We get it — comparing car insurance quotes is about as fun as going to the dentist, but the savings can be worth it. To get started, use the table below to see average rates for different drivers. Then compare quotes to find your best price.
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Company | NerdWallet rating | Full coverage | Liability-only |
|---|---|---|---|
| USAA* | 5.0/5 | $122 | $31 |
| Travelers | 5.0/5 | $146 | $45 |
| GEICO | 4.5/5 | $166 | $41 |
| American Family | 5.0/5 | $178 | $56 |
| Progressive | 4.5/5 | $178 | $53 |
| State Farm | 5.0/5 | $193 | $45 |
| Nationwide | 4.0/5 | $234 | $79 |
| Allstate | 4.5/5 | $246 | $60 |
Why trust NerdWallet
36+ years of combined experience covering insurance.
1.5+ billion auto insurance rates analyzed by our team of experts.
700+ auto insurance companies analyzed in over 29,000 U.S. cities. (See our top picks.)
NerdWallet writers and editors follow strict editorial guidelines to ensure fairness and accuracy in our writing and data analyses. Read our criteria for evaluating auto insurance companies.
How to compare car insurance quotes
For a smooth shopping process, follow these five steps when you’re ready to compare car insurance.
1. Gather vehicle and driver information
You’ll need the details below for all the drivers and vehicles in your household:
Drivers
Date of birth.
Occupation and marital status.
Driver's license number.
Accidents or traffic violations in the past five years.
Vehicles
Year, make and model.
Vehicle identification number (VIN).
Mileage.
Year purchased.
Current insurer (if applicable).
If you’re shopping for other policies along with car insurance, like homeowners or renters insurance, make sure you also have information about your home on hand. Learn more about getting home insurance quotes.
2. Know your coverage amounts
The default limits you’ll see in an online car insurance quote may not match the coverage you want to buy, so decide how much coverage you want before you start shopping. You can typically customize your quote by adjusting the liability limits and adding options such as comprehensive and collision coverage.
If you already have a policy you’re happy with, grab your most recent car insurance declaration page and refer to it when choosing the coverage amounts for each quote.
If you’re new to auto insurance or unsure whether your current limits are right for you, check out our guide to how much car insurance coverage you need.
3. Ensure a fair comparison
Once you’ve started entering your information and collecting quotes, make sure all the offers have the same coverage limits and deductibles. Check for optional features, too, such as roadside assistance or accident forgiveness.
4. Research the companies
The last thing you need after an accident is a company that delays your claim or doesn’t respond to calls, so it pays to do your research. Pay particular attention to complaint records and customer satisfaction to make sure the company will be easy to work with if you have a claim. Auto insurance reviews are a good place to find that information.
Also, make sure the companies have the features you care about. For example, if you’d rather file claims online than call an agent, check whether the insurer’s website allows you to do that. Got a side hustle driving for Uber or Lyft? See if the company offers rideshare insurance.
5. Consider the whole package
If you’re shopping for another policy along with your auto insurance, such as a home or renters policy, make sure you’re happy with the price and coverage there, too. Although bundling can offer discounts and convenience, in some cases you may find better prices or coverage by buying your policies from two separate companies.
More Nerdy Perspective
I really dread customer service phone calls, so I sometimes end up procrastinating instead of taking action on important to-dos. The good news is you can compare auto insurance rates online and even get quotes from insurers without picking up the phone. This way you can make sure you're getting the best deal for your coverage without being put on hold.
Why comparing quotes helps you save
Car insurance costs vary substantially — from one company to the next and from one driver to the next. That’s because each insurer uniquely calculates car insurance rates using many personal factors, like your age, marital status and driving history. You can find the best rate for you by comparing quotes from multiple companies.
3 ways to get car insurance quotes
There are three main ways to shop for car insurance, each with pros and cons.
Direct car insurance quotes online or by phone
Your first option is to call insurance companies one by one, or visit each of their websites to get individual quotes. Not sure which insurers to check? Start with our lists of the best car insurance and the cheapest car insurance companies.
Pros
- You can reach out to as many companies as you’d like, including big-name insurers like State Farm that typically don’t sell their policies through independent agents.
- You can often quickly customize your coverage options online to see how they impact your quote.
Cons
- Requires making multiple phone calls or entering your information over and over again.
- No access to smaller insurers, like Safety or Auto-Owners, that don’t sell directly to consumers.
Car insurance quote comparison sites
Another option is to shop with multiple companies at once using a comparison website. (Fun fact: NerdWallet offers its own comparison tool you can try.)
After you enter some basic information about yourself and your vehicle, the site will match you with one or more car insurance companies. Keep in mind that you may not see a list of personalized rates at this stage — you’ll often need to visit each company’s website individually to provide more information and get your final price.
Pros
- Saves you time by shopping with several companies at once.
- Ideal for users who want to buy online instead of making phone calls.
- Comparison sites generally pass some of your information on to the insurer, so you don’t have to type it all in again.
Cons
- Depending on your circumstances, you may not see as many options as you want.
- Expect follow-up phone calls or emails, as comparison sites often share your personal information with other insurers and brokers.
- May partner with a limited number of carriers.
Independent agents or brokers
A final option is to work with an independent insurance agent or insurance broker. This is often a local professional who will take your information by phone or in person, then shop around for insurance on your behalf. An agent or broker may be a good fit for people with complicated insurance needs — if you have a spotty driving history, for example, or you’re trying to get quotes for multiple cars, a house and an umbrella policy for extra liability coverage.
Pros
- Often has access to smaller regional insurers that may not offer online quotes.
- Saves you time by comparing rates for you.
- Can answer questions and give personalized guidance.
Cons
- Generally requires at least one initial phone call.
- Your options are limited to insurance companies the agent or broker works with.
- Brokers may charge a fee.
» MORE: How to buy car insurance
Car insurance rates vs. quotes
A car insurance quote is an estimate of what you might pay for an auto policy. Insurers use information you provide, like your age and location, to determine the quote.
Once you move forward with purchasing the policy, the insurer will dig deeper into who you are and look at things like your driving history and credit-based insurance score to calculate the actual price you will pay. This final price is called a premium.
Car insurance rates are projections of what drivers with specific characteristics would pay for different amounts of coverage with different insurers. Each average rate on this page is the median of thousands of rates provided by Quadrant Information Services.
Comparing car insurance rates can help you determine which companies are worth requesting a quote from, so you can compare those, too. We recommend comparing car insurance quotes from at least three companies to make sure you get the best deal.
Comparing quotes side by side
Below are three hypothetical auto insurance quotes, along with advice on how to compare them. All three quotes feature the same standard coverage with the following limits and deductibles:
Bodily injury liability coverage: $100,000 per person and $300,000 per crash.
Property damage liability coverage: $50,000 per crash.
Uninsured motorist coverage: $100,000 per person, $300,000 per crash and $50,000 for property damage.
Collision and comprehensive coverage, each with a $1,000 deductible.
Company | Coverage included | Quoted price |
|---|---|---|
Standard coverage only. | $2,000 per year. | |
Standard coverage plus declining deductibles. | $2,025 per year. | |
Standard coverage plus declining deductibles and accident forgiveness. | $2,250 per year. | |
These are fictionalized quotes for the purposes of illustration. | ||
GEICO has the lowest rate, but Liberty Mutual’s quote includes a “Deductible Fund,” which effectively reduces your collision deductible by $50 every six months. Is that worth an extra $25 a year to you? Travelers’ rate is the highest of the three, but you might decide that its extra perks are worth the price.
We also recommend comparing the companies themselves, not just the quotes. Here’s a quick look at how the ones above stack up based on NerdWallet’s research:
 NerdWallet rating 4.5/5 |  NerdWallet rating 4.0/5 |  NerdWallet rating 5.0/5 |
Discounts Great set of discounts | Discounts Great set of discounts | Discounts Great set of discounts |
Ease of use Above average | Ease of use Above average | Ease of use Above average |
NAIC complaints Close to expected | NAIC complaints More than expected | NAIC complaints Fewer than expected |
Bottom line With nationwide availability and a raft of discounts, GEICO is a popular, and often affordable, choice for car insurance. | Bottom line Liberty Mutual offers a long list of discounts, plus robust digital tools on its website and app. | Bottom line Travelers offers a broad range of coverage options and discounts to help you customize your car insurance policy. |
All three companies have strong star ratings and lots of discounts, but Travelers has the fewest consumer complaints. If customer service is your top priority, you might consider paying a little more for the Travelers policy. But if you want an affordable price from a solid company and don’t need any extra perks, GEICO’s quote is probably the way to go.
Tips from Reddit users on comparing car insurance
We sifted through Reddit forums to get a pulse check on how users feel about comparing car insurance. People post anonymously, so we cannot confirm their individual experiences or circumstances.
Many Redditors are frustrated about rising insurance costs and the time and effort that go into getting car insurance quotes. People want to find a way to get quotes quickly and reliably, but find it hard to do so.
Here are some of the car insurance shopping tactics Redditors shared:
Shopping around regularly to try and find better deals. (Hint: We’ve got a free comparison tool right here.)
Using their car insurance quotes as leverage to see if insurers can match or beat another company’s quote.
Working with a local independent insurance agent.
More sample car insurance rates
Checking out average auto insurance rates for drivers like you can give you an idea of how much you can expect to pay. The sections below focus on a few key factors — age, driving history, credit and location — that may affect your premiums.
Rates by age
Your age can have a big impact on your car insurance rates. Teens pay the most, with rates typically decreasing once you hit your 30s and going up again in your 70s.
These are average full coverage car insurance rates in the U.S. for a driver with a clean record and good credit:
Age 20
$4,702 per year
Age 35
$2,312 per year
Age 70
$2,152 per year
- Average annual rates for young drivers, by company
These are full coverage insurance rates for 20-year-old drivers with good credit and no recent accidents, DUIs or traffic violations.
Company Full coverage Minimum coverage Allstate $6,848 $1,408 American Family $4,128 $1,408 Farmers $7,933 $2,796 GEICO $3,617 $971 Nationwide $6,455 $2,278 Progressive $4,016 $1,122 State Farm $5,159 $1,392 Travelers $4,076 $1,167 USAA* $3,240 $847 *USAA is only available to military, veterans and their families.
- Average annual rates for millennials, by company
These are full coverage insurance rates for 35-year-old drivers with good credit and no recent accidents, DUIs or traffic violations.
Company Full coverage Minimum coverage Allstate $2,954 $724 American Family $2,132 $672 Farmers $3,858 $1,216 GEICO $1,991 $492 Nationwide $2,805 $948 Progressive $2,133 $639 State Farm $2,318 $545 Travelers $1,754 $538 USAA* $1,463 $377 *USAA is only available to military, veterans and their families.
- Average annual rates for seniors, by company
These are full coverage insurance rates for 70-year-old drivers with good credit and no recent accidents, DUIs or traffic violations.
Company Full coverage Minimum coverage Allstate $2,803 $737 American Family $2,037 $752 Farmers $3,508 $1,189 GEICO $1,963 $553 Nationwide $2,582 $938 Progressive $1,802 $623 State Farm $2,107 $544 Travelers $1,689 $599 USAA* $1,257 $372 *USAA is only available to military, veterans and their families.
Rates by driving history
Having a DUI or at-fault accident on your record will cause your rates to go up — or even double. But each car insurer prices these incidents a little differently, so it’s worth shopping around for the best rates.
These are average full coverage car insurance rates in the U.S. for a 35-year-old driver:
Clean driving history
$2,312 per year
Recent DUI
$4,287 per year
Recent at-fault accident
$3,420 per year
- Average annual rate for drivers with a DUI, by company
Here are the average full coverage rates for drivers with a recent DUI from nine of the 10 largest private passenger auto insurers in the country based on market share data from the National Association of Insurance Commissioners. Data for Liberty Mutual wasn't available.
Company Median annual rate Median monthly rate American Family $2,706 $226 Progressive $2,882 $240 Travelers $2,977 $248 State Farm $3,465 $289 Allstate $4,326 $360 GEICO $4,628 $386 Nationwide $5,882 $490 Farmers $7,052 $588 USAA* $2,834 $236 *USAA is only available to military, veterans and their families.
- Average annual rate for drivers with an accident, by company
Below you can compare average full coverage rates for 35-year-old drivers with a recent at-fault accident by company.
Company Median annual rate Median monthly rate Travelers $2,444 $204 American Family $2,910 $242 State Farm $2,956 $246 Progressive $3,161 $263 GEICO $3,417 $285 Nationwide $4,528 $377 Allstate $4,623 $385 Farmers $5,960 $497 USAA* $2,131 $178 *USAA is only available to military, veterans and their families.
Rates by credit
You might be surprised to learn that your credit history is one of the largest factors affecting your car insurance rate. In states where it's allowed, carriers use credit history to determine how likely you are to file a claim.
California, Hawaii and Massachusetts don't allow insurers to use credit when determining car insurance rates. In Washington, the legal code around this issue is being debated.
These are average full coverage car insurance rates in the U.S. for a 35-year-old driver:
Good credit
$2,312 per year
Poor credit
$3,812 per year
- Average annual full coverage rates for 35-year-old drivers with poor credit, by company
Below you can compare average full coverage rates for 35-year-old drivers with poor credit by company.
Company Median annual rate Median monthly rate GEICO $2,777 $231 Travelers $2,973 $248 American Family $3,441 $287 Progressive $3,484 $290 Nationwide $3,910 $326 Allstate $4,419 $368 Farmers $7,367 $614 State Farm $9,050 $754 USAA* $2,672 $223 *USAA is only available to military, veterans and their families.
Rates by state
Because insurance regulations and cost of living vary from state to state, where you live can have a big impact on your car insurance rates. Click on your state in the map below to see our roundup of the cheapest auto insurance companies there.
» ESTIMATE YOUR COST: Car insurance calculator
We nerd out on car insurance
NerdWallet’s editorial team takes pride in providing highly-researched resources that empower our readers to make informed decisions about their car insurance.
Here’s why you can trust NerdWallet:
We analyze the data. NerdWallet updates our published car insurance rate averages once a month. To do that, we rigorously analyze more than 500 million auto insurance rates from across the country provided by Quadrant Information Services.
We are unbiased. NerdWallet’s content is solely editorial, and is never influenced by our business partners and advertisers. Learn more about how we write in our editorial guidelines.
We do our homework. All of our auto insurance content is diligently fact-checked before publication. Additionally, our editorial team regularly evaluates and reviews many of the auto insurance companies we write about. This means the star ratings you see on our company reviews remain up-to-date.
Frequently asked questions
Why should I compare car insurance quotes?
Why should I compare car insurance quotes?
It’s tempting to stick with the same insurer you’ve had for a decade, but taking time to shop around could save you hundreds of dollars a year. Insurance companies change their rates regularly, so the policy that was the best deal three years ago may no longer be your best option. And because car insurance pricing is unique to each company, the cheapest carrier for your friend or family member may not be the cheapest option for you.
Where can I compare car insurance?
Where can I compare car insurance?
You can compare car insurance on NerdWallet, by going directly to insurer websites or by working with an agent.
Why are my car insurance quotes so high?
Why are my car insurance quotes so high?
You’re more likely to pay higher rates for car insurance if you’ve had a recent at-fault accident or DUI, you live in an urban area or you have poor credit, among other factors. For more information, see Why Is My Car Insurance So High?
Where can I get cheap car insurance?
Where can I get cheap car insurance?
Start by reading NerdWallet’s analysis of the cheapest car insurance, and then compare rates online from companies that offer the cheapest rates in your state. You can also work with an independent agent, who can get quotes from a variety of insurers. See how to get the cheapest car insurance rates.
What's the fastest way to compare car insurance?
What's the fastest way to compare car insurance?
It depends. If you don’t want to do the work yourself, you can contact an independent insurance agent. They’ll be able to pull quotes from multiple insurers on your behalf, so you can compare each company to see which is best for you. You can also try using an online comparison site to shop with several insurers at once.
Which car insurance is best?
Which car insurance is best?
The best insurance companies offer great customer service, a variety of coverage types to choose from, plus plenty of discounts and perks. You can read NerdWallet’s roundup of the best car insurance in the country to see our top picks. Spoiler alert: right now Travelers is the best company overall.
Methodology
NerdWallet averaged rates based on public filings obtained by pricing analytics company Quadrant Information Services. We examined rates for men and women for all ZIP codes in all of the 50 states and Washington, D.C. Although it’s one of the largest insurers in the country, Liberty Mutual is not included in our rates analysis due to a lack of publicly available information.
In our analysis, “good drivers” had no moving violations on record; a “good driving” discount was included for this profile. Our “good” and “poor” credit rates are based on credit score approximations and do not account for proprietary scoring criteria used by insurance providers.
These are median rates, and your rate will vary based on your personal details, state and insurance provider.
Sample drivers had the following coverage limits:
$100,000 bodily injury liability coverage per person.
$300,000 bodily injury liability coverage per crash.
$50,000 property damage liability coverage per crash.
$100,000 uninsured motorist bodily injury coverage per person.
$300,000 uninsured motorist bodily injury coverage per crash.
Collision coverage with $1,000 deductible.
Comprehensive coverage with $1,000 deductible.
In states where required, minimum additional coverages were added. We used the same assumptions for all other driver profiles, with the following exceptions:
For drivers with minimum coverage, we adjusted the numbers above to reflect only the minimum coverage required by law in the state.
We changed the credit tier from “good” to “poor” as reported to the insurer to see rates for drivers with poor credit. In states where credit isn’t taken into account, we only used rates for “good credit.”
For drivers with one at-fault crash, we added a single at-fault crash costing $10,000 in property damage.
For drivers with a DUI, we added a single drunken-driving violation.
For drivers with a ticket, we added a single speeding violation for driving 16 mph over the speed limit.
We used a 2022 Toyota Camry LE in all cases and assumed 12,000 annual miles driven. We analyzed rates for drivers of the following ages: 20, 30, 35, 40, 50, 60 and 70.
These are rates generated through Quadrant Information Services. Your own rates will be different.