Key Takeaways
- You can save hundreds of dollars per year by shopping around for car insurance, our research shows.
- Car insurance quote marketplaces are the fastest way to compare multiple quotes before reaching out to a company to purchase car insurance.
- Compare car insurance companies by rates, coverage, industry reputation and customer experience.
Our research shows that shopping around for car insurance could save you hundreds of dollars. But it can feel overwhelming if you don’t know where to start. The good news is that the MarketWatch Guides team has done the heavy lifting for you. Our takeaway? The fastest way to compare multiple car insurance quotes in minutes is to use a marketplace tool.
How to Compare Car Insurance
When shopping for car insurance, we recommend considering cost, coverage, industry reputation and customer experience.
“Major factors that drivers should consider when comparing car insurance quotes are the types of coverage — including liability, collision, comprehensive and uninsured motorist coverage, policy limits, deductibles, an insurer’s financial strength and the quality and reputation of its claims service.”
How Much Does Car Insurance Cost?
The average cost of car insurance in the U.S. in 2025 is $203 per month for full coverage and $61 per month for minimum coverage, according to our analysis of 10 million car insurance quotes from Quadrant Information Services.
The quotes you get will depend on several factors, but the primary one within your control is the provider you select. See below for national average minimum- and full-coverage costs from top national and regional providers based on our standardized driver profile.
| Provider | National Average Monthly Minimum-Coverage Rate | National Average Monthly Full-Coverage Rate |
|---|---|---|
| West Bend Mutual | $34 | $160 |
| USAA** | $36 | $143 |
| Geico | $43 | $162 |
| Auto-Owners | $44 | $180 |
| Erie | $44 | $169 |
| Travelers | $57 | $161 |
| Country Financial | $59 | $176 |
| AAA | $60 | $229 |
| Progressive | $60 | $204 |
| National Average | $61 | $203 |
| State Farm | $65 | $227 |
| American Family | $79 | $183 |
| Farmers | $79 | $248 |
**USAA insurance is available only to active military, veterans and their immediate family members.
In the following sections, average rate estimates based on different factors are displayed in tables. Outside of the specific variables listed in the tables, all other factors fit our standard driver profile, which includes the following details:
- 35 years old
- Males and females
- Clean driving record
- Good credit score
Minimum-coverage rates in each state are based on the jurisdiction’s minimum liability requirements for drivers. At the national level, minimum-coverage rates are based on a combined average of state rates.
Full-coverage rates are based on a standard policy that includes the following:
- $50,000 bodily injury (BI) liability coverage per person, per accident
- $100,000 BI liability coverage total per accident
- $50,000 property damage (PD) liability coverage per accident
- $500 comprehensive and collision coverage deductibles
Factors That Impact Car Insurance Quotes
Here are the main factors that influence your rates:
- Age: Younger drivers, especially teens, typically pay more than middle-aged drivers for coverage. Age is prohibited as a rating factor in Hawaii and Massachusetts, although years of driving experience can impact your rates in Massachusetts.
- Gender: In most states, the gender on your driver’s license impacts your car insurance rates. According to the Insurance Information Institute, males are more likely to cause accidents and file claims. Therefore, they pay higher premiums.
- Credit score: In most states, people with higher credit scores typically pay much lower rates than those with lower scores. Your credit score won’t affect car insurance rates in California, Massachusetts, Michigan or Hawaii.
- Location: Rates vary significantly among states based on differences in regulations and local risk factors. Even within states, there can be large cost differences between ZIP codes.
- Driving history: A clean driving record will get you the lowest rates on car insurance. Any violations on your record such as an accident, speeding ticket or DUI will increase your premium.
- Other factors: Information such as your gender, marital status and the car you drive also impact your rates — but usually to a lesser degree than the factors listed above.
Compare Car Insurance Quotes by Age
Age is one of the primary factors that influence how much you pay for your auto insurance. Teen drivers tend to pay more than drivers of other ages, as their limited driving experience and higher probability of causing accidents make them riskier to insure.
| Driver Age | Average Monthly Minimum-Coverage Rate by Age | Average Monthly Full-Coverage Rate by Age |
|---|---|---|
| 16 | $242 | $487 |
| 17 | $209 | $457 |
| 18 | $185 | $429 |
| 19 | $145 | $389 |
| 20 | $129 | $365 |
| 21 | $105 | $312 |
| 22 | $96 | $292 |
| 25 | $75 | $235 |
| 45 | $63 | $198 |
| 55 | $60 | $184 |
| 65 | $63 | $187 |
Compare Car Insurance by Credit Score
In most states, bad credit means higher car insurance costs. Although insurance providers don’t explicitly use credit scores to determine rates, some may apply drivers’ credit histories to create proprietary credit-based insurance scores.
Car Insurance Rates With Poor Credit
Poor credit increases your rates up to 49% for full coverage and 90% for a minimum-liability policy. With bad credit, here’s what you may pay monthly for minimum- and full-coverage auto insurance policies.
| Provider | Average Minimum-Coverage Rate for Poor Credit | Average Full-Coverage Rate for Poor Credit |
|---|---|---|
| West Bend Mutual | $59 | $268 |
| USAA | $62 | $257 |
| Geico | $70 | $239 |
| Erie | $88 | $331 |
| Country Financial | $92 | $254 |
| Progressive | $98 | $319 |
| National Average | $98 | $281 |
| Travelers | $109 | $268 |
| Nationwide | $116 | $303 |
| Auto-Owners | $118 | $355 |
| Allstate | $128 | $333 |
| AAA | $165 | $354 |
| State Farm | $243 | $327 |
MarketWatch Guides Tip
California, Hawaii, Massachusetts and Michigan outlawed the practice of using credit history as a determining factor in car insurance rates. In all other states, it can play a significant role.
Compare Car Insurance by Driving Record
At-fault accidents, DUIs and other marks on your driving record can raise your premiums because insurance providers will view you as a higher risk to insure. The good news is that, with time, these negative factors fall off your record, and your rates can go back down again. See average rates from insurance providers for different driving record infractions below. Use the tabs to navigate.
Recent At-Fault Accident
Speeding Ticket
DUI
Texting While Driving
A recent accident where you were at fault can increase your rates up to 38%, compared to the national average for a full-coverage auto insurance policy. If you have a minimum-liability policy, you could pay up to 61% more.
Purchasing accident forgiveness coverage can waive premium surcharges that come with an at-fault accident.
| Provider | National Average Monthly Minimum-Coverage Rate | National Average Monthly Full-Coverage Rate |
|---|---|---|
| USAA | $53 | $198 |
| West Bend Mutual | $66 | $282 |
| Auto-Owners | $68 | $241 |
| Erie | $70 | $236 |
| Geico | $79 | $268 |
| Travelers | $82 | $228 |
| State Farm | $85 | $262 |
| Country Financial | $87 | $241 |
| Progressive | $97 | $304 |
| National Average | $98 | $281 |
| Nationwide | $124 | $324 |
| Farmers | $129 | $334 |
| AAA | $131 | $352 |
| Allstate | $141 | $343 |
| American Family | $150 | $288 |
A speeding ticket can increase your rates up to 34% for minimum coverage and up to 22% for full coverage.
| Provider | National Average Monthly Minimum-Coverage Rate | National Average Monthly Full-Coverage Rate |
|---|---|---|
| USAA | $44 | $169 |
| West Bend Mutual | $48 | $210 |
| Erie | $52 | $192 |
| Geico | $62 | $220 |
| Auto-Owners | $62 | $223 |
| Travelers | $72 | $209 |
| Country Financial | $76 | $222 |
| State Farm | $80 | $245 |
| Progressive | $82 | $270 |
| National Average | $82 | $247 |
| Allstate | $101 | $268 |
| Nationwide | $103 | $264 |
| Farmers | $109 | $315 |
| AAA | $117 | $350 |
| American Family | $130 | $282 |
A DUI will likely raise your rates more than any other type of infraction. On average, drivers with a DUI will pay 48% more for full coverage and 87% more for a minimum-coverage policy over drivers with a clean record.
Keep in mind that a DUI conviction can stay on your driving record permanently and increase your car insurance premium for up to 10 years.
| Provider | National Average Monthly Minimum-Coverage Rate | National Average Monthly Full-Coverage Rate |
|---|---|---|
| USAA | $73 | $271 |
| West Bend Mutual | $77 | $320 |
| Progressive | $81 | $263 |
| Country Financial | $89 | $252 |
| State Farm | $90 | $243 |
| Travelers | $92 | $237 |
| Erie | $93 | $264 |
| Auto-Owners | $103 | $333 |
| Geico | $114 | $325 |
| National Average | $114 | $301 |
| Allstate | $139 | $308 |
| Farmers | $140 | $359 |
| American Family | $159 | $320 |
| Nationwide | $169 | $404 |
| AAA | $183 | $387 |
A texting-while-driving violation could increase your average auto insurance rate by 33% for minimum-liability coverage and 20% for a full-coverage policy.
The actual legal offense for texting while driving is called “distracted driving” and can raise your premiums for the preceding three to five years.
| Provider | National Average Monthly Minimum-Coverage Rate | National Average Monthly Full-Coverage Rate |
|---|---|---|
| USAA | $44 | $168 |
| Auto-Owners | $47 | $178 |
| West Bend Mutual | $48 | $210 |
| Erie | $52 | $190 |
| Geico | $59 | $203 |
| Country Financial | $76 | $222 |
| State Farm | $77 | $246 |
| Travelers | $80 | $225 |
| National Average | $81 | $244 |
| Progressive | $83 | $274 |
| Allstate | $101 | $268 |
| Nationwide | $102 | $262 |
| AAA | $105 | $341 |
| Farmers | $117 | $330 |
| American Family | $130 | $276 |
What Is an SR-22 Form?
MarketWatch Guides Tip
An SR-22 form is sometimes referred to as a “financial responsibility form.” Most state motor vehicle departments require an SR-22 for high-risk insurance policies. You may be required to have an SR-22 form if you’ve had your license suspended or revoked, been caught driving without insurance or have serious or multiple infractions on your driving record. In Virginia and Florida, serious violations like a DUI require an FR-44 form, which is similar.
Compare Car Insurance by State
Auto insurance premiums vary widely among states for two reasons: differences in minimum insurance requirements and variations in local risk factors. The map below shows average minimum- and full-coverage costs by state.
You’ll often find an insurance policy summarized by a series of numbers separated by slashes. Each number represents the limit for a specific type of coverage on a policy.
For example, you may see a policy summarized as 50/100/50. That typically means:
- $50,000 in bodily injury liability coverage per person
- $100,000 in bodily injury liability coverage per accident
- $50,000 in property damage coverage
Compare Car Insurance Companies
There’s more to comparing car insurance than just rates. The ideal company is one that offers the coverage you need, a strong industry reputation and good customer service.
Compare Car Insurance Companies: Coverage
The types of insurance coverage available through a provider are an important factor to consider. While all insurance companies offer standard coverages, additional options like roadside assistance, rental coverage and others can help take care of some of the other costs that aren’t covered under basic policies.
Types of Basic Coverage
For minimum-liability and full-coverage insurance, you’ll find the same basic types of coverage at every provider.
- Bodily injury (BI) liability: Covers medical care and injury-related expenses for other parties if you’re at fault for a collision.
- Property damage (PD) liability: Covers repairs and replacement of other parties’ property damaged in an accident for which you are found to be at fault.
- Uninsured/Underinsured motorist (UM/UIM): Covers medical and property damages caused by a driver who lacks sufficient coverage. UM/UIM is required in 21 states and Washington, D.C., and provides coverage for hit-and-run incidents.
- Personal injury protection (PIP): Covers you and your passengers’ medical expenses and lost wages following an accident, no matter who is at fault. PIP coverage is required in 12 states and optional in seven states. In many states, insurers don’t offer PIP.
- Collision: Covers your vehicle in an at-fault accident with another vehicle or stationary object like a tree or light pole. Collision insurance also covers rollover accidents and damage from potholes.
- Comprehensive: Covers your vehicle from damage caused by things other than a collision, including weather, theft, fire, vandalism, severe weather, falling objects and striking an animal.
Minimum and Full Coverage: What You Should Know
Minimum-coverage policies ensure drivers meet their state’s minimum auto insurance requirements, which always include liability coverages for bodily injury and property damage. Where state law requires more insurance, minimum-liability policies may include UM/UIM, PIP coverage or both.
Minimum-coverage insurance is the cheapest coverage you can buy. These policies keep you in compliance with state laws and cover damages to other parties in an accident where you’re found at fault. However, carrying only minimum coverage leaves you at serious financial risk in the event you cause an accident and sustain injuries or damage to your vehicle.
Full-coverage policies, on the other hand, cover much of that risk. These policies include comprehensive and collision coverage alongside liability and other required insurance. While full coverage costs more, this insurance protects your assets and other parties in an accident you cause.
How To Choose Between Minimum and Full Coverage
The majority of insured drivers — approximately 75% according to Insurance Information Institute analysis of National Association of Insurance Commissioners data — have either comprehensive or collision coverage, or both. And while we and other insurance experts recommend full coverage for most drivers, it may not be the right choice for you. Here are some things to consider.
- It’s all you can afford
- Your vehicle’s vehicle doesn’t justify the extra expense of full coverage
- You drive less than 500 miles per month
- You mostly use public transportation or rideshare services
- You could get by without a car for an extended period of time
- Not having access to a vehicle would negatively impact your life
- You can’t afford to replace your vehicle if it’s totaled
- You live in an area with elevated risks such as high accident or theft frequency, severe weather, wildfire or a high rate of uninsured motorists
- You don’t have the cash to pay for repairs out of pocket
- You simply want the peace of mind that comes from reducing your financial risk
MarketWatch Guides Tip
Many lenders require you to have full coverage on your vehicle if you’re financing it. Full coverage is also typically required when you lease a vehicle.
Compare Car Insurance Companies: Industry Reputation
Just like in any industry, some auto insurers are more reputable than others. If the provider you choose has a reputation for handling claims poorly, isn’t in good financial standing or hasn’t performed well in industry evaluations, the money you save on a policy may not matter.
Even if your insurer has a good reputation in the industry, note that your claims experience could still vary depending on the situation and claims adjusters involved.
Compare Car Insurance Companies: Customer Experience
Customer service is where you’ll find some separation between insurance providers. Some companies are known for providing polite, professional and helpful customer service, while others are not.
You can find ratings, scores and customer reviews for auto insurance companies on sites such as Google, Trustpilot and the Better Business Bureau.
“Check customer reviews and seek recommendations to gauge overall satisfaction with the insurer’s services,” says Prachi Gala, Assistant Professor of Marketing and Professional Sales at Kennesaw State University.
Consider, too, how you want to interact with your insurer and your policy. Some companies provide apps and online services, while others fall short in this department.
Compare Top Car Insurance Carriers Head-to-Head
Our research team created detailed, head-to-head matchups between car insurance providers to help you find the right one. See comparisons of the most popular providers by following the links below.
| Comparison | Bottom Line |
|---|---|
| Geico vs. Progressive | Progressive has more coverage options and Geico has lower average rates. |
| State Farm vs. Geico | Geico has more discounts and State Farm has higher claims satisfaction ratings. |
| Allstate vs. Progressive | Progressive has more coverage offerings while Allstate has better claims satisfaction ratings. |
| USAA vs. Geico | USAA has higher coverage ratings and Geico has higher availability ratings (USAA coverage is restricted to members of the military community). |
| Allstate vs. Geico | Allstate has slightly higher coverage ratings while Geico offers cheaper insurance on average. |
| AAA vs. Geico | Geico is available in every state, while AAA car insurance is only available through one of its member clubs. |
| Allstate vs. State Farm | State Farm offers more affordable policies while Allstate has more coverage options. |
| Farmers vs. State Farm | Farmers has more coverage options and State Farm offers more affordable policies. |
| Farmers vs Geico | Farmers has more discounts and Geico has lower average rates. |
| Liberty Mutual vs. Allstate | Liberty Mutual has more coverage options while Allstate is generally cheaper. |
| Liberty Mutual vs. Geico | Liberty Mutual offers more discount opportunities and Geico has cheaper premiums. |
| Liberty Mutual vs. State Farm | State Farm has lower average rates for drivers, while Liberty Mutual provides strong programs for young drivers. |
| State Farm vs. Nationwide | Nationwide is generally more affordable but State Farm has stronger customer service scores. |
| USAA vs. State Farm | USAA has strong customer service and industry study scores, while State Farm offers more discount opportunities and availability. |
What Now? Your Next Steps
If you’ve made it this far, you now know enough to compare car insurance quotes and get the best policy for you. When you’re ready to get started, you can use the ZIP widget below to get multiple car insurance quotes from our partner EverQuote, or another comparison marketplace. If you want to learn more about how the process works, keep reading.
How To Get Personalized Auto Quotes
First, auto insurers need some key information about you and your vehicle to generate a personalized quote. Secondly, preparing this information can significantly cut down on the time you spend shopping.
Information You May Need To Get a Quote
Insurance providers vary in what they ask for, but in general, you’ll need at least a few of the following pieces of information:
- Vehicle identification number (VIN)
- License plate number
- Drivers license number
- Contact information (email address and phone number of primary driver)
- Home address, including ZIP code
- Coverage choices
- Vehicle make, model, year, trim and features
- Additional installed equipment
- Current auto policy details
- Marital status
- Homeownership status
- Military service history (to verify eligibility for military discounts)
What To Expect With Comparison Tools
Online quote tools are an efficient way to compare car insurance quotes, as they allow you to receive multiple offers quickly after entering your information. However, you’ll want to be sure to enter your information accurately. Learn more in our guide below.
The tool you’ll find on this page and others like it will guide you through the process one step at a time. At each step, you’ll be asked questions about your vehicle and personal information.
Once you complete the process and provide your contact information, your responses will be shared with insurers. Companies that can provide the coverage you’re seeking will then reach out to you with quotes that you can compare.
The time commitment varies based on the quote comparison tool you’re using. The process for the EverQuote tool we use takes about seven minutes total. If you don’t have all your information at hand, it will likely take longer.
In our comparison tool, you’ll need to input the same information agents, brokers and other online quote retrieval services request from prospective policyholders. This includes information about you and your vehicle, your driving habits and record and a few other details.
Our tool guides you through these questions one at a time to simplify the experience.
For efficiency, it’s a good idea to prepare this information ahead of time. Skip back to our list of information as a reminder of what you need.
Once you complete the process, you’ll start receiving communications from representatives of different companies about car insurance quotes. These will come in the form of calls, emails and text messages.
In our experience, companies start reaching out almost immediately. Agents may try to reach you for up to a few days after you submit your information. This can be overwhelming, but you can easily opt-out by responding to calls, texts or emails and asking to stop communication.
How To Get Cheaper Car Insurance Quotes
MarketWatch Guides Tip
If you’re not currently approved for many discounts, you might still qualify for some in the future. Don’t stop seeking them out when you shop.
“When researching companies, watch for discounts you may qualify for — such as military, good student and more. Try to maintain a safe driving record and good credit scores. Insurance companies consider both factors when preparing quotes. Finally, shop often. You may qualify for new discounts or changes in company ratings, so be sure to review your policies annually.”
Compare Car Insurance Quotes: FAQ
Below are some frequently asked questions about comparing car insurance quotes.
Based on a standardized profile in 2025, USAA typically offers the cheapest rates among national providers but you must have a military affiliation to be eligible for coverage. If you don’t qualify for USAA insurance, you can find affordable coverage from companies like Geico and Travelers. However, car insurance quotes are unique to individual drivers, so the cheapest rates for you may come from a different provider.
Geico is cheaper than Progressive for many drivers. But car insurance rates are tailored to an individual and their vehicle, so in some cases, drivers may find a better deal with Progressive. For high-risk drivers, for example, Progressive tends to have affordable rates.
Middle-aged drivers with good credit scores and clean driving records typically pay the cheapest rates for car insurance.
Our Methodology for Comparing Car Insurance Companies
Because consumers rely on us to provide objective and accurate information, we created a comprehensive rating system to formulate our rankings of the best car insurance companies. We collected data on dozens of auto insurance providers to grade the companies on a wide range of ranking factors. The end result was an overall rating for each provider, with the insurers that scored the most points topping the list.
Here are the factors our ratings take into account:
Our credentials:
*Data accurate at time of publication.
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