The Cheapest Car Insurance - February 2023

NerdWallet analyzed auto insurance rates from 154 auto insurance companies nationwide to find the cheapest car insurance for a variety of drivers.

The cheapest car insurance

The cheapest option will likely be your state’s minimum car insurance requirements, so we focused our analysis on those minimums. In many states, this is liability-only auto insurance, which pays for property damage and others’ medical bills from accidents you cause.

The absolute cheapest rate we found for minimum car insurance was an average of $9 per month, or $108 per year. But how much you pay for car insurance will vary depending on which state you live in and how clean your driving history is, among other factors.

Here are the cheapest car insurance companies overall, plus the cheapest options for several driver types:

• The cheapest car insurance company for good drivers: State Farm at $37 per month, on average.

• The cheapest midsize insurance company: Auto-Owners at $28 per month, on average.

• The cheapest car insurance after a speeding ticket: State Farm at $45 per month, on average.

• The cheapest car insurance after an accident: State Farm at $50 per month, on average.

• The cheapest car insurance after a DUI: State Farm at $68 per month, on average.

• The cheapest car insurance for poor credit: Geico at $73 per month, on average.

If you want the best of the cheapest, check out NerdWallet’s roundup of the best cheap car insurance companies.

The cheapest car insurance company overall: State Farm

State Farm is the cheapest major auto insurance company in the nation for good drivers, according to NerdWallet’s 2023 analysis of minimum coverage rates. State Farm’s average annual rate was $450 or about $37 per month. The company also earned a 5-star rating from NerdWallet, and you can read our State Farm auto insurance review to learn why.

Cheapest auto insurance from the largest companies

» MORE: The best cheap car insurance

The cheapest midsize car insurance company: Auto-Owners

Finding affordable car insurance doesn’t mean you have to stick with large insurance companies. Auto-Owners and Erie, smaller insurers that offer coverage in multiple states, have even cheaper car insurance rates than State Farm.

While availability can be limited, midsize insurers may beat the cheapest auto insurance prices from larger carriers. Plus, according to a 2022 J.D. Power auto insurance shopping study, customers are often satisfied with these companies.

We chose these companies because of their relatively low rates and availability in multiple states. But there may be more affordable auto insurance options where you live.

» MORE: The cheapest full coverage car insurance

Cheapest car insurance after a speeding ticket: State Farm

A speeding ticket on your driving history will likely increase how much you pay for car insurance. According to our analysis, State Farm offers the cheapest rates after a speeding ticket, with an average annual rate of $545, or $45 per month.

Cheapest car insurance after an accident: State Farm

Depending on your driving record, the most affordable car insurance company varies. The table below shows average auto insurance rates from the largest companies for drivers with a recent accident on their driving record.

Our analysis found that State Farm has the lowest average rate for drivers with one at-fault accident, at $600 per year, or $49 per month.

» MORE: How much car insurance rates go up after an accident

Cheapest car insurance after a DUI: State Farm

A DUI on your driving record can greatly increase how much you pay for car insurance. According to our analysis, State Farm is the cheapest car insurance company after a DUI, at $817 per year, or $67 per month, on average.

» MORE: Find the cheapest car insurance after a DUI

Looking for even cheaper auto insurance? Try a smaller insurer. Drivers with violations like one at-fault accident or a recent DUI can find the most affordable auto insurance rates with Erie and other midsize insurers.

Rates vary depending on many personal factors. Be sure to compare car insurance quotes from at least three insurers to find the cheapest auto insurance for you.

» MORE: Compare car insurance

Cheapest auto insurance for poor credit: Geico

Your driving record isn’t the only factor that can increase your rates. Many insurers also use credit-based insurance scores to help calculate car insurance rates. This can make it harder to get cheap car insurance with poor credit in many states.

A credit-based score includes the same factors as a regular credit score, such as debt and payment history, but weighs them differently. California, Hawaii, Massachusetts and Michigan don’t allow insurers to use credit when determining car insurance rates.

» MORE: What to know about a credit-based insurance score

Credit can have a shocking impact on auto insurance costs. Drivers with poor credit may pay over $400 more a year on average than those with good credit.

If you’re looking for affordable car insurance from a large company, Geico might be a good place to start. Based on our analysis of large insurers, the company has the lowest average rates for good drivers with poor credit, at $870 per year, or $73 per month, on average.

Still, you should always shop around to get the best car insurance rates, no matter your credit history.

» MORE: The best high-risk auto insurance companies

Cheapest car insurance by state

What counts as cheap auto insurance will be different depending on where you live, as rates vary widely from state to state.

For the sake of comparison, we found the cheapest car insurance company for minimum coverage, on average, in each state and Washington, D.C.

But state averages can tell you only so much. Even within a state, car insurance rates for minimum coverage can differ. That's why NerdWallet analyzed rates for some of the largest cities in the U.S.

Choose your city in the dropdown below to see the cheapest car insurance rates in your area.

» MORE: Calculator: Average car insurance rate by ZIP code

How to find cheap car insurance for new drivers

If you’re a new driver, you may have difficulty getting cheap car insurance. That’s because auto insurers view drivers without a recent driving history as riskier to insure. This group includes those with a new license, drivers with a lapse in car insurance, immigrants and visitors to the U.S.

To get the cheapest car insurance, you’ll want to shop around and compare policies from a variety of companies each year. If you live with your family, it may be cheapest to stay on their policy until your driving history is more robust.

» MORE: Car insurance for new drivers

How to get cheap car insurance

If you’re looking to save money with the cheapest possible car insurance, it’s essential to compare quotes from multiple insurers. You can use NerdWallet’s car insurance comparison tool to easily shop for cheap auto insurance online. You may find that you already have the most affordable insurance; but prices can change, so check roughly once a year.

» MORE: How to save on car insurance: Smart ways to lower your rate

These tips could help you get cheap auto insurance rates:

1. Ask for discounts. There could be savings from car insurance discounts you’re not taking advantage of. For instance, maybe you now work from home and are driving less frequently than when you bought your policy. Mention that and you might get a low-mileage discount.

2. Rethink your deductible. A higher collision and comprehensive deductible might make sense if you rarely drive or are comfortable with the financial risk. Raising your deductible means you’d owe more out of pocket if you had to file a comprehensive or collision claim. But it’s a surefire way to get cheaper car insurance.

3. Know when to cut coverage. Don’t strip away coverage just for the sake of cheap auto insurance. But if you drive an older car, you can probably drop comprehensive and collision coverage. These coverage types pay out only up to your car’s current value, minus the deductible.

4. Cash in on major life changes. Certain life events could translate to cheaper car insurance, so shop for quotes whenever something major changes in your life. For instance, many companies offer a lower rate for married couples or domestic partners. Or perhaps you moved to a suburb with lower accident and crime rates. Even if you moved to a more expensive area for car insurance, shopping around can help you get cheaper coverage.

5. Revisit quotes after your driving record improves. Shop for cheap car insurance quotes online three to five years after any accidents, tickets or moving violations. They may have dropped off your driving record.

The type of car you drive also affects how much you pay for auto insurance. Check out NerdWallet’s analysis of the cheapest cars to insure to see if your vehicle made the list.

» MORE: 8 ways to get the cheapest car insurance rates possible