Compare car insurance quotes in July 2024

Key points

• Comparing car insurance quotes regularly can help you find the best rate.
• Your driving history, vehicle, location, age and gender can all affect the amount you pay for car insurance.
• Car insurance quotes are free and can usually be obtained within minutes online, over the phone or in person with an insurance agent.

The cost of car insurance is on the rise, so shopping around and comparing car insurance quotes is a good way to make sure you’re getting the best deal for the coverage you want.

Comparing car insurance rates 

There are several ways to compare car insurance quotes, including online, via phone or by working directly with an insurance agent or broker. 

Your auto insurance quotes will be determined by personal factors such as your age, driving record, vehicle and ZIP code. We collected data from top car insurance companies to help you see how these factors and more may impact your quoted rates.

Compare car insurance quotes:

• By company
• By state
• By age and gender
• By credit history
• For drivers with a DUI
• For drivers with an at-fault accident
• For drivers with a speeding ticket
• For seniors (ages 65 to 80)
• For parents adding a teen driver (ages 16 to 18)

Compare car insurance rates by company

The average cost of car insurance for a good driver is $2,026 per year or $169 per month. However, rates vary by insurer. Many of the insurers in our analysis, including USAA and Nationwide, offer average rates well below the national average.

Compare car insurance rates by state

Where you live will play a big role in how much you pay for coverage, with drivers in some states paying significantly more than the national average of $2,026 per year.

Drivers in Florida ($3,865 per year) and Louisiana ($3,545 per year) have to contend with some of the highest rates in the nation. Vermont ($1,158) and Idaho ($1,246) are home to the lowest average rates for good drivers. 

Use the map below to see how much the average cost of coverage is in your state. 

^{Full coverage car insurance rates are based on liability coverage of 100/300/100 ($100,000 in bodily injury liability per person, $300,000 per accident and $100,000 in property damage liability), uninsured motorist coverage and collision and comprehensive insurance with a $500 deductible.}

Compare car insurance rates by age and gender

Auto insurance companies always factor a driver’s age in when determining rates, with teen and young adult drivers paying more for coverage because they lack experience behind the wheel. 

Many insurers also factor in your gender, with male drivers frequently paying more than female drivers. This practice is banned in California, Hawaii, Massachusetts, Michigan and North Carolina.

Compare car insurance rates for drivers with poor credit

The average cost of car insurance with poor credit is $3,847 per year or $321 per month. In most states, a car insurance company can use a credit-based insurance score when determining your rate. Credit-based insurance scores use some of your credit information to help determine your rate. Drivers with poor credit often have significantly higher rates.

Use the table below to compare the cost of car insurance for drivers with poor credit.

Similar to your credit score, your insurance-based credit score is a three-digit number that represents your financial risk. The exact factors (and their weights) used to determine your insurance-based credit score can vary by company but typically include:

• Your existing debt, such as mortgages, credit cards and installment loans. 
• Your payment history.
• The age of your credit accounts. 
• Number of applications during a specific period of time. 
• The type of credit accounts you have.

Expert tip: If you have poor credit, you can improve your credit score — and your insurance-based credit score — by making timely payments and keeping low credit card balances.

Compare car insurance rates for drivers with a DUI

A DUI can be costly on a number of levels. You could harm yourself or someone else and you could face jail time and/or a license suspension. You’ll also pay a lot more for your car insurance. The average cost of car insurance after a DUI is $3,363 per year, or $280 per month — 71% more when compared to the average good driver rate.

Compare car insurance rates for drivers in an at-fault accident

Your insurer may increase your rate if you’re at fault for an accident. After an accident with property damage, the average car insurance rate is $2,994 per year, or $250 per month — a 48% increase compared to good driver rates. 

An accident with bodily injuries increases rates by an average of 49%, costing drivers an average of $3,009 per year, or $251 per month.

Compare car insurance rates for drivers with a speeding ticket

Car insurance companies see a speeding ticket as a red flag, associating the violation with increased risk. On average, a driver with one speeding ticket pays $2,533 per year, or $211 per month, for coverage. That’s about 25% more than the rates for a driver with a clean record. Additional speeding tickets can send rates even higher.

Have violations on your record? Best car insurance for high-risk drivers

Compare car insurance rates for seniors

According to the most recent Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) data, senior drivers are involved in fewer fatal car accidents than in the past. Still, drivers aged 70 and older are involved in more fatal crashes per mile traveled than middle-aged drivers. Older drivers also typically pay more for coverage as they age.

• Age 65: $1,892 per year, or $158 per month.
• Age 70: $2,011 per year, or $168 per month.
• Age 75: $2,223 per year, or $185 per month. 
• Age 80: $2,474 per year, or $206 per month.

Here’s a look at how senior car insurance rates compare by age and insurer.

Compare car insurance rates after adding a teen driver to a parent policy

Teens have the highest rates of all age groups, a reflection of their lack of driving experience and the risk that carries. Adding a teen driver to a parent’s policy is significantly cheaper than it is for a teen to purchase their own policy. 

How much you’ll pay for a teen driver on your policy will depend, in part, on their age: 

• Age 16: $4,951 per year, or $413 per month.
• Age 17: $4,530 per year, or $377 per month.
• Age 18: $4,198 per year, or $350 per month.

Here’s how much it may cost for teen car insurance if you add a 16-, 17- or 18-year-old to your policy.

How to compare car insurance policies

Here are some tips on how to properly compare car insurance policies to make sure you’re getting the proper coverage for the best price.

• Collect quotes for the same types and amounts of coverage. If you’re considering various coverage amounts or aren’t sure if you want to include optional coverage, like collision and comprehensive, get quotes for each option from each insurer. 

• Don’t limit your comparison to price. While rates are a great place to start, the best car insurance company for you may not be the cheapest one. 

• Compare offerings and features. Not all policies are created equal. Some insurers may offer features like a disappearing deductible or add-ons like gap insurance while others don’t. Consider your current and potential needs and how an insurer will be able to meet them. 

• Review the insurer’s websites, mobile apps and other resources. See how they fit with your policy management expectations and coverage needs.

• Consider bundling options. Most insurance companies provide discounts to customers who purchase more than one policy, such as car insurance and homeowners or renters insurance. 

• Look for discounts. Most insurers offer at least a few car insurance discounts, like multi-policy/bundling discounts, good student discounts and safety feature discounts. Once you narrow your list of potential insurers down, contact each to find out if you’re eligible for any discounts not included in your quote. 

• Evaluate car insurance reviews. You can do this from third-party sites and organizations as well as from friends and family who have experience with the insurer. 

Shopping for car insurance? Best car insurance companies of 2024

Comparing car insurance rates: Where to get quotes

The first step to getting car insurance quotes is to know where to look. You have several options.

Shop online

Most car insurance companies allow you to enter some basic information about yourself and your vehicle on their website to help you get your quote. You may also be able to get a quote for a home and auto insurance bundle, depending on the insurer. 

Over the phone

If you prefer to speak with someone to get a quote, or if you can’t complete your quote online, you can call an insurance company directly. If you call the insurer directly, you’ll work with a captive agent who represents only the insurer you called. 

You can also choose to work with an independent agent over the phone. These agents don't work for a specific company, meaning they can provide quotes from multiple insurers. 

In person 

If the auto insurance companies you’re considering have branches nearby, or if you’re working with an independent agent with a local office, you can get a car insurance quote face-to-face.

Like quotes over the phone, working face-to-face with an insurance agent can help you better understand policy options and discuss your coverage needs. However, if an insurer doesn’t have an office nearby, you may miss out on a quote from them by limiting yourself to in-person quotes. 

Using online car insurance comparison tools

Another way to get car insurance is through online car insurance comparison websites. These sites are a great place to start your search because they give you access to multiple insurers at once, using a single quote application. After you submit your information, you’ll receive quotes from multiple insurers, either on the website, via email or by phone.

What is the cheapest car insurance?

USAA has the best cheap car insurance, based on our analysis of the top insurers in the nation. However, USAA insurance products are only available to members of the military community and their eligible family members. If you’re not eligible for USAA, consider a policy with Auto-Owners. It has the second lowest rates for most drivers. Geico, Westfield, Nationwide and Travelers also offer competitive car insurance rates. 

Cheapest car insurance comparison

Car insurance quotes FAQs

Which car insurance is the cheapest?

USAA has the cheapest rates for good drivers, but coverage is limited to members of the military community and eligible family members. If you don’t qualify for a USAA policy, Auto-Owners, Geico, Westfield and Travelers also offer competitive rates, based on our analysis of national rates by insurers.

Looking for affordable car insurance? These companies have the cheapest car insurance rates.

Can you get auto insurance online?

Yes, it is possible to get car insurance online. Many car insurance companies allow you to get a car insurance quote online, and if you like your rate, you may be able to purchase your policy immediately. You may even receive a discount for doing so. 

Not all insurers allow this, and you may need to work directly with an agent to complete the policy purchase process.

How do car insurance companies determine my rate?

Insurers will use a number of factors to price your car insurance policy, including: 

• Age.
• Coverage type and amount. 
• Credit history.
• Driving record.
• Frequency of use/miles driven.
• Gender (most, but not all states).
• Location.
• Make and model of vehicle.

 Even though insurers use similar factors, rates will vary by company. Getting at least three car insurance quotes can help you determine your “average” rate and the best car insurance for your driver profile. 

Are auto insurance rates based on gender?

Many states allow insurers to factor in gender when determining a customer’s car insurance rates. Gender-based rates are banned in California, Hawaii, Massachusetts, Michigan, North Carolina and Pennsylvania.

Is car insurance cheaper for homeowners?

Auto insurance is not necessarily cheaper for homeowners, but if you buy your home and auto insurance with the same insurance company, you may be eligible for a bundling discount.

How do you lower your car insurance quotes?

The fastest way to lower your car insurance quote is by adjusting the limit and deductible you use for the quote. The lower your policy limit, or the total amount an insurer will pay after a claim, the lower your rates will be. Likewise, a higher deductible, or the amount of money an insurer will deduct from a claims check, will also lower your rates.

Keep in mind that lowering your policy limits or increasing your deductible can leave you on the hook for a bigger portion of accident-related expenses after a claim.

Other ways to lower car insurance rates include looking for discounts and not including coverages you don’t need. For instance, if you’re trying to reduce your costs, you may want to consider foregoing optional coverages, like roadside assistance.