Comparing car insurance quotes from several companies is one of the best ways to get the coverage you need at the cheapest price.
To compare car insurance rates, start by getting quotes from several companies over the phone or online. They will ask for details about yourself and your vehicle before they send you a quote.
Once you get quotes from three or more insurance companies, compare them side by side. Assuming all other details — like coverage types and amounts — are the same, the one with the best price should be the one for you.
Another option for getting and comparing car insurance quotes is to use a quote-comparison website. On these sites, you share your personal and vehicle info once and get quotes from several companies.
Where you live can have a major impact on how much you pay for car insurance.
Maine drivers pay the lowest full-coverage car insurance rates, at an average of $92 a month. Michigan has the highest average full-coverage rates at $387 a month.
| State | Average rate | Rank |
|---|---|---|
| Alabama | $1,979 | 29 |
| Alaska | $1,532 | 9 |
| Arizona | $2,683 | 47 |
| Arkansas | $1,879 | 24 |
| California | $1,867 | 23 |
| Colorado | $2,542 | 45 |
| Connecticut | $2,346 | 43 |
| Delaware | $2,482 | 44 |
| Florida | $2,990 | 50 |
| Georgia | $1,832 | 19 |
| Hawaii | $1,643 | 14 |
| Idaho | $1,227 | 3 |
| Illinois | $2,109 | 36 |
| Indiana | $1,511 | 8 |
| Iowa | $1,663 | 15 |
| Kansas | $1,991 | 30 |
| Kentucky | $2,295 | 42 |
| Louisiana | $2,719 | 48 |
| Maine | $1,100 | 1 |
| Maryland | $2,051 | 33 |
| Massachusetts | $2,068 | 34 |
| Michigan | $4,638 | 51 |
| Minnesota | $1,884 | 25 |
| Mississippi | $1,796 | 17 |
| Missouri | $1,908 | 26 |
| Montana | $2,174 | 39 |
| Nebraska | $1,909 | 27 |
| Nevada | $2,958 | 49 |
| New Hampshire | $1,146 | 2 |
| New Jersey | $2,236 | 40 |
| New Mexico | $1,953 | 28 |
| New York | $2,030 | 32 |
| North Carolina | $1,305 | 5 |
| North Dakota | $1,858 | 21 |
| Ohio | $1,329 | 6 |
| Oklahoma | $2,119 | 38 |
| Oregon | $2,115 | 37 |
| Pennsylvania | $1,861 | 22 |
| Rhode Island | $2,636 | 46 |
| South Carolina | $1,808 | 18 |
| South Dakota | $2,016 | 31 |
| Tennessee | $1,554 | 12 |
| Texas | $1,833 | 20 |
| Utah | $2,261 | 41 |
| Vermont | $1,232 | 4 |
| Virginia | $1,598 | 13 |
| Washington | $1,534 | 10 |
| Washington, D.C. | $2,082 | 35 |
| West Virginia | $1,701 | 16 |
| Wisconsin | $1,540 | 11 |
| Wyoming | $1,437 | 7 |
As for the cheapest liability car insurance — which only covers damage to another person when you’re at fault — South Dakota has the lowest rates, at an average of $29 a month, followed by Wyoming at $31 a month.
| State | Average rate | Rank |
|---|---|---|
| Alabama | $717 | 30 |
| Alaska | $605 | 18 |
| Arizona | $1,079 | 41 |
| Arkansas | $622 | 21 |
| California | $571 | 15 |
| Colorado | $897 | 36 |
| Connecticut | $1,088 | 42 |
| Delaware | $1,283 | 48 |
| Florida | $1,206 | 46 |
| Georgia | $790 | 33 |
| Hawaii | $609 | 19 |
| Idaho | $413 | 3 |
| Illinois | $848 | 35 |
| Indiana | $533 | 13 |
| Iowa | $444 | 5 |
| Kansas | $616 | 20 |
| Kentucky | $1,183 | 45 |
| Louisiana | $948 | 37 |
| Maine | $501 | 7 |
| Maryland | $1,093 | 44 |
| Massachusetts | $757 | 32 |
| Michigan | $1,849 | 51 |
| Minnesota | $743 | 31 |
| Mississippi | $662 | 26 |
| Missouri | $686 | 27 |
| Montana | $574 | 16 |
| Nebraska | $470 | 6 |
| Nevada | $1,368 | 49 |
| New Hampshire | $537 | 14 |
| New Jersey | $1,393 | 50 |
| New Mexico | $632 | 22 |
| New York | $1,059 | 40 |
| North Carolina | $532 | 11 |
| North Dakota | $522 | 10 |
| Ohio | $532 | 12 |
| Oklahoma | $656 | 24 |
| Oregon | $1,092 | 43 |
| Pennsylvania | $603 | 17 |
| Rhode Island | $1,213 | 47 |
| South Carolina | $803 | 34 |
| South Dakota | $351 | 1 |
| Tennessee | $505 | 9 |
| Texas | $696 | 28 |
| Utah | $989 | 39 |
| Vermont | $417 | 4 |
| Virginia | $715 | 29 |
| Washington | $651 | 23 |
| Washington, D.C. | $949 | 38 |
| West Virginia | $659 | 25 |
| Wisconsin | $503 | 8 |
| Wyoming | $370 | 2 |
Drivers with speeding tickets or accidents on their records usually pay more for car insurance than those with clean records.
A speeding ticket on your record raises your car insurance rate by 20%, on average. Among major car insurance companies, State Farm is the cheapest for most drivers with a speeding ticket or similar traffic violation, charging an average rate of $135 a month.
USAA is even cheaper, at $121 a month, but only members of the military and their families can get insurance from USAA.
| Company | Average rate | Rank |
|---|---|---|
| Allstate | $3,073 | 8 |
| American Family | $2,352 | 4 |
| Farmers | $4,252 | 9 |
| Geico | $2,493 | 5 |
| Nationwide | $2,839 | 7 |
| Progressive | $2,606 | 6 |
| State Farm | $1,616 | 2 |
| Travelers | $2,468 | 3 |
| USAA* | $1,457 | 1 |
State Farm and USAA are also the cheapest car insurance companies for drivers with an at-fault accident on their records. State Farm’s average quote for drivers after an accident is $154 a month. USAA’s is $138 a month.
| Company | Average rate | Rank |
|---|---|---|
| Allstate | $4,125 | 8 |
| American Family | $2,980 | 4 |
| Farmers | $4,598 | 9 |
| Geico | $3,341 | 5 |
| Nationwide | $3,460 | 7 |
| Progressive | $3,026 | 6 |
| State Farm | $1,843 | 2 |
| Travelers | $2,699 | 3 |
| USAA* | $1,658 | 1 |
Progressive is the cheapest car insurance company with a DUI (driving under the influence) conviction for most drivers. Progressive’s average quote for these drivers is $212 a month.
| Company | Average rate | Rank |
|---|---|---|
| Allstate | $3,875 | 5 |
| American Family | $3,114 | 4 |
| Farmers | $4,758 | 9 |
| Geico | $4,584 | 8 |
| Nationwide | $4,376 | 6 |
| Progressive | $2,547 | 2 |
| State Farm | $4,402 | 7 |
| Travelers | $2,893 | 3 |
| USAA* | $2,252 | 1 |
Car insurance rates for teen drivers are usually higher than for older drivers with more experience on the road. This is because younger drivers tend to get into more accidents.
Most teen drivers will get the cheapest car insurance with State Farm. State Farm has the lowest average rates for both liability and full coverage, at $151 and $344 a month, respectively.
| Company | Full coverage | Rank |
|---|---|---|
| Allstate | $7,668 | 8 |
| American Family | $5,413 | 4 |
| Farmers | $9,354 | 9 |
| Geico | $5,048 | 5 |
| Nationwide | $7,743 | 7 |
| Progressive | $8,495 | 6 |
| State Farm | $4,128 | 2 |
| Travelers | $5,758 | 3 |
| USAA* | $2,847 | 1 |
| Company | Liability coverage | Rank |
|---|---|---|
| Allstate | $3,399 | 8 |
| American Family | $2,364 | 4 |
| Farmers | $4,227 | 9 |
| Geico | $2,044 | 3 |
| Nationwide | $3,371 | 7 |
| Progressive | $3,193 | 6 |
| State Farm | $1,811 | 2 |
| Travelers | $2,655 | 5 |
| USAA* | $1,030 | 1 |
Comparing rates and ratings for car insurance companies can help you find the best company for your needs.
Some people buy a car insurance policy based on the cheapest rate. Others find coverage options or customer service to be the most important.
State Farm is the cheapest car insurance company for most drivers. It charges $124 a month for full-coverage car insurance, on average, and $50 a month for liability car insurance.
MMG is the cheapest car insurance company overall, but it only sells policies in eight states. Its rates average $31 a month for liability and $75 a month for full coverage.
| Company | Liability coverage | Full coverage |
|---|---|---|
| MMG | $375 | $902 |
| Concord | $478 | $977 |
| Texas Farm Bureau | $401 | $1,036 |
| USAA* | $398 | $1,199 |
| Erie | $497 | $1,270 |
| Island Insurance | $418 | $1,319 |
| Acuity | $478 | $1,361 |
| Hanover | $336 | $1,372 |
| Safety | $571 | $1,392 |
| Westfield | $439 | $1,481 |
| Pemco | $464 | $1,483 |
| State Farm | $597 | $1,487 |
| Mercury | $511 | $1,596 |
| Country Financial | $623 | $1,600 |
| Umialik | $598 | $1,602 |
| Arbella | $720 | $1,629 |
| Co-Op | $437 | $1,635 |
| Grange | $570 | $1,638 |
| Auto-Owners | $516 | $1,690 |
| Travelers | $835 | $1,919 |
| American Family | $728 | $1,920 |
| Shelter | $762 | $1,927 |
| Farm Bureau | $548 | $1,931 |
| Geico | $727 | $1,937 |
| Grinnell Mutual | $421 | $2,015 |
| Progressive | $791 | $2,032 |
| Nationwide | $963 | $2,226 |
| Plymouth Rock | $853 | $2,236 |
| Amica | $1,098 | $2,548 |
| Allstate | $1,158 | $2,609 |
| The Hartford | $1,007 | $2,688 |
| UAIC | $1,577 | $2,886 |
| Nodak | $553 | $2,917 |
| Safeway | $1,391 | $3,080 |
| Farmers | $1,188 | $3,091 |
| NJM | $3,125 | $3,382 |
| AAA | $1,520 | $3,835 |
Compare car insurance quotes from several companies to get the best rate for the coverage you need.
State Farm has the highest customer satisfaction score for most drivers. USAA’s is even better, but only those with military ties can buy insurance there.
American Family has the lowest complaint score of these companies. Nationwide also receives few customer complaints.
| Company | Customer satisfaction score | Complaint Index rating |
|---|---|---|
| Allstate | 814 | 0.65 |
| American Family | 828 | 0.15 |
| Farmers | 802 | 0.80 |
| Geico | 818 | 0.91 |
| Liberty Mutual | 798 | 1.21 |
| Nationwide | 806 | 0.34 |
| Progressive | 812 | 0.65 |
| State Farm | 833 | 0.70 |
| Travelers | 806 | 0.61 |
| USAA* | 876 | 0.95 |
Sources: J.D. Power 2023 U.S. Auto Insurance Study (regional averages) and National Association of Insurance Commissioners (2022 data).
J.D. Power’s 2023 U.S. Auto Insurance study rates customer satisfaction with the billing process and policy information, claims, interaction, policy offerings and price. Higher scores are better.
The Complaint Index is from the National Association of Insurance Commissioners (NAIC), which compares insurance companies of similar size by confirmed complaints. Lower scores are better in this case.
To get the cheapest car insurance for your situation, compare quotes from several companies, look for discounts and review your coverage types and amounts.
If you get a car insurance quote only from one company, you’ll never know if it’s too high or if you could get a cheaper rate elsewhere.
Looking at quotes from several companies side by side lets you see which one offers the lowest and best price for the coverage you need.
The price tied to your car insurance quote is only the beginning. You may be able to make your policy cheaper if you qualify for one or more discounts.
Some of the most common car insurance discounts that could save you money are:
You might be overpaying for car insurance if your policy includes more coverage than you need.
If your car is old, you may not need collision or comprehensive coverage. Or you could lower your limits for either or both types of coverage. If you can afford to raise your deductible, it could save you money, too.
The most common types of car insurance are:
Car insurance companies look at several factors to calculate your rate. Some of the rate factors that most impact what you pay for car insurance include your:
In most states, liability is the only type of car insurance coverage you need to buy. Some states also require uninsured motorist or underinsured motorist coverage. The same is true of PIP.
The more types and amounts of coverage your state requires, the more you’re likely to pay for car insurance, even if you only buy the state’s minimum required amount.
This is only one of the factors that determine your rate, though others may also raise or lower your cost.
Comparing car insurance quotes is the easiest way to get all the car insurance coverage you need for the cheapest rate.
Different insurance companies often offer different quotes for the same policy. That’s because each company uses its own method to come up with your quote.
One insurer may find that your vehicle make and model are more important than where you live. Or it might think your insurance claims history is a bigger deal than a competitor does.
You need to buy at least as much car insurance as your state requires. If you finance or lease a vehicle, you’ll also need to buy as much car insurance as your lender or lessor requires.
All states, except New Hampshire, will make you buy at least a minimum amount of liability car insurance coverage. Lenders and lessors usually make you buy collision and comprehensive coverage, as well.
For starters, you should get as much car insurance as your state requires. The same is true of whatever your lender or lessor requires if you finance or lease your car.
Beyond that, you should consider factors like the age of your vehicle, how much it’s worth, how much you could afford to pay for repairs if it’s damaged, and more.
You should also consider your net worth. If you injure someone in an accident, a long hospital stay or lawsuit could burn through the state-minimum requirements quickly. After that, you may have to pay any remaining costs out of your own pocket.
Full-coverage car insurance is a policy that usually includes liability, collision and comprehensive coverages.
Your credit score can impact your car insurance rate in some states, with bad credit car insurance costing more. However, a few states no longer allow insurance companies to use your credit score to calculate your rate.
You should review your car insurance rate and coverage every six to 12 months. Get quotes from other companies and compare them to your current policy and cost. You may find that another company will give you a cheaper rate for the same coverage you have now.
The main ways to save money on car insurance are to compare quotes and see if you qualify for any discounts. Reviewing your coverage types and amounts may help, too. If you have coverage you don’t need, reducing or removing it could save you money.
LendingTree obtains rates from insurance company filings reported to Quadrant Information Services. Rates are based on an analysis of car insurance quotes for sample drivers.
Unless stated otherwise, we used thousands of car insurance quotes from across the U.S. for a 30-year-old man with good credit and no tickets, accidents or DUI convictions, driving a 2015 Honda Civic EX.
For full-coverage policies, coverage limits include:
Prices are shown for comparative purposes only. Your rates may vary.
*USAA is only available to current and former members of the military and their families.