Best Car Insurance Companies of October 2024
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After thoroughly evaluating over 50 of the nation’s auto insurers, NerdWallet’s editorial team has put together a list of the best car insurance companies. We based our ratings on important factors like coverage and discount options, affordability, customer satisfaction and financial strength ratings.
Here are the best car insurance companies of 2024:
Travelers: Best car insurance company overall.
Geico: Best for affordability.
American Family: Best for having few customer complaints.
Auto-Owners: Best for financial strength.
State Farm: Best for customer satisfaction.
USAA: Best for military members.
See what you could save on car insurance
Easily compare personalized rates to see how much switching car insurance could save you.The 6 best car insurance companies
Here’s our list of the best auto insurance companies for each category, plus their average rates and what makes them the best.
Travelers
Discounts
Ease of use
NAIC complaints
Travelers
Discounts
Ease of use
NAIC complaints
Full coverage cost per year, on average
$1,386
Full coverage cost per month, on average
$116
Minimum coverage cost per month, on average
$39
Why it’s the best:
Travelers tops our list as the company with the best overall score in 2024 out of the insurers we ranked. Because our auto insurance ratings reward companies for customer-first features and practices, this category represents an overall solid choice for drivers seeking a well-rounded insurance company.
You can get all the standard auto coverage options from Travelers, along with extras like new car replacement coverage and gap insurance, both of which are useful if you drive a relatively new vehicle. Travelers also offers a host of car insurance discounts.
» Read the full review: Travelers auto insurance review
See what you could save on car insurance
Easily compare personalized rates to see how much switching car insurance could save you.
Geico
Discounts
Ease of use
NAIC complaints
Geico
Discounts
Ease of use
NAIC complaints
Full coverage cost per year, on average
$1,296
Full coverage cost per month, on average
$108
Minimum coverage cost per month, on average
$29
Why it’s the best:
Geico is the best car insurance company when it comes to your wallet. According to our analysis, Geico's average rate for full coverage insurance is $1,296 per year, the lowest out of our list of the best car insurance companies.
Beyond its affordability, this insurer stands out for its wide variety of discounts and the many ways Geico customers can manage their policies online.
» Read the full review: Geico auto insurance review
American Family
Discounts
Ease of use
NAIC complaints
American Family
Discounts
Ease of use
NAIC complaints
Full coverage cost per year, on average
$1,324
Full coverage cost per month, on average
$110
Minimum coverage cost per month, on average
$42
Why it’s the best:
American Family received the lowest number of customer complaints relative to its size among NerdWallet’s top-rated auto insurance companies.
This insurer spotlights its Facebook customer reviews on its main website. It also encourages customers to voice concerns and opinions through multiple customer support channels, including over the phone, email and site feedback.
» Read the full review: American Family auto insurance review
Auto-Owners
Discounts
Ease of use
NAIC complaints
Auto-Owners
Discounts
Ease of use
NAIC complaints
Full coverage cost per year, on average
$1,451
Full coverage cost per month, on average
$121
Minimum coverage cost per month, on average
$31
Why it’s the best:
A company’s financial strength is one of the most important factors to consider when choosing an insurer, since it indicates a company’s ability to pay a claim. For this category, NerdWallet leaned on AM Best’s financial strength rating, which measures an insurer’s ability to meet its policy and contract commitments. Auto-Owners exhibits a strong financial backing and ability to pay insurance claims.
Geico, State Farm, Travelers and USAA tied Auto-Owners for financial strength.
» Read the full review: Auto-Owners insurance review
See what you could save on car insurance
Easily compare personalized rates to see how much switching car insurance could save you.
State Farm
Discounts
Ease of use
NAIC complaints
State Farm
Discounts
Ease of use
NAIC complaints
Full coverage cost per year, on average
$2,119
Full coverage cost per month, on average
$177
Minimum coverage cost per month, on average
$39
Why it’s the best:
The largest personal auto insurance company in the country, State Farm ranked No. 1 among eight large insurers in J.D. Power's 2023 U.S. Insurance Shopping Study. The same year, it ranked No. 5 out of 24 companies in J.D. Power’s U.S. Auto Claims Satisfaction Study and first for overall satisfaction in the Southwest.
» Read the full review: State Farm auto insurance review
USAA
Discounts
Ease of use
NAIC complaints
USAA
Discounts
Ease of use
NAIC complaints
Full coverage cost per year, on average
$1,174
Full coverage cost per month, on average
$98
Minimum coverage cost per month, on average
$25
Why it’s the best:
USAA is the top auto insurance company for military members. Only available to active military, veterans and their families, the company has relatively low insurance rates and provides other financial solutions for qualifying customers, such as banking and investment products. USAA has high customer satisfaction ratings and offers a discount for storing your car on a military base.
» Read the full review: USAA auto insurance review
Did your premium go up? You're not alone. The best car insurance companies are often among the cheapest, so compare quotes from a few of our top picks to see if you can get a better rate.
See what you could save on car insurance
Easily compare personalized rates to see how much switching car insurance could save you.Best car insurance companies: Honorable mentions
If you’re looking for even more options, here’s a list of other top-tier car insurers that earned a NerdWallet star rating of 4.5. While these companies didn’t win in any of our “best of” categories like our 5-star rated companies above, they represent well-rounded options worthy of consideration.
Company | Auto insurer ratings |
|---|---|
Acuity | 4.5 NerdWallet rating |
Why you can trust NerdWallet
Our writers and editors follow strict editorial guidelines to ensure fair, unbiased and accurate information so you can choose the best insurance company for you. These company ratings are specific to auto insurance — a company's rating for other types of insurance may be different on our site.
See our criteria for how we evaluate auto insurance companies.
Best car insurance companies by state
Car insurance company availability and their offerings can vary widely between states, so the best insurance companies nationwide might not be the best for you.
NerdWallet analyzed the auto insurance offerings available in different states to put together the best car insurance companies in 15 states in terms of four different categories: Best overall star rating, budget pick, best for customer satisfaction, and best for ease of use.
Find the best car insurance companies in your state below.
Best car insurance companies in:
Best car insurance companies in:
See what you could save on car insurance
Easily compare personalized rates to see how much switching car insurance could save you.The best car insurance companies according to Reddit users
Reddit is an online forum where users share their thoughts in “threads” on various topics. The popular site includes plenty of discussion on financial subjects like life insurance, so we sifted through Reddit forums to get a pulse check on how users feel about insurers. People post anonymously, so we cannot confirm their individual experiences or circumstances.
Everyone has different financial priorities and unique characteristics, so one insurer won’t be the best for all drivers. Others’ experiences can be valuable to get a picture of what you might expect from different insurers.
Some Reddit users called out USAA as offering the best auto insurance. One of them cited their “top-notch” claims service and coverage for original equipment manufacturer, or OEM, parts for newer model repairs. It’s important to note that USAA car insurance is only available to active military, veterans and their families. Additionally, our research at NerdWallet has found that several companies offer OEM parts in claim repairs, but it is wise to ask your agent or check the quote details before you buy.
Another Reddit user said Geico offers quick response time when calling their representatives or filing a claim. Like so many things auto-insurance related, this and other customer service practices can vary depending on your state.
According to another, Progressive stands out because the company offered him the cheapest rate and was easy to work with when he filed claims for two collision accidents where he was not at fault. He also found the payouts for both accidents to be fair. This Redditor’s experience is a good reminder to shop around after filing claims and receiving payouts, when rates are most likely to increase.
However, the general consensus among Redditors is that you’ll find the best car insurance by comparing quotes from different insurers and evaluating the amount of coverage you need.
How to find the best car insurance for you
While our best car insurance company winners can serve as a jumping off point in your quest for the best policy, everyone’s needs and circumstances are different.
Here are some tips on how to get the best insurance company for you:
Shop around. Price is a key consideration for many people, especially with car insurance rates on the rise. Pricing is based on many factors like your age, location, vehicle and driving history. Because every insurance company weighs these factors differently, it’s best to shop around for car insurance quotes to find the cheapest option.
Check for complaints. Most people don’t deal with their insurance company until they need to file a claim. Read NerdWallet’s guide on how to find complaints about insurance companies in your area and other information before you sign on the dotted line.
Consider smaller insurance companies. Small car insurance companies offer prices well below those of large competitors in many locations, and can often provide a better customer experience, too.
Shop strategically. If you’ve gotten a speeding ticket, DUI or other violation recently, be sure to shop three to five years after the incident, when surcharges can drop significantly.
Check your coverage. Ask your agent or a customer service representative if you’re getting the coverage you need so that you’re not under or over-insured. Use the tool below to learn about the different auto insurance coverage types.
» MORE: Compare car insurance
How NerdWallet chose the best car insurance companies
NerdWallet’s editorial team considered pricing, discounts, complaint data from the National Association of Insurance Commissioners and more to determine the best car insurance companies. As we continue to evaluate more insurance companies and receive fresh market data, this collection of best auto insurance companies is likely to change.
Here are the categories we evaluated each car insurance company on, plus the weights we placed on each:
Financial strength (30%). The best auto insurers are financially stable. Financial strength ratings indicate an insurer's ability to pay future claims. This category is based on assessments from independent agencies like AM Best, Moody's and Fitch.
Consumer complaints (30%). The best car insurance companies have a low number of customer complaints relative to their size and are able to keep their customers happy. This category is based on complaints received by state insurance regulators and reported to the National Association of Insurance Commissioners.
Ease of use (20%). The best auto insurers provide the information people need to make a purchase without any surprises along the way. This category is based on how easy it is to get quotes, file and track claims, learn about coverage and payment options, plus mobile app ratings.
Affordability (20%). The best auto insurance companies offer multiple ways to get a lower price, and this category is based on how many discounts a company offers.
See our full methodology for more details.
Insurer complaints methodology
NerdWallet examined complaints received by state insurance regulators and reported to the National Association of Insurance Commissioners in 2020-2022. To assess how insurers compare to one another, the NAIC calculates a complaint index each year for each subsidiary, measuring its share of total complaints relative to its size, or share of total premiums in the industry. To evaluate a company’s complaint history, NerdWallet calculated a similar index for each insurer, weighted by market shares of each subsidiary, over the three-year period. NerdWallet conducts its data analysis and reaches conclusions independently and without the endorsement of the NAIC. Ratios are determined separately for auto, home (including renters and condo) and life insurance.
Auto insurance ratings methodology
NerdWallet’s auto insurance ratings reward companies for customer-first features and practices. Ratings are based on weighted averages of scores in several categories, including financial strength, consumer complaints and discounts. Our “ease of use” category looks at factors such as website transparency and how easy it is to file a claim. Using our editorial discretion, we also consider customer satisfaction surveys. These ratings are a guide, but we encourage you to shop around and compare several insurance quotes to find the best rate for you. NerdWallet does not receive compensation for any reviews. Read our editorial guidelines and full ratings methodology for auto insurance.
Here’s how we evaluated each car insurance company in 2024 and the weights we placed on each category:
Financial strength (30%).
Consumer complaints (30%).
Ease of use (20%).
Affordability (20%).
The best auto insurers excel at all of these categories. They provide the information people need to make a purchase without any surprises along the way. They offer insurance at a fair price and provide more than one way to buy and manage a policy. They're financially strong and able to keep their customers happy throughout the relationship.
Average rates methodology
NerdWallet averaged rates based on public filings obtained by pricing analytics company Quadrant Information Services. We examined rates for men and women for all ZIP codes in any of the 50 states and Washington, D.C. Although it’s one of the largest insurers in the country, Liberty Mutual is not included in our rates analysis due to a lack of publicly available information.
In our analysis, “good drivers” had no moving violations on record; a “good driving” discount was included for this profile. Our “good” credit rates are based on credit score approximations and do not account for proprietary scoring criteria used by insurance providers.
These are median rates, and your rate will vary based on your personal details, state and insurance provider.
Sample drivers had the following coverage limits:
$100,000 bodily injury liability coverage per person.
$300,000 bodily injury liability coverage per crash.
$50,000 property damage liability coverage per crash.
$100,000 uninsured motorist bodily injury coverage per person.
$300,000 uninsured motorist bodily injury coverage per crash.
Collision coverage with $1,000 deductible.
Comprehensive coverage with $1,000 deductible.
In states where required, minimum additional coverages were added. We used the same assumptions for all other driver profiles, with the following exceptions:
For drivers with minimum coverage, we adjusted the numbers above to reflect only the minimum coverage required by law in the state.
For drivers with one at-fault crash, we added a single at-fault crash costing $10,000 in property damage.
For drivers with a DUI, we added a single drunken-driving violation.
For drivers with a ticket, we added a single speeding violation for driving 16 mph over the speed limit.
We used a 2021 Toyota Camry LE in all cases and assumed 12,000 annual miles driven. We analyzed rates for 35-year-old drivers.
These are rates generated through Quadrant Information Services. Your own rates will be different.
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