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Car insurance: Get the right policy for you
Everything you need to know about shopping for car insurance — including how to save money on your policy.
Car insurance covers costs if you’re ever in a car accident. Say you back out of your driveway without looking and cause a crash — your car insurance will step in to pay for damage to the other driver’s car, or to pay for their medical bills if they were hurt.
Car insurance can also cover damage to your own car, either from a collision or another type of danger, like hail, fire, falling objects, and theft. It can even help pay for towing if you’re stranded by the side of the road, or for a rental car if yours is in the shop after an accident.
A minimum amount of auto insurance is legally required in almost every state, but most drivers need more coverage than just their state’s requirements.
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What car insurance coverage do I need?
Every auto insurance policy is made up of different types of coverage to protect you in any scenario. A typical full coverage policy includes:
Bodily injury liability
For when you rear-end another driver and give them whiplash
Property damage liability
For when you damage another car (or any other piece of property)
Personal injury protection
Covers your own medical expenses after an accident
Uninsured/underinsured motorist
For when you’re t-boned by an uninsured driver
Comprehensive
When your car is damaged, but not by a collision
Collision
Covers your car after a collision, even one you've caused
Bodily injury liability
For when you rear-end another driver and give them whiplash
Property damage liability
For when you damage another car (or any other piece of property)
Personal injury protection
Covers your own medical expenses after an accident
Uninsured/underinsured motorist
For when you’re t-boned by an uninsured driver
Comprehensive
When your car is damaged, but not by a collision
Collision
Covers your car after a collision, even one you've caused
Most states require a minimum amount of coverage, but won’t make you buy all six types of coverage.
It’s a good idea to have all of them, though, to ensure that you’re protected in every situation and aren’t left footing the bill if you’re ever in an accident (whether it’s your fault or not).
What should you expect to pay for car insurance?
According to a 2021 analysis of car insurance rates by Policygenius, the average cost of a car insurance policy in the U.S. is $1,652 a year. But rates can vary widely depending on factors like driving history and type of car.
Your insurance company matters, too — you can submit the exact same profile to three different companies and get three very different prices. That’s why you should always compare quotes from different companies so you’re not overpaying for coverage.
At Policygenius, we’re an insurance marketplace — we’ll help you compare quotes from top companies and choose the best coverage for your car and for your wallet.
Here’s what determines your car insurance rates:
Your address: Accident rates, population density, and repair costs in your neighborhood will all go into calculating your premiums.
Your coverage: More types of coverage and higher limits means more protection, but it also means higher premiums.
Your age: Younger, less experienced drivers (under 25) are more likely to get in accidents and file claims, so they often pay the most for car insurance.
Your car: The make and model of car you drive will affect your insurance rates. Luxury cars with expensive parts cost more to insure than a budget daily driver, and cars with certain safety features can get you a lower rate.
Your credit score: Drivers with poor credit scores may have more trouble finding affordable coverage than drivers with higher credit scores.
Your driving history: Recent accidents and driving violations will raise a red flag on your profile, while having a squeaky clean record can earn you extra savings.
Your insurance history: Recent claims on your record or gaps where you were uninsured will mean higher rates.
Genius tip
Car insurance quotes are free – you don’t start paying until you sign your policy. That means you can get as many quotes as you want to make sure you’re getting the best deal.
Car insurance rates by state
Auto insurance costs vary widely by state. The most expensive state for car insurance is Florida, where the average annual cost of a policy is $2,914.
North Carolina was the least expensive state for car insurance, with an average annual premium of $1,009.
| State | Average annual cost |
|---|---|
| Alabama | $1,726 |
| Alaska | $1,345 |
| Arizona | $1,565 |
| Arkansas | $1,772 |
| California | $1,857 |
| Colorado | $1,751 |
| Connecticut | $1,790 |
| Delaware | $2,110 |
| District of Columbia | $1,796 |
| Florida | $2,914 |
| Georgia | $1,710 |
| Hawaii | $1,200 |
| Idaho | $1,109 |
| Illinois | $1,403 |
| Indiana | $1,219 |
| Iowa | $1,152 |
| Kansas | $1,604 |
| Kentucky | $2,158 |
| Louisiana | $2,906 |
| Maine | $1,147 |
| Maryland | $1,798 |
| Massachusetts | $1,614 |
| Michigan | $2,377 |
| Minnesota | $1,418 |
| Mississippi | $1,674 |
| Missouri | $1,568 |
| Montana | $1,888 |
| Nebraska | $1,735 |
| Nevada | $2,137 |
| New Hampshire | $1,224 |
| New Jersey | $2,259 |
| New Mexico | $1,480 |
| New York | $2,172 |
| North Carolina | $1,009 |
| North Dakota | $1,397 |
| Ohio | $1,038 |
| Oklahoma | $1,928 |
| Oregon | $1,461 |
| Pennsylvania | $1,605 |
| Rhode Island | $1,860 |
| South Carolina | $1,864 |
| South Dakota | $1,618 |
| Tennessee | $1,329 |
| Texas | $1,840 |
| Utah | $1,503 |
| Vermont | $1,124 |
| Virginia | $1,314 |
| Washington | $1,651 |
| West Virginia | $1,681 |
| Wisconsin | $1,062 |
| Wyoming | $1,398 |
→ Learn more about car insurance costs
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Car insurance rates by age and gender
Your car insurance rates vary based on factors like age and gender. Most insurance companies consider teens or inexperienced drivers “high-risk,” and may charge higher rates as a result.
Men often pay slightly higher rates than women — although some states have passed laws banning insurance companies from using gender to determine rates.
| Age | Gender | Average annual cost |
|---|---|---|
| 16 | Female | $6,351 |
| Male | $7,207 | |
| 18 | Female | $4,594 |
| Male | $5,268 | |
| 21 | Female | $2,548 |
| Male | $2,867 | |
| 25 | Female | $1,875 |
| Male | $1,983 | |
| 30 | Female | $1,694 |
| Male | $1,717 | |
| 35 | Female | $1,651 |
| Male | $1,657 | |
| 45 | Female | $1,583 |
| Male | $1,582 | |
| 55 | Female | $1,456 |
| Male | $1,469 | |
| 60 | Female | $1,440 |
| Male | $1,458 | |
| 65 | Female | $1,480 |
| Male | $1,507 | |
| 70 | Female | $1,566 |
| Male | $1,604 |
Cheapest car insurance company in every state
Some insurance companies simply charge less for coverage than others, that’s why it’s so important to compare quotes before you buy a policy.
Here are the cheapest companies in every state for full coverage car insurance, which includes comprehensive and collision coverage in addition to liability.
| State | Company | Cost |
|---|---|---|
| Alabama | GEICO | $977 |
| Alaska | USAA | $930 |
| Arizona | Root | $747 |
| Arkansas | USAA | $962 |
| California | Wawanesa | $1,110 |
| Colorado | American National | $811 |
| Connecticut | GEICO | $756 |
| Delaware | State Farm | $1,152 |
| District of Columbia | GEICO | $1,025 |
| Florida | GEICO | $1,432 |
| Georgia | Auto-Owners Insurance | $858 |
| Hawaii | GEICO | $785 |
| Idaho | American National | $498 |
| Illinois | FAIA | $712 |
| Indiana | USAA | $706 |
| Iowa | State Farm | $719 |
| Kansas | USAA | $912 |
| Kentucky | GEICO | $1,019 |
| Louisiana | USAA | $1,486 |
| Maine | GEICO | $571 |
| Maryland | USAA | $806 |
| Massachusetts | GEICO | $1,067 |
| Michigan | GEICO | $1,059 |
| Minnesota | Western Agriculture | $964 |
| Mississippi | USAA | $856 |
| Missouri | USAA | $741 |
| Montana | USAA | $856 |
| Nebraska | Auto-Owners Insurance | $1,036 |
| Nevada | GEICO | $1,043 |
| New Hampshire | USAA | $676 |
| New Jersey | GEICO | $1,078 |
| New Mexico | USAA | $907 |
| New York | Main Street America | $1,033 |
| North Carolina | GEICO | $736 |
| North Dakota | USAA | $786 |
| Ohio | USAA | $711 |
| Oklahoma | USAA | $949 |
| Oregon | State Farm | $843 |
| Pennsylvania | Erie | $1,018 |
| Rhode Island | State Farm | $983 |
| South Carolina | American National | $683 |
| South Dakota | Kemper | $1,128 |
| Tennessee | State Farm | $755 |
| Texas | Texas Farm Bureau | $1,036 |
| Utah | GEICO | $856 |
| Vermont | State Farm | $666 |
| Virginia | USAA | $776 |
| Washington | USAA | $1,033 |
| West Virginia | USAA | $869 |
| Wisconsin | USAA | $680 |
| Wyoming | American National | $763 |
→ Learn more about choosing a car insurance company
Find the cheapest car insurance quotes with Policygenius
Apply online. Answer a few quick questions and you’re well on your way to finding the most accurate rates available.
Choose from dozens of companies. Comparing policies is the best way to find affordable insurance. Find top-rated companies in one place at Policygenius and save yourself some clicks (and money).
Get help from real-life people. Need a human touch? Our in-house experts can guide you through the process and get you the best deal – for free.
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Frequently asked questions
Why did my car insurance rates go up?
Your rates may have gone up because you had an accident, filed a claim, or added a new driver to your policy. Sometimes, your rates may rise because of changes in the industry. Remember, if you’re not happy with the cost of your car insurance, it never hurts to shop around for new coverage.
Who has the cheapest car insurance?
Since auto insurance rates are so personalized, the cheapest car insurance company might be different for every driver. That’s why it’s so important to shop around and compare quotes from different companies before you settle on a policy.
What age does car insurance go down?
Younger, inexperienced drivers pay more for car insurance because they’re riskier to insure. But rates for teen drivers drop over time until age 25, as long as they avoid accidents.
Does getting a car insurance quote affect my credit?
When you apply for car insurance, insurance companies will do a “soft inquiry” into your credit, which won’t affect your credit score or show up when future lenders check your credit. Credit score does matter when it comes to car insurance, though, and drivers with poor credit will see higher rates.
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