Car Insurance Finder

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.

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.

• Quote methodology: driver profile & coverage options

  To get these quotes, we compared rates for the same driver profile averaged across all California ZIP codes.

  • Male driver
  • 26 to 30 years old
  • Married
  • Good credit
  • 2017 Toyota Camry LE
  • State minimum requirements
  • $15,000/$30,000 liability
  • $15,000 property damage

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

Cheap insurance

Best companies

Discounts

Coverage types

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

1. Start with multiple customized quotes.
2. Hunt for discounts, like defensive driving.
3. Get the right coverage for your car.
4. Raise your deductible if you can afford it.
5. Improve your credit score.
6. Try pay-per-mile insurance if you’re a safe driver.
7. Consider customer satisfaction as well as price.
8. Choose a safe, low-risk car to get lower rates.
9. Think twice about small claims to avoid high rates.
10. 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.

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Property damage liability

Covers damage you cause to someone else’s property in an accident.

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Personal injury insurance

Covers medical services after an accident, regardless of fault.

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Uninsured motorist

Covers costs caused by a driver if their insurance can’t pay enough.

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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

• How can I pay for my car insurance policy?

  You have the option of paying your premiums every month or every year, with some policies allowing payments every six months. In some cases, paying monthly increases the total amount you pay each year. You can save by paying for your policy annually.

  Typically insurance companies accept electronic funds transfers, credit card payments and checks. You might be able to score discounts for using an online option and setting up autopay.

• What's the difference between a deductible and a premium?

  Your premium is what you pay every month to keep your policy and coverage. The deductible is what you pay in an accident before you can get a claim payout.

• Should I buy car insurance online?

  Yes, online car insurance quotes are a fast way to get a quick estimate of how much you’ll pay. It’s a good option if you’re trying to budget for insurance costs with a new or new-to-you car, or if you want to get a feel for prices before you settle with an insurer.

  You can always sign up online with the best rate you find, or get in touch with an agent or broker for more customized help.

• Do insurance companies insure all types of vehicles?

  No, some insurers only cover certain kinds of cars or vehicle use. If you aren’t sure whether your vehicle is eligible, contact the insurance company directly to see what it says.

  Some insurance companies do not provide coverage for such vehicles as:

  • Beach buggies
  • Classic and vintage cars
  • Commuter buses that can carry more than 12 passengers
  • Freight vehicles
  • Hearses
  • Horse floats
  • Privately imported vehicles
  • Rally cars

  • Refrigerated vehicles
  • Sports cars
  • Taxi trucks
  • Tractors
  • Vans built for special purposes, like fire rescue vans
  • Vehicles that are damaged
  • Vehicles that were formerly ambulances or taxis

  There are also some limitations in terms of what the vehicle will be used for. Many insurance companies will not provide coverage or will require a different kind of coverage if the vehicle is used:

  • As a courtesy car
  • As a demo vehicle
  • For hire services
  • For the transportation of flammable liquids, explosives, chemicals, dangerous goods

  • For taxi services
  • In racing competitions or rallies
  • In time trials