The best online-focused companies know how to balance coverage costs, variety of options and customer service. But if you’re more adventurous about trying new companies, many online brands are small and don’t have many customer reviews but may offer interesting coverage or benefits.
When researching online car insurance companies, we started with insurers that had limited or no local agents, a helpful online or app-based customer account and online claims. Most insurers on our list also have a wide service area and a convenient mobile app.
Our top choices received the highest Finder ratings as well as high customer reviews from Trustpilot or the Better Business Bureau. High-rated phone customer support was considered a benefit that showed the company’s customer-centered focus. In addition, these companies balanced high customer ratings with low-cost premiums.
Next, we looked at the number of coverage and discount options offered. We factored in how those companies stood in the industry by market share. And finally, we narrowed the list down to the companies that offered the best balance of these factors.
What are the best online car insurance companies?
We’ve identified these companies as the best online car insurance providers out there.
If you can't get Metromile's coverage in your state, Root car insurance follows close behind as a top company for telematics policies. Root offers benefits like these to its drivers:
Telematics
Telematics only
Gap insurance
No
If you can't get Metromile's coverage in your state, Root car insurance follows close behind as a top company for telematics policies. Root offers benefits like these to its drivers:
This small brand is a rising star in the online car insurance world.
Gap insurance
No
This small brand is a rising star in the online car insurance world.
Pros
Long list of discounts
Service in all 50 states
Online claims
Safe driver rewards
Quick claims service
Cons
Lack of customer reviews
Confusing website info
Small brand
Gap insurance
No
Roadside assistance
Optional
Gap insurance
No
How are online car insurance companies different from standard insurers?
The main differences between online and standard car insurance companies are the lack of local agents and in-person offices. Some companies keep a few local offices available, but these are limited and not accessible to most customers.
Another main difference is the company’s online services. Many companies offer an online account. But online-only companies give you more flexibility to update your account or policy yourself. They also tend to offer an app, online calculators, self-help articles and the ability to connect with customer service online.
Pros and cons of online car insurance companies
Pros
Low-cost premiums. Online-based companies keep low business overhead, and that savings transfers to your car insurance premiums.
Streamlined customer service. Online companies tend to have a better process for filtering customer’s needs, so you can get your questions answered quickly.
Intuitive online services. Expect a suite of self-service options like a customer account, app, self-help articles, calculators or chat features. Customer accounts may also let you change coverage and add or delete cars or drivers, online services not found at every company.
Free benefits. Many online companies offer additional services or coverage free of charge, such as app-based programs or no-deductible coverage.
Cons
Lack of in-person support. Online-based companies won’t have many offices or local agents for you to interact with. Contact is usually limited to email or online chat. This could steer you away if you prefer that face time.
New or smaller brands. Most online-only companies have a decade or less of industry experience.
Specialty coverage. Although we found brands with more general coverage, many online companies only specialize in certain states or regions, prefer certain types of cars or offer a specialty policy.
Limited company options. You won’t find too many online-only companies on the market, limiting your choices.
Get quotes from top online car insurance companies
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Bottom line
Online car insurance companies tend to keep their applications, customer service and claims processes online. So you might consider these companies if you’re looking to save money and are comfortable with online interactions.
Common questions about online car insurance companies
Yes, most online-based companies still have a customer support number. You can search for this number on the website and look up customer reviews to find out whether customer service meets policyholders’ needs.
Not every online-based company starts your coverage immediately. However, a few small online companies do offer this feature, including HiRoad Assurance and Pact.
Sarah George is Staff Writer for Small Business Loans at BankRate and formally a personal finance writer at Finder focusing on all things banking and insurance. Her know-how has been featured in such publications as CBS, CNET and Reviews.com, and she was a panelist in Finder’s 2020 money-saving webinar. Sarah earned an English education degree and is a Certified Educator in Personal Finance. See full bio
Sarah's expertise
Sarah has written 134 Finder guides across topics including:
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finder.com is an independent comparison platform and information service that aims to provide you with the tools you need to make better decisions. While we are independent, the offers that appear on this site are from companies from which finder.com receives compensation. We may receive compensation from our partners for placement of their products or services. We may also receive compensation if you click on certain links posted on our site. While compensation arrangements may affect the order, position or placement of product information, it doesn't influence our assessment of those products. Please don't interpret the order in which products appear on our Site as any endorsement or recommendation from us. finder.com compares a wide range of products, providers and services but we don't provide information on all available products, providers or services. Please appreciate that there may be other options available to you than the products, providers or services covered by our service.
We update our data regularly, but information can change between updates. Confirm details with the provider you're interested in before making a decision.
