Cheap Car Insurance Quotes: Compare Online

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How to Compare Car Insurance Quotes and Get Cheap Auto Insurance Online

So your old auto insurance policy is expiring, you cancelled your previous policy, or you just purchased a new vehicle. Mazel tov! now it’s time to compare car insurance quotes from the best auto insurers and get the best coverage for your precise requirements at the cheapest rate. 

While auto insurance comparison can become frustrating to deal with, time consuming and expensive, it is a must, for you to follow national and state-mandatory laws and regulations that passed legislation to protect drivers from unexpected financial loss that involves driving and vehicle ownership.

The following guide will open your eyes and raise your awareness in regards to the different options available today for those looking to compare car insurance quotes, companies, coverages and plans in the most beneficial way, whether its online, on the phone or face to face, and it includes expert and customer reviews so you can make the best decisions for your auto insurance needs which will positively affect your life - and your wallet!

It covers car insurances from the bottom up - definitions, facts and statistics, explanation of terms, types of auto insurance, customer reviews and expert reviews of different auto insurance companies, products, comparison sites and services as well as guidance on the best ways in which you can compare and find good cheap auto insurance quotes, for free, and buy car insurance online. So get yourself some coffee, sit back, scroll down and read on!

Car Insurance Quotes Explained 

Car insurance quotes are estimates for what your auto insurance policy would cost and cover, given by auto insurance companies, which are the carriers. These quotes are estimated by the carrier itself, and can also be served by licensed car insurance agencies, agents, brokers, aggregators and comparison sites.

The more you provide relevant information, the more accurate the car insurance quotes you get are going to be.

• Driving history
• Background
• Credit score
• Age
• Gender
• Location
• The vehicle you drive 
• Vehicle usage
• Coverage type and amount
• Marital status: Married people are statistically involved in less auto accidents than singles, divorced and widows
• Homeownership: homeowners pay dramatically less for their car insurance than renters for a similar coverage, thanks to auto and home insurance bundle discounts
• Any other relevant information for assessing the policyholder's carried risk 

Explore our car insurance studies:

• Average car insurance cost per month 

• BMW insurance cost
• Honda Civic insurance cost
• Ford Mustang insurance cost
• Tesla insurance cost
• Dodge Charger insurance cost
• Lamborghini insurance cost
• Toyota Corolla insurance cost
• Ford Focus insurance cost
• Chevy Cruze insurance cost
• Honda Accord insurance cost
• Ferrari insurance cost
• Hyundai Elantra insurance cost
• Nissan Altima insurance cost
• Nissan Sentra insurance cost
• Toyota Camry insurance cost
• Volkswagen Jetta insurance cost

• SR22 insurance cost
• Cheapest cars to insure
• Cheapest Car Insurance for Teens, New & Young Drivers

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. 

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 on your car insurance, 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:

- 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.

Also, check out our review of the best and cheapest car insurance companies of 2021.

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.

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.

Also read: States with Cheapest Car Insurance Rates

Minimum Liability Car Insurance Quotes by State

The cheapest and most expensive states for minimum liability car insurance rates are bolded and underlined.

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.

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.

Car Insurance Quotes: The Ultimate Shopping Guide

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

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:

Insuranks.com Car Insurance Quotes: 4/5

- 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

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.

- 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

CarInsurance.com Review: 2/5

- Easy to use interface

Compare.com Car Insurance Quotes: 4.6/5

- Compares auto insurance rates from over 50 companies

- Auto insurance focused

- Trusted brand

CoverHound Car Insurance Quotes: 4.8/5

- 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

Esurance Car Insurance Quotes: 3.6/5

- Trusted brand

- Great interface, really useful online tools and powerful apps

EverQuote Auto Insurance Quotes: 0.6/5

- Can't think of any

Insure.com Review: 0.8/5

- User friendly interface

Insurify Car Insurance Quotes: 4.4/5

- 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

NetQuote Car Insurance Quotes: 2.6/5

- Covers other insurance types

- Complete one user friendly form for multiple quotes

PolicyGenius Car Insurance Quotes Review: 4.6/5

- Fresh, innovative approach

- Easy to use

Quote.com Car Insurance Quotes: 2/5

- Intuitive and easy to use form

QuoteWizard Car Insurance Quotes: 2/5

- Friendly interface

The Zebra Car Insurance Quotes: 3.2/5

- Simple to use, friendly interface

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.

We’ve used 1 to 5 scale ratings: 

• 5: Excellent
• 4: Good
• 3: Fair
• 2: Bad
• 1: Very bad

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

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

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

Allstate Auto Insurance Quotes: 4.3/5

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

Amica Auto Insurance Quotes: 4.5/5

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

ClearCover Car Insurance Quotes: 3.8/5

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

Costco Ameriprise Car Insurance Quotes: 3.7/5

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

Farmers Car Insurance Quotes: 3.7/5

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

Freeway Car Insurance Quotes: 3.7/5

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

GEICO Car Insurance Quotes: 4.5/5

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

Liberty Mutual Car Insurance Quotes: 3.5/5

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

Mercury Car Insurance Quotes: 3.9/5

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

MetLife Car Insurance Quotes: 4.4/5

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

Nationwide Car Insurance Quotes: 4.3/5

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

Progressive Car Insurance Quotes: 4.8/5

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

Root Car Insurance Quotes: 3/5

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

Safe Auto Insurance Quotes: 3.5/5

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

State Farm Car Insurance Quotes: 4.5/5

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

Travelers Car Insurance Quotes: 4.5/5

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

USAA Car Insurance Quotes: 4.75/5

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

Direct Car Insurance Quotes Comparison: Companies & Rates

Check out our review of the best and cheapest car insurance companies of 2021.

Car Insurance Quotes Comparison Guide: Wrapping it up

Whether you buy your car insurance direct, online, or via a broker, there are advantages and disadvantages to each approach. Which route works best for you depends on your specific needs, technical skills and time constraints, plus whether you value service and personal touch over cheap car insurance rates and discounts. We hope the insights here help you make the best choice for yourself in regards to comparing auto insurance quotes to get you on the road fast, protect you well and fit your budget. You are, of course, invited to use our car insurance quotes comparison tool to get connected with great auto insurers, find information about them, read customer reviews and get the best car insurance coverage for you.

We’ve used 1 to 5 scale ratings: 

• 5: Excellent
• 4: Good
• 3: Fair
• 2: Poor
• 1: Very poor

Comparing Auto Insurance Quotes and Perks

Comparing auto insurance quotes will give you a more comprehensive view of your options. Well, a wide variety of choices will easily overwhelm you at first. Your decision-making may get clouded, but you have to decide on an insurance product and company that fits you. 

Some insurance companies would bombard you with attractive options, even discounts or freebies. However, you must dismiss that “halo effect” and decide on what car insurance coverage matches your actual needs, budget and profile. 

Rates would also differ because it depends mainly on certain factors such as credit history, age, gender, car type and value, driving record, location or ZIP code, number of miles per year, state and a whole lot of other factors. 

With that in mind, it would be impossible to compare the quotes of a 20-year-old male from Hawaii with the auto insurance prices a 60-year-old female driver from Michigan would receive. A lot of variables would be counted in to determine the auto insurance rates for a specific client or individual. 

When comparing rates, after making sure you have all your needs covered, check the company's average score, as well as car insurance promos or discounts that you may qualify for. Once you have shortlisted some of the best car insurance companies that have the right auto insurance coverage, products, rates and ratings, you should do a background check and read some reviews and ratings that other customers have left on their company page.

This will help you gain a more refined or realistic perspective of what the company can offer and how they treat their clients and policyholders. While the advertising mumbo jumbo can reel you into a company’s offers, feedback from real users would give you a fresh and real-time perspective on the credibility, performance, service, coverage and trustworthiness of an auto insurance company. 

When shopping for car insurance, you are most likely to choose a titan in the industry or a reputable, large, well known auto insurer. Well, this makes sense, after all, you would want to invest in a company that has earned its stripes in the industry. The staying power of a company has a lot to say about its resilience, financial strength and relevance in the market. It is assumed that large-scale auto insurance companies are sometimes more resilient and more likely to be able to afford paying your claims. But this is not always true and this is why you should check a company's online reputation and reviews by their customers ahead of choosing it.

On the other hand, there are also perks that follow through by signing up with a smaller car insurance company. Well, these startups are able to offer a fresh, modern, digital and customized service to their clients because the young blood in the industry tends to bring in innovation and personalization first in their roster of services. Along with other things. 

Car Insurance Quotes Comparison Tips

• Dig up more information on this website about car insurance companies and understand their online reputation. Read customer reviews, ratings and testimonials online and observe how their customers have experienced them. This reveals a lot about the company's overall experience and reliability. 

• Check on your state’s insurance department to determine the car insurance type mandated by law. In general, most states would require liability insurance and with minimum coverage for property damage and bodily injury.

• Ask for recommendations and referrals from family and friends regarding auto insurance companies and agents. Word-of-mouth remains a very strong determining factor when deciding on what car insurance company to trust.

• Get maximum auto insurance quotes from as many different companies as possible: Request product brochures and quotes from different insurance companies through this website or through a local agent/agency and then compare them one by one. You want all of the options on your table before making such important decision. What's the rate? what it covers? how reputed is the company? Pay a bit more attention to the little details such as payment options, deductibles, exclusions, discounts, and hidden fees. 

• Make a shortlist of your preferred car insurance providers, quotes and offers and then verify their legitimacy and licensure with your state’s insurance department.

• Take note of some questions you might have about the car insurance coverage and other details. Ask car insurance company representatives and/or agents if your credit history would affect rates in different companies, if the coverage would cover rental cars when traveling, or if speeding ticket/driving history would affect the premium.

• Prioritize paying your premiums on time. Non-payment of premiums could result in a lapse in your vehicle insurance coverage. There are auto insurance carriers who would offer direct withdrawal from your checking account to prevent lost coverage.

How to Get the Cheapest Car Insurance Quotes

There are factors that determine your car insurance quotes like your gender and age that are out of your control. However, there are a couple of factors that you have total control of, like your credit score, driving record, mileage, type or brand of car, and the amount of car insurance coverage. 

Basically, your car insurance cost would depend on the risk factors auto insurance providers take in to account. So, basically, they would want to weigh in on the probability that you’ll be filing claims on your car insurance. 

In order to get the cheapest car insurance quotes, you have to research and compare quotes of different car insurance companies. In the beginning of this guide we provided a list of inexpensive car insurance companies with an average car insurance cost of $100 per month or less as well as their rating. This list should help you look into the car insurance providers that combine that good match of affordability with excellent customer service. 

You also have to check on your own credit report and driving record to make sure it’s clean and in good standing. Basically, a car insurance company would assess your likelihood of getting into an accident and filing claims. So, if you have citations for DUI, incurred accidents, or have other driving violations, then you will be considered a high-risk client and would have higher insurance rates than someone who has a clean driving record and high credit score. 

In fact, if you’re a safe driver, there are several car insurance companies that would give you discounts for that plus also get lower rates over time. An app is used to monitor and assess your driving behavior, which will be the basis for discounts.

Also, if you happen to have a car that is costly in terms of car repair and mechanical breakdown, then your car insurance rates would also increase. However, with older cars, your car insurance company could give you discounts or a reduction in prices. 

Choosing the lowest amount of auto insurance coverage also helps you save on your car insurance fees. Additionally, you may also opt to choose a higher deductible, which translates to less risk for your auto insurance company and minimal costs for you. 

Another option to get cheap auto insurance quotes is to take advantage of the auto insurance discounts that your company has. Discounts such as paperless billing, good student discounts, multi-policy discounts, and multi-car discounts will give you more savings on your auto insurance fees.

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! 

such as bodily injury and property damage, the two main facets that auto insurance policies cover)

If you’re reading this right now, then the chances are that you’ve been wondering how to choose car insurance, or you’re wondering exactly what does car insurance cover. Here, we’re going to give you a quick crash course in car insurance. Below, we’ll discuss the following:

• What does car insurance covers?

• The difference between basic liability and full coverage insurance. 

• The difference between at-fault and no-fault states. 

Don’t forget to bookmark this article and share it with your friends and family! 

What Does Car Insurance Cover?

The law requires all drivers to maintain an auto insurance policy if they’re driving a vehicle on public roadways. While this may seem a bit unfair, you also have to consider that we’re living in America where two truths are evident:

• Medical and hospital costs are incredibly high. 

• Cars and automobiles are very expensive. 

Without insurance, a small two-driver car crash with no fatalities can easily cost the two drivers upwards of $15,000 or more after paying for medical bills and vehicle repairs! The average cost for an ambulance ride alone can be upwards of $300 per mile. Repairing the front-end on a car can easily cost $2,000 to $3,000, not including anything else that may have been damaged. 

Car insurance ensures that drivers only have to pay a small amount out of pocket in the event of an accident. This is known as your deductible. For example, if you have a $1,000 deductible and sustain $8,000 worth of damages to your car, then you’ll pay $1,000, and your insurer will pay the remaining $7,000 (if you’re at fault, that is). 

Car insurance also ensures that the other driver is covered as well. For example, if you’re found at fault and you crash into somebody else, your insurance will pay for their medical bills so that you don’t have to face a lawsuit and pay for their medical bills out of pocket. 

We suggest you take a minute to think about your risk as a driver to the car insurance company. 

• Are you a new driver? 
• Living in a place with lots of potholes? 
• Driving an old car? 
• Or maybe just a bad driver? 

All of this impacts your auto premiums. This shouldn’t deter you, however. The cost of a car accident is still much higher!!

Car accidents cost the United States about $231 billion every year. Yes, you read that right. And accidents usually cost in the thousands. That's why being covered is so important and mandatory in most states. 

Your policy will have liability coverage limits. In auto insurance, this limit is usually broken down in to three components:

• The maximum amount of money the insurance company will spend on your injuries

• The maximum amount of money the insurance company will spend on people you injure

• The maximum amount of money the insurance company will spend on property damage

Be sure to know what the liability limits are on your auto insurance plan.

While there are different levels of auto insurance, they are typically broken down into two basic categories:

• Basic liability coverage

• Full coverage 

If you’re wondering what does car insurance cover for each type, keep reading to find out. 

Basic Liability Policy

Basic liability is a broad term that infers that the policyholder is covered for the state-mandated insurance minimums. Each state has its own laws that regulate how much coverage each driver must be insured for, which you can view here. In general, you’ll pay more for coverage in states that have a high percentage of automotive accidents and less in states with a lower percentage of accidents. 

Basic liability insurance typically doesn’t cover your personal costs. It just pays for the other drivers’ costs. If you’re driving an older vehicle or drive in a rural town where accidents are sparse, then these policies can save you money compared to a full coverage policy. 

Here’s what they typically include. 

Bodily Injury Liability Coverage

Pays for the other driver’s medical bills and compensation (if you’re at fault). Read more about bodily injury liability insurance.

Property Damage Liability Coverage

Pays to repair the other driver’s vehicle (if you’re at fault). Read more about property damage liability insurance.

Personal Injury Protection (In No-Fault States)

There are currently twelve “no-fault states” where drivers must pay for their own medical bills. In these states, drivers must have personal injury protection (PIP) coverage added to their basic liability policy to cover the costs of any injuries sustained in an accident.  Read more about PIP insurance.

Full Coverage Policy

Full coverage policies are designed to be all-inclusive and cover almost everything that could possibly happen to your vehicle. These policies are usually double or triple the cost of a basic liability policy, but they’re worth it if you have a newer vehicle and want to protect your investment. Read more about full coverage insurance.

Basic Liability 

Full coverage includes all of the basic liability coverages listed above that cover the other driver’s vehicle and medical bills. Read more about basic liability car insurance.

Collision Coverage

Covers repairs to your vehicle, even if you’re at fault. Read more about collision insurance coverage. 

Uninsured/Underinsured Driver Coverage

Covers your repairs and medical bills if you’re hit by somebody who doesn’t have insurance or who doesn’t have enough insurance to cover your costs. Read more about uninsured/underinsured driver clause coverage.

Comprehensive Coverage

Covers against non-collision accidents such as:

• Theft

• Fire, flooding, hail, snow, etc. 

• Running into an animal

• Falling debris

• Losing control of the vehicle

• Tire blowout, brake/engine failure

“GAP” Insurance

If you financed your vehicle and it’s declared a “total loss” by the insurance company, GAP insurance pays off the remainder of your auto loan. Read more about the best GAP insurance.

Rental Coverage

Covers the cost of renting a vehicle if your car is getting repaired or declared a total loss.

Auto Insurance Types and Coverage Options

• Full coverage car insurance
• Collision insurance
• Comprehensive insurance
• GAP Insurance 
• Liability car insurance
• Personal injury protection (PIP) insurance, also known as no-fault insurance coverage
• Property damage liability insurance 
• Bodily injury liability insurance 
• Uninsured motorist coverage

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.

Top 4 Factors That Affect Car Insurance Quotes

Remember that in America, insurance companies are businesses. This means that they have a bottom line to maintain and are always going to profit, no matter how many payouts they have to give out. This is part of the reason why policies are so complicated to understand. Every insurer has to make sure that they are covered so that they don’t lose money because of covering you.

That said, here are the top factors that affect car insurance rates. 

Age

The younger you are, the more you’ll usually pay. Teen drivers and drivers between 20 and 24 are the most expensive to insure, while older drivers tend to get a more affordable rate. Here is the cheapest car insurance for teens and young drivers, as well as the cheapest cars to insure for teenage drivers.

Driving Record

The cleaner your driving record is (no accidents, traffic tickets, tax liens), the better of a deal you’ll get. The worse your record is, the more you’ll pay. SR-22 insurance is the most expensive and is given to those who’ve had reckless driving charges or were previously charged with a DUI.

Type of Vehicle

The more expensive your vehicle is, the higher your insurance will be. Sports cars also tend to be more expensive to insure since they’re of higher speed that is more likely to result in a car accident or speeding ticket. Here are the cheapest cars to insure. You can also explore the insurance costs of Honda Civic, BMW, Mustang, Tesla, Lamborghini and Dodge Charger, as well as other vehicle types, throughout the website.

City/State you Live in

If you live in a state where accidents aren’t very common, you’ll save on your auto insurance. However, if you live in a state where accidents are more prevalent, you’ll pay more for car insurance. Here are the states with the cheapest car insurance rates.

What's Next?

• Make a list of your needs. What are you looking for? What is not important to you? Which of the auto insurance plan types best suits your needs?

• Determine your risk based on the factors we discussed. 

• Compare a maximum amount of quotes, companies and plans, to ensure that you have all of the options on your table and that you only find the best, most affordable and reliable car insurance near you that is the most suitable for you and your needs.

• Don’t hesitate to reread this page and go through other car insurance related resources that are linked below. Education is key when it comes to auto insurance!

To sum up, driving and vehicle ownership can be fun and exciting. For many, a vehicle can reduce the time spent commuting to work, or can allow individuals to travel more flexibly around a town, city, state and even a country. 

Vehicle ownership is liberating - let’s keep it this way by driving safely, avoiding car accidents and having the best coverage for any unexpected financial expenses.

And now that you're well aware of the bigger picture it's time for you to purchase the best car insurance online through a proper comparison.