When you’re shopping around for car insurance quotes, you may get lots of opinions on what company to use and what coverage to get.

Comparing quotes from several different insurers is one of the best ways to save money. And it’s not a process that takes hours. With a minimal time investment, you can find the best car insurance rates and a policy that’s right for you.

Table of contents

How Do I Get Free Car Insurance Quotes?

Here are two ways to get car insurance quotes, which are always free:

1. Online. Many auto insurance companies offer free car insurance quotes online. You can visit several insurance company websites and compare quotes. To save time, use a website that provides quotes from multiple companies.

2. By phone or in person. Speak with or visit a local insurance agent who can help you find affordable car insurance options and get you a car insurance quote.

There are generally two types of insurance agents:

1. A “captive” agent works for one insurance company and can give you a quote only from that insurer

2. An “independent” insurance agent can sell policies from multiple insurance companies and can get you quotes from different insurers.

There are benefits to both approaches, and there’s no law against contacting multiple insurance agents. It doesn’t hurt to get online quotes and also speak with an agent who can help you identify your coverage needs and tailor a policy that’s the best fit for you.

What Information Do I Need to Get Auto Insurance Quotes?

To make the process go as smoothly as possible, it helps to have the following information on hand:

  • Driver’s license. If there are any other drivers in your household, you’ll need their driver’s license information as well.
  • Vehicle identification number (VIN). You can typically find your VIN on the vehicle’s driver’s side dashboard or printed on a sticker in the driver’s side door or door jamb. If you haven’t purchased the vehicle yet but know what you’re going to buy, ask the seller for the VIN. If you haven’t picked out your car yet, you can usually get a quote with a vehicle make and model.
  • Mileage. If you own the car, have the odometer reading handy.
  • How much coverage you want. You’ll want to know what coverage types you want to buy and how much coverage you need. If you’re not sure, it’s a good idea to speak with an insurance agent who can help answer your questions.

The auto insurance company will gather additional information about you, such as your driving history, past auto insurance claims and (in most states) your credit.

What Is the Cheapest Car Insurance?

Our analysis of the best cheap car insurance nationwide found that, on average, USAA has the cheapest car insurance quotes. But USAA auto insurance is only available to active members of the military, veterans and their families.

If you don’t qualify for a policy through USAA, our analysis found that Erie, Geico and State Farm offer competitive rates, based on nationwide averages. It’s still good to get quotes from multiple companies because the cheapest car insurance companies can vary depending on your state, driving record and more.

Compare Car Insurance Rates by Company

  • USAA

    Company

  • $1,141

    Average national rates for good drivers

Compare Car Insurance Rates 2022

Comparing auto insurance quotes is all about gathering options so you can find the best car insurance companies.

Compare car insurance rates:

Compare Car Insurance Rates by Company

Not all car insurance price their policies the same. That’s why it’s so important to compare car insurance quotes from multiple companies. Here’s a look at large insurance companies and the average national rates for drivers with a clean driving record (meaning no traffic violations or at-fault accidents).

Company Average national rates for good drivers
USAA $1,141
Geico $1,182
State Farm $1,402
Erie $1,419
Travelers $1,435
Auto-Owners $1,532
Nationwide $1,540
Progressive $1,892
Allstate $2,022
Farmers $2,124

Compare Car Insurance Rates by State

State Average annual cost of car insurance for good drivers
Alabama $1,546
Alaska $1,325
Arizona $1,731
Arkansas $1,803
California $2,466
Colorado $2,034
Connecticut $1,463
Delaware $1,767
District of Columbia $1,574
Florida $3,158
Georgia $1,683
Hawaii $1,157
Idaho $1,171
Illinois $1,693
Indiana $1,296
Iowa $1,243
Kansas $1,940
Kentucky $2,233
Louisiana $3,544
Maine $1,022
Maryland $1,790
Massachusetts $1,836
Michigan $2,470
Minnesota $1,686
Mississippi $1,655
Missouri $1,834
Montana $1,501
Nebraska $1,718
Nevada $2,176
New Hampshire $1,066
New Jersey $2,332
New Mexico $1,692
New York $1,780
North Carolina $1,275
North Dakota $1,372
Ohio $1,171
Oklahoma $1,840
Oregon $1,543
Pennsylvania $1,790
Rhode Island $1,934
South Carolina $2,025
South Dakota $1,889
Tennessee $1,323
Texas $1,574
Utah $1,514
Vermont $1,174
Virginia $1,220
Washington $1,427
West Virginia $1,582
Wisconsin $1,299
Wyoming $1,452
Source: Quadrant Information Services; Average annual rates for a good driver age 30 with $100,000 in bodily injury liability coverage per person, $300,000 per accident and $100,000 in property damage liability, uninsured motorist coverage and any other coverage required in the state. The rate also includes collision and comprehensive with a $500 deductible.

Compare Auto Insurance Rates by Age and Gender 2022

Your age and gender affects car insurance rates. Young, inexperienced drivers pay the most and can expect their rates to start going down at age 25. Drivers with good driving records will enjoy their best rates in their 50s and 60s. Rates start to increase again around age 65.

Age Average national rates for a female driver Average national rates for a male driver
16 $6,408 $7,188
20 $3,100 $3,536
25 $1,870 $1,964
35 $1,651 $1,651
40 $1,614 $1,607
45 $1,586 $1,579
50 $1,512 $1,517
55 $1,465 $1,475
60 $1,454 $1,468
65 $1,489 $1,513
70 $1,573 $1,608
75 $1,712 $1,780
80 $1,880 $1,997

Most drivers don’t like the idea of car insurance companies using gender in car insurance quotes, according to a Forbes Advisor survey. The majority of drivers (62%) think gender should not be a factor in car insurance costs. Almost three-quarters of women (72%) don’t support it, compared to 41% of men. 

In your opinion, should auto insurance companies take a driver’s gender into account when it comes to pricing?

Answer % female response % male response
Yes 18% 53%
No 72% 41%
Don’t know/Prefer not to answer 10% 6%

Compare Car Insurance Rates by Credit Score

Car insurance companies often use an insurance-based credit score to determine your car insurance quotes. Drivers with poor credit can expect to pay significantly higher rates compared to drivers with good credit. That’s why it’s crucial to shop around.

Insurers say that a person’s credit correlates with the likelihood that the person will make an insurance claim. Many insurers put significant weight on credit-based insurance scores when calculating rates.

While the use of credit is controversial, drivers seem to be warming up to the idea. A June 2022 Forbes Advisor survey found that: 

  • 42% of car insurance customers believe credit should be factored into car insurance rates.
  • That’s nearly double the percentage as last year, when only 22% approved of the practice in a Forbes Advisor survey.

Using insurance-based credit scores for car insurance is banned in California, Hawaii, Massachusetts and Michigan.

Compare Car Insurance Rates by Credit Score

  • Geico

    Company

  • $1,221

    Average annual rates

  • 43.30%

    Average increase for drivers with poor credit

The table shows the average national rate increase for drivers with poor credit compared to good drivers.

Company Average annual rates Average annual rates for drivers with poor credit Average increase for drivers with poor credit
Geico $1,221 $1,750 43.30%
USAA $1,111 $1,865 67.90%
Nationwide $1,411 $1,905 35%
Travelers $1,499 $2,487 65.90%
Erie $1,182 $2,694 127.90%
Progressive $1,825 $3,052 67.20%
Farmers $2,073 $3,409 64.40%
Allstate $2,315 $3,617 56.20%
State Farm $1,403 $3,849 174.30%
Auto-Owners $1,520 $3,970 161.20%

Compare Car Insurance for Drivers with a DUI

A DUI is a costly mistake. Our analysis found that the national average car insurance rate increase for drivers with a DUI is 74%. Here’s a look at rate increases after a DUI among large insurance companies.

Compare Car Insurance for Drivers with a DUI

  • State Farm

    Company

  • $1,942

    Average annual rates with one DUI

  • 38%

    Average rate increase after a DUI

Company Average annual rates Average annual rates with one DUI Average rate increase after a DUI
State Farm $1,403 $1,942 38%
Erie $1,182 $2,077 76%
USAA $1,111 $2,138 92%
Travelers $1,499 $2,248 50%
Progressive $1,825 $2,329 28%
Farmers $2,073 $2,865 38%
Auto-Owners $1,520 $2,894 90%
Nationwide $1,411 $2,942 109%
Geico $1,221 $3,129 156%
Allstate $2,315 $3,382 46%

Related: Best cheap car insurance after a DUI

Compare Car Insurance Rates for Drivers with an At-Fault Accident

If you cause a car crash, you can expect your car insurance to go up after an accident. Here’s a look at rate increases for drivers who caused an accident that caused an injury compared to good drivers.

Compare Car Insurance Rates for Drivers with an At-Fault Accident

  • USAA

    Company

  • $1,676

    Average annual rates with one at-fault accident causing injury

  • 50.90%

    Average rate increase after one at-fault accident causing injury

Company Average annual rates Average annual rates with one at-fault accident causing injury Average rate increase after one at-fault accident causing injury
USAA $1,111 $1,676 50.90%
State Farm $1,403 $1,713 22.10%
Erie $1,182 $1,733 47%
Auto-Owners $1,520 $2,089 37.40%
Travelers $1,499 $2,356 57.20%
Geico $1,221 $2,490 103.90%
Nationwide $1,411 $2,651 87.90%
Progressive $1,825 $3,070 68.20%
Farmers $2,073 $3,662 76.70%
Allstate $2,315 $3,973 71.60%

Compare Car Insurance Rates for Drivers with a Speeding Ticket

Drivers with a heavy foot can expect car insurance rates to go up after a speeding ticket. Here’s a look at rate increases for drivers with one speeding ticket.

Compare Car Insurance Rates for Drivers with a Speeding Ticket

  • USAA

    Company

  • $1,190

    Average annual rates with one speeding ticket

  • 7.10%

    Average rate increase after a speeding ticket

Company Average annual rates Average annual rates with one speeding ticket Average rate increase after a speeding ticket
USAA $1,111 $1,190 7.10%
Erie $1,182 $1,256 6.30%
Geico $1,221 $1,384 13%
State Farm $1,403 $1,403 0%
Auto-Owners $1,520 $1,520 0%
Travelers $1,499 $1,668 11.30%
Nationwide $1,411 $1,683 19.30%
Progressive $1,825 $2,075 13.70%
Farmers $2,073 $2,563 23.60%
Allstate $2,315 $2,581 11.50%

Compare Car Insurance Rates for Seniors

Geico and USAA have the cheapest car insurance rates for seniors and well below the national annual average for senior drivers of $1,719. The older you get once you hit your senior years, the more you’ll likely pay for car insurance, so it’s vital to get multiple car insurance quotes from other companies to make sure you’re getting the best rates for your coverage.

Compare Car Insurance Rates for Seniors

  • Geico

    Company

  • $1,021

    Average rates for 65-year-old male

  • $1,044

    Average rates for 65-year-old female

Company Average annual senior rates Average rates for 65-year-old male Average rates for 65-year-old female Average rates for 75-year-old male Average rates for 75-year-old female
Geico $1,197 $1,021 $1,044 $1,231 $1,114
USAA $1,299 $1,045 $1,023 $1,274 $1,209
State Farm $1,423 $1,252 $1,252 $1,400 $1,400
Travelers $1,515 $1,283 $1,219 $1,554 $1,409
Erie $1,525 $1,277 $1,238 $1,504 $1,471
Nationwide $1,611 $1,363 $1,333 $1,674 $1,531
Auto-Owners $1,633 $1,353 $1,366 $1,508 $1,522
Progressive $1,940 $1,649 $1,610 $2,097 $1,854
Allstate $2,244 $1,938 $1,898 $2,157 $2,112
Farmers $2,385 $2,005 $1,926 $2,450 $2,256
Compare Car Insurance Rates for Adding a Teen Driver

  • Nationwide

    Company

  • 55%

    Average national rate increase after adding a teen driver

Compare Car Insurance Rates for Adding a Teen Driver

Here’s a look at the national average car insurance rate increases for a married couple that adds a teen driver to a policy with coverage of 100/300/100 and collision and comprehensive insurance.

Company Average national rate increase after adding a teen driver
Nationwide 55%
American Family Insurance 130.40%
Geico 111.70%
Allstate 92.90%
Farmers 73.20%
USAA 168.20%
Erie Insurance 108%
State Farm 104.50%
Auto-Owners Insurance 181.60%
Progressive 147.90%
MetLife 174.10%

Related: Best cheap car insurance for teens

What Factors Influence My Car Insurance Quotes?

There are several factors that play a role in car insurance quotes. Here are some of the most common pricing factors:

Your driving history

Drivers with a clean driving history will pay less than drivers who have traffic violations and at-fault car accidents on their records. Car insurance companies tend to look at the last three to five years of your driving history, depending on your state.

Your vehicle

The type of car you drive impacts your quote. Certain safety features (like air bags and rear backup cameras) and anti-theft features could help reduce your auto insurance quotes.

Your location

Where you live plays a significant role in rates. For instance, drivers in urban areas tend to file more car insurance claims, which usually translates into higher rates.

Your driving experience

Younger and inexperienced drivers (like teens) will pay more than drivers with years of experience under their belts.

Other pricing factors

Car insurance companies also often look at factors, such as gender, age, occupation, marital status, home ownership and credit. State law sometimes dictates that certain factors can’t be used. For example, California, Hawaii, Massachusetts and Michigan ban the use of credit scores in car insurance quotes.

Other drivers on your policy

If you have other drivers in your household, their driving records will impact your rate. For example, if you add a teen driver to your policy, be prepared for a significant bump in car insurance premiums.

How Do I Choose the Right Coverage Types?

The coverage types and the amount of coverage you choose will have a big impact on your auto insurance quote. But don’t get overly focused on price and skimp on necessary coverage. If you don’t buy enough insurance, you’ll have a coverage gap that could cause major financial pain if you get into a car accident.

Your goal is to find the best coverage for your specific situation and at the best price. Here are some common coverage types to consider.

Car Liability Insurance

Car liability insurance is an essential coverage that pays others’ medical bills and property damage when you cause a car accident. It also pays for a legal defense in case you’re sued over a car accident.

Every state except for New Hampshire and Virginia require a minimum amount of car liability insurance, but it’s a good idea to buy more than what’s required. That’s because the minimum amounts are often woefully inadequate to cover medical bills and property damage if you cause a major accident.

If your policy limits are too low, you could be stuck paying out of pocket for the rest. A good rule of thumb is to buy enough liability insurance to cover your net worth, or the amount that you could lose in a lawsuit.

A good way to add extra liability coverage to an auto policy is to buy umbrella insurance.

You may have heard the term “full coverage car insurance.” This typically refers to an insurance policy that includes liability, collision and comprehensive insurance.

Collision and Comprehensive Insurance

Collision and comprehensive insurance pay for repairs to your car for a variety of problems, such as car accidents (regardless of fault), car theft, vandalism, fires, floods, falling objects (like tree branches) and collisions with animals.

While collision and comprehensive coverage are often sold together, you can purchase them individually. For example, if you only want coverage for problems like theft and floods, you can get a car insurance quote for comprehensive insurance without collision.

Just keep in mind that buying one without the other can leave you with a significant coverage gap. For example, if you back into a pole, you need collision coverage to pay for repairs.

If you have a car loan or lease, you’re likely required to carry both anyway.

Uninsured and Underinsured Motorist Coverage

Uninsured and underinsured motorist coverage pays for medical bills and other expenses like lost wages when you are in a car accident caused by someone who doesn’t carry liability insurance, or who does not carry enough liability insurance to cover all your medical bills.

Some states require that car owners have uninsured motorist insurance.

Medical Expenses Coverage

This type of coverage varies by state, but generally it covers medical bills and other types of expenses (such as lost wages) if you or your passengers are injured in a car accident, no matter who caused it.

Some states require personal injury protection insurance (PIP) as part of their “no-fault” auto insurance systems.

Other Car Insurance Coverage Types

You’ll generally find several options beyond the basics when you compare car insurance quotes. These types can help you fill coverage gaps if you want to pay the extra money:

  • Gap insurance. If your car is totaled or stolen and the vehicle’s value is less than the amount you own on a car loan or lease, this coverage pays the “gap” between the insurance check and what you owe.
  • Rental reimbursement auto insurance. This covers the cost of a rental car while your car is being repaired for an accident insurance claim. But daily limits can be low, so make sure you need it.
  • Roadside assistance insurance. If you’re stranded on the side of the road, roadside assistance insurance will pay for a tow, a jump-start for a dead battery, gas for empty tanks and a locksmith if you manage to lock your keys in the car. You may be able to find a better deal on roadside assistance elsewhere, such as an auto club.

How to Compare Car Insurance Quotes

Many Drivers Don’t Know That Car Insurance Quotes are Free

One potential barrier to consumers shopping for coverage is the misbelief that getting quotes costs money. About a quarter (27%) of respondents said that getting car insurance quotes costs money either some of the time or all of the time according to a recent survey by Forbes Advisor. It doesn’t.

More men than women incorrectly thought you have to pay to get car insurance quotes:

  • Half (50%) of men surveyed said they thought you have to pay at least some of the time to get quotes compared to just 16% of women
  • 61% of women correctly said you typically don’t have to pay to get car insurance quotes. Only 36% of men knew that.

Here are tips for comparing car insurance quotes:

Here are tips for comparing car insurance quotes:

Determine how much coverage you need

Assess whether it makes sense to buy more than your state-mandated minimum liability requirements—in nearly all cases it does as low limits can be exceeded by even minor accidents. Decide if you want comprehensive and collision coverage to cover your own car, and choose a deductible amount.

Research customer service

Review customer satisfaction ratings so you can find an insurance company that will be responsive if you have to file a claim and that can help you identify the best coverage options for your needs.

Check coverage options and discounts

Make sure the companies you’re considering provide coverage options and price breaks that match your driver profile. For example, if you want pet injury coverage included and the option to have a usage-based plan or accident forgiveness, check to see if these are offered. If you have a teen driver and work from home, a company with good student and low-mileage discounts is worth considering.

Shop identical coverage amounts

Compare car insurance quotes for the exact same coverage amount to be sure you’re getting an equitable comparison. Check out multiple insurers for pricing.

Methodology

To determine average national rates, we averaged the rate increase in each state among large insurers for drivers with liability coverage of $100,000 bodily injury per person, $300,000 bodily injury per accident and $100,000 for property damage (100/300/100), and collision and comprehensive insurance. Source: Quadrant Information Services

When you’re shopping around for car insurance quotes, you may get lots of opinions on what company to use and what coverage to get.

Comparing quotes from several different insurers is one of the best ways to save money. And it’s not a process that takes hours. With a minimal time investment, you can find the best car insurance rates and a policy that’s right for you.

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Car Insurance Quotes FAQ

What are quotes for car insurance?

A car insurance quote is a free estimate of how much you’ll pay for an auto insurance policy. It’s based on several factors, including your age, driving history, the type of car you drive, where you live and your past car insurance claims.

Each insurance company has its own formula for calculating car insurance rates, which is why it’s important to compare car insurance quotes from multiple insurance companies. You could pay less (or more) for the same coverage at a different company.

How can I lower my car insurance rates?

While car insurance quotes will depend on several pricing factors, like your driving history, your car, where you live and other factors, one of the best ways to save on car insurance is by getting car insurance discounts.

For example, insuring your vehicle and home with the same company will generally bring a good bundling discount. Bundling your auto and home insurance can typically land you a 5% to 25% discount. You can also bundle other policies, like renters, condo and life insurance.

Can I get an auto insurance quote before I buy a car?

It’s smart to get a car insurance quote before you buy a car, in case the insurance bill doesn’t fit your budget.

For example, if you’re comparing car insurance quotes between a regular sedan and a sports car, you’ll usually find insurance rates for the sports car to be much higher.

Why are my car insurance quotes so high?

Your driving history is a major influence on car insurance quotes and could be what is pushing your rates up. Poor credit can increase car insurance rates—even more than an accident record.

Other pricing factors include: The type of car you drive, where you live and the other drivers in your household. That’s why it’s important to compare car insurance quotes among several different companies.

What is comprehensive car insurance?

Comprehensive car insurance pays for your vehicle’s damage that’s not from a car accident. This includes damage from fires, floods, vandalism, hail, natural disasters (such as tornadoes), riots and falling objects. It also covers car theft and collisions with animals.

If you want coverage for car accidents, you’ll need to add collision insurance. Collision and comprehensive insurance are often sold together and are often required if you have a car loan or lease. If someone else is responsible for an accident, you can make a damage claim against their liability insurance.