The cheapest car insurance company: GEICO
GEICO is the cheapest large auto insurance company in the nation for minimum coverage, with an average rate of $41 a month and $492 a year, according to NerdWallet's May 2025 analysis.
NerdWallet’s auto insurance editorial team thoroughly evaluated rates from 137 companies to see which insurers offer the cheapest car insurance rates. We’ve organized the cheapest companies and their average rates into several common categories to help you find which insurer may be the cheapest for you.
The cheapest car insurance companies for:
Full coverage | Travelers, $146 a month.
Liability coverage | GEICO, $41 a month.
Young drivers | GEICO, $81 a month.
Millennial drivers | GEICO, $41 a month.
Senior drivers | State Farm, $45 a month.
Drivers with poor credit | GEICO, $58 a month.
After a speeding ticket | State Farm, $52 a month.
After an accident | State Farm, $59 a month.
After a DUI | Progressive, $64 a month.
(Average rates from NerdWallet's May 2025 analysis. Read our methodology.)
If you want to see which cheap companies also rank among the top insurers of the year, check out NerdWallet’s roundup of the best cheap car insurance companies.
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Cheapest car insurance rates by state
Location is one of many factors that affect the cost of car insurance. For example, the average car insurance rate for minimum coverage is $86 per month in Georgia, but drivers might only pay $33 per month, on average, for the same coverage in Idaho.
To help you get an idea of what you might pay, we found the cheapest car insurance company for minimum coverage in each state.
- See the cheapest companies by state
- Find the cheapest rates in your city
You can use our auto insurance calculator to get an estimate for the average cost of insurance in your ZIP code.
Estimate full coverage rates by ZIP codeEnter your ZIP code to find the average monthly car insurance rate for your area. Rates are for policies that include full coverage for a 35-year-old driver with good credit and a clean driving record.
Average monthly car insurance rate in your ZIP code:
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⚠️ Know the risks: Minimum coverage is your cheapest option for car insurance, but it can leave you financially vulnerable because coverage amounts are low. If you cause a serious accident, you might be responsible for paying some major expenses out of pocket. Consider full coverage if you can afford it. NerdWallet’s list of cheap full coverage insurance can help you find the best price.
Cheapest for full coverage: Travelers
Full coverage insurance will help pay for repairs to your own vehicle after an at-fault accident. Minimum coverage only pays for damage you cause to others, so you’ll have to pay for your own repairs yourself if you don’t have full coverage.
| Company | Median annual rate | Median monthly rate |
|---|---|---|
| Travelers | $1,754 | $146 |
| GEICO | $1,991 | $166 |
| American Family | $2,132 | $178 |
| USAA* | $1,463 | $122 |
*USAA is only available to military, veterans and their families.
If you have a car loan or lease, your lender will likely require you to carry full coverage, which includes comprehensive and collision insurance. These coverage types pay you if your car is stolen or damaged in an accident you cause, among other scenarios.
Curious what you could expect to pay for car insurance? You can find average full coverage rates in your ZIP with our car insurance calculator.
Cheapest for liability coverage: GEICO
Most states require a certain amount of liability coverage (sometimes referred to as minimum coverage) to legally drive. Be aware that your state’s minimum auto insurance requirements could be too low to fully cover you if you cause a serious accident.
| Company | Median annual rate | Median monthly rate |
|---|---|---|
| GEICO | $492 | $41 |
| Travelers | $538 | $45 |
| State Farm | $545 | $45 |
| USAA* | $377 | $31 |
*USAA is only available to military, veterans and their families.
Cheapest rates by age
Your age is one important factor in determining how much you'll pay for car insurance. For example, a 20-year-old driver would pay $81, on average, for the same coverage that only costs a 35-year-old driver an average of $41, according to our May 2025 analysis.
- Cheapest for young drivers: Geico
You may have a hard time getting cheap car insurance for young drivers. That’s because auto insurers view inexperienced drivers as riskier to insure. If you are a young driver and live with your family, it may be cheapest to stay on the family policy until you have more driving experience. The average rates in this table are for 20-year-old drivers.
Company Median annual rate Median monthly rate GEICO $971 $81 Progressive $1,122 $94 Travelers $1,167 $97 USAA* $847 $71 *USAA is only available to military, veterans and their families.
- Cheapest for millennials: Geico
While insurance rates vary by age and gender, drivers in their 30s and 40s can often expect to get cheap insurance rates from most companies. However, you may find even cheaper rates from smaller or regional insurers. The average rates in this table are for 40-year-old drivers.
Company Median annual rate Median monthly rate GEICO $488 $41 Travelers $527 $44 State Farm $549 $46 USAA* $365 $30 *USAA is only available to military, veterans and their families.
- Cheapest for seniors: State Farm
Car insurance is relatively low when you first enter your golden years. While our analysis shows that older drivers with a good credit score and clean driving history enjoy some of the cheapest auto insurance rates, car insurance rates for senior drivers start to creep up once you reach your 70s. The average rates in this table are for 70-year-old drivers.
Company Median annual rate Median monthly rate State Farm $544 $45 GEICO $553 $46 Travelers $599 $50 USAA* $372 $31 *USAA is only available to military, veterans and their families.
Cheapest companies for drivers with poor credit: GEICO
Many insurers use credit-based insurance scores to help calculate car insurance rates. However, California, Hawaii and Massachusetts don't allow insurers to use credit when determining car insurance rates.
Poor credit can have a big impact on auto insurance costs in most other states. Our analysis shows that drivers with poor credit can expect to pay an average of 62% more for minimum coverage than those with good credit.
| Company | Median annual rate | Median monthly rate |
|---|---|---|
| GEICO | $693 | $58 |
| Travelers | $916 | $76 |
| Progressive | $932 | $78 |
| USAA* | $630 | $53 |
*USAA is only available to military, veterans and their families.
Cheapest auto insurance after a driving violation
As you might expect, your driving history can have a big impact on how much you pay for car insurance. A 35-year-old with a clean driving record who chooses the cheapest company would pay $41 a month for minimum coverage, on average, while a driver with a single accident would pay $59. So it’s worth shopping around to find the cheapest car insurance available if you have a recent driving infraction on your record.
If you're looking for the cheapest insurance after a traffic violation, you may want to compare quotes from smaller insurance companies. We’re showing rates for some of the nation’s biggest car insurance companies because they’re available to most people across the U.S., but drivers with violations like an at-fault accident or a recent DUI can often find the cheapest auto insurance rates with midsize or regional insurers.
- Cheapest after a speeding ticket: State Farm
In most cases, a speeding ticket affects the cost of car insurance in a noticeable way. Thankfully, insurance companies use different equations to calculate rates, so if your insurance jumped up after a recent ticket, you may still be able to get cheaper coverage if you shop around.
Company Median annual rate Median monthly rate State Farm $623 $52 GEICO $633 $53 Travelers $685 $57 USAA* $457 $38 *USAA is only available to military, veterans and their families.
- Cheapest after an accident: State Farm
An accident can affect your car insurance costs for up to three years, depending on your location and your insurer. But not all insurance companies use the same pricing model, so it can be hard to predict how much insurance will increase after an accident. In other words, if your insurance went up after a recent crash, you might be able to find a cheaper option by shopping around.
Company Median annual rate Median monthly rate State Farm $714 $59 Travelers $716 $60 GEICO $859 $72 USAA* $563 $47 *USAA is only available to military, veterans and their families.
- Cheapest after a DUI: Progressive
A DUI on your driving record can significantly increase how much you pay for car insurance. In fact, our analysis showed that a 35-year-old in Massachusetts with a clean driving history could get minimum coverage insurance for $40 a month, while that same driver could pay $77 for the same coverage after a DUI. This makes it especially valuable to shop for cheap car insurance after a DUI.
Company Median annual rate Median monthly rate Progressive $762 $64 State Farm $864 $72 Travelers $881 $73 USAA* $717 $60 *USAA is only available to military, veterans and their families.
How to get the cheapest car insurance quotes in 6 steps
Assess your needs. One person might prioritize a company with strong customer service and a great mobile app while someone else prefers a company with a lot of available discounts. Only you know which details mean the most to you.
Do your research. We recommend comparing car insurance quotes from at least three insurers once a year. Insurers adjust rates regularly, so a company that gave you a cheap rate last year might not be as much of a bargain this year.
Ask for discounts. You may be able to save money with discounts you’re not currently getting. Common car insurance discounts are given for insuring multiple cars on the same policy and having a student driver with good grades.
Raise your deductibles. The higher your car insurance deductible, the more you pay out of pocket before insurance pays for a claim. By raising your deductible, you may be able to lower your premium, which is the amount you pay for your policy. Just make sure you have enough money set aside to cover the deductible if you ever get in an accident.
Improve driving habits. Most traffic violations impact your insurance for at least three to five years, whether it was an accident, speeding ticket or DUI. Taking a defensive driving course could earn you a discount on your car insurance policy — and it’ll help you develop safer driving skills to reduce the risk of future violations.
Reconsider your vehicle. The type of car you drive affects how much you pay for insurance. Check out NerdWallet’s analysis of the cheapest cars to insure to compare rates for the most popular vehicles.
More Nerdy Perspective
Switching from full coverage to minimum coverage isn’t the only way to lower your premium. Last year, I interviewed a woman who cut her car insurance premium by almost 40% by switching insurers and increasing her deductible. If you have a solid emergency fund and could afford to pay more in the event of a claim, this strategy might help you save.
How NerdWallet finds the cheapest rates
NerdWallet’s editorial team analyzes minimum and full coverage car insurance rates from pricing analytics company Quadrant Information Services. Each month we look at more than 500 million auto insurance rates from hundreds of auto insurance companies across the U.S. to help you save on car insurance without having to do hours of research on your own.
Our analysis looks at drivers in all ZIP codes across the 50 U.S. states and Washington, D.C., with a variety of driving and credit histories, driving a 2022 Toyota Camry LE.
Read our methodology for more insights into how we ranked cheap car insurance companies.
Why trust NerdWallet
35+ 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.
Ask Reddit: How do other drivers find cheap insurance?
Reddit is an online forum where users share their thoughts in “threads” on various topics. The popular site includes plenty of discussion on financial subjects like auto insurance, so we sifted through Reddit forums to see what steps drivers are using to find cheap insurance.
People post anonymously on Reddit, so we can’t confirm anyone’s individual experiences or circumstances. But after reading through many conversations, the most common pieces of advice we found were:
Some drivers prefer to work with local, independent agents, because these agents are experts who can shop around and compare quotes for you. You can search in your area or use Trusted Choice, a network of independent insurance agents, to browse a directory of agents and find a good match.
Some drivers found that going to an insurer’s website helped them find cheaper quotes than what an independent agent gave them.
Some drivers recommend looking at smaller insurers, since these companies tend to offer better customer service and possibly even cheaper rates than a national company.
Frequently asked questions
How do you get cheap car insurance?
How do you get cheap car insurance?
Shopping around is the best way to find cheap auto insurance quotes. Having good credit and a clean driving record are two more ways to get cheap car insurance, and be sure to ask about discounts you might be missing from your policy.
You can also check out our guide to the best cheap car insurance companies and see which top insurers also provide affordable insurance.
What cars are cheaper to insure?
What cars are cheaper to insure?
According to a separate NerdWallet analysis of insurance rates for popular vehicles, the Subaru Outback, Crosstrek and Forester, as well as the Honda CR-V, are the cheapest cars to insure, on average. When pricing auto policies, insurance companies take into consideration the car you drive. Vehicles with higher theft rates, repair costs and lower safety ratings will cost more to insure. If you’re in the market for a new ride and want to keep insurance rates low, avoid sports cars, high-end luxury cars and cars most likely to be stolen.
How can you find the best car insurance?
How can you find the best car insurance?
The best auto insurer will be the one that best suits your needs. And while price is important, the cheapest insurer isn't always the best. A top-notch insurer will provide a customer-first experience, whether you need help getting a quote or filing a claim. Check out NerdWallet’s best car insurance companies for our top-rated companies.
At what age does car insurance get cheaper?
At what age does car insurance get cheaper?
Teens and young drivers have some of the highest car insurance rates, on average. As you gain experience as a driver, you are more likely to find cheaper insurance quotes. According to a separate NerdWallet analysis of average car insurance costs, a 30-year-old driver can expect to pay significantly less than a 20-year-old. Generally, rates continue to drop throughout adulthood, and then start to rise again around age 70.
Is minimum coverage enough?
Is minimum coverage enough?
While sticking with your state’s bare minimum requirements may help you get the cheapest car insurance rates, we don’t recommend it. You may find yourself in financial or even legal trouble if you cause a bad crash and don’t have enough coverage to pay for injuries or property damage you caused. To learn more, read NerdWallet’s explanation of how much car insurance you really need.
And if you’re interested in getting more coverage without overpaying for it, you can also look into cheap full coverage insurance.
NerdWallet averaged rates based on public filings obtained by pricing analytics company Quadrant Information Services. We examined rates for 35-year-old men and women for all ZIP codes in all 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. Poor credit rates from The Hanover were removed in both Connecticut and New York.
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 minimum required coverage by law in each state. Some policies include additional coverage at the insurer’s discretion.
For our analysis of full coverage car insurance rates, 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.
We used a 2022 Toyota Camry LE for all drivers and assumed 12,000 annual miles driven.
We used the same assumptions for all other driver profiles, with the following exceptions:
We changed the credit tier from “good” to “poor” as reported to the insurer to see rates for drivers with poor credit.
For drivers with one at-fault crash, we added a single at-fault crash that happened six months ago, resulting in $10,000 in property damage and no bodily injury claim.
For drivers with a DUI, we added a single drunken driving violation that happened six months ago.
For drivers with a ticket, we added a single speeding violation for driving 16 mph over the speed limit.
For young drivers, we considered 20-year-olds with good credit and no driving violations.
For millennial drivers, we considered 40-year-olds with good credit and no driving violations.
For senior drivers, we considered 70-year-olds with good credit and no driving violations.
