Best Cheap Car Insurance (quotes from $94/mo)
- Travelers and USAA are the best cheap car insurance companies in 2024.
- Compare quotes with The Zebra's free tool to see other affordable options with trusted companies.
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The best cheap car insurance in 2024
The Zebra analyzed millions of rates from top car insurance companies to see who has the cheapest rates in 2024. View our top picks for the cheapest car insurance rates from some of America's most popular and well-regarded insurance companies below, or continue reading to see rates from more large insurance companies.
Cheapest minimum coverage company
USAA offers the lowest average prices for liability coverage at $43 per month.
Cheapest full coverage company
The cheapest full coverage insurance is from Travelers, starting at $122 monthly.
Most discount opportunities
Farmers offers a long list of discounts, helping drivers further lower rates.
We heard from the herd...
- Policy pricing was most important to 67% of customers deciding to switch insurance companies.[1]
- Over 50% of people shopping for insurance spend two or more hours trying to find the lowest price, but at The Zebra, most customers can get a policy in as little as half an hour.
- 36% used The Zebra because they were paying too much for their current car insurance policy.[2]
Don't pay too much for auto insurance. Shop and save with The Zebra.
Top 8 cheapest car insurance companies
There are hundreds of car insurance companies in the U.S., but for the purposes of wide accessibility, we focused on including carriers that offer coverage in all 50 states. Among the nationwide providers, Travelers and USAA offer the cheapest rates.Â
Updating data...
| Company | Full Coverage | Liability Coverage |
|---|---|---|
| Travelers | $730 | $269 |
| USAA | $843 | $256 |
| GEICO | $950 | $288 |
| Nationwide | $1,053 | $437 |
| Progressive | $1,078 | $342 |
| State Farm | $1,176 | $419 |
| Farmers | $1,207 | $411 |
| Allstate | $1,487 | $517 |
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.
Zebra tip: Choosing liability coverage is your cheapest option
- State minimum coverage will always be your cheapest possible option when it comes to car insurance.
- If you lease or finance your car, you will likely be required to carry full coverage.
- Liability-only coverage is the friendliest on your monthly expense budget, but offers the least amount of protection and will cost you dearly if you get into an accident.
Cheapest car insurance companies by state
Perhaps the most important rating factor in car insurance pricing is location— that's why the cheapest car insurance provider in Texas may differ from California's. Check out what each of the top eight car insurance companies charge for full coverage in each state below, or learn more about car insurance in your state.
Updating data...
| Company | Full Coverage | Liability Coverage |
|---|---|---|
| State Farm | $918 | $370 |
| GEICO | $938 | $327 |
| USAA | $955 | $317 |
| Progressive | $1,139 | $271 |
| Allstate | $2,079 | $771 |
Source: The Zebra
"Cheap insurance does not mean lower quality or a reduced chance of a claim payout. All policies are bound by the same contract and promise to pay in the event of a covered claim. However, a cheaper policy may mean missing out on some potential coverages that are not required but could be beneficial in the event of an accident. Always consult with your insurance professional to determine what is right for you."
Erick Sosa — licensed insurance agent and sales manager at The Zebra
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.Â
The Zebra's guides to finding the cheapest car insurance:
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.
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.
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.Â
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.
Smaller, regional car insurance companies often offer the cheapest rates on the market. Erie, for example, offers competitive premiums (and boasts excellent customer service scores) for drivers in 12 states. Look around locally or check out our guide to car insurance in your area.
Best cheap car insurance for you
Car insurance prices differ for everyone, and companies decide a fair rate based on a series of personal rating factors unique to you. That's why inexperienced drivers pay higher premiums, why drivers with a history of accidents have increased rates, and why drivers with good credit scores pay less.Â
The Zebra collected data based on millions of quotes across the country and various driver profiles. Our data concluded that the following companies offer the lowest rates for each demographic*:Â
*The following tables reflect full coverage rates.
Cheapest for bad credit
Drivers with bad credit can find the lowest rates at Nationwide ($165/mo).
Cheapest for violations
USAA is the most forgiving of accidents with rates at $139/mo for policies with a violation.
Cheapest for seniors
Travelers' average rates for seniors are the lowest at $104 per month.
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. Travelers is the cheapest company for teen drivers.
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.
Updating data...
| Company | Avg. 6 Mo. Premium | Avg. Monthly Premium |
|---|---|---|
| Travelers | $2,861 | $477 |
| GEICO | $3,071 | $512 |
| USAA | $3,412 | $569 |
| Nationwide | $3,834 | $639 |
| State Farm | $5,194 | $866 |
| Progressive | $5,365 | $894 |
| Allstate | $5,384 | $897 |
| Farmers | $5,833 | $972 |
Source: The Zebra
Teen drivers and insurance: more data
Consult our in-depth guides for age-specific data and company-by-company breakdowns:
Cheapest insurance companies for drivers with bad 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.
Updating data...
| Company | Avg. 6 Mo. Premium | Avg. Monthly Premium |
|---|---|---|
| State Farm | $2,063 | $344 |
| Progressive | $1,858 | $310 |
| Allstate | $1,717 | $286 |
| Farmers | $1,362 | $227 |
| Travelers | $1,197 | $200 |
| USAA | $1,196 | $199 |
| GEICO | $1,087 | $181 |
| Nationwide | $992 | $165 |
Source: The Zebra
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, including DUI/DWI, reckless driving, hit-and-run, and more.
Â
Updating data...
| Company | Avg. Monthly Premium | Avg. 6 Mo. Premium |
|---|---|---|
| Travelers | $167 | $1,001 |
| USAA | $177 | $1,062 |
| GEICO | $231 | $1,387 |
| State Farm | $242 | $1,450 |
| Progressive | $262 | $1,572 |
| Farmers | $262 | $1,572 |
| Nationwide | $266 | $1,598 |
| Allstate | $357 | $2,143 |
Source: The Zebra
Updating data...
| Company | Avg. Monthly Premium | Avg. 6 Mo. Premium |
|---|---|---|
| Travelers | $104 | $625 |
| USAA | $108 | $648 |
| Nationwide | $116 | $699 |
| State Farm | $128 | $766 |
| GEICO | $132 | $792 |
| Progressive | $149 | $895 |
| Farmers | $151 | $906 |
| Allstate | $204 | $1,225 |
Source: The Zebra
How to get cheap car insurance: discounts and tips
If you're looking for affordable insurance, 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. Here's a list of the most common discounts offered by most providers:
- Multi-policy/bundling
- Safe driver
- Anti-theft devices
- Good driver
- Military
- Multi-car
- Preferred paymentÂ
- Good student
- Occupation
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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 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.