Which auto insurance is best

We rate Liberty Mutual as the best car insurance for new drivers because it offers good discounts for teens and students. However, these estimates are based on average costs, and you may find other cheaper providers than Progressive.

According to the Insurance Information Institute, State Farm wrote the most premiums and commanded the largest market share 9. It is followed by Geico 6. Which of these insurers is the best is different for every driver. To find the number one insurance company for you, you'll need to compare personalized rates and offers.

After your insurance claim is approved, your insurer may reimburse you in a number of ways. You can receive a check in the mail or an automatic deposit in your bank account, or the insurer may pay the mechanic directly.

Many insurers will allow you to choose how you receive your claim payment. In an effort to provide accurate and unbiased information to consumers, our expert review team collects data from dozens of auto insurance providers to formulate rankings of the best insurers.

Companies receive a score in each of the following categories, as well as an overall weighted score out of 5. Read our other insurance articles. Updated: Nov 07, at pm ET. By : Will Moore. Advertiser Disclosure Finding the best car insurance coverage can be frustrating.

To help you get a clear understanding of the car insurance market, we rated more than 30 popular car insurance companies in the following categories: Industry standing Availability Customer service Costs and discounts Coverage Technology This review takes a closer look at the 12 providers that came out on top, and this list may shift as we review new providers and company details change. Which auto insurance has the best rates?

Who has the cheapest auto insurance? Why do I need car insurance? Who is the best insurance company for home and auto? Which is the best car insurance after a DUI? Do you need insurance to drive a car? What is the best car insurance for new drivers? What is cheaper insurance than Progressive?

What is the number one insurance company? How do car insurance companies pay out claims? Sign In or Sign Up. Learn more: Travelers Insurance review.

Erie also offers discount advantages and competitive rates for young drivers who normally see the highest rates of all driver age groups. Why Erie is best for robust coverage: Erie automatically includes several coverage types and features in its full coverage policies that many competitors only offer as optional add-ons. While only available in 12 states, the company provides robust coverage and a strong claims experience for drivers in its service areas.

Learn more: Erie Insurance review. Why this company made our list: Auto-Owners is another super-regional carrier with a strong reputation for providing excellent auto coverage and earned the second-highest J. Power claims satisfaction rates of any company on our list of best car insurance companies. Its wide range of coverage and discount options are available to drivers in 26 states.

Why Auto-Owners is best for discounts: Auto-Owners offers an impressive menu of 12 discounts, which many drivers are likely eligible to receive.

The company provides three types of student discounts, making it a great option for parents of teens or young drivers who have their own policy to consider. Learn more: Auto-Owners Insurance review. Why Amica is best for claims satisfaction: Amica ranks as the second-highest scoring carrier for claims satisfaction out of the top auto insurers surveyed by J. Power, earning 32 points above the industry average. With national availability and a website full of useful insurance information, customers are likely to find the answers they need to customize a Nationwide policy to their exact needs.

Why Nationwide is best for personalized coverage: Drivers can choose how their policy works with Nationwide, with options to select from standard coverage, usage-based insurance and pay-per-mile.

Its SmartRide and SmartMiles telematics programs can help you either earn a discount based on your safe driving habits or provide a flexible premium based on your vehicle usage, respectively. Optional coverage is not as plentiful as some other auto insurers on our list, but personalized options offer valuable control over your financial protection.

Learn more: Nationwide Insurance review. Consumers can find options to save based on their own budget and driving habits with a Progressive policy anywhere in the U.

Why Progressive is best for digital policy management: Progressive provides several ways for drivers to save time and money by managing their policy online, such as its Snapshot app, which is a telematics program that monitors driving and offers discounts for safe driving. Even when first deciding what is the right policy for you, you can use its online Name Your Price tool to personalize your buying experience and review coverage options based on your budget.

The Progressive mobile app offers instant access to review coverage, ID cards, bill payment and claims submissions. Learn more: Progressive Insurance review. Why this company made our list: As the fourth-largest insurer based on market share, Allstate has a long list of valuable coverage options that make it a standout option for many drivers, but especially for those with unique vehicles.

Why Allstate is best for high-value cars: Allstate is one of the few insurers that offer coverage for custom equipment. Who this may be best for: policyholders seeking coverage for classic or custom vehicles.

Learn more: Allstate Insurance review. It can be helpful to have an apples-to-apples comparison when reviewing multiple auto insurance companies. Quotes should ideally include the same coverage levels and types, with the same personal details and vehicle information given to each company. Power customer satisfaction ratings, the NAIC consumer complaint index and financial strength grades from multiple credit rating agencies.

Your insurance agent can help you obtain this type of information about the auto insurers you are interested in. Auto insurance is a form of financial protection that covers a variety of vehicle incidents that could affect you, your vehicle, or others and their vehicle. Insurance spans a policy term that you and your insurer set at the time of purchase — typically six months or a year. Available in: 42 states and Washington, D.

Bottom line: One of the largest auto insurers in the nation, Travelers offers a broad range of coverage options and discounts to help you customize your car insurance policy. But for customers who qualify, USAA often offers cheap rates. USAA consistently scores high in J. Power studies for insurance shopping, claims and overall customer satisfaction. USAA offers many discounts, including some specifically for drivers in the military.

For instance, you can get a discount for keeping your car in a garage on a military base. You can also get more general discounts in some states for earning good grades and insuring a new car.

C ost: Cheaper than average. To find the top car insurance companies:. Consider smaller auto insurance companies, too. Small companies offer rates well below large competitors in many locations. Want to see rates? Use the cheap full coverage calculator and compare average rates from the three cheapest car insurance companies where you live.

Ratings are based on weighted averages of scores in several categories, including financial strength, consumer complaints and discounts. Using our editorial discretion, we also consider customer satisfaction surveys. These ratings are a guide, but we encourage you to shop around and compare several insurance quotes to find the best rate for you. NerdWallet does not receive compensation for any reviews. Read our editorial guidelines.

NerdWallet examined complaints received by state insurance regulators and reported to the National Association of Insurance Commissioners in To assess how insurers compare to one another, the NAIC calculates a complaint index each year for each subsidiary, measuring its share of total complaints relative to its size, or share of total premiums in the industry.

Ratios are determined separately for auto, home including renters and condo and life insurance. ZIP Code. Note: Not all insurers available in all states. More on the best car insurance companies.

Texas Farm Bureau Insurance. American Family. The Hanover. Liberty Mutual. State Farm. Finding the best car insurance company for you. Last updated on October 21, Methodology Auto insurance ratings methodology. Generally among the lowest auto insurance rates across the driver profiles we analyzed, especially good drivers Low complaint level.

Average rates for drivers with poor credit were not competitive. Auto insurance rates Good. Complaint level Very Low. Travelers good rates and superior standing in low complaints helped boost it to a high rating. Lowest complaint level among the insurers we analyzed. Car insurance rates were consistently on the lower end among top competitors but not superior. Auto-Owners Insurance. Auto insurance rates OK. Highest grade from collision repair professionals among the companies we evaluated Very good rates for drivers who have a speeding ticket.

Especially high rates for drivers with poor credit among the companies we analyzed. Collision repair C-. Superior rates for drivers with poor credit Especially competitive rates for good drivers and drivers who have a speeding ticket. Generally not well-regarded by collision repair professionals Relatively high rates for drivers with a DUI conviction.

Complaint level Very low. Best for low auto insurance complaints among the companies we analyzed Relatively good rates for drivers with poor credit.

North Carolina Farm Bureau. Averages are based on rates from 10 large auto insurance companies. Insurance quotes are always free. Here are types of car insurance you should know: Car liability insurance. Yes, in most states. Your car insurance cost will vary depending on several factors that include: Your driving record Your age and driving experience Where you live Coverage selections Deductible amount if you buy collision and comprehensive coverage Vehicle model Your car insurance history Your credit-based insurance score use of this in car insurance costs is banned in California, Hawaii, Massachusetts and Michigan.

Optional add-ons include: Roadside service Transportation expenses and rental car coverage Lease loan protection Ridesharing coverage For drivers who recently purchased a new car, Erie sells new car protection. Erie Auto Insurance Discounts Erie offers several auto insurance discounts, especially for safe drivers. Other discounts include: Safe driving discount: Safe drivers with a clean driving record may be eligible for a discount.

Car safety equipment discount: You can get a discount if your car has safety features like factory-installed airbags, passive restraint, or anti-theft devices. Multi-car discount: Drivers who insure two or more vehicles under the same policy may be eligible for this discount.

Multi-policy discount: If you bundle other insurance types like homeowners insurance with your auto insurance, you can typically score this discount. Young driver discount: Do you have a driver who is under age 21, unmarried and lives with you? If so, you could save on your auto insurance policy. Annual payment plan: If you pay your annual auto premium in one lump sum, you could save money on your auto coverage.

College credit: If your college driver is away at school without access to your car, you may be eligible for a discount. Other discounts include: Safe driver discount: Do you have a clean driving record for the past five years? If so, you could save money on your premiums.

Defensive driver discount: If you take an approved course to improve your driving skills, you may receive a discount. Driver training discount: Are you younger than age 21? Drivers under 21 can take a basic driving course and save money on their auto insurance policy.

Good student discount: For students who maintain good grades, you can receive a discount on your auto insurance. New vehicle discount: For cars that are three years old or newer, you can qualify for this discount.

Multi-vehicle discount: If you have two or more vehicles on a policy, you can save money on your policy. Annual mileage: Based on the number of miles you drive per year, you may qualify for a discount. Length of membership savings: If you maintain coverage with USAA for several years you may save money on your insurance.

Safe driver discount: Whether you maintain an accident-free driving record or educate yourself on best driving practices, you could receive a discount. For example, if you take a defensive driving course or have gone three years without a moving violation or at-fault accident, you could be eligible for a discount.

Good student discount: Do you have a full-time student who has a B average or better? And the discount can stay with your student ever after graduation until they reach age Safe vehicle discounts: For drivers who have newer vehicles with the latest safety features, State Farm offers insurance rewards. Loyal customer discounts. Customers who insure more than one vehicle or have other insurance types could land a loyalty discount.

Travelers Car Insurance Discounts Travelers offer several discounts, especially for drivers who purchase multiple policies through the company. Multi-car discount: For those who have multiple cars on one auto insurance policy, you could receive a discount. Homeownership discount: Do you own a home or condo? Hybrid or electric vehicle discount: If you own or lease a hybrid or electric car, you could be eligible for a discount. Other discounts include: Multi-policy discount: If you have other policies such as a home insurance policy with Auto-Owners, you can qualify for a discount on your auto policy.

Payment history discount: You can receive a discount if you paid your policy on time for the last 36 months.