NerdWallet’s auto insurance editorial team thoroughly evaluated rates from 137 companies to see which insurers offer the cheapest car insurance rates. We’ve organized the cheapest companies into several common categories to help you find which insurer may be the cheapest for you.
These are the cheapest car insurance companies:
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Cheapest overall: Geico with an average rate of $40 per month.
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Cheapest for full coverage: Travelers with an average rate of $144 per month.
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Cheapest for young drivers: Geico with an average rate of $79 per month.
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Cheapest for senior drivers: State Farm with an average rate of $43 per month.
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Cheapest for drivers with poor credit: Geico with an average rate of $57 per month.
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Cheapest after a speeding ticket: State Farm with an average rate of $51 per month.
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Cheapest after an accident: State Farm with an average rate of $58 per month.
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Cheapest after a DUI: Progressive with an average rate of $62 per month.
If you want to see which top-rated insurers offer the cheapest insurance, check out NerdWallet’s roundup of the best cheap car insurance companies.
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60+ years of combined experience covering insurance.
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1.5 billion+ auto insurance rates analyzed by our team of experts.
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700+ auto insurance companies analyzed in over 29,000 U.S. cities. (See our top picks.)
NerdWallet writers and editors follow strict editorial guidelines to ensure fairness and accuracy in our writing and data analyses. Read our criteria for evaluating auto insurance companies.

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Who has the cheapest car insurance in 2025?
Geico
4.5
NerdWallet’s ratings are determined by our editorial team. The scoring formula takes into account consumer complaint and customer satisfaction data.
With nationwide availability and a raft of discounts, Geico is a popular, and often affordable, choice for car insurance.
DiscountsRatings are based on the number of discounts a company offers in comparison to other insurers.
Great set of discounts
Ease of useRatings are determined by our editorial team. Our “ease of use” category looks at factors such as website transparency and how easy it is to file a claim.
Above average
NAIC complaintsRatings are based on complaints to state regulators relative to a company’s size, according to three years’ worth of data from the National Association of Insurance Commissioners. NerdWallet conducts its data analysis and reaches conclusions independently and without the endorsement of the NAIC.
Close to expected
- Robust website and mobile app.
- Many discounts available.
- Doesn’t offer gap insurance.
- Limited network of local agents.
- Below average customer satisfaction for auto insurance claims in a recent J.D. Power study.
Geico
4.5
NerdWallet’s ratings are determined by our editorial team. The scoring formula takes into account consumer complaint and customer satisfaction data.
With nationwide availability and a raft of discounts, Geico is a popular, and often affordable, choice for car insurance.
DiscountsRatings are based on the number of discounts a company offers in comparison to other insurers.
Great set of discounts
Ease of useRatings are determined by our editorial team. Our “ease of use” category looks at factors such as website transparency and how easy it is to file a claim.
Above average
NAIC complaintsRatings are based on complaints to state regulators relative to a company’s size, according to three years’ worth of data from the National Association of Insurance Commissioners. NerdWallet conducts its data analysis and reaches conclusions independently and without the endorsement of the NAIC.
Close to expected
- Robust website and mobile app.
- Many discounts available.
- Doesn’t offer gap insurance.
- Limited network of local agents.
- Below average customer satisfaction for auto insurance claims in a recent J.D. Power study.
Geico is the cheapest large auto insurance company in the nation for minimum coverage, with an average rate of $40 a month, according to NerdWallet’s January 2025 rate analysis. That comes out to $479 a year for minimum coverage.
However, these rates are for state-mandated minimum car insurance limits. These minimum requirements are very low and may leave you financially vulnerable after a crash. If you’re at fault for an accident and carry only your state’s minimum requirements, you may be responsible for paying out of pocket for expenses from injuries or property damage you cause if your policy’s coverage limits aren’t high enough. In the event of a bad crash, that could easily add up to tens of thousands of dollars.
Did your car insurance rates go up? Premiums are on the rise across the U.S. The best way to find cheap auto insurance is to shop around and compare car insurance quotes from at least three insurers.
Cheapest car insurance by category
The cheapest option for some drivers may not be the cheapest for you, depending on factors like driving history, age, location and vehicle choice. We used our analysis of rates from 137 insurers to determine the cheapest car company for some of the most common driver profiles.
The average rates you see here probably won’t match what you see when you shop for cheap car insurance quotes. While NerdWallet does have an enormous amount of data on car insurance rates, it’s important to remember that every driver profile is unique and every insurer uses a different formula to determine the cost of insurance.
The best way to find accurate rates is to compare car insurance quotes from multiple insurers, and use the same driver details, vehicle details and insurance coverage for each quote.
How NerdWallet found the cheapest car insurance companies
NerdWallet’s editorial team analyzed minimum and full coverage car insurance rates from pricing analytics company Quadrant Information Services. Our analysis looked at 35-year-old drivers in all ZIP codes across the 50 U.S. states and Washington, D.C., with a variety of driving and credit histories. All drivers had a 2022 Toyota Camry LE.
Full coverage can cost significantly more compared to minimum coverage. That’s because it comes with additional coverage like uninsured/underinsured motorist protection and comprehensive and collision insurance.
If you have a car loan or lease, your lender will likely require you to buy comprehensive and collision coverage. These coverage types pay you if your car is stolen or damaged in an accident you cause, among other scenarios.
Read our methodology for more insights into how we ranked cheap car insurance companies.
Cheap car insurance company by state
Location is one of the many factors that impacts the cost of car insurance. For example, the average car insurance rate for minimum coverage is $86 per month in Rhode Island, but drivers only pay $32 per month, on average, for the same coverage in Idaho.
To help you get an idea of what you might pay, we found the average cost of car insurance for minimum coverage in each state and Washington, D.C.
Our January 2025 data analysis helped us identify the cheapest auto insurance company in each state and Washington D.C. You can view a full list of those companies in the table below.
While the rates in the above chart and table can be extremely helpful for knowing what you might expect to pay in your state, average prices only tell you so much. That’s because car insurance rates change considerably based on where you live.
So, in addition to state averages, NerdWallet also analyzed rates for some of the largest cities in the U.S. to give you an even clearer idea of what to expect as you shop for auto insurance.
Choose your city from the list below to find cheap car insurance in your area.
If your city is not included in that list, you can also use our auto insurance calculator to get an estimate for the average cost of insurance in your ZIP code.
Estimate full coverage rates by ZIP code
Enter your ZIP code to find the average monthly car insurance rate for your area. Rates are for policies that include full coverage for a 35-year-old driver with good credit and a clean driving record.
Average monthly car insurance rate in your ZIP code:
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How to get cheap car insurance quotes
Assess your needs. Evaluate your situation before settling on a car insurance company. For example, one person might prioritize a company with strong customer service and a great mobile app while someone else prefers a company with a lot of available discounts. Only you know which details mean the most to you.
Do your research. While this page highlights several companies, you should still shop for cheap insurance quotes on your own. We recommend comparing quotes from at least three insurers at least once a year. Insurance companies adjust rates regularly, so a company that gave you a cheap rate last year might not be a bargain this year.
Ask for discounts. You may be able to save money with discounts you’re not taking advantage of. For example, if you work from home and don’t drive much, you may qualify for a low-mileage discount. Other common discounts are given for bundling auto insurance with homeowners insurance, insuring multiple cars on the same policy and being a student.
Raise your deductibles. The higher your car insurance deductible, the more you pay out of pocket before insurance pays for a covered claim. By raising your deductible, you may be able to lower your premium, which is the amount you pay for your policy. Just make sure you have enough money set aside to cover the deductible if you ever get in an accident.
How to get cheap car insurance quotes
Assess your needs.Evaluate your situation before settling on a car insurance company. For example, one person might prioritize a company with strong customer service and a great mobile app while someone else prefers a company with a lot of available discounts. Only you know which details mean the most to you.
Do your research.While this page highlights several companies, you should still shop for cheap insurance quotes on your own. We recommend comparing quotes from at least three insurers at least once a year. Insurance companies adjust rates regularly, so a company that gave you a cheap rate last year might not be a bargain this year.
Ask for discounts.You may be able to save money with discounts you’re not taking advantage of. For example, if you work from home and don’t drive much, you may qualify for a low-mileage discount. Other common discounts are given for bundling auto insurance with homeowners insurance, insuring multiple cars on the same policy and being a student.
Raise your deductibles.The higher your car insurance deductible, the more you pay out of pocket before insurance pays for a covered claim. By raising your deductible, you may be able to lower your premium, which is the amount you pay for your policy. Just make sure you have enough money set aside to cover the deductible if you ever get in an accident.
How to shop for cheap car insurance 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 comparing car insurance rates. People post anonymously, so we cannot confirm their individual experiences or circumstances.
Several Reddit users recommend working with a local, independent agent instead of comparison shopping online. One user mentioned running a Google search for “independent insurance agency near me” to find a local agent, or searching on TrustedChoice.com, a website that offers a directory of independent agents across the U.S. The editorial team at NerdWallet recommends working with an independent agent, who can shop around and compare quotes from several insurers on your behalf.
Other Reddit users do see the value in comparison shopping online. One user claims they worked with an independent agent who overpriced their policy, and when they went directly to Progressive’s website, they were able to get a quote for $900 cheaper than the price the agent quoted. Another user suggested that going directly to an insurer’s website and inputting your information as accurately as possible could result in quotes similar to what you’d get from an independent agent. While going directly to insurer websites could result in an affordable quote, it can be time-consuming and you may not be aware of smaller, state-specific insurers that an agent would be familiar with. Smaller insurers tend to offer better customer service and may offer the cheapest rates.
Some Reddit users note that the cost of car insurance has gone up across the board for everyone. One user, who claims to work in the auto insurance industry, says rates have gone up because of the increase in the price of cars, plus an increase in the cost to repair them. This is also something NerdWallet writers have uncovered in our expert research of car insurance costs. That same user recommended that you practice safe driving to keep your rates down, plus shop around from multiple insurers once a year to get the cheapest policy. NerdWallet also advises this, as it’s the best way to be sure you have the most affordable policy possible.
How do you get cheap car insurance?
Shopping around is the best way to find cheap auto insurance quotes. Having good credit and a clean driving record are two more ways to save on car insurance, and be sure to ask about discounts you might be missing from your policy.
What cars are cheaper to insure?
According to a separate NerdWallet analysis of the cheapest cars to insure, the Subaru Outback, Crosstrek and Forester, as well as the Honda CR-V, were the cheapest to insure, on average. When pricing auto policies, insurance companies take into consideration the car you drive. Vehicles with higher theft rates, repair costs and lower safety ratings will cost more to insure. If you’re in the market for a new ride and want to keep insurance rates low, avoid sports cars, high-end luxury cars and cars most likely to be stolen.
How can you find the best car insurance?
The best auto insurer will be the one that best suits your needs. And while price is important, the cheapest insurer isn’t always the best. A top-notch insurer will provide a customer-first experience, whether you need help getting a quote or filing a claim. Check out NerdWallet’s best car insurance companies for our top-rated companies.
At what age does car insurance get cheaper?
Teens and young drivers have some of the highest car insurance rates, on average. As you gain experience as a driver, you are more likely to find cheaper insurance quotes. According to a separate NerdWallet analysis of average car insurance costs, a 30-year-old driver can expect to pay significantly less than a 20-year-old. Generally, rates continue to drop throughout adulthood, and then start to rise again around age 70.
Is minimum coverage enough?
While sticking with your state’s bare minimum requirements may help you get the cheapest car insurance rates, we don’t recommend it. You may find yourself in financial or even legal trouble if you cause a bad crash and don’t have enough coverage to pay for any injuries or property damage you cause. To learn more, read NerdWallet’s explanation of how much car insurance you really need.
How do you get cheap car insurance?
Shopping around is the best way to find cheap auto insurance quotes. Having good credit and a clean driving record are two more
ways to save on car insurance
, and be sure to ask about discounts you might be missing from your policy.
What cars are cheaper to insure?
According to a separate NerdWallet analysis of the
cheapest cars to insure
, the Subaru Outback, Crosstrek and Forester, as well as the Honda CR-V, were the cheapest to insure, on average. When pricing auto policies, insurance companies take into consideration the car you drive. Vehicles with higher theft rates, repair costs and lower safety ratings will cost more to insure. If you’re in the market for a new ride and want to keep insurance rates low, avoid sports cars, high-end luxury cars and cars most likely to be stolen.
How can you find the best car insurance?
The best auto insurer will be the one that best suits your needs. And while price is important, the cheapest insurer isn’t always the best. A top-notch insurer will provide a customer-first experience, whether you need help getting a quote or filing a claim. Check out NerdWallet’s
best car insurance companies
for our top-rated companies.
At what age does car insurance get cheaper?
Teens and young drivers have some of the highest car insurance rates, on average. As you gain experience as a driver, you are more likely to find cheaper insurance quotes. According to a separate NerdWallet analysis of
average car insurance costs
, a 30-year-old driver can expect to pay significantly less than a 20-year-old. Generally, rates continue to drop throughout adulthood, and then start to rise again around age 70.
Is minimum coverage enough?
While sticking with your state’s bare minimum requirements may help you get the cheapest car insurance rates, we don’t recommend it. You may find yourself in financial or even legal trouble if you cause a bad crash and don’t have enough coverage to pay for any injuries or property damage you cause. To learn more, read NerdWallet’s explanation of
how much car insurance you really need
.
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