Cheapest car insurance companies for 2026

What are the 10 cheapest car insurance companies?

We compared national (available in at least 40 states) and super-regional (available in more than 10 states) carriers and found that Erie Insurance is the cheapest option for full coverage at an average rate of $159 a month, which is $1,906 a year. Furthermore:

• Auto-Owners, also a super-regional carrier, is the second-cheapest at $171 a month
• Travelers is the cheapest national carrier, with an average rate of $2,103 a year or $175 a month
• Allstate is the most expensive, at an average of $267 a month
• USAA is the cheapest of all carriers, with average rates of $131 a month if you are eligible.

*USAA is only available to military members, veterans, and their families

What are the cheapest car insurance companies for state minimum coverage?

GEICO offers the lowest price on state minimum car insurance in more states than any other carrierAn insurance carrier is the company that provides your car insurance policy and pays claims., but Erie and Progressive also provide affordable car insurance options in numerous states.

The minimum amount of car insurance required in each state varies significantly, resulting in differing rates. Compare rates below.

Cheapest liability-only car insurance companies 

Erie and Auto-Owners offer the cheapest liability-only coverage on average: Erie at $445 a year and Auto-Owners at $540. 

GEICO is the cheapest national carrier for a liability-only policy at $619 a year.

To compare liability-only rates fairly across all states, we used limits of 50/100/50 in every state.

Liability insurance covers damages and injuries to others if you cause an accident, but it doesn’t cover damages to your vehicle or injuries to you or your passengers. Liability-only insurance is a suitable option for drivers who can afford to replace their vehicle and cover medical costs out of pocket.

*USAA is only available to military members, veterans and their families

What are the cheapest car insurance companies in your state for full coverage?

Car insurance rates for full coverage vary significantly from state to state and company to company. For example, the cheapest car insurance company in California is GEICO, with rates averaging $170 per month, and the most affordable coverage in Florida is Travelers, with average monthly rates of $210. 

To compare full coverage rates, we used limits of 100/300/100 with $500 deductibles.

Use the map to find the cheapest car insurance in your state.

Cheapest car insurance rates by age group

Erie is the most affordable company across all age groups. For example, teen drivers aged 16-19 can pay as low as $386 per month for coverage with Erie; young adults see average rates of $255 per month, adults $160 per month, and seniors $164 per month.

GEICO is the cheapest national car insurance company for teens ($509 a month) and young adults ($266 a month); for adults and seniors, it’s Travelers at $175 and $173 a month, respectively.

Young drivers pay significantly more for car insurance with all companies because they lack experience behind the wheel and are more likely to be in an accident.

Cheapest car insurance companies for drivers with accidents, bad credit, DUIs and speeding tickets

Driving records and credit scores can significantly impact car insurance rates. 

• Drivers with an at-fault accident can find cheaper car insurance rates with Travelers, averaging $275 a month. 
• Drivers with bad credit can find affordable car insurance with Nationwide, with rates averaging $299.
• Progressive offers the cheapest car insurance for drivers with a DUI, with average rates of $302 per month.
• Travelers offers the most affordable car insurance rates for drivers with speeding tickets, with rates averaging $264 per month.

How to find the cheapest auto insurance company for you

Finding the cheapest car insurance companies doesn't have to be a headache. Tips for finding the most affordable insurer include:

• Don’t limit yourself to the major insurers. Regional and state insurance companies can offer great rates and localized service.
• Compare quotes from multiple insurers. Rates vary significantly by insurer, so compare as many companies as you can to find the lowest rates.
• Be sure to compare the same factors. Compare the same coverage, deductibles, and discounts for each insurer to accurately assess which company offers the best value.
• Increase your deductible. Consider raising your deductible to obtain lower rates, but ensure you can afford to pay it if needed.
• Look for discounts. Most insurers allow you to bundle discounts, such as safe driver, multi-policy, and safety features, for maximum savings.

Drivers can also utilize other resources to find the least expensive car insurance.

“Brokers/ independent agents tend to have a better grasp on what company will rate best for an individual based on their unique situation,” says Zack Pope, agency manager at David Pope Insurance. “So, in my opinion, if people want to save the most money, whether that comes from time spent or monthly cost, they should just ask for quotes from an independent agentAn insurance professional who represents different insurance companies, is not an employee of any one of those companies and earns commissions from policies sold. or two.”

How can car insurance discounts help get cheaper car insurance?

Car insurance discounts can significantly lower rates, especially if you bundle multiple eligible discounts.

The top three discounts to lower rates the most include:

• Student away from home: If your child attends college and lives away from home, you can earn an average of 16% off
• Occupation/profession: Some occupations can earn you an average of 12% off
• Usage-based discounts: Usage-based programs that monitor your driving provide an average discount of 10% 

Methodology

National and state average rates are based on three coverage levels: state minimum, 50/100/50 liability-only, and full coverage with 100/300/100 liability and $500 deductibles. 

Unless otherwise indicated, averages are based on our full coverage data set. This data set is based on:

• Bodily injury liability of $100,000 per person and $300,000 per incident
• Property damage liability of $100,000 per incident
• Comprehensive and collision deductibles of $500
• 40-year-old driver
• Honda Accord LX
• Good credit
• A clean driving record
• 12-mile commute, 10,000 annual mileage

Additional rate data is drawn based on:

• Ages ranging from 16 to 75
• Excellent, fair and poor credit
• All available traffic violations
• One or more at-fault accidents
• All available year, make and model data 

Learn more about our data and methodology.

Helpful auto insurance tools and calculators

• Car insurance rates by vehicle
• Compare car insurance companies
• Auto insurance coverage calculator
• Speeding ticket calculator
• Traffic ticket calculator
• Used car insurance calculator
• Rideshare earning calculator
• Pay per mile calculator