Vermont drivers pay an average of $854.27 per year for car insurance according to the National Association of Insurance Commissioners (NAIC), that’s about $71.19 per month. Vermont drivers pay about 28% less than the countrywide national average of $1,189.64.
The NAIC takes into account all car insurance policies within the state such as drivers who select only state minimum coverage, as well as policies that include various levels of comprehensive and collision coverage. Because car insurance rates are influenced by personal factors, you could find yourself paying significantly less.
Vermont car insurance quick facts
Minimum liability requirements
25/50/10
Average annual car insurance cost according to the NAIC
$854.27
At-fault state
In at-fault states, the driver who caused the accident pays for damages.
Vermont state minimum car insurance requirements
Drivers in Vermont are required to carry a minimum amount of liability coverage to legally drive. You may see it written as 25/50/10, but we’ll break down what that means.
Vermont bodily injury liability
$25,000 bodily injury liability per person
$50,000 bodily injury per accident
Vermont requires $25,000 in bodily injury liability per person and $50,000 of bodily injury per accident. That’s right in line with what most states require for this coverage.
This means $25,000 is the most your insurer will pay for a single person injured by you in an at-fault accident. And $50,000 is the maximum amount your insurer will pay if there is more than one person injured by you in an at-fault accident. Any costs outside of your bodily injury limit are required to come out of your pocket.
Vermont property damage liability
$10,000 property damage liability
Massachusetts requires drivers to carry $10,000 of property damage liability to legally drive. This limit is on the lower end of requirements across the US for this coverage, though not uncommon.
This means $10,000 is the maximum amount your car insurance company will pay towards damages you cause to another person’s car or property, such as repairs to a car, fence or building. You’ll have to pay out of pocket for any costs beyond your property damage liability limit.
Vermont uninsured motorist
$50,000 uninsured motorist bodily injury per person
$100,000 uninsured motorist bodily injury per accident
$10,000 uninsured motorist property damage
Vermont requires all drivers to carry $50,000 of uninsured motorist bodily injury per person, $100,000 uninsured motorist bodily injury per accident and $10,000 in uninsured motorist property damage to legally drive. Where most states require you to carry uninsured motorist coverage equal to your liability requirements, this state requires double your bodily injury liability limits in uninsured coverage.
This coverage protects you if you get hit by an uninsured or underinsured driver. It pays for your car’s damage or medical bills to you and your passengers.
Finder tip: Vermont state minimum coverage isn’t enough
These state-mandated requirements are the lowest amount of coverage you need to legally drive in Vermont, but may fall short if you’re in a major accident. To avoid high out-of-pocket costs after an accident, consider raising your liability limits by balancing coverage, your budget and what you can afford to pay out of pocket for certain damage.
Cheapest rates by age in Vermont
Young drivers under age 35 might find the best deal with Geico. However, Progressive may offer the lowest price to drivers age 35 and over.
Age
Progressive
Geico
16-24
$139.11
$133.97
25-34
$110.42
$94.28
35-44
$88.04
$92.70
45-54
$97.04
$98.76
Cheapest rates by gender in Vermont
You can pay different rates with different companies based on your gender — often around $15 per month in Vermont. Based on this sample, men may want a quote from Progressive, while women may want to look into Geico.
Company
Progressive
Geico
Men
$88.67
$106.15
Women
$113.93
$91.15
Sample rates in Vermont from major car insurance companies
In Vermont, Geico offers solid value based on car insurance cost information from Savvy.
Company
Progressive
Geico
Rate
$105.51
$98.65
Best car insurance for Vermont
The best car insurance companies in Vermont balance competitive prices in Vermont along with a variety of standard and add-on coverages. To cut through the noise, we vetted companies for you to bring our top recommendations for your area.
We looked at each company’s coverage, discounts and perks like its online experience and local agents. We also checked company ratings from J.D. Power, Better Business Bureau, AM Best and the National Association of Insurance Commissioners.
Geico is known as a value car insurance company for a reason — it offers competitive rates with plenty of coverage for most drivers. It's also known for offering a variety of steep discounts. You'll save the most if you have a claim-free driving record or if you're insuring multiple cars on one policy.
Love savvy self-service tools? You can use Geico's handy app to manage your policy, sign forms, access your insurance card and file photo claims.
Pros
Known for offering low prices to most drivers
Discount up to 25% for multiple vehicles
One of the highest-rated insurance apps
Cons
Online-focused customer service
Few local agents available, mostly in major cities
Amica might not be a household name, but it consistently tops J.D. Power's charts for customer satisfaction. It's also a solid choice if you're looking for competitive prices and wide coverage options in Vermont. If you choose a dividend policy, you could also get a check paying back some of your premium when Amica makes a profit.
Pros
No. 1 for customer satisfaction by J.D. Power in New England
Dividend policies pay you if Amica makes a profit
Up to 30% off for bundling policies, one of the highest available
Extended coverage options like new car replacement
Nationwide's SmartMiles is a smart choice for those who drive less than 12,000 miles per year. This unique car insurance policy lets you pay pennies for every mile that you drive, along with a flat monthly fee.
According to Nationwide, this policy could save you around $40 per month, or $480 per year, over a traditional policy. On top of saving money, you get a company with longstanding experience in the industry that's backed by strong finances.
7 factors that affect your car insurance premium in Vermont
Factors are characteristics specific to you that car insurance companies use to set how much you’ll pay for car insurance. The less risky each of your factors is, the less you pay. And the riskier you are, the more you’ll pay. We’ll break down Vermont’s rating factors to keep in mind.
Factor
How it affects your rates
Age
How old you are is a top factor in determining your car insurance rates. With each passing year, you earn more experience on the road. More experience can equal cheaper rates. Teen drivers pay the most, but rates begin to level off around your 20s with drivers over 50 paying the least.
Gender
Vermont takes gender into account when determining your rates. On average, men in Vermont pay more for car insurance than women. The average annual premium across all age categories for men is $1,027, nearly $20 more per year than women, who pay an average of $1,008.
Location
Where you live affects your rates, including where you park your car. High theft rates, high traffic and a high number of uninsured drivers could mean higher rates.
When it comes to vehicle theft, Vermont has the lowest average in the country. For every 100,000 inhabitants, approximately 42.4 vehicles were stolen, according to Statista. The national average across the US is 246 cars for every 100,000 inhabitants.
As for uninsured drivers, 8.8% of Vermonters on the road are uninsured. That ranks the state 37th out of 50 states for uninsured drivers, according to Insurance Information Institute.
Vehicle and mileage
Your car’s make, model and trim directly affect how much you’ll pay for car insurance. Things like its cost, safety ratings, the likelihood of theft and sportiness all help insurers determine its cost to insure.
Safer and cheaper vehicles score the lowest rates, with luxury vehicles with higher repair costs resulting in higher premiums.
And, the more you’re on the road, the more at-risk you are to get in an accident, which means higher premiums. According to the Bureau of Transportation, Vermonters drive around 30.5 miles per day, which is under the national average of 36.1 miles per day.
Credit score
Your credit score is included in your credit-based insurance score which insurers use to help calculate rates. According to the Insurance Information Institute, there is a strong correlation between your insurance score and claims filings. A good credit-based insurance score could mean lower rates.
Vermont insurers charge the highest coverage rates for drivers with poor credit histories. Drivers with good credit scores could see an annual insurance rate of about $1,063. These rates rise to about $1,280 with a fair credit score and approximately $1,861 for those with poor credit.
Coverage
The more coverage you get and the higher limits you choose, the more protection you’ll have and the more you’ll pay in monthly premiums. If you opt for full coverage car insurance that includes comprehensive and collision, the amount of your deductible weighs into your costs too. Higher deductibles mean lower monthly premiums.
Low coverage costs in Vermont average to about $869 yearly, whereas high coverage can be anywhere around $1,077 on average.
Driving Record
The better your record, the lower your premium. If you’re in an at-fault accident you could see rates increases from 20% to 50%. A DUI in Vermont can increase your rate by an average of 73%. These types of violations typically stay on your record for about five years.
Vermont drivers with a clean driving record pay approximately $1,063 annually — or $139 less per year on average — than Vermont drivers with one speeding violation.
What happens if I need an SR-22 in Vermont?
You’ll need to file an SR-22 with the Vermont DMV for at least three years from the violation. An SR-22 is a proof of insurance form, showing that you can take financial responsibility for any accidents you cause. In Vermont, you’re required to file an SR-22 after major violations that lead to a suspended license, like a DUI or driving without insurance.
Coverage that we recommend in Vermont
Driving across the mountains and open plains in Vermont means taking on different driving conditions and hazards on the road. While Vermont’s required insurance is a solid starting place for protection, think about these add-ons to cover all the possibilities.
More liability protection to cover high expenses
When you get in a car accident, you can’t control the seriousness of the damage or injuries to other people. While Vermont’s liability limits should take care of minor damage, it may not protect you from major accidents, especially if someone takes you to court. Legal expenses and medical bills can easily total tens of thousands of dollars.
Collision coverage for peace of mind about your car
No matter where you drive, you have the chance of getting in an accident with another driver. If you’re considered the one at fault, you’ll need collision coverage if you want your insurance to pay for your car repairs.
Keep in mind that some accidents like rearend collisions can be deemed your fault even if you tried to stop them from happening. Collision coverage can bring you that extra peace of mind that you can take care of your car no matter the situation.
Consider this coverage if . . .
You drive a lot and rely on your car.
Your car loan requires it.
You can’t pay for major car repairs on your own.
You don’t have the funds to buy another car.
Comprehensive coverage because of Vermont’s icy roads
In Vermont, you navigate icy roads, snow and heavy rain throughout the year, along with other normal road hazards. If you wreck your car because of weather, you could pay for your repairs through comprehensive coverage. It kicks in for many damages outside of colliding with another car, including theft, damage from a falling tree branch or rock cracking your windshield. The optional coverage is worth considering because it protects against many different scenarios.
Consider this coverage if . . .
Your auto loan requires it.
You can’t pay for car repairs out of pocket.
You live in rural Vermont where there’s large wildlife.
You expect harsh weather in your area.
Top 10 auto insurance companies in USA that serve Vermont
We’ve pulled the top 10 companies by market share that offer coverage in Vermont, according to S&P Global. Compare top companies by three major rating agencies along with our overall score.
Better Business Bureau (BBB) rating measures how a business interacts with its customers, with the highest rating being A++.
J.D. Power determines customers’ overall satisfaction with their car insurer’s price, billing, claims and customer support. The higher the J.D. Power score out of 1,000, the better.
NAIC complaint index shows how a company’s number of complaints compares to similar companies of its size. Scores lower than 1.00 show the company receives less than the average number of complaints, and scores above 1.00 show more complaints than average.
Finder’s score shows you an overall look at the company by taking into account scores from each of these agencies as well as the coverage and discounts each company offers.
Which city has the cheapest car insurance in Vermont?
Of Vermont’s largest cities, Rutland has the cheapest rates and Essex Junction has the most expensive car insurance rates. Essex Junction drivers could face rates 3 times more than Rutland drivers.
Vermont is an at-fault state, which means that the driver who caused the car accident pays for the damage. Your insurance company and legal authorities will figure out who’s at fault, based on the accident details.
However, Vermont also looks at whether both drivers are partially at fault under a modified comparative fault law, according to the legal website Nolo. Under this law, both drivers are assigned a percentage of fault. Drivers who are less than 50% at fault can get paid for damage caused by other drivers.
For example, if you’re 80% responsible for an accident, your insurance will pay 80% of the other driver’s damages. However, since you’re over 50% at fault, the other driver isn’t required to pay for your damages.
Bottom line
Car insurance helps to protect you, your vehicle and everyone else on the road, and it’s legally required to get behind the wheel in the scenic state of Vermont. Vermont’s auto insurance rates are relatively low compared to national averages, but you could find ways to save even more if you’re willing to shop around and compare offerings from multiple providers.
Frequently asked questions about Vermont car insurance
They could. You might see your rates go up at policy renewal if you’ve recently filed a claim. Some companies also advertise a “surcharge schedule”— basically a predetermined premium increase they charge you after you file an accident claim. Check with your insurance company to see if they have a surcharge schedule and what that means for your rates.
You’re typically notified by your insurance provider if you’re late on a payment, prompting you to pay the bill as soon as possible. If you wait too long, however, your provider can cancel your coverage.
Most insurance providers reserve the right to cancel your coverage if you’re late paying a single premium. To learn more, get in touch with your provider.
In Vermont, you have three days to report an accident that resulted in injury, deaths or property damages of $3,000 or more.
Megan B. Shepherd is a personal finance editor at Finder where she helps people navigate the financial world of loans.
Her personal finance expertise has been featured on Forbes, Nasdaq, MediaFeed, Fox News, Time, Reviews.com, and carinsurance.com, adding invaluable information related to personal loans, financial strategies and smart borrowing tactics.
Megan graduated from the University of Texas at Dallas with a BS in Business Administration with an entrepreneurial focus. She's worked as a certified financial adviser and has earned certificates of completion from A.D. Banker & Company.
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