The Best Car Insurance Companies (2024)
Find out which car insurance company is best-reviewed by The Zebra.
Which car insurance company is best?
When you're looking for a car insurance policy that fits your budget, it's important to remember that the cheapest option may not be the best. That's why we've created a helpful resource to help you determine which car insurance companies are considered the best by customers and independent reviewers.
Our experts at The Zebra have compiled the top-rated car insurance companies based on a rigorous methodology. We looked at a number of factors, including customer satisfaction, price, and our own survey data to help you find the best car insurance carrier for your needs.
Key takeaways
- USAA tops the list yet again for the best large car insurance company
- Smaller, regional carriers could be a great option, with Shelter Insurance scoring high marks
- Getting quotes from multiple companies is always recommended
The Zebra's top rated car insurance carriers
Below you'll find the top three car insurance companies as rated by our experts. We looked at many different facets of each company, including financial stability, customer satisfaction, overall cost and more.Â
Thanks to its top-notch customer satisfaction scores, USAA received the highest overall rating according to our review methodology. Eligibility is limited to those in the military community.
NJM also scored well in both third-party ratings and The Zebra's customer satisfaction survey to take 2nd place overall.
Available in twelve Eastern and Midwestern states, Erie rounds out the top three with great scores all around.
| Rank | Company | Overall score |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | USAA | 4.6/5 |
| 2 | NJM | 4.6/5 |
| 3 | Erie | 4.6/5 |
| 4 | Amica | 4.5/5 |
| 5 | State Farm | 4.5/5 |
| 6 | American Family | 4.4/5 |
| 7 | The Hartford | 4.4/5 |
| 8 | Nationwide | 4.3/5 |
| 9 | Allstate | 4.3/5 |
| 10 | Mercury | 4.2/5 |
Methodology — how The Zebra reviews insurance companies
The team of insurance experts at The Zebra considers the company's standing in five main categories to come up with an overall rating. These metrics are weighted according to importance and are detailed below:
- Price (20%): Using the base profile detailed below, we compared the company's average rate with the national average. If it surpassed this average, we gave a lower rating; if it fell below, we awarded a higher rating.
- Coverage (20%): The highest-scoring companies offer a variety of coverage options, including bundling options, roadside assistance, telematics, beyond-basic coverage levels, and a variety of other coverage types.
- Customer service (30%): We averaged ratings from JD Power, the NAIC complaint index to come up with a rating for the company's customer service. In instances when a company is not rated, we may use alternative rating agencies such as the Better Business Bureau and Trust Pilot.
- Financial strength (10%): We use AM Best to determine a company's financial standing. In some cases when a company is not rated by AM Best, we may use an alternative measure such as Demotech.
- The Zebra's Customer Satisfaction Survey (20%): The Zebra conducts an annual survey measuring customer satisfaction for many of the top insurance companies with the goal of ranking both the best auto insurance companies and best home insurance companies. Read more below.
For our auto insurance review, we analyzed more than 83 million insurance rates spanning every U.S. ZIP code using a sample user profile: a 30-year-old single male driver with a Honda Accord, good credit and full coverage at these levels:
- $50,000 per person/$100,000 per incident for bodily injury liability
- $50,000 per incident for property damage liability
- $500 deductibles for collision and comprehensive coverage
For our home insurance review, rates are based on a sample user profile: a 45-year-old married homeowner living in a 2,500-square-foot single-story home built in 2011 with these coverage levels:
- $200,000 for the dwelling
- $20,000 for other structures
- $100,000 for personal property
- $100,000 for personal liability
- $1,000 deductible
These sample premiums are dynamic and automatically refresh whenever the newest data is made available.
To generate pricing for particular rating factors, we adjusted this profile based on common pricing factors used by major car insurance companies. These factors include credit score, coverage level and others.
For The Zebra's Customer Satisfaction Survey, findings are based on an online quantitative survey of 4,134 current U.S. auto and home insurance customers, with Census-balanced sampling by age, gender and region. Categories with n=<20 responses are considered insufficient sample size and are not reported. This survey was developed by The Zebra and executed by independent research firm Maru/Blue in 2023.
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The Zebra’s Customer Satisfaction Survey
As a part of our dedication to helping you find the best car insurance, The Zebra commissioned a survey of the top car insurance companies in America. We obtained feedback from real customers and ranked each company based on a number of important factors. See the results from 2024 below.
USAA was first place in the Zebra’s Customer Satisfaction Survey.
Erie Insurance came int second on our list of best car insurance companies with an overall score of 8.5.
American Family came in third place overall with a score of 8.4 out of 10.
Below you'll find the remaining top 10 large auto insurance carriers. To see the full results, which include smaller and lesser-known insurers, click here.
Car insurance companies with the highest customer satisfaction
Among the ten largest insurers by market share in the United States, USAAÂ took first place, topping nearly every category, followed by American Family Insurance and Travelers.
| Rank | Company | Customer Satisfaction Rating (out of 10) |
|---|---|---|
| 1st | USAA | 8.78 |
| 2nd | American Family | 8.40 |
| 3rd | Travelers | 8.15 |
| 4th | State Farm | 8.14 |
| 5th | GEICO | 8.07 |
| 6th | Allstate | 8.04 |
| 7th | Liberty Mutual | 8.0 |
| 8th | Farmers | 7.98 |
| 9th | Progressive | 7.96 |
| 10th | Nationwide | 7.53 |
Below you'll find the top companies for each of these individual factors.
The Zebra Customer Satisfaction Survey methodology
Methodology:
These results are based on a survey of 2,722 U.S. insurance policyholders assessing satisfaction with their car and homeowners insurance providers. The survey was conducted using Survey Monkey and designed by our in-house team. It aimed to collect detailed insights from a census-balanced sample reflecting age, gender, and region.
Questionnaire
The questionnaire included demographic questions about age and gender identification and detailed inquiries into insurance experiences. Key topics:
- Duration with insurance provider and coverage specifics, including teen drivers.
- Claim filing experiences and satisfaction with claims handling.
- Customer service interactions, trust in providers, and likelihood of recommending their insurance.
- Use and satisfaction with digital tools and usage-based insurance programs.
Respondents rated their satisfaction on a Likert scale from 1 to 10 and provided qualitative feedback.
Data Analysis
Data were analyzed focusing on descriptive and inferential statistics to identify satisfaction trends and demographic impacts. Data cleaning and weighting were applied to ensure accuracy, alongside strict confidentiality protocols to protect data security.
The Zebra Customer Satisfaction Survey: Categories
Our survey looked at six customer experience categories:
Best for claims satisfaction: Erie
No one wants to have to use their insurance. Still, you want the process to be as seamless as possible when you must. For this section, we asked respondents about their overall satisfaction with how their car insurance claims were handled by their company. Respondents who had not filed a claim with their current insurer did not answer this question.Â
The company that came out on top was Erie. USAA came in a close second, while Auto Club (AAA) rounded out the top three. Below is a list of the top five best insurance companies with the highest claims satisfaction scores:
| Rank | Company | Customer Satisfaction Rating (out of 10) |
|---|---|---|
| 1st | Erie | 8.61 |
| 2nd | USAA | 8.5 |
| 3rd | AAA | 8.31 |
| 4th | American Family | 8.3 |
| 5th | Allstate | 8.12 |
Best for customer service: USAA
The way you are treated by customer service can leave a lasting impression. This section focused on how satisfied customers were with the customer service received from their insurance company. This involved interactions including renewing a policy, paying a bill, or simply asking a question. USAA came out on top with the best customer service score overall. See who rounded out the top five below.
| Rank | Company | Customer Satisfaction Rating (out of 10) |
|---|---|---|
| 1st | USAA | 8.74 |
| 2nd | Erie | 8.57 |
| 3rd | Farmers | 8.22 |
| 4th | American Family | 8.16 |
| 5th | Travelers | 8.08 |
| Rank | Company | Customer Satisfaction Rating (out of 10) |
|---|---|---|
| 1st | Erie | 9.5 |
| 2nd | USAA | 9.3 |
| 3rd (tie) | GEICO | 9.1 |
| 3rd (tie) | Liberty Mutual | 9.1 |
| 3rd (tie) | AAA | 9.1 |
| Rank | Company | Customer Satisfaction Rating (out of 10) |
|---|---|---|
| 1st | USAA | 8.83 |
| 2nd | Erie | 8.51 |
| 3rd | American Family | 8.21 |
| 4th | AAA | 8.19 |
| 5th | Farmers | 8.03 |
Best for online satisfaction: USAA
Moreso than ever, a company's online presence is a major part of the customer experience. The insurance sector has, on the whole, been slower to embrace technological shifts. However, the following companies have made an impression on customers by providing good online experiences, whether through apps or company websites.
| Rank | Company | Customer Satisfaction Rating (out of 10) |
|---|---|---|
| 1st | USAA | 8.52 |
| 2nd | American Family | 8.35 |
| 3rd | Travelers | 8.3 |
| 4th | AAA | 8.2 |
| 5th | Progressive | 7.75 |
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Best companies: Mid-sized and smaller
Outside of the top ten largest car insurers by market share, there are a number of other great companies that our respondents ranked. We found these carriers to be ranked the best.Â
Note: Due to the smaller size of these companies and limited responses, some of the rankings are determined from scores gathered from last year's survey.
Best companies by region
Some car insurance companies only serve a small portion of the country. However, this does not mean that they are inferior. In fact, there are a number of smaller carriers that offer top-of-the-line coverage options and exceptional customer service. We've put together a list of some of the best car insurance companies by region, highlighting regional and mid-sized carriers that offer great coverage options.Â
This list was created using the same methodology as The Zebra's carrier reviews, incorporating ratings from J.D. Power and the NAIC with coverage options offered. Reference the list below to find the best regional carriers in your part of the country.Â
Â
NortheastÂ
Including the following states:Â CT, MA, ME, NH, NJ, NY, PA, RI, VT
Â
Southeast
Including the following states:Â AL, AR, DE, FL, GA, KY, LA, MD, MS, NC, SC, TN, VA, WV
- Farm Bureau Insurance - Tennessee
- Erie Insurance
- Alfa
- Auto-Owners Insurance
- North Carolina Farm Bureau
Â
Midwest
Including the following states:Â IA, IL, IN, KS, MI, MN, MO, ND, NE, OH, SD, WI
- Auto-Owners Insurance
- Shelter Insurance
- Indiana Farm BureauÂ
- Westfield Insurance
- Erie Insurance
Â
Southwest
Including the following states:Â AZ, CO, NM, OK, TX, UT
- Texas Farm Bureau
- Auto Club of Southern California
- CSAA Insurance Group
- Country Financial
- Auto-Owners Insurance
Â
West
Including the following states:Â AL, CA, HI, ID, MT, NV, OR, WA, WY
- Wawanesa
- PEMCO
- Grange Insurance
- CSAA Insurance Group
- Country Financial
Other rankings
The Zebra has reviewed both national and regional auto insurance carriers in an effort to aid in your car insurance shopping. We evaluate insurance companies based on a number of factors, including customer complaints, fiscal strength, and reputable third-party reviews. Take a look at the overall scores of the most popular car insurance companies in the country below, and check out a similar ranking for the best home insurance companies.
How to choose the best car insurance company
While our survey can give you a broad idea of what to expect from car insurance companies, your experiences and driver profile may differ from our survey respondents. Because of this, it's hugely important to do your own research on how to find the best car insurance company for your needs.
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Shop around and compare quotes
Get quotes from several companies to see who offers the best price and coverage.
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Explore coverage options
Not all car insurance companies offer the same coverage options. Going for state-minimum, liability-only coverage will certainly be cheaper, but will also leave you less protected.
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Read reviews
Third-party reviews (including those of The Zebra) can give you another lens through which to view a car insurance company. Consult review sites such as the Better Business Bureau, NAIC, and J.D. Power to see how others have rated them.
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Talk to a professional
If you're still unsure about what coverage you need, speak to a licensed professional. The Zebra has an entire agency full of independent insurance agents who can help you find the right balance of affordability and customer service in a policy specially tailored to your needs.
Compare rates from the best car insurance companies!
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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.