Best Cheap Car Insurance [2026]: 6 Companies To Consider (original) (raw)

Shopping around is your greatest superpower as a budget-conscious consumer. While the cost of car insurance may never feel low enough, there could be cheaper options than what you're paying now. Even if you think you're getting a sweet deal, it's always smart to revisit your current policy and put feelers out — meaning, get quotes and compare options — from other providers to make sure you have the best car insurance for your budget. You can take your business anywhere that offers the coverage you need, and companies know that.

If nothing else, you should always aim to spend less than the average. Right now, the average driver pays 187permonthforfullcoverageautoinsurance,whiletheaverageliability−onlypolicycosts187 per month for full coverage auto insurance, while the average liability-only policy costs 187permonthforfullcoverageautoinsurance,whiletheaverageliability−onlypolicycosts98 per month, according to data from Insurify. For insurance to be considered "cheap," it should beat average rates for the demographic you're looking at.

To help you narrow down your options, we've researched cheap car insurance companies for good drivers, people with incidents, seniors, and more. We found that Auto-Owners, USAA, and Root were among the most affordable. But GEICO, State Farm, and Allstate deserve a place at the table, too.

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Auto-Owners

Best for in-person support from an agent

Company details

Auto-Owners shouldn't surprise you if you've ever received a quote, as we've consistently found it to be among the cheapest car insurance companies. What's also unique is that its prices are often competitive, no matter your driving record.

The company offers rates well below the national average for both liability and full-coverage auto insurance policies. For instance, Auto-Owners' average liability-only premium for drivers in their 40s is just 42comparedtoanaveragecostof42 compared to an average cost of 42comparedtoanaveragecostof100. Plus, it received an above-average rating in J.D. Power's 2025 U.S. Auto Claims Satisfaction Study, showing you don't have to sacrifice quality for a good price.

But this provider isn't free of drawbacks. First, it issues car insurance policies in only 26 states, so it might not even be an option where you live. Plus, since Auto-Owners doesn't offer online quotes, you have to contact a local agent, which could make it more difficult and time-consuming to compare rates.

Who we recommend Auto-Owners for

We think Auto-Owners is worth considering if you'd like very competitive rates and live near an agent for in-person support.

Pros

Cons

Learn more in our Auto-Owners insurance review.

USAA

Best for military families

Company details

If you're looking for cheap car insurance and happen to be affiliated with the military, either through a family member or your own service, you're in luck. USAA is probably the first company you should check rates with, because it offers some of the most competitive premiums across the board. And in many cases, the next-cheapest company's rates aren't even close.

For example, USAA's average full-coverage premium for drivers with incidents on their profiles is 136,whiletheU.S.averageis136, while the U.S. average is 136,whiletheU.S.averageis228. We also like that USAA offers unique discounts for storing your car while deployed or for garaging it on base, and excels in customer service.

While it offers policies nationwide, USAA isn't available to everyone. If you're not involved with the military directly or indirectly, there's no loophole to get a policy. Even if you qualify, expect to have fewer coverage options, including no GAP insurance, which you might need if you lease or finance your car. The company does offer a nontraditional product called car replacement assistance, though.

Who we recommend USAA for

We recommend USAA if you meet the military affiliation requirement and don't mind having fewer coverage options.

Pros

Cons

Learn more in our USAA car insurance review.

Root

Best for good drivers

Company details

Root sets itself apart from other budget car insurance companies for strongly favoring good drivers and not being shy about it. With its tagline "car insurance for good drivers," it should come as no surprise that the insurer's best rates are typically for people with the best driving records. That means if you've been accident-free for a while and never get tickets, Root could be one of your cheapest options.

We find this insurer an especially good choice for full-coverage policies because its rates are impressive compared to national averages. While more expensive than other providers on our list, its liability-only coverage is still worth looking into.

Somewhat weirdly, Root is also not a bad choice for teens, with an average liability-only premium of $151 for this demographic. It's pretty rare for a company to favor both good drivers and teens, as the two groups are on opposite sides of the risk spectrum.

However, unlike some more established insurers we recommend for cheaper insurance, Root hasn't received AM Best or J.D. Power ratings, and it does receive a higher volume of customer complaints than some. It's also not ideal if you want a large selection of discounts or live in one of the 15 states it doesn't serve.

Who we recommend Root for

Consider Root if you're a good driver looking for a budget-friendly full-coverage policy or liability insurance for a teen driver.

Pros

Cons

Learn more in our Root car insurance review.

GEICO

Best for people with accidents or incidents

Company details

GEICO is a good deal kinder to people with imperfect driving histories than other companies, which is why we would most strongly recommend this one to you if your record includes a ticket or two. If you have an incident in your driving history, the average rate with this company is 202forfullcoverageand202 for full coverage and 202forfullcoverageand109 for liability coverage.

Those with poor credit may also find a better price here than with GEICO's competitors. Its average rate for liability-only coverage for people with poor credit is 97,whilethenationalaverageforthisdriveris97, while the national average for this driver is 97,whilethenationalaverageforthisdriveris119.

GEICO offers the standard coverage required by most states, as well as several additional coverage options, such as RV and boat insurance and rental reimbursement. We also like its extensive list of discounts, including several for students, though qualifying for some can be tricky.

But we don't think it's the best option if you prioritize having many local agents to talk to or a rock-solid customer service experience. GEICO ranked slightly below average for claims satisfaction in J.D. Power's study, and several customers have reported negative experiences with phone support on Trustpilot.

Who we recommend GEICO for

GEICO can be great if you have a less-than-stellar driving record or credit score and like having many coverage options.

Pros

Cons

Learn more in our GEICO car insurance review.

Pro tip

If you've had issues with accidents and incidents in the past, it's better to be honest with yourself about your profile's imperfections — and search for insurers accordingly — than it is to expect the best possible rates from whichever company you choose.

State Farm

Best for teens and young adults

Company details

State Farm is worthy of just about any list of affordable auto insurance companies. Many people enjoy cheap car insurance rates with the company, including perfect and less-than-perfect drivers. Its average rates are excellent for senior drivers in their 60s or 70s, but we recommend this insurer specifically to teens and young adults for a couple of reasons.

First, average rates for these demographics are more than respectable. For full coverage, they're 224forteensand224 for teens and 224forteensand144 for 20-somethings; for liability-only, they're 110forteensand110 for teens and 110forteensand110 for drivers in their 20s. By comparison, teens pay an average rate of $347 for full-coverage car insurance.

Another reason we like State Farm for the younger crowd is its Steer Clear program, which offers training and potential discounts to help drivers under 25 drive safely. This uncommon perk could help newer drivers get lower premiums now and develop good habits that might avoid costly incidents later on.

While State Farm has a lot else we like, including many discounts and coverage options, it's not the best for everybody. For example, in Rhode Island, State Farm is only available under special circumstances, such as for existing customers relocating to the state. You also might find better rates elsewhere if you have imperfect credit or a dented driving record.

Who we recommend State Farm for

We recommend State Farm for car insurance if you're a teen or young adult, especially if you're interested in the Steer Clear program.

Pros

Cons

Learn more in our State Farm review.

Allstate

Best for seniors

Company details

While Allstate can lag a little behind other car insurance companies when you're just looking for the cheapest coverage possible, it's still well worth considering for below-average rates. Its premiums, which could be slightly higher than those of companies like USAA and State Farm, tend to still be comfortably below the national average and often beat those of Progressive and Nationwide.

We especially feel that the insurer stands out for the benefits it provides to seniors. On top of potentially low premiums for older drivers (think 50 and up), Allstate offers notable perks such as roadside assistance discounts for AARP members and defensive driving discounts in certain states.

Allstate also offers the potential to qualify for other senior discounts, as well as a pay-per-mile program — called Milewise — that may help seniors who spend little time on the road save money on car insurance. We think this program can particularly benefit retirees who no longer commute to work, though even younger drivers who work remotely could save money.

But Allstate is less appealing if you're set on excellent customer service, as it has a slightly higher-than-average volume of customer complaints for its market share and a below-average J.D. Power claims satisfaction score. The BBB also removed the previous rating for Allstate due to a pending government action regarding the insurer's use of customers' driving data.

Who we recommend Allstate for

Allstate may be among the cheapest options if you're an older driver or plan to take part in the Milewise program.

Pros

Cons

Learn more in our Allstate auto insurance review.

Car insurance companies we didn't include

Progressive

While it's possible you might personally find some of the best rates with Progressive, this insurer didn't quite make our list because its base rates tend to be higher than the other insurers here. You'll pay 152forfull−coveragecarinsurancewithProgressive,onaverage,or152 for full-coverage car insurance with Progressive, on average, or 152forfull−coveragecarinsurancewithProgressive,onaverage,or86 for liability-only.

This makes Progressive a bit more expensive than GEICO overall, but that's only when comparing national averages, and where you live and who you are matter. Progressive is one of the best car insurance companies in Michigan, for example, and actually offers lower rates than GEICO in this state. Similarly, it offers very competitive car insurance for seniors.

How to find the cheapest car insurance rates

Choosing the best car insurance companies is a good place to start when you're on the hunt for low rates, but the cheapest option for one person won't always be the cheapest for another. Here are our recommendations for finding lower car insurance rates:

Tips for comparing car insurance quotes

Provide as much information as you can

We recommend being honest, specific, and thorough at this stage. It's better to take an extra couple of minutes filling out your information with a company you're interested in than it is to be surprised by rates later on. Your quoted rates won't be exactly the same as rates you're offered, but they should give you a ballpark.

Check your rates against averages

It can be helpful to know what average rates people like you pay for car insurance to understand how your quotes compare. If your premiums are a lot higher than you might expect based on this, this could be a sign that you entered something incorrectly for your policy, your coverage needs to be adjusted, or insurance just costs more in your area.

Good to know

All of our car insurance reviews provide average auto insurance rates for a range of driver profiles.

Don't settle (but plan ahead)

Whether you're thinking you're going to stick with your current insurer or switch car insurance companies, don't just settle for the first rates you see.

Start looking for coverage a few weeks before your policy is set to renew so you don't feel the need to scramble into a policy you don't love. Some insurers even offer discounts for obtaining coverage before your policy expires.

FAQs

Who actually has the cheapest auto insurance?

Auto insurance costs vary based on several factors, including your age, location, gender, and the type of car you drive. Although you may find a great rate from one company based on your driving history and location, someone else may find a better rate with another company.

Compare multiple quotes to find the best car insurance for your needs.

How do you get the cheapest car insurance?

You can get the most affordable car insurance policy by searching for discounts, including multi-policy, bundling, driver education, and paying your insurance premium in full before it's due. Improving your credit score and comparing multiple quotes could also help you get cheaper car insurance.

You could also consider reducing your coverage amount, raising your deductible, and comparing insurance costs before you buy a car to help you get the lowest car insurance price possible.

Is car insurance available for low-income drivers?

Yes, options include state-sponsored programs, reduced coverage policies, and alternative insurance plans designed to make coverage more affordable, but varies by state. Find out more details in our full breakdown of how to obtain car insurance in a low-income situation.

Is GEICO cheaper than Progressive?

In our analysis of GEICO vs. Progressive, GEICO was cheaper than Progressive for full and minimum coverage insurance. Still, your results may vary based on factors such as your driving history, where you live, your gender, your age, and even your credit history if your state allows that to be included in premium decisions.

Bottom line

Searching for the best cheap car insurance can take a bit of time and effort, but believe us — it's worth it. Auto-Owners, USAA, Root, GEICO, State Farm, and Allstate are auto insurance companies you can rely on for low rates on liability-only and/or full-coverage policies, so this list is a good place to start when you're ready to get quotes.

Request multiple quotes to ensure you're getting the most competitive car insurance rates available, tailored to your specific needs and your state's requirements. Also, don't be afraid to shop around to find the best rates and coverage for you.

How we determined the best companies for cheaper car insurance

To compile this list of the best companies for cheap car insurance, we considered average premiums for average drivers above all. Beyond that, we paid close attention to the following factors:

We did not consider all car insurance companies in my research, and some of the insurers in this list are past or current FinanceBuzz partners. However, the latter played no role in our decision-making.

Here are some of the cheapest car insurance companies we found.

Company name Best for Average monthly full coverage cost Average monthly liability-only cost
Auto-Owners In-person support from an agent 87∣87 87∣45
USAA Military families 103∣103 103∣51
Root Good (incident-free) drivers 157∣157 157∣91
GEICO People with accidents or incidents 148∣148 148∣80
State Farm Teens and young adults 108∣108 108∣53
Allstate Seniors 148∣148 148∣72

To learn more about our research methodologies, check out how FinanceBuzz rates car insurance.

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