The top five car insurance companies are State Farm, Erie, Travelers, Amica and USAA.

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Best car insurance companies in 2024

State Farm is the best car insurance company overall if you want affordable coverage and good customer support. If they're available near you, local companies like Erie, Farm Bureau and Auto-Owners also get top customer satisfaction scores, and they might have even better rates for you.

Best car insurance overall: State Farm

  • Editor's rating

  • Full coverage: $124/mo
  • Claims process: 8.9/10

Pros:

  • Cheap rates for most drivers

  • Great customer service

  • Lots of local agents

Cons:

  • May need an agent to buy a policy

  • No gap insurance or new car replacement

  • Expensive for drivers with a DUI

State Farm has the best car insurance rates for most drivers. And it's one of the most reliable companies for customer service and claims.

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Full coverage from State Farm is 24% cheaper than average.

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Great customer service after an accident

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Lots of local agents means more personalized service

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Great for bundling with home insurance, renters insurance and more

State Farm has the most affordable full coverage rates compared to the other largest insurance companies. At $124 per month, full coverage from State Farm costs 24% less than the national average.

After an accident, State Farm's smooth claims process can help you get back on the road quickly.

The company gets good customer satisfaction scores from J.D. Power and the NAIC.

One downside of State Farm is that some drivers might need to call an agent to buy a policy after getting a quote online. This is especially true if you have a recent ticket or need to customize your policy.

Monthly State Farm car insurance quotes

State Farm
National avg.
Good driver
Full coverage$124$164
Liability-only$50$64
High-risk driver
Speeding ticket$135$202
Accident$154$244
DUI$367$302
Poor credit$471$308
Teen driver
Full coverage$344$485
Liability-only$151$202

Best regional car insurance company: NJM

  • Editor's rating

  • Full coverage: $140/mo
  • Poor credit: $256/mo
  • Claims process: 9/10

Pros:

  • Cheap quotes

  • Excellent customer support

  • Full coverage policy includes extra perks

  • Great for bundling with home or renters insurance

Cons:

  • Only available in 5 states

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Full coverage from NJM is 15% cheaper than average.

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Lots of coverage add-ons with very few customer complaints

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Excellent service with very few customer complaints

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Affordable rates for drivers with bad credit

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Helpful mobile app

A full coverage policy from NJM costs around $140 per month, which is $24 per month less than the national average.

In addition, a full coverage policy from NJM includes coverage features that most companies charge extra for. Full coverage from NJM comes with new car replacement and rental car reimbursement after an accident. It also helps pay your pet's medical bills if they're in the car during a crash.

NJM has some of the best customer service in the industry. NJM gets 81% fewer complaints than similar insurance companies, according to the NAIC. It also has one of the highest scores on J.D. Power's claims satisfaction survey. That means you can expect NJM to make your life easier after an accident.

Monthly NJM auto insurance rates

NJM
National avg.
Good driver
Full coverage$140$164
Liability-only$73$64
High-risk driver
Speeding ticket$188$202
Accident$153$244
DUI$188$302
Poor credit$246$308
Teen driver
Full coverage$316$485
Liability-only$176$202

Best car insurance coverage: Shelter

  • Editor's rating

  • Full coverage: $161/mo
  • Claims process: 8.8/10

Pros:

  • Basic policy includes extra coverage

  • Few customer complaints

  • Great for bundling with home insurance

Cons:

  • Average rates for good drivers

  • Expensive for teen drivers

  • Only available in 15 states

Shelter is a good car insurance company if you need extra coverage, like gap insurance or new car replacement.

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Reliable customer service after a crash

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Basic policy includes extra coverage perks

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Affordable home insurance rates when bundling policies

A basic policy from Shelter includes perks that most companies charge extra for. Shelter customers automatically get:

Shelter also offers popular coverage add-ons, like rental reimbursement after an accident and gap insurance for cars with a loan or lease.

Shelter has excellent customer service reviews. So, you can expect a quick and easy claim process after a crash. It gets 68% fewer complaints than other insurance companies of a similar size, according to the NAIC. It also earned an above-average score on J.D. Power's claims satisfaction survey.

However, drivers can typically find cheaper insurance elsewhere. At $161 per month, a full coverage policy from Shelter is just $3 less than the national average. That's before the cost of adding extra coverages, which will increase your monthly bills.

Monthly car insurance quotes from Shelter

Shelter
National avg.
Good driver
Full coverage$161$164
Liability-only$64$64
High-risk driver
Speeding ticket$201$202
Accident$247$244
DUI$277$302
Poor credit$320$308
Teen driver
Full coverage$386$485
Liability-only$157$202

Best company for cheap insurance: Erie

  • Editor's rating

  • Full coverage: $106/mo
  • Claims process: 9.0/10

Pros:

  • Best rates for full and minimum coverage

  • Reliable customer service

  • Lots of coverage options

  • Great for bundling with home or renters insurance

Cons:

  • Only available in 12 states and D.C.

  • Can't compare quotes online

  • Few discounts

Erie has the best car insurance rates if you live in the Southeast, Midwest or East Coast.

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Cheapest full and minimum coverage quotes

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Great customer service reviews
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Lots of coverage options to protect you and your car

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Great for homeowners and renters looking to bundle policies

Full coverage from Erie costs around $106 per month, which is $58 per month less than the national average. Minimum coverage car insurance from Erie costs just $41 per month. That's $23 per month cheaper than average.

Erie also offers lots of ways for drivers to upgrade their coverage. You can add extra protection like gap insurance, new car replacement and windshield coverage for an additional fee.

Erie has excellent customer service after an accident. It earned the third-highest score on J.D. Power's claims satisfaction survey. That means you can count on Erie to get you back on the road quickly after a crash.

Monthly Erie car insurance rates

Erie
National avg.
Good driver
Full coverage$106$164
Liability-only$41$64
High-risk driver
Speeding ticket$121$202
Accident$133$244
DUI$181$302
Poor credit$246$308
Teen driver
Full coverage$257$485
Liability-only$105$202

Best for local agents: Farm Bureau

  • Editor's rating

  • Liability-only for teens: $131/mo
  • Claims process: N/A

Pros:

  • Affordable rates

  • Many discounts to help lower rates

  • Few customer complaints

Cons:

  • Some drivers can't get a quote online

  • Limited coverage add-ons

  • Annual membership fee

Farm Bureau offers most people affordable rates and many discounts.

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Lots of discounts to help lower your car insurance bill

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Affordable rates for young drivers
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Large network of local agents offer personalized service

A full coverage policy from Farm Bureau costs around $161 per month, which is close to the national average. However, teen drivers can get a minimum coverage policy from Farm Bureau for just $131 per month. That's $71 per month less than average.

In addition, Farm Bureau has a few discounts geared toward teen drivers. Teens can save by taking Farm Bureau's young driver safety program and getting good grades in school.

Farm Bureau only gets about half as many complaints as similar insurance companies, according to the NAIC. That's especially helpful for young drivers, who are more likely to get in an accident.

However, you must join your local Farm Bureau group to buy a policy. You'll typically have to pay a membership fee of around $50 per year. Each state has its own chapter, so this fee may vary depending on where you live.

Monthly car insurance rates from Farm Bureau

Farm Bureau
National avg.
Good driver
Full coverage$161$164
Liability-only$46$64
High-risk driver
Speeding ticket$183$202
Accident$222$244
DUI$279$302
Poor credit$277$308
Teen driver
Full coverage$371$485
Liability-only$131$202

Best company for families with teens: Auto-Owners

  • Editor's rating

  • Full coverage: $141/mo
  • Claims process: 8.9/10

Pros:

  • Affordable rates

  • Dependable customer service

  • Lots of coverage options and discounts

Cons:

  • Only available in 26 states

  • No online quotes

  • Expensive home insurance for drivers looking to bundle policies

Auto-Owners offers great customer service and lots of coverage add-ons at an affordable rate.

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Full coverage from Auto-Owners is 14% cheaper than average

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Low rates for families with teen drivers

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Quick claims process after an accident

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Plenty of discounts to help you save on car insurance
Full coverage insurance from Auto-Owners costs just $141 per month, which is 14% cheaper than average.

It also has the best car insurance prices for families with teen drivers.

  • Parents who add a teen to their policy pay around $153 per month full coverage policy from Auto-Owners. That's $118 less per month than average.
  • Young drivers who buy their own policy pay an average of $142 per month for a minimum coverage policy. That's 48% cheaper than the national average.

Auto-Owners offers lots of discounts, including several geared towards teens. For example, young students can earn a discount of up to 20% by having a "B" average or better.

You can expect an excellent customer service experience with Auto-Owners. The company gets fewer complaints than competitors of a similar size, according to the NAIC. It also earned a great score on J.D. Power's claims satisfaction survey.

The main drawback to Auto-Owners is that it's only available in some states. You'll also need to speak to an agent to get a quote.

Monthly Auto-Owners auto insurance rates

Auto-Owners
National avg.
Good driver
Full coverage$141$164
Liability-only$43$64
High-risk driver
Speeding ticket$152$202
Accident$185$244
DUI$285$302
Poor credit$352$308
Teen driver
Full coverage$362$485
Liability-only$142$202

Best for managing your car insurance online: American Family

  • Editor's rating

  • Full coverage: $160/mo
  • Claims process: 8.8/10

Pros:

  • Highly-rated app

  • Lots of discounts

  • Excellent customer service

  • Affordable quotes after a DUI

Cons:

  • Rates are just average

  • Expensive for teens and drivers with an accident

  • Only available in 44 states and D.C.

American Family has some of the best online tools and excellent customer service.

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Excellent mobile app to manage your policy or file a claim

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Dependable customer service

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Lots of discounts to help lower your rates

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Affordable quotes after a DUI

The MyAmFam app allows you to view your insurance card, make payments, request a change to your policy or file a claim. So you shouldn't have to contact American Family customer service often.

If you need additional help, you'll typically have a good experience with American Family's service. The company gets 63% fewer complaints than similar insurance companies, according to the NAIC. It also earned a good score on J.D. Power's claims satisfaction survey. That means you can count on AmFam to get your life back to normal quickly after a crash.

But American Family's great service comes at a price. Full coverage from AmFam costs around $160 per month. While that's $4 per month less than the national average, most drivers can find cheaper coverage elsewhere.

However, American Family offers lots of discounts to help lower your car insurance bill. Some are very easy to earn like its Steer into Savings and Early bird discounts.

Monthly car insurance rates from American Family

American Family
National avg.
Good driver
Full coverage$160$164
Liability-only$61$64
High-risk driver
Speeding ticket$196$202
Accident$248$244
DUI$260$302
Poor credit$264$308
Teen driver
Full coverage$451$485
Liability-only$197$202

Best auto insurance discounts: Nationwide

  • Editor's rating

  • Full coverage: $185/mo
  • Claims process: 8.8/10

Pros:

  • Safe driving discount of up to 40%

  • Pay-per-mile for people who don't drive often

  • Highly-rated app

  • Affordable rates for driver with bad credit

Cons:

  • Expensive if you don't qualify for discounts

  • Mixed service reviews

Nationwide has the best car insurance for good drivers and people who don't drive much.

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Large discounts for safe driving and low-mileage

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Helpful online tools

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Good option for bundling auto and home insurance

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Affordable rates for drivers with poor credit scores

Nationwide has an excellent usage-based program that rewards safe driving habits with a discount. You can get a 10% discount when you sign up for the Nationwide SmartRide program. You'll set up an app or device that monitors your driving habits for four to six months. Then you can earn a permanent discount of up to 40%.

One benefit of SmartRide is that your rates won't go up if you get a bad driving score. This is only the case with some usage-based programs.

People who don't drive often can also save with Nationwide SmartMiles. With this program, you pay a monthly base rate plus a per-mile rate. This can save you money if you only drive a little.

However, Nationwide's rates can be expensive for drivers who don't qualify for discounts. At $185 per month, full coverage insurance from Nationwide is 13% more expensive than the national average.

Nationwide offers affordable rates for drivers with a poor credit score, though. At $262 per month, full coverage from Nationwide is 15% cheaper than the national average for people with bad credit.

Monthly car insurance rates for Nationwide

Nationwide
National avg.
Good driver
Full coverage$185$164
Liability-only$80$64
High-risk driver
Speeding ticket$237$202
Accident$288$244
DUI$365$302
Poor credit$262$308
Teen driver
Full coverage$645$485
Liability-only$281$202

Best-rated customer service: Amica

  • Editor's rating

  • Full coverage: $212/mo
  • Claims process: 9.1/10

Pros:

  • Best customer service

  • Easy online experience

  • Lots of ways to customize your coverage

Cons:

  • Expensive rates

  • Few discounts

Amica has the best-rated customer support compared to other national companies.

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Best-rated customer service among major companies

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Many coverage add-ons for extra protection

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Easy online quote process

Amica's customers are generally happy with its claims process. Amica earned the highest score on J.D. Power's claims satisfaction survey compared to other widely available companies. And it only gets about half as many complaints as similar companies of its size, according to the NAIC.

Great customer support is as important as finding the cheapest rates. An insurance company with an easy claims process will help you get back to normal quickly after a crash. And you could spend less money on repairs.

But Amica's great service comes at a price. A full coverage policy from Amica costs around $212 per month. That's 29% more expensive than the national average.** The company only offers a few discounts, which means most drivers can find cheaper coverage elsewhere.

Monthly car insurance quotes from Amica

Good driver
Full coverage$212$164
Liability-only$91$64
High-risk driver
Speeding ticket$228$202
Accident$329$244
DUI$742$302
Poor credit$490$308
Teen driver
Full coverage$754$485
Liability-only$339$202

Best insurance for military members and veterans: USAA

  • Editor's rating

  • Full coverage: $100/mo
  • Claims process: 9.0/10

Pros:

  • Best rates for auto insurance

  • Lots of military-specific discounts

  • Great for bundling with home or renters insurance

Cons:

  • Only military members and families are eligible

  • Long online quote process

  • Mixed customer service reviews

USAA has the best rates and discounts if you're a military member or veteran.

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Full coverage car insurance is 39% cheaper than average

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Coverage and discounts tailored to military members

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Sells many types of insurance for people looking to bundle policies

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Offers auto loans for people buying a new or used car

A full-coverage policy from USAA costs $100 per month, on average. That's $64 per month cheaper than the national average.

USAA offers many discounts for military drivers. If you keep your car in a garage on a military base, you can save 15% on comprehensive insurance. You can save up to 60% on car insurance if you keep your car in a secure location while deployed.

However, you must qualify for USAA membership to get a car insurance policy.

You can get USAA insurance if:

  • You're a current or former military member
  • Your parent or spouse has had USAA insurance at some point

USAA earned an excellent score on J.D. Power's claims satisfaction survey. But, not all customers are happy with their experience.

USAA gets 6% more customer complaints than similar-sized insurance companies, according to the NAIC. Most complaints are about its long claims process. So, it's hard to know whether you'll get a check from USAA within a reasonable amount of time after a crash.

Monthly USAA rates

USAA
National avg.
Good driver
Full coverage$100$164
Liability-only$34$64
High-risk driver
Speeding ticket$121$202
Accident$138$244
DUI$188$302
Poor credit$182$308
Teen driver
Full coverage$237$485
Liability-only$86$202

Compare the best car insurance companies near you

USAA and State Farm are the best-rated major companies in many states. Farm Bureau and Erie are the best local companies in some states.

The best car insurance for you depends on where you live. A great way to save money on car insurance is to compare quotes from multiple insurance companies in your area.

State
Top pick
Rating
AlabamaState Farm
AlaskaState Farm
ArizonaState Farm
ArkansasFarm Bureau
CaliforniaAAA
Show All Rows

List of the top-rated car insurance companies

The key to finding the best car insurance is to comparison shop and research multiple insurance companies. Dozens of companies offer affordable rates and great customer support.


How to find the best car insurance for you

The best car insurance companies have the best coverage and support you can afford.

The best company for you:

  • Combines reliable customer service and affordable prices, making it the best value.
  • Has all the coverage you want. Some drivers just need the basics, while others need extra coverage like gap insurance or rideshare protection.
  • Is local to you and available in your state. The best insurance company for you may only operate locally. Don't limit yourself to the big names you've seen in ads.
  • Is financially stable so your claim will be paid out and you can get your car repaired quickly.

How to find the best car insurance companies for affordable rates

If you could get the same car insurance coverage for a cheaper price with a different insurer, wouldn't you do it? You may be surprised by how often this could apply to you.

Get quotes from multiple companies to find the best deal for you

Every car insurance company calculates rates differently for a given driver. You could get a cheaper insurance policy with the same quality of service by shopping around.

For example, nearly all companies charge higher rates if you have a recent accident or driving incident. But not all companies penalize you to the same extent.

Each car insurance company also calculates rates differently based on the type of car you drive, where you live, your credit history and other factors. That's why you should compare quotes from multiple companies, especially if your driving record has recently changed.

Ask for car insurance discounts to help you save even more

In addition, you may qualify for car insurance discounts that could change which company has the best quotes for you. Make sure your final quote has all the discounts you qualify for. Compare rates between companies after you've applied all available discounts.

  • Student away
  • Military
  • Professional organization
  • Senior
  • Multi-policy bundle
  • Multi-vehicle
  • Early signing
  • Paid-in-full
  • E-bill or paperless
  • Anti-theft
  • Anti-lock brakes
  • New car

How to find an insurance company with the best coverage

All the best auto insurance companies offer the same standard coverages. Some are required by your state. Others are optional and provide extra protection on the road.

Extra coverage you can pay to add

Beyond these basic coverages, insurance companies may offer add-ons. None of these are required by law, and you might not need every one.

Coverage
Description
Accident forgivenessYour first at-fault accident won't affect your insurance rates.
Vanishing deductibleYour deductible gradually declines for each year you're accident-free.
Mechanical breakdownCovers the cost of repairing wear and tear to your car as a substitute for a car warranty.
Rideshare insuranceCovers you during the rideshare waiting period when Uber and Lyft coverage doesn't apply.
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How to find the best car insurance for customer support

Car insurance companies with the best customer service handle your car insurance claim quickly and fairly. This helps your car get fixed as quickly as possible.

To get a feel for the quality of a company's customer service:

  • Browse our editor ratings and reviews.
  • Look at J.D. Power customer and claims satisfaction survey ratings.
  • Compare customer complaints from the National Association of Insurance Commissioners (NAIC).

Start your research with our editor recommendations. Our five-star ratings are a snapshot of a company's overall quality. This includes customer service, value and coverage.

The J.D. Power U.S. Auto Claims Satisfaction Survey measures the quality of the claims process, when customer support matters the most. It combines customer feedback on overall satisfaction, claim servicing, settlement of the claim and other factors.

If you want to get some hard data on the support experience, check out the National Association of Insurance Commissioners (NAIC). The NAIC measures service using a customer complaint index. It tells you if a company receives more complaints than average. You can also break it down by the type of insurance and complaint.


How to find the best company for claims

An insurance company provides you with financial protection when you're facing high costs. The last thing you want is a provider that can't cover your claim.

The best way to quickly assess an insurance company's financial stability is through a credit reporting agency like AM Best. It calculates the ability of insurance companies to pay their claims. Then they're graded on a scale from A++ to D-.

An A- rating or higher indicates an excellent or superior ability to pay claims. A company with a rating below a B, or that has recently had its rating downgraded, might have financial problems.


Frequently asked questions

What’s the best car insurance company?

State Farm is the best car insurance company overall for its affordable rates, excellent service and helpful coverage options. Erie and Farm Bureau are two of the best local companies.

Who has the best car insurance rates?

State Farm is one of the best car insurance companies with cheap rates that's also one of the most highly rated and widely available. Minimum-coverage rates from State Farm average $50 per month, and full-coverage rates average $124. Companies like USAA, Farm Bureau and Erie might have cheaper rates, depending on where you live and whether you qualify for coverage.

How can I find the best car insurance for me?

To find the best car insurance for you, figure out how much and what kind of coverage you need. Then get quotes from several companies available near you for the same level of coverage. Compare each company's quotes, customer support ratings, coverage options and discounts.

Who has the best auto insurance near me?

USAA and State Farm have the cheapest rates and best support among the top insurance companies. But the best cheap car insurance in your state might be a smaller local company like Erie or Farm Bureau. That's why it pays to compare quotes from several large and small companies near you.

Which insurance company has the best customer satisfaction?

USAA, State Farm, Erie, Auto-Owners and Amica are the top-rated car insurance companies for customer satisfaction. All five companies have high scores on J.D. Power's claims satisfaction survey and earn fewer complaints than average, according to the NAIC.


Methodology

ValuePenguin assigned its editor ratings for insurance companies based on customer service, affordability, coverage options and shopping experience.

An insurance company is not included in the best companies list unless it does business in at least five states. If companies were marked N/A for J.D. Power claims satisfaction or AM Best financial strength, it's because they were not rated. J.D. Power's annual survey rates insurance customer satisfaction out of 1,000 points. Top companies tend to score at least 880 points. We calculated the average score across all available regions and converted to a 10-point scale for readability. For example, 905 became 9.05.

We collected auto insurance quotes across all available ZIP codes in 50 states and Washington, D.C., to determine average rates. Quotes are based on a 30-year-old man who drives a 2015 Honda Civic EX with a full-coverage policy, unless otherwise noted.

Full-coverage rates include higher limits than required, as well as comprehensive and collision coverage:

  • Bodily injury liability: $50,000 per person and $100,000 per accident
  • Property damage liability: $25,000 per accident
  • Uninsured and underinsured motorist bodily injury: $50,000 per person and $100,000 per accident
  • Comprehensive and collision coverage: $500 deductible

To compare rates for a family policy, our experts gathered quotes from ZIP codes across Illinois, Pennsylvania and Georgia for a 50-year-old with an 18-year-old on their policy. These quotes include the limits above, plus $50,000 of uninsured and underinsured motorist property damage coverage.

Rates for new drivers are based on a minimum-coverage policy for a driver who lives in Texas.

ValuePenguin's analysis used insurance rate data from Quadrant Information Services. These rates were publicly sourced from insurer filings and should be used for comparative purposes only. Your own quotes may be different.

Editorial Note: The content of this article is based on the author's opinions and recommendations alone. It has not been previewed, commissioned or otherwise endorsed by any of our network partners.