5 Best Car Insurance Companies of December 2024
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Here are the best car insurance companies of 2024:
Travelers: Best car insurance company overall.
Auto-Owners: Best for affordability.
State Farm: Best mobile app ratings.
American Family: Best for customer satisfaction.
USAA: Best for military members.
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.
See what you could save on car insurance
Easily compare personalized rates to see how much switching car insurance could save you.The 5 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
$1,754
Full coverage cost per month, on average
$146
Minimum coverage cost per month, on average
$45
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.
Auto-Owners
Discounts
Ease of use
NAIC complaints
Auto-Owners
Discounts
Ease of use
NAIC complaints
Full coverage cost per year, on average
$1,790
Full coverage cost per month, on average
$149
Minimum coverage cost per month, on average
$37
Why it’s the best:
Auto-Owners is the best car insurance company when it comes to your wallet. According to our analysis, Auto-Owners’ average rate for minimum coverage insurance is $439 per year, the lowest among the best car insurance companies on our list.
Beyond its affordability, this insurer stands out for its wide variety of coverage options and opportunities to bundle policies.
» Read the full review: Auto-Owners auto insurance review
State Farm
Discounts
Ease of use
NAIC complaints
State Farm
Discounts
Ease of use
NAIC complaints
Full coverage cost per year, on average
$2,288
Full coverage cost per month, on average
$191
Minimum coverage cost per month, on average
$43
Why it’s the best:
Out of NerdWallet’s top-rated companies, State Farm’s mobile apps have the highest scores on both the Apple App store and Google Play Store. If you prefer online interactions over having to call your insurer, you may benefit from State Farm’s comprehensive app. Drivers can use the app to file and track claims, request roadside assistance and manage their policy.
As of November 2024, State Farm had a 4.6 rating in the Google Play Store and a 4.8 in the Apple App Store.
» Read the full review: State Farm insurance review
See what you could save on car insurance
Easily compare personalized rates to see how much switching car insurance could save you.
American Family
Discounts
Ease of use
NAIC complaints
American Family
Discounts
Ease of use
NAIC complaints
Full coverage cost per year, on average
$2,131
Full coverage cost per month, on average
$178
Minimum coverage cost per month, on average
$56
Why it’s the best:
American Family received the lowest number of customer complaints to state regulators relative to a company of its size among the companies in this list. This insurer stands out thanks to its wide variety of coverage options and discounts, as well as its accident forgiveness offerings.
American Family ranked No. 3 among 17 large insurers in J.D. Power's 2024 U.S. Insurance Shopping Study, the highest ranking among NerdWallet’s 5-star rated companies.
» Read the full review: American Family auto insurance review
USAA
Discounts
Ease of use
NAIC complaints
USAA
Discounts
Ease of use
NAIC complaints
Full coverage cost per year, on average
$1,447
Full coverage cost per month, on average
$121
Minimum coverage cost per month, on average
$31
Why it’s the best:
USAA is the top auto insurance company for military members. 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.
Because it’s only available to active military members, veterans and their families, USAA was not compared against other companies for all categories.
» 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 |
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 auto 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 cited the company's “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 times 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 Redditor, Progressive stands out because the company was easy to work with and offered him the cheapest rate and fair payouts when he filed claims for two accidents where he was not at fault. His 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.
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 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. Smaller, local insurers may offer better customer service and more affordable rates than larger, widely available insurers, which is why it’s worth shopping beyond the country’s most popular insurers.
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:
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
Insurer complaints methodology
NerdWallet examined complaints received by state insurance regulators and reported to the National Association of Insurance Commissioners in 2021-2023. 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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