The Best Car Insurance Companies (2025)

  • USAA is our top-rated choice for auto insurance.
  • State Farm and Erie are also highly recommended.
Location pin icon
No junk mail. No spam calls. Free quotes.

Why you can trust The Zebra

Author profile picture

Ross Martin

Insurance Writer

Ross joined The Zebra as a writer and researcher in 2019. He specializes in writing insurance content to help shoppers make informed decisions.

Ross h…

Credentials
  • 5+ years in the Insurance Industry
Author profile picture

Kristine Lee

Insurance Analyst

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…

Credentials
  • Licensed Insurance Agent — Property and Casualty
  • 5+ years of Experience in the Insurance Industry

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.

USAA logo

Best car insurance overall

USAA topped our customer satisfaction survey with an overall score of 8.9 out of 10, nearly sweeping every category. However, eligibility is limited.[1]

State Farm logo

Best company for most drivers

Among carriers that offer nationwide coverage, State Farm scored the highest at 8.3/10, doing particularly well for claims and customer service.

Best regional carrier

While not available nationwide, Erie (8.8/10) is a great option for those who live in states where it's offered.

Johnny Hawkins
Agent insight: What's most important when choosing a car insurance company?

The most important factors when choosing an auto insurance company are going to be tailored to each person, but price, of course, is going to be on everyone's radar. You definitely want to look at the company as a whole: what is their reputation like? What has word of mouth been like with reviews and customer satisfaction?

Johnny Hawkins — Licensed insurance agent and sales manager at The Zebra


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.

The Zebra Customer satisfaction Survey

The top 3 car insurance carriers ranked by customers satisfaction

USAA logo
1. USAA
With a score of 8.9 out of 10, USAA was first place in The Zebra’s Customer Satisfaction Survey. However, eligibility is limited to members of the armed forces and their families.
  • Excellent customer service and high satisfaction ratings
  • Affordable premiums for military members, veterans, and families
  • Accident forgiveness and safe driver discounts
Erie
2. Erie Insurance

Erie Insurance came in second on our list of best car insurance companies with a score of 8.5 out of 10. Erie is a popular regional carrier mostly serving the Northeast and some Midwestern states.

  • High customer satisfaction and strong regional reputation
  • Affordable rates with competitive pricing
  • Rate-lock feature to prevent premium increases
3. American Family Insurance
3. American Family Insurance

American Family came in third place overall with a score of 8.4 out of 10. Though it does serve more states than Erie, American Family is not available to all U.S. states.

  • Solid customer service with personalized agent support
  • Unique coverages like accidental death and travel protection
  • Optional KnowYourDrive program for usage-based discounts on safe driving

Car insurance companies with the highest customer satisfaction

In our survey, USAA took first place in nearly every category, followed by Erie and American Family Insurance. Below you'll find the full top 10 auto insurance carriers by customer satisfaction rating. 

Rank Company Customer Satisfaction Rating (out of 10)
1st USAA 8.9
2nd Erie 8.8
3rd American Family 8.4
4th AAA 8.4
5th State Farm 8.3
6th GEICO 8.2
7th Farmers 8.2
8th Liberty Mutual 8.1
9th Allstate 8.1
10th Travelers 8.1

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.

Get instant quotes from top-rated car insurance companies

Location pin icon
No junk mail. No spam calls. Free quotes.

The Zebra Customer Satisfaction Survey: Categories

Our survey looked at six customer experience categories:

Zebra Survey Icon

Best for claims satisfaction: Erie (8.6)

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. 

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:

Claims satisfaction medal
The top five for claims satisfaction
Rank Company Customer Satisfaction Rating (out of 10)
1st Erie 8.6
2nd USAA 8.5
3rd AAA 8.3
4th American Family 8.3
5th Allstate 8.1
Johnny Hawkins
Agent insight: What separates a good company from one that is just so-so?

One of the biggest differentiators for some of the top-rated companies compared to the smaller ones will be their claims process, which really affects a customer’s overall experience with a company.

Johnny Hawkins — Licensed insurance agent and sales manager at The Zebra


Best customer service: USAA (8.7)

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.

customer service medal
The top 5 carriers for customer service
Rank Company Customer Satisfaction Rating (out of 10)
1st USAA 8.7
2nd Erie 8.6
3rd Farmers 8.2
4th American Family 8.2
5th State Farm 8.2

Most likely to recommend: Erie (9.5)

One of the best indicators of satisfaction with your coverage is whether you would recommend it to friends or family. The following companies were considered the most likely to be recommended to others by current customers.

thumbs up medal
The carriers most likely to be recommended
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

Most trustworthy: USAA (8.8)

This part of the survey asked if customers perceive their insurance company as trustworthy. The following companies were deemed the most trustworthy among our survey respondents.

Trust medal
The top 5 most trustworthy carriers
Rank Company Customer Satisfaction Rating (out of 10)
1st USAA 8.8
2nd Erie 8.5
3rd American Family 8.2
4th AAA 8.2
5th Farmers 8.0

Best for online satisfaction: USAA (8.0)

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.

Trophy online
Top 5 carriers for online satisfaction
Rank Company Customer Satisfaction Rating (out of 10)
1st USAA 8.0
2nd American Family 7.9
3rd Liberty Mutual 7.6
4th AAA 7.5
5th Erie 7.4

See quotes from top insurance companies today!

Location pin icon
No junk mail. No spam calls. Free quotes.

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.

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.[2]

Northeast 

Including the following states: CT, MA, ME, NH, NJ, NY, PA, RI, VT

  1. Erie Insurance
  2. New Jersey Manufacturers
  3. Amica 
  4. Arbella
  5. Plymouth Rock

Southeast

Including the following states: AL, AR, DE, FL, GA, KY, LA, MD, MS, NC, SC, TN, VA, WV

  1. Farm Bureau Insurance - Tennessee
  2. Erie Insurance
  3. Alfa
  4. Auto-Owners Insurance
  5. North Carolina Farm Bureau

Midwest

Including the following states: IA, IL, IN, KS, MI, MN, MO, ND, NE, OH, SD, WI

  1. Auto-Owners Insurance
  2. Shelter Insurance
  3. Indiana Farm Bureau 
  4. Westfield Insurance
  5. Erie Insurance

West

Including the following states: AL, CA, HI, ID, MT, NV, OR, WA, WY

  1. Wawanesa
  2. PEMCO
  3. Grange Insurance
  4. CSAA Insurance Group
  5. Country Financial

Southwest

Including the following states: AZ, CO, NM, OK, TX, UT

  1. Texas Farm Bureau
  2. Auto Club of Southern California
  3. CSAA Insurance Group
  4. Country Financial
  5. Auto-Owners Insurance

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.

computer with quotes on the screen
Shop around and compare quotes

Get quotes from several companies to see who offers the best price and coverage.

coverage
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.

scale
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.

agent
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!

Location pin icon
No junk mail. No spam calls. Free quotes.
Sources
  1. 2024 Customer Satisfaction Survey. The Zebra

  2. J.D. Power. 2024 U.S. Auto Insurance Study

RECENT QUESTIONS

Other people are also asking...

Does my son-in-law's military status (Marine) qualify me as USAA member?

It is my understanding that USAA eligibility flows "downstream" – which means you need to be a child or spouse of an established member to get a USAA policy. Therefore parents, or in your case in-laws, of USAA members are likely not eligible to get their own policy. This applies to all in…
Feb 15, 2018 Austin, TX

Can I avoid paying for insurance for my car while I am away for active duty military leave?

The reason banks require comprehensive and collision coverage on a vehicle in storage is because it could be damaged by a fire or a collapse of the building in which it is stored. In addition to the bank, Massachusetts requires any vehicle registered in the state to also be insured. If you took the…
Aug 28, 2017 Dartmouth, MA

Does USAA membership extend to grandchildren?

From my understanding, your parent's would also have to be members in order for you to qualify for a USAA membership. Typically only children or spouses of USAA members are eligible, but I'm unclear on if that can skip a generation. The best way to get the most accurate information would …
Jun 4, 2018 San Antonio, TX

Will comprehensive insurance cover damages caused by road debris?

Sorry to hear about your accident. If you have comprehensive coverage, it should cover any damages caused by debris. However, just like collision coverage, it will usually have a deductible. I would suggest using our claims calculator to see if it's worth filing a claim or simply paying for th…
Jan 14, 2020 St. Marys, GA

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.