Best car insurance companies of December 2024

Insuring your car has never been more expensive: According to the Department of Labor's Consumer Price Index, average premiums for auto insurance jumped 16.5% between August 2023 and 2024.

But the right policy can save you hundreds a year, score you a lower deductible and even get you a hefty discount.

CNBC Select has picked the top auto insurance companies in 10 categories. (See our methodology for more on how we made our selections.)

Who's this for? Geico has more than 300 independent offices across the U.S. and is licensed to issue auto insurance in all 50 states and Washington, D.C.

Standout benefits: In addition to some of the lowest rates for both liability-only and comprehensive coverage, Geico offers numerous discounts — including for good driving, insuring multiple vehicles and for bundling.

Average rate for full coverage: $2,031 per year

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Who's this for? If you're budget-minded, Travelers' rates for car insurance are nearly half the national average. Premiums for drivers with poor credit, who typically pay more, are also lower than with the competition.

Standout benefits: Travelers offers gap insurance, which some competitors don't. It also provides several uncommon discounts, including for homeowners, new cars and electric vehicles.

Average rate for full coverage: $1,811 per year

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Who's this for? Dairyland specializes in insuring high-risk drivers, including those with bad credit (FICO score below 580), who pay an average of 118% more annually than those with excellent credit (800 or above).

Standout benefits: Dairyland provides non-owner coverage and issues SR-22 certificates. In addition, all California policies come with limited coverage for travel in Mexico.

Average premium for full coverage: Unavailable

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Who's this for? Erie is a great choice for drivers who prioritize good service: It topped J.D. Power's 2024 insurance shopping survey and came in second for satisfaction with the claims process.

Standout benefits: Erie's Rate Lock^® option can keep your premiums from rising — even if you file a claim — as long as you don't make changes to your policy.

Average premium for full coverage: $1,899

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Who's this for? Instead of an annual premium Nationwide's pay-per-mile program, SmartMiles, comes with. low flat rate and per-mile fee. If you work from home or otherwise don't drive much, that can mean an average savings of $320 a year.

Standout benefits: SmartMiles' base rate and per-mile costs don't fluctuate unless you make changes to your policy.

Average premium for full coverage: $1,856 per year

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Who's this for? Auto-Owners is one of the least expensive options for liability insurance, which is the minimal amount required in most states.

Standout benefits: Auto-Owners offers accident forgiveness and useful add-ons like gap insurance and additional expense coverage. We also named Auto-Owners one of the best insurers for young drivers and seniors.

Average rate for full coverage: $1,739 per year

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Who's this for? Combining your State Farm auto policy with home, condo, renters or life insurance from the company can save you up to 17%.

Standout benefits: Drivers who insure two or more vehicles with State Farm could save as much as 20%.

Average premium for full coverage: $2,591 per year

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Who's this for? American Family has 18 discounts that can lower your auto insurance premiums, including for having a clean driving record, paying your premium in full and for volunteering in your community.

Standout benefits: Safe drivers can save up to 20%, while bundling American Family auto and home insurance can save you as much as 23%.

Average rate for full coverage: $2,421 per year

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Who's this for? Progressive is one of our top picks for high-risk drivers, thanks to its lower-than-average rates for customers with marks on their record. (The average rate for full coverage after a DUI is $3,075 with Progressive, compared to $4,532 nationwide.)

Standout benefits: Progressive offers three tiers of accident forgiveness and will issue an SR-22 certificate if you need your license reinstated.

Average rate for full coverage: $2,018 per year

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Who's this for? USAA's auto insurance is available exclusively to current and former service members and their families, with discounts if you store your vehicle on-base or are deployed and not driving your car.

Standout benefits: Customers who bundle home and auto with USAA can save up to 15%. There are also discounts for having a new car, for taking over your parent's policy and for remaining a customer for at least three years.

Average rate for full coverage: $1,962 per year

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A wholly owned subsidiary of Berkshire Hathaway, Geico is the third largest auto insurance provider in the U.S., with $39.8 billion in direct premiums written in 2023. Policies are sold online or through local Geico field representatives. 

NAIC complaint index: Fewer than expected

J.D. Power rating: Below average

Nationwide availability: Available in all 50 U.S. states and the District of Columbia

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In business since 1864, Travelers is one of the largest auto insurance providers in the U.S., with direct premiums totaling nearly $6.5 billion in 2023. Policies are sold by more than 15,000 independent agents nationwide.

NAIC complaint index: Fewer than expected

J.D. Power rating: Below average

Nationwide availability: Available in all U.S. states except Alaska, Hawaii, Louisiana, Michigan, North Dakota, South Dakota, West Virginia and Wyoming.

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Headquartered in Stevens Point, Wisconsin, Dairyland has been insuring drivers since 1953 and specializes in motorists with poor driving records and low credit scores. It is a subsidiary of Sentry Insurance, which also offers homeowners, life and business insurance policies.

NAIC complaint index: Greater than expected

J.D. Power rating: Not rated

States where available: Available in all U.S. states except Louisiana, Massachusetts, Michigan, Montana, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, North Dakota, Oklahoma and Rhode Island 

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Available in just 12 states and Washington D.C, Erie has built a solid reputation for excellent service. It came in second in J.D. Power's claims satisfaction survey in 2023 and took the top spot for overall customer satisfaction in two regions.

NAIC complaint index: Fewer than expected

J.D. Power rating: Above average

Nationwide availability: Available in Illinois, Indiana, Kentucky, Maryland, New York, North Carolina, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Tennessee, Virginia, Washington, D.C., West Virginia and Wisconsin

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Bloomington, Indiana-based State Farm is the country's largest auto insurance provider, with more than 18% of the market share and close to $58 billion in direct premiums in 2023. State Farm is one of the top carriers on J.D. Power's 2024 U.S. Insurance Shopping Study, although it has a slightly higher-than-average volume of complaints and received a C- from the Better Business Bureau.

NAIC complaint index: Slightly more than expected

J.D. Power rating: Above average

Nationwide availability: Available in all U.S. states except Massachusetts and Rhode Island

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Founded as the Farm Bureau Mutual Automobile Insurance Company in 1926, Nationwide wrote nearly $5.5 billion in auto insurance premiums in 2023, making it the country's 10th largest provider.

NAIC complaint index: Fewer than expected

J.D. Power rating: Below average

Nationwide availability: SmartMiles by Nationwide is available in all U.S. states except for Alaska, Hawaii, Louisiana, North Carolina, Oklahoma and New York.

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In business since 1916, Auto-Owners provides a variety of useful policy add-ons, including diminished value coverage, which compensates you for the loss in value if your car is damaged but not totaled. The Lansing Michigan-based insurer also offers specialty coverage for classic cars and vehicles modified for accessibility.

NAIC complaint index: Fewer than expected

J.D. Power rating: Above average

Nationwide availability: Available in Alabama, Arizona, Arkansas, Colorado, Florida, Georgia, Idaho, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Kentucky, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, Nebraska, North Carolina, North Dakota, Ohio, Pennsylvania, South Carolina, South Dakota, Tennessee, Utah, Virginia and Wisconsin

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A Fortune 500 company, American Family is one of the ten largest providers of auto insurance in the U.S. J.D. Power rated American Family No. 1 for online insurance shopping and it earned high scores for the claims process and overall customer satisfaction.

NAIC complaint index: Fewer than expected

J.D. Power rating: Above average

Nationwide availability: Available in Arizona, Colorado, Georgia, Idaho, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Minnesota, Missouri, Nebraska, Nevada, North Dakota, Ohio, Oregon, South Dakota, Utah, Washington and Wisconsin

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Progressive is the nation's second-largest car insurance company, with $48.26 billion in direct personal auto premiums written in 2023. We also named it a top choice for commercial auto insurance.

NAIC complaint index: Fewer than expected

J.D. Power rating: Below average

Nationwide availability: Available in all 50 U.S. states and the District of Columbia

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USAA (the United Services Automobile Association) is a membership-driven provider open to active duty military, veterans, members of the National Guard and Reserves and ROTC cadets, as well as their spouses and children. While J.D. Power gave USAA high scores for both customer satisfaction and the claims experience, it has a higher volume of complaints than similarly-sized competitors.

NAIC complaint index: Higher than expected

J.D. Power rating: Above average

Nationwide availability: Available in all 50 U.S. states and the District of Columbia

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Car insurance covers damage, theft and bodily injury in the event of a collision or other accident. You pay a monthly or biannual premium based on the policy you've selected and, if you need to be reimbursed for repairs or other bills, file a claim with your insurance company.

Filing a claim can lead to higher premiums, so do it cautiously. Car insurance companies typically offer lower rates and discounts to drivers with clean records, as they're considered less likely to file a claim in the future. 

While there are many available add-ons, there are five basic types of car insurance coverage. At a minimum you'll need liability insurance to drive in most states, though many people add collision and comprehensive coverage — the three combined are referred to as "full coverage."

• Liability coverage: Pays for property damage and bodily injury when you are found responsible for a collision. It is required in most of the country, though the amount differs by state.
• Collision coverage: Pays for repairs stemming from a collision with an object, like a house or a mailbox, rather than another vehicle. 
• Comprehensive coverage: Protects you in case of damages caused by a non-vehicular incident, like theft, vandalism or weather-related damage. 
• Personal injury protection: Pays for your medical expenses and lost income after an accident. 
• Uninsured/underinsured motorist coverage: Kicks in if you are involved in an accident with another driver who has no insurance or insufficient coverage.

The cost of car insurance varies considerably depending on where you live. Rates are typically higher in no-fault states like New York and Michigan, for example.

Several factors influence the price of car insurance, some of which are under your control and some of which aren't.

• The amount of coverage: Full coverage is more expensive than a liability-only policy. A low deductible can also raise the price of your premiums, as can buying add-ons like gap insurance and roadside assistance.
• Your location: Where you live greatly determines how much you'll pay and, in many states, so will your age, gender and marital status,
• Your credit history: In all but a handful of states, insurance companies can use your credit-based insurance score to tabulate your premium.
• Your driving history: Have an at-fault accident, speeding ticket or DUI on your record makes you a high-risk driver and usually results in pricier premiums.
• Car make, model and features: A six-figure sports car will cost more to insure than a used sedan. While replacement costs can factor into this difference, discounts for safety features can also play a part.

At CNBC Select, our mission is to provide our readers with high-quality service journalism and comprehensive consumer advice so they can make informed decisions with their money. Every car insurance review is based on rigorous reporting by our team of expert writers and editors with extensive knowledge of insurance products. While CNBC Select earns a commission from affiliate partners on many offers and links, we create all our content without input from our commercial team or any outside third parties, and we pride ourselves on our journalistic standards and ethics.

CNBC Select analyzed dozens of car insurance companies to determine the top providers, focusing on cost, coverage, customer service, availability and ease of use.

We reviewed customer satisfaction scores from J.D. Power, the Better Business Bureau and the National Association of Insurance Commissioners, as well as financial strength ratings from A.M. Best.

Information on average annual premiums is based on Bankrate analysis of Quadrant Information Services data for a 40-year-old driver with a clean driving record and good credit, driving a 2020 Toyota Camry five days a week with the following coverage:

• $100,000 bodily injury liability per person
• $300,000 bodily injury liability per accident
• $50,000 property damage liability per accident
• $100,000 uninsured motorist bodily injury per person
• $300,000 uninsured motorist bodily injury per accident
• $500 collision deductible
• $500 comprehensive deductible

After reviewing these features, we sorted our recommendations by the best for affordability, best for availability, best for infrequent drivers, best for bad credit, best for customer satisfaction, best for bundling, best for discounts, best for liability-only coverage, best for high-risk drivers and best for military members and veterans.

We also considered CNBC Select audience data when available, such as general demographics and engagement with our content and tools.

Premiums and policy structures cited for car insurance are subject to change.

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