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InsuranceComparison

The 7 best car insurance companies

We compared major auto insurers on financial strength, discounts, coverage options and service, so you can shop smart. Your own price depends on your state, record and car, so always compare quotes.

Last reviewed: · Reviewed by the TheSavvyAmericans editorial team

Important: Car insurance prices are set by each insurer and regulated at the state level, so quotes vary a lot and change over time. USAA is available only to military members, veterans and their families. Never lower your liability limits just to cut the premium, because that can leave you exposed after a serious accident.

Key takeaways

  • 1There is no single cheapest insurer for everyone. Rates vary widely by state, driving record, vehicle and credit, so the only way to know your price is to compare quotes.
  • 2Our top overall pick is Geico for consistently competitive rates and strong digital tools; State Farm leads for local agent service and USAA for military families.
  • 3Compare identical coverage limits and deductibles across insurers, or a lower quote may simply mean less protection.
  • 4Stack discounts (bundling, safe driver, telematics) and re-shop every year or two, since insurers change pricing often.
Advertising disclosure: TheSavvyAmericans may receive compensation when you apply for or open a product through links on this page. This does not influence our editorial evaluations. Products are reviewed using a documented methodology. Learn how we make money.

The 7 best car insurance companies

We compared major insurers on financial strength, the discounts they offer, coverage breadth and their service and claims reputation. We do not show premiums, because your rate depends on your state, record, vehicle and credit; treat this as a shortlist and get quotes from two or three to find your actual price.

Car insurance companies compared at a glance
#ServiceBest forRatingAM BestStandout discountAvailability
1GeicoBest overall value4.6 / 5A++ (verify current)Multi-policy, good driverAll 50 states
2State FarmBest for local agent service4.5 / 5A++ (verify current)Drive Safe & SaveAll 50 states
3ProgressiveBest for high-risk drivers4.3 / 5A+ (verify current)Snapshot telematicsAll 50 states
4USAABest for military families4.7 / 5A++ (verify current)Military + safe driverMilitary families only
5AmicaBest for customer satisfaction4.4 / 5A+ (verify current)Dividend policy optionMost states
6NationwideBest for bundling policies4.2 / 5A+ (verify current)Multi-policy + SmartRideMost states
7TravelersBest for coverage choices4.1 / 5A++ (verify current)Bundling + safe driverMost states
#1Rank
Editor's ChoiceBest overall value

Geico

4.6 / 5

Geico pairs consistently competitive rates with one of the best mobile apps and a wide range of discounts, which makes it a strong default for most drivers who are comfortable managing their policy online.

Pros

  • Frequently among the lowest rates
  • Excellent app and online self-service
  • Many discounts (multi-policy, good driver, more)
  • Strong financial strength

Cons

  • Local agent support is limited
  • Fewer premium coverage add-ons than some rivals
  • Telematics savings vary by state
AM Best
A++ (verify current)
Standout discount
Multi-policy, good driver
Availability
All 50 states
Digital tools
Excellent app
Visit Geico

Official site opens in a new tab

#2Rank
Best for agentsBest for local agent service

State Farm

4.5 / 5

The largest U.S. auto insurer, State Farm is built around a huge network of local agents, which suits drivers who want a person to call. It also scores well for customer satisfaction and offers a solid telematics program.

Pros

  • Large local agent network
  • Strong customer satisfaction reputation
  • Drive Safe & Save telematics discount
  • Top-tier financial strength

Cons

  • Not always the cheapest for high-risk drivers
  • Discount selection is narrower than Geico
  • Rates rose in many states recently
AM Best
A++ (verify current)
Standout discount
Drive Safe & Save
Availability
All 50 states
Digital tools
Good app + agents
Visit State Farm

Official site opens in a new tab

#3Rank
Best for high-riskBest for high-risk drivers

Progressive

4.3 / 5

Progressive is often more competitive for drivers with tickets, accidents or other risk factors, and its Name Your Price and comparison tools make it easy to shop. The Snapshot program can reward safe driving.

Pros

  • Competitive for higher-risk drivers
  • Name Your Price and comparison tools
  • Snapshot telematics discount
  • Broad coverage and add-ons

Cons

  • Snapshot can raise rates for riskier driving
  • Customer satisfaction is middling
  • Prices can jump at renewal
AM Best
A+ (verify current)
Standout discount
Snapshot telematics
Availability
All 50 states
Digital tools
Strong online tools
Visit Progressive

Official site opens in a new tab

#4Rank
Best for militaryBest for military families

USAA

4.7 / 5

For those who qualify, USAA routinely tops satisfaction and value rankings, with low rates, excellent claims service and military-specific perks. Membership is limited to service members, veterans and their families.

Pros

  • Consistently low rates and high satisfaction
  • Excellent claims service
  • Military-specific discounts and benefits
  • Top-tier financial strength

Cons

  • Eligibility limited to the military community
  • No local agent offices
  • Some coverages vary by state
AM Best
A++ (verify current)
Standout discount
Military + safe driver
Availability
Military families only
Digital tools
Excellent app
Visit USAA

Official site opens in a new tab

#5Rank
Best satisfactionBest for customer satisfaction

Amica

4.4 / 5

Amica earns some of the highest marks for customer satisfaction and claims handling, and its dividend policies can return part of your premium. It suits drivers who prioritize service over rock-bottom price.

Pros

  • Top customer satisfaction and claims scores
  • Dividend policy option returns premium
  • Generous standard coverages

Cons

  • Base rates can run higher
  • Smaller footprint than the giants
  • Fewer app features than Geico
AM Best
A+ (verify current)
Standout discount
Dividend policy option
Availability
Most states
Digital tools
Solid app
Visit Amica

Official site opens in a new tab

#6Rank
Best for bundlingBest for bundling policies

Nationwide

4.2 / 5

Nationwide offers competitive bundling discounts across auto, home and life, plus the SmartRide telematics program and vanishing-deductible option, making it a good fit if you want one insurer for everything.

Pros

  • Strong multi-policy bundling savings
  • SmartRide telematics discount
  • Vanishing deductible option
  • Wide product range

Cons

  • Rates vary by region
  • Satisfaction is average
  • Not available in every state
AM Best
A+ (verify current)
Standout discount
Multi-policy + SmartRide
Availability
Most states
Digital tools
Good app
Visit Nationwide

Official site opens in a new tab

#7Rank
Best coverage optionsBest for coverage choices

Travelers

4.1 / 5

Travelers offers a deep menu of coverages and add-ons, such as accident forgiveness, gap coverage and rideshare options, which appeals to drivers who want to fine-tune their protection. It bundles well with home too.

Pros

  • Wide range of coverages and add-ons
  • Accident forgiveness and gap options
  • Good bundling discounts
  • Strong financial strength

Cons

  • Customer satisfaction is average
  • Some discounts vary by state
  • App is less polished than leaders
AM Best
A++ (verify current)
Standout discount
Bundling + safe driver
Availability
Most states
Digital tools
Adequate app
Visit Travelers

Official site opens in a new tab

Ratings are TheSavvyAmericans editorial scores based on the criteria in the methodology section below, not user reviews or paid placements. Features and pricing change often, so confirm the current details on each provider’s official site before you sign up.

How we picked and scored these insurers

We rank insurers independently, and compensation never sets the order. Because your premium is personal, we focus on the things that hold across drivers: financial strength, service and claims, coverage and the discounts that lower a bill.

  • Financial strength: an insurer’s ability to pay claims, based on ratings from agencies like AM Best.
  • Claims and service: reputation for paying fairly and quickly, and ease of reaching help.
  • Coverage and add-ons: breadth of coverages, from basics to accident forgiveness and gap.
  • Discounts and telematics: the realistic ways to lower your rate, including safe-driving programs.
  • Availability and access: where the insurer operates and whether you can use agents, app or both.

Good to know: Ratings are our editorial assessments, not user reviews. Premiums and financial-strength grades change, so confirm current rates by requesting quotes and verify any rating on the insurer’s or AM Best’s site.

How to compare car insurance quotes

  1. 1Decide your coverage first: liability limits, plus collision and comprehensive if you want them, and any add-ons. Write them down.
  2. 2Get quotes from two or three insurers using the exact same limits and deductibles, so the prices are truly comparable.
  3. 3Ask about discounts: bundling, safe driver, telematics, low mileage, good student and paperless.
  4. 4Check claims reputation, not just price, since a cheap policy that pays poorly is a bad deal.
  5. 5Re-shop every year or two, because insurers adjust pricing and your best option can change.

Good to know: A lower quote often means lower limits. Match coverage before you compare price, and keep liability high enough to protect your assets.

Frequently asked questions

Which car insurance company is cheapest?
There is no single cheapest insurer for everyone. Your rate depends on your state, driving record, vehicle, mileage, coverage and (in most states) credit. Geico, State Farm and Progressive are often competitive, but the only way to find your cheapest option is to compare quotes with identical coverage.
How much car insurance do I actually need?
At minimum you need your state’s required liability coverage, but those minimums are often too low to protect your assets. Many experts suggest higher liability limits, plus collision and comprehensive if your car is worth protecting. Match your limits to what you could lose in a serious at-fault accident.
Does my credit affect my car insurance rate?
In most states, yes. Insurers use a credit-based insurance score as one pricing factor, and a few states (such as California, Hawaii and Massachusetts) restrict or ban the practice. Improving your credit can help lower your premium where it is allowed.
How often should I shop for car insurance?
Every one to two years, or after major life changes like moving, buying a car, adding a driver or a big change in your credit. Insurers adjust their pricing regularly, so the company that was cheapest last year may not be this year.

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Advertising disclosure: TheSavvyAmericans may receive compensation when you apply for or open a product through links on this page. This does not influence our editorial evaluations. Products are reviewed using a documented methodology. Learn how we make money.
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