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Finding the “best” car insurance companies can feel like trying to put together a jigsaw puzzle in the dark. Thankfully, we’ve put the pieces together for you.
Here are the best car insurance companies in 2024:
Best car insurance category | Company winner | Average annual full coverage rate |
|---|---|---|
Best insurance company overall | Travelers | $1,681 |
Best insurance company for affordability | NJM | $1,424 |
Best insurance company for accident forgiveness | Geico | $1,846 |
Best insurance company for having few customer complaints | American Family | $1,791 |
Best insurance company for financial strength | Auto-Owners | $1,477 |
Best insurance company for discounts | Amica | $2,481 |
Best insurance company for customer satisfaction | State Farm | $1,976 |
Best insurance company for military members | USAA | $1,432 |
🤓Nerdy Tip
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.
How we found the best auto insurance
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.
Table of contents
Best car insurance companies
Honorable mentions
Best car insurance companies by state
How to find the best car insurance for you
Different types of car insurance
Why is car insurance so expensive?
Why you can trust NerdWallet
Frequently asked questions
Methodology
See what you could save on car insurance
Easily compare personalized rates to see how much switching car insurance could save you.
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8 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.
Best company overall: Travelers
Best Overall 5.0 NerdWallet rating Travelers offers a broad range of coverage options and discounts to help you customize your car insurance policy. Discounts Great set of discounts Ease of use Above average NAIC complaints Fewer than expected Best Overall 5.0 NerdWallet rating Travelers offers a broad range of coverage options and discounts to help you customize your car insurance policy. Discounts Great set of discounts Ease of use Above average NAIC complaints Fewer than expected
Travelers
Travelers
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
Travelers average annual rates for a 35-year-old driver with good credit
Driving record | Full coverage | Minimum coverage |
|---|---|---|
Good driver | $1,681 | $520 |
Driver with an at-fault accident | $2,376 | $686 |
Driver with a recent DUI | $2,950 | $884 |
Driver with a recent speeding ticket | $2,227 | $660 |
Best for your budget: NJM
Best budget pick 5.0 NerdWallet rating NJM is among our best car insurance companies for 2024, but it is available in only five states. Discounts Great set of discounts Ease of use Average NAIC complaints Far fewer than expected Best budget pick 5.0 NerdWallet rating NJM is among our best car insurance companies for 2024, but it is available in only five states. Discounts Great set of discounts Ease of use Average NAIC complaints Far fewer than expected
NJM
NJM
Why it’s the best:
New Jersey Manufacturers Insurance, or NJM, is the best car insurance company when it comes to your wallet. According to our analysis, NJM’s average rate for full coverage insurance is $119 per month, the lowest out of our list of the best car insurance companies.
However, NJM auto insurance is only available in Connecticut, Maryland, New Jersey, Ohio and Pennsylvania. Drivers in other states may be able to find low rates with Auto-Owners or Travelers. These companies were runners-up in having the cheapest full coverage insurance among our list of best insurance companies.
» Read the full review: NJM auto insurance review
NJM average annual rates for a 35-year-old driver with good credit
Driving record | Full coverage | Minimum coverage |
|---|---|---|
Good driver | $1,424 | $615 |
Driver with an at-fault accident | $1,545 | $672 |
Driver with a recent DUI | $1,870 | $824 |
Driver with a recent speeding ticket | $1,870 | $824 |
» MORE: Cheapest car insurance companies
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Best for accident forgiveness: Geico
Best For Accident Forgiveness 5.0 NerdWallet rating With nationwide availability and a raft of discounts, Geico is a popular, and often affordable, choice for car insurance. Discounts Great set of discounts Ease of use Above average NAIC complaints Close to expected Best For Accident Forgiveness 5.0 NerdWallet rating With nationwide availability and a raft of discounts, Geico is a popular, and often affordable, choice for car insurance. Discounts Great set of discounts Ease of use Above average NAIC complaints Close to expected
Geico
Geico
Why it’s the best:
Geico offers two potential ways to get accident forgiveness so your rates won’t increase and you won’t lose your good driver discount after a crash. You can earn it for free by remaining an accident-free Geico customer for five years, or you can pay for it. Accident forgiveness can be used for any eligible driver on your policy, but it isn’t available in California, Connecticut and Massachusetts.
» Read the full review: Geico auto insurance review
Geico average annual rates for a 35-year-old driver with good credit
Driving record | Full coverage | Minimum coverage |
|---|---|---|
Good driver | $1,846 | $491 |
Driver with an at-fault accident | $3,112 | $825 |
Driver with a recent DUI | $4,420 | $1,113 |
Driver with a recent speeding ticket | $2,341 | $619 |
» MORE: How accident forgiveness works
Best for having few customer complaints: American Family
Best for Having Few Complaints 5.0 NerdWallet rating American Family offers a wide range of coverage, including rideshare and gap insurance, but doesn’t sell policies in all states. Discounts Great set of discounts Ease of use Above average NAIC complaints Far fewer than expected Best for Having Few Complaints 5.0 NerdWallet rating American Family offers a wide range of coverage, including rideshare and gap insurance, but doesn’t sell policies in all states. Discounts Great set of discounts Ease of use Above average NAIC complaints Far fewer than expected
American Family
American Family
Why it’s the best:
American Family received far fewer customer complaints for auto insurance than similar-size companies and received the fewest complaints out of the insurers on our 2024 best companies list. The company 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
American Family average annual rates for a 35-year-old driver with good credit
Driving record | Full coverage | Minimum coverage |
|---|---|---|
Good driver | $1,791 | $687 |
Driver with an at-fault accident | $2,642 | $1,018 |
Driver with a recent DUI | $2,433 | $889 |
Driver with a recent speeding ticket | $2,167 | $832 |
» MORE: How to find complaints against insurance companies
Best for financial strength: Auto-Owners
Best for Financial Strength 5.0 NerdWallet rating 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. Discounts Great set of discounts Ease of use Average NAIC complaints Far fewer than expected Best for Financial Strength 5.0 NerdWallet rating 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. Discounts Great set of discounts Ease of use Average NAIC complaints Far fewer than expected
Auto-Owners
Auto-Owners
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
Auto-Owners average annual rates for a 35-year-old driver with good credit
Driving record | Full coverage | Minimum coverage |
|---|---|---|
Good driver | $1,477 | $374 |
Driver with an at-fault accident | $2,018 | $519 |
Driver with a recent DUI | $3,014 | $867 |
Driver with a recent speeding ticket | $1,968 | $524 |
Best for discounts: Amica
Best for Discounts 5.0 NerdWallet rating High marks for customer satisfaction and low consumer complaints make Amica a great choice for good drivers. Discounts Great set of discounts Ease of use Average NAIC complaints Fewer than expected Best for Discounts 5.0 NerdWallet rating High marks for customer satisfaction and low consumer complaints make Amica a great choice for good drivers. Discounts Great set of discounts Ease of use Average NAIC complaints Fewer than expected
Amica
Amica
Why it’s the best:
If you’re looking to save on your auto policy, Amica may be worth a look. The company offers more discounts than most other insurers, including discounts for owning a home, insuring more than one vehicle, taking a defensive driving course and setting up automatic payments. Just keep in mind that the company with the most discounts will not necessarily be the cheapest. For that, check out NerdWallet's analysis of the cheapest car insurance.
American Family tied with Amica for the number of discounts drivers may qualify for.
» Read the full review: Amica auto insurance review
Amica average annual rates for a 35-year-old driver with good credit
Driving record | Full coverage | Minimum coverage |
|---|---|---|
Good driver | $2,481 | $755 |
Driver with an at-fault accident | $3,222 | $1,016 |
Driver with a recent DUI | $9,157 | $2,566 |
Driver with a recent speeding ticket | $3,169 | $982 |
» MORE: Your car insurance discounts guide
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Best for customer satisfaction: State Farm
Best for Customer Satisfaction 5.0 NerdWallet rating State Farm offers numerous discounts and extras including travel expense coverage, making it a good choice for most drivers. Discounts Average set of discounts Ease of use Above average NAIC complaints Fewer than expected Best for Customer Satisfaction 5.0 NerdWallet rating State Farm offers numerous discounts and extras including travel expense coverage, making it a good choice for most drivers. Discounts Average set of discounts Ease of use Above average NAIC complaints Fewer than expected
State Farm
State Farm
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
State Farm average annual rates for a 35-year-old driver with good credit
Driving record | Full coverage | Minimum coverage |
|---|---|---|
Good driver | $1,976 | $471 |
Driver with an at-fault accident | $2,488 | $615 |
Driver with a recent DUI | $2,940 | $800 |
Driver with a recent speeding ticket | $2,237 | $553 |
Best for military members: USAA
Best for Military members 5.0 NerdWallet rating USAA offers insurance to active military, veterans and their families only. Discounts Great set of discounts Ease of use Above average NAIC complaints Fewer than expected Best for Military members 5.0 NerdWallet rating USAA offers insurance to active military, veterans and their families only. Discounts Great set of discounts Ease of use Above average NAIC complaints Fewer than expected
USAA
USAA
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
USAA average annual rates for a 35-year-old driver with good credit
Driving record | Full coverage | Minimum coverage |
|---|---|---|
Good driver | $1,432 | $362 |
Driver with an at-fault accident | $2,041 | $533 |
Driver with a recent DUI | $2,621 | $670 |
Driver with a recent speeding ticket | $1,699 | $432 |
» MORE: Best military car insurance for veterans and families
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 |
Allstate | 4.5 NerdWallet rating |
Auto Club of SoCal | 4.5 NerdWallet rating |
Chubb | 4.5 NerdWallet rating |
Country Financial | 4.5 NerdWallet rating |
Farmers | 4.5 NerdWallet rating |
Mapfre | 4.5 NerdWallet rating |
Nationwide | 4.5 NerdWallet rating |
Progressive | 4.5 NerdWallet rating |
The Hanover | 4.5 NerdWallet rating |
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 13 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 in Arizona.
Best car insurance in California.
Best car insurance in Colorado.
Best car insurance in Florida.
Best car insurance in Georgia.
Best car insurance in Massachusetts.
Best car insurance in Michigan.
Best car insurance in North Carolina.
Best car insurance in New Jersey.
Best car insurance in New York.
Best car insurance in Pennsylvania.
Best car insurance in Texas.
Best car insurance in Utah.
» MORE: Captive or independent: What’s the best auto insurance agency for you?
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 circ*mstances are different.
Here are some tips to find the best insurance company that’s right 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.
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.
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.
» MORE: Compare car insurance
Different types of car insurance
As you shop for the best car insurance, familiarize yourself with the different car insurance coverage types so you’ll know what to include in your coverage.
Use our tool below for a breakdown of common insurance coverage types and what each pays for:
Should you get minimum or full coverage car insurance?
If all you care about is getting the lowest price, consider minimum coverage car insurance. Minimum coverage is the least amount of insurance needed to drive legally in your state.
But it's typically not enough to cover damage from a major accident, and you could end up paying out of pocket for any damage you cause once your insurance pays out. Minimum coverage also won’t pay for damage you cause to your own car.
For greater financial protection, go with full coverage insurance. There’s no standard definition of full coverage car insurance, but it typically includes your state’s minimum requirements, plus comprehensive and collision insurance. Full coverage costs more than minimum coverage, but the peace of mind may be worth the extra money. If you’re financing or leasing your car, you probably already have full coverage insurance.
» MORE: Get free car insurance quotes
Why is car insurance so expensive?
You’ve probably noticed car insurance keeps getting more and more expensive. The cost of car insurance increased 22% in March 2024 compared to the year prior, according to data from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics.
While this rise in prices is largely due to inflation and other economic factors, your own rates will fluctuate based on many things, including:
The insurance company you choose. The insurer you go with is often the single most important factor in determining the price you pay for car insurance. Every insurer has their own method for determining rates, so don’t be surprised if you get different car insurance quotes from different companies.
Your age. Insurers charge higher prices for teenagers and drivers in their 20s. That’s because young drivers tend to be less experienced behind the wheel, and therefore more likely to get in an accident. Rates get lower once you hit your thirties, and generally creep back up when you reach your 70s.
Where you live. If you live in an area that has lots of extreme weather, high crime rates or busy roadways, you can expect to pay more for car insurance than if you live in a quiet, temperate part of the country.
Your driving history. Having an at-fault accident or driving violation on record — like a speeding ticket or DUI — can wreak havoc on your car insurance premiums. Sometimes, even an accident that wasn’t your fault can cause rates to go up. Depending on the incident, you may find your rates to go back to normal after two to five years.
The car you drive. Typically, the more expensive your car, the more expensive your car insurance. That’s because your insurance company will have to shell out more money to fix your car if you wreck it. Insurers also consider how likely your car is to be stolen or get into an accident.
» MORE: Why is my car insurance so high?
See what you could save on car insurance
Easily compare personalized rates to see how much switching car insurance could save you.
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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.
Frequently asked questions
What is the best auto insurance?
The following companies received 5 stars out of 5 in NerdWallet's analysis of the best auto insurers: Travelers, Auto-Owners, USAA, American Family, State Farm, NJM, Amica and Geico.
How can I find the best car insurance?
To find the best auto insurance policy for you, think carefully about what kind of coverage you need. For instance, if you're looking for a specific type of coverage such as rideshare insurance, check to make sure the company offers this before buying a policy.
When comparing insurers, select the same coverage levels so you can compare quotes equally. Look at a company's customer complaints on your state insurance commissioner’s website and financial strength through a rating site like AM Best. And don’t forget about the smaller insurance companies.
What type of car insurance should I get?
How much car insurance you need depends on your own unique personal and financial circ*mstances. But if all you care about is price, consider minimum coverage car insurance. This includes the minimum insurance required to drive in your state and nothing more. If you want more financial protection, explore full coverage insurance.
See NerdWallet’s how much car insurance do you need for more help.
How much is car insurance?
The average cost of car insurance is about $165 per month for a 35-year-old driver with a good driving history, good credit and full coverage insurance, according to NerdWallet’s analysis.
