The cheapest car insurance companies for May 2025
These are the cheapest monthly average rates from some of the largest car insurers in the U.S.
Full coverage: Travelers, $146.
Liability coverage: GEICO, $41.
Young drivers: GEICO, $301.
Millennial drivers: GEICO, $140.
Senior drivers: State Farm, $141.
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Full coverage vs. liability: Which is right for you?
Throughout this article, we refer to two kinds of car insurance: full coverage and liability coverage, also known as minimum coverage. Here's the difference.
Full coverage
Full coverage is typically a combination of comprehensive, collision and liability coverage.
It will help pay for repairs in most scenarios, including damage caused by weather, an at-fault accident, hitting an animal or vandalism.
If you have a car loan or lease, you may be required to have full coverage. You may also want it if you own a new car or live in a place with extreme weather.
Liability coverage
Liability coverage pays only for injuries and damage you cause to other drivers; you'll have to pay for your own expenses.
It's usually the cheapest car insurance available, but if you cause an accident, you might be responsible for major expenses.
Consider buying full coverage if you can afford it. Our list of cheap full coverage insurance can help.
Cheapest auto insurance for full coverage: Travelers
Travelers is the cheapest large auto insurance company in the nation for full coverage, with an average rate of $146 a month and $1,754 a year, according to NerdWallet's May 2025 analysis.
| Company | Median annual rate | Median monthly rate |
|---|---|---|
| Travelers | $1,754 | $146 |
| GEICO | $1,991 | $166 |
| American Family | $2,132 | $178 |
| Progressive | $2,133 | $178 |
| USAA* | $1,463 | $122 |
*USAA is only available to military, veterans and their families.
Cheapest car insurance for liability coverage: GEICO
GEICO is the cheapest large auto insurance company in the nation for liability coverage, with an average rate of $41 a month and $492 a year, according to NerdWallet's May 2025 analysis.
Most states require a certain amount of liability 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 |
| Progressive | $639 | $53 |
| USAA* | $377 | $31 |
*USAA is only available to military, veterans and their families.
Cheapest car insurance rates in your state
Location is one of many factors that affect the cost of car insurance. For example, the average car insurance rate for full coverage is $259 per month in Georgia, but drivers might only pay $139 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 full coverage in each state.
- See the cheapest full coverage insurance by state
- Find the cheapest full coverage 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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Find the best cheap car insurance
To see which cheap companies also rank among the top insurers of the year, check out NerdWallet’s list of the best cheap car insurance companies.
Cheapest car insurance rates by age
Your age is another important factor in determining how much you'll pay for car insurance. For example, a 20-year-old driver would pay $301 a month, on average, for the same coverage that costs a 35-year-old driver $146, according to our May 2025 analysis.
Cheapest auto insurance for young drivers: GEICO
GEICO is the cheapest large auto insurance company in the nation for 20-year-old drivers, with an average rate of $301 a month and $3,617 a year for a full-coverage policy.
It can be difficult to find cheap car insurance for young drivers. That’s because auto insurers view inexperienced drivers as riskier to insure. If you're a young driver who lives with your family, it may be cheapest to stay on the family policy until you have more driving experience.
- More cheap rates for young drivers
Below are the cheapest rates for full and liability coverage for 20-year-old drivers.
Company Median annual rate Median monthly rate GEICO $3,617 $301 Progressive $4,016 $335 Travelers $4,076 $340 American Family $4,128 $344 USAA* $3,240 $270 *USAA is only available to military, veterans and their families.
Company Median annual rate Median monthly rate GEICO $971 $81 Progressive $1,122 $94 Travelers $1,167 $97 State Farm $1,392 $116 USAA* $847 $71 *USAA is only available to military, veterans and their families.
Rates refreshed May 2025.
Cheapest car insurance for millennial drivers: Travelers
Travelers is the cheapest large auto insurer for 40-year-old drivers, with an average rate of $140 a month and $1,677 a year for a full-coverage policy.
While insurance rates vary by age and gender, drivers in their 30s and 40s can often get cheap insurance rates from most companies. However, you may find even cheaper rates from smaller or regional insurers.
- More cheap rates for millennial drivers
Below are the average rates for full and liability coverage for 40-year-old drivers.
Company Median annual rate Median monthly rate Travelers $1,677 $140 GEICO $1,959 $163 Progressive $2,003 $167 American Family $2,087 $174 USAA* $1,380 $115 *USAA is only available to military, veterans and their families.
Company Median annual rate Median monthly rate GEICO $488 $41 Travelers $527 $44 State Farm $549 $46 Progressive $618 $52 USAA* $365 $30 *USAA is only available to military, veterans and their families.
Rates refreshed May 2025.
Cheapest car insurance for senior drivers: Travelers
Travelers is the cheapest large auto insurer for 70-year-old drivers, with an average rate of $141 a month and $1,689 a year for full coverage.
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.
- More cheap rates for senior drivers
Below are the average rates for full and liability coverage for 70-year-old drivers.
Company Median annual rate Median monthly rate Travelers $1,689 $141 Progressive $1,802 $150 GEICO $1,963 $164 American Family $2,037 $170 USAA* $1,257 $105 *USAA is only available to military, veterans and their families.
Company Median annual rate Median monthly rate State Farm $544 $45 GEICO $553 $46 Travelers $599 $50 Progressive $623 $52 USAA* $372 $31 *USAA is only available to military, veterans and their families.
Rates refreshed May 2025.
Curious what you might pay for car insurance? You can find average full coverage rates in your ZIP with our car insurance calculator.
Cheapest auto insurance after a driving violation
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 $146 a month for full coverage, on average, while a driver with a single accident would pay $204. It’s worth shopping around to find the cheapest car insurance available if you have a recent driving infraction on your record.
Cheapest car insurance after a speeding ticket: Travelers
Travelers is the cheapest large auto insurer for drivers with a speeding ticket, with an average rate of $184 a month and $2,206 a year for full coverage.
Insurance companies use different equations to calculate rates, so if your insurance jumped after a recent ticket, you may still be able to get cheaper coverage if you shop around. Learn more about how a speeding ticket affects the cost of car insurance.
- More cheap rates for drivers after a speeding ticket
Company Median annual rate Median monthly rate Travelers $2,206 $184 American Family $2,450 $204 GEICO $2,568 $214 State Farm $2,689 $224 USAA* $1,768 $147 *USAA is only available to military, veterans and their families.
Company Median annual rate Median monthly rate State Farm $623 $52 GEICO $633 $53 Travelers $685 $57 Progressive $785 $65 USAA* $457 $38 *USAA is only available to military, veterans and their families.
Rates refreshed May 2025.
Cheapest car insurance after an at-fault crash: Travelers
Travelers is the cheapest large auto insurer for drivers with an accident, with an average rate of $204 a month and $2,444 a year for a minimum-coverage policy.
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.
- More cheap rates for drivers after an accident
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 USAA* $2,131 $178 *USAA is only available to military, veterans and their families.
Company Median annual rate Median monthly rate State Farm $714 $59 Travelers $716 $60 GEICO $859 $72 Progressive $875 $73 USAA* $563 $47 *USAA is only available to military, veterans and their families.
Rates refreshed May 2025.
Cheapest car insurance after a DUI: American Family
American Family is the cheapest large auto insurer for drivers with a recent DUI, with an average rate of $226 a month and $2,706 a year for full coverage.
A DUI on your driving record can significantly increase how much you pay for car insurance. For example, our analysis showed that a 35-year-old in Massachusetts with a clean driving history could get full coverage insurance for $168 a month, while that same driver could pay $295 for the same coverage after a DUI. This makes it especially valuable to shop for cheap car insurance after a DUI.
- More cheap rates for drivers after a DUI
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 USAA* $2,834 $236 *USAA is only available to military, veterans and their families.
Company Median annual rate Median monthly rate Progressive $762 $64 State Farm $864 $72 Travelers $881 $73 American Family $903 $75 USAA* $717 $60 *USAA is only available to military, veterans and their families.
Rates refreshed May 2025.
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 car insurance for drivers with poor credit: GEICO
GEICO is the cheapest large auto insurance company for drivers with poor credit, with an average rate of $231 a month and $2,777 a year for full coverage, according to NerdWallet's May 2025 analysis.
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 65% more for full coverage than those with good credit.
- More cheap rates for drivers with poor credit
Company Median annual rate Median monthly rate GEICO $2,777 $231 Travelers $2,973 $248 American Family $3,441 $287 Progressive $3,484 $290 USAA* $2,672 $223 *USAA is only available to military, veterans and their families.
Company Median annual rate Median monthly rate GEICO $693 $58 Travelers $916 $76 Progressive $932 $78 Allstate $945 $79 USAA* $630 $53 *USAA is only available to military, veterans and their families.
Rates refreshed May 2025.
More Nerdy Perspective
I saved nearly $200 a year by choosing the cheapest way to pay my auto insurance premiums. By signing up for autopay, I got a discount on my policy and avoided a $5 monthly service charge. The savings added up to about 14%. That’s like skipping more than 1½ monthly payments!
How to get the cheapest car insurance quotes
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 deductibles, the more you pay out of pocket before insurance pays for a claim. By raising your deductibles, 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 deductibles 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.
- 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. After reading through many conversations, we found a few common themes:
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 generally charge more for vehicles with higher theft rates, greater repair costs or lower safety ratings. 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.
Methodology
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.
Unless otherwise stated, our analysis was based on our base driver profile, which has the following characteristics and coverage levels:
35 years old
Single. Male or female.
2022 Toyota Camry LE
12,000 annual miles driven.
Good driving record and credit
No moving violations.
"Good driving" discount applied.
Good credit-based insurance score.
Bodily injury liability coverage
$100,000 per person. $300,000 per crash.
Property damage liability coverage
$50,000 per crash.
Uninsured motorist bodily injury coverage
$100,000 per person. $300,000 per crash.
Collision coverage
With a $1,000 deductible.
Comprehensive coverage
With a $1,000 deductible.
- See characteristics for other driver profiles
For all other driver profiles, we used the same assumptions, 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. These rates are based on credit score approximations and do not account for proprietary scoring criteria used by insurance providers.
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.
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.
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.
