Key points
It’s important to compare car insurance quotes and companies to make sure you’re getting the best price for your coverage needs. Most major car insurance companies make it easy for you to get a quote online.
Comparing car insurance ratesThere are several factors that can influence your car insurance rates, including your age, gender, location, credit history and driving record.
A good driver purchasing full coverage can expect to pay an average of $2,150 annually for coverage. But even though car insurance companies offer a similar product, their pricing varies. Here’s a look at the average rates offered by the top insurers in the nation.
Compare car insurance rates by stateWhere you live will play a big role in how much you pay for coverage. Drivers in Iowa and Wyoming enjoy some of the lowest rates and those in Florida and Michigan have some of the highest average rates, according to our analysis.
Compare car insurance rates by age and genderAuto insurance companies always factor a driver’s age in when determining rates, with teen and young adult drivers paying more for coverage because they lack experience behind the wheel.
Many insurers also factor in your gender, with male drivers frequently paying more than female drivers. This practice is banned in California, Hawaii, Massachusetts, Michigan and North Carolina.
Compare car insurance rates for drivers with poor creditMost states allow car insurance companies to conduct credit checks to help determine your rate. A long-established credit history, making payments on time, having no past-due accounts and minimal use of available credit can help lower your car insurance rates. Drivers with poor credit typically pay more for coverage.
Compare car insurance rates for drivers with a DUIA DUI can be costly on a number of levels. It’s dangerous — you could harm yourself or someone else and you could face jail time and/or a license suspension. You’ll also end up paying more for your car insurance. On average, drivers with a DUI can expect a 70% increase in car insurance costs, according to our analysis.
Compare car insurance rates for drivers in an at-fault accidentIf you’re at fault for an accident, your insurer may increase your rate. This may be true whether you’re in an accident that results in property damage or bodily injuries to other drivers, their passengers or a pedestrian. The table below shows the average rate increase for drivers that are at fault for a car accident resulting in bodily injuries.
Compare car insurance rates for drivers with a speeding ticketRisk assessment plays a key role in car insurance companies’ pricing strategy. That is why insurers look closely at your driving history before selling you a policy — to see how past driving behavior could lead to future claims. If you’ve been pulled over for speeding, expect it to factor into how much you pay for car insurance.
Compare car insurance rates for seniorsDrivers with a good record typically enjoy lower rates than young drivers, and those rates tend to be relatively steady until age 65. At that point, rates begin to increase again and continue to do so as drivers enter their 70s.
Here’s a look at how your insurance rates can increase from when you turn 60 to when you reach your 70s.
Compare car insurance rates after adding a teen driver to a parent policyTeens have the highest rates of all age groups, a reflection of their lack of driving experience and the risk that carries. Adding a teen driver to a parent’s policy is significantly cheaper than it is for a teen to purchase their own policy. Here’s how much it may cost to add a teen to your policy.
How to get the best car insurance quoteMaybe you’re shopping for coverage for the first time, or perhaps you want to see if you’re getting the best offer available. These steps can help you get the best car insurance quotes.
Determine what type of coverage you need, and how muchAt a minimum, you need the minimum amount of coverage required by your state. This typically includes a minimum amount of liability car insurance but may also include other types of coverage, like uninsured motorist insurance or personal injury protection (PIP).
If you finance or lease your vehicle, you’ll also need to meet the coverage requirements outlined in your loan or lease agreement.
Meeting state and lending requirements is a must, but you may also want to consider if those requirements are enough to cover your assets, or what you could lose in a lawsuit.
If you are at fault for a car accident, your liability insurance will pay for bodily injury and property damage you caused to others. It will also pay for your legal defense if you are sued, and any resulting judgments or settlements, up to the liability insurance limit in your policy.
Tip: Experts recommend a 100/300/100 car insurance policy, which includes $100,000 in bodily injury coverage per person, $300,000 in bodily injury per accident and $100,000 in property damage coverage.
Gather the information you need for a car insurance quoteThere are several pieces of information you may need to complete a quote request. This may include a combination of the following, depending on the quote provider:
You should collect quotes from at least three different insurance companies, but getting more can be helpful. Getting multiple quotes can give you an idea of how much you’ll pay for coverage and help you find the lowest rates.
Narrow down your options and research insurersOnce you find the insurers with the best rates, research further to see which one is the right fit. This can include:
Many insurers allow you to complete your policy purchase online, but you may need to call to work directly with an agent.
If you’re switching car insurance companies, make sure that your policy start and end dates are aligned so you don’t experience a gap in coverage.
How to compare car insurance policiesAfter you collect quotes, it’s time to compare car insurance companies and the policies they offer. Here are some tips to help you get started.
The first step to getting the best car insurance quotes is to know where to look. While shopping, you’ll have several options.
Shop onlineMost car insurance companies allow you to enter some basic information about yourself and your vehicle on their website to help you get your quote. You may also be able to get a quote for a home and auto insurance bundle, depending on the insurer.
Over the phoneIf you prefer to speak with someone to get a quote, or if you can’t complete your quote online, you can call an insurance company directly. If you call the insurer directly, you’ll work with a “captive” agent who represents only the insurer you called.
You can also choose to work with an “independent agent” over the phone. These agents don’t work for a specific company, meaning they can provide quotes from multiple insurers.
In personIf the auto insurance companies you’re considering have branches nearby, or if you’re working with an independent agent with a local office, you can get a car insurance quote face-to-face.
Like quotes over the phone, working face-to-face with an insurance agent can help you better understand policy options and discuss your coverage needs. However, if an insurer doesn’t have an office nearby, you may miss out on a quote from an insurer that otherwise offers policies and rates that meet your needs.
Using online car insurance comparison toolsAnother way to get car insurance is through online car insurance comparison websites. Online comparison sites are a great place to start your search because they give you access to multiple insurers at one time, using a single quote application. Once you submit that information, you’ll receive quotes from multiple insurers, either on the website, via email or by phone.
From there, you can compare the quotes and each company’s prices for coverage. Once you decide which quote fits your needs, you can move forward with buying a policy through that insurance company.
How do car insurance companies determine my rate?Insurers will use a number of factors to price your car insurance policy.
These factors include:
Car insurance companies don’t always use the same criteria to price their policies, so your rate will vary from insurer to insurer. Getting car insurance quotes can help you determine your “average” rate and find the insurer with the best deal.
MethodologyWe analyzed data from Quadrant Information Services to find average rates from each car insurance company for a variety of driver profiles. Unless otherwise noted, rates are for a driver buying full coverage for liability, uninsured motorists, collision and comprehensive.
Full coverage rates are based on liability coverage of 100/300/100 ($100,000 in bodily injury liability per person, $300,000 per accident and $100,000 in property damage liability), uninsured motorist coverage and collision and comprehensive insurance with a $500 deductible
The table displaying minimum coverage rates for comparison uses average rates based on the minimum amount of auto insurance required in each state.
Frequently asked questions (FAQs)
Which car insurance is the cheapest?USAA has the cheapest rates for good drivers, but coverage is limited to members of the military community and eligible family members. If you don’t qualify for a USAA policy, Auto-Owners, Geico, Westfield and Travelers also offer competitive rates, based on our analysis of national rates by insurers. You can see our full recommendations of the cheapest car insurance companies.
Can you get auto insurance online?Yes, it is possible to get car insurance online. Many car insurance companies allow you to get a car insurance quote online, and if you like your rate, you may be able to purchase your policy immediately. You may even receive a discount for doing so.
Not all insurers allow this, and you may need to work directly with an agent to complete the policy purchase process.
Are auto insurance rates based on gender?Many states allow insurers to factor in gender when determining a customer’s car insurance rates. Gender-based rates are banned in California, Hawaii, Massachusetts, Michigan, North Carolina and Pennsylvania.
What is rideshare insurance?Rideshare insurance is coverage that bridges the gap between your personal car insurance and that offered by a commercial ridesharing company, like Uber or Lyft.
If you’re in an accident while working for a ridesharing company, your personal insurance may not cover you. And though rideshare companies typically offer some level of coverage, it may not provide enough financial protection for all situations.
Is car insurance cheaper for homeowners?Auto insurance is not necessarily cheaper for homeowners, but if you buy your home and auto insurance with the same insurance company, you may be eligible for a bundling discount.
