Best Car Insurance Companies

Travelers is a reliable car insurance company with a good balance of low pricing, discounts and coverage options. Regardless of your driver profile or location, you can find great affordable policies with the company with plenty of discounts and unique add-on options.

Read More: Travelers Car Insurance Review

J.D. Power 2023 Insurance Shopping Study: 848 out of 1,000 (lower than average among large insurers)
J.D Power 2023 Claims Satisfaction: 871 out of 1,000 (lower than average)
NAIC Complaint Index: 12.22 (higher than average)
AM Best rating: A++ (superior)

The company has a fair industry reputation and customer satisfaction ratings according to our nationwide surveys. According to our most recent consumer survey, they have well above average customer service ratings:

*In our August 2022 customer satisfaction survey, we asked drivers about their experience with their car insurance provider. Of the nearly 7,000 drivers polled, about 1.5% reported having a Travelers policy. 

In our same study, out of the 46% of customers that filed a claim, Travelers scored a 4.4 out of 5 for claims satisfaction. This score ties it with Erie Insurance for the second best customer claims experience.

Travelers’ score of 848 out of 1000 in the J.D. Power 2023 Insurance Shopping Study, which is 13 points lower than the segment average. With strong ratings in the New York and Mid-Atlantic regions and scores well below average in all other regions, Travelers had mixed results overall in the J.D. Power 2023 Auto Insurance Study.

Our team reached out to Travelers about these ratings, as well as its low BBB score and high NAIC complaint index, but did not yet receive a response.

Available in 43 states with no exclusions for those that can purchase a policy, Travelers offers the six standard types of car insurance:

• Liability car insurance
• Collision insurance
• Comprehensive insurance
• Medical payments coverage (MedPay)
• Personal injury protection (PIP)
• Underinsured/uninsured motorist coverage

Travelers offers unique discounts. If you have an electric vehicle and a usage-based insurance program Intellidrive, you can save up to 30%. You can also add on coverage if your vehicle is used for ridesharing and non-owner coverage.

On average, Travelers insurance offers the fourth lowest auto insurance rates overall among large and widely available insurers and eighth when considering regional companies. Below, we compare Travelers insurance rate rankings among large and regional providers:

Note: Costs presented are averages for 35-year-old drivers with a good driving record and credit unless otherwise stated.

Overall, our team found that State Farm is the second best car insurance provider in the nation. The company is known for its low overall rates and a strong industry and customer service reputation. It also has one of the widest selections of discount offerings on the market.

Read More: State Farm Car Insurance Review

J.D. Power 2023 Insurance Shopping Study: 877 out of 1,000 points (first place among large insurers)
J.D Power 2023 Claims Satisfaction: 891 out of 1,000 (higher than average)
NAIC Complaint Index:  0.78 (lower than average)
AM Best rating: A++ (superior)

Founded in 1922, State Farm is the largest car insurance company in the U.S. Overall, State Farm has a good reputation for customer service in our most recent customer satisfaction survey:

State Farm also had an average rating of 4.2 for auto claims satisfaction in our study and is tied for third place for the most likely company to be recommended to friends and family. It also ranked fourth for consumer trust in the event of a claim.

State Farm ranks relatively high in J.D. Power studies and often comes first among national providers in the 2023 U.S. Insurance Shopping Study℠ and has particularly high scores for most regions in the 2023 U.S. Auto Insurance Study℠.

Auto insurance coverage from State Farm is available with no exclusions for residents in every except Rhode Island and Massachusetts. Along with the six main types of auto insurance coverage, State Farm offers unique options for classic or antique cars and for travel expenses. It also offers a discount program that monitors your driving called Drive Safe & Save which can save you up to 30% on premiums for safe driving.

In terms of cost, State Farm ranks fifth among large insurers and ninth when including regional providers. Below, we’ll summarize their rankings for various driver profiles and coverage levels:

Read More: How Much Does State Farm Car Insurance Cost?

While availability is limited to 12 states, Erie is our third pick for the best auto insurance company. It has a great service reputation and especially affordable minimum liability coverage for most drivers. The company also offers several distinctive add-on features not offered by other competitors.

Read more: Erie Car Insurance Review

J.D. Power 2023 Insurance Shopping Study: 878 points out of 1,000 (second place among midsize insurers)
J.D Power 2023 Claims Satisfaction: 902 out of 1,000 (second overall)
NAIC Complaint Index:  0.81 (lower than average)
AM Best rating: A+ (superior)

Though it’s a regional insurer that only serves 12 states, Erie has an excellent industry reputation for customer service. Respondents from our customer satisfaction survey with an Erie insurance policy were very satisfied with the company:

*About 1.4% of total respondents in our August 2022 auto insurance survey were Erie policyholders.

The company tied with American Family for first in claims satisfaction with a score of 4.5 out of 5. We also found that they had the second highest claims outcome satisfaction out of the companies surveyed.

Erie consistently scores well in J.D. Power studies. Its score of 878 out of 1000 points was the second-highest score in the Insurance Shopping Study. The insurer also ranked well in the Auto Insurance Study, posting the highest score in the North Central and Mid-Atlantic regions, as well as a strong score in the Southeast region.

Erie also has a robust selection of add-ons and car insurance discounts. In particular, it offers great benefits for young drivers with discounts for being under 21 and in college. It also offers add-on coverage for auto glass repair and a rate lock feature that allows you to keep your rates low after a claim as long as no changes are made to the policy.

Note: Erie insurance is only available in Illinois, Indiana, Kentucky, Maryland, New York, North Carolina, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Tennessee, Virginia, West Virginia, Wisconsin and Washington, DC. Otherwise, Erie has no exclusions for who can purchase coverage.

For overall affordability, Erie ties with USAA for third among both large and regional insurers. However, this depends on coverage and driver profile, so below we’ve broken down their ranks for key areas:

USAA ranked fourth overall and provides excellent car insurance for military members, veterans and their immediate families. They regularly have some of the highest customer satisfaction ratings in industry studies and have competitive pricing for all coverage levels, especially for senior drivers.

Read more: USAA Car Insurance Review

J.D. Power 2023 Insurance Shopping Study: 874 out of 1,000 points (second place among large insurers)
J.D Power 2023 Claims Satisfaction: 900 out of 1,000 (tied for third)
NAIC Complaint Index: 1.19 (slightly higher than average)
AM Best rating: A++ (superior)

Out of large insurers, USAA outperformed most companies for customer satisfaction in industry studies. USAA also earned high marks from policyholders who participated in our 2022 car insurance survey:

USAA tied for third place for overall claims satisfaction with Travelers in our study, and it was rated fourth overall for customer service during claim. We also found that they were the second most trusted auto insurance provider.

In addition to scoring higher than all other insurance companies in every region on the J.D. Power Auto Insurance Study, its score of 874 out of 1,000 points in the J.D. Power Insurance Shopping study was second highest overall.

USAA offers its insurance products to current and past members of the military along with their spouses and children in all 50 states. USAA offers six standard coverage options along with some additional unique coverages for classic cars and other widely available add-ons. The company also offers discount incentives for those who have low mileage, drivers in the military and students under 25 years old.

USAA is tied with Erie Insurance as the third most affordable insurer among widely available and regional providers. While this is the case, it ranks differently for various coverage levels and driver profiles:

Nationwide ranked fifth overall and is our pick for the best full-coverage car insurance due to its low overall rates for comprehensive policies. The company is also a solid choice for drivers who are looking for discounts and usage-based programs to lower the cost of car insurance.

Read more: Nationwide Car Insurance Review

J.D. Power 2023 Insurance Shopping Study: 861 out of 1,000 points (third place among large insurers)
J.D Power 2023 Claims Satisfaction: 875 out of 1,000 (below average)
NAIC Complaint Index:  0.46 (lower than average)
AM Best rating: A (excellent)

Based on industry studies, Nationwide has fairly average customer satisfaction scores, and its NAIC customer complaints score is among the lowest we’ve found for large insurers. It also ranked close to average for customer satisfaction in our August 2022 insurance survey results:

*Only about 3% of respondents in our August 2022 survey reported having a Nationwide policy.

Nationwide customers in our survey reported that their claims services were average overall and the provider tied in fourth place for settlement satisfaction.

For the J.D. Power Insurance Shopping Study, Nationwide’s score of 861 out of a possible 1,000 points was the same as the industry average. With below average ratings in each region where the company ranked, Nationwide fared worse on the 2023 Auto Insurance study.

We contacted Nationwide for comment on these low scores, but did not yet receive a response.

Nationwide is available to customers in every state except for Alaska, Louisiana and Massachusetts. In terms of add-on coverages, Nationwide offers a vanishing deductible option that lowers its cost the longer you go without a claim. It also provides discounts of up to 40% with its telematics program SmartRide and a pay-per-mile car insurance option that can help you save.

When considering large and regional providers, Nationwide ranked sixth for affordability. While it’s generally a low-cost provider, prices may vary depending on a variety of factors. We’ve broken down their cost rankings for key areas below:

As one of the largest insurance providers in the country, Geico is a great option for car insurance coverage. We found that the company has affordable rates, a large array of discounts and a telematics program that can help drivers save on premiums.

Read More: Geico Car Insurance Review

J.D. Power 2023 Insurance Shopping Study: 857 out of 1,000 points (below average among large insurers)
J.D Power 2023 Claims Satisfaction: 871 out of 1,000 (below average)
NAIC Complaint Index: 0.82 (lower than average)
AM Best rating: A++ (superior)

Behind only State Farm and Progressive, Geico is the third largest auto insurer in the U.S., and has fairly high customer satisfaction. The insurer received strong scores in our customer satisfaction survey:

*16% of the 6,923 people that participated in our August 2022 car insurance survey reported having a Geico car insurance policy.

Claims satisfaction with Geico was average compared to the companies we studied. Even so, Geico customers were the fourth most likely to recommend the company to friends and family.

Geico’s ratings are consistently strong in J.D. Power studies. The insurer’s score of 857 out of 1,000 points in the 2023 Insurance Shopping Study is nearly on par with the industry average of 861.

Geico also ranked well in the 2023 Auto Insurance Study as one of the top providers of usage-based insurance along with strong scores in Florida, California and the New England and North Central regions.

We reached out to Geico for comment on its below-average score, but did not receive a response.

Geico offers all the standard types of insurance coverage at some of the highest limits available nationwide. The company makes it easy to add commercial coverage to your policy and a mechanical breakdown insurance option to cover what insurance doesn’t. In addition, it has one of the largest discount arrays on the market with excellent incentives for federal employees.

For both minimum and full coverage, Geico ranks seventh in terms of affordability among large and regional providers. Even so, the company is more affordable for some drivers than others, so we’ve listed our ratings for different insurance profiles:

American Family car insurance reviews show that the company is a reputable provider with nearly 100 years of experience. It’s known for providing affordable policy choices, several discounts that are attractive to families, and a good selection of add-on coverage options.

Read more: American Family Car Insurance Review

J.D. Power 2023 Insurance Shopping Study: 867 out of 1,000
J.D Power 2023 Claims Satisfaction: 882 out of 1,000 (above average among midsize insurers)
NAIC Complaint Index: 0.30 (lower than average)
AM Best rating: A (excellent)

With strong performances in customer reviews and industry studies, American Family has an excellent company reputation. Though only a small number of respondents in our customer satisfaction survey had an American Family policy, the company received the highest ratings of any provider in the study:

*In our August 2022 customer survey, 22% of respondents had a policy from American Family insurance.

In that same study, American Family tied with Erie Insurance for first in claims satisfaction with a score of 4.5 out of 5. It also scored highest for satisfaction with claims payments out of all providers.

With a score of 867 out of 1000 points, American Family scored above average for regional insurance companies on the 2023 J.D. Power U.S. Insurance Shopping Study. In the Auto Insurance Study, the provider ranked above average in the Central and Southwest regions and below average in the North Central region.

We reached out to American Family, but the company did not comment on these low scores.

American Family car insurance coverage can be purchased in 19 states. Accidental death and dismemberment coverage is available as a unique add-on option. It also offers many discounts tailored to families with generational discounts and incentives for teens, students and low mileage drivers.

Among large and midsize providers in America, American Family ranks twelfth overall for affordability. However, different types of drivers can get cheaper coverage than others from the company. Below, we’ve highlighted their rankings and costs for other profiles:

Liberty Mutual has great car insurance for young drivers. While newer drivers often pay more for car insurance, Liberty Mutual has plenty of discount programs that help offset those costs.

Read more: Liberty Mutual Car Insurance Review

J.D. Power 2023 Insurance Shopping Study: 865 out of 1,000 points (second place among large insurers)
J.D Power 2023 Claims Satisfaction: 866 out of 1,000 (below average)
NAIC Complaint Index: 2.96 (higher than average)
AM Best rating: B++ (good)

Overall, Liberty Mutual offers below average customer service according to industry studies. However, the customers that participated in our customer satisfaction survey were fairly satisfied with their experience, giving the company about average scores in each category:

*Nearly 5% of those polled in our August 2022 customer satisfaction survey reported having a Liberty Mutual insurance policy.

In our study, we found that Liberty Mutual ranked slightly below average for claims satisfaction with a score of 4.1 out of 5.

Compared to other insurers in its segment, Liberty Mutual performs fairly well in J.D. Power studies. Coming in just behind State Farm, the company’s rating of 865 out of 1000 in the 2023 Insurance Shipping Study ranked it second among large providers. In the 2023 Auto Insurance Study, Liberty Mutual posted average or below average scores in every region.

Our team reached out to Liberty Mutual for a comment on these scores but did not yet receive a response.

Liberty Mutual offers the six main types of car insurance coverage in all 50 states. Unlike other insurers, the company offers original parts replacement as add-on coverage to ensure manufacturer parts are used in repairs. It also offers particularly good discounts for those under 25 years old, with programs like its usage-based insurance RightTrack and Steer Clear course.

Liberty Mutual doesn’t make its pricing data readily available to our research provider, but our team did receive a quote from Liberty Mutual for a full-coverage policy for $351 per month, or $4,212 annually*. Liberty Mutual’s premiums are relatively expensive for most drivers, however teens and young drivers can find generally cheaper rates with Liberty Mutual than with other insurance providers.

*This quote was for a 35-year-old driver who owns a 2022 Toyota Camry and drives 12,500 miles per year.

Progressive car insurance can be worth it for many drivers, as the company offers one of the widest selections of policies and add-on coverage options among large providers. It also has reasonable car insurance rates for those with DUIs, and policies can be bought completely online.

Read More: Progressive Car Insurance Review

J.D. Power 2023 Insurance Shopping Study: 853 out of 1,000 points (below average among large insurers)
J.D Power 2023 Claims Satisfaction: 870 out of 1,000 (below average)
NAIC Complaint Index: 0.89 (lower than average)
AM Best rating: A+ (superior)

Participants in our survey and industry surveys with Progressive gave the company lower than average ratings. The table below highlights Progressive’s survey results:

*Progressive insured the second-most number of participants of any provider in our August 2022 customer satisfaction survey.

Progressive customers reported lower than average ratings of their claims services with a score of 4.1 out of 5 in our study. They were also some of the least satisfied with their claims payouts.

And though it’s highly rated on many customer review platforms, Progressive tends to have below-average ratings in J.D. Power studies. With a rating of 853 out of a possible 1,000 points on the J.D. Power Insurance Shopping Study, Progressive ranked just below the industry average of 861 for large insurance companies.

In the Auto Insurance Study, the company consistently ranked below average in all regions. Our team reached out to Progressive about these ratings, but did not receive a response.

Progressive auto insurance coverage is available in all 50 states with no restrictions. The company offers special coverages compared to other large providers for mechanical breakdowns, pet injuries, and original part replacements. It also has a telematics program that’s available in most states called Progressive Snapshot that can lower costs up to $231per year on average.

Progressive car insurance ranks toward the bottom of our list for affordability at 11th out of large and regional providers. While it isn’t affordable for some drivers, others may be able to find better rates. We’ve provided their cost rankings for different insurance profiles below:

Country Financial car insurance is known for being an especially affordable option for high-risk drivers. If you’re in the provider’s service area and recently had an accident, DUI or ticket, it may be the best option for you.

J.D. Power 2023 Insurance Shopping Study: N/A
J.D Power 2023 Claims Satisfaction: 894 out of 1,000 (above average)
NAIC Complaint Index: 0.25 (lower than average)
AM Best rating: A+ (superior)

Though Country Financial wasn’t included in our consumer satisfaction survey or the J.D. Power Insurance Shopping study, it did appear in the nationwide Auto Insurance Study, where its score of 828 out 1,000 in the North Central region was above the industry average of 825.

You can get Country Financial auto insurance in 19 states across the United States. Along with basic add-ons, the agency offers extra liability coverage through umbrella insurance and valuables coverage. You can also get lower premiums through discounts specific to your occupation, which isn’t common.

Note: Country Financial car insurance is only available in Alabama, Alaska, Arizona, Colorado, Georgia, Idaho, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Minnesota, Missouri,Nevada, North Dakota, Oklahoma, Oregon, Tennessee, Washington and Wisconsin.

Country Financial is the cheapest option on our list, ranking second overall for affordability among widely available insurers and regional agencies. However, it offers better value coverage for different driver profiles. So, we’ve broken down their rankings for different driver types and policy coverages: