The Best Car Insurance Companies of 2024

Coming up with a list of the best car insurance companies may be more complicated than you think. What makes car insurance so great, anyway? Is it the funny commercials, catchy slogans, or familiar melodies we’ve all heard?
As easy as it would be to choose a car insurance company based on the latest celebrity-filled commercial, the reality is there are many aspects to choosing the right car insurance company.
What should you look for as you’re trying to select the best for your driving situation? First, you should know there are different types of car insurance almost every auto insurance company offers:
  • Collision
  • Comprehensive coverage
  • Liability
  • Uninsured motor vehicle
  • Underinsured motor vehicle
  • Medical payments
But what sets a company apart are the strength of financial ratings, customer service satisfaction, car insurance discounts, and optional coverage offerings. We looked at all these features to come up with our list of the best car insurance companies.

Best car insurance companies

Before we get into greater detail, here’s a snapshot of the best car insurance companies and what the company’s best-known quality is.
Auto Insurance Company
Best for
Local agent network
Digital experience
Military members and their family
Variety of discounts
Retirees
Specialty coverage options
Country Financial
Overall customer satisfaction
Specialty policy features
Local agents
Variety of coverage options
Higher-risk drivers
Lots of ways to save

Best car insurance companies

State Farm

Founded in 1922, State Farm continues to prove it’s a car insurance powerhouse that wants to be more than a good neighbor. State Farm relies heavily on its network of 19,000 local insurance agents to provide guidance with your minimum coverage, or you can skip the neighborhood and go straight to the website or mobile app for instant access.
State Farm offers all standard auto insurance coverages, plus additional options such as rental car reimbursement, rideshare driver coverage, emergency roadside assistance, and several others. Another impressive feature of State Farm options is the numerous discounts available. Discounts range from Drive Safe & Save to multiple policy discounts.
State Farm receives high marks for its customer service accessibility. You can file a claim, ask questions via the app, website, or your local agent, or call 24/7 customer support. The company ranked above average in the J.D. Power 2023 U.S. Auto Claims Satisfaction Study.
Overall, State Farm offers multiple options to tailor a car insurance policy to what you need for full coverage car insurance. Although State Farm has a reputation for higher car insurance rates, policyholders can work with them to find multiple discounts to lower your car insurance premiums.
Read our review of State Farm Auto Insurance.

Geico

Geico is known for its memorable commercials and has plenty of financial and digital strength to match its creativity.
Geico offers plenty of coverage options besides the standard auto coverage you need. Additional coverages include emergency roadside assistance, car rental reimbursement, replacement coverage, and a mechanical breakdown option similar to an extended car warranty.
Geico performs well digitally speaking, too. Although there is a limited agent network available, you're in luck if you prefer submitting your information online or through an app. Geico’s website and app are known for being user-friendly so that you can get on with the repair process (and your life) after an accident.
Customer service rankings in the J.D. Power 2023 U.S. Auto Claims Satisfaction Study are below the industry average on a national level.
Overall, Geico’s ease of use with its app and customer service, plus the exceptional financial stability of this company, make it one of the best in the business.
Read our review of Geico Auto Insurance.

USAA

USAA works with military personnel and their families to provide a full range of auto coverage options. Although currently only open to veterans and active military members, if you can take advantage of all USAA offers for car insurance, you should do so.
USAA has a reputation for providing exceptional and competitive auto insurance rates for its members. In addition to the standard fare of auto coverage options, including roadside assistance. While USAA isn’t as tech-savvy as other insurance providers, you can use the website or app to perform basic tasks like submitting payments.
USAA isn’t officially ranked in the J.D. Power 2023 U.S. Auto Claims Satisfaction Study, but it scored the highest with 900 out of 1,000 points possible. The downside to USAA is the strict requirement for membership. Unless you’re affiliated with the military, you won’t have access to the competitive rates or fantastic customer service the members enjoy.

Progressive

Flo and red lips may be your first thought regarding Progressive, but behind her funny antics is auto insurance with serious financial chops. Progressive is also well-known for providing multiple discounts; all indications are true.
Progressive provides all the standard types of coverage you need. But there are options for roadside assistance, loan/lease payoff, car rental reimbursement — even custom equipment coverage, which is typically harder to find.
Along with the numerous coverage options, you have plenty of discounts to lower your premiums. You can bundle policies for more savings or try the Snapshot safe driver program for a more significant discount. Progressive offers the Name Your Price Tool to customize your auto insurance policy based on your current budget — not the other way around.
Progressive doesn’t perform as well in the J.D. Power 2023 U.S. Auto Claims Satisfaction Study, coming in well below the industry average.

The Hartford

The AARP® Auto Insurance Program from The Hartford may not be as well-known with silly characters or famous lizards, but it offers retirees impressive auto insurance coverages. If you are over 50 you can enjoy all the benefits The Hartford offers — like discounts and great customer service.
In addition to the standard auto coverages, The Hartford offers impressive options such as new car replacement*, lifetime car repair assurance, and even Recovercare assistance if you’ve had an accident. There are several ways to save on your premiums with programs, such as a disappearing deductible and multi-vehicle discounts.
The AARP® Auto Insurance Program from The Hartford also has an app with convenient access for making payments, roadside assistance, and reporting a claim.

Erie

Erie Insurance is a regional provider servicing states from Ohio to North Carolina. Erie consistently rates well with overall customer satisfaction and financial ratings. Erie has a vast network of over 13,000 agents, plus 24/7 customer service, ready to help you.
Erie offers basic auto insurance coverages but includes features that competitors charge extra for in their standard policy. Standards include First Accident Forgiveness, diminishing deductible, and a rate lock. But where Erie stands out are the add-ons for your policy. Extras include pet coverage (up to $500 if your pet is with you in a car accident) and rideshare coverage to complete your policy.
Erie Insurance performed well in the J.D. Power 2023 U.S. Auto Claims Satisfaction Study, ranking third overall. You can only purchase an Erie insurance auto policy if your live in certain states.

Country Financial

Country Financial may be lesser-known in some parts of the country. Still, it is an auto insurance carrier with consistently high customer service marks while offering various coverage options.
In addition to collision, comprehensive, and liability, you can find options with Country Financial, such as emergency roadside assistance, umbrella insurance, safety glass coverage, and many others. You can also access multiple discounts, ranging from multi-policy and multi-car to good grades and safe driving.
Like Erie, Country Financial is only available in certain states, so we didn’t rank it higher.

Nationwide

Nationwide is another well-known carrier with immense star power in its commercials. But Nationwide offers quite a bit for us, everyday people, too. With Nationwide, you can get various specialty coverage options and programs to customize your policy for your needs and budget.
Nationwide has specialty options such as gap coverage, roadside assistance, total loss deductible waiver, and accident forgiveness, which aren’t always found with other big companies.
Nationwide is available in almost every state and offers several discounts to lower your premiums. Plus, Nationwide offers the On Your Side Review to ensure you get the most discounts and best coverage possible.
Nationwide ranks below the industry average in the J.D. Power 2023 U.S. Auto Claims Satisfaction Study. But with 24/7 customer service, a website, local agents, and an app, Nationwide has the tools to ensure they stay on your side.

Auto-Owners Insurance

If you like the idea of the human touch and working directly with someone, Auto-Owners Insurance may be your best bet.
Auto-Owners is another mutual company, so you’ll reap the benefit of any profits. Auto-Owners offers the standard coverage but has other unique options, such as roadside assistance, lease/own gap coverage, diminished value, and others.
Auto-Owners has a lower rating on our list because you have to work with an agent for a car insurance quote and can’t simply go online to get your answer, as you may do with other auto insurers. But once you work with an agent, you’ll likely get a great customer experience and pricing.

Other auto insurance companies to consider

Farmers

Farmers Insurance offers the standard coverages for auto, but you’ll also find plenty of ways to customize your policy. From roadside assistance, rideshare coverage, and gap insurance to extended equipment coverage.
Farmers is easy to work with, too, with an intuitive website and tech-savvy app. You can start a claim through the app, request roadside assistance, make payments, and even get online quotes for coverage.
It’s also worth noting that, according to the J.D. Power 2023 U.S. Auto Claims Satisfaction Study, Farmers came in above the industry average.
Farmers stands out because of its variety of coverage options, which means you can tailor your auto policy to fit your needs. There are numerous discounts available, too, to help your premium remain as affordable as possible.

Allstate

Allstate typically has some of the highest premiums, but it’s worth mentioning that Allstate will insure drivers who are often considered high-risk (with at-fault accidents or bad credit).
Allstate features coverage options you don’t always find with other well-known insurers, including specialty areas. You can find driver coverage, such as classic cars, rideshare insurance, and custom sound equipment. Allstate has several discounts to help offset the higher premiums. The accident forgiveness and Deductible Rewards are also worth mentioning to round out coverage options.
Allstate is also strong with the overall customer satisfaction ratings, scoring well above the industry average in the J.D. Power 2023 U.S. Auto Claims Satisfaction Study.

Liberty Mutual

Founded in 1912, Liberty Mutual offers various insurance products and coverage options, especially auto insurance. Liberty Mutual can save you money by bundling your insurance policies and through its various other discounts.
Liberty Mutual offers basic auto coverage but allows you to customize your policy. Options include collision, Liberty Mutual Deductible Fund, where your deductible reduces over time, gap coverage, and roadside assistance, to name a few.
Liberty Mutual offers several discounts — among the most of any auto insurance carrier. Right from the start, when you go online to obtain your quote, you automatically receive a 12% discount. Other discounts range from paperless statements and good grades to safe and defensive driving classes.
In 2023, customers ranked them six spots below the industry average. Overall, Liberty Mutual is one of the best, with its various discounts and the ability to customize your policy.

Best car insurance companies summary

Provider
Discounts available
Overall J.D. Power ranking, 2023
Yes
5th
Yes
16th
Yes
Not ranked
Yes
18th
Yes
13th
Erie
Yes
2nd
Country Financial
Yes
Not ranked
Yes
14th
Yes
Not ranked
Farmers
Yes
12th
Yes
8th
Yes
19th
*Average annual premiums based on drivers in their thirties

FAQs

How much auto insurance do I really need?
Auto insurance coverage is based on several factors. Not only is budget a vital consideration, but so is cooperating with your state requirements. You want to meet the minimum requirements but still consider other options that could lower your stress as a vehicle owner (car rental reimbursement or roadside assistance). Typically, you will want coverage for liability coverage, including bodily injury liability and property damage liability, and, of course, collision coverage. Having uninsured motorist coverage helps you if someone hits you and is not covered, not only for car repairs but also the medical expenses ensuing from an accident. However, having personal injury protection helps you there, as well.
How will I know if I’ve purchased enough vehicle coverage?
The insurance company or agent you’re purchasing from will have the specific requirements for your state. If not, then move on to someone else! You can also refer to the National Association of Insurance Commissioners (NAIC) shopping guide for unbiased guidance on what coverage to choose.
How much will auto insurance cost me?
Several factors determine the cost of car insurance. Your age, location, driving history, vehicle type, gender, and marital status are all factored in. The best approach when researching average cost is to get several quotes from a variety of companies and compare quotes. You can also use a service such as Gabi to review multiple quotes at once. To help you find a car insurance provider, consider turning to online platforms such as CarInsurance.net, which provides free side-by-side auto insurance quotes all in one place.
How can I find cheap car insurance?
Rather than think of cheap auto insurance, think of ways to save through the driver discounts offered. Your driving record comes into play, and if you are a good driver with a clean driving record who is accident-free, you will spend less than someone with prior accidents. Having good credit will also help you spend less than someone with poor credit, as the insurance company takes a chance on you and runs a credit report. If your vehicle has built-in anti-theft, that is another savings. Insurance discounts are often offered when you bundle your insurance and use the same company for other products like life insurance or homeowners or renter insurance. Even young drivers can find the best rate by having good driving records, taking a driver's education course outside of school. Good student discounts are available for teen drivers under their parents' policy.

Why you should have car insurance

Most of us don’t like paying more for auto insurance than we have to. Not to mention we want adequate coverage and a company there for us when we need it. Shopping for auto insurance may be time-consuming, but it makes financial sense.
If you ever have to claim your vehicle, you want to know the auto insurance company has the financial stability you need and the customer service you want. No one wants any extra headaches when dealing with claims, so why not choose the best company? We purchase auto insurance to be there in case the worst happens, starting with choosing the right auto insurance company.

The bottom line

When it comes to auto insurance, narrowing it down to a list of the best auto insurance companies is difficult. Many factors make a company great — besides having low average rates. It would help if you had a company with strong financial ratings, a reputation for excellent customer service, and services and discounts that meet your coverage needs.

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Sara Coleman is a former corporate gal turned creative entrepreneur. She began writing professionally several years ago and now contributes to multiple websites, blogs, and magazines. She’s also an avid reader and can’t resist a great historical fiction novel. Sara holds a BA in journalism from the University of Georgia and can be found supporting her Bulldogs every chance she has. She resides in Charlotte, North Carolina, with her wonderfully supportive husband and three children. When she’s not ushering her kids to sports and dance lessons, she can be found creating content for her own website, TheProperPen.com.

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