Compare Auto Insurance Quotes (from $30/mo) | ValuePenguin

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Compare the best car insurance rates

State Farm, Farm Bureau and USAA are the three national companies that have the best auto insurance rates for minimum coverage, on average.

Your car insurance cost will vary based on where you live, your driving history and more.

Bar graph comparing the cheapest auto insurance companies

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Minimum coverage car insurance rates by company

Factors that affect car insurance quotes

The main factor that affects car insurance rates is the amount of coverage you choose. Beyond your coverage levels, many elements can affect your rates including your age, location, vehicle, driving record and credit score.

Compare rates by:

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Compare car insurance rates by state

Minimum liability car insurance quotes vary by up to $168 per month from one state to the next.

This is in part because insurance is regulated on a state level, meaning that each state requires drivers to have a different amount of coverage. Comparing auto insurance rates by state can show how much state regulations affect the price of car insurance where you live.

Average auto insurance rates by state

Minimum coverage car insurance quotes by state

Compare car insurance quotes by accident history

Car insurance rates for full coverage increase by 49% after an at-fault accident, on average. However, not all insurance companies increase prices by the same amount.

Geico has the largest increase in rates after an accident, at 70%. State Farm tends to penalize drivers less — it increases rates by 26%, on average.

Average annual insurance rates by company

Rates by state after an accident

Where you live also affects your car insurance rate after an accident. Drivers in Rhode Island are fortunate: Full coverage auto insurance rates only go up by 26% after an accident, on average. Car insurance quotes in California double after an accident — the highest increase in the nation.

Full coverage car insurance rates by state after an accident

State

Monthly rate

Increase

Alabama$21051%Alaska$16641%Arizona$22742%Arkansas$21456%California$296104%

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Compare car insurance rates by age

Minimum coverage car insurance quotes for 18-year-old drivers are twice the price on average compared to rates for 30-year-old drivers.

Age is a major factor when comparing car insurance rates. Younger drivers pay more for auto insurance than older drivers because insurance companies consider them more likely to get into an accident.

Car insurance rates generally spike again in your later years because senior drivers pose a higher risk than middle-aged drivers.

Minimum coverage car insurance rates by age for young drivers

Compare car insurance rates by credit score

Drivers with poor credit pay twice as much for full coverage car insurance compared to people with good credit, on average.

In most states, credit scores factor into your auto insurance quotes. Drivers with good or excellent credit scores tend to pay lower car insurance rates, while those with poor or bad credit scores usually pay more for insurance.

Average monthly full coverage car insurance rates by credit score

Company

Good credit

Poor credit

Change

State Farm$99$241143%Farm Bureau$134$21762%Geico$140$21251%Travelers$146$26883%Progressive$156$25966%

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Find Cheap Auto Insurance Quotes in Your Area

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Insurance companies use a calculation — called a credit-based insurance score — to rate customers. Your credit doesn’t affect your driving, but insurance companies have found a correlation that having a lower credit score means you’re more likely to file an insurance claim.

State Farm has the biggest rate increase for drivers with poor credit — the rate for drivers with poor credit is two and half times the rate for drivers with good credit. On the other hand, Nationwide has the smallest upcharge, only increasing rates by 44% for drivers with a poor credit history.

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Some states have outlawed the use of credit scores to decide your car insurance rates, including California and Michigan. If you live in one of these states, your quotes won’t factor in your credit score.

How to compare car insurance quotes

Before comparing quotes, figure out how much coverage you need, and then be prepared to answer some basic questions about your car and driving history.

1. Gather your personal info

Online car insurance quote tools and insurance agents can provide you with an estimate, but the quotes you receive will only be as accurate as the information you provide. To compare quotes online, have some basic personal info ready.

Your information:

  • Name
  • Age
  • Address
  • Driver’s license number
  • Info about other drivers on the policy
  • Current insurance company

Your vehicle:

  • Year, make and model
  • Vehicle information number (VIN)
  • Date of purchase
  • Mileage

Your driving history:

  • Ticket and accident history
  • License suspensions

2. Decide how much coverage you need

The amount of car insurance coverage you choose has a big impact on your quotes. Most states require drivers to have a minimum amount of coverage. However, we recommend a

full coverage policy

for most drivers.

It can be helpful to start with the current coverage you have, which you can typically find online or on your current policy declaration page.

Types of car insurance coverage

Most insurance companies also provide optional coverages for an additional cost, like emergency roadside assistance or rental car reimbursement.

When comparing car insurance rates, make sure you select the same coverage limits from each company for an apples-to-apples comparison.

In the cases of collision and comprehensive insurance — which don’t have limits — make sure you select the same deductibles.

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3. Collect and compare car insurance quotes

Visit insurance company websites and use their online quote tools to compare quotes from different companies. Start by getting quotes from the cheapest car insurance companies or the best companies near you.

Car insurance prices change over time. When collecting quotes, save the reference number so you can get back to the quote later. Also, quotes may expire after a few weeks, so if you find a good price, don’t wait too long to buy coverage.

Frequently asked questions

What’s the best car insurance company right now?

State Farm is the best car insurance company for most drivers. State Farm has affordable rates and reliable customer service, and it’s available in most areas. However, it’s important to compare multiple quotes to make sure you’re getting the best rate for you.

Why should I compare auto insurance quotes online?

Every driver will get a different rate for insurance based on your address, car and driving history. You will also find a different quote from each insurance company. The only way to find the best price for you is to get multiple quotes from different companies, which only takes a few minutes when you use an online quote tool.

When should I compare car insurance?

You should compare insurance every year to make sure you’re always getting the best rate. At the very least, you should shop for quotes any time something in your life changes that could affect your rates. This includes buying a new car, moving, having a driver added to or removed from your policy, getting a ticket or being involved in an accident.

Which type of car insurance is cheapest?

Minimum coverage insurance is the cheapest policy you can buy. The average cost of minimum coverage insurance is $58 per month across the country. However, minimum coverage insurance only provides enough protection to legally drive in your state, which may not be enough for many drivers.

What do I need to compare insurance quotes?

To compare car insurance rates, you’ll need your home address, the make and model of your car and a record of any recent tickets or driving incidents. You might need your driver’s license number and VIN for the most accurate quote. It can be helpful to have a copy of your current insurance declaration page handy, to make sure your quotes have the same amount of coverage you have now.

How much should I be paying for car insurance?

On average, drivers pay $58 per month for minimum coverage insurance and $148 per month for full coverage insurance. However, rates vary based on where you live, your driving record and your age.

Is insurance cheaper once you are 25?

Car insurance rates tend to go down as you get older. A 25-year-old driver can expect to pay about 33% less for minimum coverage car insurance than a 21-year-old.