How we ranked the best car insurance companies: To find the best vehicle insurance carriers, NerdWallet’s editorial team looked at pricing, discounts, complaint statistics from the National Association of Insurance Commissioners, and more. Our “ease of use” category considers things like website openness and the simplicity with which a claim may be filed. This ranking of the best vehicle insurance companies is likely to change as we review more insurance providers and gather new market data.
Why should you trust NerdWallet? Our authors and editors follow strict editorial guidelines to ensure that our coverage is factual and fair, helping you to select the best insurance policy for you. These carrier ratings are for vehicle insurance alone; a company’s rating for other products may vary on our web page See our vehicle insurance company evaluation criteria.
Car insurance providers that are the finest
In NerdWallet’s review of the best auto insurers in the United States, the following firms scored 4.5 or 5 stars out of 5.
The Benefits and Drawbacks of the Best Car Insurance Companies
Cost of a Family in America: Average.
Policies are offered in 19 states, primarily in the Midwest and Northwest.
Pros: American Family Insurance offers a variety of savings and coverage options.
Cons: Not all states offer American Family insurance.
American Family was placed third among a dozen midsized insurers for satisfaction with the insurance shopping experience in J.D. Power’s 2020 customer satisfaction studies (the most current available), and tied for first place for overall satisfaction in the Southwest region. In 2020, J.D. Power placed American Family 17th out of 24 firms in terms of vehicle insurance claims satisfaction.
American Family provides discounts to drivers in a number of categories, including loyalty, completion of a defensive driving course, and reductions for students away at school. The company also offers apps that track driving behaviour and reward good drivers with discounts.
Cost of Auto-Ownership: Average.
Alabama, Arizona, Arkansas, Colorado, Florida, Georgia, Idaho, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Kentucky, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, Nebraska, North Carolina, North Dakota, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Tennessee, Utah, Virginia, and Wisconsin have policies available.
Pros: When compared to other firms, Auto-Owners receives fewer complaints and offers a wide range of items with the option to bundle.
Cons: Only 26 states are served by the company.
Auto-Owners:placed sixth among 12 mid-sized insurers for customer satisfaction regarding insurance shopping and first for overall satisfaction in the Central region in J.D. Power’s 2020 study. In 2020, Auto-Owners scored third out of 24 firms in terms of client claims satisfaction.
Auto-Owners has a driving tracking app: Avoiding heavy braking and quick turns, as well as other safe driving practises, might earn you a discount.
NJM
Price Lower than usual
Policies are offered in Connecticut, Maryland, New Jersey, Ohio, and Pennsylvania.
Pros: NJM has a high level of customer satisfaction and little complaints. New Jersey policyholders may also be eligible for dividends.
Cons: Many states do not have policies available. Customers of NJM also lack access to a mobile app for managing their policies.
Overview of the company: J.D. Power’s customer satisfaction evaluations give New Jersey Manufacturers Insurance (NJM) good marks. In the 2020 Auto Claims Satisfaction Study, it is placed first in “Among the best.” The 2020 U.S. Auto Insurance Happiness Study, which assesses total customer satisfaction, places it third among 14 insurers in the mid-Atlantic region.
NJM offers all of the regular auto coverages, as well as optional coverages such as new car replacement coverage for automobiles with fewer than 15,000 miles and pet coverage, which covers vet fees if your pet is hurt in a covered car accident. Gap insurance can also be added to help pay off your car loan if it is stolen or damaged.
Cost of Amica: Average.
Every state except Alaska and Hawaii has policies available.
Pros: Amica has a high level of customer satisfaction and little complaints. It also provides numerous coverage benefits and discounts.
Cons: Amica may refuse coverage to those customers it deems to be at risk.
Amica placed top for overall satisfaction in the New England region and seventh among 12 midsized insurers for insurance shopping satisfaction in J.D. Power’s 2020 study. In 2020, J.D. Power placed Amica second in overall vehicle claims satisfaction.
Progressive
Cost: Fairly standard.
All 50 states and Washington, D.C. have policies available.
Pros: Progressive, one of the nation’s major insurers, provides unique benefits such as pet injury insurance in most states if you get collision insurance.
Cons: According to J.D. Power’s customer satisfaction study, Progressive gets a below average grade for car insurance shopping.
Progressive offers different features and possibilities based with your location. Pet injury protection is included with collision coverage, and a deductible “savings bank” reduces your deductible by $50 every claim-free policy month to a minimum of $0.
Progressive was placed seventh out of eight large insurers in J.D. Power’s 2020 U.S. Insurance Shopping Study for customer satisfaction. In 2020, J.D. Power ranked Progressive 21st out of 24 firms in terms of consumer satisfaction with their claims process.
State Farm Insurance is reasonably priced
State Farm auto insurance coverage are accessible in all states except Massachusetts and Rhode Island, where the company does not sell new policies. In Washington, D.C., you can also get an auto insurance policy.
Pros: According to J.D. Power, State Farm’s customer satisfaction ratings for auto insurance are higher than average. The company also offers a variety of discounts, including two separate programmes for responsible driving and young drivers.
Cons: For a corporation of its size, State Farm received more complaints than expected.
Overview of the company: State Farm, the country’s largest personal auto insurance, came in third out of eight significant insurers in J.D. Power’s 2020 U.S. Insurance Shopping Study. The following year It scored first in New York and the mid-Atlantic region for overall satisfaction and sixth out of 24 companies for customer claims satisfaction.
In some states, the corporation gives discounts to drivers who have multiple cars, are good drivers, or have a student away at school. State Farm offers a safe driving app that may be downloaded or accessed via OnStar. Following the rules and driving responsibly can get you a discount.
Travelers
expenses are about average
There are policies available in 42 states and Washington, D.C. (Alaska, Hawaii, Louisiana, Michigan, North Dakota, South Dakota, West Virginia, and Wyoming are all excluded.)
Pros: Travelers has less customer complaints than the national average and offers a wide range of auto insurance coverage alternatives.
Cons: Customer satisfaction among travellers is below average.
Travelers provides prospective reductions in some states if you use the company’s telematics programme, which is a technology that tracks your driving. Optional plans pardon one accident and one minor infraction, preventing your costs from rising following an occurrence.
Travelers was ranked eighth out of eight large insurers in J.D. Power’s 2020 research for customer satisfaction with insurance purchases. In 2020, Travelers was ranked 19th out of 24 companies for customer claims satisfaction.
Group Auto Club
Cost: Fairly standard.
Florida, Georgia, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Michigan, Minnesota, Nebraska, North Carolina, North Dakota, South Carolina, Tennessee, and Wisconsin all have policies available. Each state’s counties may not be covered by the Auto Club Group.
Pros: The Auto Club Group has a low number of customer complaints.
Cons: An AAA membership is required to obtain insurance through the Auto Club Group.
Overview of the company: The Auto Club Group is a fantastic option for many drivers because it offers a wide range of discounts and has significantly less auto insurance complaints than other firms of its size. However, you must first join AAA in order to be eligible for coverage. Once you join, you’ll have access to all of AAA’s benefits, including hotel and restaurant discounts.
If you’re in a covered crash, Auto Club Group offers a variety of auto insurance alternatives, including ridesharing insurance and original equipment manufacturer coverage, which pays for replacement parts from the manufacturer rather than aftermarket parts.
The Auto Club Group, unlike some other AAA insurers, has an app that allows you to manage both your vehicle insurance policy and your AAA membership.
Nationwide
Cost: Fairly standard.
All states except Alaska, Hawaii, Louisiana, and Massachusetts are eligible for a Nationwide auto insurance policy. In 2022, the business intends to market Massachusetts insurance.
Pros: Nationwide has less complaints than expected and provides a wide range of options for customers looking to purchase several items from a single business.
Cons: According to recent J.D. Power studies, customer satisfaction with vehicle insurance is below average.
Overview of the company: Customers who want to bundle policies can purchase a choice of products from Nationwide, one of the country’s major insurers. The company has a low number of complaints and offers optional features like accident forgiveness and a vanishing deductible.
Chubb
Cost: Fairly standard.
All 50 states and Washington, D.C. have policies available.
Pros: For high-end consumers, Chubb provides comprehensive coverage and benefits. It also received significantly fewer complaints than one might expect from a large vehicle insurance firm.
Cons: The company does not prioritise low-cost insurance.
Overview of the company: Chubb Insurance isn’t attempting to be the cheapest auto insurance company; it wants to be the best car insurance company. Rental reimbursement is capped at $15,000 per year. For those autos that require just the correct imported piece, coverage will pay for repairs using original manufacturer-made parts. You can even get liability limitations as high as $10 million.
Farmers
Cost: Fairly standard.
Policies are available in 42 statesFarm covers a diverse range of deals and receives fewer complaints than one might assume.
Farmers does not provide auto insurance in all states.
Farmers Insurance is ranked seventh among the largest vehicle insurance providers in the United States.
Farmers placed sixth among eight large insurers in J.D. Power’s 2020 U.S. Insurance Shopping Study for customer satisfaction. Farmers was ranked No. 10 out of 24 firms for consumer satisfaction with their claims process by J.D. Power in 2020.
Country’s Financial Situation
Cost: Fairly standard.
Alabama, Alaska, Arizona, Colorado, Georgia, Idaho, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Minnesota, Missouri, Nevada, North Dakota, Oklahoma, Oregon, Tennessee, Washington, and Wisconsin have insurance policies available.
Pros: For car and life insurance, Country Financial has less complaints than expected.
Cons: Not all states have policies available.
Country Financial began as a farm and crop insurer, but currently offers a diverse range of insurance products, including business, yacht, and motorcycle insurance. Furthermore, it received considerably less vehicle insurance consumer complaints than similar-sized competitors.
Mapfre
Price: Mapfre does not publish its rates
Mapfre auto insurance policies are available in California, Maine, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, Ohio, Rhode Island, Vermont, and Washington. In Puerto Rico, Mapfre also sells insurance.
Pros: Mapfre provides a variety of coverage alternatives as well as savings. It also has a website that is available in both English and Spanish.
Cons: Mapfre’s vehicle insurance claims satisfaction rating is below average. It also doesn’t sell insurance in every state.
Mapfre may not sell policies in every state, but it is Massachusetts’ largest auto and home insurance provider, with considerably fewer auto insurance complaints than other companies of its size.
Allstate
Cost: Fairly standard.
All 50 states and Washington, D.C. have policies available.
Pros: Allstate provides a variety of coverage alternatives, such as accident forgiveness, new car replacement, and a six-month safe-driving bonus. In certain states, it also offers rideshare insurance.
Cons: When compared to other businesses, customer satisfaction with vehicle insurance claims is below average.
Allstate was ranked above average for customer claims satisfaction in J.D. Power’s 2020 surveys. In Florida, the insurer was likewise voted best for overall satisfaction.
In some states, Allstate offers discounts to drivers who use the company’s telematics technology, which tracks how safely you drive. Being a good student, owning a new car, and going paperless all qualify you for savings. If you join up for the optional deductible rewards programme, Allstate will provide you a discount on your deductible, lowering your out-of-pocket expenses in the event of an accident.
Geico
Cost: Less expensive than typical.
All 50 states and Washington, D.C. have policies available.
Pros: According to a recent J.D. Power research, Geico ranked above average in consumer satisfaction for vehicle insurance claims. It also has a beautifully-designed website and mobile app, as well as a large number of discounts.
Cons: Doesn’t offer gap or ridesharing insurance, and has a small local agent network.
Overview of the company: Geico, one of the most well-known vehicle insurance firms in the United Areas, stacks the discounts, giving drivers in some states a few bucks off for everything from good grades to clean driving histories. Federal employees, as well as veterans, active military, and reservists, are eligible for discounts. In terms of coverage, you can receive all of the essentials as well as mechanical breakdown coverage.
Liberty Mutual
Cost: While Liberty Mutual does not publish its rates, it has previously been more expensive than the average.
All 50 states and Washington, D.C. have policies available.
Pros: Liberty Mutual provides a wide range of coverage and discounts, as well as a number of sophisticated digital tools.
Cons: Liberty Mutual’s satisfaction rating for vehicle claims is below average.
Liberty Mutual is the only insurance company among the six largest to offer both gap insurance and new car replacement coverage, which covers the cost of a new car if it is totaled within the first year and has fewer than 15,000 miles. Teachers can also take advantage of a unique benefit offered by Liberty Mutual: free motor insurance, including collision and personal property insurance In some states, vandalism protection is no longer available.
Except for American Family, Liberty Mutual offers the most savings among significant insurers. For example, paying your account online, driving a hybrid or electric vehicle, and owning a home can all help you save money.
J.D. Power’s 2020 U.S. Insurance Shopping Study ranked Liberty Mutual sixth out of eight significant insurers in terms of customer satisfaction. In the same year, the insurance was ranked 14th out of 24 companies for customer claims satisfaction.
Selecting the Best Auto Insurance Company for You
Pricing and discounts accounted for a fraction of each insurer’s score, but we know that price is the most important consideration for many car insurance shoppers. Because auto insurance estimates are dependent on personal characteristics such as your age, location, vehicle, credit history, and gender (in most situations), it’s crucial to shop around for the best deal.
Your buying experience may reveal information about a company’s customer service standards.
To locate the best vehicle insurance company, do the following:
- To obtain complaints and other information about companies in your area, go to the website of your state’s insurance commissioner.
Inquire with your agent or a customer service representative to ensure you have all the coverage you require — and nothing you don’t.
- Smaller auto insurance firms should also be considered. In many areas, small businesses provide rates that are far lower than large competitors.
- If you’ve had a traffic citation, DUI, or other offence, shop three to five years after the incident, when costs may be drastically reduced.
Do you want to see prices? Compare typical prices from the three cheapest auto insurance companies in your area with the inexpensive full coverage calculator.
State-by-state car insurance
Keep in mind that where you live can have a huge impact on your auto insurance costs when looking for the best car insurance company. This is due to the fact that each state’s insurance regulations varies.
NerdWallet examined full coverage insurance rates for 35-year-old drivers with solid credit and no recent accidents, DUIs, or traffic offences to give you a clearer idea of what you’ll pay in each state.
The average annual vehicle insurance rate in each state is depicted in the map below. Visit the state pages linked in the map for further information, including the lowest insurer on average in each state.