The best car insurance companies give their customers more than just coverage they want at a reasonable price — merely good companies can do that. The best auto insurance companies provide a customer-first experience from quote to claim, including a headache-free way to manage policies and make payments.
NerdWallet’s editorial team considered pricing, discounts, complaint data from the National Association of Insurance Commissioners and more to determine the best car insurance companies. Our “ease of use” category includes factors such as website transparency and how easy it is to file a claim. As we continue to evaluate more insurance providers and receive fresh market data, this list of best auto insurance companies is likely to change.
The best car insurance companies
Large company size doesn’t necessarily mean a better customer experience. Smaller, local insurers like NJM and Erie also make the cut, while some of the largest companies in the U.S., including Nationwide, aren’t on our list.
Amica
Complaints: Fewer than expected.
Auto insurance cost: About average.
Discounts: Great.
Ease of use: Average.
» MORE: Amica auto insurance review
NJM
Complaints: Fewer than expected.
Auto insurance cost: Cheaper than average.
Discounts: Great.
Ease of use: Below average.
» MORE: NJM auto insurance review
Shelter
Complaints: Fewer than expected.
Auto insurance cost: About average.
Discounts: Great.
Ease of use: Average.
» MORE: Shelter insurance review
Texas Farm Bureau Insurance
Complaints: Fewer than expected.
Auto insurance cost: About average.
Discounts: Average.
Ease of use: Average.
» MORE: Texas Farm Bureau Insurance review
Allstate
Complaints: Close to the expected number.
Auto insurance cost: About average.
Discounts: Great.
Ease of use: Above average.
» MORE: Allstate auto insurance review
American Family
Complaints: Fewer than expected.
Auto insurance cost: About average.
Discounts: Great.
Ease of use: Above average.
» MORE: American Family insurance review
Auto-Owners
Complaints: Fewer than expected.
Average auto insurance cost: About average.
Discounts: Great.
Ease of use: Below average.
» MORE: Auto-Owners insurance review
Chubb
Complaints: Fewer than expected.
Average auto insurance cost: About average.
Discounts: Average.
Ease of use: Above average.
» MORE: Chubb insurance review
Erie
Complaints: More than expected.
Auto insurance cost: About average.
Discounts: Average.
Ease of use: Average.
» MORE: Erie insurance review
Farmers
Complaints: Fewer than expected.
Auto insurance cost: About average.
Discounts: Great.
Ease of use: Above average.
» MORE: Farmers auto insurance review
Geico
Complaints: Fewer than expected.
Auto insurance cost: Cheaper than average.
Discounts: Great.
Ease of use: Above average.
» MORE: Geico auto insurance review
The Hanover
Complaints: Fewer than expected.
Auto insurance cost: More expensive than average.
Discounts: Average.
Ease of use: Above average.
» MORE: The Hanover auto insurance review
Liberty Mutual
Complaints: More than expected.
Auto insurance cost: Although it’s one of the largest insurers in the country, Liberty Mutual is not included in our analysis because it does not provide average rates.
Discounts: Great.
Ease of use: Above average.
» MORE: Liberty Mutual auto insurance review
Progressive
Complaints: Fewer than expected.
Auto insurance cost: About average.
Discounts: Great.
Ease of use: Above average.
» MORE: Progressive auto insurance review
Safety
Complaints: Fewer than expected.
Auto insurance cost: Cheaper than average.
Discounts: Average.
Ease of use: Above average.
» MORE: Safety Insurance review
State Farm
Complaints: Fewer than expected.
Auto insurance cost: About average.
Discounts: Great.
Ease of use: Above average.
» MORE: State Farm auto insurance review
Travelers
Complaints: Fewer than expected.
Auto insurance cost: About average.
Discounts: Great.
Ease of use: Above average.
» MORE: Travelers auto insurance review
USAA
Complaints: Fewer than expected.
Auto insurance cost: Cheaper than average.
Discounts: Average.
Ease of use: Below average.
» MORE: USAA auto insurance review
Finding the best car insurance company for you
Pricing and discounts made up a portion of each insurer’s score, but we know that cost is the top factor for many auto insurance shoppers. Since pricing is based on personal factors including your age, location, vehicle, credit history and gender (in most cases), it’s important to shop around for car insurance quotes to find the cheapest option.
You may find that your shopping experience also sheds light on a company’s customer service standards.
To find the top car insurance companies:
- Visit your state insurance commissioner’s website to find complaints and other information about companies in your area.
- Ask your agent or a customer service representative questions to make sure you’re getting all the coverage you need — and nothing you don’t want.
- Consider smaller auto insurance companies, too. Small companies offer rates well below large competitors in many locations.
- If you’ve had a ticket, DUI or other violation, be sure to shop three and five years after the incident, when surcharges can drop significantly.
Want to see rates? Navigate to your state below and compare average rates from the three cheapest car insurance companies where you live.
Snapshot: The best car insurance companies
The following companies received 4.5 or 5 stars out of 5 in NerdWallet’s analysis of the best auto insurers in the U.S.
| Company | NerdWallet rating |
|---|---|
| Amica | |
| NJM | |
| Shelter | |
| Texas Farm Bureau Insurance | |
| Allstate | |
| American Family | |
| Auto-Owners | |
| Chubb | |
| Erie | |
| Farmers | |
| Geico | |
| The Hanover | |
| Liberty Mutual | |
| Progressive | |
| Safety | |
| State Farm | |
| Travelers | |
| USAA* | |
| *USAA is available only to active military, veterans and their families. | |
| Note: Not all insurers available in all states. | |
» MORE: Compare car insurance
Auto insurance ratings methodology
NerdWallet’s auto insurance ratings reward companies for customer-first features and practices. Ratings are based on weighted averages of scores in several categories, including financial strength, consumer complaints and discounts. Our “ease of use” category looks at factors such as website transparency and how easy it is to file a claim. Using our editorial discretion, we also consider customer satisfaction surveys. These ratings are a guide, but we encourage you to shop around and compare several insurance quotes to find the best rate for you. NerdWallet does not receive compensation for any reviews. Read our editorial guidelines.Auto insurance cost scoring methodology
NerdWallet averaged rates based on public filings obtained by pricing analytics company Quadrant Information Services. 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.
To assess relative cost, we compared companies' average rates to state averages to determine three cost tiers.
In our analysis, drivers were 35 years old and had no moving violations on record; a “good driving” discount was included for this profile. In states where pricing based on credit is allowed, we used “good” credit rates based on credit score approximations, which do not account for proprietary scoring criteria used by insurance providers. These are average 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 a 2018 Toyota Camry LE in all cases and assumed 12,000 annual miles driven.
