Cheap Car Insurance
Your state’s minimum requirements for car insurance are likely to be the cheapest. We, therefore, focused our analysis on these minimums. This is often liability-only auto insurance. It covers property damage, as well as medical bills for others if you are involved in an accident.
Geico is the best car insurance company overall.
According to study latest analysis of minimum coverage rates, Geico is the lowest-priced major auto insurance company in America. Geico’s average monthly rate was $354, which is about $29 per year.
Auto insurance at the lowest prices from the biggest companies
Company |
Average annual rate |
Average monthly rate |
---|---|---|
1. Geico |
$354 |
$29 |
2. State Farm |
$452 |
$38 |
3. Progressive |
$619 |
$52 |
4. Farmers |
$620 |
$52 |
5. Allstate |
$666 |
$55 |
USAA* |
$356 |
$30 |
*USAA auto insurance is available only to military, veterans, and their families. |
Auto insurance for small businesses at a fraction of the cost
You don’t have to stay with big insurance companies to find affordable car insurance. MMG, Secura, and Central Insurance are smaller insurers that provide coverage in multiple states. They offer car insurance rates that are even lower than Geico.
Although there may be limited availability, small and regional insurers can offer lower auto insurance prices than larger companies. They often offer great customer service.
Company |
Average annual rate |
Average monthly rate |
---|---|---|
1. Central Insurance |
$257 |
$21 |
2. MMG |
$287 |
$24 |
3. Secura |
$319 |
$27 |
4. Hastings Mutual |
$428 |
$36 |
5. Mutual of Enumclaw |
$499 |
$42 |
These companies were chosen because they offer low rates and are available in many states. There may be cheaper auto insurance options available depending on where you live. Many Farm Bureau insurance companies can only be found in one state. However, they are often the most affordable in our analysis.
Full coverage is another option, but it costs more than an annual minimum policy on average. That’s because it comes with additional coverage like uninsured/underinsured motorist protection and comprehensive and collision insurance.
Cheap car insurance by state
What counts as cheap auto insurance will be different depending on where you live, as rates vary widely from state to state.
For the sake of comparison, we found the cheapest car insurance company on average in each state and Washington, D.C.
State |
Cheapest company |
Average annual rate |
---|---|---|
Alabama |
Geico |
$261 |
Alaska |
Geico |
$274 |
Arizona |
Geico |
$272 |
Arkansas |
Southern Farm Bureau Insurance |
$261 |
California |
Geico |
$374 |
Colorado |
American National |
$192 |
Connecticut |
Geico |
$421 |
Delaware |
Geico |
$568 |
Florida |
Geico |
$704 |
Georgia |
Auto-Owners |
$314 |
Hawaii |
Geico |
$285 |
Idaho |
American National |
$135 |
Illinois |
Pekin |
$234 |
Indiana |
Pekin |
$195 |
Iowa |
Western National |
$164 |
Kansas |
State Farm |
$322 |
Kentucky |
Kentucky Farm Bureau |
$389 |
Louisiana |
Geico |
$443 |
Maine |
Geico |
$176 |
Maryland |
Geico |
$559 |
Massachusetts |
State Farm |
$209 |
Michigan |
Travelers |
$106 |
Minnesota |
North Star |
$259 |
Mississippi |
State Farm |
$337 |
Missouri |
Columbia |
$289 |
Montana |
State Farm |
$213 |
Nebraska |
EMC |
$181 |
Nevada |
Geico |
$329 |
New Hampshire |
MMG |
$209 |
New Jersey |
Amica |
$539 |
New Mexico |
Central Insurance |
$224 |
New York |
Main Street America |
$572 |
North Carolina |
Geico |
$278 |
North Dakota |
Nodak |
$174 |
Ohio |
Erie |
$211 |
Oklahoma |
Geico |
$247 |
Oregon |
State Farm |
$443 |
Pennsylvania |
Geico |
$181 |
Rhode Island |
State Farm |
$310 |
South Carolina |
American National |
$217 |
South Dakota |
Farmers Mutual of Nebraska |
$172 |
Tennessee |
Grange Insurance Company |
$193 |
Texas |
Geico |
$377 |
Utah |
Geico |
$305 |
Vermont |
Union Mutual |
$182 |
Virginia |
Geico |
$305 |
Washington |
Grange Insurance Association |
$327 |
Washington, D.C. |
Geico |
$374 |
West Virginia |
Erie |
$298 |
Wisconsin |
Geico |
$203 |
Wyoming |
Geico |
$170 |
But state averages can tell you only so much. Even within a state, car insurance rates for minimum coverage can differ.
Take a look at the cheapest car insurance options by clicking on your city in the table below.
Cheap car insurance analysis by city |
|
---|---|
Albuquerque |
Louisville |
Atlanta |
Memphis |
Austin |
Miami |
Boston |
Nashville |
Charlotte |
New York City |
Chicago |
Oklahoma City |
Colorado Springs |
Omaha |
Columbus |
Philadelphia |
Dallas |
Phoenix |
Denver |
Portland |
Detroit |
Raleigh |
El Paso |
Sacramento |
Fort Worth |
San Antonio |
Fresno |
San Diego |
Houston |
San Francisco |
Indianapolis |
San Jose |
Jacksonville |
Seattle |
Kansas City |
Tampa |
Las Vegas |
Tucson |
Los Angeles |
Tulsa |
Cheap auto insurance after an accident or DUI
Depending on your driving record, the most affordable car insurance company varies. The tables below show average auto insurance rates from the largest companies for drivers after an accident or DUI.
We found that Geico has the lowest average rate for drivers with one at-fault accident. American Family is cheapest, on average, for drivers with a DUI.
Company |
Average annual rate after one at-fault accident |
---|---|
1. Geico |
$577 |
2. State Farm |
$618 |
3. Travelers |
$634 |
4. American Family |
$651 |
5. Nationwide |
$901 |
USAA* |
$535 |
*USAA auto insurance is available only to military, veterans and their families. |
Cheapest car insurance after a DUI: American Family
Company |
Average annual rate after one DUI |
---|---|
1. American Family |
$716 |
2. Travelers |
$754 |
3. Progressive |
$755 |
4. State Farm |
$839 |
5. Farmers |
$905 |
USAA* |
$621 |
*USAA auto insurance is available only to military, veterans and their families. |
Looking for even cheaper auto insurance? Try a smaller insurer. Drivers with one at-fault accident or a recent DUI can find the most affordable auto insurance rates with MMG and other regional insurers.
Rates vary depending on many personal factors. Be sure to compare car insurance quotes from at least three insurers to find the cheapest auto insurance for you.
Your driving record isn’t the only factor that can increase your rates. Many insurers also use credit-based insurance scores to help calculate car insurance rates. This can make it harder to get cheap car insurance with poor credit in many states.
A credit-based score includes the same factors as a regular credit score, such as debt and payment history, but weighs them differently. California, Hawaii, Massachusetts, and Michigan don’t allow insurers to use credit when determining car insurance rates.
Credit can have a shocking impact on auto insurance costs. Drivers with poor credit may pay over $400 more a year on average than those with good credit.
If you’re looking for affordable car insurance from a large company, Geico might be a good place to start. Based on our analysis of large insurers, the company has the lowest average rates for good drivers with poor credit.
Still, you should always shop around to get the best car insurance rates, no matter your credit history.
Company |
The average annual rate for drivers with poor credit |
---|---|
1. Geico |
$501 |
2. Nationwide |
$775 |
3. Travelers |
$803 |
4. Allstate |
$916 |
5. American Family |
$952 |
USAA* |
$626 |
*USAA auto insurance is available only to military, veterans, and their families. |
How to get cheap car insurance for novice drivers
You may not be able to get cheap car insurance if you are a new driver. Auto insurers consider drivers with a poor driving record riskier to insure. This includes drivers who have not had their car insurance renewed, new drivers, and immigrants.
You can shop around to compare policies from different companies every year in order to get the best car insurance. It may be cheaper to remain on your parent’s policy until you have a better driving record.
How to get car insurance cheap
It’s important to compare quotes from different insurers if you want to save money on car insurance. It is possible that you have the best insurance available to you. However, prices are subject to change so make sure to check at least once a year.
These tips can help you save money on auto insurance.
Ask for discounts. You might be able to save money on car insurance discounts that you aren’t taking advantage of. Perhaps you work remotely and drive less than you did when you purchased your policy. Mention this to get a low mileage discount.
Consider lowering your deductible. If you are not a frequent driver or feel comfortable taking on financial risk, a higher comprehensive and collision deductible may be a good idea. If you have to file a collision or comprehensive claim, raising your deductible will mean you’d be liable more. It’s a guaranteed way to get lower car insurance.
Know when to reduce coverage. Do not reduce coverage for the sake of cheap auto insurance. If you have an older vehicle, you may be able to drop collision and comprehensive coverage. These coverage types only pay up to the car’s current worth, less the deductible.
Major life events can be a great opportunity to cash in. You may be eligible for lower car insurance if certain life events occur. So make sure to get quotes when you experience major life changes. Many companies offer lower rates for domestic partners or married couples. Perhaps you moved to an area with lower crime and accident rates. Shopping around for coverage can be beneficial even if you move to an area with higher crime and accident rates.
After your driving record has improved, you can apply for revisit insurance quotes. Get cheap car insurance online within three to five years of any moving violations, tickets, or accidents. You may have had your driving record revoked.