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Car Insurance Finder
Get your customized car insurance quotes and save up to $500 a year.
Finder’s car insurance team has spent thousands of hours researching policies and analyzing hundreds of thousands of quotes (for real!) from car insurance brands across the US. In our research, we found discounts that could save you up to 55% off what you’re currently paying. Most drivers who used Finder reported they saved at least $500 a year by switching. The first step to savings is getting quotes, which you can do online and save a lot of time.
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Get multiple quotes from some of the top car insurance brands to find the best policy for you.
What's in this guide?
How much does car insurance cost?
The average cost of car insurance is $1,300 per year, or $108 a month, but rates vary based on your car, driving record, demographics and other reasons. 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 will also affect 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. And 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 your 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 car insurance company. When getting your quote, the total cost may be quoted by the month, year or for every six months. The 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. The numbers read like this:
- 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 near me?
Ever wonder why insurance policies and quotes are different for every insurer? You might not be comparing equivalent rates. Make sure you’re comparing apples to apples to get the best insurance quotes.
- Consider your budget. To get your business, many insurance companies quote the lowest possible price. It might, say, include a hefty 25% car insurance discount for buying online. However, other insurers might offer the same discount, but not include it in your quote. While it’s good to consider discounts in your initial search, make sure you’re also considering the final price too.
- Make sure you’re comparing apples to apples. When you’re comparing quotes, include the same amount of info in each quote form to get the most accurate quote for the coverage. Check for the same types of coverage like liability, collision and comprehensive coverage, and make sure the deductible and pay schedule are the same. Look for any extra perks included in your coverage like towing, new car protection or accident forgiveness.
- 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 how easy it will be to make claims, or whether you’ll pay extra for perks you need. It’s helpful to consider at least two to three of the cheapest quotes with the same level of coverage you need.
- Consider specialist insurance. Driving for business, rideshare drivers and adding on coverage can all affect your premiums. If you’re not getting good rates from the big national companies, look for a company that specializes in the coverage you need.
- Research customer satisfaction. While price leads many people to switch insurance, issues with billing or customer service are another big reason drivers shop around. Compare reviews and customer satisfaction ratings to find out how each insurer handles claims, billing and other customer issues. Make sure your insurer is easy to contact by phone or online so you can manage your policy easily.
- Check financial strength. The financial strength of an insurance company is a good indicator of how likely it is to be able to pay out claims. You can look to AM Best, Moody’s and Standard & Poor’s for different independent financial strength ratings.
- 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 there aren’t any caveats like cancellation fees.
How do I get car insurance quotes online?
You can get as many free quotes as you like either from an agent or by shopping online. Because it costs you nothing, it pays to shop around. An easy way to get multiple quotes is by using a comparison site like Finder that compares your best rates side by side.
- Decide on your policy and start date. Think about what policy you want and when you need it to start.
- Discover online reviews. Read online reviews from customers or review sites to choose the best options for you.
- Fill in details about your driving. Give details about your car and driving history. Be honest when you apply about your tickets and claims, since insurers will be able to verify that info after you apply.
- Add your personal information. Enter your personal details, like your name and home address, plus the details for other people who will drive your car.
- Decide on your coverage. Choose the types of car insurance coverage and add-ons you need. Then, set how much you pay up front in deductibles and the maximum payout limits.
- Repeat with multiple companies. Get quotes from at least three insurers. That way you can compare prices, coverage and benefits to pick the best car insurance company for you.
- Take your pick. Decide on which provider fits you best, complete your application and set up your payment method. You’ll save by paying automatically or paying up front.
What info do I need to get quotes online?
Answer a few questions about your car, driving history and personal details to get accurate online car insurance quotes. Details you can keep on standby:
- Your car information, including its make, model, trim, year and vehicle identification number (VIN).
- Your driving record including tickets and claims on your record from the past few years. For past claims, you typically need to answer a few questions about the type of accident, who was at fault and the date it happened.
- How many miles you drive and whether it’s for commuting, business or pleasure.
- Your personal info including your address, age, driver’s license number and how long you’ve had your license.
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.
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 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.
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 and specialist companies, which tend to have higher customer satisfaction rates than big-name counterparts and could potentially have lower rates.
2. Hunt for discounts
Many insurers offer discounts to drivers for a variety of reasons, such as having a clean record, paying an annual or semi-annual premium all at once or being a safe driver for a certain period of time. Most companies also offer a multicar discount if you insure more than one car belonging to your household with it.
If the insurance company you’re with offers more than just auto insurance, consider bundling more of your policies with it. For example, you could take out homeowners or renters and car insurance with the same company and save on one or both.
3. Get the right coverage for your car
Make sure you get the appropriate coverage for the car you’ve driving. Consider skipping collision insurance or comprehensive coverage for an old car that isn’t worth much. 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.
While you don’t need to pay for coverage you don’t use, consider small rate increases for a big benefit, like doubling your liability limits for a newer car or free towing coverage for an older car.
4. Raise your deductible
A higher deductible means lower premiums. But if you get in an accident, you will have to pay more before insurance kicks in. Make sure that if you raise your deductible you can still cover it in case you need to file a claim.
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. Don’t just look at price.
If you find much cheaper car insurance from one insurer, look for a catch. You might find a downside that’s not obvious like an early cancellation fee, difficult claims process or hard-to-reach customer support. Read online reviews to get the full picture.
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 that’s worth the $50 or less for the driving class. Your local DMV can point you in the right direction.
8. Choose the right car
Newer, used inexpensive 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 usually 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 cars with the cheapest insurance and average insurance rates for the cars on your list. The insurance price differences might surprise you.
9. Think twice about small claims.
Before you make a claim, remember that multiple claims can increase your premiums. Depending on the amount of coverage you bought, you may have a high deductible to pay. If the accident wasn’t severe and didn’t affect other people or property, the deductible alone might cost more than the damage. That small claim might not be worth the higher auto insurance rates.
10. Shop around every year.
Insurers offer better deals to new customers in comparison to existing ones, so check your rates at least annually. Compare quotes from multiple providers, including your current one, before getting hit with the loyalty penalty. If your insurer quotes you a lower new customer price than you’re currently paying, try asking for a discount. Most drivers could save $500 on average by switching.
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.
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Ask an expert: What car insurance mistakes should I avoid?
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 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 sq. ft. 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 include:
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