Best Cheap Car Insurance Companies (2024)

Geico’s advertising presence has made it one of the most recognizable brands in auto insurance, and this insurance provider’s prices and customer service have made it one of the most beloved. It’s hard to beat the famous gecko.

Geico famously tells drivers that they could save 15% or more by switching to the carrier, but how does it provide such savings? The answer comes with the company’s comprehensivediscounts. As a Geico policyholder, you could get discounts based on your car’s safety equipment (airbags, antilock brakes, antitheft systems), your driving habits (good driver, seat belt use), your employer (federal employee, military and some individual employers) and courses you take (defensive driving, driver’s education course).

Geico also racks up awards. Most recently, the company won two Webbys, indicating excellence in online user experience. Geico Mobile was a 2021 Winner for both Best Practices and Technical Achievement for Apps & Software.

Check out our full review ofGeico Auto Insurance.

The General Automobile Insurance Services has been serving customers for over 50 years and, like Geico, has gained notice from a series of TV commercials and a catchy slogan. In addition to car insurance, The General offerslife insurance policiesthrough parent company American Family Insurance, opening the opportunity tobundle, which may save you even more money if you’re also in the market for life insurance.

The General acknowledges that not every driver can boast the cleanest record, and that mistakes -- such as accidents and driving violations -- happen behind the wheel. Still, the company endeavors to provide reasonable rates to drivers who may fall under the “nonstandard” label. It’s also worth noting that insurance acquired through The General is underwritten by a number of companies that have been recognized by AM Best with an “A” rating, while The General itself has obtained an A- (excellent) rating.

The General extends additional benefits to all customers. For instance, the company offers a “low down payment” option for its plans, as well as discounts based on your car’s safety equipment, your own driving record and more.

In order to be eligible for a policy with the United Services Automobile Association, you need to be either a US service member, a veteran or a qualifying family member. USAA offers a slew of perks focusing on military coverage, including discounts for vehicle storage while deployed, which could save you up to 60% off your premium.

Needless to say, that disqualifies most people -- but if you are eligible for auto insurance with USAA, the insurer has a host of car insurance discounts available, so most drivers will likely be able to save even more money. Discounts include those for safe driving, taking driving training or defensive driver courses, insuring multiple vehicles, continuing a family membership and storing a car on a military base.

Auto-Owners is in a little over half of the US, selling policies in 26 states. The great thing about this regional insurer is that the local network of 48,000 agents allows policyholders to get individual attention from their local representatives. Additionally, Auto-Owners has low rates, on average, for minimum coverage.

The national average annual minimum coverage premium sits at $545, but Auto-Owners’ minimum coverage policies cost just $325 per year on average,according to data from Bankrate.

Auto-Owners has been in this business for more than a century, and they’ve adapted to new technology across time as the mobile app makes it easy to manage your account, track your claims and call for roadside assistance. Like Travelers, Auto-Owners has an extensive list of discounts you may be able to take advantage of, including bundling, student away at school, teen driver monitoring and good student discounts.

Erie Insurance is another century-old carrier on this list that provides robust coverage to its customers. It’s difficult to place Erie on this list given that it’s only available in 12 states -- but if you can find it, it’s an option worth looking into.

Erie’s average minimum coverage premium is cheap at just $476 per year, just about $70 less than the national average,according to Bankrate. Moreover, the company also boasts high customer satisfaction scores from J.D. Power, a low number of complaints from the National Association of Insurance Commissioners and a high collision repair score from Crash Network.

Not only can you bring your home and auto insurance under one roof, Erie auto coverage may also include pet, ride-sharing (like Uber or Lyft) and personal item coverage, depending on which coverages you purchase.

Erie operates in its native Pennsylvania, as well as Indiana, Kentucky, Ohio, Illinois, West Virginia, Maryland, North Carolina, New York, Wisconsin, Tennessee, Virginia and DC.

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