Best Car Insurance Companies (2024)

Car insurance is a non-negotiable part of driving, and you probably already know the importance of finding the best auto insurance for your needs. But the best auto insurance companies will be different for every type of driver.

Whether you’re looking to save money, have an excellent customer experience, or personalize your coverage, the best company for you may depend on factors like age, driving record, military status, and ZIP code.

We’ve compiled this list of top insurance options to help you find the best auto insurance company for your specific circ*mstances.

Key Takeaways

• GEICO, Allstate, and State Farm are our top-rated insurers of 2024, but there’s not one company that’s best for every driver.
• The level of coverage you need can affect how much you pay for your auto insurance.
• People with DUIs, tickets, or accidents on their records will pay the highest auto insurance premiums — but several companies specialize in high-risk drivers.

Compare.com’s Best Car Insurance Companies of 2024

Just as no two drivers have the exact same driving history, no two insurance companies will be the best fit for every driver. Not only do some insurers specialize in certain types of drivers or coverage, but each driver’s unique circ*mstances can affect the quotes they receive from insurance companies.

The following 10 insurance companies are the best options for drivers in a variety of circ*mstances.

How we chose the best companies

Our team analyzed and scored each company based on criteria such as customer satisfaction, ease of use, availability, and industry reputation.

To calculate ratings, we chose the following 10 companies based on factors such as average rates and discounts, available coverage, customer satisfaction, and claims process.

GEICO: Best for Affordable Coverage

Compare.com Rating: 4.65 out of 5

Average Monthly Premium: $70

Pros:

• Wide variety of insurance products
• Affordable rates for high-risk drivers
• Highly rated mobile app

Cons:

• Limited discounts
• Doesn’t offer gap insurance
• Few local agents

If you’re looking for lower rates, it may be a good idea to get a quote from GEICO, which offers the cheapest national average rates of any insurance company.

But the low cost may come with less satisfactory customer service. J.D. Power gives GEICO a customer satisfaction score of 874 (out of 1,000) — only one point above the industry average of 873. Additionally, the NAIC reports that GEICO has a company complaint index of 1.21, which is significantly higher than the national average of 1.0.

Read more: GEICO Auto Insurance Review

Allstate: Best for Discounts

Compare.com Rating: 4.93 out of 5

Average Monthly Premium: $155

Pros:

• Broad selection of coverage options
• Investment and retirement offerings
• Available in all 50 states

Cons:

• Potential issues with Drivewise and Milewise mobile apps
• High volume of customer service complaints
• Reportedly slow, frustrating claims process

With 40 distinct discounts, Allstate offers drivers the most possible ways to lower their auto insurance premiums. Discounts include savings for purchasing multiple policies, driving a new car, being a good student, and going paperless.

Allstate also scored well in the J.D. Power customer satisfaction study, with a score of 889. Unfortunately, Allstate receives nearly two-and-a-half times the number of complaints compared to the industry average, with an NAIC complaint score of 2.42.

Read more: Allstate Auto Insurance Review

State Farm: Best for Drivers with DUIs

Compare.com Rating: 4.90 out of 5

Average Monthly Premium: $86

Pros:

• Among the best customer service satisfaction in the industry
• 24/7 claims service with large repair network
• Lots of available discounts

Cons:

• High rates for high-risk drivers
• Limited coverage options
• More customer complaints than average

Drivers often find it difficult to find affordable insurance after a DUI conviction. But with an average monthly cost of $85, State Farm has the cheapest average liability policy rates for drivers with a DUI.

State Farm also has a higher-than-average J.D. Power customer service satisfaction rating, scoring 882 on a scale of 1,000. However, it has an NAIC complaint rating of 1.48, which is higher than the national average.

Read more: State Farm Auto Insurance Review

Progressive: Best for Spotty Driving Records

Compare.com Rating: 4.73 out of 5

Average Monthly Premium: $109

Pros:

• Great discount programs
• Snapshot can save drivers as much as 30%
• 24/7 customer service and claims availability

Cons:

• Higher rates that other large insurers
• Vague loyalty program requirements
• Snapshot mobile app issues

Having a less-than-perfect driving history can result in higher premiums. If you have traffic citations, accidents, or other moving violations on your driving record, you may want to get a quote from Progressive. This popular company used to specialize in non-standard policies for high-risk drivers, and Progressive still offers affordable rates for drivers with tickets, accidents, and DUIs.

Customer satisfaction with Progressive is below average, however, and the company scored an 861 with J.D. Power on that measure — significantly lower than the industry average of 873. The company also has a higher-than-average number of complaints, with an NAIC complaint rating of 1.46.

Read more: Progressive Auto Insurance Review

SafeAuto: Best for Bad Credit

Compare.com Rating: 4.15 out of 5

Average Monthly Premium: $136

Pros:

• Affordable full-coverage rates
• Plenty of discounts
• Solid online tools and mobile app

Cons:

• Higher-than-average number of customer complaints
• Actual discount amounts unknown
• Difficult-to-navigate website

With the exception of insurance companies in California, Hawaii, Massachusetts, and Michigan, auto insurers may use a driver’s credit score as a factor in determining premium rates. But SafeAuto is the best auto insurance company for drivers with bad credit because it offers some of the most affordable rates for drivers with “poor” credit (a FICO score of 600 or below). Such drivers pay an average of just $107 per month for liability policies.

SafeAuto isn’t ranked by J.D. Power, and consumers should be aware of SafeAuto’s complaint rating of 14.25 with the NAIC. This means the company receives more than 14 times as many complaints as the national average.

Read more: SafeAuto Insurance Review

Hugo: Best for Flexible Coverage

Compare.com Rating: 3.22 out of 5

Average Monthly Premium: $193

Pros:

• Get coverage for as little as three days
• Turn coverage on and off as needed
• Same-day policies with no down payment

Cons:

• No SR-22 insurance
• Higher rates for drivers with spotty records
• Full-coverage policies available only in IL and CA

Drivers who spend very little time behind the wheel can sometimes struggle to find the kind of coverage that fits their minimal needs. Hugo’s “Flex Plan” allows drivers to pay for as little as three days at a time and turn coverage on or off as needed, meaning you don’t have to pay for coverage you don’t need.

J.D. Power doesn’t currently rank Hugo, and the company is underwritten by Aspire General Insurance Company, which has an NAIC complaint index rating of 9.29. That said, Hugo is a relatively new company, first launching in 2021, so some early kinks are to be expected.

Read more: Hugo Insurance Review

Farmers: Best for Personalized Service

Compare.com Rating: 4.53 out of 5

Average Monthly Premium: $154

Pros:

• Lots of coverage options
• Plenty of discounts and bundling opportunities
• Local agents

Cons:

• Above-average premiums
• Telematics can raise rates
• Doesn’t offer coverage in all 50 states

Drivers looking to work with an insurance agent may want to check out Farmers. This company has a large network of local insurance agents, which means you can count on more personalized service than an online-only insurer can offer.

Farmers also boasts a higher-than-average customer service rating from J.D. Power, with a score of 882. This company also reports fewer complaints compared to the national average, according to the NAIC. Farmers has a complaint index score of 0.79, which means it has over 20% fewer complaints than average (and among the fewest of any company on this list).

Read more: Farmers Insurance Review

Travelers: Best for Maximum Coverage

Compare.com Rating: 4.57 out of 5

Average Monthly Premium: $128

Pros:

• Very few customer complaints
• Low average costs for full-coverage policies
• Offers accident forgiveness

Cons:

• Low customer satisfaction scores
• Higher-than-average rates for basic liability coverage
• Not available in all 50 states

Drivers who want maximum coverage to protect them against more potential losses don’t want to pay maximum premiums. Travelers is the best auto insurance policy for drivers who want or need full-coverage auto insurance since it offers competitive rates on full-coverage policies — averaging $171 per month.

That said, Travelers has a low J.D. Power customer satisfaction score of 854 — nearly 20 points below the industry average. However, this company has a very low NAIC complaint index rating, with a score of 0.31, meaning it has nearly 70% fewer complaints than the national average.

Read more: Travelers Insurance

Liberty Mutual: Best for Basic Coverage

Compare.com Rating: 4.62 out of 5

Average Monthly Premium: $112

Pros:

• Competitive rates and plenty of discounts
• RightTrack program can help good drivers save money
• Lots of information about coverage details

Cons:

• Mixed customer service reviews
• Long and frustrating claims process reported by customers
• Technical issues with quote process

Drivers who only want the minimum coverage legally required by their state may want to get a quote from Liberty Mutual. This insurer offers great rates for state-minimum liability policies, with an average cost of only $75 per month.

But keep in mind that Liberty Mutual scores an 870 on J.D. Power’s customer service satisfaction rating, which is slightly below the industry average of 874. The company also has a high NAIC complaint index rating of 3.10, which means it receives more than three times the average number of complaints for the industry.

Read more: Liberty Mutual Auto Insurance Review

National General: Best for SR-22s

Compare.com Rating: 4.30 out of 5

Average Monthly Premium: $187

Pros:

• Great website and mobile app
• Policy options for high-risk drivers
• Auto rates below the national average

Cons:

• Lower-than-average claims satisfaction scores
• Higher-than-average number of customer complaints
• Few discount opportunities

High-risk drivers may be required to file an SR-22 form as proof of insurance with their state’s department of motor vehicles. Since you’re not required to file an SR-22 unless you’ve been deemed high-risk (because of accidents, DUIs, or other moving violations), most insurers willing to file an SR-22 are considered “non-standard” companies.

National General offers highly competitive rates compared to most non-standard companies and is willing to insure high-risk drivers who need SR-22s. But National General scored below the industry average with a score of 838 on the J.D. Power customer satisfaction score. The company also has an NAIC complaint index rating of 1.56, which means National General gets over 50% more complaints than the average insurer of its size.

Read more: National General Auto Insurance Review

5 Tips to Find the Best Car Insurance for You

As we’ve already mentioned, there’s no single car insurance company that’s best for every driver. In fact, because so many personal factors affect your rate, it can feel overwhelming trying to find the best company for your unique profile and needs.

Fortunately, the process of finding the right insurance company is easier than you think. These five expert tips will hopefully help you find better and more affordable insurance in no time.

1. Understand your needs

Every driver has unique needs — what’s important to you might be irrelevant to your friend or neighbor. So, the first step toward finding the right insurance company is understanding your needs and identifying your pain points. Consider your budget, the amount of financial risk you’re comfortable with, and your unique driver profile to get a good idea of what you need.

Unless you’re a seasoned driver with a flawless driving record, you’re probably struggling with a couple of pain points that cause your rates to be more expensive than you’d like. For example, recent marks on your driving record or less-than-perfect credit can drive your rates up. A recent speeding ticket costs the average driver an extra 37% for their insurance premium, according to our analysis.

Identifying your pain points and needs can help you better understand your rates and find insurance companies specializing in drivers like you.

2. Decide how much coverage you need

Next, set a baseline by outlining how much coverage your state and lender require. If you’re unsure how much coverage you need, keep in mind that full-coverage insurance is optional, and nearly every state requires liability insurance.

For example, a driver from Texas who finances their vehicle will need to purchase a liability policy that includes at least $30,000 of bodily injury liability coverage per person, $60,000 of bodily injury coverage per accident, and $25,000 of property damage liability coverage. They’ll also need to purchase comprehensive and collision coverages since lenders and leasing companies require them.

Full-coverage insurance typically includes comprehensive, collision, and liability insurance. You should consider purchasing it if you have a new or expensive car or can’t afford to repair or replace your vehicle after an accident.

You can stick with a liability-only policy as long as you purchase your state’s minimum requirements and are prepared for the potential out-of-pocket expense if you cause an accident. But buying higher liability limits is always a good idea — at least enough to cover your net worth.

3. Do your research

Whether you’re buying a new TV or shopping for car insurance, it’s always helpful to research your options before jumping to a decision. Think about the sorts of things you value in an insurer, and research the best options for those factors.

For example, if you care about price above all else, GEICO is probably a good place to start since it tends to have the best rates for many driver types. But if you’re looking for the reliability of a local agent, a stress-free claims experience, or top-notch customer service, you may want to look elsewhere.

J.D. Power, AM Best, and the NAIC are great places to start. If you value customer satisfaction, J.D. Power’s annual auto insurance study can be an incredibly valuable resource. Likewise, AM Best’s financial strength ratings can give you a good idea of a company’s ability to pay out claims. And lastly, the NAIC’s complaint index will help you determine if a company has a higher-than-average frequency of customer complaints.

4. Consider lesser-known insurers

Insurance behemoths like State Farm, Progressive, and GEICO are likely the first names that come to mind when you think about insurance companies, but the industry is filled with hundreds of companies of various sizes.

Some companies operate nationally and use their large footprints to bring overall rates down, but others instead focus on a smaller area or customer demographic. For example, drivers outside of New Jersey may not have heard of NJM Insurance, but it’s consistently one of the best choices for drivers in that state.

Just because you’ve never heard of an insurance company or don’t see its ads on TV doesn’t mean it’s worth writing off.

5. Compare as many quotes as possible

The single most important piece of advice to help all drivers find the right policy is to compare quotes from as many insurers as possible. After all, the industry is filled with hundreds of companies — how are you supposed to be confident you’ve found the right one if you’ve only gotten a quote from one or two?

While getting individual quotes from each insurer certainly sounds like a time-consuming endeavor, insurance–comparison sites bring the insurers to you, allowing you to get quotes from multiple companies at once.

Types of Car Insurance Coverage

You may encounter a number of different types of car insurance coverage when shopping for auto insurance. Some of the most common types of coverage include:

• Bodily injury liability: This mandatory coverage pays for the medical bills and other associated costs of a person who was injured because of an accident you caused.
• Property damage liability: Another mandatory coverage, this type of liability insurance will pay to repair or replace someone else’s property damaged in an accident you caused.
• Personal injury protection (PIP): Mandatory in some states, PIP covers your medical bills and associated costs if you’re injured in an auto accident, regardless of fault.
• Uninsured/underinsured motorists coverage: Some states require this coverage, which pays your medical bills and associated costs if you’re injured by a driver who doesn’t have adequate insurance.
• Collision coverage: This coverage isn’t legally mandated, but drivers who finance or lease their vehicles are required to have it. Collision coverage pays to repair or replace your vehicle if it’s damaged in an accident, even if you’re at fault (the at-fault driver’s liability insurance will usually cover repair costs if you aren’t at fault).
• Comprehensive coverage: This optional coverage will pay to repair or replace your vehicle if it’s damaged by anything other than a car accident. This might include things like vandalism, weather damage, fire, or theft.

Best Car Insurance FAQs

The best car insurance company for you will depend on your particular circ*mstances, including your driving history, where you live, your credit score, and your age. Here’s some additional guidance to help you find the right insurer for your needs.

What car insurance company is the best?

No single company is best for every driver, so it’s hard to choose just one insurer. We’ve found that GEICO is the best for affordable coverage, while State Farm and Progressive are likely better choices for drivers with recent infractions on their records. Likewise, smaller companies, like Hugo or The General, might be worth considering if you have specialized needs.

At the end of the day, the best way to find the best company for you is to compare quotes from multiple companies.

What is the cheapest car insurance?

GEICO offers the cheapest average rate for car insurance, at $70 per month, according to Compare.com data. But State Farm isn’t far behind with an average monthly premium of $86. That said, these insurers may not be the cheapest option for everyone, so compare car insurance quotes from several insurers before purchasing a policy.

Which company has the best car insurance for teens?

The best car insurance companies for teen drivers include GEICO, State Farm, and Nationwide. But the best company for you depends on your driver profile. GEICO offers the overall cheapest rate of $153 per month when you add your teen to your policy. On the other hand, Safeco and State Farm are both good options if you have a speeding ticket or an accident on your driving record.

How can you find the best price on car insurance?

The best way to find a low rate on auto insurance is to get car insurance quotes from different companies. You can use our auto insurance comparison calculator to compare rates from 65+ top insurers in minutes.

How does your location affect the cost and coverage of car insurance?

Auto insurance costs can vary a great deal from one state to the next, one ZIP code to the next, and even within a single city. That’s because your location can determine a number of risk factors, such as the amount you drive, your area’s crime rates, and the likelihood of weather-related damage to your vehicle.

Methodology

Data scientists at Compare.com analyzed more than 50 million real-time auto insurance quotes from more than 75 partner insurers in order to compile the rates and statistics seen in this article. Compare.com’s auto insurance data includes coverage analysis and details on drivers’ vehicles, driving records, insurance histories, and demographic information.

All the rates listed in this article have been collected from a combination of real Compare.com quotes and external insurance rate data gathered in collaboration with Quadrant Information Services. Compare.com uses these observations to provide readers with insights into how auto insurance companies determine their premiums.

Rating Methodology:

Compare.com’s mission is to help our readers make more informed decisions about their personal finances. Our editorial staff has crafted a proprietary, objective rating formula — the Compare.com Rating — to make it easier for our readers to analyze and compare many of the industry’s most well-known insurers. The score you see referenced in this article is based on several factors, including:

• Cost: How the insurer’s average rates compare to its direct competitors and the industry as a whole. This includes available savings opportunities, such as discounts and other factors.
• Customer satisfaction: How satisfied existing customers are with the service they receive. This includes the insurer’s scores among various third-party studies, such as the J.D. Power U.S. Insurance Shopping and Claims Satisfaction studies, and the National Association of Insurance Commissioners (NAIC) Complaint Index, among others.
• Ease-of-use: How easy it is for policyholders to utilize their policies. This includes mobile app availability, customer service availability, payment flexibility, and other related factors.
• Availability: The overall scope of the company’s insurance offerings. This includes available coverage types, national footprint, and other related factors.
• Industry reputation: A measure of the insurer’s overall standing within the industry. This includes its AM Best Financial Strength rating, BBB accreditation, and other related factors.

Sources

1. J.D. Power, “2023 U.S. Auto Insurance Study,” last accessed May 14, 2024.
2. NAIC, “Consumer Research,” last accessed May 14, 2024.
3. Consumer’s Advocate, “Hugo Car Insurance Review,” last accessed May 14, 2024.