Best Car Insurance Companies for 2024 – Advanced Analytics Solutions

Choosing car insurance can be a pain. Not only are there plenty of car insurance companies, you also have to sift through different coverage types and amounts—from liability to comprehensive.

But if you drive, car insurance is a must (in every state but New Hampshire.) And while companies that boast cost savings in their advertisements can be appealing, you need to know that the company has your back if you’re in an accident. Fortunately, with a little research shopping for the right policy can be smooth and manageable.

How much you pay for car insurance can vary a lot by factors including where you live, what car you drive, and even your credit score. To help you find the right insurance company and coverage for you, we researched policies from 25 leading insurers.

We looked at everything from their premiums to how customers rated their claims processes to identify the seven best car insurance companies.

Table of Contents

Best overall

One of the nation’s largest auto insurers based on written premiums, Progressive stands out because of its optional coverages, added benefits, discounts and customer support options. Notable features beyond the usual liability, collision and comprehensive insurance policies include:

Coverage for other vehicles: Besides standard personal vehicles, such as cars and SUVs, Progressive will insure other vehicles such as motorcycles, mopeds, scooters, RVs, trailers and even golf carts.
Gap coverage: If you take out an auto loan or lease your car, gap coverage will help pay for the difference between your car’s current value and what you owe on the vehicle. Progressive’s Loan/Lease payoff coverage will cover the difference, up to a maximum of 25% of the car’s actual value, a higher threshold than some other companies provide.
Usage-based coverage: With Progressive’s Snapshot tool, your rates are based on your driving habits. By not driving late at night, staying off your phone and limiting hard braking or accelerating, you could save money on your monthly premiums. Progressive says that drivers that use its Snapshot tool save an average of $231 a year. The Snapshot tool does record your trip details, so those concerned about privacy and location tracking may want to avoid this feature.
Coverage for pets: more pet owners bring their animals with them on road trips. But if you’re in an accident and your pet is injured, few car insurers will reimburse you for their care. Progressive is one of the few major insurers that will cover vet bills, up to a specified limit, as long as you have collision coverage for your car.
Custom parts: If you make modifications to your vehicle to improve its appearance or performance—such as chrome bumpers, aftermarket stereo systems or suspension enhancements—your standard auto insurance policy won’t cover the repairs or replacement of those modifications. But Progressive will cover aftermarket accessories up to a $5,000 limit.
Classic car coverage: If you own a classic car, you may find that insuring it is difficult; classic or collectible cars often have a higher value than they did when they were purchased, but that isn’t reflected with a standard insurance policy. With the Progressive Classic Car Program by Hagerty, you can get coverage for your vehicle’s current value without fixed mileage restrictions—allowing you to enjoy driving your vintage or modified vehicle at a lower cost than with standard auto insurance.
Ride-share coverage: If you drive for a ride-share service such as Uber or Lyft, you will likely need a specialized ride-share insurance policy, and only a few companies offer ride-share coverage. Progressive allows you to add ride-share insurance to your personal auto policy, ensuring you’re protected when your ride-share coverage isn’t in effect.

At $157 a month, Progressive’s premiums were about 7% higher than the national average as reported by The Zebra, which analyzed nearly 400 insurance companies. However, Progressive has several discounts that could make your premiums more affordable. Available discounts include safe driving, good student, homeowners, multi-policy and pay-in-full discounts.

The discounts range in value. For example the multi-policy discount can give you 5% off your premiums, while a good student discount will help you save up to 10%.

Caveats: Progressive is a well-known company and the number of complaints that customers submitted about the company to state regulators is in line with the industry standard. However, Progressive has a less-positive reputation when it comes to how it handles insurance claims.

In the J.D. Power 2023 Auto Claims Satisfaction Study, Progressive has a lower-than-average rating. And in the Crash Network’s Insurer Report Card—a survey that asks body shops about their experiences with insurers’ claims-handling policies—Progressive received a “C” score, well below the average, and it was ranked 68th out of 88 insurers. That’s not uncommon for large companies; the Crash Network noted that none of the 10 largest auto insurers had a grade of “C+” or worse. But customers should be aware that smaller insurers tended to score higher regarding repairs and claims processing timelines.

Best customer service

Amica was the clear winner for its customer service. It was the top-rated company in the J.D. Power Auto Claims Satisfaction Study, beating out 23 other companies. In the Crash Network’s 2024 Insurer Report Card, it was the 12th-best company out of 88 insurers in terms of claims processing, and one of the few large insurers to be rated in the top 15. It also received a fewer-than-typical number of complaints with the National Association of Insurance Commissioners.

It has several different customer support options including 24/7 phone support for auto claims, live chat and extended sales and customer service hours to respond to questions.

Finally, Amica Mutual has a dividend policy option. With a dividend policy, Amica Mutual will pay out dividends—up to 20% of the annual premium—to policyholders, an unusual benefit for a car insurance company.

Caveats: Amica Mutual’s available coverage options vary by state, and it doesn’t issue policies to residents of Hawaii. If you live in the Aloha State and are looking for an auto insurer with excellent customer service, other options include Farmers and State Farm.

Best for discounts

State Farm is the nation’s top auto insurer; according to the National Association of Insurance Commissioners’s 2023 Property and Casualty Industry report, it was the leading private passenger insurer based on direct premiums written. It also has over 19,000 agents nationwide, making it a good choice for those that want personalized assistance.

State Farm has substantial discount programs that could make your premiums more affordable.

With its Drive Safe and Save Program, you can save up to 30% on your premiums, a higher discount than other companies offer for similar programs. And while good student discounts usually reduce your premiums by 10%, State Farm’s program can reduce your premiums by as much as 25%, making it a valuable option if there are teen drivers in your household.

If you are an existing State Farm customer, the savings can be more significant. Like many insurers, State Farm offers multi-policy discounts. However, other insurers typically provide multi-policy discounts to those with homeowners or renters insurance policies. With State Farm, the criteria is broader. Individuals with condo insurance or life insurance are also eligible for discounts when they bundle their policies with auto coverage. State Farm recently reported that customers save an average of $1,273 a year on auto and home insurance with its discounts.

Caveats: Like other large insurance companies, State Farm has a relatively low rating in the Crash Network’s 2024 Insurer Report Card. It had a C- grade, and was ranked 73 out of 88 insurers. That grade isn’t uncommon for a large insurer. But State Farm was one of the few major insurers to perform worse on the 2024 report than in the previous year.

The level of customer support you receive is largely dependent on the quality of your agent, so your experience can vary based on the agents in your area.

Unlike other insurers, State Farm doesn’t offer gap coverage. If you want coverage for the difference between what you owe on your car and the current value, you may want to purchase a stand-alone gap policy from the dealer or lender when you purchase your car.

Best for SR-22 coverage/high-risk coverage

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reported that about one million arrests are made for driving under-the influence, or DUI, of drugs or alcohol each year. If you’re convicted of a DUI or have had other driving violations in the past, it can be difficult to qualify for car insurance from many insurers. Some companies won’t work with those drivers at all.

And if you have incidents on your driving record, you may need either an SR-22 or FR-44:

SR-22: An SR-22 is a certificate of financial responsibility ordered by the state to prove that you meet the necessary insurance requirements.
FR-44: Similar to SR-22, the FR-44 is a form that shows you meet state insurance requirements and have active liability insurance. However, FR-44 coverage usually requires higher liability insurance limits than SR-22 coverage.

The General is a company that specializes in nonstandard coverage, meaning it writes policies for high-risk drivers. It will provide instant proof of coverage, and will walk you through every step of the SR-22 or FR-44 filing process.

Caveats: Compared with standard auto insurance policies, policies issued by The General tend to be much more expensive. WalletHub, another company that tracks insurance costs, reported that a full coverage policy will cost over $2,400—about $700 more than the average cost for other companies.

The General isn’t available nationwide. It only operates in 47 states, so residents of Massachusetts, Michigan and New Jersey will have to get coverage elsewhere. Other leading providers of nonstandard coverage include Infinity and SafeAuto.

Caveats: Compared with standard auto insurance policies, policies issued by The General tend to be much more expensive. WalletHub, another company that tracks insurance costs, reported that a full coverage policy will cost over $4,000—more than double the national average.

If you have other options for coverage, it may be a good idea to pursue them; the General has one of the lowest ratings for customer service; The Crash Network’s report ranked it 85th out of 88 insurers, giving it a “D” grade.

While Allstate is a popular insurance company for all drivers—it’s the fourth-largest insurer based on direct premiums written—it’s especially useful for drivers that work for ride-share services such as Uber or Lyft.

When you drive for ride-share services, there are often gaps in your coverage. The ride-share platform, also known as a transportation network company, or TNC, may provide insurance, but it only covers you while a passenger is in your vehicle. TNC insurance doesn’t cover you while waiting for a customer or when you’re en route to their location. And personal auto policies typically exclude coverage for ride-share drivers while waiting for or driving customers, so if you’re in an accident, you may have to cover all of the resulting expenses on your own.

With Allstate’s Ride for Hire coverage, you can supplement your personal insurance policy and TNC coverage with ride-share insurance.

Some other insurers offer ride-share coverage, including Progressive. But Allstate stands out because it also provides deductible gap coverage for damage to your vehicle up to $2,500—a much higher limit than other companies offer.

The deductible gap coverage for ride-share drivers comes into play if you’re in an accident and there is a gap between your personal auto insurance deductible and the TNC policy’s deductible. For example, if your collision deductible is $500, and the TNC policy’s deductible is $2,000, Allstate Ride for Hire insurance may cover the $1,500 difference.

Caveats: Allstate received a low score from the Crash Network, ranking 80 out of 88 insurers. And its standard insurance coverage is more expensive than competitors’ rates. On average, its premiums were $201 a month, 37% higher than the industry average.

Best for military service members

USAA’s premiums are lower than the national average. In fact, the insurer reported that members saved an average of $725 when they switched to USAA coverage from another company. USAA is also highly rated in claims satisfaction by J.D. Power.

Qualifying USAA members can take advantage of several substantial discount programs, including:

60% off if you’re deployed or storing your car for other reasons
30% off with USAA SafePilot, an app that monitors your location, braking and phone use habits while driving
15% off comprehensive coverage if you park your car at a military installation
10% off property insurance when you bundle auto and homeowners or renters insurance

USAA members can also get discounts on other vehicle-related services, such as tires or maintenance, through USAA’s partners.

Caveats: Although USAA may be a cost-effective option, it isn’t available to everyone. You can only purchase car insurance through USAA if you are an eligible member. Membership is limited to current military service members, veterans, pre-commissioned officers and the spouses and children of those groups.

Best for electric vehicles

In general, coverage for electric vehicles is much more expensive than insurance for traditional vehicles, so shopping around for the best rates is key if you have an electric or hybrid car.

Although the other companies on our list offer coverage for electric vehicles, Nationwide stands out because of its competitive rates and discounts. Across eight types of electric and hybrid vehicles—including the Tesla Model S and Nissan Leaf—Nationwide had the lowest average rates, consistently beating out competitors including Allstate and Progressive. Nationwide even has coverage options for scooters.

Nationwide has several discount programs, including defensive driving and safe driver discounts. But owners of electric or hybrid vehicles may find Nationwide’s SmartMiles program especially useful. It provides the same coverage as a typical Nationwide policy, but your rate is dependent on how much you drive; Nationwide is one of the few major insurers that has a pay-per-mile option, and other pay-per-mile companies are licensed in fewer states.

A study released by the National Bureau of Economic Research found that electric vehicle owners drive half as many miles as other drivers, so usage-based insurance could produce significant savings.

Caveats: Although Nationwide is a well-known company, it has a lower-than-average claims satisfaction rating from J.D. Power, and it has a lower score from the Crash Network too; it was ranked 60th out of 88 insurers.

And while electric vehicle owners may find the SmartMiles program appealing, it isn’t available nationwide yet. State’s where drivers don’t have access to the program include: Alaska, Hawaii, Louisiana, North Carolina, New York or Oklahoma. That may change in the future, but for drivers in those states, that limitation may be frustrating.

Best for classic or antique cars

There are approximately 43 million collector vehicles in the U.S., including antique and classic cars. According to Hagerty, a company specializing in collector vehicles, these vehicles make up about 16% of the registered vehicles in the country.

If you own an antique or classic car, finding coverage can be challenging. Not all companies offer coverage for collector vehicles, or they may require you to have an existing standard auto policy before you can insure a specialty car.

Safeco is one of the few insurers that offers stand-alone policies for antique, classic or restored vehicles. It offers multiple coverage options and optional insurance riders for collector vehicles, including specialized roadside assistance and personal property coverage. And collector cars are eligible for Safeco discounts for multi-policy or low mileage discounts.Caveats: Although Safeco may be a good option for insuring a collector vehicle, the company doesn’t allow you to get quotes online; you have to contact a local agent to find out what coverage options are available and to learn about pricing. The National Association of Insurance Commissioners also reported that Safeco has a higher number of complaints than is typical; most complaints were about how the company handled claims, so potential customers should be aware that there’s the risk of delays with claims after an accident.

Other companies to consider

Erie Insurance

If you live in a state where Erie Insurance is licensed to issue policies, it could be a good option thanks to exemplary customer service and affordable premium. Despite being a smaller, regional insurer, it was ranked second in the J.D. Power U.S. Auto Claims Satisfaction Study, and it was also fourth out of 88 insurers in The Crash Network’s Insurer Report Card. Plus, its average premium is just $108 a month—about 27% lower than the national average.

Despite its pricing and service, Erie Insurance wasn’t one of our picks because of its limited footprint; Erie only issues policies to residents in 12 states, primarily in the northeast.

Geico

While Geico is known for the ever-present gecko in its advertising, Geico was a contender as a top insurer because of its low rates, particularly for state-minimum coverage. However, Geico wasn’t included as one of our picks because of its low marks from J.D. Power and the Crash Network.

Metromile

Metromile is a relatively young and small company. However, it’s leading the charge in pay-per-mile insurance. According to the company, drivers save 47% on average compared with what they were paying for their previous insurance policy.

Metromile didn’t make the cut as a top pick because it’s only available in a few states. You can only get Metromile coverage if you live in Arizona, California, Illinois, New Jersey, Oregon, Pennsylvania, Virginia or Washington.

Liberty Mutual

Liberty Mutual is a popular insurance company. In terms of direct premiums written, it’s the sixth-largest company in the country. But Liberty Mutual has a less-than-stellar reputation for how it handles claims. The Crash Network ranked Liberty Mutual 78 out of 88 insurers based on surveys of collision repair professionals, and the company also had a below-average rating on J.D. Power’s claims satisfaction study.

Root

Root is a usage-based insurance company that uses an app to monitor your driving habits. According to the company, safe drivers can save up to $900 a year, and roadside assistance is included with every policy.

However, coverage isn’t available in nine states; drivers in the following states are not eligible: Alaska, Hawaii, Maine, Massachusetts, Michigan, New Jersey, New York, Rhode Island and Vermont. If you live in one of those states, insurers that offer usage-based discounts, such as Progressive or State Farm, may be useful alternatives.Things to know about car insurance

Things to know about car insurance

Before you start shopping for car insurance, make sure you understand the fundamentals of what coverages are available, typical costs and the factors that can affect your insurance premiums.

Types of Coverage

There are several types of coverage, but the most commonly used coverages are:

Collision: Collision coverage helps pay to repair or replace your vehicle if it’s damaged in an accident with another car or object, regardless of who is at fault.
Comprehensive: With comprehensive insurance, you’re covered for damage to your vehicle that’s caused by events other than collision, such as theft, fire, glass breakage, flooding, hail, vandalism or hitting an animal.
Bodily liability: This type of coverage protects you if you cause bodily injury damage, such as broken bones, to others in an accident.
Property damage: Property damage coverage pays to repair or replace the other driver’s vehicle if you’re at fault in an accident.
Gap: Gap insurance is optional but recommended if you’re financing your vehicle. It covers the “gap“ between what you owe on your vehicle and its actual cash value in the event that it’s totaled or stolen.

In every state with the exception of New Hampshire, insurance is required for all drivers. However, states typically only require liability coverage, which doesn’t cover your car or possessions in an accident. And state-minimum coverage may be insufficient to cover you properly.

In general, experts recommend 100/300/100 in liability coverage: at least $100,000 per person, $300,000 per accident in bodily injury liability and $100,000 per accident in property damage liability coverage. And drivers will often need full coverage—which includes comprehensive and collision insurance—to adequately insure their vehicles and personal property too.

How much does car insurance cost?

According to The Zebra, the average cost of an insurance policy that included liability, collision and comprehensive coverage was $1,759 a year, or about $147 a month.

Drivers that opted for state-minimum liability coverage only paid an average of $950 a year, or about $79 a month.

The Zebra’s cost analysis used data from nearly 400 insurance companies nationwide.

Factors that affect rates

Your car insurance premiums can vary based on the following factors:

Driving record: A clean driving record usually means a lower insurance premium, while a recent DUI or at-fault accident will cause your rates to increase.
Age: Young drivers are statistically more likely to get into accidents, which is reflected in their higher insurance rates.
Gender: Studies have shown that men are more likely to get into accidents than women, so premiums for men are typically higher.
Credit score: In may states, insurance companies use your credit score as a factor in setting your premium because studies have shown that people with lower credit scores are more likely to file insurance claims than people with higher credit scores. However, some states prohibit insurers from using credit scores when determining rates. In fact, The Zebra found that drivers with poor credit pay an average of $1,500 more per year than drivers with excellent credit.
Type of vehicle: A newer, more expensive car will cost more to insure than an older, less-expensive one.
Location: Insurance rates vary by state, with some states having higher average premiums than others. The most expensive states include Louisiana, Michigan and Florida, while the cheapest states are Ohio and New Hampshire.
Typical use: If you have a long commute or regularly take long road trips, you’ll pay more than someone who drives fewer miles a year.

The most (and least) expensive cars to insure

The year, make and model of your car plays a role in determining your premiums. In general, newer, high-end vehicles are more expensive to insure because they are costlier to repair or replace.

The Zebra analyzed insurance premiums across the country to identify the most expensive vehicles to insure. Unsurprisingly, the cars with the highest average annual premiums were all primarily luxury brands. The premiums of the most expensive vehicle, the Maserati Quattroporte, were nearly three times the national average of $1,759 a year.

Maserati Quattroporte: $5,020 a year
Audi R8: $4,570 a year a year
BMW i8: $4,370 a year a year
Mercedes-AMG GT: $4,130 a year
Nissan GTR: $4,060 a year

The least expensive cars to insure tend to have much lower-than-average sales prices, are inexpensive to repair and have parts that are easily replaced. The cars with the lowest premiums have rates that are 16% to 20% lower than the national average.

According to The Zebra, these cars are the cheapest to insure:

Fiat 500X: $1,400 a year
Ford Transit Connect: $1,450 a year
Jeep Compass: $1,480 a year
Ford Escape: $1,480 a year
Subaru Outback: $1,480 a year

Car Insurance FAQs

What is the best car insurance company for customer service?

In terms of customer satisfaction, J.D. Power ranked Amica as the top insurer in its 2023 claims satisfaction study. The study surveyed customers that submitted auto claims to evaluate companies on six factors: claim servicing, estimate process, notice of loss, rental experience, repair process and settlement.

Amica was also one of the few major insurers to be rated highly in The Crash Network’s Insurer Report Card. Amica was ranked 12th out of 88 insurers and was given a “B+” grade, indicating that mechanics and body shops found that Amica was better to work with for quality and timely repairs than most insurers.

Why is The Crash Network’s Insurer Report Card important?

When shopping for coverage, consulting The Crash Network’s Insurer Report Card can provide invaluable insights. Each year, The Crash Network releases the report that scores and ranks major insurers based on the responses from auto mechanics and body shops.

According to responding shops, the companies that score highly don’t pressure them to use lower-quality parts to save money, they have experienced insurance adjusters streamline administrative tasks to speed up the repair process for consumers.

Companies that score poorly, such as those with a score of “D” or worse, have less experienced claims personnel, may push shops to use low-quality parts to save money and may be slow to respond to shop questions. Some shops said that because of these issues with major insurers, vehicles go unrepaired for several months.

In general, smaller insurers tended to perform better than large, national insurers.

How does my credit score affect my car insurance premiums?

In most states, insurance companies can use your credit score as part of their underwriting process. According to the American Property Casualty Insurance Association, credit scores are a reliable indicator of driver risk, so insurers use credit scores to determine a driver’s rates.

There are only four states—California, Hawaii, Maryland and Massachusetts—that prohibit insurers from using credit when setting rates. In all others, having poor credit can cause you to pay an average of $125 more per month compared to a driver with excellent credit.

Is car insurance required in all states?

Car insurance is required in nearly every state, with the exception of New Hampshire.

New Hampshire’s motor vehicle laws don’t have a car insurance requirement. However, the state does require certain drivers to have auto insurance policies: those who have been convicted of driving under the influence, leaving the scene of an accident or those who previously were at-fault in an accident and didn’t have insurance at the time.

Is collision insurance mandatory?

Although car insurance is required in most states, state laws only require liability coverage. Collision insurance is optional.

However, if you have an auto loan or lease, the lender will make collision insurance mandatory.

How can I lower my car insurance premiums?

You can reduce your premiums with the following tips:

Ask about discounts: Insurers often have a variety of discount programs, and you may be eligible for one or more reductions. Common discounts include safe driver, autopay, multivehicle, accident-free and multi-policy discounts.
Consider usage-based insurance: Usage-based insurance determines your premiums based on how much you drive and your driving habits. Those that drive fewer-than-average miles can significantly reduce their premiums by switching to a usage-based policy.
Complete a safe driving course: Some companies will reduce your premiums if you successfully complete a qualifying safe driving course.
Increase your deductible: In general, your premiums will be higher if you have a low deductible. Increasing your deductible—for example, increasing it from $500 to $1,000—will reduce your premiums. However, you should keep in mind that a higher deductible means you’ll have to cover a larger portion of your repairs or damages in an accident, so make sure you have enough cash in savings to cover that amount.
Improve your credit: In most states, your credit score affects your car insurance premiums. Improving your credit by making all of your payments on time and paying down credit card debt can help you qualify for better rates.
Compare quotes: Premiums can vary significantly by company, so request quotes from multiple insurers to find the lowest rates for your desired level of coverage.

Where is car insurance the most expensive?

Your location has a large impact on your premiums. Your state’s coverage requirements, crime rates and congestion all affect your costs. According to the latest Auto Insurance Database Report released by the National Association of Insurance Commissioners, the most expensive districts and states for full coverage policies are as follows:

Louisiana: Rates are 41% higher than the national average
New York: Rates are 37% higher than the national average
Rhode Island: Rates are 34% higher than the national average
Washington, D.C.: Rates are 31% higher than the national average

Is car insurance more expensive for electric cars?

In general, electric vehicles are more expensive to insure than gas-powered vehicles. According to the National Association of Insurance Commissioners, electric vehicles cost $44 more a month to insure, on average.

Why is insurance for EVs so expensive? There are fewer repair shops that are trained and able to handle electric vehicles, there is an increased risk of battery fires and the parts and repairs of electric vehicles tend to be more expensive. Combined, those factors contribute to the higher insurance cost.

What are the risks of driving without car insurance?

Drivers in nearly every state are required to have insurance that meets minimum liability coverage requirements. The penalties for driving without car insurance vary by state. For example, these are the penalties for first-time offenders in the following states:

Alabama: Drivers can be fined up to $500 and their license can be suspended. Plus, there is a license reinstatement fee of $200.
Delaware: If you’re convicted of driving without the necessary insurance coverage, you may face a fine of $1,500 and a six-month license suspension.
Kansas: Drivers in Kansas convicted of driving without liability insurance are required to maintain SR-22 coverage for at least 12 months, and fines range from $300 to $1,000 for a first offense.

Besides your state’s fines and penalties, there is also the risk of getting into an accident. If that happens, you could be on the hook for the cost of your vehicle’s repairs or replacement, and you could be sued for the other driver’s vehicle repairs and medical expenses.

How we picked

We chose Buy Side from WSJ’s Best Car Insurance Companies based on available coverages, optional benefits, premiums as reported by The Zebra, discount programs and customer service ratings.

We also considered scores issued by the Crash Network’s Insurer Report Card, a ranking of how insurers measure up during the repair process after a claim as reported by over 1,000 automotive collision repair professionals.

We analyzed 25 leading auto insurers, using the National Association of Insurance Commissioner’s listing of the top 25 car insurance companies by dollar amount of direct premiums written. Policies and coverage options were current as of March 27, 2024.

Meet the contributor

Kat Tretina

Kat Tretina is a contributor to Buy Side from WSJ.

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