Shopping for affordable car insurance doesn’t have to be hard — the easiest way to find your best rates is to compare 2022 quotes from top companies before picking a policy.
Anna Swartz is a senior managing editor and auto insurance expert at Policygenius, where she oversees our car insurance coverage. Previously, she was a senior staff writer at Mic.com, as well as an associate writer at The Dodo.
Andrew Hurst is a senior editor and a licensed auto insurance expert at Policygenius. His work has also been featured in The New York Times, The Wall Street Journal, Forbes, USA Today, NPR, Mic, Insurance Business Magazine, ValuePenguin, and Property Casualty 360.
Expert reviewed
Expert reviewed
This article has been reviewed by a licensed Policygenius expert to ensure that sources, statistics, and claims meet our standard for accurate and unbiased advice.
Property & casualty claim consultant and expert witness
Britta M. Moss, CPCU, SCLA, AIC-M, has over 25 years of insurance industry experience. In her work as a property and casualty claim consultant, she provides consultation and expert witness services in claim handling standards, practices, and norms. She has been retained by law firms representing plaintiffs and those representing insurer defendants involved in disputes or litigation regarding coverage analysis, investigation, liability determination, damage evaluation, negotiation and settlement. She is a graduate of The Ohio State University.
We analyzed car insurance rate data from across the U.S. to show how much the costs can vary for different types of drivers in 2022 — and how much you can save by comparing quotes from different companies.
Policygenius can help you compare rates from top auto insurance companies and find the one that’s best for you, so you can avoid paying more than you have to for car insurance coverage.
Compare rates and shop affordable car insurance today
Our insurance experts at Policygenius compared car insurance quotes for different drivers in every ZIP code across the country using rates provided by Quadrant Information Services.
We compared auto insurance rates from 131 different insurance companies for policies with different coverage limits with a full-coverage policy that had the following limits:
Bodily injury liability: $50,000 per person, $100,000 per accident
Property damage liability: $50,000 per accident
Uninsured/underinsured motorist: $50,000 per person, $100,000 per accident
Comprehensive: $500 deductible
Collision: $500 deductible
We compared car insurance costs for drivers ages 16 to 70 years old who drove a 2017 Toyota Camry, driven 10,000 miles per year. We compared rates for policyholders with clean driving records versus those with an accident, DUI, speeding ticket, suspended license, or hit-and-run.
Finally, Our team compared car insurance costs for drivers with different credit levels, from poor to excellent. Throughout our comparison, some carriers may be represented by affiliates or subsidiaries. Rates provided are a sample of costs. Your actual quotes may differ.
Why you should compare auto insurance quotes
Comparing car insurance quotes before you buy a policy can save you hundreds of dollars a year. Rates vary by company, even for the same driver, so comparing options means you can be sure you’re getting the best deal possible.
Policygenius can show you quotes from top companies, so you can pick the one that offers you the best rates.
When you get quotes, you’ll find that your auto insurance rates are based on lots of factors. Your rates will depend on your coverage limits, age, location, driving history, and more.
How can drivers do to keep their costs low?
"Drivers can also shop around and compare quotes from different insurers so that they can switch to insurers with the best pricing." - Xin Che, Assistant Professor of Finance at University of California, Fullerton
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.
Compare car insurance rates by state
Car insurance costs vary by state, city, and even ZIP codes. That’s why comparing rates can help you find the cheapest company in your area.
We found that, when it comes to car insurance, the difference between the most and least expensive states is $1,905 per year.
But even if car insurance is normally expensive in your area, you could still save thousands of dollars a year by comparing rates. Some companies in your area may charge much less for coverage than others.
For example, the difference between the most expensive and cheapest insurance company in Florida — which is already known for high auto insurance costs — is a massive $2,444 per year.
Your age and gender can also have an impact on your car insurance rates. Young and inexperienced drivers often face much higher costs than older drivers. That’s why it’s even more important for young drivers to compare rates before buying car insurance.
Teenage drivers may be stuck paying significantly more for car insurance if they don’t compare quotes from multiple companies before picking a policy. We found that the same 16-year-old can pay as much as $10,164 per year for car insurance — or less than $3,000, depending on the company.
In some situations, men pay slightly more for car insurance than women — although some states have passed laws banning insurance companies from using gender to determine rates. Still, young male drivers may have the most to gain from comparing rates.
Company
16-year-old female
16-year-old male
18-year-old female
18-year-old male
21-year-old female
21-year-old male
25-year-old female
25-year-old male
30-year-old female
30-year-old male
35-year-old female
35-year-old male
45-year-old female
45-year-old male
55-year-old female
55-year-old male
Allstate
$8,215
$8,788
$5,015
$5,916
$2,746
$3,134
$2,155
$2,222
$2,012
$1,999
$1,984
$1,971
$1,967
$1,954
$1,819
$1,860
American Family
$4,323
$4,721
$3,059
$3,320
$2,076
$2,227
$1,510
$1,592
$1,457
$1,515
$1,404
$1,452
$1,315
$1,344
$1,260
$1,274
Erie
$2,705
$3,584
$2,357
$2,968
$1,750
$2,170
$1,356
$1,354
$1,224
$1,200
$1,150
$1,127
$1,050
$1,043
$988
$1,004
Farmers
$10,164
$10,812
$7,682
$8,155
$2,655
$2,907
$2,106
$2,201
$1,997
$1,997
$1,958
$1,909
$1,960
$1,844
$1,721
$1,699
GEICO
$4,341
$4,803
$2,911
$3,182
$1,742
$1,825
$1,321
$1,346
$1,197
$1,179
$1,203
$1,174
$1,188
$1,163
$1,105
$1,064
Nationwide
$5,099
$6,111
$4,427
$5,328
$2,279
$2,557
$1,670
$1,784
$1,511
$1,530
$1,492
$1,497
$1,401
$1,410
$1,274
$1,294
Progressive
$9,478
$10,343
$7,138
$7,942
$2,708
$3,054
$1,941
$1,958
$1,861
$1,810
$1,836
$1,752
$1,728
$1,654
$1,509
$1,503
State Farm
$3,422
$4,222
$2,718
$3,327
$1,849
$2,189
$1,298
$1,437
$1,194
$1,194
$1,170
$1,170
$1,155
$1,155
$1,093
$1,093
Travelers
$6,408
$8,022
$3,686
$4,487
$2,143
$2,450
$1,602
$1,658
$1,539
$1,590
$1,515
$1,555
$1,398
$1,433
$1,265
$1,305
USAA
$4,414
$4,792
$2,659
$2,860
$1,506
$1,617
$1,224
$1,286
$1,081
$1,102
$1,037
$1,051
$975
$988
$930
$943
Compare car insurance rates for seniors
Comparing car insurance costs and shopping around is also important for senior drivers. After a certain age, older drivers may start to pay more for car insurance. For retired seniors who are on a fixed income, comparing costs is an easy way to avoid overpaying.
For example, our analysis of rates shows that a 70-year-old driver can pay as much as $2,057 per year for car insurance with some companies. But with others, rates may be as low as $1,037 per year — a difference of more than half.
Company
60-year-old female
60-year-old male
65-year-old female
65-year-old male
70-year-old female
70-year-old male
Allstate
$1,815
$1,856
$1,892
$1,935
$1,916
$1,959
American Family
$1,259
$1,266
$1,293
$1,292
$1,383
$1,372
Erie
$1,013
$1,032
$1,057
$1,086
$1,123
$1,153
Farmers
$1,662
$1,685
$1,800
$1,875
$1,909
$2,057
GEICO
$1,098
$1,067
$1,093
$1,073
$1,157
$1,143
Nationwide
$1,250
$1,265
$1,277
$1,319
$1,354
$1,434
Progressive
$1,508
$1,507
$1,550
$1,583
$1,666
$1,705
State Farm
$1,068
$1,068
$1,064
$1,064
$1,107
$1,107
Travelers
$1,270
$1,321
$1,321
$1,388
$1,401
$1,500
USAA
$939
$945
$964
$1,005
$1,037
Compare rates and shop affordable car insurance today
If your credit score is below average or poor — or if you don’t have any credit — it’s even more important to compare rates to avoid paying more than you have to. Just like drivers with an accident or DUI on their records, drivers with poor credit are also likely to pay much higher car insurance costs.
Based on our analysis of car insurance costs from some of the largest companies, drivers with poor credit may save more than $1,300 per year on car insurance by comparing quotes from different companies before picking a policy.
Company
Poor credit
Fair credit
Good credit
Very good credit
Excellent credit
Allstate
$3,335
$2,365
$2,007
$1,903
$1,706
American Family
$2,206
$1,543
$1,321
$1,219
$1,101
Erie
$2,836
$1,630
$1,200
$1,056
$955
Farmers
$3,086
$2,276
$1,973
$1,801
$1,620
GEICO
$2,219
$1,513
$1,185
$1,065
$940
Nationwide
$2,205
$1,802
$1,511
$1,431
$1,331
Progressive
$3,220
$2,254
$1,807
$1,584
$1,380
State Farm
$3,338
$1,843
$1,395
$1,224
$1,095
Travelers
$2,880
$1,975
$1,537
$1,338
$1,226
USAA
$2,018
$1,302
$1,108
$1,038
$966
Compare car insurance rates by driving record
Car insurance is more expensive for drivers who have at least one prior accident or ticket on their records. While the cost of car insurance is $1,652 for drivers ages 30 to 45 with a clean record, insurance for riskier drivers can cost $1,500 more per year.
All drivers with a recent violation on their record, like an at-fault accident or citation, should compare rates to save money on car insurance, but drivers with serious violations — like a DUI or hit-and-run — stand to save the most.
Violations
Average annual cost
At-fault Accident
$2,555
Driving with a suspended license
$3,117
DUI
$3,153
Hit and Run
$3,182
Speeding Ticket
$2,277
Compare car insurance rates by coverage amount
Whether you want a full-coverage policy with comprehensive and collision coverage, or only enough insurance to meet your state’s minimum coverage amounts, the best way to avoid paying too much for car insurance is by comparing rates.
Our analysis shows that drivers can save hundreds of dollars per year on car insurance by comparing quotes. If you just want minimum coverage, you could save $410 per year by comparing rates. For a full-coverage policy, you could save $863 to $918 per year depending on the amount of liability insurance you choose.
Setting your liability limits higher (like getting $100,000 per driver and $300,000 per accident in bodily injury liability coverage and $100,000 in property damage liability coverage, written as 100/300/100) means more protection, but it also means you'll pay more.
Company
State minimum
Full coverage (50/100/50)
Full coverage (100/300/100)
Allstate
$750
$1,991
$2,097
American Family
$676
$1,515
$1,557
Erie
$370
$1,157
$1,201
Farmers
$781
$1,968
$2,109
GEICO
$402
$1,179
$1,261
Nationwide
$624
$1,569
$1,671
Progressive
$737
$1,814
$1,967
State Farm
$475
$1,240
$1,333
Travelers
$683
$1,586
$1,690
USAA
$369
$1,128
$1,191
Compare rates and shop affordable car insurance today
Figure out how much coverage you need. Understand what each kind of coverage does and how much you need. We recommend drivers have at least $100,000 per person/$300,000 per accident in bodily injury liability and $100,000 in property damage liability coverage in order to be fully protected.
Set a budget. Check out average rates for drivers in your area to get a sense of how much you’ll pay for coverage. While your rates may be higher or lower than average, it’s still good to know what to expect so you can tell when quotes are too high.
Fill out an application. Answer a few simple questions online, like your age, address, current insurance provider and whether or not you’ve had any recent accidents. Insurance companies use all of that information to set your rates.
Take a look at your quotes. Go through the offerings from different companies to make sure you’re comparing apples to apples. Are they all for the same term length — and do they all include the same add-ons?
Choose a policy and get insured. Found the right option for you? Sign your policy and set it to start the exact day you need it. Once you pay your first premium, you’re good to go.
Cancel your old policy (if you have one). As soon as your new policy is set up, you can cancel your old one. Make sure to set your old coverage to end on the same day your new policy starts, so you don’t have a lapse in coverage.
Policygenius customer reviews
The reviews are in. See what our current customers are saying about how we make buying car insurance easy.
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.
Anna Swartz is a senior managing editor and auto insurance expert at Policygenius, where she oversees our car insurance coverage. Previously, she was a senior staff writer at Mic.com, as well as an associate writer at The Dodo.
Andrew Hurst is a senior editor and a licensed auto insurance expert at Policygenius. His work has also been featured in The New York Times, The Wall Street Journal, Forbes, USA Today, NPR, Mic, Insurance Business Magazine, ValuePenguin, and Property Casualty 360.
Property & casualty claim consultant and expert witness
Britta M. Moss, CPCU, SCLA, AIC-M, has over 25 years of insurance industry experience. In her work as a property and casualty claim consultant, she provides consultation and expert witness services in claim handling standards, practices, and norms. She has been retained by law firms representing plaintiffs and those representing insurer defendants involved in disputes or litigation regarding coverage analysis, investigation, liability determination, damage evaluation, negotiation and settlement. She is a graduate of The Ohio State University.
