The Best Car Insurance Companies for 2024

Is there a single best car insurance company for the entire country? Nope. Where a company ranks depends on both your state of residence and your own personal driving profile.

But that hasn’t stopped us from coming up with our list of the best car insurance companies, based on what each company offers, and how well it ranks in at least most regions of the country.

We can’t say categorically that this list will apply in your state or with your personal driving profile, but we can say with confidence that is a good starting point. Most of these companies show up on the “best car insurance companies” in multiple states and regions.

	Best For	Learn More
	Drivers over 50 years old	Learn More
	Extensive discounts	Learn More
	Customer satisfaction	Learn More
	Low premiums	Learn More
	Customized quotes	Learn More
	Rate lock	Learn More
	Unique policy options	Learn More
	Broad coverage	Learn More
	State-specific coverage	Learn More
	Bundeling	Learn More
	Military members	Learn More

AARP Auto Insurance Program from The Hartford

Best for: Drivers over 50 years old

Financial strength rating: A+

AARP offers auto insurance for its members through The Hartford. The Hartford also provides car insurance for non-AARP members on a national basis. But as a member of AARP, you’ll enjoy the benefits that membership provides. They advertise you can save an average of $577 on your car insurance. The coverage is available for AARP members, aged 50 and older. 

AARP/The Hartford sits at about the middle of the price range on premiums, but it has a strong A.M. Best rating, indicating a greater likelihood the company will be able to cover claims.

They offer many different policy options, one of the most unique being their RecoverCare provision, which covers home services if you’re injured in an accident — although availability of this varies by state. Meanwhile, they have one of the most extensive lists of policy discounts in the industry. 

Customer satisfaction ranking: The Hartford has been the highest ranking car insurance provider in the Northwest for two years running. It also ranks in the top five among car insurance providers in the Mid-Atlantic (#3), the Southwest (#3), and Florida (#5).

Car insurance policy options:  Medical payments, personal injury protection, towing, full glass coverage, rental cars, classic cars, un-/under-insured motorist, RecoverCare (pays home services if you’re injured in an accident), new car replacement, lifetime repair assurance, gap insurance, personal umbrella, and roadside assistance.

Policy discounts: Disappearing deductible, first accident forgiveness, safety and anti-theft devices, hybrid or electric vehicles, driver training, bundling, defensive driver course, and pay-in-full.

Get a quote from AARP

GEICO

Best for: Extensive discounts

Financial strength rating: A++

Geico tops our list on a combination of modest premiums, an excellent financial strength rating, and ranking in the top five for customer satisfaction in four of 11 regions across the country. And with its extensive list of policy discounts, Geico is often one of the lowest-cost providers in many states.

For example, the company provides discounts for federal employees and members of the U.S. military, as well as drivers over 50. But we also like the range of policy options, which includes ridesharing coverage, travel to Mexico, and coverage for specialty vehicles. But you should be aware that they don’t offer gap coverage if you have a loan that’s higher than the value of your vehicle.

We consider them one of the better car insurance policies for first-time and new drivers.

Customer satisfaction ranking: Geico ranks as the number one provider of usage-based insurance. It also ranks in the top five for customer satisfaction in New England (#1), New York (#3), California (#4), and Florida (#4).

Car insurance policy options: Personal injury protection, medical coverage, ridesharing, rental reimbursement, mechanical breakdown, emergency roadside assistance, coverage for travel to Mexico, and options for specialty vehicles, like collector cars, motorcycles, and recreational vehicles.

Policy discounts: Five years accident-free, good student, driver’s education, federal employees and military members, multi-vehicle, bundling, drivers over 50, new vehicles, and certain safety equipment. Geico also offers discounts for membership or employment by certain organizations.

Get a quote from Geico

State Farm

Best for: Customer satisfaction

Financial strength rating: B

State Farm isn’t the lowest-cost provider on a national basis, but the company scores well in customer satisfaction — although its financial strength was downgraded by A.M. Best in March 2024.

Despite the downgrade, State Farm is well-established and offers all types of insurance coverage — enabling you to bundle discounts and maintain multiple insurance policies through the same company.

One disadvantage is that depending on your state, you may need to go through the network of State Farm agencies to get a policy quote. With so many services moving to online formats, this may be an annoyance for some consumers.

Customer satisfaction ranking: State Farm has the highest customer satisfaction rating in the Southwest and Florida, but also showed high scores across the country and made the top five for nine out of 11 regions.

Car insurance policy options: Rideshare coverage, antique and sports cars, small business vehicles, emergency roadside assistance, medical payments, car rental reimbursement, and reimbursement for travel expenses for an accident more than 50 miles from home.

Policy discounts: Bundling, multiple vehicles, vehicle safety equipment, good driving history, defensive driving course, anti-theft equipment, and their Steer Clear discount, which requires completing certain training courses and having no at-fault accidents or moving violations in the previous three years.

Get a quote from State Farm

Amica

Best for: Low premiums

Financial strength rating: A+

Though it’s not one of the better-known car insurance companies in America, Amica placed on our list because of low premiums, excellent financial strength, and plenty of policy options and discounts. However, though it ranked #2 in customer satisfaction in one region, it didn’t make the list in any other region.

As a mutual insurance company, Amica gives you the option to participate in a dividend-paying policy, though you will pay extra when you take your policy. Amica also provides homeowners and renter’s insurance, life insurance, small business insurance, flood insurance, and marine and motorcycle coverage.

Customer satisfaction ranking: Amica holds the second slot in customer satisfaction in the New England region, but was curiously absent from the rankings in any other region

Car insurance policy options: Medical payments, personal injury protection, bodily injury liability, un-/under-insured motorist, gap insurance, glass replacement, lost wage reimbursement, and roadside assistance.

Policy discounts: Customer loyalty (two years or more), no claims within the past three years, homeownership, premium paid in full, electronic correspondence, bundling, two or more vehicles on the same policy, automatic payments, and a family discount if you’re under 30 and your parents have had coverage with the company for at least five years.

Get a quote from Amica

Progressive

Best for: Customized quotes

Financial strength rating: A+

Though Progressive does have a high average annual premium nationwide, there are many markets around the country where it’s one of the lowest-cost providers available. The company also has a solid customer satisfaction ranking in much of the country and a strong financial strength rating. We also like that they provide many of the important policy options, like gap coverage, rideshare coverage, and driving in Mexico.

But what might make Progressive stand out is the extremely long menu of discounts they offer. This may be the primary reason why they are one of the lower-cost providers in many states. Progressive offers discounts for just about everything — continuous coverage, getting an online quote, signing policy documents online, paperless billing, paying your premium in full, enrolling in automatic payments — you name it.

If there’s a negative with the company it’s that additional insurance policies, like homeowners and renter’s insurance, are handled by third-party carriers. Though these will give you a bundling discount for auto insurance, they may not be the least expensive providers of those other policy types.

Progressive also offers a Name Your Price Tool, in which you enter your preferred premium amount, and the company will build a policy around that premium.

Customer satisfaction ranking: Progressive isn’t number one in customer satisfaction in any single region, but it ranks in the top five in the Northwest and Southwest regions, as well as in Texas.

Car insurance policy options: Medical payments, personal injury protection, un-/under-insured motorist, gap coverage, rideshare coverage, driving in Mexico, rental car reimbursement, pet injury, roadside assistance, and coverage for custom parts and equipment.

Policy discounts: Bundling, multiple vehicles, good student, teen driver, continuous coverage, homeowners, online quote, sign online, paperless billing, paying your premium in full, automatic payments, and small and large accident forgiveness (minimum three years, but you must be a customer for at least five years).

Get a quote from Progressive

Erie Insurance

Best for: Rate lock

Financial strength rating: A+

Erie is another car insurance company that’s not exactly a household name. But the company is solid on customer satisfaction and has one of the lowest average annual premiums in the nation. They also provide plenty of excellent policy options, like coverage for personal items, locksmith services, and pet coverage. On the discount side, they offer first accident forgiveness, low mileage drivers, and a diminishing deductible provision.

An interesting policy option is their Erie Rate Lock. It offers an opportunity to keep your premium fixed for life — at least in theory. But it will change if you move or add a vehicle or a new driver. Since all three are likely to happen at some point, the rate lock probably isn’t as attractive as it seems at first glance.

Customer satisfaction ranking: Erie takes the top spot for customer satisfaction in the North Central and Mid-Atlantic regions, and ranks second in the Southeast.

Car insurance policy options: Coverage of personal items, roadside assistance, rental car coverage, locksmith services, glass repair, and pet injury coverage. They also offer an Auto Plus option, which provides a diminishing deductible, a deductible waiver in certain situations, increased limits for specific coverages, and a death benefit of up to $10,000, plus other benefits. The Erie Rate Lock option means your premium will only change if you add or remove a vehicle or driver, or you change your address.

Policy discounts: Bundling, multiple vehicles, safe driver, car safety features, vehicle storage, first accident forgiveness, upfront payment, young driver, student, and diminishing deductibles at $100 per year for up to $500 total.

Get a quote from Erie Insurance

Auto-Owners Insurance

Best for: Unique policy options

Financial strength rating: A++

This is another car insurance company that it isn’t well-known to the driving public. But that’s primarily because it’s not available in all states — in fact, it’s only offered in 26. The company is on the moderate end of the premium scale, and generally rates well in customer satisfaction. But it’s also one of the highest-rated companies on this list based on financial strength, with a superior ranking of A++.

Auto-Owners also has some interesting policy options. They’ll cover classic cars, vehicles converted or modified (for example, to accommodate the disabled), and new car replacement. But perhaps the most interesting is coverage for diminished value. If your car loses value due to a car accident, this option allows you to be compensated for that reduction.

But be aware that you can only purchase a policy from this company through independent insurance agents. That may make it a bit less convenient than the more common online service offered throughout the industry.

Customer satisfaction ranking: Auto-Owners Insurance doesn't rank in the top spot for customer satisfaction in any region, but is in the top five for the Central (#4) and North Central (#5) regions.

Car insurance policy options: Medical payments, personal injury liability, bodily injury liability, un-/under-insured motorist, new car replacement, classic cars, rental car, coverage for diminished value (as a result of an accident), gap coverage for both owned and leased vehicles, converted or modified vehicles, and roadside assistance.

Policy discounts: On-time payments for 36 months or more, bundling, multiple vehicles, good student, paying your premium in full, paperless billing, good driver, and vehicle safety features.

Get a quote from Auto-Owners Insurance

Allstate

Best for: Broad coverage

Financial strength rating: A+

One of the biggest advantages of Allstate is that it’s one of the largest and best-established insurance companies in the country. Apart from auto insurance, they offer coverage for just about any hazard. The company also has a superior financial strength rating and good customer satisfaction overall.

But there are few markets across the country where Allstate will be the least expensive provider. And in some markets, their premiums are much higher than most competitors. However, they do offer excellent options, like rideshare coverage, personal umbrella coverage, travel to Mexico, and coverage for classic cars and premium sound systems.

Customer satisfaction ranking: Allstate doesn't hold the top spot for customer satisfaction in any region, but it does score respectable positions in Florida (#2), New England (#4), and New York (#5).

Car insurance policy options: Medical payments, personal injury protection, liability, un-/under-insured motorist, rideshare coverage, accident forgiveness, personal umbrella coverage, rental reimbursement, travel to Mexico, classic cars, roadside assistance, and new car replacement.

Policy discounts: Bundling, vehicle safety equipment, new car, paperless billing, payment in full, early signing, good student, and Deductible Rewards, which reduces your deductible by $100 for each year you’re accident-free.

Get a quote from Allstate

Farm Bureau

Best for: State-specific coverage

Financial strength rating: A (however, the ratings vary in each state — for example, the rating is A in Indiana, but B++ in Georgia)

Farm Bureau is on the lower end of the premium range among the companies on this list, and it has a solid customer satisfaction ranking. It’s not as well-known as most other companies on this list, but it can be a top provider in many markets.

Farm Bureau is a bit complicated, in that there seems to be an individual company set up in each state where they offer coverage. This means the premiums, level of service, policy options and discounts may vary by state of residence.

Customer satisfaction ranking: Farm Bureau is ranked the top provider for customer satisfaction in the Southeast and holds the third spot in Texas.

Car insurance policy options: Personal injury protection, medical payments, un-/under-insured motorist, rental car reimbursement, and roadside assistance.

Policy discounts: Safe driver, bundling, multiple vehicles, loyalty, low mileage, good student, driver training, car safety equipment, and paid in full.

Get a quote from Farm Bureau

Liberty Mutual

Best for: Bundling

Financial strength rating: A

One of the main advantages with Liberty Mutual is that it’s available in virtually every state in the country. But it’s rarely the cheapest on premiums, and its customer satisfaction rankings leave something to be desired. The company does offer plenty of policy options, including gap coverage, the ability to reduce your collision deductible, special options for teachers and driving in Mexico.

They also offer plenty of discounts, including some for homeowners, alternative energy vehicles, and discounts for current and former members of the military.

Customer satisfaction ranking: Liberty Mutual doesn’t top the customer satisfaction list in any of the 11 regions in the J.D. Power customer satisfaction survey. But it did finish in the top five for usage-based insurance (#4).

Car insurance policy options: Medical payments, personal injury protection, bodily injury liability, collision deductible reduction, lifetime repair guarantee, new or better car replacement, accident forgiveness, un-/under-insured motorist, gap coverage, roadside assistance, rental car reimbursement, coverage for teachers, and driving in Mexico.

Policy discounts: Bundling, multiple vehicles, good driver, homeowner, good student, certain safety equipment, online purchase, automatic payment draft, premium paid in full, paperless documents, early shopper, and special discounts for active or retired members of the military.

Get a quote from Liberty Mutual

USAA

Best for: Military members

Financial strength rating: A++

USAA would be at the top of our list based on having the highest customer satisfaction ranking in all 11 regions of the country, a top financial strength rating, and modest premiums. But we ranked it #10 because it’s available only to current and former members of the US military.

The company offers a wide range of policy options and discounts. But we particularly like that they provide accident forgiveness that’s free after five years without any at-fault accidents. But be aware that that provision is not available in all states.

Customer satisfaction ranking: USAA ranked at the top of customer satisfaction in all 11 regions broken out in the J.D. Power customer satisfaction survey. However, they were excluded from each list since they are only available for current and past members of the US military.

Car insurance policy options: Liability, un-/under-insured motorist, rideshare coverage, accident forgiveness (no at-fault accidents within five years), rental reimbursement, and roadside assistance.

Policy discounts: New vehicle, good student, safe driver (no moving violations or at-fault accidents within five years), defensive driving course, bundling, multiple vehicles, low mileage, length of membership, and storing your vehicle on a military base.

Get a quote from USAA

How We Picked the Best Car Insurance Companies

The profile presented under each company is based on national information. Since car insurance is regulated by state law, what the company offers and how they’ll rank in your state may be very different from the national average. For example, a company that’s low on our list may be one of the top providers in your own state.

Below is the criteria we use for our list:

Customer Satisfaction Ranking

This information is drawn from the J.D. Power 2023 U.S. Auto Insurance Study. The study represents the level of satisfaction consumers have with each company. That includes not only customer service during the initial sign-up process but also in the handling and paying of claims.

We’ve given this criteria considerable weight since the entire purpose of having car insurance is for the payment of claims in the event of an accident. It won’t matter if you have the cheapest car insurance available if the carrier has a poor reputation for handling and paying claims.

But please keep in mind that our customer satisfaction ranking is drawn from company ratings in the 11 different regions broken down in the J.D. Power survey. A company that rates highly in customer service in one region of the country can be at the bottom of the list in another.

Average Monthly Premium

From a consumer standpoint, this may be the top criteria in choosing a car insurance company. And while we gave this category considerable weight, the list doesn’t go from lowest to highest price. As mentioned above, the willingness of a company to pay claims is at least as important as the premium it charges.

But there’s another reason for minimizing the importance of average premiums. The premium figures presented under each company description are national averages. Premiums vary dramatically from one state to another. A company that’s one of the lowest cost providers in one state could be #8 in another.

There are also major differences based on your personal profile. Averages don’t account for variables like age, driving record, the amount of liability coverage you need, the value of your vehicle, or how many miles you put on the vehicle in a year. Each will have a major impact on the premium you’ll pay.

Average annual premiums are taken from The Zebra, unless indicated otherwise.

Financial Strength Rating

This is a criterion that most consumers probably ignore completely, under the assumption all car insurance companies are roughly equal when it comes to financial strength. However, that’s not true.

It’s a more important factor than most consumers might assume. An insurance company’s financial strength rating can indicate the company’s ability or even willingness to pay claims.

Financial strength ratings are drawn from A.M. Best, which is the most prominent source of insurance company financial ratings. Those ratings can be “Superior” (A++ or A+), “Excellent” (A or A-), or “Good” (B+ or B).

Finding companies with a good A.M. Best rating is important if you're worried that an insurance company will go out of business.

Car Insurance Policy Options

Most car insurance companies offer standard coverage provisions, like liability, collision, comprehensive, and uninsured/underinsured motorist. But what often differentiates one company from another are the policy options they offer.

For example, if you participate in ridesharing as a primary or secondary job, you’ll need a company that offers some type of at least limited coverage for that type of driving. And if you may owe more on your vehicle than it’s worth, you’ll need gap insurance. That’s a type of option that covers the difference between the loan amount outstanding on the car and its insurable value.

Those are just two of the many possible options available for car insurance. The more a company offers, the higher its ranking.

Policy Discounts

Many car insurance companies offer similar discounts. But each has its own unique menu of discounts, and they can make a real difference when it comes to the premium.

For example, two companies may offer similar premiums for base coverage and several options. But one company may offer a particular discount that applies to you that will result in an even lower premium. The more discounts the company has, the higher the overall rank we gave them.

Types of Car Insurance

There's a wide range of policy options when it comes to car insurance — which type of policy you need depends on how often you drive, what type of car you have, and what you're using your car for.

For example, rideshare drivers will want a specific policy that covers rideshare services. Collectors of antiques and classic cars will want a policy that protects those investments. Someone who only drives ocassionally and often keeps their vehicle tucked away in storage could look into a policy discount for limited mileage.

While there are some very niche car insurance options, here are some of the most common types you'll come across:

• Collision coverage: This is likely what you think of first when you think of car insurance. It covers damage to your vehicle if you're involved in an accident.
• Comprehensive coverage: This covers a broader range of incidents, such as if your car is stolen, damaged by a weather event, or if you have an encounter with a wild animal.
• Personal injury protection: This covers medical expenses if you're injured in an accident, as well as lost wages, regardless of who is at fault.
• Medical payments: This is more bare-bones coverage if you're injured in an accident and doesn't include extras like covering lost wages.
• Bodily injury liability coverage: This covers medical bills for the other party if they are injured in an accident and you're at fault.
• Property damage liability coverage: This covers damage to property (such as a fence) if you're at fault in the accident.
• Uninsured and under-insured coverage: If you're in an accident with someone who has minimal insurance or no insurance, this coverage can reimburse you for property damage and medical bills.
• Gap insurance: This covers the difference between the value of the vehicle and the amount you still have owing on your car loan.

There are different insurance requirements and options depending on which state you live in. For example, personal injury protection is only available in some states.

How Much Does Car Insurance Cost?

Car insurance premiums can vary drastically and are based on a variety of factors, including:

• Your age
• Your driving history
• Your credit score
• The type of car you're insuring
• The area where you live
• The type of policy you choose

The average cost for insurance in the U.S. is $1,759 per year, according to The Zebra. However, most insurance providers offer discounts for things like whether you've taken a defensive driving course, what safety features your vehicle has, and if you opt in to electronic billing.

As well, if an insurance provider offers other types of insurance, such as homeowners or life insurance, you may be able to bundle your policies for a discounted premium.

Summary

The information presented for each of the companies above is general at a national level. Premium amounts, customer satisfaction rankings, and policy options and discounts will vary from one state to another. And once again, premiums will depend heavily on your personal driving record and state of residence.

But use our list of the best car insurance companies to start your search for the right provider for you. Chances are it’ll be one of these companies — no matter where you live or what your driver profile is.