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Compare the best cheap car insurance for 2020
Find the cheapest car insurance rates to save on the coverage you need
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Car insurance can protect you and your car from the unexpected, but it also can take a chunk out of your budget. By comparing the most affordable insurance companies and figuring out the right coverage for you, you can save big while getting solid protection from your policy.
Which companies have the best cheap car insurance?
The cheapest insurance for depends on what you’re looking for in a policy, including its overall rates, types of coverage and value-added perks like safe driver programs or free coverage.
Compare these companies’ rates along with other benefits to find the most affordable insurance for your wallet.
These insurers tend to have the cheapest rates for certain drivers, but your mileage may vary.
Cheapest car insurance for most drivers
Safe drivers: Geico
Optional
Roadside assistance
Roadside assistance
New car protection
Accident forgiveness
Geico offers low rates and a long list of discounts for just about any driver, especially for safe drivers. In our independent review of car insurance rates, we found Geico offered some of the lowest rates for drivers in many states and for many drivers. You can get nearly any kind of coverage you need and bundle most kinds of insurance to save even more due to Geico's extensive bundle partner options. Geico's convenient website and streamlined app allow you to handle anything online, from getting a quote to filing a claim. $67 average monthly rate.
- No discounts for homeowners, military, online quote or multiple cars
- Customer service is ranked average
- Low online customer service reviews
- Claims typically handled online only
| States served | All 50 states |
|---|---|
| Roadside assistance | Optional |
| Pay schedule | 12 months, 6 months, custom |
| Claims methods | Online, Phone, Agent |
| New car protection | Yes |
| Accident forgiveness | Yes |
Low-mileage drivers: Metromile
Optional
Roadside assistance
Roadside assistance
New car protection
Accident forgiveness
One of the original telematics insurers, Metromile's usage-based insurance offers some of the lowest rates for safe, low-mileage drivers. The Metromile app or a device in your car tracks your driving and charges you based on your driving. Safe drivers who would normally be considered high risk due to their age, car or location could save the most. $57 average monthly rate
- Low-mileage drivers could save $611/year
- Rates from $29/month plus pennies per mile
- All miles over 250 a day are free
- Easy app and online claims plus 24/7 support
- Limited service to only 7 states
- Older vehicles excluded
- Not all drivers eligible
| States served | Arizona, California, Illinois, New Jersey, Oregon, Pennsylvania, Virginia, Washington |
|---|---|
| Roadside assistance | Optional |
| Pay schedule | monthly |
| Claims methods | Online, Phone |
| New car protection | Yes |
| Accident forgiveness | No |
Student drivers: Allstate
Included Free
Roadside assistance
Roadside assistance
New car protection
Accident forgiveness
With a broad range of coverage options, ways to save and features built for customer convenience, Allstate has earned its place among the top insurance providers. This insurer works best if you take advantage of its many discounts and redeemable rewards through the safe driver program. $109 average monthly rate.
- Rewards for safe drivers, good students and more
- Get your own dedicated insurance agent
- No discounts for homeowners, military, online quote or multiple cars
- Customer service is ranked average
| States served | All 50 states |
|---|---|
| Roadside assistance | Included free |
| Pay schedule | 12 months, Monthly |
| Claims methods | Online, Phone |
| New car protection | Yes |
| Accident forgiveness | Yes |
Drivers who want to bundle insurance: Progressive
Optional
Roadside assistance
Roadside assistance
New car protection
Accident forgiveness
Progressive provides the coverage that most drivers need, along with additional options like custom parts, rideshare or high-risk driver coverage. Its free perks like a lowering deductible and accident forgiveness also reward safe driving. And if you can see some of the highest savings on the market for bundling your home and auto insurance. $72 average monthly rate.
- Bundle any two policies for a multipolicy discount
- Over a dozen car insurance coverage options, more than competitors
- Offers options not covered everywhere like rideshare and SR-22 insurance
- Accident forgiveness after three years or for claims under $500
| States served | All 50 states |
|---|---|
| Roadside assistance | Optional |
| Pay schedule | 12 months, 6 months |
| Claims methods | online, phone |
| New car protection | Yes |
| Accident forgiveness | Yes |
Military members, veterans and family: USAA
Optional
Roadside assistance
Roadside assistance
New car protection
Accident forgiveness
Military members and their families can get some of the lowest rates and best customer service in the industry. And you don't have to be in the military, though you do have to be related to someone who has a connection. Customers praise its cheap rates and great claims support, and USAA consistently tops the charts for customer satisfaction.However, the list of drivers who will qualify is small, and while online account management is great, the online quoting process is lengthy. If you do qualify, it could be worth the extra time to get a quote and potentially save hundreds of dollars a year. $44 average monthly rate.
- Some of the cheapest rates in the industry
- Report and track claims in the app for convenience
- Get dividends through company profits as a USAA member
- Flexible payment schedules
- Limited to military members and their families
- Online-focused customer support
| States served | All 50 states |
|---|---|
| Roadside assistance | Optional |
| Pay schedule | 12 months, 6 months, custom |
| Claims methods | Online, Phone |
| New car protection | No |
| Accident forgiveness | Yes |
Drivers 50+ years old: Travelers
Optional
Roadside assistance
Roadside assistance
New car protection
Accident forgiveness
Travelers keeps high standards for its customer service, reflected in the company’s solid business ratings and low number of customer complaints. You can get a quick quote online, then apply through an independent agent who will walk alongside you for the final signup paperwork. You might even qualify for multiple discounts, especially if you haven’t made any claims. average monthly rate.
- Steep discounts for safe driving
- Personalized support through nearly 14,000 local agents
- Few customer complaints among national insurers
- Get some of the cheapest rates in the industry for drivers over 50 years old
- Charges service fees with some payment types
- Not the best bundling discounts for home and car policies
| States served | Alabama, Arizona, Arkansas, California, Colorado, Connecticut, Delaware, District of Columbia, Florida, Georgia, Idaho, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kentucky, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Minnesota, Mississippi, Missouri, Montana, Nebraska, Nevada, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New Mexico, New York, North Carolina, Ohio, Oklahoma, Oregon, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, South Carolina, Tennessee, Texas, Utah, Vermont, Virginia, Washington, Wisconsin |
|---|---|
| Roadside assistance | Optional |
| Pay schedule | monthly |
| Claims methods | online, phone |
| New car protection | Yes |
| Accident forgiveness | Yes |
Get cheap car insurance quotes online
What's in this guide?
How to get cheaper car insurance
Watch our short video to find out how to score cheaper car insurance.
Cheapest liability only car insurance coverage
You might be looking to shave costs to the bare minimum. In this case, see how these companies compare for insurance with the state-minimum amount of coverage required.
| Company | Lowest monthly rate |
|---|---|
| Geico | $33 |
| USAA | $35 |
| Progressive | $45 |
| Mercury | $47 |
| Esurance | $51 |
| 21st Century | $54 |
| Nationwide | $56 |
| Allstate | $58 |
| Libery Mutual | $59 |
| State Farm | $61 |
| The Hartford | $61 |
Cheapest car insurance for men
Surprisingly, Allstate and Travelers had the lowest rates for men, though Mercury also had the cheapest rates for certain drivers. When you get quotes, your actual rates may look different based on the car you drive, where you live and your driving history.
| Cheapest insurance company | Cheapest rate | Age |
| Allstate | $83 | Under 18 |
| Travelers | $75 | 18-21 |
| Travelers | $51 | 22-25 |
| Travelers | $50 | 26-30 |
| Mercury | $50 | 31-35 |
| Travelers | $53 | 36-45 |
| Travelers | $53 | 46-55 |
| Travelers | $54 | 56+ |
Cheapest car insurance for women
Allstate and Travelers had the lowest rates for women too, but Central made the list for certain drivers. While this is the absolute lowest rate you could get from these companies, not every driver will qualify due to other factors like your car, driving record and address.
| Cheapest insuranee company | Cheapest rate | Age |
| Allstate | $77 | Under 18 |
| Allstate | $70 | 18-21 |
| Travelers | $57 | 22-25 |
| Travelers | $57 | 26-30 |
| Central | $57 | 31-35 |
| Allstate | $59 | 36-45 |
| Travelers | $53 | 46-55 |
| Travelers | $53 | 56+ |
Cheapest car insurance for young drivers
You could get the cheapest insurance rates for young drivers around 18 or 21 years old with small or regional companies like Capital or AAA. Several major companies still make the list for affordable prices, though.
| Company | Cheapest annual rate |
|---|---|
| Mercury | $55 |
| USAA | $63 |
| Progressive | $81 |
| Esurance | $91 |
| Capital | $99 |
| Grange | $114 |
| AAA | $116 |
| Geico | $130 |
What’s the cheapest type of car insurance policy?
A liability-only policy is the cheapest type of policy because it covers the bare minimum required by your state, which is typically bodily injury and property damage liability.
Higher coverage policies with collision and comprehensive coverage, often called full coverage, can cost twice as much as liability-only policies because full coverage protects you for almost any accident. But consider how much you’ll save in premiums compared to paying for car repairs if you get in a car accident.
Compare rates for both liability only and full coverage in your state:
| State | Liability only | Full coverage |
|---|---|---|
| Arkansas | $48 | $120 |
| California | $52 | $137 |
| Florida | $104 | $196 |
| Georgia | $60 | $127 |
| Iowa | $26 | $80 |
| Louisiana | $83 | $232 |
| Maine | $36 | $80 |
| Michigan | $224 | $332 |
| New Hampshire | $41 | $87 |
| New Jersey | $91 | $172 |
| North Carolina | $44 | $85 |
| Rhode Island | $81 | $168 |
| Texas | $69 | $204 |
More car insurance rates by state
What can I do to get cheap car insurance rates?
Compare the top ways to get cheaper car insurance quotes.
- Remove coverage you don’t need. Resist adding optional extras unless you truly need them. Also consider dropping comprehensive and collision on an older car.
- Raise your deductible. Consider raising your deductible, which is the amount you have to pay when making a claim before you get reimbursed. A higher deductible means lower premiums. Just make sure you can afford the higher cost if you end up needing to make a claim.
- Nominate your drivers. You should see lower premiums by insuring your policy in the oldest or safest driver’s name and nominating drivers with higher risk. Just avoid fronting — falsely listing who uses the car the most — otherwise your claim could be denied.
- Reduce your mileage. You could get a low mileage discount if you drive less than 35 miles a day or 13,000 per year.
- Check for discounts. Make sure you’re getting rewarded where you can. And check for any new deals that may come up after being with a carrier for a while, like a claims-free or loyalty discount.
- Shop around to compare prices. Switch car insurance instead of renewing, especially if you’ve been through any big life changes like getting married or moving. You can also use comparison quotes to ask for a price match from your current insurer, or compare quotes from regional or local car insurance company.
Bottom line
If you want inexpensive car insurance, you’ll need to compare the options available from a range of insurers. The right policy at the right price is out there, you’ve just got to go find it. Compare your options to find cheap auto insurance that’s right for you.
Common questions about cheap car insurance
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