Best car insurance companies of 2025
Category winner | Star rating |
|---|---|
Best overall: Travelers | |
Best for affordable coverage: Auto-Owners | |
Best for customer satisfaction: American Family | |
Best for ease of use: State Farm | |
Best for military families: USAA | |
*USAA is only available to military, veterans and their families. | |
After thoroughly evaluating over 50 insurers, NerdWallet’s editorial team has picked the five best car insurance companies for 2025.
We 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 insurers and receive fresh market data, our list of the best auto insurance companies may change.
- 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.
- 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.
See what you could save on car insurance
Easily compare personalized rates to see how much switching car insurance could save you.Top auto insurance companies for 2025
Best Overall
Travelers
Travelers offers a broad range of coverage options and discounts to help you customize your car insurance policy.- Received fewer customer complaints than expected for auto insurance.
- Lots of coverage options for auto insurance.
- One of the largest insurance providers in the nation.
- Rideshare insurance is not available in all states.
With few customer complaints and a great set of discounts and coverage options to choose from, Travelers is an all-around good choice for drivers seeking customizability from a financially strong insurer.
Full coverage cost per year, on average
$1,751
Full coverage cost per month, on average
$146
Minimum coverage cost per month, on average
$45
Why Travelers is the best auto insurance company overall
Travelers earned the best overall score out of the insurers we compared. It’s an overall solid choice for drivers.
Travelers offers a host of car insurance discounts, along with optional coverage types like new car replacement, accident forgiveness and gap insurance.
» Read the full review: Travelers auto insurance review
Best for affordable coverage
Auto-Owners
People who need several insurance policies may benefit from the convenience and discounts of bundling them with Auto-Owners, which has many coverage options and few customer complaints.- Offers a wide variety of products with the opportunity to bundle.
- Fewer complaints than expected for auto insurance.
- Only available in 26 states.
- Online quotes aren’t available.
People who need several insurance policies may benefit from the convenience and discounts of bundling them with Auto-Owners, which has many coverage options and superior financial strength.
Full coverage cost per year, on average
$1,886
Full coverage cost per month, on average
$157
Minimum coverage cost per month, on average
$38
Why Auto-Owners is the best for affordable coverage
Auto-Owners is the best car insurance company for budget-friendly options. According to our April 2025 analysis, Auto-Owners’ median rate for minimum coverage insurance is $452 per year, the lowest on our list of top insurance companies.
Beyond its cheap rates for minimum coverage, this insurer stands out for its wide variety of coverage options and opportunities to bundle policies, as well as three different student driver discounts.
» Read the full review: Auto-Owners auto insurance review
We compared the best car insurance companies on this list to see which one had the lowest average rates. To find the cheapest options available, you can also check out our list of the cheapest car insurance companies.
Best for Customer Satisfaction
American Family
American Family offers a wide range of coverage, including rideshare and gap insurance, but doesn’t sell policies in all states.- Fewer customer complaints than expected for a company its size for auto and life insurance.
- Many coverage types offered.
- Wide range of discounts.
- Not available in all states.
American Family offers a long list of insurance discounts, and it receives fewer consumer complaints than expected for a company of its size.
Full coverage cost per year, on average
$2,132
Full coverage cost per month, on average
$178
Minimum coverage cost per month, on average
$56
Why American Family is the best for customer satisfaction
American Family had the lowest rate of customer complaints to state regulators of any top company on our list. (These complaints, filed to state insurance departments and then reported to the NAIC, are typically for things like claim settlement amounts or how quickly the insurer closed the claim.)
Additionally, American Family ranked No. 3 among 17 large insurers for customer satisfaction in J.D. Power's 2024 U.S. Insurance Shopping Study. That’s the highest ranking among NerdWallet’s 5-star rated companies.
» Read the full review: American Family 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.Best for Ease of Use
State Farm
With generous coverage and discounts for good driving habits, State Farm is a popular insurer with fewer complaints compared to other large competitors.- Numerous discounts offered, including two programs — one for safe driving and the other for young drivers.
- Generous rental car and travel expenses coverage.
- Above average customer satisfaction rating for buying auto insurance among large insurers, according to J.D. Power.
- Doesn't offer gap insurance.
State Farm offers numerous discounts and extras including travel expense coverage, making it a good choice for most drivers.
Full coverage cost per year, on average
$2,321
Full coverage cost per month, on average
$193
Minimum coverage cost per month, on average
$46
Why State Farm is the best for ease of use
Among NerdWallet’s top car insurance companies, State Farm’s mobile apps have the highest scores on both the Apple App store and Google Play Store. You may benefit from State Farm’s app if you prefer online interactions over calling a support line; drivers can use the State Farm app to file and track claims, request roadside assistance and manage their policy.
As of April 2025, State Farm had a 4.6 rating in the Google Play Store and a 4.8 in Apple’s App Store, which are among the highest insurance app ratings we found.
» Read the full review: State Farm insurance review
Best for Military Families
USAA
USAA offers insurance to active military, veterans and their families only.- High customer satisfaction ratings.
- One-stop shop for insurance as well as banking and investing products.
- Policies available in all states and Washington, D.C.
- Available to active military, veterans and their families only.
USAA offers competitive car insurance rates, high customer satisfaction and military-specific perks, such as a discount for storing your car on base.
Full coverage cost per year, on average
$1,458
Full coverage cost per month, on average
$122
Minimum coverage cost per month, on average
$31
Why USAA is the best for military families
While there are a few top auto insurance companies for veterans and military families, NerdWallet found that USAA is often the best pick. The company has relatively low insurance rates in most states and provides other financial solutions for qualifying customers, such as banking and investment products. USAA has high customer satisfaction ratings and offers military-minded perks, such as a discount for storing your car on a military base.
USAA was not considered for the other categories on this list because it is only available to active military members, veterans and their families. However, USAA consistently scores among the best auto insurance companies in NerdWallet’s reviews.
» Read the full review: USAA 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.Best auto insurance companies: Honorable mentions
If you’re looking for even more options, here’s a list of other top car insurance companies that earned a NerdWallet star rating of 4.5. Each of these companies could be a solid choice, depending on your location and specific insurance needs.
Company | Auto insurer ratings |
|---|---|
Acuity | |
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.
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.
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 related to auto insurance, 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.
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
Insurance offerings vary widely by location, and the best companies nationwide might not be the best in your state. In fact, regional insurers may offer better customer service or more affordable rates than larger companies. Some may even offer state-specific perks and discounts.
NerdWallet analyzed the auto insurance offerings available in different states to put together the best car insurance companies in the following states:
Best car insurance companies by state
Best car insurance companies by state
More Nerdy Perspective
Policies aren’t always the same, so check the details to decide which company is best for you. When I recently compared quotes, one company offered a rate lock and a lower deductible if I stayed claims-free. The other had a discount for safe driving and the option to choose new car replacement coverage. Which is best? It depends on your priorities.
How to find the best car insurance for you
Here are some bonus tips on how to get the best car insurance:
Shop around. With rates on the rise, price can be a key consideration. Prices are 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 car insurance claim. To see how an insurer compares to others, you can use the National Association of Insurance Commissioners’ database. This resource shows how many complaints have been filed against an insurer in each state.
Shop strategically. If you’ve had a speeding ticket, DUI or other violation, 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 overinsured. Use the tool below to learn about the different auto insurance coverage types.
» MORE: Compare car insurance
Article sources
NerdWallet writers are subject matter authorities who use primary, trustworthy sources to inform their work, including peer-reviewed studies, government websites, academic research and interviews with industry experts. All content is fact-checked for accuracy, timeliness and relevance. You can learn more about NerdWallet's high standards for journalism by reading our editorial guidelines.
- 1.J.D. Power. 2024 U.S. Insurance Shopping Study. Accessed Apr 11, 2025.
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 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.
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.
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 2022 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.
