It’s wise to actively look for budget-friendly auto insurance as rates steadily rise nationwide.

Comparing car insurance quotes from a variety of companies is the only way to know whether you’re getting reasonable rates. This straightforward process can potentially save you hundreds of dollars or more each year on car insurance.

Compare Car Insurance Rates 2024

Comparing auto insurance quotes is all about gathering options so you can find the best car insurance companies.

Compare car insurance rates:

Compare Auto Insurance Rates by Age

Your age affects car insurance rates. Young, inexperienced drivers pay the most and can expect their rates to start going down around age 25. Drivers with good driving records that are free of tickets or accidents will enjoy the best rates in their 50s and 60s. Rates start to increase again around age 70.

Age Average annual cost of full coverage car insurance Average annual cost of minimum coverage car insurance
18
$5,575
$1,861
25
$2,419
$754
30
$2,197
$680
40
$2,078
$652
50
$1,934
$613
60
$1,861
$601
70
$2,034
$648
80
$2,507
$810

We analyzed car insurance rates for a variety of ages. See our findings:

Compare Car Insurance Rates for 18-Year-Olds

Drivers who are 18 are relatively new to driving and more likely to be in auto accidents than more mature and experienced drivers. We recommend comparing car insurance quotes to find companies that fit your budget.

Average Annual Rates for 18-Year-Olds by Company

Prices for auto insurance vary greatly from one company to another because they calculate their rates using different formulas. We analyzed average rates for full coverage insurance and state minimum car insurance and found that Erie has the cheapest rates for an 18-year-old.

Company Full coverage car insurance cost per year State-minimum car insurance cost per year
$3,229
$888
$3,615
$1,023
$4,101
$1,255
$4,119
$1,730
$4,473
$1,474
$4,690
$1,223
$4,726
$2,363
$4,891
$1,585
$7,232
$2,199
$7,283
$2,532
$7,387
$2,376
$7,784
$2,637
$10,162
$3,426

*USAA auto insurance is available only to the military, veterans and their families.

Average Annual Rates for 18-Year-Olds by State 

Car insurance costs differ considerably from state to state for an 18-year-old driver. Hawaii—a state that prohibits age as a rating factor—is the cheapest state in our analysis. Florida and Louisiana have the most expensive auto insurance for drivers age 18.

State Full coverage car insurance cost per year Minimum coverage car insurance cost per year
$5,676
$1,768
$4,765
$1,468
$6,153
$2,088
$5,723
$1,640
$7,268
$1,993
$7,791
$2,145
$5,970
$2,671
$6,945
$2,912
$9,018
$3,421
$6,685
$2,702
$1,474
$416
$3,753
$1,347
$5,469
$1,819
$3,907
$1,294
$3,895
$945
$5,364
$1,616
$6,361
$2,215
$9,484
$3,016
$3,397
$1,189
$7,144
$2,912
$6,689
$2,051
$7,244
$3,094
$4,154
$1,395
$5,039
$1,635
$6,091
$2,026
$6,439
$1,611
$4,262
$1,194
$7,019
$2,738
$3,863
$1,430
$7,116
$3,090
$5,635
$1,689
$6,550
$2,571
$3,290
$1,201
$4,573
$1,257
$3,967
$1,238
$6,629
$1,664
$5,318
$2,315
$6,170
$1,445
$7,179
$2,619
$5,586
$2,215
$5,467
$1,181
$5,273
$1,626
$6,580
$2,293
$6,054
$2,206
$3,326
$825
$5,422
$1,907
$4,304
$1,573
$5,834
$1,537
$4,512
$1,306
$3,422
$686

Compare Car Insurance Rates for 25-Year-Olds

Rates start to fall for young drivers around age 25. These drivers now have several years of experience behind the wheel, so they pose less risk.

Average Annual Rates for 25-Year-Olds by Company

USAA has the lowest average cost for full coverage and state minimum car insurance for 25-year-olds if you qualify with a military connection. Travelers has the cheapest full coverage for all other drivers age 25.

Erie and Westfield are the cheapest insurers for state minimum coverage. They are regional companies so if they don’t serve your area, check quotes from Geico.

Safe Auto has the most expensive insurance for drivers age 25 among the companies in our analysis.

Company Full coverage car insurance cost per year State-minimum car insurance cost per year
$1,694
$442
$1,737
$709
$1,849
$840
$2,097
$651
$2,106
$563
$2,160
$719
$2,307
$688
$2,372
$634
$2,497
$763
$2,549
$564
$2,958
$923
$3,235
$940
$3,678
$1,078

*USAA auto insurance is available only to the military, veterans and their families.

Average Annual Rates for 25-Year-Olds, by State

Hawaii and Vermont are the cheapest states for 25-year-old drivers who want full coverage. Florida and Louisiana are the most expensive.

The cheapest state for minimum car insurance coverage for 25-year-olds is Wyoming, followed by Hawaii and Vermont. Florida is the most expensive state for 25-year-olds to buy minimum coverage.

State Full coverage car insurance cost per year Minimum coverage car insurance cost per year
$2,239
$616
$2,020
$553
$2,668
$850
$2,532
$631
$3,381
$872
$2,862
$646
$2,444
$1,043
$2,543
$1,112
$4,136
$1,551
$2,609
$996
$1,341
$380
$1,516
$499
$2,382
$733
$1,894
$551
$1,958
$391
$2,509
$665
$2,931
$948
$4,190
$1,224
$1,796
$599
$2,647
$1,133
$2,114
$622
$2,977
$1,276
$2,223
$690
$2,274
$692
$3,026
$900
$2,551
$553
$2,197
$513
$3,092
$1,104
$1,796
$623
$2,710
$1,285
$2,264
$611
$3,175
$1,198
$1,637
$586
$1,922
$481
$1,646
$471
$3,017
$650
$2,122
$916
$2,789
$624
$2,634
$952
$2,654
$947
$2,514
$435
$2,232
$655
$3,028
$973
$2,402
$864
$1,420
$380
$2,218
$747
$1,854
$624
$2,468
$690
Wisconsin
$1,951
$503
$1,576
$319

Compare Car Insurance Rates for 30-Year-Olds

By age 30, drivers generally have fewer accidents than younger drivers and can get better car insurance quotes. 

By Company

USAA has the cheapest full coverage and state minimum car insurance rates for 30-year-olds, according to our analysis. Only military members, veterans and their families are eligible for USAA auto policies. Travelers is the cheapest for full coverage for other drivers and Auto-Owners is the cheapest for minimum coverage.

Allstate and Safe Auto are the most expensive companies for 30-year-old drivers.

Company Full coverage car insurance cost per year Minimum coverage car insurance cost per year
$1,493
$393
$1,662
$691
$1,677
$751
$1,812
$488
$1,874
$566
$1,909
$439
$2,043
$682
$2,164
$618
$2,235
$682
$2,274
$503
$2,871
$881
$3,002
$908
$3,255
$922

*USAA auto insurance is available only to the military, veterans and their families.

By State

Vermont, Maine, Idaho and Hawaii are the cheapest states for 30-year-olds buying a full coverage policy, while Florida and Louisiana cost the most.

The cheapest states for buying minimum coverage at age 30 are Wyoming, Vermont and Iowa. Florida, New Jersey and Michigan are the costliest.

State Full coverage car insurance cost per year Minimum coverage car insurance cost per year
$2,040
$543
$1,921
$512
$2,434
$756
$2,320
$562
$2,929
$753
$2,661
$583
$2,182
$936
$2,447
$1,090
$3,838
$1,454
$2,307
$865
$1,341
$380
$1,339
$444
$2,130
$647
$1,760
$508
$1,774
$346
$2,280
$597
$2,643
$852
$3,942
$1,101
$1,336
$452
$2,313
$1,016
$1,941
$583
$2,742
$1,203
$2,048
$630
$2,050
$606
$2,726
$801
$2,401
$526
$1,990
$448
$2,852
$1,009
$1,543
$538
$2,516
$1,216
$2,127
$552
$2,965
$1,136
$1,619
$550
$1,786
$452
$1,502
$416
$2,794
$577
$1,936
$848
$2,474
$556
$2,208
$792
$2,376
$818
$2,326
$396
$1,989
$581
$2,684
$826
$2,234
$788
$1,271
$340
$2,007
$681
$1,687
$560
$2,233
$636
$1,775
$451
$1,480
$308

Compare Car Insurance for Drivers With Poor Credit

Poor credit increases car insurance rates for most drivers. Drivers with poor credit could pay more than double for car insurance compared to those with good credit. That’s because car insurance companies say their research shows that those with bad credit have a higher likelihood of making claims. We found that drivers with poor credit pay about 94% more compared to those with good credit.

By Company

Nationwide has the best quotes for drivers with poor credit. It charges an average of 43% more for drivers with bad credit. That’s far better than State Farm’s cost, an average of nearly $8,000 a year—almost quadruple the price it offers drivers with good credit.

Company Average car insurance cost per year for drivers with poor credit Average car insurance cost per month for drivers with poor credit
$2,051
$171
$2,450
$204
$2,482
$207
$2,699
$225
$3,221
$268
$3,403
$284
$3,583
$299
$3,637
$303
$3,701
$308
$4,531
$378
$4,889
$407
$5,407
$451
$7,961
$663

*USAA auto insurance is available only to the military, veterans and their families.

By State

California, Hawaii, Massachusetts and Michigan ban the use of credit in pricing auto insurance. The remaining states allow car insurance companies to take credit into account when determining costs, which means poor credit can raise your costs substantially in those states.

We found that Washington has the lowest rates for drivers with poor credit, with an average cost of $1,812 per year. Washington also had the lowest rate increase with an average of 19%. Louisiana and Arizona have the most expensive rates, which are an average of over $7,000 per year. Arizona’s average rate increase for drivers with bad credit is 243% and Louisiana’s is 125%.

State Average car insurance cost per year for drivers with poor credit Average car insurance cost per month for drivers with poor credit
$3,430
$286
$3,776
$315
$7,229
$602
$4,017
$335
$5,254
$438
$3,516
$293
$4,344
$362
$6,921
$577
$3,807
$317
$2,012
$168
$3,374
$281
$3,145
$262
$3,217
$268
$4,052
$338
$5,186
$432
$7,987
$666
$2,618
$218
$4,101
$342
$4,381
$365
$3,476
$290
$4,675
$390
$4,209
$351
$3,328
$277
$3,745
$312
$2,727
$227
$5,082
$424
$3,640
$303
$5,617
$468
$2,384
$199
$3,018
$252
$2,816
$235
$4,304
$359
$3,180
$265
$4,425
$369
$4,133
$344
$4,283
$357
$4,188
$349
$3,427
$286
$4,694
$391
$3,655
$305
$2,172
$181
$3,868
$322
$1,812
$151
$4,116
$343
$2,764
$230
$2,217
$185

Compare Car Insurance for Drivers With a DUI

A DUI is a costly insurance mistake. Our analysis found that the average car insurance rate increase for drivers with a DUI is 71%. You can find the cheapest car insurance after a DUI by getting quotes from multiple companies.

By Company

Our analysis found that Progressive generally has the best insurance quotes for drivers with a DUI conviction. Westfield is the most expensive, with rates almost double those from Progressive.

Company Average car insurance cost per year for drivers with a DUI Average car insurance cost per month for drivers with a DUI
$2,307
$192
$2,604
$217
$2,610
$218
$2,665
$222
$2,716
$226
$3,083
$257
$3,172
$264
$3,578
$298
$3,723
$310
$4,101
$342
$4,272
$356
$4,315
$360
$4,577
$381

*USAA auto insurance is available only to the military, veterans and their families.

By State

A DUI typically raises your auto insurance rates for three to five years, depending on your state. 

Idaho has the cheapest rates for drivers with a DUI and California is the most expensive, with a 121% hike, on average). In addition, in California, you can’t receive a good driver discount until 10 years have passed after a DUI. 

The percentage increase for a DUI in North Carolina is 203%, the highest in the country.

State Average car insurance cost per year for drivers with a DUI Average car insurance cost per month for drivers with a DUI
$2,851
$238
$2,389
$199
$3,022
$252
$3,159
$263
$6,112
$509
$3,758
$313
$4,283
$357
$3,764
$314
$4,944
$412
$3,306
$276
$2,944
$245
$1,976
$165
$2,990
$249
$2,808
$234
$2,699
$225
$3,192
$266
$3,809
$317
$4,768
$397
$2,222
$185
$3,799
$317
$2,981
$248
$5,602
$467
$3,272
$273
$2,988
$249
$3,242
$270
$3,122
$260
$2,668
$222
$3,423
$285
$2,427
$202
$4,256
$355
$2,865
$239
$4,232
$353
$4,460
$372
$3,438
$287
$2,357
$196
$3,889
$324
$2,551
$213
$3,813
$318
$3,500
$292
$2,886
$241
$3,251
$271
$3,165
$264
$3,644
$304
$2,809
$234
$2,147
$179
$3,018
$252
$2,285
$190
$2,640
$220
$2,685
$224
$2,298
$192

Compare Car Insurance Rates for Drivers With an At-Fault Accident

Expect car insurance rates to go up after an accident that’s your fault. We found that costs go up an average of 49% after an accident with injury and 48% after an accident you cause with property damage. 

By Company

USAA has the lowest quotes for drivers with an at-fault accident resulting in injury to someone else. If you aren’t eligible for USAA insurance, check quotes from Erie and Travelers.

Company Average car insurance cost per year after an accident Average car insurance cost per month after an accident
$1,958
$163
$2,224
$185
$2,293
$191
$2,337
$195
$2,428
$202
$2,539
$212
$2,748
$229
$2,770
$231
$2,901
$242
$3,860
$322
$4,101
$342
$4,412
$368
$4,545
$379

*USAA auto insurance is available only to the military, veterans and their families.

By State

Our analysis found that Vermont, Idaho, Maine and Hawaii have the cheapest rates for drivers who caused an accident with injury (less than $2,000 a year for a full coverage policy).

The most expensive states are Florida, California and Louisiana. California has the largest rate increase among all states—averaging 95%—nearly doubling rates for causing an accident.

State Average car insurance cost per year after an accident Average car insurance cost per month after an accident
$2,804
$234
$2,510
$209
$3,152
$263
$3,157
$263
$5,393
$449
$3,768
$314
$3,345
$279
$3,444
$287
$5,557
$463
$2,944
$245
$1,961
$163
$1,837
$153
$2,812
$234
$2,396
$200
$2,289
$191
$3,066
$256
$3,564
$297
$5,177
$431
$1,921
$160
$3,373
$281
$2,960
$247
$3,756
$313
$2,988
$249
$2,922
$244
$3,341
$278
$3,478
$290
$2,475
$206
$3,608
$301
$2,125
$177
$3,760
$313
$2,958
$247
$3,696
$308
$2,750
$229
$3,239
$270
$2,165
$180
$3,710
$309
$2,675
$223
$3,440
$287
$2,911
$243
$2,990
$249
$3,188
$266
$2,696
$225
$4,196
$350
$3,047
$254
$1,761
$147
$2,864
$239
$2,150
$179
$2,663
$222
$2,467
$206
$2,059
$172

Compare Car Insurance Rates for Drivers With a Speeding Ticket

Drivers can expect car insurance rates to go up after a speeding ticket. We found costs go up an average of 26%.

By Company

A speeding ticket is a minor traffic violation, so the rate increase is relatively small compared to a major violation like a DUI. USAA is the cheapest company for those who qualify. Nationwide and Erie are the cheapest for all other drivers, among the insurers in our analysis.

Company Average car insurance cost per year after a speeding ticket Average car insurance cost per month after a speeding ticket
$1,661
$138
$1,878
$157
$1,899
$158
$2,062
$172
$2,150
$179
$2,270
$189
$2,335
$195
$2,350
$196
$2,457
$205
$3,062
$255
$3,312
$276
$3,543
$295
$3,951
$329

By State

Drivers with speeding tickets will see a bump up in car insurance rates ranging from an average of 13% to 54%, depending on the state. How long a speeding ticket will stay on your record varies by state, but it’s generally three to five years.

Texas insurers have the lowest increase for drivers with speeding tickets (13%). Michigan has the highest increase (54%). 

Vermont has the lowest average rate for drivers with a speeding ticket ($1,353 a year). That’s a 17% rate increase compared to a driver with a clean record.

State Average car insurance cost per year after a speeding ticket Average car insurance cost per month after a speeding ticket
$2,416
$201
$2,194
$183
$2,668
$222
$2,749
$229
$4,020
$335
$3,314
$276
$2,692
$224
$2,797
$233
$4,838
$403
$2,425
$202
$1,597
$133
$1,534
$128
$2,408
$201
$2,121
$177
$1,872
$156
$2,571
$214
$2,945
$245
$4,471
$373
$1,668
$139
$2,698
$225
$2,234
$186
$3,650
$304
$2,620
$218
$2,432
$203
$2,866
$239
$2,827
$236
$2,119
$177
$3,008
$251
$1,692
$141
$3,178
$265
$2,526
$211
$3,408
$284
$2,174
$181
$2,625
$219
$1,765
$147
$3,256
$271
$2,225
$185
$2,691
$224
$2,718
$227
$2,636
$220
$2,490
$208
$2,159
$180
$2,948
$246
$2,505
$209
$1,353
$113
$2,258
$188
$1,921
$160
$2,216
$185
$2,054
$171
$1,964
$164

Compare Car Insurance Rates by Vehicle

The type of vehicle you insure impacts how much you spend on car insurance, especially if you’re buying collision and comprehensive insurance. Here’s a look at average car insurance costs for popular vehicles. 

Least Expensive Cars to Insure

Subaru takes the top three spots for the cheapest vehicles to insure. The Subaru Outback is the cheapest.

Also of note: SUVs of various sizes dominate the list of the top 15 cheapest vehicles to insure. 

Vehicle Average car insurance cost per year
Subaru Outback
$2,072
Subaru Crosstrek
$2,117
Subaru Forester
$2,117
Honda CR-V
$2,144
Mazda CX-30
$2,150
Mazda CX-5
$2,150
Chevrolet Trailblazer
$2,172
Kia Seltos
$2,188
Honda HR-V
$2,189
Volvo XC40
$2,200
Hyundai Kona
$2,208
Volkswagen Tiguan
$2,208
Kia Sportage
$2,225
Mazda MX-5 Miata
$2,246
Ford Escape
$2,249

Medium-Expensive Cars to Insure

Sedans make up a majority of the list of medium-expensive cars to insure. The remaining vehicles on the list are SUVs. 

Vehicle Average car insurance cost per year
Chevrolet Malibu
$2,758
Chevrolet Camaro
$2,777
Toyota Prius Prime
$2,788
Acura TLX
$2,794
Kia EV6
$2,795
$2,797
BMW X3 SDrive 30i
$2,813
Subaru Solterra
$2,817
Chrysler 300
$2,820
Mercedes GLB Class
$2,824
Lexus RX
$2,847
Audi Q5 Quattro
$2,859
Volkswagen Golf R
$2,862
Mercedes GLC300
$2,866
Subaru WRX
$2,872

Most Expensive Cars to Insure

The most expensive cars to insure are mainly luxury and sports cars. These vehicles typically are loaded with extras such as high horsepower, luxurious driver and passenger comforts and the latest technology. These features usually make vehicles more expensive to repair or replace, which make them more expensive to insure.

The most expensive car to insure is the Audi R8 GT, among the vehicles in our analysis.

Vehicle Average car insurance cost per year
BMW 7 Series
$4,558
Lexus LC
$4,569
Porsche 911
$4,744
Porsche Panamera
$4,783
Tesla Model X Long Range
$4,829
Porsche Taycan
$4,878
BMW M4
$4,966
Mercedes G-Class
$4,984
Tesla Model S
$5,023
Acura NSX
$5,042
Mercedes AMG GT 43
$5,361
BMW M5
$5,442
Nissan GT-R Premium
$5,527
Maserati Ghibli
$5,949
Audi R8 GT
$6,571

Related: Most and Least Expensive Cars to Insure

Compare Car Insurance Rates for Seniors

The best car insurance companies for seniors provide ample coverage choices and good customer service at a decent price. Nationwide and Travelers have the cheapest car insurance rates for seniors. USAA is a cheap choice for seniors who have a military connection.

Car insurance costs usually rise as drivers pass age 65. By age 70, senior drivers are paying an average of 11% more than they were at age 60. At age 80 they’re paying about 37% more than they did at age 60 and 23% more than age 70.

Company Average annual senior car insurance costs Average rates per year for 60-year-old drivers Average rates per year for 70-year-old drivers Average rates per year for 80-year-old drivers
$1,479
$1,320
$1,410
$1,707
$1,506
$1,277
$1,416
$1,826
$1,552
$1,319
$1,472
$1,865
$1,734
$1,419
$1,623
$2,159
$1,804
$1,614
$1,718
$2,080
$1,839
$1,666
$1,743
$2,108
$1,934
$1,670
$1,853
$2,279
$2,020
$1,882
$1,946
$2,231
$2,238
$1,908
$2,030
$2,775
$2,519
$2,113
$2,428
$3,015
$2,966
$2,670
$2,803
$3,424
$2,978
$2,440
$2,943
$3,553
$3,061
$2,553
$3,060
$3,571

*USAA auto insurance is available only to the military, veterans and their families

Compare Car Insurance Rates for Adding a Teen Driver

There’s no escaping the higher price of car insurance for teens, but you can still save money by comparing car insurance quotes if you’re adding a teen driver to your policy.

Our analysis found that Nationwide and Erie have the best rates for adding a teen driver. 

Company Annual car insurance cost after adding a 16-year-old to a parent policy Average auto insurance cost increase after adding a 16-year-old driver
$2,990
43%
$3,541
83%
$3,935
168%
$4,296
92%
$4,360
83%
$4,654
129%
$4,727
136%
$4,865
145%
$5,050
85%
$5,358
176%
$6,415
96%
$6,638
66%
$7,528
34%

*USAA auto insurance is available only to the military, veterans and their families.

How to Compare Car Insurance Rates

Comparing car insurance rates is the key to obtaining the best price for your policy. The steps to gathering car insurance quotes are simple.

Gather Information

Having certain information on hand will assist you in comparing car insurance rates faster. First, be prepared to give basic personal facts about you and other drivers on the policy, such as:

  • Name
  • Address
  • Date of birth
  • Driver’s license number

You’ll also be asked if you’ve had any tickets or accidents in recent years and if you’ve had any gaps in coverage.

Decide how Much Car Insurance You Need

Deciding how much car insurance you need is important so that you can get quotes for the same amount of coverage with every company. That means you can properly compare rates to find the best deal.

Buying more than the state-mandated minimum liability requirements makes sense in nearly all cases, since even minor accidents can exceed low insurance limits.

For example, if your state’s liability coverage is 25/50/25, the most it will pay out is:

  • $25,000 of bodily injury liability per person
  • $50,000 of bodily injury liability per accident 
  • $50,000 of property damage liability per accident

By bumping your coverage up to 100/300/100, an accident you cause is less likely to exceed your insurance limits. 

Liability insurance doesn’t cover your car’s damage, so you must also decide if you want comprehensive and collision coverage. 

  • Collision insurance covers your vehicle if you collide with another car or object.
  • Comprehensive insurance covers various events such as theft of your car, fire, vandalism, damage from falling objects, severe weather and striking an animal. 

You’ll choose a deductible amount—the amount your insurer deducts from a claim check—when you buy collision and comprehensive insurance. A $500 deductible is the most common choice, but you can save money by raising your car insurance deductible.

Check Coverage Options and Discounts

Make sure the companies you’re considering provide coverage options you want and discounts that you’ll qualify for.

For example, if you want accident forgiveness coverage, check if this is offered. If you have a teen driver and work from home, a company with good student and low-mileage discounts is worth considering.

Collect and Compare Car Insurance Quotes

Next it’s time to shop around to find the company that will fit your budget.

Compare car insurance quotes for the exact same coverage amounts to be sure you’re getting an equitable comparison. Check out multiple insurers for pricing. We recommend comparing at least three companies but more is better if you have the time. 

How to Get Free Car Insurance Quotes

Here are two ways to get car insurance quotes, which are always free:

  • Online. Many auto insurance companies offer free car insurance quotes online. You can visit several insurance company websites and compare quotes. To save time, use a website that provides quotes from multiple companies.  
  • By phone or in-person. Speak with or visit a local insurance agent who can help you find affordable car insurance options and get you a car insurance quote.

There are generally two types of insurance agents: 

  • A “captive” agent works for one insurance company and can give you a quote only from that insurer. 
  • An “independent” insurance agent can sell policies from multiple insurance companies and can get you quotes from different insurers.

There are benefits to both approaches, and there’s no law against contacting multiple insurance agents. It doesn’t hurt to get online quotes and also speak with an agent who can help you identify the best car insurance for you. 

Get Cheaper Car Insurance Quotes

You can save on car insurance by shopping around, maximizing discounts and increasing your deductible.

Compare Auto Insurance Rates

Get car insurance quotes from at least three insurance companies for the same level of coverage and deductible amount. Car insurance companies each have their own way of calculating rates, so prices can vary considerably.

While one insurance company may provide great rates for excellent drivers, another insurer may be a better choice if you have a speeding ticket or poor credit. By getting quotes from multiple insurance companies, you can find the cheapest option for you. 

Take Advantage of Car Insurance Discounts

You can save hundreds each year by taking advantage of car insurance discounts. A bundling discount is one way to save money. Bundling policies means having multiple policies, such as home and car insurance, with the same company. 

Forbes Advisor’s analysis found that multi-policy discounts are often between 5% and 25% discounts. Farmers has the biggest discount (26%) for bundling home and auto insurance, but Allstate (16%) and State Farm (15%) also offer good insurance bundling discounts. 

If you have more than one car to insure, that may lead to savings, too. Typical multi-vehicle discounts range from 8% to 25%. 

Other common car insurance discounts include:

  • Anti-theft device
  • Defensive driving course
  • Good driver
  • Good student
  • Paying in full
  • Going paperless
  • Vehicle safety features

Change Your Deductible 

The higher the car insurance deductible, the less you’ll pay for coverage. That’s because your insurer will pay out less if you file a collision or comprehensive car insurance claim.

When getting auto insurance quotes, ask how much you would save if you were to increase your deductible. For instance, see if a $2,000 deductible rather than $500 would save enough to make it worth your while. 

Information Needed to Get Car Insurance Quotes

To make the process go as smoothly as possible and be able to buy your policy immediately if you so desire, it helps to have the following information on hand: 

  • Driver’s license. If there are any other drivers in your household, you’ll need their driver’s license information as well.
  • Driving history and past insurance claims history. The insurance company will want to know if you had any traffic violations, accidents or car insurance claims in the past three to five years.
  • Vehicle identification number (VIN). You can typically find your VIN on the vehicle’s driver’s side dashboard or printed on a sticker in the driver’s side door or door jamb. If you haven’t purchased the vehicle yet but know what you’re going to buy, ask the seller for the VIN. If you haven’t picked out your car yet, you can usually get a quote with a vehicle make and model.
  • Mileage. Have the odometer reading handy.
  • How much coverage you want. You’ll want to know what coverage types you want to buy and how much coverage you need. If you’re not sure, it’s a good idea to speak with an insurance agent who can answer your questions.

The auto insurance company will gather additional information about you, such as your credit-based auto insurance score (in most states).

What Factors Influence My Car Insurance Quotes? 

There are several factors that play a role in car insurance quotes. Here are some of the most common pricing factors:

  • Your driving history: Drivers with a clean driving history will pay less than drivers who have traffic violations and at-fault car accidents on their records. Car insurance companies tend to look at the last three to five years of your driving history when setting rates, depending on your state. 
  • Your vehicle: The type of car you drive impacts your quote. Certain safety features (like airbags and rear backup cameras) and anti-theft features could help reduce your auto insurance quotes.
  • Your location: Where you live plays a significant role in rates. For instance, drivers in urban areas tend to file more car insurance claims, which usually translates into higher rates.
  • Your driving experience: Younger and inexperienced drivers (like teens) will pay more than drivers with years of experience under their belts. 
  • Other pricing factors: Car insurance companies also often look at factors such as gender, age, occupation, marital status, home ownership and credit. State law sometimes dictates that certain factors can’t be used. For example, California, Hawaii, Massachusetts and Michigan ban the use of credit scores in car insurance quotes.
  • Other drivers on your policy: If you have other drivers in your household, their driving records will impact your rate. For example, if you add a teen driver to your policy, be prepared for a significant bump in car insurance premiums.

How Do I Choose the Right Coverage Types?

Becoming familiar with the types of car insurance coverage available is crucial in choosing the right ones. Your goal is to find the best coverage for your specific situation and at the best price.

Here are common coverage types to consider.

Car Liability Insurance

Car liability insurance is essential coverage that pays others’ medical bills and property damage when you cause a car accident. It also pays for a legal defense in case you’re sued over a car accident. 

Every state except New Hampshire, South Carolina and Virginia requires a minimum amount of car liability insurance, but it’s a good idea to buy more than what’s required. The minimum required insurance amounts are often woefully inadequate to cover medical bills and property damage if you cause a major accident. 

South Carolina doesn’t require liability insurance, but uninsured drivers must pay a $600 annual fee to drive without coverage. Virginia charges a $500 uninsured motor vehicle fee for those who drive without car insurance.

If your policy limits are too low, you could be stuck paying out of pocket for the rest. A good rule of thumb is to buy enough liability insurance to cover your net worth, or the amount that you could lose in a lawsuit. 

A good way to add extra liability coverage to an auto policy is to buy umbrella insurance.

You may have heard the term “full coverage car insurance.” This typically refers to an insurance policy that includes liability, collision and comprehensive insurance.

Collision and Comprehensive Insurance

Collision and comprehensive insurance pay for repairs to your car for a variety of problems, such as car accidents (regardless of fault), car theft, vandalism, fires, floods, falling objects (like tree branches) and collisions with animals. 

While collision and comprehensive coverage are often sold together, you can purchase them individually. For example, if you only want coverage for problems like theft and floods, you can get a car insurance quote for comprehensive insurance without collision. 

Just keep in mind that buying one without the other can leave you with a significant coverage gap. For example, if you back into a pole, you need collision coverage to pay for repairs. 

If you have a car loan or lease, you’re likely required to carry both anyway.

Uninsured and Underinsured Motorist Coverage

Uninsured and underinsured motorist coverage pays for medical bills and other expenses like lost wages when you are in a car accident caused by someone who doesn’t carry liability insurance, or who does not carry enough liability insurance to cover all your medical bills. 

Some states require that car owners have uninsured motorist insurance

Medical Expenses Coverage

This type of coverage varies by state, but generally it covers medical bills and other types of expenses (such as lost wages) if you or your passengers are injured in a car accident, no matter who caused it.

Some states require personal injury protection insurance (PIP) as part of their “no-fault” auto insurance systems. 

Other Car Insurance Coverage Types

You’ll generally find several options beyond the basics when you compare car insurance quotes. These types can help you fill coverage gaps if you want to pay the extra money:

  • Gap insurance. If your car is totaled or stolen and the vehicle’s value is less than the amount you own on a car loan or lease, gap insurance pays the “gap” between the insurance check and what you owe. 
  • Rental reimbursement auto insurance. This covers the cost of a rental car while your car is being repaired for an accident insurance claim. But rental reimbursement auto insurance has daily limits that can be low, so make sure you need it.
  • Roadside assistance insurance. If you’re stranded on the side of the road, roadside assistance insurance will pay for a tow, a jump-start for a dead battery, gas for empty tanks and a locksmith if you manage to lock your keys in the car. You may be able to find a better deal on roadside assistance elsewhere, such as an auto club.

How Often Should You Shop for Car Insurance? 

It can be smart to shop around every year or two for car insurance, especially with big rate increases coming from many auto insurers.

A good time to shop for car insurance is when you receive your renewal bill so you can compare costs with other companies and see if they can beat the price of your current company.

It’s also wise to get new quotes when you have a life change, such as buying a new car, moving or adding a teen driver to your policy.

How to Choose an Insurance Company

Once you’ve determined which companies offer the most affordable rates, it’s time to choose the insurance company that matches your overall needs. The best car insurance companies provide you with more than just reasonable rates but the service you desire.

Check customer satisfaction ratings so you can find an insurance company that’ll be responsive if you have to file a claim and can help you identify the best coverage options for your needs if you have questions or need to make changes in the future. 

A few other items to think about when choosing your car insurance company:

  • Check customer satisfaction ratings. Find out if an insurance company will be responsive if you have to file a claim and or need help identifying the best coverage options for your situation. 
  • Complaints against it. You can search for the total number and type of complaints lodged against a car insurance company at the National Association of Insurance Commissioners’ website.
  • Mobile app. If you want instant access to your auto insurance account through an app, verify the company has one that you like and also check out their website to see if it has the information you’d expect.

Compare Car Insurance Companies

Forbes Advisor’s car insurance company ratings and reviews can narrow down your choice of car insurance companies, 

We evaluated a variety of auto insurers and provided pros and cons, grades from collision repair professionals, complaint data, coverage offerings, discounts and other essential information so you can make an informed decision.

Age Average national rates per year for a female driver Average national rates per year for a male driver 4
21st Century AAA AARP Allstate
American Family Amica Ameriprise Auto-Owners
Clearcover Connect Costco Dairyland
Direct Auto Elephant Erie Esurance
Farmers Farm Bureau Geico Lemonade
Liberty Mutual Mercury Metlife Metromile
Nationwide National Genera NJM Progressive
Root Safeco Safe Auto State Auto
State Farm The General Travelers USAA
Westfield

Methodology

We used data from Quadrant Information Services to find average rates for a variety of companies for good drivers, drivers who have caused an accident, drivers with a speeding ticket, drivers with a DUI, drivers with poor credit, adding a teen driver, senior drivers and young drivers. We also analyzed average rates for a variety of new vehicle models.

Unless otherwise noted, rates are based on a 40-year-old female driver insuring a new Toyota RAV4 and full coverage of:

  • $100,000 for injuries to one person, $300,000 for injuries per accident and $100,000 of property damage (known as 100/300/100).
  • Uninsured motorist coverage of 100/300.
  • Collision and comprehensive insurance with a $500 deductible.

State minimum coverage rates reflect the minimum amount of auto insurance required in each state. 

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Car Insurance Quotes Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

What are quotes for car insurance?

A car insurance quote is a free estimate of how much you’ll pay for an auto insurance policy. It’s based on several factors, including your age, driving history, the type of car you drive, where you live and your past car insurance claims.

Each insurance company has its own formula for calculating car insurance rates, which is why it’s important to compare car insurance quotes from multiple insurance companies. You could pay less (or more) for the same coverage at a different company.

How can I lower my car insurance rates?

While car insurance quotes will depend on several pricing factors, like your driving history, your car, where you live and other factors, one of the best ways to save on car insurance is by getting car insurance discounts.

For example, insuring your vehicle and home with the same company will generally bring a good bundling discount. Bundling your auto and home insurance can typically land you a 5% to 25% discount. You can also bundle other policies, like renters, condo and life insurance.

Can I get an auto insurance quote before I buy a car?

It’s smart to get a car insurance quote before you buy a car, in case the insurance bill doesn’t fit your budget.

For example, if you’re comparing car insurance quotes between a regular sedan and a sports car, you’ll usually find insurance rates for the sports car to be much higher.

Why are my car insurance quotes so high?

Your driving history is a major influence on car insurance quotes and could be what is pushing your rates up. Poor credit can increase car insurance rates—even more than an accident record.

Other pricing factors include: The type of car you drive, where you live and the other drivers in your household. That’s why it’s important to compare car insurance quotes among several different companies.

Do I need a driver’s license to shop for car insurance?

You may be able to get car insurance with no license, but it can be difficult since some insurance companies will require a driver’s license. Other insurers may give you coverage at a much higher price than those with a license.

Car insurance companies review your driving record when setting rates. If you don’t have a license, you’re considered a higher risk, which leads to higher car insurance costs.

Why should I compare auto insurance quotes?

Getting car insurance quotes from multiple insurance companies allows you to compare prices. Car insurance companies don’t set all the same, so you could save hundreds or even thousands by getting quotes from more than one insurance company.

Forbes Advisor found that drivers with good records may save nearly $2,000 when comparing the car insurance company with the highest and lowest rates.

Can I get car insurance 100% online?

Yes, you can get quotes and buy car insurance online without having to meet an agent or fill out paperwork. Instead, you can get quotes from multiple insurance companies or you can use an online site that provides estimates for insurers.

Here’s what you need to buy car insurance online:

  • Information like the names, address and dates of birth for every driver you want on your policy.
  • Driver’s license information for every driver on the policy.
  • Vehicle information, such as year, make, model, odometer reading and vehicle identification number.
  • The name of your current insurer, if you have one, and your current coverage limits.