Cheap Car Insurance Companies (July 2022)

Looking for cheap auto insurance? You’ve come to the right place. IHowBlog analyzed auto insurance rates from companies nationwide to find the cheapest car insurance for a variety of drivers:

• The cheapest car insurance company overall: Geico

• The cheapest after an accident: Geico

• The cheapest for poor credit: Geico

The cheapest option will likely be your state’s minimum car insurance requirements, so we focused our analysis on those minimums. In many states, this is liability-only auto insurance, which pays for property damage and others’ medical bills from accidents you cause.

Why you can trust IHowBlog: Our writers and editors follow strict editorial guidelines to ensure fairness and accuracy in our writing and data analyses. You can trust the prices we show you because our data analysts take rigorous measures to eliminate outliers and inaccuracies in pricing data, which include rates from every ZIP code in the country where coverage is offered and data is available. When comparing rates for different coverage amounts, ages and backgrounds, we change only one variable at a time, so you can easily see how each factor affects pricing. Read our methodology.

Geico is the cheapest major auto insurance company in the nation, according to IHowBlog’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 IHowBlog, and you can read our Geico auto insurance review to learn why.

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.

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.

IHowBlog’s editorial team analyzed minimum coverage car insurance rates from pricing analytics company Quadrant Information Services. Our analysis looked at 40-year-old drivers in all ZIP codes across the 50 U.S. states and Washington, D.C., with a variety of driving and credit histories. All drivers had a 2019 Toyota Camry L.

Another alternative is full coverage, but it can cost over $1,000 more a year on average than an annual minimum policy. That’s because it comes with additional coverage like uninsured/underinsured motorist protection and comprehensive and collision insurance.

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.

But state averages can tell you only so much. Even within a state, car insurance rates for minimum coverage can differ. That’s why IHowBlog analyzed rates for some of the largest cities in the U.S.

Take a look at the cheapest car insurance options by clicking on your city in the table below.

Depending on your driving record, the most affordable car insurance company varies. The tables below show average auto insurance rates from the largest companies for drivers after an accident or DUI.

We found that Geico has the lowest average rate for drivers with one at-fault accident. American Family is cheapest, on average, for drivers with a DUI.

Looking for even cheaper auto insurance? Try a smaller insurer. Drivers with 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.

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.

Still, you should always shop around to get the best car insurance rates, no matter your credit history.

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 cheapest to stay on their policy until your driving history is more robust.

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 IHowBlog’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:

1. 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.

2. 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.

3. 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.

4. 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.

5. 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.