After analyzing the data, we found seven of the best car insurance companies that stand out from the rest. Amica, Erie, Geico, Progressive, State Farm, Travelers and USAA have strong financial ratings and offer several discounts, coverages, and policy features that allow drivers to personalize their policy to meet their needs. Shopping around and comparing quotes can help households get the best rate from the top carriers in their state.
The national average cost of car insurance is $1,771 for full coverage and $545 for minimum coverage per year, according to 2022 data from Bankrate.com. Since almost all states require car insurance, drivers have multiple options. While it can be overwhelming to decide which carrier is the best, Reviews.com has done extensive research, narrowing down the top seven car insurance companies that could be the right fit.
The 7 Best Car Insurance Companies
To choose the seven best car insurance companies, we started by reviewing Bankrate.com’s 2022 premium data from Quadrant Information Services. We then analyzed coverages, discounts, third-party reviews, and complaint ratings. We chose the following carriers as being among the best:
- Amica: Best for Customer Service
- Erie: Best for Robust Coverage
- Geico: Best for Digital Tools
- Progressive: Best for Discounts
- State Farm: Best for Local Agents
- Travelers: Best for Personalized Coverage
- USAA: Best for Military-Centric Options
Compare the Best Auto Insurance Companies
These companies were chosen based on Reviews.com research methodology. This means that, depending on the features you are searching for, you may find that another carrier is best for your needs.
| Average Annual Minimum Coverage Premium* | Average Annual Full Coverage Premium* | AM Best Financial Strength Score AM Best rates insurance providers creditworthiness. Ratings are based on the provider’s ability to follow through with a payout when a consumer files a claim. | J.D. Power Claims Satisfaction** J.D. Power scores are based on surveys for customer satisfaction and product quality. | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Pin Amica | $444 | $1,495 | A+ | 895 | |
| Pin Erie | $476 | $1,321 | A+ | 901 | |
| Pin Geico | $365 | $1,297 | A++ | 881 | |
| Pin Progressive | $542 | $1,561 | A+ | 862 | |
| Pin State Farm | $456 | $1,397 | A++ | 892 | |
| Pin Travelers | $477 | $1,447 | A++ | 871 | |
| Pin USAA | $354 | $1,209 | A++ | 909** |
Information accurate as of September 2022
* Data provided by Bankrate.com
**J.D. Power’s 2021 Auto Claims Satisfaction Study. Based on a 1,000-point scale. USAA is not officially rated due to eligibility restrictions.
Best for Customer Service
WHY WE CHOSE IT
Why we chose it
Pros
- High J.D. Power ratings for claims service and overall customer satisfaction
- Offers dividend policies
- Low average premium
Cons
- Not available nationwide
- AM Best financial strength is lower than some competitors
- Few local offices
OTHER POLICIES OFFERED
- Home
- Renters
- Flood
- Marine
STANDOUT DISCOUNTS AVAILABLE
- Homeownership
- Young driver training
- Accident free
- Forward collision warning
Best for Robust Coverage
WHY WE CHOSE IT
Why we chose it
Pros
- High J.D. Power claims satisfaction score
- Numerous optional coverage types
- Low average premiums
Cons
- Limited availability
- AM Best financial strength is lower than some competitors
- Fewer digital tools than competitors
OTHER POLICIES OFFERED
- Collector car
- Condo
- Life
- Business
STANDOUT DISCOUNTS AVAILABLE
- Safe driving
- Car safety features
- Reduced usage
- Annual payment plan
Best for Digital Tools
WHY WE CHOSE IT
Why we chose it
Pros
- Lower-than-average rates
- Numerous discounts
- Superior AM Best financial strength rating
Cons
- J.D. Power claims satisfaction is only average
- Few options for customization
- Few local agents
OTHER POLICIES OFFERED
- Home
- Renters
- Motorcycle/ATV
- Boat
STANDOUT DISCOUNTS AVAILABLE
- Emergency deployment
- Federal employee
- Military
- Good student
Best for Discounts
WHY WE CHOSE IT
Why we chose it
Pros
- Plenty of discounts
- Robust digital tools
- May offer coverage for high-risk drivers
Cons
- Below-average J.D. Power claims satisfaction
- Financial strength lower than some competitors
- High overall NAIC complaint index
OTHER POLICIES OFFERED
- Life
- Boat
- Renters
- Condo
STANDOUT DISCOUNTS AVAILABLE
- Continuous insurance
- Snapshot telematics program
- Online quote
- Sign online
Best for Local Agents
WHY WE CHOSE IT
Why we chose it
Pros
- Superior AM Best financial strength
- High J.D. Power claims satisfaction score
- Local agents available
Cons
- Fewer add-on coverages than some competitors
- High overall NAIC complaint index
- Lower-than-average J.D. Power rating for digital service
OTHER POLICIES OFFERED
- Motorcycle
- Motorhome
- Business
- Life
STANDOUT DISCOUNTS AVAILABLE
- Steer Clear
- Drive Safe & Save
- Good student
- Student away at school
Best for Personalized Coverage
WHY WE CHOSE IT
Why we chose it
Pros
- Low average premium
- Superior AM Best financial strength
- Numerous optional coverages
Cons
- Lower-than-average J.D. Power claims satisfaction
- Lower-than-average J.D. Power rating for digital tools
- High overall NAIC complaint index
OTHER POLICIES OFFERED
- Home
- Boat
- Wedding & event
- Travel
STANDOUT DISCOUNTS AVAILABLE
- Homeownership
- Hybrid/electric car
- New car
- Early quote
Best for Military-Centric Options
WHY WE CHOSE IT
Why we chose it
Pros
- Low average premiums
- Superior AM Best financial strength score
- High J.D. Power customer satisfaction score
Cons
- Only available to active and retired military members
- Very few branch locations
- Limited endorsements
OTHER POLICIES OFFERED
- Home
- Landlord
- Antique car
- Aviation
STANDOUT DISCOUNTS AVAILABLE
- Clean driving record
- Good student
- Military installation
- Deployment
* Data provided by Bankrate.com
**J.D. Power’s 2021 Auto Claims Satisfaction Study. Based on a 1,000-point scale. USAA is not officially rated due to eligibility restrictions.
Car Insurance: What You Need to Know
Auto insurance provides drivers with financial protection when they are involved in a car accident. Almost every state requires that drivers have car insurance coverage to legally drive. Depending on the coverage you purchase, car insurance can provide financial protection for a variety of situations, including damages and injuries that you cause, damages and injuries that you sustain, and towing or roadside assistance costs.
Car insurance premiums are highly personalized and may depend on factors like your vehicle’s make and model, ZIP code, vehicle usage, age, and claims history. There are ways to keep getting cheap coverage, such as bundling your auto coverage with homeowners insurance or using discounts like multi-vehicle, good driver, pay-in-full, and paperless billing to lower your premium. However, price isn’t everything. It’s important to look at more than just premium when you’re shopping for coverage, so you develop an understanding of all the facets of a company.
Factors that may affect your car insurance premiums
How to Get Cheap Car Insurance
Compare Car Insurance Rates in the U.S.
| State | Average Annual Full Coverage Premium | Average Annual Minimum Coverage Premium |
| Alabama | $1,760 | $443 |
| Alaska | $1,770 | $417 |
| Arizona | $1,743 | $579 |
| Arkansas | $1,806 | $437 |
| California | $2,190 | $619 |
| Colorado | $2,019 | $495 |
| Connecticut | $1,533 | $646 |
| Delaware | $1,963 | $747 |
| Florida | $2,762 | $997 |
| Georgia | $2,009 | $642 |
| Hawaii | $1,206 | $338 |
| Idaho | $1,065 | $271 |
| Illinois | $1,533 | $475 |
| Indiana | $1,242 | $329 |
| Iowa | $1,254 | $227 |
| Kansas | $1,802 | $419 |
| Kentucky | $1,954 | $658 |
| Louisiana | $2,864 | $807 |
| Maine | $876 | $227 |
| Maryland | $1,931 | $836 |
| Massachusetts | $1,296 | $446 |
| Michigan | $2,345 | $946 |
| Minnesota | $1,692 | $600 |
| Mississippi | $1,701 | $450 |
| Missouri | $1,893 | $515 |
| Montana | $1,795 | $310 |
| Nebraska | $1,538 | $367 |
| Nevada | $2,426 | $846 |
| New Hampshire | $1,182 | $324 |
| New Jersey | $1,891 | $855 |
| New Mexico | $1,489 | $347 |
| New York | $2,996 | $1,339 |
| North Carolina | $1,392 | $431 |
| North Dakota | $1,225 | $268 |
| Ohio | $1,200 | $336 |
| Oklahoma | $1,902 | $408 |
| Oregon | $1,371 | $625 |
| Pennsylvania | $2,002 | $441 |
| Rhode Island | $1,847 | $569 |
| South Carolina | $1,464 | $518 |
| South Dakota | $1,542 | $274 |
| Tennessee | $1,383 | $372 |
| Texas | $1,868 | $551 |
| Utah | $1,449 | $544 |
| Vermont | $1,000 | $242 |
| Virginia | $1,347 | $483 |
| Washington | $1,313 | $482 |
| Washington, D.C. | $1,948 | $613 |
| West Virginia | $1,527 | $427 |
| Wisconsin | $1,246 | $363 |
| Wyoming | $1,510 | $262 |
2022 premium data is provided by Bankrate.com
Frequently asked questions
Methodology
Reviews.com reviews products, services, and companies based on five criteria to help readers understand how companies compare based on similar metrics. For the best car insurance companies, our editorial team compared affordability, customer support, coverage options, customer satisfaction scores, and online resources from each company to determine top providers.
As for average pricing, we used Bankrate.com’s 2022 data of car insurance based on the profiles of a 40-year male and female. Rates are weighted based on the population density in each geographic region. For full coverage, the details used were the following:
- $100,000 bodily injury liability per person
- $300,000 bodily injury liability per accident
- $50,000 property damage liability per accident
- $100,000 uninsured motorist bodily injury per person
- $300,000 uninsured motorist bodily injury per accident
- $500 collision deductible
- $500 comprehensive deductible
To determine minimum coverage limits, Bankrate used minimum coverage that meets each state’s requirements. Our base profile drivers own a 2020 Toyota Camry, commute five days a week and drive 12,000 miles annually.
These are sample rates and should only be used for comparative purposes.
About the Authors
The Reviews.com staff is dedicated to providing you with all the deep-dive details. Our writers, researchers, and editors came together from Charlotte, Seattle, San Juan, Fort Worth, Fort Lauderdale, San Diego, and Chicago to put this review together.
