction and policy type.
To paint a fuller picture, here’s how average full-coverage rates from several top insurers compare for someone with a recent speeding ticket, according to our data.
Company | Average Monthly Premium |
|---|---|
| USAA | $133 |
| GEICO | $198 |
| Liberty Mutual | $264 |
| The Hartford | $354 |
| Amica | $591 |
Keep in mind that this table compares just five companies. The bottom line is that these types of differences can add up to hundreds of dollars over the course of a year.
That makes regularly shopping around and comparing quotes the most effective way to get cheaper car insurance.
Comparing car insurance quotes online can be quick and easy if you know how to do it. You can get free car insurance quotes online and, using these tips, find the best coverage from the most affordable company for your unique needs.
Before you start comparing quotes, you need to determine your budget, the type of insurance you need, and how much coverage you require. By doing this as your first step, you can quickly weed out overpriced insurance companies and focus on the insurers with the lowest prices.
The average U.S. driver pays $142 per month for car insurance, according to Compare.com data, so that’s a good place to start.
To obtain a quote, make sure you have the right information available, like your:
Date of birth
Driver’s license number
Vehicle identification number (VIN)
Current coverage details
Vehicle make and model
ZIP code
You’ll need to share the information you gathered with multiple insurers to get the most accurate quotes for your driver profile. Because each insurer can treat rating factors differently, it’s important to share the same information across companies — that way, you can be sure you’re making an apples-to-apples comparison.
Insurance-comparison sites make comparing quotes faster and easier because you have to provide your information only once. Plus, you can compare prices and coverage options from different companies at the same time.
But not all comparison sites are created equal. Several sites advertise the ability to compare quotes, but many are just lead-generation websites that sell your personal information to third parties. Legitimate comparison sites — like Compare.com, Insurify, and Jerry — partner with insurance companies to provide real-time quotes.
The largest insurance companies won’t always have the best price for your specific needs. Do your research before committing to an insurer. Third-party rating organizations — like J.D. Power and AM Best — analyze insurance companies based on customer feedback and experiences with things like website and mobile app performance, the shopping experience, the claims process, and financial strength.
Here’s how a few of the top companies stack up among a few of the most reputable studies:
Insurance Company | Compare.com Rating | J.D. Power Customer Satisfaction Index | J.D. Power Claims Satisfaction Index | AM Best Financial Strength Rating | NAIC Complaint Index* |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Allstate | 4.93 | 635 | 691 | A+ | 1.71 |
| American Family | 4.78 | 644 | 692 | A | 0.68 |
| Farmers | 4.28 | 622 | 706 | A | 1.62 |
| Liberty Mutual | 3.72 | 614 | 717 | A | 1.39 |
| Nationwide | 4.87 | 648 | 728 | A | 0.46 |
| Progressive | 4.50 | 621 | 672 | A+ | 1.30 |
| State Farm | 5.00 | 650 | 710 | A++ | 2.04 |
| Travelers | 4.23 | 613 | 684 | A++ | 0.07 |
| USAA | 4.96 | 735 | 726 | A++ | 1.87 |
| Industry average | N/A | 641 | 697 | N/A | 1.00 |
After researching, you should have narrowed down your list to a few insurance companies. It’s time to choose which company best meets your coverage needs and budget. Review your auto insurance quotes again and select the best quote for you. Then, complete the application for your new policy.
When your policy comes up for renewal, you’ll typically get a renewal notice at least 30-45 days before your renewal date. Take some time to compare car insurance quotes again to see if your current insurer is still the best deal. You won’t know if you could find lower rates or get a better deal if you don’t get new quotes.
Compare quotes from dozens of America’s top insurers.
Although price is an important factor, it’s not the only one to consider when comparing auto insurance quotes. Your coverage choices and the insurance company should also factor into your decision.
You have multiple coverage options to choose from, including the ones listed below.
Liability coverage: Not only does liability insurance meet state requirements, but it also pays for the injuries and property damage of other drivers when you cause a car accident.
Collision coverage: If you cause an accident, collision coverage pays for damage to your own vehicle. This also covers rollovers and hit-and-runs.
Comprehensive coverage: This pays for damage to your own vehicle from “non-collision events,” such as weather, vandalism, fire, falling objects, or theft.
Full coverage: Purchasing comprehensive and collision coverages on top of basic liability insurance gives you a “full-coverage” policy. This way, you’re covered if your vehicle gets damaged. Full coverage is typically required if you have an auto loan or lease.
You can also consider optional coverages, like the ones mentioned below.
Uninsured or underinsured motorist coverage provides added protection if you’re hit by a driver who doesn’t have enough insurance to cover your damages. This also covers you for hit-and-runs.
Medical payments (MedPay) and personal injury protection (PIP) cover your medical bills, regardless of fault. PIP is a required coverage in 12 states and MedPay is required in four states.
Roadside assistance pays for towing and labor costs if you’re stranded with a flat tire or dead battery, among other problems.
Gap insurance pays for the difference between your loan balance and your car’s actual cash value if totaled. Gap insurance is usually required by lenders and leasing companies.
Rental car reimbursement covers rental car costs while your vehicle is in the shop during a claim up to the limits of your policy.
New car replacement pays for a brand-new vehicle if you’re in a car accident that totals your car.
Accident forgiveness prevents insurers from factoring accidents into your auto insurance premium.
Your policy limits are the most the insurance company will pay per covered loss. Suppose you have 25/50 bodily injury liability. In that case, the most the company will pay is $25,000 per person and $50,000 per bodily injury claim. Higher limits will require higher premiums because the insurance company might have to pay more for each claim. Insurance professionals typically recommend 100/300/100 coverage for adequate financial protection.
The deductible is the amount you pay if you file a comprehensive or collision claim. For instance, if your car receives $5,000 in hail damage and you have a $500 deductible, you’ll pay $500 to the body shop for repairs, and the insurance company will pay $4,500. Lower deductibles require higher rates because the insurance company pays more per claim. Note that there are no deductibles for state-mandated liability coverage.
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Insurance companies are in the business of assessing risk. Anything about you or your vehicle that increases the chances of a claim poses a financial risk to your insurer. Those considerations are “risk factors,” and they drive how much you pay for car insurance.
Let’s look at some common risk factors that affect your car insurance quotes.
If you’ve never had an at-fault accident, speeding ticket, or DUI, you’ll likely see lower quotes than a driver who’s had all those driving issues — especially if the incidents led to a claim. New drivers, who lack a proven record of safe driving, also usually pay more for car insurance.
Teenagers, drivers younger than 25, and new drivers typically see higher car insurance quotes than other age groups. When it comes to driving skill, insurers equate age with experience. Statistically, teen drivers are more likely to be involved in accidents and engage in risky driving behaviors, so insurers charge more to cover them.
On the opposite end of the cost spectrum, senior drivers tend to have the lowest car insurance rates. They typically drive fewer miles and are more likely to practice safe driving habits.
Insurers consider how much it would cost to repair or replace your vehicle if it’s damaged or totaled in a crash. Generally, cars that have a higher value or a higher repair cost are also the most expensive cars to insure. Insurance companies also consider vehicle theft rates of specific models, whether a model has safety features, and the size and weight of the vehicle (which correlate to how much damage it can cause in a crash).
And, since older cars usually cost less to repair or replace, they also generally cost less to insure.
Where you live affects your car insurance quotes in multiple ways. Your state’s mandated minimum car insurance factors into your costs, as do accident and vehicle theft rates in your city. Location also affects traffic congestion and how long you’ll be on the road each day.
And, if you live in an area that’s prone to natural disasters, you’ll likely see insurers charging higher rates to account for those weather-related risks.
If you’ve filed claims in the past, you might see higher car insurance quotes, especially if the claims were fairly recent. That’s because every driver and vehicle has a Loss History Report, which records past claims. Insurers can view past claims as a signal that you might have more claims in the future.
Minimum coverage is usually the cheapest insurance you can buy. But it’s not right for everyone. If you have a newer vehicle, lease or finance your car, or just couldn’t afford to repair or replace it out of pocket, you likely need full coverage.
Full coverage generally costs more because it provides greater financial protection. And, if you decide to add optional coverages like roadside assistance or accident forgiveness, your quote will increase.
Most states allow insurance companies to consider your credit history when deciding what to charge you for car insurance. Insurers use information from your credit report to create a credit-based insurance score that predicts how likely you are to file a claim in the future.
Here’s a look at how credit affects average monthly car insurance quotes.
Insurance Company | Average Monthly Premium: Excellent Credit | Average Monthly Premium: Good Credit | Average Monthly Premium: Average Credit | Average Monthly Premium: Poor Credit |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Auto-Owners | $34 | $46 | $51 | $84 |
| Country Financial | $42 | $43 | $44 | $53 |
| State Farm | $42 | $53 | $58 | $90 |
| USAA | $45 | $51 | $53 | $64 |
| Erie | $48 | $65 | $71 | $114 |
| GEICO | $63 | $81 | $83 | $100 |
| Mile Auto | $63 | $72 | $77 | $93 |
| American Family | $69 | $81 | $86 | $97 |
| Commonwealth Casualty | $74 | $80 | $83 | $104 |
| The General | $75 | $82 | $86 | $106 |
| Safeco | $77 | $81 | $93 | $105 |
| Mercury | $79 | $96 | $100 | $116 |
| National General | $79 | $86 | $93 | $111 |
| Direct Auto | $81 | $88 | $93 | $114 |
| Travelers | $84 | $94 | $101 | $110 |
| GAINSCO | $86 | $93 | $98 | $121 |
| Dairyland | $89 | $96 | $100 | $125 |
| Farmers | $90 | $107 | $110 | $133 |
| Elephant | $94 | $99 | $106 | $128 |
| AssuranceAmerica | $94 | $102 | $106 | $132 |
| Bristol West | $96 | $105 | $112 | $133 |
| Liberty Mutual | $97 | $125 | $140 | $146 |
| Chubb | $101 | $116 | $122 | $235 |
| Anchor | $101 | $110 | $113 | $142 |
| Root | $101 | $106 | $111 | $137 |
| Plymouth Rock | $102 | $113 | $125 | $139 |
| Clearcover | $111 | $117 | $122 | $146 |
| Shelter | $119 | $129 | $139 | $167 |
| 21st Century | $125 | $135 | $140 | $169 |
| The Hartford | $128 | $129 | $146 | $177 |
| State Auto | $129 | $148 | $164 | $194 |
| CSAA | $147 | $153 | $132 | $197 |
| Amica | $204 | $224 | $216 | $290 |
The driving history and profile of other drivers on your policy will also factor into your car insurance quote. Whether the effect is positive or negative depends on many factors, including whether they have safe driving histories or a record of violations, their age, gender, and more.
Save money by comparing quotes from top companies.
As you can see, numerous factors affect your car insurance quotes. While the quotes you receive will be as specific to you as possible, it can be helpful to know what the average cost of car insurance is for drivers with similar profiles to yours.
Here’s a look at average car insurance rates based on some key rating factors.
Rating Factor/Driver Profile | Average Monthly Full-Coverage Quote | Average Monthly Liability-Only Quote |
|---|---|---|
| Clean record | $184 | $100 |
| Caused an accident (at fault) | $247 | $134 |
| Has speeding ticket(s) | $238 | $129 |
| Has DUI/DWI conviction | $263 | $143 |
| Teenager | $346 | $188 |
| Middle-aged driver | $188 | $102 |
| Senior driver | $160 | $87 |
| Has poor credit | $227 | $123 |
| Has excellent credit | $162 | $88 |
| Adult male | $186 | $101 |
| Adult female | $180 | $98 |
Whether you’re buying car insurance for the first time or the 50th, buying car insurance can be confusing. Here are some common pitfalls and how to avoid them as you shop for car insurance quotes.
Your timing is off. It’s a good idea to compare quotes every time your policy is up for renewal. Be sure to give yourself plenty of time to compare quotes before your current policy expires. But keep in mind that shopping too early may not be ideal — some insurers charge fees if you cancel mid-policy.
Only getting a couple of quotes. It’s best to get several quotes from different insurers to ensure you have plenty of options. But if you can’t get several, get at least three. Multiple quotes give you a better idea of what you should be paying for car insurance.
Picking based on price alone. A cheap rate can be very appealing. But be sure the company offering it includes the coverages you need, has solid financial strength and stability, and comes with a good reputation for customer service and claims handling.
Your deductible is too high (or low). A high deductible will get you a lower rate, and a lower deductible will lead to higher quotes. But the critical consideration when choosing a deductible amount is: Will it be difficult or easy for you to cover that amount in case of an accident?
Misestimating your coverage needs. Everyone needs at least their state’s minimum required amount of liability coverage. But many people need more, including higher liability limits and full-coverage components like collision and comprehensive. If you’re not sure what you really need, talking to an agent can help you home in on the right coverages and amounts.
Compare personalized auto insurance quotes to find the best rate for you.
When it comes to getting cheaper car insurance, you may have more options than you think. Here are some of the best ways to save money on your monthly bill.
Most insurance companies offer a wide array of car insurance discounts to customers. You could save some serious money for things like driving a safe car, getting good grades, taking a driver improvement course, and more.
One of the best ways to save on car insurance is to purchase multiple insurance policies from the same company. For example, combining your home insurance and auto insurance can save you as much as 30% on your monthly bill for each policy.
As we showed above, the best way to get cheap car insurance is to have a clean driving record. But there’s still hope, even if you have a spotty record. Most insurance companies have a “look-back” period of three to five years, so today’s good driving can help you save in the future.
Speaking of safe driving, most big-name insurers offer telematics programs that reward you for good driving behaviors. Some of the best usage-based insurance programs include State Farm’s Drive Safe & Save, Nationwide’s SmartRide, and USAA’s SafePilot. But it’s important to note that telematics programs can increase your rates if you exhibit poor driving habits.
The best way to get cheaper insurance is to get quotes from several companies. After all, the U.S. has hundreds of insurance companies to choose from, so the only way to determine which has the best rates for your unique profile is to get quotes from as many as you can. Luckily, auto insurance comparison sites give you the tools to compare multiple quotes side by side, making the whole process quicker and easier.
Doing your research can pay off when comparing car insurance. The following are answers to some common questions auto insurance shoppers have about comparing rates.
You can compare car insurance quotes by visiting the websites of multiple insurers, contacting an independent insurance broker, or using an online quote-comparison tool like Compare.com.
We found the national average full-coverage auto insurance cost is $184 per month. How much you pay for car insurance depends on more than a dozen rating factors including your age, gender, driving record, credit history, and coverage choices.
Your quotes may be high for multiple reasons, as every insurer has its own underwriting criteria. It could be your age, driving record, vehicle type, or the insurance company. Comparing quotes could help you save as prices can vary significantly among insurers.
To compare car insurance quotes online, you should have your personal information, vehicle type, VIN, and current policy details available. Being prepared will make the quoting process faster and easier.
You can compare car insurance quotes at any time, including after getting a speeding ticket or being involved in an accident. It’s worth taking a few minutes to shop around whenever your policy renews. Policies usually renew every six months or every year.
We’ve tried all the leading car insurance comparison sites and found that Compare.com and Insurify are the clear winners. Both sites have great customer reviews and provide the highest number of actual quotes.
You can lower your car insurance costs by checking for discounts and reviewing your coverage. Regularly comparing car insurance quotes can also help you get the lowest price.
Our research shows that GEICO, Allstate, and State Farm have consistently high satisfaction scores and competitive rates. But the “best” company depends on your needs. Some drivers want the cheapest rates, while others value top-tier customer service. Compare quotes, coverage, and customer reviews to find a match that fits your lifestyle and wallet.
With high satisfaction scores and a financial strength rating of A++ (Superior), USAA earns serious trust points. For non-military families, Nationwide and Travelers stand out thanks to reliable customer service and a low number of complaints.
The cheapest car insurance company changes according to factors like your age, location, and driving history. That said, Compare.com data shows that Country Financial has the cheapest average rates of any U.S. insurer, with liability policies starting as low as $45 per month.
Online insurers can skip the more expensive parts of running a car insurance company — no fancy offices, no paper shuffling, and fewer middlemen taking their cut. Online companies can pass those savings straight to you. Plus, shopping online means you can easily compare companies and spot deals other people miss.
Many comparison sites display real-time quotes from multiple companies, making it easy to compare quotes and find better rates than you’d get searching manually.
The best insurance balances fair prices with good coverage options and solid customer service. Start by comparing quotes, then look into customer reviews and claims ratings. Your ideal policy is the one that protects what matters most to you.
The Subaru Crosstrek, Honda CR-V, and Nissan Kicks are among the cheapest cars to insure, according to Compare.com data. These vehicles typically have lower repair costs, strong safety features, and lower theft rates, which help keep premiums down.
Our data shows that GEICO has cheaper average premiums compared to Progressive, but not by much. Both are highly rated companies and amongst the largest national insurers based on market share. That said, the best deal for you depends on your driving profile. Insurance companies look at factors such as your age, driving record, and location when setting your rate.
Keeping a clean driving record is one of the best ways to save on car insurance, according to the Insurance Information Institute. Comparing prices from different companies is another option. You can also lower your costs by asking about discounts, reducing coverage on older cars, or opting for higher collision and comprehensive deductibles.
Not always. Purchasing directly from the company doesn’t guarantee the lowest price. It’s often cheaper to use a comparison site, which lets you find the best deal across multiple insurers.
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.
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Senior Director, Media Relations, with Triple-I
30+ years of industry experience
Leadership positions at several trade organizations
At Compare.com, it’s our mission to give you the tools to find the best (and most affordable) insurance for your unique needs and budget. We strive to provide information that’s helpful, clear, and unbiased, and we believe that comparing insurance companies should never put you at risk of spam. Our editorial team — which is made up of experienced writers, editors, insurance agents, and data analysts — has spent thousands of hours researching and creating the coverage overviews, side-by-side comparisons, and detailed reviews you see across our site.
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