The best auto insurance company is GEICO. On average, GEICO costs $1,047 per year - $87 per month. GEICO is widely available throughout the United States and offers affordable rates, quality customer service, and a wide range of discounts and coverage options.
When shopping for a policy, you should consider the company's costs, available discounts, customer service reviews, and the claims process. We used these factors to determine the best auto insurance company overall, by state, as well as for specific driver profiles.
We recommend browsing our resources based on your situation, needs and what you value – whether you care more about customer service than cost, have a history of driving violations, are a young driver or drive a new car.
Best car insurance companies for 2023
Best Choice for Car Insurance - GEICO
Runner-Up in Auto Insurance - State Farm
Best in most states - GEICO
Best Customer Service - Auto Owners Insurance
BEST ON BUDGET - GEICO
Best for Young Drivers - Allstate
Best for the Military - USAA
Best for New Cars - Allstate
Best for High Risk Drivers - State Farm
Best for Low Mileage Drivers - Metromile Auto
Best for Unique Coverage - Liberty Mutual
Best car insurance companies for 2023
To help you shop for auto insurance, MoneyGeek has ranked the best auto insurance companies using a weighted rating system based on several factors, including J.D. Power's customer satisfaction ratings and AM Best's financial stability and affordability ratings. Using these metrics, MoneyGeek found that among the major insurance companies available to most shoppers, the best auto insurers are GEICO and State Farm. GEICO received top scores in our scoring system for 24 out of 50 states, while State Farm ranked first in 10 states.
Those just looking for the least expensive option can compare this list to our rankings of the cheapest car insurance companies.
Top Pick: GEICO
Company achievements
GEICO is an excellent choice across the country for those looking to balance quality service and affordability. Customer complaint rates are relatively low, satisfaction is above average and the company's prices are reasonable. You may be able to get lower rates considering that GEICO offers almost all major auto insurance discounts such as bundles, multi-vehicle discounts, safe driving, and anti-theft technology discounts.
GEICO also carries almost all of the common add-on coverages offered by other insurance companies, such as roadside assistance, rental car reimbursement, and accident forgiveness. And unlike most insurance companies, it offers mechanical breakdown insurance, and a car warranty coverage option that covers car repair problems after your car warranty expires.
However, GEICO may not be the best choice for those who own a brand-new car. The company does offer new-car replacement coverage, which allows those with new models to be fully reimbursed for a brand-new car after an accident. Without it, you will only be compensated for the depreciated value of your car.
Runner-up: State Farm
Company achievements
State Farm is another large, affordable insurance company with an excellent reputation for customer service. In fact, it has a lower complaint rate than GEICO and may be a cheaper option depending on where you live. You can save even more on your monthly bill by bundling it with State Farm home insurance.
State Farm doesn't offer much in the way of unique coverages: You'll mostly find standard auto insurance coverages and common add-ons like roadside assistance and rental car expense coverage. Although they offer a few unique perks, you're more likely to get good value with State Farm than with most other major insurance companies. State Farm offers rideshare insurance — coverage not available from all companies — making it a great option for those who work for Uber or Lyft.
Like GEICO, State Farm does not offer new-vehicle replacement coverage, so it may not be the best option for those with brand-new cars who worry about a refund if they get into an accident soon after purchasing their car.
The best auto insurance company in your state
Because insurance is regulated at the state level, MoneyGeek has ranked the best auto insurance in each state based on local rates and regional J.D. Power scores. With the exception of USAA, which is not available to most drivers, GEICO is ranked most often as the best insurer in the state (24 times). State Farm, ranked as the top insurer in 10 states, came in second. Erie is also an excellent choice if you are in one of the 12 states doing business.
GEICO
According to our data, GEICO provided high-quality service that was widely available and affordable across the states – making it our top pick nationally and on average for state-specific policies and needs. Although the best car insurance for you will depend on where you live, GIECO is likely to offer the best quality and most affordable prices overall.
Click on your state to learn more about the best car insurance company where you live. It's important to compare auto insurance products and quotes based on where you live because insurance companies may offer different rates, coverages, and features across state lines.
Best Car Insurance Companies by State - Excluding USA
Compare the best auto insurance companies by state
Our car insurance comparison tool can help you gauge which company is the best fit for you where you live. Sort by service quality and affordability and find statistics on the average cost per year, customer service rating and notable features in that case.
Car insurance comparison tool
Best car insurance companies according to driver profile
Car insurance companies use specific driver characteristics to calculate their rates. Companies may offer coverages that make them better for drivers with special characteristics. Credit score, driving history, and age are three of the most important factors used to determine rates.
We've made our recommendations for the best car insurance companies for young drivers, drivers with poor credit, and drivers with an accident on their records, all of whom typically pay higher rates than the average driver.
Best car insurance companies according to driver profile
Best for Customer Service: Auto Insurance
Best for drivers on a budget: GEICO
Best for Young Drivers: Allstate
Best for Military Members: USAA
Best for New Cars: Allstate
Best for high-risk drivers: State Farm
Best for low miles: Metromile
Best for Unique Coverage: Liberty Mutual
Best car insurance company for customer service: Car owners
If price isn't as important to you as ensuring you get the best possible service when you need to make a claim, MoneyGeek found that homeowners' insurance has the best combination of high satisfaction and low complaints. Using these factors alone, Auto-Owners is the top insurance company in 10 out of 50 states, more than any other company.
Top Pick: Auto Owners Insurance
Company achievements
Reviews from J.D. Power indicate that auto owners insurance has a high customer satisfaction rating in the states where it is available. It also has a low rate of customer complaints, as measured by the National Association of Insurance Commissioners. Additionally, Auto-Owners offers new vehicle replacement coverage as an add-on. If you buy this, you don't have to worry about your new car losing value once you drive it off the lot.
Car Owners is also well rated for affordability and offers all the major discounts offered by most other insurance companies. Overall, it's an excellent option — the only downside is that it's only available in 26 states.
Best Budget Car Insurance Company: GEICO
If you're on a limited budget and want to purchase the minimum car insurance required in your state with good customer service, MoneyGeek recommends GEICO.
Top Pick: GEICO
Company achievements
If you weigh the cost of a minimum coverage policy while still accounting for customer service, GEICO won 29 states out of 50, according to the MoneyGeek scoring system. A minimum coverage policy with GEICO costs an average of $513 per year while still providing policyholders with a solid service experience.
Those looking to save more with GEICO can take advantage of its discounts, especially if you want to save by bundling with home insurance or adding multiple cars to your policy. Drivers with anti-theft security systems and passive restraints, such as airbags, will save even more. Finally, military personnel, those parts of specific professional organizations, or government entities may be available for further discounts.
Top pick: Allstate
Company achievements
Adding teens or students to your car insurance policy can be very expensive. MoneyGeek found that Allstate offers a combination of affordability and quality, with average premiums and a low complaint rate.
Allstate is an excellent option if you're letting a teen drive your new car. If you add new car replacement coverage, you can replace your car with a brand-new model after an accident, as long as the model is two years old or less. And if you add accident forgiveness, you won't have to worry about insurance rates increasing after your teen's first accident.
Best car insurance company for long-distance drivers: Metromile
Low mileage discounts are relatively rare and tend to be very minor. If you barely drive, the best way to save may be through a pay-per-mile insurance company like Metromile. MoneyGeek found that pay-per-mile insurance can be worth it if you tend to drive only a few miles a day.
Best auto insurance company for unique coverage: Liberty Mutual
At the end of the day, many auto insurance companies offer the coverages required by state law and a little more. But some auto insurance companies go the extra mile to offer additional coverages tailored to unique drivers and situations. MoneyGeek found that Liberty Mutual has eight coverages that are rarely or only occasionally offered by other companies.
Steps to search for the best car insurance company
Finding the best car insurance will depend on your priorities. If you want to save money, you can choose the insurance company that gives you the cheapest rate. If you want the security of knowing that your insurance company will pay your claims timely and efficiently, you can choose the company with the best reputation for customer service in your area.
We believe all drivers can get the best of all worlds: an affordable company with a strong service experience and the coverage you need. You can find the best company for you by taking a few basic steps.
Look for customer service reputation
Browse our reviews to find claims and user satisfaction ratings to learn how policyholders feel about a particular company. You can also check your state's Department of Insurance website to see how many complaints have been filed about a company. We highly recommend starting with our recommendations for the best companies in your state.
Compare real quotes from insurance companies
Once you've narrowed down the list of companies that have quality service, you should get a quote from that company. Our cheapest companies rankings are a great guide to which companies are affordable on average, but the cheapest price for you may vary due to your unique driver characteristics. Make sure to incorporate all possible discounts into your quote.
Make sure the company has the coverage you want
Almost all insurance companies will offer you basic auto insurance coverages, such as liability insurance, comprehensive insurance, and collision insurance. But if you want an auto insurance company that offers additional benefits, such as roadside assistance or accident waivers, you should be sure they are part of your policy package.
Double check financial stability assessments
If you are risk averse, you may want to check the financial strength rating of the insurance company. In the unlikely event that the insurance company goes bankrupt, it may not be able to pay your claim. The industry standard for financial strength ratings is AM Best. Companies with an A+ or A++ from AM Best are the safest.
Your best company has a strong reputation for customer service
You can take several steps to determine which insurance company has the best customer service for you.
Check our claims and customer satisfaction ratings.
Read our in-depth reviews of insurance companies.
Read market research from trusted sources like JD Power.
Look for customer complaint ratings on your state's Department of Insurance website or the National Association of Insurance Commissioners website.
MoneyGeek's claims and customer satisfaction ratings include J.D. Power's data to rate insurers against each other, so you can easily see how they score a maximum of five points for each category. And our MoneyGeek scores include all the other factors you should consider as you shop around so you get the full picture of how the company stacks up.
If you want to do your own research, J.D. Power releases a comprehensive Auto Insurance Satisfaction Study and Claims Satisfaction Study every year. And if you want to dig deeper into the data, the state Department of Insurance's website has public data on how much consumers complain about insurance companies in your state. Insurers with low complaint rates are more likely to have a strong service experience.
Compare quotes from the best companies to get value for your money
Once you've narrowed down companies with a strong reputation for customer service, you should compare prices among them. Insurance companies use a variety of factors to calculate your rate. As a result, you could find that two companies have very similar reputations for customer service, but they quote you very different prices.
You should also make sure your quotes include all available discounts, as they can have a big impact on what you pay. For example, an insurance company may offer more discounts on a car's safety features, so drivers with a lot of safety technology may get a relatively cheaper quote. Discounts typically come in four forms: driving record discounts, driver profile discounts, policy discounts and vehicle safety discounts.
Driving Record: Discounts for having a clean driving record, driving infrequently or taking driver safety courses.
Driver Profile: Discounts for achievements outside of driving, such as for students with good grades, or for membership in professional or government organizations.
Policy: Discounts on bundling with other insurance policies or how you pay for your policy, such as paying for a full six months upfront.
Vehicle: Discounts on safety devices in your car, such as anti-theft technology or anti-lock brakes.
When you are confident that you are only getting quotes from quality insurance companies, you can save money by purchasing an insurance policy from the company that gives you the best cheap quotes.
The best insurance company for you has all the coverages you want
Almost all insurance companies will offer the following basic coverages:
Bodily injury liability insurance
Property damage liability insurance
Collision and comprehensive insurance (also called full coverage)
Personal injury protection or medical payments coverage
Insuring uninsured or underinsured drivers against bodily injury and property damage
If you're looking for additional coverages — such as accident waivers, mechanical breakdown insurance, or rideshare insurance — you should make sure the company offers that in your state before comparing prices. Most of the major companies offer similar types of coverage, but there are some unique differences between them.
The best insurance companies are financially stable
Finally, make sure that the company responsible for your policy is financially stable. Our MoneyGeek score includes AM Best's financial strength ratings, which measure companies' ability to meet insurance obligations.
Most major insurance companies have excellent or superior ratings from AM Best. But if you're shopping with a local or regional insurance company, check their financial strength rating before purchasing a policy. If you are risk averse and want to avoid the small possibility that problems with your insurance company could affect your claims, it may be best to stick with a company in top-tier financial condition.
What if you can't get car insurance?
Although most states require vehicle owners to carry insurance, not everyone can obtain it, at least not through regular channels. Because of their previous driving records, some people may not be able to obtain insurance from a private company. Others may simply not be able to afford it. In these cases, there may be government programs available to help.
State-sponsored auto insurance programs for high-risk drivers
While some companies offer individual auto insurance policies for high-risk drivers, many prefer not to. Instead, states require all insurance companies to participate in a program that brings together these types of drivers. These pools were created to share the potential losses of insuring high-risk drivers; Companies participate in proportion to the volume of business they do in the country. If your driving record is spotty, this program may help you get coverage. Your insurance premiums will likely be very high. Check with your state insurance department to learn more.
Low cost insurance programs
Some states, including California, Hawaii, and New Jersey, provide affordable public insurance for people who cannot afford a private company's auto insurance policy. These programs are designed to discourage uninsured motorists from getting on the road, which is painfully common. To qualify, vehicle owners must meet income eligibility requirements. For more information, check with your state insurance department.
Frequently asked questions about car insurance
It's not easy to find a car insurance company that perfectly matches your situation. However, with a few minutes of research, you can be sure that you are on the right track. Here are some of the most common questions asked by those looking for high-quality car insurance.
Who has the best auto insurance in your state?
Not every insurance company writes policies in all 50 states. Some insurance companies may price different policies or offer different coverages, depending on where you live. When searching for the best car insurance in your state by state, get your quotes and research the customer service reputations of local insurance companies using our MoneyGeek results or with your state department of insurance.
Can you find good, cheap car insurance?
Yes. Many insurance companies with strong ratings for claims service and overall customer satisfaction offer some of the most reasonable rates on average.
How can you find the best car insurance for you?
There are several steps you can take to find the best car insurance for you. Narrow your list of companies to those with a good reputation for customer service. From there, if you want to get the best value for your money, you should compare rates between these insurance companies to see if some are offering you more reasonable rates than others. Ultimately, you will have to decide which part of the insurance experience you value most and choose a company based on those criteria.
Expert tips on finding the best car insurance company for your needs
Many factors can affect your auto insurance rates. I've gathered advice from professionals to help you make an informed decision when purchasing car insurance.
How is car insurance different from other types of coverage and why is it so important for drivers?
How should drivers balance risk management and affordability when it comes to car insurance?
What can consumers do to better educate themselves about auto insurance policies, coverage and rates?
Car insurance premiums are determined based on a variety of information such as driving record, location, and credit history. What challenges do consumers face with this type of pricing structure? How can drivers face or manage these challenges?