Compare car insurance quotes
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The big insurers side by side
| Insurer | Avg full coverage / yr | Avg state minimum / yr | AM Best rating | NAIC complaint index |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Travelers | $1,962 | $767 | A++ | 0.52 |
| GEICO | $2,159 | $539 | A++ | 0.69 |
| Nationwide | $2,524 | $932 | A | 0.63 |
| Progressive | $2,569 | $752 | A+ | 0.71 |
| State Farm | $2,875 | $1,025 | A++ | 0.79 |
| Allstate | $3,159 | $946 | A+ | 1.10 |
| Farmers | $3,207 | $950 | A | 0.86 |
| USAA (military only) | $1,628 | $406 | A++ | 1.18 |
Sources: CarInsurance.com average premiums (Aug 2026; 40-year-old drivers, 100/300/100 liability, $500 deductibles), AM Best ratings as compiled by CarInsurance.com, NAIC complaint indexes compiled by CarInsurance.com (Aug 2026). A complaint index below 1.00 means fewer complaints than expected for the insurer’s size.
The spread is wide. For the same driver profile, Farmers’ average full-coverage price was $1,245 a year higher than Travelers’. But averages hide a lot: your own quotes depend on your state, age, record and car, and the cheapest company for a 40-year-old is often not the cheapest for a teen or a driver with a DUI.
What each insurer is known for
Travelers
Travelers had the lowest average full-coverage price of the big national insurers in CarInsurance.com’s 2026 data, and was also cheapest on average for drivers after an at-fault accident ($2,823), a speeding ticket ($2,801) or a DUI ($2,933). It holds an A++ AM Best rating and a low 0.52 complaint index. It sells mainly through independent agents.
GEICO
GEICO was the cheapest for state-minimum cover ($539 a year on average) and for drivers with poor credit, and it was cheapest on average for teen drivers on full coverage. It is rated A++ and publishes some of the most generous discount figures, such as up to 25% for multiple vehicles. GEICO doesn’t sell gap insurance.
Progressive
Progressive is close to the national average on price but strong for drivers who shop online and for higher-risk drivers. Its Snapshot telematics program gave an average $169 sign-up discount, though about one in five participants saw a higher premium afterwards.
State Farm
The largest US car insurer by market share, State Farm has an A++ rating, a big agent network and the Drive Safe & Save program (up to 30% off, 10% just for joining; not available in California, Massachusetts or Rhode Island). It won J.D. Power’s Northwest region in 2026.
USAA
Only active military, veterans and eligible family members can buy from USAA, but for them it was the cheapest of all in the data, at $1,628 a year for full coverage. Its complaint index (1.18) is slightly above average.
Regional insurers worth quoting
Erie topped J.D. Power’s 2025 claims satisfaction study (743) and won three regions in the 2026 shopping study; Amica led New England for a third year; Shelter led the Central region for a sixth year. Regional insurers were the cheapest option for minimum or liability-only cover in roughly half of states, so it’s worth including one in every comparison.
How to choose the right insurer for you
- Decide your limits first. Many advisers suggest at least 100/300/100 liability if you own a home or have savings to protect. State minimums can leave you personally liable.
- Get three to five quotes with exactly the same limits and deductibles, including at least one regional insurer.
- Check the claims record, not just the price: the NAIC complaint index and J.D. Power claims scores show how insurers treat customers when it matters.
- Ask about discounts before you decide; see our discounts guide.
- Re-shop every year. J.D. Power found 30% of customers had an insurer-initiated price rise in the past year.
If you’re a teen driver, have a DUI or tickets, or drive for a rideshare company, the best insurer for you may be different. See our guides to insurance for new drivers, high-risk drivers and rideshare insurance.
Satisfaction: J.D. Power 2026 regional winners
| Region | Highest-ranked insurer (score) |
|---|---|
| California | Wawanesa (678) |
| Central | Shelter (674) |
| Florida | Florida Farm Bureau (693) |
| Mid-Atlantic | Erie (704) |
| New England | Amica (702) |
| New York | Travelers (657) |
| North Central | Erie (688) |
| Northwest | State Farm (667) |
| Southeast | Erie (691) |
| Southwest | CSAA Insurance Group, a AAA insurer (653) |
| Texas | Automobile Club of Southern California, a AAA insurer (673) |
Source: J.D. Power 2026 U.S. Auto Insurance Study, June 2026. Industry average 644 out of 1,000.
Frequently asked questions
Which car insurance company is cheapest?
In 2026 data for a 40-year-old driver, Travelers had the lowest average full-coverage price among the big national insurers ($1,962 a year) and GEICO the lowest state-minimum price ($539). USAA was cheaper still for eligible military families. Your cheapest option depends on your profile and state.
What is a good NAIC complaint index?
Anything below 1.00 means fewer complaints than expected for the insurer’s size. In 2026 data American Family (0.33), Travelers (0.52) and Auto-Owners (0.54) scored best among large insurers.
Does AM Best rating matter for car insurance?
It shows an insurer’s financial ability to pay claims. All the large insurers in our table are rated A (Excellent) or better, so it matters most when comparing small or unfamiliar companies.
Is it better to use an agent or buy online?
J.D. Power found agents resolved 91% of customer inquiries that crossed channels, versus 66% for websites. Online buying can be quicker; an independent agent can compare several insurers for you.
Should I switch insurers to save money?
If another insurer quotes the same coverage for meaningfully less and has a good complaint record, switching usually makes sense. Line up the new policy before cancelling the old one so you never have a coverage lapse.
Sources
- CarInsurance.com – How much is car insurance? (Aug 2026)
- CarInsurance.com – Cheapest car insurance (Sept 2026)
- CarInsurance.com – Top financially rated car insurance companies
- CarInsurance.com – Auto insurers ranked by NAIC complaint data (Aug 2026)
- J.D. Power – 2026 U.S. Auto Insurance Study
- J.D. Power – 2025 U.S. Auto Claims Satisfaction Study (Business Wire)
- GEICO – Car insurance discounts
- State Farm – Drive Safe & Save
- Insurify – Progressive Snapshot review
- GEICO – Gap insurance coverage
Insurance prices, discounts and rules change often and vary by state. Figures were checked in October 2026; confirm details with the insurer or your state insurance department.