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The Zebra partners with some of the companies we write about. However, our content is written and reviewed by an independent team of editors and licensed agents. Reference our data methodology and learn more about how we make money.

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Renata Balasco

Senior Insurance Specialist

Renata joined The Zebra in 2020 as a Customer Experience Agent. Since 2021, she has worked as a licensed insurance professional and content strategis…

Credentials
  • Licensed Insurance Agent — Property and Casualty
  • 5 years of experience in the insurance industry
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Bill Mense

Partner, United Heartland Insurance

William Mense has amassed 45 years of insurance experience in a family-owned agency begun in 1914 by his grandfather. That agency is now in its 3rd g…

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Beth Swanson

Insurance Analyst

Beth joined The Zebra in 2022 as an Associate Content Strategist. A licensed insurance agent, she specializes in creating clear, accessible content t…

Credentials
  • Licensed Insurance Agent — Property and Casualty
  • Associate in Insurance (AINS)
  • Professional Risk Consultant (PRC)
  • Associate in Insurance Services (AIS)

How much is car insurance on average? 

The average cost of car insurance is $1,084 every six months ($181 per month).[1] Of our customers, 39% said they're paying too much for car insurance.[2] Whatever your reason for shopping for auto insurance might be, we're here to help.

💡Remember: Auto insurance quotes vary widely based on individual rating factors. Dive into the data below to see how age, gender, location and type of vehicle can affect your car insurance rate.

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Everyone's insurance needs are unique — answer a few more questions to help us match you with the right coverage at the right price.

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Here at The Zebra, we make it easy for you to find the right coverage—at the right price. We compare top companies so you can find what works for you.

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Which car insurance companies have the lowest monthly rates?

As part of our car insurance rate analysis, we compared premiums from some of America's best car insurers. Check out average auto insurance rates from the best car insurance companies below. Keep in mind your individual rates will vary, depending on your driving history.

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Travelers

Travelers offers the cheapest car insurance, with an average 6-month policy cost at $737.

USAA logo

USAA

For members of the military and their families, USAA is an excellent choice with an average policy costing $835 for six months.

GEICO logo

GEICO

GEICO policies cost $954 for the average driver.

Average car insurance rates from top companies

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CompanyAvg. 6 Mo. Premium
Travelers $737
USAA $835
GEICO $954
Nationwide $1,037
Progressive $1,086
State Farm $1,133
Farmers $1,241
Allstate $1,460

Source: The Zebra

The Zebra’s Dynamic Insurance Rating Tool data methodology

The Zebra’s Dynamic Insurance Rating Tool for home and auto insurance rates utilizes the latest ZIP code-level rate filings from across the U.S., sourced from Quadrant Information Services and S&P Global. These filings, typically updated annually or biennially by insurers, are verified through Quadrant’s QA process and then integrated into The Zebra’s estimator.

The displayed rates are based on a dynamic home and auto profile designed to reflect the content of the page. This profile is tailored to match specific factors such as age, location, and coverage level, which are adjusted based on the page content to show how these variables can impact premiums.

For a comprehensive understanding, see our detailed methodology.

Don't overpay for car insurance. Compare quotes now and start saving!

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Car insurance costs by location

Car insurance is regulated at the state level and priced by ZIP code. Your exact location can have a major impact on your premium.

📍 The map below shows the average car insurance premium in each state. Compare that number with your premium to see whether you are paying too much for auto insurance.

Average auto insurance premiums by state

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Source: The Zebra

Average cost of car insurance by company and coverage
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CompanyLiability onlyFull coverage
State Farm $280 $892
Allstate $557 $1,205
ALFA $661 $2,119
MetLife $686 $1,313
Travelers $239 $661
Nationwide $434 $1,060
GEICO $209 $756
Progressive $402 $1,282
USAA $238 $788
Farmers $520 $1,511
Auto-Owners $257 $790
Cincinnati Insurance $76 $803

Source: The Zebra


Car insurance rates depend on unique factors

Beyond location, several personal factors are considered when rating a policy. Age, credit, driving history, and coverage are the most important. In short, young drivers, high-risk drivers, and low-credit drivers will be paying the highest premiums. 

Jump to each section to see how these factors affect your premiums:

Average car insurance rates by driver age

In the eyes of your car insurance company, age directly correlates to driving experience. This is why teens pay such high premiums—brand new drivers often mean a higher risk for accidents. Gender can play a role, too, but the price difference is minimal after your teenage years. 

The table below features average full coverage premiums for each age group. For teens, these rates reflect a teen on their parents' car insurance policy.

Average cost of car insurance by age group

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Age GroupAvg. 6 Mo. Premium
16-19 $2,846
20s $1,682
30s $1,054
40s $1,174
50s $986
60+ $1,326

Source: The Zebra


Car insurance costs by coverage level

Simply put, more coverage means a higher cost. Your deductible also affects your auto insurance price: choosing a higher deductible can reduce your monthly premium, while a lower deductible usually increases it.

Check out the data below to see how much car insurance costs at each coverage level.

comparison car image

Minimum

State minimum required limits

  • 31% of Zebra customers opt for this coverage level

Basic

State minimum coverage + Comprehensive and collision

  • 30% of our customers choose to carry this level of auto coverage.

Better

Full coverage at 50/100/50 + Comprehensive and collision

  • 23% of Zebra customers opt for this coverage level

Best

Full coverage with limits of 100/300/100 + Comprehensive and collision

  • 16% of Zebra customers opt for this coverage level
Average car insurance costs by coverage level
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Coverage levelAvg. 6 Mo. Premium
Basic $882
Best $1,009
Better $1,019

Source: The Zebra

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Zebra Tip: Carry more than minimum liability-only coverage for added protection

Lower coverage usually means a lower premium—but it can also mean higher risk. Keeping your liability limits high helps protect your savings if you're at fault in an accident. If you’re financing your car, your lender may also require collision and comprehensive coverage. And while the state minimum might check the legal box, it often doesn’t go far when things go wrong.

Best Car Insurance with a $500 Deductible

Use The Zebra to get the best car insurance with a $500 deductible from GEICO, Progressive, Nationwide, Liberty Mutual and Allstate (+100 other companies)

Best Car Insurance with a $1,000 Deductible | The Zebra

$1000 is a great option for your deductible if you're looking to lower your monthly premium and discourage yourself from filing a claim.

Compare rates and find an affordable policy today

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Average car insurance premium by driving record

Getting any type of violation — even a minor one — can have major impacts on your premium. Most insurance providers will raise rates for three to five years after any violation, ticket or claim. Driving safely and keeping a clean driving record is one of the best ways to save money on car insurance.

Take a look at the table below to see how much a specific ticket or violation can impact your rate over the course of a six-month policy.

Average cost of car insurance with violations

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Source: The Zebra


Average cost of car insurance by credit score

In most states, car insurance companies use your credit score to determine risk. According to the Federal Trade Commission (FTC), drivers with low credit not only file more claims than drivers with high credit, but their claims tend to be more expensive. This makes credit a predictor of claim severity. 

Average auto insurance costs by credit tier

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Credit tierAvg. 6 Mo. Premium
Poor (below 580) $2,901
Average (680-719) $1,396
Good (680-719) $1,263
Excellent (720+) $1,060

Source: The Zebra

California, Hawaii, Michigan, and Massachusetts do not use credit scores in insurance ratings.


Car insurance quotes for different vehicles

Your car type directly affects your car insurance rates. Insurers use its VIN to look up mileage, accident history, and other details to calculate a personalized premium. Use our tool to find average costs for your vehicle type.


How car insurance premiums are calculated

"Average" car insurance rates are hard to calculate, thanks to the myriad of rating factors contributing to any driver's auto insurance premium. In short, car insurance is priced to suit the risk that each driver poses to an insurer. 

Car insurance pricing also varies by company; every insurer weighs factors differently when underwriting a policy.  The smartest way to find a fair rate? Skip the guesswork and compare quotes side by side.

Compare rates and find a policy today!

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Average car insurance rate FAQs

Across the U.S., the average annual premium is $181 per month, which comes out to $1,084 per 6-month policy. That's up 18% from the previous year.

Your location — down to your specific ZIP code — is a critical rating factor when insurance companies calculate your premium. In addition, because auto insurance is regulated on the state level, each state's laws and regulations do make an impact on average rates. For instance, Michigan tends to be an expensive state for car insurance largely due to mandated coverage requirements enforced by law.

Other expensive states include Louisiana, Florida, Kentucky, Rhode Island, Nevada and California. Some of the cheapest states for car insurance include Ohio, New Hampshire, North Carolina, Virginia and Vermont.

In our survey of top car insurance companies, USAA was the cheapest for the average driver profile. However, USAA coverage is only available to members, so not everyone is eligible. Travelers and GEICO are good alternatives if you don't qualify for USAA. Keep in mind that the individual profile we use to calculate rates likely won't match yours exactly. The best way to find a budget-friendly rate is to shop around for quotes before the end of every policy period.

Sources:
  1. Data Methodology. The Zebra’s Dynamic Insurance Rating Tool

  2. Anonymized User Surveys. The Zebra

About The Zebra

The Zebra is not an insurance company. We publish data-backed, expert-reviewed resources to help consumers make more informed insurance decisions.

  • The Zebra’s insurance content is written and reviewed for accuracy by licensed insurance agents.
  • The Zebra’s insurance editorial content is not subject to review or alteration by insurance companies or partners.
  • The Zebra’s editorial team operates independently of the company’s partnerships and commercialization interests, publishing unbiased information for consumer benefit.
  • The auto insurance rates published on The Zebra’s pages are based on a comprehensive analysis of car insurance pricing data, evaluating more than 83 million insurance rates from across the United States.