Finder is committed to editorial independence. While we receive compensation when you click links to partners, they do not influence our opinions or reviews. Learn how we make money.
Car Insurance Finder
Get your customized policy quotes to save up to $500 a year.
Finder’s car insurance team spends thousands of hours researching policies and analyzing hundreds of thousands of quotes (for real!) from nearly every car insurance company across the US.
2.8 million
people trust Finder to compare car insurance
people trust Finder to compare car insurance
270,000
drivers saved money on car insurance with Finder
drivers saved money on car insurance with Finder
$500
in savings on average by switching
in savings on average by switching
5 minutes
to get your custom quote
to get your custom quote
Compare free car insurance quotes online
The first step to savings is getting multiple quotes. Get started by selecting Compare to review coverage and features from each company side by side.
What's in this guide?
How much does car insurance cost?
The average cost of car insurance is $1,300 a year or $108 a month, but rates vary depending on your car, driving record, demographics and other factors.
The biggest factors that affect your rate include:
- Your car. Your car’s make, year and model are the biggest factors in your insurance rates. Its current value and whether you own it also affects your coverage costs and how much coverage you need.
- Your location. Where you live and drive is the second biggest factor for rates. Each state sets minimum insurance requirements. Even rates in different ZIP codes in the same city can vary by hundreds of dollars. Living in a high-claims area, like a big city or an area with a high rate of uninsured drivers, can also drive your rates up.
- You. Your demographics affect your rates more than you might think. In most states, rates are based on your age, gender, marital status, credit score and other factors that have nothing to do with your driving. Insurance companies use these factors to predict your risk level and set your rates.
Car insurance quotes
If lowering your car insurance premium is your main priority, switching car insurance could be one of the best ways to save. Compare how much price differs between insurers with sample auto insurance rates for California drivers.
| Company | Average annual rate | Average monthly rate |
|---|---|---|
| Geico | $394 | $33 |
| USAA | $416 | $35 |
| Progressive | $536 | $45 |
| Grange | $557 | $46 |
| Mercury | $564 | $47 |
| Esurance | $609 | $51 |
| Kemper | $615 | $51 |
| 21st Century | $651 | $54 |
| Allied | $666 | $55 |
| Nationwide | $666 | $56 |
| Allstate | $666 | $59 |
| Liberty Mutual | $709 | $59 |
| State Farm | $726 | $61 |
| The Hartford | $727 | $61 |
How do I read my quote?
A car insurance quote estimates the monthly rate you might pay with a particular insurer. Your quote may total costs by the month, the year or for every six months. Payment frequency should be listed near the estimated premium.
You might also see your coverage limits written as 50/100/25. These numbers represent the dollar amount of coverage you have for physical damage and bodily injury liability:
- 50 = $50,000 for bodily injury liability per person involved in the accident
- 100 = $100,000 for bodily injuries total per accident
- 25 = $25,000 for physical damage liability per accident
How do I compare car insurance?
Ever wonder why insurance policies and quotes are different for every insurer? Make sure you’re comparing equivalent rates to get the strongest insurance quotes.
- Balance the best coverage with the cheapest rates. The goal is to get the right coverage for you with the best deal. But consider every factor that might be important, such as discounts you qualify for, how easy it will be to make claims or whether you’ll pay extra for perks you need.
- Make sure you’re comparing apples to apples. Check for the same perks and coverage, and make sure the deductible and pay schedule are the same. If you’re not getting good rates from the big national companies, look for a company that specializes in the coverage you need.
- Get multiple quotes. It’s helpful to consider at least two to three of the cheapest quotes with the same level of coverage you need. And while it’s good to consider discounts in your initial search, make sure you’re also considering the final price too.
- Check for exclusions. Read the fine print on your car insurance quote before you sign on the dotted line. Make sure you’re covered for everything you expect, and avoid claim caveats like cancellation fees.
How to find car insurance near you
Car insurance rates across the US can vary a lot based on where your address. The national average is $1,300 a year, but drivers in Maine pay only about $864, while drivers in Michigan see premiums averaging $2,394.
To pick the right amount of coverage, start with your state’s minimum requirements for liability coverage, underinsured driver coverage and personal injury protection. Then decide if you should increase your maximums or add any extra coverage you’d like, such as roadside assistance, collision coverage or comprehensive coverage.
Compare car insurance for your state
Explore in-depth car insurance guides
Top 10 tips for saving on car insurance
No one wants to overpay for insurance. And it’s hard to compare policies to get enough coverage at the right price. The best way to save on car insurance is by shopping around.
Watch our short video offering tips to saving you money on car insurance
- Start with multiple customized quotes.
- Hunt for discounts, like defensive driving.
- Get the right coverage for your car.
- Raise your deductible if you can afford it.
- Improve your credit score.
- Try pay-per-mile insurance if you’re a safe driver.
- Consider customer satisfaction as well as price.
- Choose a safe, low-risk car to get lower rates.
- Think twice about small claims to avoid high rates.
- Shop around every year or after life-changing events.
What car insurance coverage do I need?
In most states, each driver needs to have at least liability coverage, and sometimes personal injury protection and uninsured driver coverage. The types and limits you need are different for every state. When shopping for car insurance, you might see these limits written like 25/50, which means $25,000 bodily injury liability and $50,000 property damage liability.
Bodily injury liability
Covers costs from injuries you cause another person in an accident.
Property damage liability
Covers damage you cause to someone else’s property in an accident.
Personal injury insurance
Covers medical services after an accident, regardless of fault.
Uninsured motorist
Covers costs caused by a driver if their insurance can’t pay enough.
Compare car insurance companies
Ask an expert: What car insurance mistakes should I avoid?
Kirby George
Farmers Insurance, Licensed Insurance Agent
The biggest mistake I see people make is shopping for price.
When shopping for a car, a house or even a sweater, the average consumer understands they’re going to get what they pay for. If you want a Cadillac, you’re going to have to pay more than you would for a Ford.
If you want a brand-new 2,500-square-foot home, you expect to pay more than you would for a 20-year-old mobile home. When you shop for clothes, you pay more for new than you do at a thrift shop. Insurance is no different!
What factors affect my car insurance quote?
Your insurance quote comparisons can look quite different across several companies. That’s because insurers use info about you to determine your driving risk and set your quotes, based on factors like whether you park on the street or in a safe neighborhood and how many miles you drive each year.
The 10 biggest factors that affect your rates:
Your car insurance questions answered
Read more on this topic
-
Driving without car insurance
Since driving uninsured comes with steep penalties, look at your coverage options or consider alternatives.
-
Compare Polestar car insurance rates
Discover this luxury electric brand’s typical car insurance premiums and factors that affect your rate.
-
Say car insurance review Sep 2020
Offers a transparent look at your premiums and rewards renewal with a better insurance score.
-
Compare bus conversion insurance
Find and qualify for the right type of policy when living in a skoolie.
-
Kia Mohave insurance rates
Get cheap car insurance quotes and find the best policies for your Kia Mohave.
-
Kia Niro insurance rates
Get cheap car insurance quotes and find the best policies for your Kia Niro.
-
Is online driver’s ed worth it?
Pick the right online driver’s ed program and learn how long it takes to complete one.
-
Ferrari F8 Tributo insurance rates
Get cheap car insurance quotes and find the best policies for your Ferrari F8 Tributo.
-
Compare Plymouth Rock vs Progressive car insurance
Who has the best car insurance, Plymouth Rock or Progressive?
-
Compare Ameriprise vs State Farm car insurance
Who has the best car insurance, Ameriprise or State Farm?
Ask an Expert