Top 10 Car Insurance Companies in the USA
Determining the “best” car insurance company depends on various factors like your driving history, location, type of car, and coverage needs. However, based on market share, customer satisfaction, and financial stability, here are some of the top-rated companies:
Based on Market Share:
- State Farm: The largest car insurance company in the US, known for its strong local agent network.
- Progressive: Offers a variety of coverage options and is known for its aggressive marketing.
- GEICO: Known for its low rates and easy online process.
- Allstate: Offers a wide range of products and services beyond car insurance.
- USAA: Exclusively for military members and their families, known for excellent customer service.
- Liberty Mutual: Offers a mix of traditional and online options.
- Farmers: Strong presence in certain regions, with a focus on rural areas.
- Travelers: Offers a variety of insurance products and has a strong financial rating.
- American Family: Known for its strong customer service and community involvement.
- Nationwide: Offers a range of insurance products and has a strong financial rating.
Based on Other Factors:
While market share is a good starting point, it’s essential to consider other factors when choosing a car insurance company:
- Customer Satisfaction: Look at ratings and reviews from organizations like J.D. Power.
- Financial Stability: Check the company’s ratings from agencies like A.M. Best.
- Coverage Options: Ensure the company offers the coverage you need.
- Discounts: Compare available discounts to reduce your premium.
- Claims Process: Research how easy it is to file and process claims.
Best Overall: Travelers
Travelers is the best overall car insurance company thanks to its superb rates for a variety of driver ages and driving records, its wide selection of coverage options, decent digital experience and very low level of complaints.
Travelers’ average cost for good drivers is 26% lower than the national average. It’s one of the cheapest companies for good drivers as well as drivers who have caused an accident with injury, have a DUI or have poor credit of the companies we analyzed.
| Company | Average cost per year for good drivers |
|---|---|
| Nationwide | $1,452 |
| USAA* | $1,475 |
| Travelers | $1,597 |
| Geico | $1,849 |
| Erie | $1,866 |
| Progressive | $2,000 |
| Westfield | $2,044 |
| National average | $2,149 |
*USAA is available only to the military, veterans and their families.
Best for Claims Handling: Erie
Erie has the top score by repair specialists among the companies we analyzed. Its score ranked it fourth overall with CRASH Network, which surveyed more than 1,100 repair experts on auto insurers and the quality of their claims procedures.
Erie also received top scores on claims handling from our survey of 3,000 drivers who have filed a car insurance claim within the past 12 months. Erie had a high percentage of survey respondents satisfied with the ease of claim filing, communication during the claim, the claim outcome and overall satisfaction.
| Company | % satisfied at ease of filing a claim | % satisfied at outcome of claim | % satisfied at communication during the claim process | % overall satisfied with claims experience |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Erie | 92% | 93% | 91% | 90% |
| Nationwide | 87% | 87% | 86% | 85% |
| USAA | 87% | 84% | 85% | 84% |
| Travelers | 86% | 89% | 89% | 87% |
| Geico | 86% | 85% | 86% | 86% |
| Westfield | 85% | 87% | 89% | 85% |
| Progressive | 77% | 76% | 77% | 77% |
Best Rates for the General Public: Nationwide
Nationwide has the best rates overall that are available to all drivers. USAA beats Nationwide’s costs with some driver profiles, but USAA is only available to military members, veterans and their immediate family members.
For drivers in the general public, Nationwide has the cheapest rates for good drivers, drivers with a speeding ticket or poor credit, and drivers who caused an accident with injury. It is also the cheapest for parents adding a teen driver to their policy and senior drivers 65 to 80.
| Driver Type | Nationwide’s cost per year | $ annual savings compared to national average | % difference from the national average |
|---|---|---|---|
| Good drivers | $1,452 | $697 | 32% cheaper |
| Drivers with a speeding ticket | $1,928 | $741 | 28% cheaper |
| Drivers who caused an accident with injury | $2,407 | $803 | 25% cheaper |
| Drivers with poor credit | $2,076 | $2,097 | 50% cheaper |
| Teen drivers added to parents’ policy | $2,808 | $1,626 | 37% cheaper |
| Senior drivers (ages 65 to 80) | $1,504 | $820 | 35% cheaper |
Best for Military Members: USAA
USAA is the best car insurance option for military members year after year with its consistently cheap rates and variety of coverage options. USAA sells exclusively to military members, veterans and their family members. It offers a discount of up to 15% for drivers who garage their cars on a base and up to 60% if you store your car while you’re deployed.
USAA’s average rate for good drivers is 31% below the national average. Costs are 32% lower for drivers with a speeding ticket and those who caused an accident with injuries.
| Driving record | Cost per year | National average per year |
|---|---|---|
| Good drivers | $1,475 | $2,149 |
| Drivers with a speeding ticket | $1,803 | $2,669 |
| Drivers with a DUI conviction | $2,781 | $3,593 |
| Drivers who caused an accident with injury | $2,174 | $3,210 |
| Drivers with poor credit | $2,799 | $4,143 |