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Car Insurance Finder
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Our top pick: Metromile
Only pay for how much you drive with the Metromile app. Get rates from $29/month plus pennies per mile.
- Rates from $29/month plus pennies per mile
- Low-mileage drivers could save $611/year
- All miles over 250 a day are free
- Easy app and online claims plus 24/7 support
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What's in this guide?
How much does car insurance cost?
The average cost of car insurance is $1,065 per year, or $89 a month. Your car’s make and model and the year you bought it are the biggest factors in your insurance rates. Compare car insurance quotes by your car’s make and model to get the most accurate rates.
Use car insurance comparison sites to get rates and calculate how much you’ll pay based on your vehicle and driver factors. Get rate estimates from different insurers to compare the best plans for you.
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Car insurance rates
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 | Learn more |
|---|---|---|
| Geico | $394 | Read review |
| USAA | $416 | Read review |
| Progressive | $536 | Read review |
| Grange | $557 | Read review |
| Mercury | $564 | Read review |
| Esurance | $609 | Read review |
| Kemper | $615 | Read review |
| 21st Century | $651 | Read review |
| Allied | $666 | Read review |
| Nationwide | $666 | Read review |
| Allstate | $693 | Read review |
| Liberty Mutual | $709 | Read review |
| State Farm | $726 | Read review |
| The Hartford | $727 | Read review |
| Average | $598 | Compare all reviews |
How to compare auto insurance
Ever wonder why insurance quotes are different for every provider? You might not be comparing equivalent rates. Make sure you’re comparing apples to apples to get the best insurance quotes.
- Consider the biggest discounts. To get your business, many providers quote lowest possible price. It might, say, include a hefty 25% car insurance discount for buying online. Other insurers might offer the same discount but not include it in your quote.
- Make sure you provided accurate info. Anonymous car insurance quotes aren’t as accurate as quotes that factor in your age, address and driving history. Generally, the more information you provide, the more accurate your quote.
- Compare equivalent coverage. Two comprehensive policies can include different coverage and perks, which can lead to significant price differences.
- Look for specific insurance Driving for business, rideshare drivers and adding on coverage can all affect your premiums.
Compare car insurance where you live
Car insurance rates across the US can vary a lot based on where you live. The national average is $1,300 per year, but drivers in Maine pay only about $864, while drivers in Michigan see premiums averaging $2,394. Shopping for car insurance starts with finding your state minimum required coverage and then adding extra coverage you’d like. Compare auto insurance rates by state and even by ZIP code.
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10 tips for getting cheap car insurance
No one wants to overpay for car insurance. And it’s hard to compare policies to get enough coverage at the right price. The best way to save is by shopping around. In a study done in New York, the average driver can save up to $625 by switching car insurance.
1. Start with customized quotes.
Different people can pay drastically different prices for car insurance even at the same company. Compare car insurance companies that can offer you the best deal for you individually, not across the board. You can also compare local insurance companies, which tend to have higher customer satisfaction rates than their big-name counterparts and could potentially have lower rates.
2. Hunt for discounts.
Some insurers offer discounts to drivers for a variety of reasons such as having a clean record, paying an annual premium all at once or being a safe driver for a certain period of time. If the insurance company you’re with offers more than just auto insurance, consider bundling all your insurance through them, like home and car insurance. Most companies offer a group discount, even if it’s just for more than one car.
3. Get the right coverage for your car.
Make sure you are getting the appropriate coverage for the car you’ve driving. Consider skipping collision or comprehensive coverage for an old car. The value of your car determines your maximum payout if it’s stolen or totaled, meaning these policies are not very useful for older vehicles.
4. Raise your deductible.
A higher deductible means lower premiums, your monthly or annual price. But if you get in an accident, you will have to pay more than if your deductibles were lower. For example, if you have a $500 deductible on a $2,000 accident, you’d pay $500 before your insurance company covers the other $1,500. With a $1,000 deductible, you’re paying $1,000 and your insurer covers the remaining $1,000.
5. Look into pay-per-mile insurance.
If you drive under a certain amount of miles every year, you can tell your insurance company and possibly qualify for a low mileage discount. This is a common discount that many drivers actually qualify for but are not aware of. If you only use your car for occasional short trips, you can sign up for a usage-based insurance program that determines your rates based on how much you drive.
6. Avoid accidents and tickets.
These two are surefire ways to make your premium go through the roof. If you live in a high risk area or are prone to getting in accidents, look into a provider that offers accident forgiveness, where your first accident won’t make your premiums go up.
7. Take a defensive driving course.
If you have a less than stellar driving record, sign up for a defensive driving class. Most insurers will give you a discount on your premiums. Your local DMV can point you in the right direction.
8. Combine policies with your parents or spouse.
Look into being a nominated driver on your parents’ insurance. Their rates might go up, but it could be less than keeping your solo policy. And because married drivers tend to file fewer claims, you’ll often get a discount on your premium just for getting engaged or married. Married couples can also save by combining their insurance on one policy to save money.
9. Check and maintain your credit history.
Most auto insurance companies take your credit history into account for your pricing, unless you live in CA, MA or Hawaii. The reasoning behind it? Research actually shows that people with a higher credit score tend to make fewer claims.
10. Choose the right car.
Newer, cheaper cars tend to be cheaper to insure. Luxury cars have a higher sticker price and tend to cost more for as long as you use it. It’s worth buying a cheaper car, especially if you’re a young driver. If you haven’t purchased a car yet or are getting ready to shop for a different car, compare insurance prices for car models you’re interested in. The insurance price differences might surprise you.
Ask an expert: What’s the biggest mistake when shopping for car insurance?
Kirby George
Farmers, 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 understand 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 2500sf home, you expect to pay more than you would for a 20yr old mobile home. When you shop for clothes, you pay more for new than you do at a thrift shop. Insurance is no different!
How does car insurance work?
Basically, car insurance covers damage to your car in an accident in exchange for regular payments to a car insurer. You can choose certain kinds of damage you’ll be protected for, such as getting in a collision with another driver or getting a tow if your car dies. Start your car insurance search by understanding the types of coverage you can choose.
Explore in-depth car insurance guides
How much car insurance do I need?
Start by researching your state minimum requirements and then add on coverage you need from there. Bodily injury and property damage liability insurance is required in most states and covers you if you’re at fault in an accident and need to pay for the damages.
When you’re shopping for car insurance, you’ll see these numbers written like 50/100/25, which means $50,000 individual bodily injury liability, $100,000 total bodily injury liability and $25,000 property damage liability.
Some states also require uninsured/underinsured motorist coverage, which protects you when another driver causes an accident and doesn’t have enough insurance to pay for all your costs.
Once you’ve met your state minimums, you can decide if you need additional coverage, like collision, comprehensive or roadside assistance.
What are the basic kinds of coverage?
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.
When should I shop for car insurance?
You just got your insurance bill and your rates have gone up again, or you’re still waiting for that claim payout from an accident months ago. Sometimes car insurance companies drop the ball, so you’re thinking of finding someone with better support and prices.
Cancelling insurance is easier when you’ve just had what’s called a life change event. You might be able to shop around for a better rate if you’ve just celebrated one of these milestones.
- You’ve just had a birthday
- You’ve changed cars or drivers
- You got married or moved in with your partner
- You moved to a different address
- You graduated high school or college
- Your driving record has changed
- Your credit score has improved
- Your policy is about to be up for renewal
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