Key takeaways

  • Erie and Allstate have the cheapest average car insurance rates in the nation.
  • Members of the military community can often get the cheapest rates from USAA.
  • Tickets and accidents increase insurance rates by 20% and 45%, respectively.
  • Bundling insurance and safe-driver programs are among the best ways to save.

Erie Insurance and State Farm are the cheapest large car insurance companies in the nation. However, depending on where you live, you may find a lower rate from a regional company or different national brand. And if you’re in the military community, you may get the lowest rate from USAA.

Car insurance is required to drive legally in most states and may prove invaluable if you are ever involved in a car accident. But this doesn’t mean you have to overpay for it. Read on for tips on finding the cheapest car insurance company near you.

In this article

Cheapest car insurance companies

Erie’s rates for full-coverage car insurance average $1,200 a year for a typical adult driver, the cheapest price in our analysis of auto insurance rates from all 50 states and Washington D.C.

The next-cheapest rates are available from USAA, $1,352 a year, and State Farm, $1,712 a year.

Full-coverage car insurance includes higher liability limits than required by law in most states, as well as collision coverage and comprehensive coverage, which are typically required for car loans and leased vehicles.

Since you may qualify for a lower rate with a different company, it’s best to compare quotes from multiple companies when you shop.

Cheapest companies for full-coverage car insurance
Company Annual rate Monthly average
Erie $1,200 $100
State Farm $1,712 $143
American Family $1,776 $148
Progressive $2,031 $169
National average $2,136 $178
GEICO $2,387 $199
Allstate $2,433 $203
Nationwide $2,444 $204
USAA* $1,352 $113
Note: Average rates are based on non-binding estimates for a 35-year-old male driver. Your rates may vary. *Only available to current/former military and their families.

Although Erie is only available in 12 states and the District of Columbia, it is the 13th largest auto insurance company in the U.S., according to the National Association of Insurance Commissioners.

USAA’s auto insurance products are only available to current and former members of the military and their families, but it is the nation’s fifth largest auto insurer.

State Farm is the nation’s largest, followed by GEICO, Progressive and Allstate.

Compare car insurance quotes from top companies in your area

Cheapest minimum-coverage car insurance

Erie offers the cheapest minimum-coverage car insurance in the U.S., $538 a year, followed by USAA, $826 a year, and State Farm, $992 a year.

Cheapest companies for minimum-coverage car insurance
Company Annual rate Monthly average
Erie $538 $45
State Farm $992 $83
American Family $1,156 $96
National average $1,252 $104
Progressive $1,252 $104
Auto-Owners $1,311 $109
GEICO $1,312 $109
Allstate $1,398 $116
USAA* $826 $69
Note: Average rates are based on non-binding estimates for a 35-year-old male driver. Your rates may vary. *Only available to current/former military and their families.

Minimum car insurance requirements vary by state. Most states require basic liability insurance to cover injuries and property damage you may cause to others in a car accident.

Several states also require uninsured motorist coverage, which covers you and your passengers for injuries resulting from an accident caused by a driver without insurance.

In no-fault insurance states, minimum coverage includes personal injury protection, which covers injuries you and/or your passengers suffer in any car accident, regardless of fault.

Cheapest car insurance company in your state

Not counting USAA, State Farm offers the cheapest car insurance in 27 states, while Progressive is cheapest in six states and Erie has the lowest rates in four.

Farm Bureau affiliates offer the cheapest car insurance in Georgia, Kentucky, Louisiana, Mississippi, North Carolina and Virginia.

GEICO offers the cheapest car insurance in Hawaii, charging rates that average $610 a year, which is the cheapest state average in the U.S.

In Rhode Island, Progressive’s rate of $3,492 a year qualifies as the most expensive of the nation’s cheapest state averages.

Cheapest car insurance companies by state
State Cheapest Insurer Annual rate
Alabama State Farm $1,065
Alaska State Farm $971
Arizona Progressive $1,769
Arkansas State Farm $1,117
California GEICO $1,594
Colorado State Farm $1,280
Connecticut State Farm $1,491
Delaware State Farm $1,513
Florida GEICO $1,729
Georgia Georgia Farm Bureau $1,409
Hawaii GEICO $610
Idaho State Farm $703
Illinois State Farm $1,320
Indiana State Farm $930
Iowa State Farm $822
Kansas State Farm $1,074
Kentucky Kentucky Farm Bureau $2,097
Louisiana Louisiana Farm Bureau $1,232
Maine State Farm $762
Maryland Erie $1,370
Massachusetts Safety $1,266
Michigan Progressive $2,428
Minnesota State Farm $1,097
Mississippi Mississippi Farm Bureau $1,402
Missouri State Farm $1,105
Montana Progressive $951
Nebraska American Family $1,229
Nevada State Farm $1,556
New Hampshire State Farm $770
New Jersey State Farm $2,010
New Mexico State Farm $987
New York New York Central Mutual $2,539
North Carolina North Carolina Farm Bureau $787
North Dakota American Family $966
Ohio Erie $926
Oklahoma Progressive $1,559
Oregon State Farm $1,144
Pennsylvania Erie $1,437
Rhode Island Progressive $3,492
South Carolina State Farm $1,347
South Dakota State Farm $952
Tennessee State Farm $1,005
Texas State Farm $2,463
Utah State Farm $1,275
Vermont State Farm $753
Virginia Virginia Farm Bureau $898
Washington Progressive $1,575
Washington DC Erie $1,272
West Virginia State Farm $949
Wisconsin American Family $996
Wyoming State Farm $992
Note: Average rates are based on non-binding estimates for a 35-year-old male driver. Your rates may vary.

Cheapest car insurance for drivers with a speeding ticket

Erie offers the cheapest car insurance to drivers with a speeding ticket, with rates averaging $1,306 a year, followed by USAA, $1,625 a year, and State Farm, $1,846 a year.

A speeding ticket raises the average price of car insurance by 20%, compared to rates available to drivers with a clean record. However, Erie only charges those with a speeding ticket 9% more than drivers with a clean record, and State Farm charges those with a ticket 8% more.

Car insurance rates for drivers with a speeding ticket
Company Annual rate Monthly average
Erie $1,306 $109
State Farm $1,846 $154
American Family $2,053 $171
National average $2,560 $213
Progressive $2,679 $223
GEICO $2,878 $240
Allstate $2,885 $240
Auto-Owners $3,037 $253
USAA* $1,625 $135
Note: Average rates are based on non-binding estimates for a 35-year-old male driver. Your rates may vary. *Only available to current/former military and their families.

Cheapest car insurance for drivers with an at-fault accident

Erie offers the cheapest car insurance to drivers with an at-fault accident on their record, charging rates that average $1,519 a year. This is 27% higher than its average rate for drivers with a clean record.

USAA and State Farm nearly tie for the next-cheapest car insurance for drivers with an accident, with rates averaging $2,007 and $2,029 a year, respectively.

An at-fault accident raises the average price of car insurance to $3,087 a year, which is 45% higher than the rate available to a driver with a clean record.

Car insurance rates for drivers with an at-fault accident
Company Annual rate Monthly average
Erie $1,519 $127
State Farm $2,029 $169
American Family $2,846 $237
National average $3,087 $257
Progressive $3,231 $269
Nationwide $3,326 $277
Auto-Owners $3,647 $304
Allstate $3,705 $309
USAA* $2,007 $167
Note: Average rates are based on non-binding estimates for a 35-year-old male driver. Your rates may vary. *Only available to current/former military and their families.

Cheapest car insurance for drivers with a DUI

Erie offers the cheapest car insurance to those with a prior conviction for driving under the influence (DUI), charging $2,066 a year, followed by State Farm, $2,390 a year, and USAA, $2,562 a year.

A DUI raises the average price of car insurance by 74% compared to rates available to a driver with a clean record.

Car insurance rates for drivers with a DUI
Company Annual rate Monthly average
Erie $2,066 $172
State Farm $2,390 $199
Progressive $2,585 $215
American Family $2,619 $218
Allstate $3,585 $299
Farmers $3,691 $308
National average $3,719 $310
Travelers $4,509 $376
USAA* $2,562 $213
Note: Average rates are based on non-binding estimates for a 35-year-old male driver. Your rates may vary. *Only available to current/former military and their families.

Cheapest car insurance companies for teen drivers

Erie, USAA and State Farm offer the cheapest car insurance for teen drivers, but the rates they charge to teens are considerably higher than the rates they charge drivers in their mid-20s or older.

For example, Erie’s rates for minimum-coverage policies for 18-year-olds average $1,189 a year, which is nearly twice the rate that Erie charges to 25-year-olds.

Teen drivers have the highest crash rates among all age groups, and this is the main reason why insurance companies charge them such high rates for car insurance.

The average price of minimum-coverage car insurance for an 18-year-old is $3,831 a year, which is more than two-and-a-half times the average rate available to a 25-year-old.

In separate research, we found that teens are charged 48% less when added to their parents’ car insurance than they are for their own policies.

Minimum-coverage car insurance rates for 18-year-olds
Company Annual rates Monthly average
Erie $1,189 $99
State Farm $2,930 $244
American Family $3,518 $293
GEICO $3,594 $300
Allstate $3,801 $317
National average $3,831 $319
Auto-Owners $3,956 $330
AAA $4,560 $380
USAA* $2,105 $175
Note: Average rates are based on non-binding estimates for an 18-year-old male driver. Your rates may vary. *Only available to current/former military and their families.

Cheapest car insurance companies for seniors

Erie offers the cheapest car insurance for seniors, with full-coverage rates averaging $1,141 a year, followed by USAA, $1,381 a year, and American Family, $1,520 a year.

Senior citizens have slightly higher crash rates than middle-aged drivers, and this affects car insurance rates for those nearing their retirement years. Our research shows that 65-year-olds pay 2.6% more for car insurance than 60-year-olds.

Full-coverage car insurance rates for 65-year-olds
Company Annual rate Monthly average
Erie $1,141 $95
American Family $1,520 $127
State Farm $1,535 $128
Progressive $1,862 $155
National average $1,975 $165
GEICO $2,159 $180
Farmers $2,249 $187
AAA $2,307 $192
USAA* $821 $1,381
Note: Average rates are based on non-binding estimates for a 65-year-old male driver. Your rates may vary. *Only available to current/former military and their families.

How to get cheap car insurance

Although car insurance can get expensive, there are several steps you can take to get a cheaper rate. Here are some common ways to make your car insurance rates more affordable.

Compare quotes from multiple companies

Car insurance companies evaluate several factors about you and your car to determine your rate, including your age, location, driving record, insurance history and, in most states, your credit.

Since each company places different weights on these rate factors and offers different discounts, you may qualify for a significantly lower rate with one company than you do with others. This is why it pays to compare quotes from multiple companies every few years, or anytime you think your current company is charging too much.

Bundle policies

Most companies offer significant discounts for bundling your auto insurance with a homeowners or renters policy, or any other policy, such as one for a boat, motorcycle or second home.

The combined cost of multiple insurance policies is almost always lower when you bundle than it is when your policies are spread out among multiple companies.

Maintain a clean driving record

No one ever sets out to get a speeding ticket or other traffic citation, but if you do, consider a diversion program to get the infraction removed from your record.

In many states, you can attend traffic school to keep certain violations off your record, which, in turn, could spare you from a future insurance rate increase.

Avoid inexpensive claims

Insurance companies often add a surcharge to your rates for a few years after you file certain types of claims. In the long run, covering a $1,000 to $2,000 claim out of your own pocket may be cheaper than the combined costs of future rate increases.

Granted, it may be difficult to get a stranger to agree to let you cover the damages from a fender bender without getting your insurance companies involved. But if you back your own car into a light post, footing the repair bill out of your own pocket may save you some money down the line.

Consider a higher deductible or cutting back coverage

While collision and comprehensive coverage are worth having for a variety of reasons, choosing low deductibles may cost you more than they are worth.

Increasing your collision deductible is a particularly effective way to reduce your auto insurance rate. Since your deductible is the amount you pay on covered car repairs before insurance funds kick in, it’s important to avoid choosing one that is too high.

If your car is old or has a low resale value for any other reason, it may be wise to remove the collision and comprehensive coverage from your policy altogether.

See how much you may save on auto insurance

Additional discounts to get cheaper car insurance

In addition to bundling your car insurance with other policies you may have, here are other common discounts that may also help you get cheaper car insurance.

Safe driving apps

Several insurance companies offer a sizable discount for enrolling in their safe-driver programs, which typically run on smartphone apps.

You can often get a discount of 5% or more just for activating the app. Once you sign up, the system monitors and rates your driving, based on how well you avoid unsafe behaviors such as speeding, hard braking and distracted driving. If you maintain a high enough rating, you typically qualify for additional discounts.

Driver education classes

Teens and mature drivers may qualify for discounts by completing an approved driver-education or driver-safety course, including some that are available online. The specific courses that may qualify you for a discount vary by company.

Low-mileage discounts

Several insurance companies offer a low-mileage discount to those who drive fewer than a certain number of miles per year. The thresholds vary by company.

As an alternative, consider a pay-per-mile insurance program, such as Allstate’s MileWise or Lemonade’s Metromile. With pay-per-mile insurance, you pay less when you drive less.

Good-student/away-at-school discounts

Most car insurance companies offer a good-student discount to high school and college students who maintain a B average or better. Several also offer a discount to parents with a young driver on their policy who moves away for college or other institution of higher learning.

Military and professional discounts

While USAA is best known for serving the military community, Farmers and GEICO are among the mainstream insurance companies that offer military discounts. Some companies also offer discounts to those with an advanced college degree or employed in certain professions, such as educators, nurses and engineers.

Frequently asked questions

A low price is important, but you also need your car insurance company to provide coverage that matches your needs and prompt, responsive service, especially if you are ever involved in an accident. J.D. Power’s annual U.S. Auto Insurance Study, available online, is a good source for checking the customer-satisfaction ratings of most insurance companies.

Car insurance tends to get cheaper for young drivers when they reach their 20s, assuming they maintain a clean driving record. For example, a 20-year-old pays 34% less for car insurance than an 18-year-old. A 25-year-old pays 43% less than a 20-year-old.

Minimum-coverage car insurance is generally the cheapest type of car insurance, unless you have a sizable claim. For example, if a person you injure in a car accident requires $40,000 in medical treatment and you only have $25,000 of bodily injury liability coverage, the $15,000 shortfall may come out of your savings.

Finding the cheapest car insurance quotes typically requires you to provide information about yourself and your vehicle to each insurance company you contact. QuoteWizard simplifies the process by allowing you to fill out a single, secure form to get quotes from multiple companies.

Methodology

The rates shown in this article are based on an analysis of hundreds of thousands of quotes obtained from Quadrant Information Services for sample drivers in every U.S. state and the District of Columbia.

Unless otherwise noted, a typical sample driver is a 35-year-old male with a clean driving record and good credit. All rates are based on prices quoted for customers who drive a 2012 Honda LX for an average of 13,500 miles per year.

Minimum-coverage policies meet the minimum insurance requirements for the state reflected in each quote.

Full–coverage car insurance includes the following coverages, limits and deductibles:

  • Bodily injury liability: $100,000 per person/$300,000 per accident
  • Property damage liability: $100,000
  • Collision: $500 deductible
  • Comprehensive: $500 deductible
  • Uninsured/underinsured motorist: minimum limits, where required
  • Personal injury protection (PIP)/no fault-medical: minimum limits, where required

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