Your state’s minimum auto insurance requirements will be the cheapest. We, therefore, focused our analysis on these minimums. This is usually liability-only auto insurance that covers property damage or other medical expenses resulting from an accident you caused.
Minimum car insurance rates were the lowest at an average rate of $29 per month or $354 per calendar year. The cost of car insurance depends on where you live and what your driving record is.
These are the top cheapest car insurance companies, as well as the best options for different driver types.
- The cheapest car insurance company overall is Geico at $29 per month, on average.
- The cheapest regional car insurance company is Central Insurance at $21 per month, on average.
- The cheapest car insurance after an accident: Geico at $48 per month, on average.
- The cheapest car insurance after a DUI: American Family at $60 per month, on average.
- The cheapest car insurance for poor credit is Geico at $42 per month, on average.
If you want the best of the cheapest, check out the best cheap car insurance companies.
Quadrant Information Services, a pricing analytics company, provided minimum coverage rates for car insurance. We analyzed them. We looked at drivers aged 40 years old in all 50 US states and Washington, D.C., and analyzed their driving records and credit history. All drivers owned a 2019 Toyota Camry L.
Full coverage is another option, but it costs more than an annual minimum policy on average. That’s because it comes with additional coverage like uninsured/underinsured motorist protection and comprehensive and collision insurance.
Your lender may require that you purchase collision and comprehensive coverage if you have a car lease or loan. These types of coverage payout in the event that your car is stolen, damaged or involved in an accident.
The cheapest car insurance company overall: Geico
Geico is the cheapest major auto insurance company in the nation, according to NerdWallet’s most recent analysis of minimum coverage rates. Geico’s average annual rate was $354, or about $29 per month. The company also earned a 4.5-star rating from NerdWallet, and you can read our Geico auto insurance review to learn why.
Cheapest auto insurance from the largest companies
| Company | Average annual rate | Average monthly rate |
|---|---|---|
| 1. Geico | $354 | $29 |
| 2. State Farm | $452 | $38 |
| 3. Progressive | $619 | $52 |
| 4. Farmers | $620 | $52 |
| 5. Allstate | $666 | $55 |
| USAA* | $356 | $30 |
| *USAA auto insurance is available only to military, veterans, and their families. |
The cheapest regional car insurance company: Central Insurance
Finding affordable car insurance doesn’t mean you have to stick with large insurance companies. Central Insurance, MMG and Secura, smaller insurers that offer coverage in multiple states, have even cheaper car insurance rates than Geico.
While availability can be limited, regional and small insurers may beat the cheapest auto insurance prices from larger carriers. Plus, they often have great customer service.
| Company | Average annual rate | Average monthly rate |
|---|---|---|
| 1. Central Insurance | $257 | $21 |
| 2. MMG | $287 | $24 |
| 3. Secura | $319 | $27 |
| 4. Hastings Mutual | $428 | $36 |
| 5. Mutual of Enumclaw | $499 | $42 |
We chose these companies because of their low rates and availability in multiple states. But there may be more affordable auto insurance options where you live. For example, many Farm Bureau insurance companies are available only in a single state, but they were often among the cheapest in our analysis.
Cheapest car insurance after an accident: Geico
Depending on your driving record, the most affordable car insurance company varies. The table below shows average auto insurance rates from the largest companies for drivers with a recent accident on their driving record.
Our analysis found that Geico has the lowest average rate for drivers with one at-fault accident, at $577 per year, or $48 per month.
| Company | Average annual rate after one at-fault accident |
|---|---|
| 1. Geico | $577 |
| 2. State Farm | $618 |
| 3. Travelers | $634 |
| 4. American Family | $651 |
| 5. Nationwide | $901 |
| USAA* | $535 |
| *USAA auto insurance is available only to military, veterans, and their families. |
Cheapest car insurance after a DUI: American Family
A DUI on your driving record can greatly increase how much you pay for car insurance. According to our analysis, American Family is the cheapest car insurance company after a DUI, at $716 per year, or $60 per month, on average.
| Company | Average annual rate after one DUI |
|---|---|
| 1. American Family | $716 |
| 2. Travelers | $754 |
| 3. Progressive | $755 |
| 4. State Farm | $839 |
| 5. Farmers | $905 |
| USAA* | $621 |
| *USAA auto insurance is available only to military, veterans, and their families. |
Looking for even cheaper auto insurance? Try a smaller insurer. Drivers with violations like one at-fault accident or a recent DUI can find the most affordable auto insurance rates with MMG and other regional insurers.
Rates vary depending on many personal factors. Be sure to compare car insurance quotes from at least three insurers to find the cheapest auto insurance for you.
Cheapest auto insurance for poor credit: Geico
Your driving record isn’t the only factor that can increase your rates. Many insurers also use credit-based insurance scores to help calculate car insurance rates. This can make it harder to get cheap car insurance with poor credit in many states.
A credit-based score includes the same factors as a regular credit score, such as debt and payment history, but weighs them differently. California, Hawaii, Massachusetts, and Michigan don’t allow insurers to use credit when determining car insurance rates.
Credit can have a shocking impact on auto insurance costs. Drivers with poor credit may pay over $400 more a year on average than those with good credit.
If you’re looking for affordable car insurance from a large company, Geico might be a good place to start. Based on our analysis of large insurers, the company has the lowest average rates for good drivers with poor credit, at $501 per year, or $42 per month, on average.
Still, you should always shop around to get the best car insurance rates, no matter your credit history.
| Company | The average annual rate for drivers with poor credit |
|---|---|
| 1. Geico | $501 |
| 2. Nationwide | $775 |
| 3. Travelers | $803 |
| 4. Allstate | $916 |
| 5. American Family | $952 |
| USAA* | $626 |
| *USAA auto insurance is available only to military, veterans, and their families. |
Cheapest car insurance by state
What counts as cheap auto insurance will be different depending on where you live, as rates vary widely from state to state.
For the sake of comparison, we found the cheapest car insurance company on average in each state and Washington, D.C.
| State | Cheapest company | Average annual rate |
|---|---|---|
| Alabama | Geico | $261 |
| Alaska | Geico | $274 |
| Arizona | Geico | $272 |
| Arkansas | Southern Farm Bureau Insurance | $261 |
| California | Geico | $374 |
| Colorado | American National | $192 |
| Connecticut | Geico | $421 |
| Delaware | Geico | $568 |
| Florida | Geico | $704 |
| Georgia | Auto-Owners | $314 |
| Hawaii | Geico | $285 |
| Idaho | American National | $135 |
| Illinois | Pekin | $234 |
| Indiana | Pekin | $195 |
| Iowa | Western National | $164 |
| Kansas | State Farm | $322 |
| Kentucky | Kentucky Farm Bureau | $389 |
| Louisiana | Geico | $443 |
| Maine | Geico | $176 |
| Maryland | Geico | $559 |
| Massachusetts | State Farm | $209 |
| Michigan | Travelers | $106 |
| Minnesota | North Star | $259 |
| Mississippi | State Farm | $337 |
| Missouri | Columbia | $289 |
| Montana | State Farm | $213 |
| Nebraska | EMC | $181 |
| Nevada | Geico | $329 |
| New Hampshire | MMG | $209 |
| New Jersey | Amica | $539 |
| New Mexico | Central Insurance | $224 |
| New York | Main Street America | $572 |
| North Carolina | Geico | $278 |
| North Dakota | Nodak | $174 |
| Ohio | Erie | $211 |
| Oklahoma | Geico | $247 |
| Oregon | State Farm | $443 |
| Pennsylvania | Geico | $181 |
| Rhode Island | State Farm | $310 |
| South Carolina | American National | $217 |
| South Dakota | Farmers Mutual of Nebraska | $172 |
| Tennessee | Grange Insurance Company | $193 |
| Texas | Geico | $377 |
| Utah | Geico | $305 |
| Vermont | Union Mutual | $182 |
| Virginia | Geico | $305 |
| Washington | Grange Insurance Association | $327 |
| Washington, D.C. | Geico | $374 |
| West Virginia | Erie | $298 |
| Wisconsin | Geico | $203 |
| Wyoming | Geico | $170 |
But state averages can tell you only so much. Even within a state, car insurance rates for minimum coverage can differ. That’s why NerdWallet analyzed rates for some of the largest cities in the U.S.
Choose your city in the dropdown below to see the cheapest car insurance rates in your area.
How to find cheap car insurance for new drivers
If you’re a new driver, you may have difficulty getting cheap car insurance. That’s because auto insurers view drivers without a recent driving history as riskier to insure. This group includes those with a new license, drivers with a lapse in car insurance, immigrants, and visitors to the U.S.
To get the cheapest car insurance, you’ll want to shop around and compare policies from a variety of companies each year. If you live with your family, it may be the cheapest to stay on their policy until your driving history is more robust.
How to get cheap car insurance
If you’re looking to save money with the cheapest possible car insurance, it’s essential to compare quotes from multiple insurers. You can use NerdWallet’s car insurance comparison tool to easily shop for cheap auto insurance online. You may find that you already have the most affordable insurance; but prices can change, so check roughly once a year.
These tips could help you get cheap auto insurance rates:
- Ask for discounts. There could be savings from car insurance discounts you’re not taking advantage of. For instance, maybe you now work from home and are driving less frequently than when you bought your policy. Mention that and you might get a low-mileage discount.
- Rethink your deductible. A higher collision and comprehensive deductible might make sense if you rarely drive or are comfortable with the financial risk. Raising your deductible means you’d owe more out of pocket if you had to file a comprehensive or collision claim. But it’s a surefire way to get cheaper car insurance.
- Know when to cut coverage. Don’t strip away coverage just for the sake of cheap auto insurance. But if you drive an older car, you can probably drop comprehensive and collision coverage. These coverage types pay out only up to your car’s current value, minus the deductible.
- Cash in on major life changes. Certain life events could translate to cheaper car insurance, so shop for quotes whenever something major changes in your life. For instance, many companies offer a lower rate for married couples or domestic partners. Or perhaps you moved to a suburb with lower accident and crime rates. Even if you moved to a more expensive area for car insurance, shopping around can help you get cheaper coverage.
- Revisit quotes after your driving record improves. Shop for cheap car insurance quotes online three to five years after any accidents, tickets or moving violations. They may have dropped off your driving record.
The type of car you drive also affects how much you pay for auto insurance. Check out NerdWallet’s analysis of the cheapest cars to insure to see if your vehicle made the list.
