Fact CheckedThe cheapest car insurance companies for May 2026
These are the cheapest monthly average rates from some of the largest car insurers in the U.S.
Coverage amounts
Full coverage: Travelers, $139 per month
Minimum coverage: GEICO, $41 per month
Driver age
Young drivers | Progressive, $307 per month
Millennial drivers | Travelers, $143 per month
Gen X drivers | Travelers, $125 per month
Senior drivers | Travelers, $135 per month
Driving record
Speeding ticket | Travelers, $180 per month
At-fault accident | Travelers, $192 per month
DUI | Progressive, $234 per month
Credit history
Good credit | Travelers, $139 per month
Poor credit | Travelers, $239 per month
These are median rates from NerdWallet's May 2026 analysis. Your rate will vary based on your personal information, location and insurance provider. Not all companies offer policies in every state.
NerdWallet’s editorial team analyzed car insurance rates from pricing analytics company Quadrant Information Services. In all, we examined more than 120 million rates across all ZIP codes in the United States from more than 130 insurance companies. We analyzed rates for drivers from varied ages, with different driving histories and credit scores.
Although Liberty Mutual is one of the largest insurers in the country, we didn’t include it in our analysis because of a lack of publicly available rates data.
For more detailed information about how we found the cheapest car insurance companies, please check our full methodology at the bottom of this page.
Strict editorial guidelines to ensure fairness and accuracy in our coverage.
Thorough rating guidelines for evaluating auto insurance companies.
More than 120 million rates analyzed by our team of specialists.
More than 130 insurance companies analyzed in all 50 states and Washington D.C.
You can trust the prices we show because our data analysts rigorously eliminate outliers and inaccuracies in pricing data. Our data includes rates from every ZIP code in a state where coverage is offered and data is available. We change one variable at a time when comparing rates for different coverage amounts and drivers, so it’s easy to see how each factor affects pricing.
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What to know about cheap car insurance
New to car insurance? Start here. States require a minimum amount of car insurance. Many people need what’s called “full coverage” — the state’s minimums with comprehensive and collision coverage — because this coverage is usually required by their auto loans.
Are insurers really that different? Insurers differ for their prices, financial health, customer service and coverage offerings. That said, just about every insurance company offers full coverage and a range of other optional types of insurance. This means that if you need a certain type of coverage, you should be able to shop around for it from at least a couple of insurers.
What’s on this page? This page has basic, need-to-know info about how car insurance works. It can also point you to companies that tend to have cheap rates for your state and driving record. We’ll also share a few tips that could help you lower your insurance costs.
One last important thing. Your rates will be different than the ones we show here. While we can give you a good sense of what you may pay for coverage, the cost and availability of car insurance changes a lot from person to person. We recommend comparing rates from a few companies to find your best deal on car insurance.
Cheapest auto insurance for full coverage: Travelers
Travelers is the cheapest large auto insurance company in the nation for full coverage, which includes comprehensive and collision coverage. The average cost of this policy from Travelers is $139 a month or $1,664 a year, according to NerdWallet's May 2026 analysis.
Full coverage is a good choice for many drivers because it protects your car from most damage — even damage that’s your fault. If or when you pay off your car and you can afford to replace it or repair it, you could drop full coverage to lower your insurance rates.
Do you need it? You may be required to have full coverage if you lease your car or have a loan. (Lenders might also require another add-on called gap coverage, which helps cover the gap between what you owe on a totaled car and its current value.) You may want full coverage if you own a new car, drive a car you couldn’t afford to replace or live in an area with extreme weather.
| Company | Median annual rate | Median monthly rate |
|---|---|---|
| Travelers | $1,664 | $139 |
| GEICO | $2,057 | $171 |
| Progressive | $2,059 | $172 |
| State Farm | $2,123 | $177 |
| USAA* | $1,584 | $132 |
*USAA is available only to military families, veterans and some federal employees.
Cheapest car insurance for minimum coverage: GEICO
GEICO is the cheapest large auto insurance company in the nation for minimum coverage, which includes only liability insurance and other types of coverage your state requires. Minimum coverage from GEICO costs $41 a month or $494 a year, on average, according to NerdWallet's May 2026 analysis.
After an accident, your liability car insurance helps to pay for the injuries and property damage you cause to others. If you’re injured or your car is totaled in an accident that’s your fault, you — not your policy — would have to cover those costs.
Do you need it? Every state requires some amount of insurance, and all of them require liability insurance. But most drivers need more than the minimum amount of coverage. Basic insurance requirements can be so low that damage from a serious accident could easily pass them and leave you swamped with the expenses.
| Company | Median annual rate | Median monthly rate |
|---|---|---|
| GEICO | $494 | $41 |
| USAA* | $350 | $29 |
| State Farm | $497 | $41 |
| Travelers | $546 | $45 |
| Progressive | $615 | $51 |
*USAA is available only to military families, veterans and some federal employees.
Full coverage isn’t the best option for every driver.
Liability-only insurance could be a good fit for you if you have limited income and need to get the absolute cheapest insurance that you can find. While liability insurance won’t cover your car’s damage, having some insurance is much better than driving without insurance and risking fines or being stuck paying thousands of dollars after an accident.
Andrew Hurst, Licensed Auto Insurance Professional
Cheapest car insurance among top-rated companies
While price is important for most auto insurance shoppers, other factors like service quality and dependability can also be worth considering.
Each of these top insurance companies earned at least a 4.5-star rating from NerdWallet for things like customer service, financial stability, online experience and discount offerings. Not every insurance is available in every state, however.
These three factors can help you decide whether a company may be a fit:
It has the coverage you need. If an insurer has affordable rates but doesn’t offer the type of coverage you need, there are likely better options for you.
It has great customer service. Some cheap insurance companies have earned some of our best ratings for customer service. If you can, try to balance great service with affordability.
It has a reliable reputation. You want to have peace of mind that an insurer will still be in business if you need it one day. Look for a car insurance company that combines cheap rates with long-term stability.
Among top companies, Travelers tends to be the cheapest for most drivers.
*USAA is available only to military families, veterans and some federal employees.
Cheapest car insurance rates in your state
Location is one of many factors that affects the cost of car insurance. For example, the average car insurance rate for full coverage is $266 per month in Georgia. But drivers might only pay $145 per month, on average, for the same coverage in Alaska.
To help you get an idea of what you might pay, we found the cheapest car insurance company for full coverage in each state.
Use our auto insurance calculator to get an estimate for the average cost of insurance in your ZIP code, then see what you could pay for coverage.
Estimate full coverage rates by ZIP codeEnter your ZIP code to find the average monthly car insurance rate for your area. Rates are for policies that include full coverage for a 35-year-old driver with good credit and a clean driving record.
Average monthly car insurance rate in your ZIP code:
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Find the best cheap car insurance
To see which cheap companies also rank among the top insurers of the year, check out NerdWallet’s list of the best cheap car insurance companies.
How to get the cheapest car insurance quotes
We know a handful of reliable ways you can try to get cheaper car insurance. Try these instead of riskier “hacks” we sometimes see mentioned online. Things like skimping on your coverage, lying to an insurer by not mentioning drivers in your house or fudging your driving record all could get you into trouble and cause you to lose your coverage.
Consider dropping coverage you no longer need.
We recommend comparing car insurance quotes from at least three companies. That way, you’re more likely to avoid overpaying for a policy. It’s also smart to shop around before your policy renews. Insurance rates change frequently, and there’s no guarantee one company will always be your cheapest option.
Consider dropping coverage you no longer need.
You won’t always need the same amount of car insurance, and carrying too much could inflate your insurance costs. When the value of your car is less than what it costs to insure, it might be time to drop your full coverage.
Increase your deductible.
You can usually reduce the cost of your car insurance by committing to pay more out of pocket to make a future claim. Insurers call this raising your policy’s deductible. Be careful though: A deductible that’s too high could limit the claims you can make.
Watch for easy-to-get discounts
Most car insurance companies offer drivers ways to lower their rates. Some common auto insurance discounts are easier to get than others — like discounts for shopping online or signing up for electronic policy documents. It’s helpful to know which discounts your insurer offers.
Ask about savings opportunities after a life change.
Many of life’s big changes line up with different discounts, though you might not know it. Moving into a new house, getting a new job that shortens your commute and having a young driver move out of your home are just a few changes that insurers may reward with cheaper rates.
Keep a safe driving record — or work toward one.
Accidents and driving violations happen, but fortunately they don’t mean higher prices forever. It normally takes from three to five years for rates to return closer to average.
In the meantime, you may be able to earn a discount for taking a defensive driving class or signing up for usage-based insurance. Most large insurers offer usage-based car insurance programs where you could earn a discount for sharing detailed information about your driving via an app or plug-in device.
Check insurance prices while car shopping.
New cars that are made with expensive parts and have high-tech features typically cost more to insure than older models.
Shopping around for car insurance before buying a car can help you budget for the cost of your coverage. It can also help you avoid being surprised by high insurance rates after you buy.
Reddit is an online forum where users share their thoughts in “threads” on various topics. The popular site includes plenty of discussion on financial subjects like auto insurance, so we sifted through Reddit forums to see what steps drivers are using to find cheap insurance.
People post anonymously on Reddit, so we can’t confirm anyone’s individual experiences or circumstances. After reading through many conversations, we found a few common themes:
Some drivers prefer to work with local, independent agents, because these agents are experts who can shop around and compare quotes for you. You can search in your area or use Trusted Choice, a network of independent insurance agents, to browse a directory of agents and find a good match.
Some drivers found that going to an insurer’s website helped them find cheaper quotes than what an independent agent gave them.
Some drivers recommend looking at smaller insurers, since these companies tend to offer better customer service and possibly even cheaper rates than a national company.
More Nerdy Perspective
I saved nearly $200 a year by choosing the cheapest way to pay my auto insurance premiums. By signing up for autopay, I got a discount on my policy and avoided a $5 monthly service charge. The savings added up to about 14%. That’s like skipping more than 1½ monthly payments!
I saved nearly $200 a year by choosing the cheapest way to pay my auto insurance premiums. By signing up for autopay, I got a discount on my policy and avoided a $5 monthly service charge. The savings added up to about 14%. That’s like skipping more than 1½ monthly payments!
Lisa Greenmanaging editor on Insurance
I saved nearly $200 a year by choosing the cheapest way to pay my auto insurance premiums. By signing up for autopay, I got a discount on my policy and avoided a $5 monthly service charge. The savings added up to about 14%. That’s like skipping more than 1½ monthly payments!
Cheapest car insurance rates by age
Your age is another important factor in determining how much you'll pay for car insurance. For example, a 20-year-old driver would pay $307 a month, on average, for the same coverage that costs a 35-year-old driver $139, according to our May 2026 analysis.
Cheapest auto insurance for young drivers: Progressive
Progressive is the cheapest large auto insurance company in the nation for 20-year-old drivers who get their own policies, with an average rate of $307 a month or $3,685 a year for full coverage.
The cost of car insurance for young drivers is much more expensive than average. This is because auto insurance companies tend to view inexperienced drivers as riskier to insure. If you're a young driver who lives with your family, it may be cheapest to stay on the family policy until you have more driving experience.
Below are the cheapest rates for full and liability coverage for 20-year-old drivers.
Company Median annual rate Median monthly rate Progressive $3,685 $307 GEICO $3,814 $318 Travelers $3,980 $332 State Farm $4,659 $388 USAA* $3,428 $286 *USAA is available only to military families, veterans and some federal employees.
Company Median annual rate Median monthly rate GEICO $986 $82 Progressive $1,054 $88 USAA* $738 $61 Travelers $1,188 $99 State Farm $1,255 $105 *USAA is available only to military families, veterans and some federal employees.
Rates refreshed May 2026.
Cheapest for young drivers who join an existing policy: Progressive
Progressive is the cheapest large auto insurance company in the country for 20-year-old drivers who join an existing policy, with an average rate of $328 a month or $3,937 a year for full coverage, according to NerdWallet’s May 2026 analysis.
While it’s usually much cheaper for a newly licensed driver to join a parent or guardian’s policy, the total cost of a policy depends on whether the young driver has their own car (and, if so, how old that car is) or shares a family car. On average, separate cars cost more to insure.
Below are the cheapest rates for full and liability coverage for 20-year-old drivers who join their parent's existing policy.
Company
Median annual rate
Median monthly rate
USAA*
$3,572
$298
Progressive
$3,937
$328
Travelers
$3,978
$332
GEICO
$4,557
$380
State Farm
$4,615
$385
American Family
$5,628
$469
Nationwide
$5,853
$488
Allstate
$7,154
$596
Farmers
$8,820
$735
*USAA is available only to military families, veterans and some federal employees.
Cheapest car insurance for millennial drivers: Travelers
Travelers is the cheapest large auto insurer for 40-year-old drivers, with an average rate of $132 a month or $1,589 a year for full coverage.
While car insurance rates vary by age and gender, drivers in their 30s and 40s can often get cheap insurance rates from most companies. Small and regional insurers may have even cheaper rates than some larger competitors.
Below are the average rates for full and liability coverage for 40-year-old drivers.
Company Median annual rate Median monthly rate Travelers $1,589 $132 Progressive $1,932 $161 GEICO $2,036 $170 State Farm $2,094 $175 USAA* $1,492 $124 *USAA is available only to military families, veterans and some federal employees.
Company Median annual rate Median monthly rate GEICO $489 $41 USAA* $337 $28 State Farm $503 $42 Travelers $534 $45 Progressive $600 $50 *USAA is available only to military families, veterans and some federal employees.
Rates refreshed May 2026.
Cheapest car insurance for Gen X drivers: Travelers
Travelers is the cheapest large auto insurer for 50-year-old drivers, with an average rate of $125 a month or $1,495 a year for full coverage.
Once you’re in your 50s, car insurance usually costs much less than it does for younger drivers. At this age, changes to your car insurance needs might have changed in your favor. For example, if you own an older car that’s worth less than what it costs to insure, you could drop full coverage and lower your rates.
Below are the average rates for full and liability coverage for 50-year-old drivers.
Company Median annual rate Median monthly rate Travelers $1,495 $125 Progressive $1,747 $146 GEICO $1,875 $156 USAA* $1,396 $116 State Farm $2,015 $168 *USAA is available only to military families, veterans and some federal employees.
Company Median annual rate Median monthly rate GEICO $481 $40 USAA* $322 $27 State Farm $494 $41 Travelers $507 $42 Progressive $580 $48 *USAA is available only to military families, veterans and some federal employees.
Rates refreshed May 2026.
Cheapest car insurance for senior drivers: Travelers
Travelers is the cheapest large auto insurer for 70-year-old drivers, with an average rate of $135 a month or $1,618 a year for full coverage.
Our analysis shows that older drivers with a good credit score and clean driving history enjoy some of the cheapest auto insurance rates. However, car insurance rates for senior drivers start to creep up once you reach your 70s.
Below are the average rates for full and liability coverage for 70-year-old drivers.
Company Median annual rate Median monthly rate Travelers $1,618 $135 Progressive $1,710 $143 State Farm $1,926 $161 GEICO $2,063 $172 USAA* $1,310 $109 *USAA is available only to military families, veterans and some federal employees.
Company Median annual rate Median monthly rate State Farm $483 $40 GEICO $547 $46 Progressive $613 $51 Travelers $613 $51 USAA* $340 $28 *USAA is available only to military families, veterans and some federal employees.
Rates refreshed May 2026.
Curious what you might pay for car insurance? You can find average full coverage rates in your ZIP with our car insurance calculator.
Cheapest auto insurance after a driving violation
Your driving history can have a big impact on how much you pay for car insurance. A 35-year-old with a clean driving record who chooses the cheapest company would pay $139 a month for full coverage, on average. Meanwhile, the cheapest rate for a driver with a single accident is $192, on average.
Cheapest car insurance after a speeding ticket: Travelers
Travelers is the cheapest large auto insurer for drivers with a speeding ticket, with an average rate of $180 a month or $2,159 a year for full coverage.
Insurance companies calculate rates differently. Some won’t raise rates after your first ticket, but others will. If a speeding ticket affects your insurance rates, you may still be able to get cheaper coverage if you shop around.
Company Median annual rate Median monthly rate Travelers $2,159 $180 State Farm $2,440 $203 GEICO $2,718 $226 Progressive $2,782 $232 USAA* $1,917 $160 *USAA is available only to military families, veterans and some federal employees.
Company Median annual rate Median monthly rate State Farm $573 $48 GEICO $631 $53 Travelers $699 $58 Progressive $790 $66 USAA* $420 $35 *USAA is available only to military families, veterans and some federal employees.
Rates refreshed May 2026.
Cheapest car insurance after an at-fault crash: Travelers
Travelers is the cheapest large auto insurer for drivers with an accident, with an average rate of $192 a month or $2,304 a year for full coverage.
An accident can drive up your car insurance costs for three years or more, depending on your location and your insurer. But it can be hard to predict how much insurance will go up after an accident. You might be able to find a cheaper option by shopping around.
Company Median annual rate Median monthly rate Travelers $2,304 $192 USAA* $2,250 $188 State Farm $2,689 $224 Progressive $3,116 $260 GEICO $3,491 $291 *USAA is available only to military families, veterans and some federal employees.
Company Median annual rate Median monthly rate State Farm $636 $53 Travelers $726 $61 GEICO $833 $69 Progressive $869 $72 USAA* $515 $43 *USAA is available only to military families, veterans and some federal employees.
Rates refreshed May 2026.
Cheapest car insurance after a DUI: Progressive
Progressive is the cheapest large auto insurer for drivers with a recent DUI, with an average rate of $234 a month or $2,810 a year for full coverage.
A DUI on your driving record can significantly increase your insurance rates. Your policy may not be renewed after a DUI. And, depending on your state, you may have to file a special form called SR22 or FR44 to prove you have the legal amount of insurance.
Company Median annual rate Median monthly rate Progressive $2,810 $234 Travelers $2,927 $244 State Farm $3,123 $260 American Family $3,551 $296 USAA* $3,039 $253 *USAA is available only to military families, veterans and some federal employees.
Company Median annual rate Median monthly rate State Farm $792 $66 Progressive $798 $67 Travelers $931 $78 American Family $1,055 $88 USAA* $673 $56 *USAA is available only to military families, veterans and some federal employees.
Rates refreshed May 2026.
If you're looking for the cheapest insurance after a traffic violation, you may want to compare quotes from smaller insurance companies. We’re showing rates for some of the nation’s biggest car insurance companies because they’re available to most people across the U.S. Drivers with violations like an at-fault accident or a recent DUI can often find the cheapest auto insurance rates with midsize or regional insurers.
Cheapest car insurance for drivers with poor credit: Travelers
Travelers is the cheapest large auto insurance company for drivers with poor credit, with an average rate of $239 a month and $2,862 a year for full coverage, according to NerdWallet's May 2026 analysis.
Many insurers use credit-based insurance scores to help calculate car insurance rates. However, California, Hawaii and Massachusetts don't allow insurers to use credit when determining car insurance rates.
Poor credit can have a big impact on auto insurance costs in most other states. Our analysis shows that drivers with poor credit can expect to pay an average of 69% more for full coverage than those with good credit.
Company Median annual rate Median monthly rate Travelers $2,862 $239 GEICO $2,884 $240 Progressive $3,218 $268 USAA* $2,864 $239 American Family $4,087 $341 *USAA is available only to military families, veterans and some federal employees.
Company Median annual rate Median monthly rate GEICO $689 $57 Progressive $846 $70 Travelers $903 $75 USAA* $576 $48 Allstate $1,027 $86 *USAA is available only to military families, veterans and some federal employees.
Rates refreshed May 2026.
Frequently asked questions
Shopping around is the best way to find cheap auto insurance quotes. Having good credit and a clean driving record are two more ways to get cheap car insurance, and be sure to ask about discounts you might be missing from your policy.
You can also check out our guide to the best cheap car insurance companies and see which top insurers also provide affordable insurance.
According to a separate NerdWallet analysis of insurance rates for popular vehicles, the Subaru Outback, Crosstrek and Forester, as well as the Honda CR-V, are the cheapest cars to insure, on average. When pricing auto policies, insurance companies generally charge more for vehicles with higher theft rates, greater repair costs or lower safety ratings. If you’re in the market for a new ride and want to keep insurance rates low, avoid sports cars, high-end luxury cars and cars most likely to be stolen.
The best auto insurer will be the one that best suits your needs. And while price is important, the cheapest insurer isn't always the best. A top-notch insurer will provide a customer-first experience, whether you need help getting a quote or filing a claim. Check out NerdWallet’s best car insurance companies for our top-rated companies.
Teens and young drivers have some of the highest car insurance rates, on average. As you gain experience as a driver, you are more likely to find cheaper insurance quotes. According to a separate NerdWallet analysis of average car insurance costs, a 30-year-old driver can expect to pay significantly less than a 20-year-old. Generally, rates continue to drop throughout adulthood, and then start to rise again around age 70.
While sticking with your state’s bare minimum requirements may help you get the cheapest car insurance rates, we don’t recommend it. You may find yourself in financial or even legal trouble if you cause a bad crash and don’t have enough coverage to pay for injuries or property damage you caused. To learn more, read NerdWallet’s explanation of how much car insurance you really need.
And if you’re interested in getting more coverage without overpaying for it, you can also look into cheap full coverage insurance.
Auto insurance ratings methodology
NerdWallet’s auto insurance ratings reward companies for customer-first features and practices. Ratings are based on weighted averages of scores in several categories, including financial strength, consumer complaints and discounts. Our “ease of use” category looks at factors such as website transparency and how easy it is to file a claim. Using our editorial discretion, we also consider customer satisfaction surveys. These ratings are a guide, but we encourage you to shop around and compare several insurance quotes to find the best rate for you. NerdWallet does not receive compensation for any reviews. Read our editorial guidelines and full ratings methodology for auto insurance.
Here’s how we evaluated each car insurance company and the weights we placed on each category:
Financial strength (30%).
Consumer complaints (30%).
Ease of use (20%).
Affordability (20%).
The best auto insurers excel at all of these categories. They provide the information people need to make a purchase without any surprises along the way. They offer insurance at a fair price and provide more than one way to buy and manage a policy. They're financially strong and able to keep their customers happy throughout the relationship.
Insurer complaints methodology
NerdWallet examined complaints received by state insurance regulators and reported to the National Association of Insurance Commissioners in 2022-2024. To assess how insurers compare to one another, the NAIC calculates a complaint index each year for each subsidiary, measuring its share of total complaints relative to its size, or share of total premiums in the industry. To evaluate a company’s complaint history, NerdWallet calculated a similar index for each insurer, weighted by market shares of each subsidiary, over the three-year period. NerdWallet conducts its data analysis and reaches conclusions independently and without the endorsement of the NAIC. Ratios are determined separately for auto, home (including renters and condo) and life insurance.
Average rates methodology
NerdWallet averaged rates based on public filings obtained by pricing analytics company Quadrant Information Services. We examined rates for men and women for all ZIP codes in any of the 50 states and Washington, D.C. Although it’s one of the largest insurers in the country, Liberty Mutual is not included in our rates analysis due to a lack of publicly available information.
In our analysis, “good drivers” had no moving violations on record; a “good driving” discount was included for this profile. Our “good” credit rates are based on credit score approximations and do not account for proprietary scoring criteria used by insurance providers.
These are median rates, and your rate will vary based on your personal details, state and insurance provider.
Sample drivers had the following coverage limits:
$100,000 bodily injury liability coverage per person.
$300,000 bodily injury liability coverage per crash.
$50,000 property damage liability coverage per crash.
$100,000 uninsured motorist bodily injury coverage per person.
$300,000 uninsured motorist bodily injury coverage per crash.
Collision coverage with $1,000 deductible.
Comprehensive coverage with $1,000 deductible.
In states where required, minimum additional coverages were added. We used the same assumptions for all other driver profiles, with the following exceptions:
For drivers with minimum coverage, we adjusted the numbers above to reflect only the minimum coverage required by law in the state.
For drivers with one at-fault crash, we added a single at-fault crash costing $10,000 in property damage.
For drivers with a DUI, we added a single drunken-driving violation.
For drivers with a ticket, we added a single speeding violation for driving 16 mph over the speed limit.
We used a 2023 Toyota Camry LE in all cases and assumed 12,000 annual miles driven. We analyzed rates for 35-year-old drivers.
These are rates generated through Quadrant Information Services. Your own rates will be different.
