What is Car Insurance?
Car insurance is a contract between you and an auto insurance company by which, in exchange for a premium, the company covers the potential cost of possible damages and financial loss that are a result of driving and vehicle ownership.
We’ve all been there, accidentally bumping in to a car while trying to back into a parking spot, stopping short and getting rear-ended… the list of car accident possibilities is seemingly endless. But one thing is for sure, getting the damaged fixed can be incredibly costly if you are not covered!
But that's were auto insurance comes in to play. There are many different types of auto policies. Some cover typical accidents. Others consider vehicle theft, weather risks, bumping in to animals and depreciating car values. Confused by what all of this means? Let's take a deeper look…
Auto Insurance Types and Coverage Options
There are various auto coverage options and types:
Do I Need Car Insurance?
Yes you do. A valid car insurance policy is required by law in 49 out of 50 states and DC. The only state where car insurance is not required by law is New Hampshire, but you must be able to prove that you are able to afford covering the damages in case an at fault accident occurs, which can cost thousands upon thousands of dollars, to meet New Hampshire motor vehicle financial responsibility requirements. So even if car insurance is not mandatory in New Hampshire, it is smart to have car insurance anyway as not having it may cost you much more.
Car Insurance Quotes: Examples
Below are some auto insurance quotes examples of different driver types. The table shows the average annual auto insurance quotes for drivers on different conditions, this gives a good idea of what your quotes should approximately be under these conditions, but of course there are many other factors that determine your rates.
| Driver Status | Average Annual Quote |
|---|
| Good credit | $951 |
| After speeding ticket | $1268 |
| Poor Credit | $1671 |
| An at-fault total loss | $1231 |
| Married couple | $2032 |
| After a DUI | $1687 |
| Married couple with teenager | $2904 |
Cheapest Car Insurance Quotes: Very Cheap Car Insurance, No Deposit or Low Deposit
No deposit car insurance or no down-payment car insurance is not offered by trusted companies. You still have to pay at least the first month's premium in advance rather than the annual lump sum at once, which makes it a fairly affordable deal. While paying your premiums all at once can save some money, it is less convenient to some of us. Therefore you can simply get very cheap car insurance with low deposit or down-payment.
Below you can find a list of very cheap car insurance with low deposit/down-payment providers that offer the best car insurance rates with an average car insurance cost per month of $100 or less and our rating of each auto insurance provider. This should help you find the best, cheapest car insurance deposit possible without compromising on the quality of your provider.
Here are the cheapest car insurance companies with fairly low down payment:
| Company | Insuranks Rating | Average Monthly Quote | Best For |
|---|
| USAA | 4.75/5 | $34 | Military families |
| GEICO | 4.5/5 | $40 | Cheapest car insurance quotes if you're not in the army |
| State Farm | 4.5/5 | $52 | Peace of mind |
| ClearCover | 3.8/5
| $55
| Technology-centric car insurance
|
| Gabi | 4/5 | $60 | Online auto insurance comparison |
| Progressive | 4.8/5 | $63 | Coverage standards and high risk drivers |
Root
| 3/5 | $65 | Low rates; Tech savvy drivers looking to get rewarded for improving their driving through the app |
| Mercury | 3.9/5 | $70
| Cheapest rates for a basic coverage
|
| NJM | 4.5/5 | $79 | Best car insurance for DUI in NJ, PA, CT and OH |
| Costco Ameriprise | 3.7/5 | $86 | Discounts |
| Erie | 4.1/5 | $87 | New Drivers |
| Amica | 4.5/5 | $100 | Customer satisfaction |
| Travelers | 4.5/5 | $100 | Tailored car insurance policies at affordable rates |
| Freeway | 3.7/5 | $100 | High risk drivers, Spanish speakers & drivers in need of SR22 |
- As you can see at this car insurance rate comparison table, the cheapest car insurance company is USAA with an average car insurance cost of $35 per month and no competitors. The only thing is you have to be in the military or be related to someone in the military to enjoy it.
Auto insurance companies determine your rates based on many different factors, like age, gender, state of residence and location, vehicle type, driving record, driving habits, credit score, coverage type and amount and so much more. Although the prices vary due to these factors, the average car insurance company premium quotes can be predicted. Please find the national average full coverage and minimum coverage car insurance quotes for some of the most popular car insurance companies, as of 2021.
Company | Full coverage quote per year | Full coverage quote per month | Minimum coverage quote per year | Minimum coverage quote per month |
|---|
| Allstate | $1,850 | $154 | $785 | $65 |
| GEICO | $1,175 | $98 | $480 | $40 |
| Progressive | $1,390 | $116 | $750 | $63 |
| State Farm | $1,250 | $104 | $625 | $52 |
| USAA | $885 | $74 | $405 | $34 |
Full Coverage Car Insurance Quotes By State
Below you can find some average auto insurance quotes for full coverage in each and every state in USA. As you are able to see it is not too hard to find cheap full coverage car insurance quotes in most states.
| State | Full Coverage per month | Full Coverage per year |
|---|
| Alabama | $142 | $1,700 |
| Alaska | $129 | $1,550 |
| Arizona | $150 | $1,800 |
| Arkansas | $146 | $1,750 |
| California | $142 | $1,700 |
| Colorado | $163 | $1,950 |
| Connecticut | $171 | $2,050 |
| DC | $183 | $2,200 |
| Delaware | $158 | $1,900 |
| Florida | $179 | $2,150 |
| Georgia | $154 | $1,850 |
| Hawaii | $133 | $1,600 |
| Idaho | $108 | $1,300 |
| Illinois | $129 | $1,550 |
| Indiana | $104 | $1,250 |
| Iowa | $113 | $1,350 |
| Kansas | $142 | $1,700 |
| Kentucky | $196 | $2,350 |
| Louisiana | $217 | $2,600 |
| Maine | $92 | $1,100 |
| Maryland | $150 | $1,800 |
| Massachusetts | $121 | $1,450 |
| Michigan | $263 | $3,150 |
| Minnesota | $133 | $1,600 |
| Mississippi | $142 | $1,700 |
| Missouri | $150 | $1,800 |
| Montana | $163 | $1,950 |
| Nebraska | $125 | $1,500 |
| Nevada | $200 | $2,400 |
| New Hampshire | $92 | $1,100 |
| New Jersey | $167 | $2,000 |
| New Mexico | $133 | $1,600 |
| New York | $171 | $2,050 |
| North Carolina | $119 | $1,425 |
| North Dakota | $133 | $1,600 |
| Ohio | $100 | $1,200 |
| Oklahoma | $150 | $1,800 |
| Oregon | $125 | $1,500 |
| Pennsylvania | $142 | $1,700 |
| Rhode Island | $171 | $2,050 |
| South Carolina | $138 | $1,650 |
| South Dakota | $138 | $1,650 |
| Tennessee | $125 | $1,500 |
| Texas | $150 | $1,800 |
| Utah | $125 | $1,500 |
| Vermont | $117 | $1,400 |
| Virginia | $100 | $1,200 |
| Washington | $133 | $1,600 |
| West Virginia | $138 | $1,650 |
| Wisconsin | $113 | $1,350 |
| Wyoming | $150 | $1,800 |
Minimum Liability Car Insurance Quotes by State
Please find the average minimum liability car insurance quotes by state below. The cheapest and most expensive states for minimum car insurance quotes are bolded and underlined.
| State | Minimum Liability Insurance Quote Per Year |
|---|
| Alabama | $600 |
| Alaska | $450 |
| Arizona | $513 |
| Arkansas | $501 |
| California | $574 |
| Colorado | $553 |
| Connecticut | $821 |
| DC | $623 |
| Delaware | $843 |
| Florida | $828 |
| Georgia | $684 |
| Hawaii | $485 |
| Idaho | $606 |
| Illinois | $878 |
| Indiana | $498 |
| Iowa | $357 |
| Kansas | $654 |
| Kentucky | $1062 |
| Louisiana | $971 |
| Maine | $416 |
| Maryland | $853 |
| Massachusetts | $484 |
| Michigan | $1,855 |
| Minnesota | $472 |
| Mississippi | $603 |
| Missouri | $432 |
| Montana | $381 |
| Nebraska | $599 |
| Nevada | $722 |
| New Hampshire | $492 |
| New Jersey | $644 |
| New Mexico | $609 |
| New York | $887 |
| North Carolina | $351 |
| North Dakota | $528 |
| Ohio | $429 |
| Oklahoma | $418 |
| Oregon | $639 |
| Pennsylvania | $502 |
| Rhode Island | $808 |
| South Carolina | $596 |
| South Dakota | $281 |
| Tennessee | $408 |
| Texas | $538 |
| Utah | $502 |
| Vermont | $552 |
| Virginia | $385 |
| Washington | $662 |
| West Virginia | $604 |
| Wisconsin | $364 |
| Wyoming | $485 |
Full coverage Car Insurance Quotes by Age and Gender
Another main factor in determining your auto insurance quotes is your age and your gender. Unexperienced drivers are considered are a very high risk by insurance companies and they quote such young new drivers accordingly. Females usually pay less for car insurance than males on average since males are considered a higher risk due to over confidence that leads to accidents in many cases. Below is average full coverage car insurance quotes per year by age and gender. Of course, the rates may vary by many other factors, including your state, vehicle type and more.
| Age | Male | Female |
|---|
| 16 | $6,900 | $6,400 |
| 17 | $6,850 | $6,400 |
| 18 | $6,500 | $6,750 |
| 19 | $6,000 | $5,400 |
| 20 | $5,300 | $4,800 |
| 21 | $4,500 | $4,000 |
| 22 | $4,150 | $3,950 |
| 23 | $3,900 | $3,700 |
| 24 | $3,700 | $3,500 |
| 25 | $3,250 | $3,150 |
Car Insurance Quotes by Gender: Experienced Drivers
Experienced drivers pay less for auto insurance. Insurers provide them with lower quotes thanks to a lower risk due to experience. Of course, many other factors can affect these prices. If you are an experienced driver with a very bad driving record than you are less likely to enjoy lower car insurance quotes. Please find some typical car insurance quotes by gender for experienced drivers per year, across the USA.
| Gender | Average car insurance quote per year |
|---|
| Male | $1548 |
| Female | $1468 |
When it comes to getting the best deal on your car insurance rates, there are a number of paths you can follow. You can use car insurance comparison sites, contact a broker or agency, or simply go direct to the insurer. Each approach has its advantages and disadvantages, but given the huge choice of options, it can be hard to work out which one works best for you.
That’s why we’ve put together “The ultimate shopping guide for auto insurance quotes.” We’ve looked at 12 key parameters that you need to consider when you’re looking for low cost auto insurance, namely:
Time: how much time and effort is needed to source the car insurance quotes?
Online: can you search for auto insurance quotes online and buy car insurance online?
Phone: can you use your phone to call and get car insurance quotes?
Face to face: can you source affordable car insurance via a face to face meeting?
Rates: can you get cheap car insurance rates using this method?
Coverage: how good is the policy coverage offered and how much it fits your needs rather than providing you with insufficient coverage or a coverage that is beyond what you need?
Choice: can you compare car insurance rates from a range of companies?
Speed: how fast it is to get car insurance quotes? once you get the quotes, how long does it take to implement a new policy?
Saving: are there cheap car insurance quotes that offer worthwhile discounts and savings?
All States: do these free car insurance quotes can be applied in all states?
High Risk: is cheap insurance for young drivers, learners and other high risk drivers available?
Ease: how easy is the process when you compare car insurance quotes?
We’ll consider the main pros and cons of each approach to sourcing auto insurance quotes, and then we’ll use the same metrics to compare auto insurance from specific companies, brokers and car insurance comparison sites. We’ve used 1 to 5 scale ratings on our review:
- 5: Excellent
- 4: Good
- 3: Fair
- 2: Bad
- 1: Very bad
Car Insurance Quotes via Car Insurance Comparison Sites: 4.2/5
For convenience, speed, and ease of use, it’s hard to beat auto insurance quotes comparison sites that offer free and instant car insurance quotes online. By simply providing information, clicking a button and hey presto - you have a fast car insurance quotes comparison of what’s on offer, making it easy to compare and contrast rates from a range of different companies and coverage options. What’s not to like?
Well, actually, there are a number of potential downsides to using an online comparison site. First, it may be giving undue prominence to sponsored deals which aren’t necessarily the best solution for you. Second, the market coverage may be limited, meaning you could be missing out on certain deals that are only available direct. And probably most important of all, it may not be comparing like with like. Those cheap auto insurance quotes might look good on paper, but they may be hiding conditions like high deductibles, or no accidental damage.
Having pointed out some of the shortcomings of online comparison sites, it’s important to stress that for the most part, they’re a really useful and welcome tool. These sites make it easy to compare auto insurance quotes, and if your time is limited, they’re a great choice. You could spend a week phoning round all the different insurance companies, but if you end up saving yourself $25, was it really worth it? Plus, the other side of the equation is that there are some really great online deals that can save you serious amounts of cash.
PROS
- Just so quick and easy to use
- Rates from a range of companies
- Instant coverage is available
CONS
- You may be missing out on certain deals, plus some companies may not be listed online on certain sites
We’ve used 1 to 5 scale ratings:
- 5: Excellent
- 4: Good
- 3: Fair
- 2: Bad
- 1: Very bad
| Parameter | Rating |
|---|
| Time | 5 |
| Online | 5 |
| Phone | 3 |
| Face to face | 1 |
| Rates | 5 |
| Coverage | 4 |
| Choice | 5 |
| Speed | 5 |
| Savings | 5 |
| All States | 4 |
| High Risk | 3 |
| Ease | 5 |
Worst and Best Car Insurance Comparison Sites Online Review
With so many car insurance quotes comparison sites to choose from, we sometimes wonder whether there’s a need for a comparison site for all the online comparison sites out there!
That said, going online is the best option for auto insurance quote comparisons, and if you want to buy cheap auto insurance online, they’re definitely the way to go. What you want to do is find the site that is most relevant to your online auto insurance needs.
Comparison sites fall into three categories: actual insurance companies or agencies, websites which genuinely compare rates, and lead generator sites that collect your details and then send it to their partners, typically insurance companies or agents, in this instance.
In our experience, the leading sites are generally similar in terms of end results and services they offer. The most important thing you should check is how many insurance companies the website covers: some sites are better than others in this respect, and many select their network of agents more carefully than others.
For comparison purposes, we’ve considered the following:
Type: insurance company or agency (ICA), comparison site (CS) and lead generator (LG)
Online quotes: are your car insurance quotes provided directly or do you have to visit another site?
Scope: the number of companies compared (excellent, good, fair or poor)
Accuracy: how the initial auto insurance quote compares to your final auto insurance premium payment
Speed: how long the auto insurance quoting process takes
Ease: how easy to use the website is.
We’ve then given an overall score, plus our assessment of the pros and cons of each site. So here’s our rating of the worst and best car insurance comparison sites:
| Website | Insuranks Score |
|---|
| Gabi | 5/5 |
| CoverHound | 4.8/5 |
| Compare.com | 4.6/5 |
| PolicyGenius | 4.6/5 |
| Insurify | 4.4/5 |
| Insuranks.com | 4/5 |
| Esurance | 3.6/5 |
| The Zebra | 3.2/5 |
| NetQuote | 2.6/5 |
| CarInsurance.com | 2/5 |
| QuoteWizard | 2/5 |
| Quote.com | 2/5 |
| Insure.com | 0.8/5 |
| EverQuote | 0.6/5 |
Insuranks.com is the insurance comparison website you are currently visiting, in case you haven't noticed. It is an educational resource for insurance consumers that gives them higher awareness. Insuranks.com partners and ranks insurers, agencies and even comparison sites based on customer ratings, reviews and experiences. Insuranks.com comparison tool connects you with the broadest variety of companies, while educating you about them through content and customer reviews. With some insurers, Insuranks.com provides the best car insurance quotes you can find online.
To compare car insurance quotes through Insuranks.com, simply hop over to the top of this page and enter your ZIP code.
PROS
- Superb coverage and choice of companies
- Wonderfully simple
- User friendly interface
- Very customer-centric and educational
- Providing a large overview by partnering with everyone, insurance companies, agencies, brokers, aggregators and other comparison sites
- Customer reviews and ratings
CONS
- It doesn’t list the quotes, only connects you to places where you can get them
BEST FOR: Education, ease of use, largest selection of insurance companies, deals you cannot find on other comparison sites
| Parameter | Rating |
|---|
| Type | Comparison Site |
| Online quotes | Mostly no |
| Scope | Excellent |
| Accuracy | Excellent |
| Speed | Excellent |
| Ease | Excellent |
Gabi Car Insurance Quotes Review: 5/5
Gabi is our best car insurance quotes comparison site and highest ranked one thanks to its ease of use and low cost quotes. Gabi is a free auto insurance comparison engine that helps you compare quotes online for your precise coverage requirements and find the best options fast from over 40 top insurance companies they've partnered with. Gabi is a fully licensed insurance broker in all states. Gabi's average car insurance cost is $60 per month.
PROS
- Excellent rates; Claims it saves $961 per year on average
- Ease of use
- Over 40 insurance companies
- Fast online car insurance quotes comparison
- Offers even lower rates for home and auto insurance bundles
CONS
- Requires a sign up
- Shows the cheapest rates first by default (not always the best thing)
BEST FOR: Cheap auto insurance quotes through an online comparison engine
| Parameter | Rating |
|---|
| Type | Comparison Site |
| Online quotes | Yes |
| Scope | Excellent |
| Accuracy | Excellent |
| Speed | Excellent |
| Ease | Excellent |
CarInsurance.com is a lead generator owned by QuinStreet Inc, an online digital marketplace pioneer. CarInsurance.com doesn't provide online quotes and after you fill in your details it simply connects you with very limited 1 to 5 auto insurance options, which you can click on to get your quotes from, but you will have to fill in your details all over again.
PROS
- Easy to use interface
CONS
- Doesn't provide quotes, only sell your leads and connects you to third party partner sites where you will have to re-enter your details all over again. Poor experience.
- Very limited number of results (1 to 5)
BEST FOR: Drivers in a rush to get coverage who don't mind the poor selection and experience
| Parameter | Rating |
|---|
| Type | Lead Generator |
| Online quotes | No |
| Scope | Poor |
| Accuracy | Poor |
| Speed | Excellent |
| Ease | Excellent |
Compare.com is a car insurance comparison shopping website and licensed agency. It is a sister company of Confused.com, a UK car insurance comparison pioneer, both owned by Admiral, an international insurance group.
Compare.com's average car insurance cost is $79 per month.
PROS
- Compares auto insurance rates from over 50 companies
- Auto insurance focused
- Trusted brand
CONS
- Other websites offer a greater choice of customizable options
BEST FOR: Multiple payment options
| Parameter | Rating |
|---|
| Type | Insurance Agency |
| Online quotes | Yes |
| Scope | Excellent |
| Accuracy | Excellent |
| Speed | Good |
| Ease | Good |
CoverHound Car Insurance Quotes: 4.8/5
CoverHound.com has some of the best comparison technologies in the market, and also works in partnership with a number of other sites.
PROS
- Excellent user experience
- Technologically advanced
- Provides many different coverage options from multiple companies
- Allows you to edit your required coverage details, customize it and add coverage as you wish to receive quotes for your exact auto insurance needs
- Automatically calculate discounts
- Real final rates due to direct relationship with 26 auto insurance carriers
CONS
- Not available in Alaska, Hawaii and Massachusetts
- Some of the best car insurance providers are not included in their comparison
BEST FOR: User experience and Quote Accuracy.
| Parameter | Rating |
|---|
| Type | Insurance Agency |
| Online quotes | Yes |
| Scope | Good |
| Accuracy | Excellent |
| Speed | Excellent |
| Ease | Excellent |
Esurance Car Insurance Quotes: 3.6/5
Esurance.com is a direct insurance company that is a wholly owned subsidiary of Allstate, targeted at customers who prefer to buy insurance online or on the phone.
PROS
- Trusted brand
- Great interface, really useful online tools and powerful apps
CONS
- Only provides suggestions for few other insurers, without providing real time quotes, its sole purpose is to sell its own policies rather than those of other insurers
- Only available in 42 states at the moment, but constantly expanding
BEST FOR: Time-poor, tech-savvy users
| Parameter | Rating |
|---|
| Type | Insurance Company |
| Online quotes | Yes |
| Scope | Fair |
| Accuracy | Poor |
| Speed | Excellent |
| Ease | Excellent |
EverQuote Auto Insurance Quotes: 0.6/5
EverQuote.com is one of the biggest lead generators in the insurance space.
PROS
- Can't think of any
CONS
- It doesn't provide any quotes or added value, just car insurance ads, even very few ad options
- Long and exhausting form filling that doesn't end up with any quotes, only with ads, they then sell your information as a lead to anyone that buys it from them, beware
BEST FOR: Drivers who want their lead information sold to auto insurance carriers and agents through EverQuote.
| Parameter | Rating |
|---|
| Type | Lead Generation |
| Online quotes | No |
| Scope | Poor |
| Accuracy | Poor |
| Speed | Poor |
| Ease | Fair |
Similarly to CarInsurance.com, Insure.com is another comparison site owned by leading online digital company QuinStreet Inc.
PROS
- User friendly interface
CONS
- Much like its sister company, CarInsurance.com, Insure.com doesn't provide rates but gives back car insurance ads after filling in their detailed form, which is then sold as a lead to their partners which will contact you
| Parameter | Rating |
|---|
| Type | Lead Generation |
| Online quotes | No |
| Scope | Poor |
| Accuracy | Poor |
| Speed | Poor |
| Ease | Good |
Insurify Car Insurance Quotes: 4.4/5
Insurify.com is a highly innovative insurance start-up and comparison site.
PROS
- Fills in your vehicle information based on a photo of your license plate!
- Provides an intelligent chatbot throughout the quoting process and customer support
- Utilizes its great technology to match you based on your individual risk profile to carriers its AI thinks is best for you
- Has direct partnerships with leading insurers (provided results from over 10 insurers)
- Claims to save $489 per year on average
CONS
- Less comprehensive when it comes to post quoting, aka the purchase process
BEST FOR: Comparing auto insurance quotes from large, leading car insurance companies
| Parameter | Rating |
|---|
| Type | Insurance Agency |
| Online quotes | Yes |
| Scope | Good |
| Accuracy | Good |
| Speed | Excellent |
| Ease | Good |
NetQuote Car Insurance Quotes: 2.6/5
NetQuote.com is one of the longest established lead-generation type comparison sites.
Their lead form consists of 5 stages: vehicle, drivers, coverage, incidents and contact information. Very user friendly and to the point. After filling up the information we received online ads. No accurate quotes. They also sell your lead information to their company and agent partners who then get in touch with you to give you offers based on this information.
PROS
- Covers other insurance types
- Complete one user friendly form for multiple quotes
CONS
- Be ready to receive LOTS of calls as such sites sell your lead information to whoever pays for them
BEST FOR: Those who want to receive direct calls about car insurance rather than get it done online
| Parameter | Rating |
|---|
| Type | Lead Generation |
| Online quotes | No |
| Scope | Fair |
| Accuracy | Poor |
| Speed | Excellent |
| Ease | Excellent |
PolicyGenius Car Insurance Quotes Review: 4.6/5
PolicyGenius.com is one of the fastest growing, independent comparison sites, and works in partnership with CoverHound.
PolicyGenius brings an innovative, user friendly approach to online car insurance quotes shopping and comparison.
PROS
- Fresh, innovative approach
- Easy to use
CONS
- Not auto insurance focused, offering all types of insurance
BEST FOR: Bundle discounts
| Parameter | Rating |
|---|
| Type | Comparison Site & Insurance Agency |
| Online quotes | Yes |
| Scope | Good |
| Accuracy | Good |
| Speed | Excellent |
| Ease | Excellent |
Quote.com claims to provide insurance quotes from leading carriers, however, in real life it is a lead generation website that collects your information and matches you with its partners.
After filling out their online form several times with different information, we only received 2 matches online of the same two leading carriers with no accurate quotes, claiming that 15 others were "below rate threshold". Upon clicking through, we were referred to their websites with the entered information pre-filled on their website, so we just had to fill out a bit more required information to get an actual quote.
PROS
- Intuitive and easy to use form
CONS
- Only matched us with 2 carriers online with no accurate quotes
BEST FOR: Form ease of use
| Parameter | Rating |
|---|
| Type | Lead Generation |
| Online quotes | No |
| Scope | Poor |
| Accuracy | Poor |
| Speed | Excellent |
| Ease | Excellent |
QuoteWizard Car Insurance Quotes: 2/5
QuoteWizard.com claims to compare carrier and agent rates nationally and locally. It is owned by Lending Tree.
Its review is identical to that of Quote.com's as it provides the exact experience.
PROS
- Friendly interface
CONS
- Matched us with 1 result without an online quote
BEST FOR: Friendly interface for form filling
| Parameter | Rating |
|---|
| Type | Lead Generation |
| Online quotes | No |
| Scope | Poor |
| Accuracy | Poor |
| Speed | Excellent |
| Ease | Excellent |
The Zebra Car Insurance Quotes: 3.2/5
Zebra insurance quotes promise insurance in black and white, hence the name!
In real life, they're user experience is excellent when it comes to collecting the information and required coverage details, however, it was very disappointing to receive only 1 actual priced quote, with 4 other options which were practically ads within their top 5 quotes.
After scrolling down to look at other results, we found about 5 other actual priced quotes, which weren't cheap at all.
When clicking on one of the results, we were transferred to the partner company's website with the information pre-filled, yet our real life quote at the partner website was almost double the zebra car insurance quotes.
The average car insurance cost we got through The Zebra was $120 per month.
PROS
- Simple to use, friendly interface
CONS
- Doesn't always show actual quotes, and when it does it wasn't accurate
BEST FOR: User friendliness
| Parameter | Rating |
|---|
| Type | Comparison Site / Agency |
| Online quotes | Inconsistent |
| Scope | Good |
| Accuracy | Poor |
| Speed | Good |
| Ease | Excellent |
Auto Insurance Quotes via Agents and Brokers: 3.9/5
One of the greatest disadvantages of the Internet is that it’s made us forget the value, pleasure, and security of doing business face to face. You can use your computer to get cheap car insurance quotes online, or make a call on your phone. But, sometimes, nothing beats the experience of a good old-fashioned personal business relationship.
Using a broker or an agency to get free car insurance quotes sometimes offers many advantages over buying car insurance online. Yes, the process usually takes a little longer, particularly in the beginning, but over time, you may find that using a broker or agent will actually save you time.
Before going any further, it’s important to explain the difference between an insurance broker and an insurance agent. A broker is fully independent, and can recommend solutions from any insurance company that allows brokers to sell their policies. In that respect, the broker is working for you, the buyer. They make their money through commissions or fees on the products they sell.
An agent, on the other hand, is an extension of the insurer. A captive agent typically represents one or two companies, whereas an independent agent works on behalf of multiple insurers. Some captive agents are salaried, but for the most part, agents also make their money through commissions or fees on the products they sell. By the way, both brokers and agents should provide you with details of their commission structures on any products they sell.
But regardless of commissions and fees, both brokers and agencies are insurance experts. It’s their business to know about all the policy options, latest offers and new product developments. They know the auto insurance market inside out, and you can benefit directly from their experience. They’ll take the time to talk to you so they fully understand your exact needs and can then recommend affordable auto insurance that suits you down to the ground.
There’s more. The advice they offer is impartial, and because of their wide knowledge and experience, they’ll often recommend companies or deals that you didn’t even know existed. Brokers and agents also offer proactive advice, and are on hand to provide expert assistance in the event of a claim. If you’re a people person who wants a quality auto quote, an agent or broker is the way to go.
Having listed all the advantages of using an agent or broker, are there any downsides? The answer is a coded yes. The most obvious drawback is that using a broker typically takes up more of your time.
By going online on the other hand, you can compare cheap auto insurance quotes online at the click of a mouse. Using an agent or broker is a more drawn out process, although for many people that’s not necessarily a problem.
But there’s also another potential issue. When you’re choosing an agent or broker, you want to make sure that you get a good one! As with any line of work, there are highly professional insurance brokers and agents out there, but there are some who are not so good. You can make your own judgements, but in our experience, the best idea is to ask people you know for a personal recommendation.
PROS
- You can benefit directly from their expertise and market knowledge
- Choice of coverage from many different companies
- The personal touch
CONS
- It takes time, plus the risk of choosing a dud broker or agent
We’ve used 1 to 5 scale ratings:
- 5: Excellent
- 4: Good
- 3: Fair
- 2: Bad
- 1: Very bad
| Parameter | Rating |
|---|
| Time | 1 |
| Online | 2 |
| Phone | 5 |
| Face to face | 5 |
| Rates | 5 |
| Coverage | 5 |
| Choice | 5 |
| Speed | 3 |
| Savings | 5 |
| All States | 3 |
| High Risk | 5 |
| Ease | 3 |
Direct Car Insurance Quotes via Insurers: 3.7/5
When you’re looking for free auto insurance quotes, one of the best ideas is to contact insurance providers directly. Although you could use one of the price comparison sites to look for cheap car insurance online, there are some disadvantages to doing so. Firstly, some insurers don’t feature on such sites, and secondly, certain deals are only available if you go direct.
Of course, the biggest downside to contacting companies direct is that it takes a lot of time and effort on your part. The attraction of finding a great deal by going direct rather loses its appeal when you have to repeat all your details for the 15th time!
That said, you can be smart and short circuit the process. How so? By asking your friends, family and colleagues who they use for their auto insurance. Their advice will be based on real-life experience, and is guaranteed to be impartial. Armed with their recommendations, it’s much easier to draw up a more focused target list of companies to contact.
PROS
- Often you can get the best deals by going direct
- You’re not paying commission to a broker or online site
- Greater choice and flexibility on policy options
CONS
- Takes a lot of effort on your part to contact every single company
We’ve used 1 to 5 scale ratings:
- 5: Excellent
- 4: Good
- 3: Fair
- 2: Bad
- 1: Very bad
| Parameter | Rating |
|---|
| Time | 1 |
| Online | 5 |
| Phone | 5 |
| Face to face | 3 |
| Rates | 5 |
| Coverage | 3 |
| Choice | 1 |
| Speed | 5 |
| Savings | 5 |
| All States | 5 |
| High Risk | 5 |
| Ease | 1 |
Direct Car Insurance Companies Comparison
We’ve selected some of the best car insurance companies and providers in America, and compared them on our range of metrics. Here's our review of getting direct car insurance quotes from the best, cheap auto insurance companies.
AAA Auto Insurance Quotes: 4/5
AAA (American Automobile Assurance) doesn’t actually provide insurance itself, but offers some great auto insurance policies via its partners, to its members. To read reviews and apply for AAA auto insurance quote, visit AAA Insurance.
PROS
- Great personal service
- Some useful additional benefits
- Very competitive rates for AAA members
CONS
- Insurance is provided via a third party
We’ve used 1 to 5 scale ratings:
- 5: Excellent
- 4: Good
- 3: Fair
- 2: Bad
- 1: Very bad
| Parameter | Rating |
|---|
| Time | 3 |
| Online | 5 |
| Phone | 5 |
| Face to face | 5 |
| Rates | 5 |
| Coverage | 3 |
| Choice | 3 |
| Speed | 5 |
| Savings | 5 |
| All States | 3 |
| High Risk | 3 |
| Ease | 3
|
Allstate Auto Insurance Quotes: 4.3/5
Allstate is one of the top 4 auto insurance companies in America. To apply for your Allstate auto insurance quote, visit Allstate.
PROS
- Super local service via agents
- Great range of auto insurance policies
- Covers all your insurance needs
CONS
- Quality comes at a price
We’ve used 1 to 5 scale ratings:
- 5: Excellent
- 4: Good
- 3: Fair
- 2: Bad
- 1: Very bad
| Parameter | Rating |
|---|
| Time | 3 |
| Online | 5 |
| Phone | 5 |
| Face to face | 5 |
| Rates | 5 |
| Coverage | 5
|
| Choice | 2 |
| Speed | 5 |
| Savings | 3 |
| All States | 5 |
| High Risk | 3 |
| Ease | 5 |
Amica Auto Insurance Quotes: 4.5/5
Amica is America’s longest established mutual insurer of automobiles. To apply for your Amica auto insurance quote, visit Amica.
PROS
- Fantastic customer service
- Excellent choice of auto insurance policies and coverage options
- Still a mutual
CONS
- Not available in all states
We’ve used 1 to 5 scale ratings:
- 5: Excellent
- 4: Good
- 3: Fair
- 2: Bad
- 1: Very bad
| Parameter | Rating |
|---|
| Time | 3 |
| Online | 5 |
| Phone | 5 |
| Face to face | 5 |
| Rates | 5 |
| Coverage | 5 |
| Choice | 5 |
| Speed | 5 |
| Savings | 5 |
| All States | 3 |
| High Risk | 5 |
| Ease | 4 |
ClearCover Car Insurance Quotes: 3.8/5
ClearCover is one of the newer players on the market, and has a great technology-focus. To apply for your ClearCover auto insurance quote, visit ClearCover.
PROS
- Great for techies!
- Really competitive car insurance rates
- Innovative approach
CONS
- Not available in all states
We’ve used 1 to 5 scale ratings:
- 5: Excellent
- 4: Good
- 3: Fair
- 2: Bad
- 1: Very bad
| Parameter | Rating |
|---|
| Time | 5
|
| Online | 5 |
| Phone | 5 |
| Face to face | 1
|
| Rates | 5
|
| Coverage | 3
|
| Choice | 1 |
| Speed | 5 |
| Savings | 5 |
| All States | 3 |
| High Risk | 3 |
| Ease | 5
|
Costco Ameriprise Car Insurance Quotes: 3.7/5
Costco Ameriprise is provided by American Family Insurance for Costco members. To apply for Costco Ameriprise auto insurance quote, visit Costco.
PROS
- Excellent rates and savings
- Standard coverage is generous
- Additional benefits for members
CONS
- Online experience on both website and app could be better
We’ve used 1 to 5 scale ratings:
- 5: Excellent
- 4: Good
- 3: Fair
- 2: Bad
- 1: Very bad
| Parameter | Rating |
|---|
| Time | 3
|
| Online | 3 |
| Phone | 5 |
| Face to face | 1 |
| Rates | 5
|
| Coverage | 5 |
| Choice | 1 |
| Speed | 5 |
| Savings | 5 |
| All States | 5 |
| High Risk | 3 |
| Ease | 3
|
Farmers Car Insurance Quotes: 3.7/5
Farmers is one of the top ten providers of car insurance in America. To apply for your Farmers auto insurance quote, visit Farmers.
PROS
- Wide range of customizable products
- Excellent local presence
- Good one stop shop
CONS
- Quality of customer service can depend on how good your agent is
We’ve used 1 to 5 scale ratings:
- 5: Excellent
- 4: Good
- 3: Fair
- 2: Bad
- 1: Very bad
| Parameter | Rating |
|---|
| Time | 3
|
| Online | 5 |
| Phone | 5 |
| Face to face | 5 |
| Rates | 3
|
| Coverage | 5 |
| Choice | 1 |
| Speed | 5 |
| Savings | 5 |
| All States | 5 |
| High Risk | 3 |
| Ease | 4
|
Freeway Car Insurance Quotes: 3.7/5
Freeway Insurance is America’s largest, privately-owned insurance distribution company. To apply for your Freeway Insurance auto insurance quote, visit Freeway Insurance.
PROS
- Wonderfully easy to use website
- Low rates
- Good for high risk drivers
CONS
- Charge a fee for their services, plus coverage is via a third party
We’ve used 1 to 5 scale ratings:
- 5: Excellent
- 4: Good
- 3: Fair
- 2: Bad
- 1: Very bad
| Parameter | Rating |
|---|
| Time | 5 |
| Online | 5 |
| Phone | 5 |
| Face to face | 3
|
| Rates | 5
|
| Coverage | 3
|
| Choice | 5 |
| Speed | 5 |
| Savings | 5 |
| All States | 3
|
| High Risk | 5 |
| Ease | 5
|
GEICO Car Insurance Quotes: 4.5/5
GEICO is the 2nd largest provider of auto insurance in America. To apply for your GEICO auto insurance quote, visit GEICO.
PROS
- Trusted brand
- Excellent customer service
- User friendly website and app
- Great rates
CONS
- Only available direct
BEST FOR: Cheap car insurance rates.
We’ve used 1 to 5 scale ratings:
- 5: Excellent
- 4: Good
- 3: Fair
- 2: Bad
- 1: Very bad
| Parameter | Rating |
|---|
| Time | 5 |
| Online | 5 |
| Phone | 5 |
| Face to face | 5
|
| Rates | 5
|
| Coverage | 5
|
| Choice | 1
|
| Speed | 5 |
| Savings | 5 |
| All States | 5 |
| High Risk | 3 |
| Ease | 5
|
Liberty Mutual Car Insurance Quotes: 3.5/5
Liberty Mutual is one of the biggest and longest-established auto insurance companies. To apply for your Liberty Mutual auto insurance quote, visit Liberty Mutual.
PROS
- Really good online experience via website and apps
- Will consider high risk drivers
CONS
- Not the best rates we found
- Only available direct
- Denies too many claims
- Customers complain about bad customer service
BEST FOR: Teen drivers.
We’ve used 1 to 5 scale ratings:
- 5: Excellent
- 4: Good
- 3: Fair
- 2: Bad
- 1: Very bad
| Parameter | Rating |
|---|
| Time | 5 |
| Online | 5 |
| Phone | 5 |
| Face to face | 5
|
| Rates | 1
|
| Coverage | 3
|
| Choice | 1
|
| Speed | 3 |
| Savings | 1
|
| All States | 5 |
| High Risk | 4 |
| Ease | 5
|
Mercury Car Insurance Quotes: 3.9/5
Mercury is one of the best providers of low-cost car insurance. To apply for your Mercury auto insurance quote, visit Mercury.
PROS
- Affordable rates
- Good for military families
- Wide range of discounts
CONS
- Coverage is fairly basic compared to some competitors
- Only available in a limited number of states
BEST FOR: Low-maintenance drivers who seek cheap car insurance rates on a very basic coverage.
We’ve used 1 to 5 scale ratings:
- 5: Excellent
- 4: Good
- 3: Fair
- 2: Bad
- 1: Very bad
| Parameter | Rating |
|---|
| Time | 4 |
| Online | 5 |
| Phone | 5 |
| Face to face | 5
|
| Rates | 5
|
| Coverage | 3 |
| Choice | 1
|
| Speed | 5 |
| Savings | 5 |
| All States | 1 |
| High Risk | 3 |
| Ease | 5
|
MetLife Car Insurance Quotes: 4.4/5
MetLife has been providing insurance services to customers since 1863. To apply for your MetLife auto insurance quote, visit MetLife Insurance.
PROS
- Good rates via workplace affiliations
- Great range of policies and options
- Trusted brand
CONS
- Customer service can be patchy at times
BEST FOR: New auto owners.
We’ve used 1 to 5 scale ratings:
- 5: Excellent
- 4: Good
- 3: Fair
- 2: Bad
- 1: Very bad
| Parameter | Rating |
|---|
| Time | 5 |
| Online | 5 |
| Phone | 5 |
| Face to face | 5
|
| Rates | 3
|
| Coverage | 5
|
| Choice | 1
|
| Speed | 5 |
| Savings | 5 |
| All States | 5 |
| High Risk | 3 |
| Ease | 5
|
Nationwide Car Insurance Quotes: 4.3/5
Nationwide is one of the top 10 car insurance companies in America. To apply for your Nationwide auto insurance quote, visit Nationwide.
PROS
- Online quote tool is really good
- Some nice add-ons, perks and additional resources
- Easy to do business with
CONS
- Some policies lack flexibility
BEST FOR: Drivers with poor credit.
We’ve used 1 to 5 scale ratings:
- 5: Excellent
- 4: Good
- 3: Fair
- 2: Bad
- 1: Very bad
| Parameter | Rating |
|---|
| Time | 5 |
| Online | 5 |
| Phone | 5 |
| Face to face | 5
|
| Rates | 2
|
| Coverage | 3
|
| Choice | 1
|
| Speed | 5 |
| Savings | 5 |
| All States | 5 |
| High Risk | 5 |
| Ease | 5
|
Progressive Car Insurance Quotes: 4.8/5
Progressive is the 3rd largest car insurance provider in America. To get your Progressive auto insurance quote, visit Progressive.
PROS
- Excellent coverage as standard
- Unbelievable choice of options
- Brilliant range of online resources, including the quote tool
CONS
- Not the best for high risk drivers
BEST FOR: Setting fantastic standards for any coverage.
We’ve used 1 to 5 scale ratings:
- 5: Excellent
- 4: Good
- 3: Fair
- 2: Bad
- 1: Very bad
| Parameter | Rating |
|---|
| Time | 5 |
| Online | 5 |
| Phone | 5 |
| Face to face | 5
|
| Rates | 5
|
| Coverage | 5 |
| Choice | 5 |
| Speed | 5 |
| Savings | 5 |
| All States | 5 |
| High Risk | 3 |
| Ease | 5
|
Root Car Insurance Quotes: 3/5
Root is a new and innovative player in the car insurance market that bases its rates on driver behaviour and rewards good drivers through an AI-based app that tracks your driving. To download the app and apply for your Root auto insurance quote, visit Root Car Insurance.
PROS
- Low rates
- Rewards safe drivers
- Some nice benefits included, like roadside assistance
CONS
- Quote process is slow and requires a test drive for several weeks where the Root app's AI measures your driving habits initially
- Doesn't accept bad or high risk drivers to maintain a high quality
- Not available in all states
BEST FOR: Cheap car insurance rates and Millennial drivers who are looking to become better drivers and get rewarded for it with even better rates!
We’ve used 1 to 5 scale ratings:
- 5: Excellent
- 4: Good
- 3: Fair
- 2: Bad
- 1: Very bad
| Parameter | Rating |
|---|
| Time | 1 |
| Online | 5 |
| Phone | 3 |
| Face to face | 1 |
| Rates | 5
|
| Coverage | 3 |
| Choice | 3 |
| Speed | 3 |
| Savings | 5 |
| All States | 1 |
| High Risk | 1 |
| Ease | 5
|
Safe Auto Insurance Quotes: 3.5/5
SafeAuto specializes in providing car insurance to customers who may not be able to source it elsewhere, such as high risk drivers. To get a Safe Auto car insurance quote, visit Safe Auto.
PROS
- Flexible coverage available
- Good for high risk drivers
CONS
- Customer service is not always the best
BEST FOR: High Risk Drivers.
We’ve used 1 to 5 scale ratings:
- 5: Excellent
- 4: Good
- 3: Fair
- 2: Bad
- 1: Very bad
| Parameter | Rating |
|---|
| Time | 4 |
| Online | 3 |
| Phone | 3 |
| Face to face | 3 |
| Rates | 3 |
| Coverage | 4 |
| Choice | 2 |
| Speed | 5 |
| Savings | 5 |
| All States | 3 |
| High Risk | 5 |
| Ease | 3 |
State Farm Car Insurance Quotes: 4.5/5
State Farm is the number one provider of car insurance in America. To get your State Farm auto insurance quote, visit State Farm.
PROS
- Top brand
- Personalized service
- Great coverage
- Cheap rates
- Mutual
CONS
- Not enough choice of coverages
- Not the ideal company for high risk drivers
BEST FOR: Drivers who wants to be on the safe side and seek peace of mind that there is a reliable company behind them, that they are well covered and get good service
We’ve used 1 to 5 scale ratings:
- 5: Excellent
- 4: Good
- 3: Fair
- 2: Bad
- 1: Very bad
| Parameter | Rating |
|---|
| Time | 5 |
| Online | 5 |
| Phone | 5 |
| Face to face | 5
|
| Rates | 5
|
| Coverage | 5 |
| Choice | 1 |
| Speed | 5 |
| Savings | 5 |
| All States | 5 |
| High Risk | 3 |
| Ease | 5
|
Travelers Car Insurance Quotes: 4.5/5
Travelers is a long-established, top 10 company in car insurance. To get your Travelers auto insurance quote, visit Travelers.
PROS
- Excellent multi-policy discounts
- Easy to tailor your policy
- Trusted brand
CONS
- Certain features not available in some states
BEST FOR: Drivers who require an affordable car insurance policy that's tailored to their specific needs from a trusted company.
We’ve used 1 to 5 scale ratings:
- 5: Excellent
- 4: Good
- 3: Fair
- 2: Bad
- 1: Very bad
| Parameter | Rating |
|---|
| Time | 5 |
| Online | 5 |
| Phone | 5 |
| Face to face | 5
|
| Rates | 5
|
| Coverage | 5 |
| Choice | 1 |
| Speed | 5 |
| Savings | 5 |
| All States | 3 |
| High Risk | 5 |
| Ease | 5
|
USAA Car Insurance Quotes: 4.75/5
USAA is the leading provider of insurance to military members, veterans and their families, known for excellent rates and reliability. To apply for your USAA auto insurance quote, visit USAA.
PROS
- Great deals for military personnel and their families
- Excellent reputation for customer service
- Useful additional benefits
- Among the cheapest car insurance quotes
CONS
- Not open to non-military customers
BEST FOR: Military members, veterans and their families.
We’ve used 1 to 5 scale ratings:
- 5: Excellent
- 4: Good
- 3: Fair
- 2: Bad
- 1: Very bad
| Parameter | Rating |
|---|
| Time | 5 |
| Online | 5 |
| Phone | 5 |
| Face to face | 5
|
| Rates | 5
|
| Coverage | 5 |
| Choice | 3 |
| Speed | 5 |
| Savings | 5 |
| All States | 5 |
| High Risk | 4 |
| Ease | 5
|
