Compare car insurance quotes (2024)

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  • Money
  • Insurance/ Car Insurance

By

Cassidy Horton

Tori Roughley

J. R. Duren,

CNN Underscored Money

Updated 4:24 AM EDT, Wed January 10, 2024

Compare car insurance quotes (1)

How much you pay for car insurance depends on several factors, including your age, your ZIP code, your insurance score, your driving history, your vehicle type and your coverage level.

Comparing car insurance quotes from various auto insurers can help you find the best policy to fit your needs and budget. See how some of the top car insurance companies’ rates compare, according to data from Quadrant Information Services, and learn tips for gathering and analyzing quotes and choosing the best insurer.

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Methodology

To calculate the average annual rates presented, we used data from Quadrant Information Services for seven different driver profiles, including drivers with a clean record, drivers with an accident on their record, drivers with a speeding ticket on their record and drivers with poor credit. We looked at sample policies carrying full coverage and carrying each state’s minimum auto insurance coverage requirements. Read our full methodology here.

Average car insurance rates by company

The table below compares average annual rates from top car insurance companies for minimum coverage and full coverage. The rates for minimum coverage are based on each insurer’s average costs across all states it operates in using each state’s required minimum limits. The companies’ full coverage rates are the averages of the seven driver profiles we studied and include liability coverage, uninsured motorist coverage, comprehensive coverage and collision coverage.

Compare car insurance quotes (3)
Average annual rate for minimum coverageAverage annual rate for full coverage

Allstate

$811

$3,719

American Family

$448

$2,753

Auto-Owners

$389

$2,502

Erie

$525

$2,945

Farmers

$898

$3,294

Geico

$518

$2,372

Nationwide

$587

$2,768

Progressive

$749

$3,099

Safe Auto

$882

$3,404

State Farm

$1,079

$2,862

Travelers

$565

$2,743

USAA

$367

$2,065

Westfield

$439

$2,574

Average car insurance rates by state

See how the cost of car insurance varies by state and coverage type below.

Average rates for minimum-coverage auto insurance by state

Average rates for full-coverage auto insurance by state

The rates noted for full coverage are the averages of the seven driver profiles we studied in each state and include liability coverage, uninsured motorist coverage, comprehensive coverage and collision coverage.

Average annual rate for minimum coverageAverage annual rate for full coverage

Alabama

$526

$1,809

Alaska

$414

$2,323

Arizona

$543

$1,696

Arkansas

$581

$2,061

California

$764

$2,462

Colorado

$516

$2,489

Connecticut

$846

$1,730

Delaware

$936

$2,462

Florida

$1,286

$4,326

Georgia

$720

$2,181

Hawaii

$376

$1,633

Idaho

$341

$1,021

Illinois

$533

$2,345

Indiana

$408

$1,454

Iowa

$275

$1,238

Kansas

$490

$1,693

Kentucky

$764

$1,979

Louisiana

$930

$3,629

Maine

$396

$1,216

Maryland

$855

$3,349

Massachusetts

$535

$2,333

Michigan

$1,450

$2,995

Minnesota

$576

$2,360

Mississippi

$538

$1,704

Missouri

$599

$2,323

Montana

$396

$1,770

Nebraska

$445

$1,538

Nevada

$810

$3,342

New Hampshire

$478

$1,411

New Jersey

$1,119

$2,240

New Mexico

$413

$2,104

New York

$1,016

$4,769

North Carolina

$455

$1,307

North Dakota

$351

$1,319

Ohio

$345

$1,112

Oklahoma

$456

$2,291

Oregon

$682

$1,459

Pennsylvania

$506

$3,600

Rhode Island

$682

$2,715

South Carolina

$755

$2,387

South Dakota

$301

$1,821

Tennessee

$428

$1,720

Texas

$650

$2,938

Utah

$556

$1,955

Vermont

$278

$1,037

Virginia

$584

$1,486

Washington

$504

$1,829

West Virginia

$477

$1,688

Wisconsin

$393

$1,905

Wyoming

$295

$1,341

Average car insurance rates by age

Your age plays an important part in determining your car insurance premiums — with drivers who are older typically paying less than drivers who are younger, which is reflected in the table below.

Compare car insurance quotes (4)

Average car insurance rates for adding a teen driver

The table below shows the average annual rate increase, by company, for parents adding a 16-year-old teen driver to their auto insurance policy with full coverage, including liability coverage, uninsured motorist coverage, comprehensive coverage and collision coverage.

Compare car insurance quotes (5)
Average annual rate increase for adding 16-year-old teen driver to parents’ policy

Allstate

$3,948

American Family

$2,084

Auto-Owners

$2,387

Erie

$1,594

Farmers

$3,780

Geico

$1,952

Nationwide

$1,774

Progressive

$2,225

Safe Auto

$3,276

State Farm

$2,124

Travelers

$2,709

USAA

$2,036

Westfield

$2,762

Average car insurance rates for young adult drivers

The table below shows the average annual rate for full coverage for young adult drivers ages 18, 20 and 25 by company.

Average annual rate for young adult drivers

Allstate

$5,999

American Family

$4,063

Auto-Owners

$3,382

Erie

$4,018

Farmers

$5,420

Geico

$3,332

Nationwide

$4,268

Progressive

$5,791

Safe Auto

$6,723

State Farm

$3,795

Travelers

$5,223

USAA

$2,774

Westfield

$3,987

Average car insurance rates for senior drivers

The table below shows the average annual rate for senior drivers ages 70 and 80 with full coverage by company.

Average annual rate for senior drivers

Allstate

$3,163

American Family

$2,499

Auto-Owners

$1,870

Erie

$2,591

Farmers

$2,849

Geico

$2,057

Nationwide

$2,154

Progressive

$2,481

Safe Auto

$3,660

State Farm

$2,085

Travelers

$2,278

USAA

$1,674

Westfield

$2,076

Average car insurance rates by driving record

Your driving record impacts how much you pay for car insurance. The size of the impact can depend on the specific insurer as each sets its own rates and determines how violations and accidents affect them. For example, some insurers charge higher rates for speeding tickets than accidents, while others weigh accidents higher than speeding tickets in their calculations.

Additionally, the more tickets and claims you have, the more you’ll pay for car insurance. Having an excessive amount can even lead to nonrenewal or denial of coverage with a standard auto insurer, meaning you’ll likely have to explore options with a nonstandard or high-risk carrier.

See how average car insurance rates compare between companies based on driving record below.

Compare car insurance quotes (6)

Average car insurance rates for drivers with a clean record

Drivers without any accidents or violations on their record generally pay the lowest rates for auto insurance.

Average annual rate for drivers with a clean record

Allstate

$3,000

American Family

$2,176

Auto-Owners

$1,628

Erie

$2,144

Farmers

$2,381

Geico

$1,716

Nationwide

$2,041

Progressive

$2,157

Safe Auto

$2,647

State Farm

$1,959

Travelers

$1,852

USAA

$1,412

Westfield

$1,759

Average car insurance rates for drivers with a speeding ticket

Drivers with a speeding ticket on their record can pay between approximately 7% and 38% higher rates than good drivers, according to our data.

Average annual rate for drivers with a clean recordAverage annual rate for drivers with a speeding ticketPercent increase for having a speeding ticket

Allstate

$3,000

$3,213

7.10%

American Family

$2,176

$2,536

16.50%

Auto-Owners

$1,628

$2,250

38.20%

Erie

$2,144

$2,316

8%

Farmers

$2,381

$3,014

26.60%

Geico

$1,716

$2,098

22.30%

Nationwide

$2,041

$2,439

19.50%

Progressive

$2,157

$2,793

29.50%

Safe Auto

$2,647

$3,360

26.90%

State Farm

$1,959

$2,311

18%

Travelers

$1,852

$2,481

34%

USAA

$1,412

$1,709

21%

Westfield

$1,759

$2,001

13.80%

Average car insurance rates for drivers with an at-fault accident

Getting into an at-fault accident can increase your rates by approximately 28% to almost 58%, according to our data.

Average annual rate for drivers with a clean recordAverage annual rate for drivers with an at-fault accidentPercent increase for having an at-fault accident

Allstate

$3,000

$3,843

28.10%

American Family

$2,176

$2,818

29.50%

Auto-Owners

$1,628

$2,145

31.80%

Erie

$2,144

$2,807

30.90%

Farmers

$2,381

$3,417

43.50%

Geico

$1,716

$2,469

43.90%

Nationwide

$2,041

$2,875

40.90%

Progressive

$2,157

$3,401

57.70%

Safe Auto

$2,647

$3,874

46.40%

State Farm

$1,959

$2,532

29.30%

Travelers

$1,852

$2,588

39.70%

USAA

$1,412

$2,086

47.70%

Westfield

$1,759

$2,458

39.70%

Average car insurance rates for drivers with a DUI

For drivers with a DUI on their record, expect an average rate that’s between approximately 28% and 148% higher than good drivers, based on our research.

Average annual rate for drivers with a clean recordAverage annual rate for drivers with a DUIPercent increase for having a DUI

Allstate

$3,000

$3,856

28.50%

American Family

$2,176

$2,983

37.10%

Auto-Owners

$1,628

$3,363

106.60%

Erie

$2,144

$3,390

58.10%

Farmers

$2,381

$3,517

47.70%

Geico

$1,716

$3,451

101.10%

Nationwide

$2,041

$3,677

80.20%

Progressive

$2,157

$2,776

28.70%

Safe Auto

$2,647

$3,874

46.40%

State Farm

$1,959

$3,235

65.10%

Travelers

$1,852

$3,675

98.40%

USAA

$1,412

$2,751

94.80%

Westfield

$1,759

$4,357

147.70%

Average car insurance rates by credit score

While most car insurance companies don’t explicitly consider your credit score when underwriting your application (some states, including California, Hawaii, Maryland, Massachusetts and Michigan, limit or ban the use of credit scores in general), many use insurance scores or credit-based insurance scores. These are calculated by using factors from an individual’s credit report, such as late payments, outstanding collections, length of credit history and credit usage, to help predict the likelihood they’ll file a claim and set a rate accordingly.

We receive compensation from our partners for Featured Offer placements, which impacts how and where their offer is displayed.

Featured Offer

Nationwide

Average annual rate

$2,768

Online quotes available

No

State availability

46

Compare car insurance quotes (7)

From participating partners

Statistically, those with lower insurance scores file more claims, so insurers will typically charge a higher rate due to a higher risk of loss:

Compare car insurance quotes (8)
Average annual rate for drivers with good creditAverage annual rate for drivers with poor creditPercent increase for having poor credit

Allstate

$3,000

$4,028

34.30%

American Family

$2,176

$3,360

54.40%

Auto-Owners

$1,628

$4,217

159%

Erie

$2,144

$4,903

128.70%

Farmers

$2,381

$3,921

64.70%

Geico

$1,716

$2,426

41.40%

Nationwide

$2,041

$2,771

35.80%

Progressive

$2,157

$4,215

95.40%

Safe Auto

$2,647

$3,345

26.40%

State Farm

$1,959

$5,051

157.80%

Travelers

$1,852

$3,381

82.60%

USAA

$1,412

$2,594

83.70%

Westfield

$1,759

$2,964

68.50%

How to compare car insurance quotes

As you compare car insurance quotes, pay attention to how the monthly premium you’re quoted stacks up against the total coverage being offered. Use these tips as a guide:

  • Compare all quotes fairly: Try to choose the same liability, medical payments or personal injury protection and uninsured motorist coverage limits and comprehensive and collision deductibles across all quotes. Note any extra add-ons each policy may include like glass coverage, roadside assistance, gap coverage or rental car reimbursem*nt. These can contribute to overall premiums.
  • Consider your deductible: This is the portion you pay out of pocket before insurance covers the rest. Car insurance quotes with lower deductibles typically have higher premiums, and vice versa. Once you’ve reviewed several quotes and narrowed it down to a few options, adjust your deductibles up and down to see how it impacts your premium. Choose a deductible you could comfortably afford to cover in an emergency.

How to choose a car insurance company

Now that you know how to compare quotes, you might be wondering how to choose the right car insurance company. Consider the following to help find the best fit for your needs and budget:

  • Get quotes: Start by comparing quotes from at least three car insurance companies. This will help you gauge what premiums are like for your profile and your car’s make and model and what coverage limits and deductibles are available.
  • Assess coverage: Premiums matter, but so does good protection. The best car insurance company for you will provide the essential coverages you need at the proper limits and at an affordable price, as well as any add-ons you want, like rental car reimbursem*nt coverage. Even if a quote is significantly lower in cost than the others, it may provide insufficient coverage, and you could find yourself with significant out-of-pocket expenses in the event of a claim.
  • Look at insurance company reviews: A low premium may not matter if a company has a reputation for poor customer service or a complicated claims process. Check online reviews and ratings, such as complaints filed with the National Association of Insurance Commissioners (NAIC) or satisfaction studies from J.D. Power, and consider reaching out to friends and family for their experiences and recommendations.
  • Check the insurer’s financial stability: Confirm that the insurer is licensed in your state and check its financial stability ratings on independent credit agency sites like A.M. Best and Moody’s. A company’s financial health will indicate its ability to pay out claims.

What information do you need to get a car insurance quote?

You’ll generally need this information on hand when requesting car insurance quotes:

  • Personal details, including your name, address, date of birth and Social Security Number.
  • Vehicle details, including your make, model, year and vehicle identification number (VIN).
  • Driving history, including accidents, violations or claims you’ve had in the past three to five years.
  • Coverage requirements, including desired levels of coverage and add-ons.

What factors influence my car insurance quote rates?

“Insurance carriers take multiple variables into account when weighting risk, which can lead to different costs,” said Kate Long, a consumer financial wellness advocate at Assurance IQ. “For example, one carrier might heavily weight age as a risk factor, while for another, credit score could be more important.”

Although it’s illegal for a car insurance company to use certain factors like race and religion to calculate premiums, understanding which factors influence your car insurance rates can help you anticipate changes in your premiums and possibly find ways to reduce costs. Examples include:

  • Your driving record: A history of accidents, traffic violations or DUIs can significantly increase your rates.
  • Your credit history: In some states, you may qualify for lower premiums if you have a higher insurance score and a strong history of making on-time payments.
  • Your age: “Younger drivers are viewed as high-risk by insurers primarily due to their lack of driving experience. But insurance rates tend to decrease when you turn 18, 21 and 25,” said Long. Older drivers can also find themselves as part of a high-risk group. “Drivers over 65 experience higher rates due to potential loss of eyesight, reflexes and cognitive ability that comes with aging,” she said.
  • Your location: Where you live can impact your rates due to factors like traffic, crime rates and the likelihood of natural disasters.
  • Your vehicle type: “Insurers consider a car’s safety record, the size of its engine and theft rates when pricing insurance premiums,” said Long. For example, sports cars often have higher premiums as they have a higher risk of collision damage.
  • Your policy choices: Higher coverage limits will typically increase your premiums. Likewise, a higher deductible can lower your premium, but you’ll pay more in the event of a claim.
  • Your annual mileage: The more you drive, the higher the risk of an incident, which can raise your insurance costs.
  • Your insurance history: Gaps in insurance coverage or a history of claims can lead to higher premiums.
  • Your discount eligibility: Many insurers offer discounts for things like bundling policies, driving safely and installing antitheft devices.

How do I choose the right car insurance coverage type?

Choosing the right car insurance coverage type hinges on your specific needs and your state’s car insurance requirements. Here’s what you should consider, according to Stephen Crewdson, a senior director at J.D. Power’s Global Insurance Intelligence Group at J.D. Power.

When to consider liability-only coverage

Liability insurance helps pay for someone else’s expenses if you’re legally responsible for an accident. This money can help cover the costs to repair their car or even pay for their medical bills.

“For most people, liability-only coverage makes sense only when they drive a vehicle that has a low enough market value that it is not worth insuring,” said Crewdson. “People make different decisions about what is a valuable enough vehicle to insure, but generally, it may not be worth insuring a vehicle worth a few thousand dollars.”

If your state requires you to carry other mandatory coverages like personal injury protection (PIP), medical payments (MedPay) or uninsured/underinsured motorist coverage, these will also be a part of a liability-only auto insurance policy.

When to consider full coverage

Full coverage is generally required if you’re financing or leasing your vehicle. Beyond this, “anyone who would want financial help repairing a damaged vehicle or replacing a total loss vehicle should have adequate coverage,” said Crewdson.

A well-rounded “full coverage” auto insurance policy typically includes:

  • Comprehensive coverage: This pays to repair or replace your vehicle if it’s damaged by fire, theft, vandalism, hail or hitting a deer.
  • Collision coverage: This pays to repair or replace your vehicle if it’s damaged in an accident with another vehicle, lamp post or guard rail.

When to carry liability limits above your state’s minimum requirements

Crewdson gave this rule of thumb for choosing liability limits: “The more assets you stand to lose, the more coverage you should consider.” If you have considerable assets, Crewdson added, you might want to consider an umbrella policy, which “allows for more liability coverage than even the highest auto policy limits will cover.”

When to choose optional coverages

There are several types of optional coverage you may wish to add to your car insurance policy. If you’re unsure which add-ons are right for you, Crewdson recommends speaking with an insurance agent or using these tips to help you decide:

  • Medical payments (MedPay): This coverage can come in handy if you or your passengers are injured in a collision, whether you’re at-fault or not. If you have health insurance that will pay for car accident injuries, you may want to carry MedPay limits that will cover your health plan’s deductible and copays. If you don’t have health insurance coverage for car accidents, you may want to choose a higher MedPay limit to help cover any out-of-pocket medical expenses. While it’s not available in all states, MedPay is typically optional in the states that offer it.
  • Uninsured/underinsured motorists coverage: This coverage can help cover your costs if you’re hit by a driver that doesn’t have insurance or doesn’t have enough insurance to cover their legal liability. As premiums increase, more consumers are driving without insurance, making this coverage even more important.
  • Roadside assistance: This coverage can provide services like towing, battery jumps, tire changes and gas delivery. Check first to see if you have this through your vehicle manufacturer, lender or lessor or another party such as AAA.
  • Rental car reimbursem*nt: This coverage can help pay for a rental car or alternative transportation while your vehicle is in the shop after a covered accident. Consider this if you wouldn’t have cash on hand to rent a vehicle if yours was damaged or totaled or if you don’t have a second car.
  • Gap coverage: This coverage can help cover your negative loan or lease balance if your vehicle is totaled and your initial claim payout won’t completely cover what you still owe. If you owe more on your car than what it’s worth, you may want to consider gap coverage. Buying gap insurance through a provider that offers it is often better than buying it from a dealer, as dealers usually roll the cost of your gap coverage into your loan payment and charge you interest on it.

Methodology

To calculate the average annual rates presented, we used data from Quadrant Information Services. With access to insurance rates across the country, Quadrant provided us average auto insurance rates for seven driver profiles, including drivers with a clean record, drivers with an accident causing injury on their record, drivers with an accident causing property damage on their record, drivers with a DUI on their record, drivers with poor credit, drivers with a speeding ticket on their record and drivers without prior insurance coverage. Our sample policy carried:

  • Bodily injury coverage of $100,000 per person, $300,000 per accident.
  • Property damage coverage of $100,000 per accident.
  • Uninsured motorist coverage of $100,000 per person, $300,000 per accident.
  • Comprehensive coverage with a $500 deductible.
  • Collision coverage with a $500 deductible.

The average rates for minimum coverage are based on each state’s minimum auto insurance requirements.

Frequently asked questions (FAQs)

Yes, you can compare car insurance quotes from different companies simultaneously. Independent insurance agents and brokers can gather quotes from various insurers on your behalf and help you evaluate the best options for your needs.

You can also use quote comparison websites like The Zebra and Assurance IQ. These platforms allow you to input your information once and receive multiple quotes side-by-side, making it easy to compare.

The best way to ensure you have an accurate quote is to match coverage types, deductibles and policy limits as closely as you can. You might not be able to make every limit exactly the same if companies have different options, but getting as close as possible will allow you to make a more direct comparison.

As Long stated earlier, car insurance companies weigh factors differently when calculating premiums. Even if you input all information exactly the same, some companies will naturally be more or less expensive than others, depending on which algorithms they use. Comparing car insurance quotes allows you to find the best coverage for your specific needs at the most competitive price.

Different models have varying repair costs, safety features and theft rates. Insurers consider these factors when determining premiums as they can indicate the likelihood of claims arising, their potential costs and their subsequent level of risk. So as you compare insurance quotes, know that the make and model of your car will impact the rates you receive from different companies.

Yes, most insurance companies can provide you with a quote based on the make, model and year of the car you intend to buy. You usually don’t need the VIN until you’re ready to buy a policy, but some insurers may require this information to provide a quote. This can be a good way to make sure the total cost of your car, including insurance, will work with your budget.

Editorial Disclaimer: Opinions expressed here are the author's alone, not those of any bank, credit card issuer, airlines, hotel chain, or other commercial entity and have not been reviewed, approved or otherwise endorsed by any of such entities.

This content is for educational purposes only and is not intended and should not be understood to constitute financial, investment, insurance or legal advice. All individuals are encouraged to seek advice from a qualified financial professional before making any financial, insurance or investment decisions.

Note: While the offers mentioned above are accurate at the time of publication, they're subject to change at any time and may have changed or may no longer be available.

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YouChat, Expert in Car Insurance

I have extensive knowledge and expertise in the field of car insurance, with a deep understanding of the various factors that influence car insurance rates, coverage types, and the process of comparing and choosing the right car insurance policy. My expertise is demonstrated through a comprehensive understanding of the concepts and information presented in the provided article from CNN Underscored. I can provide detailed insights into the factors that influence car insurance rates, the different types of coverage, and the methodology used to calculate average annual rates.

Factors Affecting Car Insurance Rates

The cost of car insurance is influenced by several factors, including age, ZIP code, insurance score, driving history, vehicle type, and coverage level [[1]].

Average Car Insurance Rates by Company and State

The article provides a comparison of average annual rates from top car insurance companies for both minimum coverage and full coverage, as well as the average rates for different states [[2]].

Impact of Age on Car Insurance Rates

The average car insurance rates for adding a teen driver, young adult drivers, and senior drivers are detailed, highlighting the significant impact of age on insurance premiums [[3]].

Influence of Driving Record on Insurance Rates

The article discusses how a clean driving record, speeding tickets, at-fault accidents, and DUIs affect car insurance rates, providing insights into the percentage increase for each scenario [[4]].

Influence of Credit Score on Car Insurance Rates

The impact of credit score on car insurance rates is explained, with details on the average annual rates for drivers with good credit and poor credit, along with the percentage increase for having poor credit [[5]].

Comparing Car Insurance Quotes

The article offers tips for comparing car insurance quotes, emphasizing the importance of comparing coverage, deductibles, and add-ons across different policies [[6]].

Choosing the Right Car Insurance Company and Coverage

Insights are provided on how to choose the right car insurance company, assess coverage, check insurer's financial stability, and the information needed to get a car insurance quote [[7]].

Methodology for Calculating Average Annual Rates

The methodology used to calculate the average annual rates, including the driver profiles, sample policy details, and the use of data from Quadrant Information Services, is outlined [[8]].

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

The article addresses common questions related to comparing car insurance quotes, the impact of car make and model on insurance rates, and obtaining quotes based on the intended vehicle purchase [[9]].

In summary, the provided article from CNN Underscored offers comprehensive insights into the various aspects of car insurance, including factors influencing rates, average rates by company and state, the impact of age, driving record, credit score, and guidance on comparing quotes and choosing the right coverage.

Compare car insurance quotes (2024)

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