Key Takeaways
- USAA is No. 1 in the rating, but its policies are only available to members who are current or former members of the military and their families.
- Auto-Owners was second rated and at or near the top of all subcategories that are considered, including customer service and claims handling.
- Car insurance rates vary based on many factors. Shopping around can help you search for a policy that suits your budget.
Knowing what questions to ask when looking for the best car insurance policy can be a challenge. To help you get started, we’ve asked the questions and done the research. The analysis of more than 40 car insurance companies conducted a survey of consumers who gave feedback about some of the nation’s leading auto insurers. It asked about customer service, claims handling, and other aspects of insurer performance. It also observed rates in a number of driver categories to provide a general idea of costs.
The best car insurance company will depend mostly on your coverage requirements and budget, but peace of mind also matters.
Our Best Car Insurance Companies Rating
- USAA
- Auto-Owners
- Nationwide
- State Farm
- Geico
- Allstate
- American Family
- Farmers
- Progressive
- Erie Insurance
The Best Car Insurance Companies in Detail
Based on the research, USAA is the top-rated car insurance company, but its policies are not suitable for the general public. No. 2-rated Auto-Owners may be the wonderful choice for most drivers, but it only sells car insurance in 26 states. Nationwide, State Farm, and Geico round out the top 5 in the rating and sell policies in more states.
The Best Car Insurance Companies in Detail
Based on the research, USAA is the top-rated car insurance company, but its policies are not suitable for the general public. No. 2-rated Auto-Owners may be a wonderful choice for most drivers, but it only sells car insurance in 26 states. Nationwide, State Farm, and Geico round out the top 5 in the rating and sell policies in more states.
1. USAA Car Insurance
USAA is No. 1 in our best car insurance companies rating. It stands out in various regions, carrying feedback from consumers on its customer service and ensured handling performance, its number of available discounts, and the fact that it’s a top-rated insurer for senior drivers. Also, USAA has the lowest average annual rate overall and comes in well below the national average for many particular driver types.
| Overall Rating | 4.9 |
|---|---|
| Critic Score | 4.7 |
| Customer Service | 4.5 |
| Claims Handling | 4.4 |
| Customer Loyalty | 4.5 |
| Value | 4.2 |
How much is USAA car insurance?
Our study found an average annual sample premium of $1,335 with USAA, cheaper than any other company in our study and about 35% less than the national average among this group of insurers. USAA also contains lower sample rates than average for drivers with a single accident on their record and for policyholders with either poor or redit. In some driver categories, the savings can amount to thousands of dollars annually compared to the national average, including for teen drivers, typically the most expensive age group to insure.
2. Auto-Owners Car Insurance
PROS:
- Most policyholders surveyed say they’re required to renew.
- No. 2 in claims handling
- Positive survey responses for customer service
CONS:
- I can’t get a quote from the company’s website.
- Only available in 26 states
| Overall Rating | 4.7 |
|---|---|
| Critic Score | 4.3 |
| Customer Service | 4.5 |
| Claims Handling | 4.4 |
| Customer Loyalty | 4.5 |
| Value | 4.1 |
How Much Is Auto-Owners Car Insurance?
In our research, auto-owners had the third-lowest overall average rate, behind only USAA and Erie. It has the 2nd-lowest sample premiums for female teenage drivers and the 3rd-lowest rates for male teenage drivers. It also has the third-lowest rates for drivers attaining minimum coverage, drivers with a speeding ticket, and drivers with an accident on their record. But it has greater-than-average rates for drivers with poor balance, and its sample costs are in thNationwide car insurance e middle of the pack for drivers with a DUI.
3. Nationwide
Nationwide is No. 3 in the rating of the best car insurance companies. It is in the top half of the ratings for customer service, target handling, and customer trust. Nationwide’s overall average rate, $1,621 per year, is the fourth-lowest among providers we analyzed, and it’s substantially less than the national average rate of $2,068.
PROS:
- Competitive rates for drivers beyond a speeding ticket or facing an accident
- One of the companies most likely to be recommended by policyholders
CONS:
- I did not score well for discounts.
- 4th-highest sample priced for drivers with a DUI on their record
| Overall Rating | 4.7 |
|---|---|
| Critic Score | 4.3 |
| Customer Service | 4.5 |
| Claims Handling | 4.4 |
| Customer Loyalty | 4.5 |
| Value | 4.1 |
How Much Is Nationwide Car Insurance?
Nationwide has the 4th-lowest price sample rate among car insurance supporters that was observed. Its average premium, $1,621, is a few hundred dollars per year less than the national average. Nationwide’s rates are lower than the national averages for all driver types that are researched. It has the 4th-cheapest rates for drivers with a speeding ticket or an accident on their record.
4. State Farm Car Insurance
State Farm may be one of the biggest auto insurers in the nation, but drivers can still get local service through one of the company’s 19,000 agents throughout the country. State Farm is No. 4 in the rating of the best car insurance companies, with high marks for claims handling and customer satisfaction.
PROS:
- Strong survey responses for customer service
- In the top half of our rating when it comes to customer loyalty
CONS:
- Higher-than-average sample premiums for adult drivers
- Fourth-highest sample costs for drivers, along with DUI on their record
| Overall Rating | 4.0 |
|---|---|
| Critic Score | 4.5 |
| Customer Service | 4.4 |
| Claims Handling | 4.2 |
| Customer Loyalty | 4.1 |
| Value | 3.9 |
How Much Is State Farm Car Insurance?
The company’s sample yearly rate is $2,150 per year, which is on the higher side of the national average rate of $2,068, according to our research.
State Farm’s sample rate for minimum coverage is $2,042 per year, slightly higher than the national average in that category, and its high-coverage rate, $2,275 per year, is also higher than the national average. The company does have rates lower than the national average in some driver categories, including for those with a speeding ticket or DUI.
5. Geico Car Insurance
Geico is No. 5 in the rating of the best car insurance companies. Its average yearly rate is less than the national average in every driver category we reviewed, for drivers who traditionally pay higher premiums, such as teenagers and those with blemishes on their driving records.
PROS:
- Rates below the national average in many categories analyzed, having for drivers with a speeding ticket or accident on their record
- Of those surveyed, 77% said they were likely or very likely to recommend Geico.
CONS:
- Does not offer gap insurance.
| Overall Rating | 3.9 |
|---|---|
| Critic Score | 4.3 |
| Customer Service | 4.3 |
| Claims Handling | 4.2 |
| Customer Loyalty | 4.1 |
| Value | 3.8 |
How Much Is Geico Car Insurance?
Our study shows a sample yearly rate for Geico of $1,778, which is less expensive than many other companies included in our study and about 14% less than the national average. Geico posted competitive rates across all demographics compared to the national average and was significantly less expensive than the national average for both male and female teen drivers. Geico also posted prices less than the national average for other categories, having drivers with a speeding ticket or accident.
6. Allstate Car Insurance
Allstate is tied with American Family at No. 6 in the rating of the decent car insurance companies. Its sample annual rate is the highest among the providers that were observed. Allstate is tied at No. 4 for discounts but did not score as well for customer service or claims handling.
PROS:
- Based on survey responses, customer service is easy to contact.
- High marks for the greedy implementation of a new policy
CONS:
- Rates are much more costly than the national average for teens, young adults, and seniors.
| Overall Rating | 3.9 |
|---|---|
| Critic Score | 4.3 |
| Customer Service | 4.3 |
| Claims Handling | 4.2 |
| Customer Loyalty | 4.1 |
| Value | 3.8 |
How Much Is Allstate Car Insurance?
The national average car insurance rate between companies in the rating is $2,068 every year. This is the highest overall rate among providers observed. And Allstate’s sample rates are very average among the demographic categories that are seen. Allstate’s sample rates for seniors and adult drivers are the most expensive, as observed.
7. American family car insurance
American Family is tied at No. 6 in the rating of the wonderful car insurance companies. The company is 3rd best in the rating for handling claims and No. 5 for customer service. In terms of rates, American Family’s overall sample premium is nearly $100 higher per year than the national average.
PROS:
- Has decent options for discounts to help with costs.
- In our survey, 57% were completely satisfied with customer service.
CONS:
- Only available in 19 states
| Overall Rating | 3.8 |
|---|---|
| Critic Score | 4.0 |
| Customer Service | 4.4 |
| Claims Handling | 4.3 |
| Customer Loyalty | 3.9 |
| Value | 3.9 |
How Much Is American Family Car Insurance?
American Family’s average rate for car insurance is approximately $100 higher per year than the national average, according to our analysis. Focusing on all companies, American Family’s sample upgrade was 3rd-highest, behind only Farmers and Allstate. American Family has the 3rd-highest average rates among companies that analyzed drivers with a speeding ticket, drivers with one accident, and drivers with a DUI.
8. Farmers Car Insurance
PROS:
- Tied at No. 4 in the subcategory for customer satisfaction.
CONS:
- Sample premiums were above the national average for all driver types we observed.
The company plays a role in subcategory ratings for customer loyalty.
| Overall Rating | 3.8 |
|---|---|
| Critic Score | 4.0 |
| Customer Service | 4.4 |
| Claims Handling | 4.3 |
| Customer Loyalty | 3.9 |
| Value | 3.9 |
How Much Is Farmers Car Insurance?
Farmers’ overall sample upgradation comes in at $3,253 per year, usually higher than USAA, the best-rated company in the report, which has an average annual rate of $1,335 overall. USAA’s car insurance is best for current members of the military and their families. While Farmers’ is bigger than the national average across all driver types of observation, the company’s sample rate is much bigger than average for teen drivers.
9. Progressive car insurance
Progressive is tied with Erie on the 9th number according to the rating of the best car insurance companies. It has the 6th-cheapest average rate among the companies that were observed, with a sample premium lower than the national average. It is also No. 6 in our ranking of the best auto insurers for seniors.
PROS:
- Has the cheap price for drivers with a DUI on their record
- Offers a wide range of possible discounts.
CONS:
- Ranked last to be renewed subcategory
| Overall Rating | 3.8 |
|---|---|
| Critic Score | 4.3 |
| Customer Service | 4.2 |
| Claims Handling | 4.0 |
| Customer Loyalty | 3.9 |
| Value | 3.7 |
How Much Is Progressive Car Insurance?
Progressive’s average rate for car insurance is less than the national average rate. When compared with other companies in our research, Progressive’s overall average rate was the 6th-lowest in the group. It showcased the list for the lowest rates for drivers after a DUI and was No. 3 for drivers with a low budget. But it did have the third-highest rates for teen drivers among insurers in the rating.
10. Erie Car Insurance
Erie Insurance is rated 9th among the best car insurance companies. Its sample annual premium is the 2nd budget-friendly overall among the companies that were analyzed, and it’s No. 3 in our subcategory rating of the best car insurance companies.
PROS:
- No. 3 is recommended for senior drivers.
- The cheapest sample rates in the observation were for teen drivers.
CONS:
- Only available in 12 states and Washington, D.C.
| Overall Rating | 3.8 |
|---|---|
| Critic Score | 4.3 |
| Customer Service | 4.2 |
| Claims Handling | 4.0 |
| Customer Loyalty | 3.9 |
| Value | 3.7 |
How Much Is Erie Car Insurance?
The sample annual rate for Erie Car Insurance is $1,532, according to our analysis. Only USAA members enjoy a lower average rate overall, $1,335 per year. The national average car insurance rate is $2,068 per year.