Ratings Methodology
TheCarInsuranceGuide.com has conducted pricing research in the top metropolitan areas with the major auto insurance carriers. In addition, we've conducted interviews with agents to gather opinions on pricing by the major carriers. The comments and ratings of our best pricing reviews is the product of this proprietary research. That said, auto insurance pricing can vary greatly and we recommend you get multiple quotes from different highly rated carriers.
Pricing Ratings
Pricing Ratings Highlights
Esurance
Our auto Insurance agent respondents thought Esurance was a price leader, particularly when it came to consumers that other insurance companies regard as risky, e.g., young drivers or drivers with accidents or tickets.
Geico
Just as their advertisements suggest, GEICO has some of the lowest rates around. They offer very competitive pricing for drivers who don't have any sorts of blemishes on their driving record in particular -- their pricing tends to be less competitive for those who have tickets, accidents or other issues on record.
Progressive
Our pricing research found Progressive to consistently have the best or second best pricing across both different regions and different driver types. Whether you are a higher risk driver or a premium driver, you can expect a low rate with them. We recommend all drivers get a quote from Progressive in order to see just how much you could save.
Lemonade
As with their other insurance offerings, Lemonade has some of the lowest rates available for car insurance. Quotes start as low as $30 a month.
Root Insurance
Root's approach to pricing is revolutionary and typically saves drivers lots of money. The trade off is allowing Root to monitor your driving prior to them offering you a price. So long as you do well on their driving tracking, you may save a fair amount simply by being a safe driver.
USAA Auto
USAA ranks as one the most inexpensive options when it comes to car insurance, and their wide array of discounts makes it even easier to save for those who qualify.
HiRoad
As a result of their focus on driver behavior, HiRoad offers some of the lowest rates in the industry -- particularly for safe drivers.
Infinity
Overall, Infinity offers very competitive rates, particularly when it comes to consumers that other insurance companies regard as risky, e.g., young drivers or drivers with accidents or tickets.
Hugo Insurance
Hugo's pricing is great, so long as you don't drive more than 7,500 miles per year. Their pricing system and service is a whole is set up to benefit infrequent drivers.
Mile Auto
Pricing through Mile Auto is fantastic if you are are a match for telematics. Drivers who rarely get in the car can save a huge amount by switching to a pay-per-mile insurance, but buyer beware -- a sudden long-distance trip can easily spike your bill.
Gainsco
Gainsco offers competitive pricing, particularly for drivers in the "nonstandard" category -- that is, drivers with blemishes on their record, a patchy insurance history, or young drivers.
Metromile
Metromile offers very competitive rates for drivers with clean records and low mileage counts. For consumers who do not fall into this group, the pricing is much less competitive.
AAA Southern California
Regarding price, AAA is generally average. Depending on your location, your driving history, and any discounts or bundling options you take advantage of, their rates will vary significantly.
AAA Southern California
Regarding price, AAA is generally average. Depending on your location, your driving history, and any discounts or bundling options you take advantage of, their rates will vary significantly.
AARP Auto Insurance from The Hartford
Pricing is somewhat higher than the average with The Hartford. Older drivers can expect to pay higher rates no matter who they purchase insurance through -- one benefit of this company is that senior drivers have a lower chance of being rejected, however.
Clearcover
Low prices are available because Clearcover doesn't spend on branding and focused on using cutting edge technology.
Dairyland
Pricing with Dairyland is rather good when it comes to higher risk driver profiles -- a set of drivers who otherwise tend to struggle to find affordable rates from most providers. For premium drivers however, this may not be the best choice as the company does not cater its policies towards that driver type.
Jupiter
Jupiter offers great pricing to drivers who are typically considered nonstandard or high risk. While these driver types usually struggle to find affordable insurance with most carriers, Jupiter actually caters to them. Conversely, drivers with clean records may want to look elsewhere.
LOOP
Pricing is where LOOP really shines, as they utilize telematics to provide fairer insurance costs to all drivers. Your rates will be calculated based on how you drive rather than on who you are. Some of the factors taken into consideration? Typical speed, mileage, and phone usage while driving. Factors you don't need to worry about? Your credit score.
Mercury
Mercury's pricing varies dramatically across geographic regions, either coming out to be average or great depending on where a driver lives. In California especially, they're hard to beat.
Safe Auto
Safe Auto is a leader when it comes to price, particularly among the nonstandard sector of auto insurance. As they cater to drivers with tickets/accidents on record and insufficient insurance histories, they offer these driver types low rates -- which would be unheard of for most insurance carriers.
Travelers
Rates with Travelers range from great to average. While you can get a great quote from them, it's best to be aware that the company generally emphasizes its highly rated customer service and products over its pricing.
Bristol West
As an insurer primarily focused on serving high-risk drivers, Bristol West is certainly not the cheapest insurance plan on the market. However, high-risk drivers traditionally pay higher rates than average through any insurer, with most drivers in this category struggling to even find a carrier willing to insure them. With that in mind, this company's prices are fair given their business niche.
Compare
As multiple companies are reviewed, consumers are in the driver's seat. They can choose a competitive price from Compare's panel of auto insurance companies.
Direct Auto
Direct Auto offers very competitive rates, particularly when it comes to consumers that other insurance companies regard as risky, e.g., young drivers or drivers with accidents or tickets.
Doc Auto Insurance
Customers are largely happy with the rates Doc Auto has to offer.
Experian
Experian's service is specifically geared towards finding drivers the best prices available at any given time.
Get My Quotes Now
Get My Quotes Now offers a variety of quotes from different carriers, so you can expect a huge range when it comes to policy price.
InsuredNation
As several options from different carriers will be offered, low prices are sure to be available.
Insurify
Insurify's model is to provide insurance policy pricing from multiple carriers. Consumers can compare pricing and select the best for them. However, Insurify currently doesn't work with several of the lowest cost insurance companies from our pricing research.
Novo
Novo bases pricing on driver behavior, rather than only on traditional factors such as age or location. This offers safe drivers a strong advantage, as they may find their rates are lower with this system.
Savvy Car Insurance
Savvy is a free service that makes it a goal to find you lower car insurance rates. Once you upload your current insurance information, they'll search through hundreds of other carriers to find you something more affordable.
State Farm
Though not particularly competitive in this area, State Farm's pricing is average for the market. For consumers interested in an easy, personalized insurance experience, this might be worth the added cost.
The Zebra
In our pricing research, The Zebra often provided rates from some of the less well known brands that were very competitive.
21st Century
21st Century is reasonably priced, generally coming in as low-to-average in this regard. If you want a combination of good service and affordability, this might be the right carrier to look into.
Allstate
Allstate's pricing is generally fair, though not the cheapest in the industry. Their quality customer service, however, can make up the difference in price for drivers that prioritize customer experience, according to multiple survey respondents.
Branch Insurance
Prices are generally low, especially if customers take advantage of bundling and friend referral discounts. Branch also offers the Community Pledge program, which gives discounts to drivers who get other Branch customers to vouch that they wouldn't commit insurance fraud.
Clutch Insurance
Our auto Insurance agent respondents thought Clutch Insurance offered very competitive rates, particularly when it came to consumers that other insurance companies regard as risky, e.g., young drivers or drivers with accidents or tickets.
Elephant
How competitive Elephant's pricing is will vary depending on what type of driver you are and what discounts you're eligible for. If you take advantage of multiple discounts, they can make a significant dent on your rates. Getting a quote is the easiest way to see how much you could potentially save.
Liberty Mutual
Regarding price, Liberty is average overall. While their prices vary by region, offering the lowest rates possible simply is not their business model -- instead, they focus on providing quality service and coverage.
Plymouth Rock Assurance
As far as pricing goes, Plymouth Rock's rates are slightly higher than those of other major companies. However, these higher costs generally lead to better coverage, as their policies cover drivers in a wider variety of situations.
Hub - Auto
As a quote comparison site, one of VIU's biggest focuses is getting its customers the lowest rates possible.
Jerry
Prices will vary depending on the carrier you ultimately pick -- but Jerry's goal is always to save drivers like you money.
Agile Rates
As multiple companies are reviewed, consumers are in the driver's seat. They can choose a competitive price.
Answer Financial
Drivers are offered competitive pricing from a variety of insurers, and can ultimately choose the best option for themselves.
AutoInsurance.com
As a comparison service, prices vary by carrier. Affordable options are available.
AutoInsurance.org
With many insurance choices available, drivers are sure to find competitively priced options.
Bankrate
Price will depend on the provider, but Bankrate specifically aims to find its users the lowest rates possible.
Best Auto Insurance
Prices are competitive due to the comparative nature of the site.
Car Insurance MKT
Pricing will depend on the chosen carrier, but with lots of options available, drivers will definitely find affordable rates.
CarInsurance.net
As this is a comparison site, users can expect affordable pricing.
Cheaper-Quotes.com
Prices will vary by carrier, but Cheaper Quotes makes it simple to find the lowest prices possible by bringing comparisons right to you. They make it easy to find affordable options.
Comparisons.org
This site makes it easy to find multiple affordable options in one convenient place.
Everquote
EverQuote's system is specifically designed to help you find the lowest prices available. After considering your driving history, they will tailor your results to match your goals and your budget.
FinanceBuzz
FinanceBuzz is a great way to view a wide variety when it comes to policy rates.
Finder
With lots of carriers to choose from, drivers have the ability to choose the best possible pricing for themselves.
Gabi
As you will be sent multiple quote options, prices will vary. On average, customers save $825 a year.
Insurance Rates for Less
As Insurance Rates for Less sends each customer multiple quotes from different carriers, prices vary. Most customers find low-cost policies using this service.
InsuranceHoney
As this service compares multiple carriers and brokers, drivers can choose the best possible rates for themselves.
National Auto Quotes
National Auto Quotes compiles the lowest rates from top carriers in one place, making this a great service for the thrifty driver.
National Family Assurance
As National Family Assurance works with multiple carriers, they offer an extensive range of price options.
NerdWallet
Pricing will change depending on the carrier and policy type you opt for. NerdWallet strives to make quote comparisons accessible to its users.
Otto Insurance
By making quote comparisons accessible, Otto is a great service that allows drivers to easily find low rates.
Peklava
RateZip is a quote comparison site -- as such, pricing will depend on the carrier you choose to purchase a policy from.
Pretected
As this is a quote comparison platform, prices are competitive.
Provide Insurance
With many options being compared at once, users can find affordable policies.
Quote By Zip
As many carriers will be suggested, drivers can expect to find competitive rate options.
QuoteWizard
Pricing will depend on the provider you go with, but in general QuoteWizard operates under the presumption that consumers are looking for the best deals possible.
SavingsJoy
As this service compares multiple carriers and brokers, drivers can choose the best possible rates for themselves.
Smart Financial
As this service is based on comparison, carriers tend to offer competitive pricing.
Spark Auto Insurance
By sending several quotes from different providers to each customer, Spark Auto offers customers a variety of price points, including low-cost options.
Squeeze
Pricing will depend on the carrier you choose. Squeeze attempts to find its users the lowest pricing currently available, but results will vary.
The Rate Chopper
As many insurance options will be provided and the price will depend on the carrier, drivers will have a variety of competitively priced plans to choose from.
Ultimate Insurance
Price will depend on the provider, but in general Ultimate Insurance works to find you the lowest rates possible.