Best Cheap Car Insurance (quotes from $94/mo)

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Kristine Lee

Manager, Content and Data

Credentials
  • Licensed Insurance Agent — Property and Casualty

Kristine is a licensed insurance agent who joined The Zebra in 2019 as an in-house content researcher and writer. Before joining The Zebra, she was a…

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Jean Lucey, CPCU

Faculty, IIAA Virtual University

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  • CPCU, Chartered Property Casualty Underwriter

Jean Lucey has researched and written about insurance matters for well over 30 years. A current member of The Zebra's Insurance Expert Review Bo…

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Susan Meyer

Senior Editorial Manager

Credentials
  • Licensed Insurance Agent — Property and Casualty

Susan is a licensed insurance agent and has worked as a writer and editor for over 10 years across a number of industries. She has worked at The Zebr…

The best cheap car insurance

The Zebra analyzed rates from top car insurance companies to see who has the cheapest rates in 2023. View the cheapest car insurance rates from some of America's most popular insurance companies below, or continue reading to see rates from more large insurance companies.

USAA
USAA - $94 / month

At just $94 per month, USAA's average rates are the industry's cheapest. Note: the company's policies are only available to active-duty U.S. military, veterans and their family members.

GEICO
GEICO - $102 / month

GEICO's average monthly rate is $102, and the company's customer service is well-regarded.

Nationwide
Nationwide - $106 / month

Nationwide is the third-cheapest auto insurance company, at $106 per month on average. 

Don't pay too much for auto insurance. Shop and save with The Zebra.

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How to find the cheapest car insurance

With so many companies to choose from, the task can seem overwhelming. Through this handy guide, finding the right car insurance company at the best price is simplified. The Zebra has compiled lists of car insurance companies by price for a variety of rating factors like driving history, demographic data, and other factors. 

The Zebra's guides to finding the cheapest car insurance:

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Review your coverage

If your vehicle is worth less than $4k, you might need to join the 33% of The Zebra's customers forgoing comprehensive and collision coverage.

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Get quotes from multiple companies

The Zebra's quote tool compares over one hundred companies at once so you don't have to. See top companies to find the best and cheapest one for you.

Consider pay-per-mile insurance
Consider pay-per-mile insurance

If you're a low-mileage driver, consider if usage-based insurance or a telematics program would benefit you. Companies like Metromile and Mile Auto price their insurance policies by mileage. Telematics programs monitor your driving and reward you for safe driving practices. 

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File claims cautiously

Most insurance companies will charge your premium for at-fault accidents for 3 or more years. If possible, avoid filing a claim by paying out of pocket. If you're unsure of whether or not to file a claim, consult our claims calculator.

Top 10+ cheapest car insurance companies

There are hundreds of car insurance companies in the US. While you may believe it's always cheaper to go with the big brand, below you can see the cheapest car insurance options are actually from smaller companies. 

Company Avg. Annual Premium Avg. 6 Mo. Premium
Noblr $268 $134
Root $669 $335
Pekin Insurance $806 $403
Erie $1,293 $646
Travelers $1,342 $671
USAA $1,365 $683
Nationwide $1,476 $738
Metromile $1,520 $760
GEICO $1,542 $771
State Farm $1,569 $785
Farmers $1,786 $893
Progressive $1,882 $941
Esurance $2,062 $1,031
Allstate $2,413 $1,206
Updated: 09/28/23.

Dynamic auto insurance data methodology

Methodology: The auto insurance rates displayed above and throughout this page are dynamic, meaning the data will refresh when the most recent information is made available. Rates are based on a sample driver profile — a 30-year-old single male driver with a Honda Accord and full coverage. This profile was adjusted based on common pricing factors used by major car insurance companies, like age, coverage level, driving record and others.


Cheapest car insurance companies after an accident

It's the "golden rule" of car insurance: as a driving profile changes, so does a driver's premium. Not every company assesses accidents in the same way, so it's worth comparing insurance quotes occasionally to find the best prices.

An at-fault accident raises insurance rates by an average of 45%. The cheapest car insurance company in this situation is USAA, which still offers eligible drivers affordable rates after an accident ($144 per month). However, only members of the military community are eligible.

Car insurance rates after at-fault accident claim
Company Accident/Violation Avg. Monthly Premium hide me
USAA None $114 None
USAA At-fault accident - greater than $2000 $161 At-fault accident - greater than $2000
State Farm At-fault accident - greater than $2000 $167 At-fault accident - greater than $2000
State Farm None $131 None
Progressive None $157 None
Progressive At-fault accident - greater than $2000 $245 At-fault accident - greater than $2000
Nationwide None $123 None
Nationwide At-fault accident - greater than $2000 $194 At-fault accident - greater than $2000
GEICO At-fault accident - greater than $2000 $195 At-fault accident - greater than $2000
GEICO None $129 None
Farmers At-fault accident - greater than $2000 $209 At-fault accident - greater than $2000
Farmers None $149 None
Allstate At-fault accident - greater than $2000 $290 At-fault accident - greater than $2000
Allstate None $201 None
Updated: 09/28/23.

Cheapest car insurance companies after a ticket

Car insurance rate increases may occur after a driver receives a ticket.

Included in the below insurance price analysis are violations with major insurance implications:

 

Cheapest insurance companies after a DUI

A DUI can raise a driver's car insurance rates by $80 per month. Progressive is the most affordable choice after a DUI or DWI offense, while Allstate raises rates the most after a DUI citation.

INSURANCE RATES WITH A DUI
Company DUI status Avg. Monthly Premium
Allstate After DUI $295
Allstate No DUI $201
Farmers After DUI $213
Farmers No DUI $149
GEICO After DUI $269
GEICO No DUI $129
Nationwide No DUI $123
Nationwide After DUI $289
Progressive After DUI $207
Progressive No DUI $157
State Farm After DUI $221
State Farm No DUI $131
USAA No DUI $114
USAA After DUI $211
Updated: 09/28/23.

Progressive and Farmers assess relatively small penalties against drivers with DUIs, upping rates by less than $70 per month. Progressive's $50-per-month increase is well under the national average rate hike following a DUI conviction.

 

Cheapest insurers after a driving with a suspended license ticket

The average monthly rate increase after a ticket for driving with a suspended license is $75. USAA and GEICO are the cheapest companies after a citation for driving with a suspended license.

Company Ticket status Avg. Monthly Premium
Allstate No suspended license ticket $201
Allstate After a suspended license ticket $273
Farmers After a suspended license ticket $232
Farmers No suspended license ticket $149
GEICO No suspended license ticket $129
GEICO After a suspended license ticket $193
Nationwide After a suspended license ticket $268
Nationwide No suspended license ticket $123
Progressive No suspended license ticket $157
Progressive After a suspended license ticket $232
State Farm No suspended license ticket $131
State Farm After a suspended license ticket $205
USAA No suspended license ticket $114
USAA After a suspended license ticket $194
Updated: 09/28/23.
 

Cheapest insurance companies after a hit-and-run

In most states, a hit-and-run incident is the most costly citation for insurance — even pricier than a DUI. Drivers ticketed for a hit-and-run should consider State Farm, a relative bargain after a citation at $218 per month.

Company Violation status Avg. Monthly Premium
Allstate After hit-and-run $293
Allstate No hit-and-run $201
Farmers No hit-and-run $149
Farmers After hit-and-run $235
GEICO After hit-and-run $266
GEICO No hit-and-run $129
Nationwide No hit-and-run $123
Nationwide After hit-and-run $255
Progressive No hit-and-run $157
Progressive After hit-and-run $238
State Farm After hit-and-run $218
State Farm No hit-and-run $131
USAA No hit-and-run $114
USAA After hit-and-run $214
Updated: 09/28/23.

Cheapest insurance companies after reckless driving

The definition of reckless driving varies by state, but regardless of location, it comes with a hefty insurance penalty. On average, a reckless driving charge raises insurance rates by around $75 per month. 

If you don't qualify for USAA, State Farm is the second-cheapest insurer after a reckless driving citation, at $215 per month.

 
Company Ticket Status Avg. Monthly Premium
Allstate After reckless driving ticket $284
Allstate No reckless driving ticket $201
Farmers No reckless driving ticket $149
Farmers After reckless driving ticket $234
GEICO No reckless driving ticket $129
GEICO After reckless driving ticket $227
Nationwide After reckless driving ticket $259
Nationwide No reckless driving ticket $123
Progressive After reckless driving ticket $227
Progressive No reckless driving ticket $157
State Farm After reckless driving ticket $215
State Farm No reckless driving ticket $131
USAA No reckless driving ticket $114
USAA After reckless driving ticket $163
Updated: 09/28/23.

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Cheapest auto insurance companies for teen drivers

If a parent's greatest fear is their child getting behind the wheel, covering their car insurance premiums might be a close second. On average, teen drivers pay 83% more for insurance than older drivers do. USAA is the cheapest company for teen drivers, with Nationwide the best option for drivers who don't qualify for USAA coverage.

See below the average monthly premiums from popular car insurance companies with a teen driver added to the car insurance policy of a married couple.

Teen drivers and insurance: more data

Consult our in-depth guides for age-specific data and company-by-company breakdowns:

 

CAR INSURANCE RATES FOR TEEN DRIVERS
Insurance company Monthly rate (no teen driver) Monthly rate (with teen driver)
Allstate $168 $273
Farmers $143 $242
GEICO $102 $211
Liberty Mutual $137 $211
Nationwide $106 $177
Progressive $107 $237
State Farm $112 $203
USAA $94 $137

Cheapest insurance companies for drivers with bad credit and good credit

In most U.S. states, insurance companies take into consideration a driver's credit score when setting rates. An improvement of one credit tier leads to savings of an average of about $32 per month.

Drivers with bad credit should consider Nationwide and GEICO. This is especially important considering insurance for drivers with bad credit is $125 more expensive per month than it is for drivers with excellent credit.

The use of credit scores in setting insurance rates is controversial, and some lawmakers are working to curtail it. In fact, several U.S. states already prohibit the practice.

Credit Tier Company Avg. Annual Premium
Excellent Allstate $2,160
Poor Allstate $3,434
Excellent Farmers $1,525
Poor Farmers $2,724
Excellent GEICO $1,397
Poor GEICO $2,174
Excellent Nationwide $1,331
Poor Nationwide $1,984
Excellent Progressive $1,461
Poor Progressive $3,716
Excellent State Farm $1,224
Poor State Farm $4,126
Excellent USAA $1,216
Poor USAA $2,393
Updated: 09/28/23.

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How to get cheap car insurance: discounts and tips

If you're looking for affordable insurance, the best place to start is online. Your best bet is to gather quotes from multiple companies to see which offers the best coverage at the best rate. It's also a good idea to look into discount opportunities, as most car insurance companies may apply discounts for qualifying drivers. If you aren't sure where to start, read on for tips or speak to a licensed agent to understand your options. 

 

 

Remember: your car insurance rate is specific to you

Many factors determine car insurance rates, including location, your age, insurance history, driving history and the make and model of your vehicle.

If you've accumulated at-fault accidents or claims, your rate will increase. If your credit score is low or your ZIP code has a large number of uninsured motorists, you might not be able to find cheap auto insurance.

Auto insurance discounts

You can’t improve your credit score overnight, but there are some easy ways to reduce the cost of insurance — like car insurance discounts.

Multi-policy/bundling auto insurance discount

Qualifying for this discount involves carrying two insurance policies with one company. Common bundling combinations include a home-and-auto bundle or a renters-and-auto bundle. A homeowners-auto combo saves an average of $12 per month, compared to $6 for a renters-auto pairing.

Safe driving discount

This discount entails taking a defensive driving course and presenting your insurance company with proof — like a receipt or transcript. The logic behind this discount is clear: a safer driver is a cheaper client because they're less likely to file a claim. Consult our guide to auto insurance for good drivers to learn more about how to save.

bundle

Equipment discount

If your car comes with an anti-theft device or a service like LoJack, your insurance company may provide a discount. The discounts tend to be smaller than a multi-policy or defensive driver discount. In our survey, we found systems such as night vision devices, park-assist devices and rearview cameras did not earn discounts.

AVERAGE INSURANCE SAVINGS WITH SAFETY DEVICES
Safety/Anti-Theft Device Average Annual Premium Discount
None $1,483 —
Blind Spot Warning Device $1,481 $2
Collision Preparation System $1,482 $1
Electronic Stability Control (ESC) $1,474 $9

Good driver discount

This discount is available to drivers with clean driving records. Good driver discounts can be added when your Motor Vehicle Report (MVR) or CLUE report is pulled at the inception of your auto policy. If you're convinced your record is clean (no at-fault accidents or violations) and you aren't receiving a discount, speak with your insurance company and inquire about a discount. By keeping a clean slate, you can earn a discount of approximately 10%.

Military discount

Many companies offer discounts for active or former military members and their families. The amount and qualifications differ per company but you should ask if your current company has this discount.

Multi-car discount

A multi-car discount involves insuring more than one car with a single insurance company. Typically, the discount is automatically added either at policy inception — if two cars were originally added — or when you add the second vehicle to the policy.

Preferred payment discount

This discount refers to the manner in which you make your insurance payments and has tiers, typically. For example, if you pay your entire premium upfront, you are often given a discount: the highest preferred payment discount. A paid-in-full discount can save you $73 per year on your auto policy.

If you set up automatic payments from a bank account, you can often receive an Electronic Funds Transfer (EFT) discount. An EFT discount can lead to savings of about $21 annually. If you are able to pay up front or through automatic payments, this is a great way to get cheaper car insurance.

wallet with money

Occupation discount

Some insurance companies will offer a discount based on your occupation. Statistically, some occupations — teachers, physicians or police officers — are less likely to file a claim and thus pose less risk. Because of this, some insurance companies return the savings back to you. Usually, they will require proof of your profession, such as a photocopy of your professional degree or certification.

For more information on cheap car insurance and profession-based discounts, see our guides:

 

Good student discount

If you're responsible for insuring a young driver, you understand how expensive this can be. Given the number of claims they cause, teen drivers are considerable risks for insurance companies. If your son or daughter has the grades — typically a GPA of 3.0 or better — speak with your insurance company about a good student discount. Normally, they’ll ask for a transcript every policy period as proof.

Save an average of $440 a year by comparing your options.

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Cheap car insurance near you: comparing rates by state

Because each driver, location and situation differs, it's hard to say which insurance company has the cheapest rates.

To find out which company offers the best cheap car insurance for you, compare auto insurance options every six months from multiple insurance companies.

Find cheap car insurance by state:


Related Questions

Got a question about cheap car insurance? We're here to help!

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Is it cheaper to insure two older vehicles, versus one new car?

Thank you for reaching out to The Zebra! The best answer to your question is: it depends. The price can vary quite drastically if you were to rate one newer vehicle versus two older vehicles. The cost of car insurance isn't as cut-and-dry as simply comparing a new car with an old car, but many…
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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 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.