Comparing car insurance rates from several companies is one of the best ways to get the coverage you need at the cheapest price.
To compare car insurance quotes, you can call insurance companies or use their online quote tools, share info and get quotes over the phone or online.
Get quotes from three or more insurers, and then compare them side by side. Assuming all other details — like coverage types and amounts — are the same, the one with the best price should be the one for you.
Another option for getting and comparing car insurance quotes is to use a quote-comparison website. On these sites, you share your personal and vehicle info once and then get quotes from several companies.
You may choose a car insurance company for any number of reasons. Some people choose to buy a policy from one company because it offers the cheapest rate. Others find coverage options or customer service most important.
| Company | Customer satisfaction score | Complaint Index rating |
|---|---|---|
| Allstate | 814 | 0.65 |
| American Family | 828 | 0.15 |
| Farmers | 802 | 0.8 |
| Geico | 818 | 0.91 |
| Liberty Mutual | 798 | 1.21 |
| Nationwide | 806 | 0.34 |
| Progressive | 812 | 0.65 |
| State Farm | 833 | 0.7 |
| Travelers | 806 | 0.61 |
| USAA | 876 | 0.95 |
Sources: J.D. Power 2023 U.S. Auto Insurance Study (regional averages) and National Association of Insurance Commissioners (2022 data).
J.D. Power’s 2023 U.S. Auto Insurance Study rates customer satisfaction with the billing process and policy information, claims, interaction, policy offerings and price. Higher scores are better.
The National Association of Insurance Commissioners (NAIC) Complaint Index compares insurance companies by confirmed complaints. Lower scores are better in this case.
USAA has the highest customer satisfaction score of these companies, but only those with military ties qualify. State Farm has the highest score for most drivers. American Family has the lowest complaint score.
Liability, collision and comprehensive are the most common types of car insurance coverage to consider when comparing quotes and buying a policy.
Liability car insurance covers injuries or property damage you cause to others while driving. This includes damage you may cause to someone else’s car.
On a related note, nearly every state requires you to have at least some liability car insurance coverage.
Collision car insurance covers damage to your own car. It only covers damage that’s caused by an accident with another vehicle or a stationary object, though.
No state law mandates collision coverage, but lenders often require it. So, if you financed your vehicle, you’ll probably need to buy collision car insurance.
Comprehensive car insurance covers damage to your car that’s caused by something other than a collision. This includes damage from:
Comprehensive covers glass and windshield damage, too.
Like collision coverage, comprehensive is usually optional. You may need to get it if you have a loan or lease on your car, though.
Uninsured motorist coverage protects you if you’re in an accident with someone who doesn’t have liability car insurance coverage. It also covers hit-and-run accidents.
Underinsured motorist coverage protects you if you’re in an accident with someone who doesn’t have enough liability car insurance to cover your repair costs or medical bills.
Also called PIP, personal injury protection covers your medical costs and other related expenses if you’re injured in a crash. With PIP, it doesn’t matter who caused the accident. This is why it’s also known as no-fault insurance.
Some states require PIP. It’s optional in others.
Most insurance companies offer discounts that can save you money and cut the cost of your car insurance policy. Here are some of the most common.
To get the cheapest car insurance for your situation, compare quotes from several companies, look for discounts and make sure you have the right types and amounts of coverage.
If you only get a car insurance quote from one company, you’ll never know if it’s too high or if you could get a cheaper rate somewhere else. Looking at quotes from a number of companies side by side lets you see which one offers the lowest price for the coverage you need.
The price tied to your car insurance quote is only the beginning. You may be able to make your policy even cheaper if you qualify for one or more of the discounts that company offers. Scan each insurer’s website for examples. And don’t be shy about asking for discounts if you get a quote in person or over the phone.
You might be overpaying for car insurance if your policy includes more coverage than you need. If your car is old, you may not need collision or comprehensive coverage. Or you could lower your limits for either or both. If you can afford it, raising your deductible could save you money, too.
Car insurance companies look at several factors to calculate your quote. Some of the rate factors that most impact what you pay for car insurance include your:
In most states, the only type of car insurance coverage you have to buy is liability. Some states also require uninsured motorist or underinsured motorist coverage. The same is true of PIP.
The more types and amounts of coverage your state requires, the more you’re likely to pay for car insurance. Even if you only buy the state-minimum amount.
This is only one of the factors that determine your rate, though — others may also raise or lower your cost.
To get the most accurate car insurance quote from a company, you’ll need to tell them:
You can get a car insurance quote without all of this info, but it won’t be as accurate. Also, you’ll usually need to provide your driver’s license number and VIN to finalize the process and buy a policy.
Comparing car insurance quotes is the easiest way to get all the car insurance coverage you need for the cheapest rate.
Different insurance companies often offer you different quotes for the same policy. This is because each company uses its own method to come up with your quote.
One insurer may find your vehicle make and model more important than where you live. Or it might think your insurance claims history is a bigger deal than a competitor does.
You need to buy at least as much car insurance as your state requires. If you finance or lease a vehicle, you’ll need to buy as much car insurance as your lender or lessor requires, too.
Your state will make you buy at least a minimum amount of liability car insurance coverage. Lenders and lessors usually make you buy collision and comprehensive coverage, as well.
For starters, you should get as much car insurance as your state requires. The same is true of whatever your lender or lessor requires, if you finance or lease your car.
Beyond that, you should consider things like the age of your vehicle, how much it’s worth, how much you could afford to pay for repairs if it’s damaged and more.
You should also consider your net worth. If you injure someone in an accident, a long hospital stay or lawsuit could burn through state-minimum requirements quickly. After that, you may have to pay any remaining costs out of your own pocket.
Full-coverage car insurance is a policy that includes liability, collision and comprehensive coverages, in most cases.
Your credit score can impact your car insurance rate in some states. However, a few states no longer allow insurance companies to use your credit score to calculate your rate.
You should review your car insurance rate and coverage every six to 12 months. At this time, get quotes from other companies and compare them to your current policy and cost. You may find that another company will give you a cheaper rate for the same coverage you have now.
The main ways to save money on car insurance are to compare quotes and to see if you qualify for any discounts. Reviewing your coverage types and amounts may help, too. If you have coverage you don’t need, reducing or removing it could save you money.
