insurance companies that can help protect you and save you money.Share Article via Email
Car insurance is a necessary expense for most Americans, since driving without it is illegal and public transportation options are limited outside of major U.S. cities. Insuring a vehicle can be costly, especially if you’re a new driver or insuring a luxury car, but it can save you tens of thousands of dollars in case of damage or theft.
The ideal car insurance company combines good coverage with reasonable rates and excellent customer service. Although cost matters when shopping for car insurance, it shouldn’t be the only factor. You’ll want to choose a company with a high customer satisfaction rating. That way, the process is smooth and hassle-free when you need to file a claim. At the same time, a good car insurance company will offer plenty of discounts to incentivize good customers.
So what’s the best car insurance company? That depends on a variety of factors. Below, CNBC Select breaks down the top auto insurance companies into six main categories. (See our methodology for more information on how we chose the best car insurance companies.)
Best car insurance companies
Best for affordability
Geico Auto Insurance
Cost
The best way to estimate your costs is to request a quote
App available
Yes
Policy highlights
Geico coverage and services are available in all 50 states and the District of Columbia and there are 16 different types of discounts available. In addition to the standard coverage options, Geico offers various optional add-ons, such as emergency roadside assistance, rental car reimbursement and mechanical breakdown insurance.
Terms apply.
Read our Geico Auto Insurance review.
Geico is the best car insurance company for affordable coverage, offering the lowest average premiums for both minimum and comprehensive coverage. It offers 16 discounts, giving reduced premiums for things like good driving, taking a defensive driving course and insuring multiple vehicles. Geico also has a wide range of other insurance products, including homeowners insurance and renters insurance, that make it easy to bundle and save on coverage.
Average annual premium for full coverage: $1,353
Best for customer satisfaction
State Farm Auto Insurance
Cost
The best way to estimate your costs is to request a quote
App available
Yes
Policy highlights
State farm is one of the largest auto insurers based on market share and has an excellent reputation for customer satisfaction. It offers 13 discounts, including ones for safe driving and young drivers.
Terms apply.
Read our State Farm Auto Insurance review.
State Farm is the largest auto insurance company in the U.S. based on market share, according to the National Association of Insurance Commissioners (NAIC). It enjoys the highest average J.D. Power score of the large insurers, making it best-in-class for customer satisfaction.
Average annual premium for full coverage: $1,480
Best for wide coverage
Nationwide Auto Insurance
Cost
The best way to estimate your costs is to request a quote
App available
Yes
Policy highlights
Nationwide offers near-nationwide availability and personalized services, such as On Your Side® Review, a free annual insurance evaluation to ensure you are adequately protected and are taking advantage of any discounts available to you.
Terms apply.
Nationwide offers one of the widest car insurance networks, with coverage available in 46 states plus the District of Columbia (all states except Alaska, Hawaii, Louisiana and Massachusetts). This is an important distinction because multiple companies competing for your business equals lower premiums. It also stands out for its usage-based insurance program, SmartMiles.
Average annual premium for full coverage: $1,422
Best for minimum coverage
Auto-Owners Insurance
Cost
The best way to estimate your costs is to request a quote
App available
Yes
Policy highlights
Auto-Owners offers affordable premiums with high customer satisfaction ratings. There are 12 different types of discounts available, as well as various other types of insurance besides auto.
Terms apply.
Auto-Owners is an affordable option for those looking for minimum coverage, with the average annual premium for minimum coverage just $325. CNBC Select also selected Auto-Owners insurance as one of the top picks for young adult drivers and seniors. However, coverage is only available in 26 states.
Average annual premium for full coverage: $1,361
Best for discounts
Amica Auto Insurance
Cost
The best way to estimate your costs is to request a quote
Policy highlights
Amica offers a variety of auto insurance policies to fit your coverage needs. The company also offers a total of 18 discounts, including discounts for bundling and for students.
App available
Yes
Amica is a top choice for its wide availability of discounts, with a total of 18 ways to save. There are several discounts for young drivers, including a driver training discount and a good student discount. Other discounts focus more on the car you drive, including a discount for anti-theft systems, electronic stability control, and features like forward-collision warning. Additionally, you can save by bundling your home and auto insurance, insuring multiple vehicles, and paying your premium in full.
Average annual premium for full coverage: $1,467
Best for high-risk drivers
Progressive Auto Insurance
Cost
The best way to estimate your costs is to request a quote
App available
Yes
Policy highlights
Progressive offers a number of lines of insurance to allow for bundling, and convenient tools to help you keep your coverage in your budget.
Terms apply.
Read our Progressive Auto Insurance review.
Progressive is a top insurer for high-risk drivers, particularly for those with a DUI or DWI on their record. While high-risk drivers often pay higher insurance premiums than the average driver, Progressive generally offers lower rates for these types of drivers than other insurers. Its average full-coverage premium after a DUI or DWI is $2,049.
Average annual premium for full coverage: $1,642
Best for military members and veterans
USAA Auto Insurance
Cost
The best way to estimate your costs is to request a quote
App available
Yes
Policy highlights
USAA’s auto insurance is available in all 50 states, Washington D.C. and some international locations. In addition to low rates and coverage options for unique circumstances, such as for active-duty members, customers have access to an intuitive mobile app.
Terms apply.
USAA stands out for enjoying high rankings on multiple factors. For starters, it offers the lowest average premiums. Equally important is customer satisfaction as no one wants to deal with a difficult customer service experience when filing a
