Cheap Car Insurance Quotes Online (2020)
You could save on auto insurance by getting free, instant quotes online. We'll help you find cheap rates from trusted insurers in an instant.
Getting multiple car insurance quotes is often the best way to find affordable rates. Depending on the auto insurer, you may receive policy quotes that differ by thousands of dollars.
To start comparing quotes online from insurers near you, enter your ZIP code below, or read on for more tips on finding cheap auto insurance quotes near you.
We'll help explain:
What is a car insurance quote?
- the estimated price of your auto insurance policy from a carrier, based on the personal information you provide
- a good predictor of your annual premium for any particular insurance company
However, your final rate can change once your carrier receives all the necessary information from you, including your vehicle type, driving history and other factors.
Why you should get free car insurance quotes online
Finding cheap auto insurance quotes doesn't have to be difficult.
ValuePenguin works with trusted national carriers to help you find the best rate quickly, simply and easily — for free.
Find Cheap Auto Insurance Quotes in Your Area
Here are some of the best reasons to start comparing quotes now.
How age affects car insurance quotes
Age is one of the most important variables insurers use to price car insurance quotes.
For auto insurance companies, age indicates driving experience and risk. Older drivers are typically perceived as less likely to be involved in an accident and file a claim.
Auto insurance quotes are usually most costly for younger and new drivers. Quotes will typically level off around 30 years old and increase much later in life when drivers become seniors.
Annual full-coverage car insurance quotes by age
How gender impacts automobile insurance quotes
Car insurance is typically more expensive for men relative to women. Differences in quotes are typically larger among younger, new drivers, and often the gap between men and women narrows significantly over their early to mid 20s.
Quote disparities are largely due to how insurers evaluate risk, as historical data has shown that young men more often engage in risky driving behavior than young women.
Some states and municipalities, however, prohibit carriers from using gender in the auto insurance quotation process. These include California, Hawaii, Massachusetts, Montana, North Carolina, Pennsylvania and parts of Michigan. Drivers of any gender should receive similar car insurance quotes in these locations, all else being equal.
Annual full-coverage car insurance quotes by gender
How location influences vehicle insurance quotes
Car insurance is regulated at the state level, so auto insurance quotes often vary drastically depending on where you live.
Furthermore, accidents are more likely to happen in dense, urban areas, so drivers in large cities often get higher quotes than people in rural communities.
Annual full-coverage car insurance quotes by state, from cheapest to most expensive
| Rank | State | Annual premium |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | ME | $1,268 |
| 2 | HI | $1,340 |
| 3 | NC | $1,434 |
| 4 | IA | $1,482 |
| 5 | IN | $1,489 |
| 6 | VA | $1,498 |
| 7 | AK | $1,502 |
| 8 | WI | $1,590 |
| 9 | OH | $1,688 |
| 10 | WA | $1,691 |
| 11 | VT | $1,769 |
| 12 | ID | $1,777 |
| 13 | CA | $1,804 |
| 14 | TN | $1,821 |
| 15 | MA | $1,866 |
| 16 | ND | $1,979 |
| 17 | NH | $2,004 |
| 18 | SC | $2,013 |
| 19 | PA | $2,018 |
| 20 | NE | $2,038 |
| 21 | AL | $2,078 |
| 22 | WY | $2,118 |
| 23 | WV | $2,131 |
| 24 | KS | $2,190 |
| 25 | NM | $2,194 |
| 26 | OR | $2,205 |
| 27 | MS | $2,208 |
| 28 | AR | $2,213 |
| 29 | MN | $2,271 |
| 30 | IL | $2,313 |
| 31 | SD | $2,338 |
| 32 | MD | $2,431 |
| 33 | DE | $2,513 |
| 34 | MT | $2,525 |
| 35 | UT | $2,538 |
| 36 | MO | $2,584 |
| 37 | TX | $2,594 |
| 38 | GA | $2,619 |
| 39 | CT | $2,619 |
| 40 | OK | $2,659 |
| 41 | AZ | $2,699 |
| 42 | NY | $2,752 |
| 43 | DC | $2,793 |
| 44 | NJ | $3,013 |
| 45 | CO | $3,164 |
| 46 | NV | $3,190 |
| 47 | FL | $3,370 |
| 48 | KY | $3,418 |
| 49 | LA | $3,525 |
| 50 | RI | $3,847 |
| 51 | MI | $8,723 |
How coverage types affect auto insurance quotes
When purchasing auto insurance, your quote will depend on the type of policy you select.
- A minimum-coverage policy meets the minimum legal requirements for car insurance in any given state.
- A full-coverage policy typically adds comprehensive and collision coverage, and therefore costs more. Full coverage, however, provides more protection for damage to your car.
Annual car insurance quotes for full and minimum coverage in the 10 largest U.S. states
| Rank | State | Full-coverage quote | Minimum-coverage quote | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | California | $1,804 | $574 | $1,230 |
| 2 | Texas | $2,594 | $890 | $1,704 |
| 3 | Florida | $3,370 | $2,565 | $805 |
| 4 | New York | $2,752 | $1,323 | $1,429 |
| 5 | Pennsylvania | $2,018 | $615 | $1,403 |
| 6 | Illinois | $2,313 | $878 | $1,435 |
| 7 | Ohio | $1,688 | $561 | $1,127 |
| 8 | Georgia | $2,619 | $1,114 | $1,505 |
| 9 | North Carolina | $1,434 | $542 | $892 |
| 10 | Michigan | $8,723 | $5,282 | $3,441 |
How vehicle type affects auto insurance quotes
Car insurance quotes can vary substantially depending on the type of vehicle you drive.
While higher-value cars are typically more expensive to insure, this trend is not always the case, as demonstrated below. Here we list annual car insurance quotes for the Honda Civic EX — our sample car in the rest of our analysis — against the country's top-selling pickup truck (Ford F-150), SUV (Toyota RAV4) and sedan (Toyota Camry).
Annual minimum-coverage car insurance quotes by vehicle type
| Car model | Annual insurance quote | Manufacturer suggested retail price (MSRP) |
|---|---|---|
| 2015 Honda Civic EX | $937 | N/A |
| 2019 Toyota Camry L | $934 | $24,095 |
| 2019 Toyota RAV4 LE | $898 | $25,650 |
| 2019 Ford F-150 XL | $888 | $28,155 |
How different insurers price car insurance quotes
Different companies can offer the same driver drastically different car insurance quotes. This is among the most important reasons to compare auto insurance quotes when shopping.
Below, we offer an example of how insurers offer different annual rates for a 25-year-old sample motorist. Insurers will charge the same young driver a wide range of quotes.
Annual full-coverage auto insurance quotes by insurer
| Insurer | Annual premium |
|---|---|
| Erie | $1,518 |
| USAA | $1,673 |
| GEICO | $2,100 |
| Nationwide | $2,141 |
| Progressive | $2,655 |
| State Farm | $2,688 |
| Allstate | $5,074 |
How to get a quote online or with an agent
Whether you choose to get a quote online or through an agent, aim for at least three quotes from three different companies. The more quotes you get, the more options you have.
Getting an insurance quote online — called a direct quote — is probably the fastest and most convenient way to shop for auto insurance. Most of the national insurance companies will quote you a premium for your policy and even close the deal with you online.
You can also enter your ZIP code below to start comparing quotes now.
Find Cheap Auto Insurance Quotes in Your Area
Key steps to get auto insurance quotes online
Collect your personal and vehicle information | Decide on policy type and coverage limits | Comparison shop
Information needed for car insurance quotes
When requesting a quote or submitting a form for a quote online, you'll need to have some personal information about you as a motorist on hand. This is a list of the information you'll commonly be asked for when inquiring about a quote:
- Address
- Date of birth
- Gender
- Social Security number
- Current insurance information (if any)
- Marital status
- The make, model and year of the car you drive
- Whether you purchased the car new or used
- Your car's odometer reading / how much you drive in a year
- Vehicle license plate number
- Driver's license number
- Driving history (any claims, violations or accidents)
Choose a policy and the appropriate coverage limits
The type of auto insurance policy you choose — whether minimum- or full-coverage — will affect your quote, so it helps to have a general idea of which coverages you'd like before getting one.
We typically recommend all drivers consider purchasing full-coverage car insurance, particularly if their vehicle is worth more than $2,000. Additionally, some drivers may need special coverages that increase the price of their auto quote. Gap insurance, for example, is an optional coverage that reimburses drivers financing their vehicle with an auto loan in the event of auto theft or a total loss.
Be sure to consider any unique circumstances that will influence the policy type and coverage options you select when getting a quote. You should also try to determine ahead of time what liability limits you'll select for the following standard coverages:
- Bodily injury liability reimburses medical expenses, emergency services, compensation of lost income and even funeral expenses to another driver for accidents in which you are at fault.
- Property damage liability covers repair and replacement costs of damage to homes, storefronts, vehicles and other property for accidents in which you are at fault.
- Personal injury protection (PIP) offers reimbursement for your own medical expenses, regardless of who was at fault in an accident.
- Uninsured/underinsured motorist offers reimbursement for your bodily injury or property damage expenses for accidents in which the at-fault driver is uninsured or underinsured.
Comparison shop to find your best rate
After you've gathered relevant personal and vehicle information and chosen your policy type and coverage selections, you're ready to get a quote. A quick and simple way to compare multiple car insurance quotes is to use our tool at the top of the page. You can start by entering your ZIP code.
As an alternative, many insurers offer their own free online quote tools you can access directly on their website, or you might consider working with an insurance agent to help you with the process.
Should you get a quote online or with an agent?
Quotes can be obtained several ways, such as in person, over the phone or online. Online quotes, or direct quotes, are typically the most convenient, but drivers who prefer a more personal touch may opt to work directly with an agent.
- You can also check quotes on the insurer's website for free. Some companies, such as Progressive, let you see competitors' rates side by side so you can find the best price.
- If you can't get a quote online, try calling an agent at the insurance company you're interested in. With agents, you can either get one company's quotes or quotes from multiple carriers.
Bottom line: Getting quotes online can be more convenient for drivers who prefer using the internet, while calling up an agent offers a direct point of contact for your auto policy.
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Editorial Note: The content of this article is based on the author’s opinions and recommendations alone. It has not been previewed, commissioned or otherwise endorsed by any of our network partners.