In this article 13 sections
Quick Verdict
The cheapest auto insurance quote depends on your state, driving record, car and (in most states) credit, so no single company is cheapest for everyone. Get at least three quotes for identical coverage limits, raise your deductible if you can afford it, and ask for every discount. Then sanity-check the result against the NAIC’s 2024 averages: $1,432 per insured vehicle countrywide, or $1,613 for a policy with liability, collision and comprehensive. Shop again at renewal, because prices change.
Figures cross-checked against NAIC, Insurance Information Institute and state insurance department sources. See our sourcing policy.
Car insurance prices for the same driver and car can differ by hundreds of dollars from one company to the next, because each insurer weighs your state, driving record, vehicle and credit differently. The only reliable way to find the cheapest auto insurance quote is to compare several companies on identical coverage, then check the result against what drivers in your state actually pay.
Quick answer: Get at least three quotes with identical liability limits, deductibles and coverages, then ask each insurer for its discount list. As a benchmark, NAIC data show U.S. drivers spent an average of $1,432 per insured vehicle in 2024, from $907 in North Dakota to $2,018 in Florida. A quote far above your state’s figure deserves a coverage-by-coverage check.
This guide covers how to collect comparable quotes, what the NAIC’s 2024 state averages say, why a high-cost state like Florida prices so differently, and which discounts and coverage choices actually move the number. For the rating factors behind any quote, see our explainer on what affects car insurance rates.
How to Find the Cheapest Online Auto Insurance Quotes
You no longer have to call every office in town. Most insurers quote online, and comparison sites show several prices at once, although some share your details with multiple insurers (see the checklist below).
First, gather your information: each driver’s license number, your car’s VIN and your current declarations page. Then request quotes from a mix of companies, for example a large direct writer such as Progressive insurance, an agent-based carrier and, if you have tickets or a lapse in coverage, a non-standard insurer that accepts higher-risk drivers. Enter the same details everywhere so the prices are comparable.
Why Florida Quotes Run Highest, and What Florida Requires
Florida is worth singling out because it sits at the top of the NAIC’s 2024 table: an average expenditure of $2,017.97 per insured vehicle, against $1,431.63 countrywide. Most of the gap is liability. NAIC puts Florida’s average liability premium at $1,391.15, compared with $813.27 nationally, while its collision ($505.81) and comprehensive ($277.58) averages are close to the national figures.
Florida’s rules differ too. According to the Insurance Information Institute, Florida’s compulsory coverages are property damage liability and personal injury protection rather than bodily injury liability, and Florida law requires specific types of coverage: every Florida policy needs at least $10,000 of personal injury protection (PIP) and $10,000 of property damage liability (PDL). The Insurance Research Council, cited by the III, estimated that 15.9% of Florida drivers were uninsured in 2022, above the 14.0% national rate, which is one reason uninsured motorist coverage is worth pricing there. If you live in Florida, compare quotes from several carriers, including smaller regional ones, because prices vary widely by driver.
Major Insurers to Include in Your Quote Comparison
Not all insurance companies sell the same way. Some are direct-to-consumer, some work through local agents, and some specialize in drivers that other companies decline. The table below lists widely available options; none is cheapest for everyone.
Insurer Comparison Table
| Company Name | Best Known For | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Geico | Large direct-to-consumer insurer | Varies by driver and state |
| State Farm | Large local agent network | Varies by driver and state |
| Progressive | Snapshot usage-based program | Varies by driver and state |
| Lemonade | App-based, sold in limited states | Varies by driver and state |
| The General | Policies for high-risk drivers | Varies by driver and state |
| Allstate | Agents plus many discount options | Varies by driver and state |
If you also own a home or rent, ask each company for a bundled quote, since multi-policy discounts are common. If you drive a larger vehicle for work, a personal auto policy may not apply; see our guide on Commercial Truck Insurance for federal minimums and specialized coverage.
What Drivers Actually Pay: NAIC 2024 State Averages
Quotes make more sense once you know the baseline. The National Association of Insurance Commissioners (NAIC), the group of state insurance regulators, reports that the countrywide average expenditure in 2024 was $1,432 per insured vehicle, up 11.71% from the year before. The “combined average premium” for a policy that carries liability, collision and comprehensive together was $1,613, up 12.12%. For every state, see our full table of average car insurance cost by state.
| State | Average expenditure per vehicle, 2024 | Combined average premium, 2024 |
|---|---|---|
| Florida | $2,017.97 | $2,174.55 |
| New York | $1,980.93 | $2,149.87 |
| Louisiana | $1,880.42 | $2,151.12 |
| Michigan | $1,630.72 | $1,791.22 |
| Texas | $1,578.45 | $1,917.05 |
| California | $1,454.27 | $1,690.23 |
| Countrywide | $1,431.63 | $1,612.81 |
| Iowa | $973.17 | $1,132.96 |
| Maine | $934.54 | $1,000.13 |
| North Dakota | $907.25 | $1,077.51 |
Florida is the most expensive state in the NAIC table at $2,017.97, and North Dakota is the cheapest at $907.25. NAIC cautions that state-to-state comparisons need care, because the averages do not account for the limits, deductibles, vehicles or drivers behind each policy. Use them as a sanity check: if a quote lands far above your state’s average, ask what coverage is driving the difference. This is general information, not insurance advice.
What Each Coverage Costs on Average
The NAIC also prices the three main coverages separately, which shows where your money goes and what you save by dropping one:
| Coverage (countrywide) | 2020 average premium | 2024 average premium |
|---|---|---|
| Liability | $631.28 | $813.27 |
| Collision | $371.05 | $516.39 |
| Comprehensive | $174.46 | $283.15 |
| Average expenditure | $1,047.75 | $1,431.63 |
By our arithmetic on NAIC’s figures, average expenditure rose about 37% between 2020 and 2024, which is why a renewal notice can jump even when nothing about you changed.
Top Tips for Getting Cheap Car Insurance
Most importantly, keep your driving record clean. Tickets and at-fault crashes raise quotes for years. If you do get into trouble, knowing how to handle accident claims can prevent your rates from skyrocketing.
- Bundle your plans: ask for a combined price on car plus renters or home insurance.
- Check your credit: in most states, a good credit-based insurance score helps you get cheaper auto insurance. California, Hawaii, Massachusetts and Michigan do not allow it to be used this way.
- Drive less: if you don’t drive far, tell your agent. You might get a “low mileage” discount.
- Safety features: cars with extra safety tech often get affordable car insurance rates.
Also, consider a higher deductible. You pay more out of pocket if you file a claim, but the premium is lower every month. To estimate how these choices change your premium, try our auto insurance calculator.
Understanding Different Types of Coverage
Before you buy, know what you are getting. Auto insurance is a bundle of separate protections, each priced on its own.
First, there is liability. It pays for the other person’s injuries and car if you cause a crash, and nearly every state requires it. Second, there is collision, which pays to fix your own car after a crash. Comprehensive covers theft, fire, flood, hail and similar damage. If you have an older car worth little, the NAIC figures above show what dropping collision and comprehensive could save on average.
How Young Drivers Can Lower Their Rates
Young drivers usually pay the most because they have little driving experience. There are still ways to reduce the price.
First, stay on your parents’ plan if you can, which is usually cheaper than a separate policy. Second, keep your grades up: many companies like Geico insurance offer a good student discount to full-time students with a “B” average or better. Also, a simple sedan usually costs less to insure than a sports car. Rates generally fall as drivers gain experience and keep a clean record.
Quote Comparison Checklist: Same Coverage, Same Deductible
A low quote means little if it covers less. Before you compare prices, line the quotes up on the same terms.
- Gather the basics. Have each driver’s license number, the vehicle identification number (VIN) of each car, and your current policy’s declarations page. Guessing at details such as mileage or prior claims can change the price later.
- Set identical liability limits. Liability pays for the other party’s injuries and property damage when you cause a crash. It does not repair your own car.
- Decide on collision and comprehensive. “Full coverage” is not a formal policy type. It usually means liability plus collision (damage to your car in a crash) plus comprehensive (theft, fire, flood, hail, falling objects). NAIC prices these three components separately, and so should you.
- Match deductibles. A higher deductible lowers the premium but raises what you pay out of pocket after a claim. Only choose an amount you could pay tomorrow.
- Compare at least three companies, including one direct writer, one agent-sold carrier and one regional or non-standard insurer if your record is not clean.
- Check who gets your data. Some comparison sites share your details with several insurers, so expect calls and emails. Buying directly from an insurer’s own site avoids that.
- Check the insurer’s complaint record. Your state insurance department, listed at the NAIC, handles complaints and licenses carriers.
Why You Should Check Quotes Every Six Months
Prices change, and NAIC’s data show average spending rising every year from 2020 to 2024. A good deal today may not be the best deal at renewal, so compare again before each renewal date.
Usage-based programs, which track your driving through an app or plug-in device, can lower the price for drivers with gentle habits, but ask how the data can affect renewal before you enroll. Re-quote after life changes as well, such as a move, a new car, a new driver on the policy or an old ticket aging off your record.
Discounts to Ask For, and What to Bring as Proof
Discounts are rarely applied unless you ask, and each one usually needs a document. Names and sizes differ by company and state, so ask each insurer for its exact list rather than assuming.
- Multi-policy (bundle): car plus renters or home insurance with the same company. Bring your renters or home policy number.
- Multi-car: two or more vehicles on one policy.
- Safe driver: no recent at-fault crashes or tickets, often looked back over three to five years. Insurers pull your driving record themselves.
- Good student: usually for full-time students with a B average or better. Send a recent report card.
- Low mileage or usage-based: a current odometer reading, or a phone app or plug-in device that tracks driving. Ask how the data can affect renewal before you enroll.
- Vehicle safety and anti-theft features: list them from the window sticker or owner’s manual.
- Paid-in-full and paperless billing: small, but often available.
Also compare the cost of collision and comprehensive against what your car is worth. If one year of those two coverages costs a large share of the car’s value, dropping them may make sense, but you then pay for any repairs yourself. This is general information, not legal or insurance advice; confirm required coverage with your state insurance department.
Conclusion: Compare Like for Like, Then Check the Benchmark
Finding the cheapest auto insurance quotes comes down to three steps: request at least three quotes on identical coverage, ask for every discount you qualify for, and compare the result with your state’s NAIC average. Keep your driving record clean and re-shop before each renewal.
If you live in a high-cost state such as Florida, New York or Louisiana, expect higher quotes than the national average, and focus on the coverages and limits that drive the difference.
Related guides: our car buying tools and A Complete Guide to the Top 10 New Cars to Watch in.
FAQs
How can I quickly lower my monthly car insurance bill?
Which companies usually have the lowest rates for most drivers?
Does my credit score affect my insurance price?
Should I drop full coverage on an older car?
How do I find the cheapest auto insurance quotes?
How much is average car insurance in the US?
According to the NAIC, the countrywide average expenditure in 2024 was $1,432 per insured vehicle, and a policy with liability, collision and comprehensive together averaged $1,613. Your price depends on your state, record, car and chosen limits.
Which state has the most expensive car insurance?
In NAIC’s 2024 data, Florida had the highest average expenditure at $2,017.97 per vehicle, followed by New York at $1,980.93. North Dakota was lowest at $907.25. NAIC warns that state comparisons ignore differences in coverage and drivers.
What is the difference between liability and full coverage?
Liability pays for injuries and damage you cause to others. Full coverage is not an official policy type; it usually means liability plus collision, which fixes your car after a crash, and comprehensive, which covers theft, fire, flood and hail.
How much do liability, collision and comprehensive each cost on average?
NAIC’s 2024 countrywide averages were $813.27 for liability, $516.39 for collision and $283.15 for comprehensive per insured vehicle. Added together they make the $1,612.81 combined average premium.
Why is car insurance so expensive in Florida?
NAIC’s 2024 data put Florida’s average liability premium at $1,391.15, against $813.27 countrywide. Florida requires personal injury protection, and the Insurance Research Council estimated that 15.9% of Florida drivers were uninsured in 2022, above the 14.0% national rate.
How fast have car insurance costs risen?
NAIC’s average expenditure per insured vehicle rose from $1,047.75 in 2020 to $1,431.63 in 2024, an increase of about 37% over four years, including 11.71% in 2024 alone.
For official rules, ratings and consumer guidance on this topic, see:
Sources
- Florida HSMV: insurance requirements
- CNBC: credit history and insurance rates
- GEICO: cutting costs for teen and new drivers
- Insurance Information Institute: auto insurance basics
- NAIC: state insurance departments
- NAIC: 2024 Auto Insurance Database Average Premium Supplement
- Insurance Information Institute: compulsory auto and uninsured motorists
Morgan Reyes is the founder and editor-in-chief of NextCarReview, which Morgan launched in August 2024. A 2022 graduate of Columbia University, Morgan is based in New York and writes and edits the site’s reviews, comparisons and buying guides. Morgan does not road-test vehicles. Every article is built from published primary data: EPA FuelEconomy.gov ratings, NHTSA crash ratings, recalls and owner complaints, IIHS results, and manufacturer specifications and pricing, with each figure cited and checked before publication. Contact: admin@nextcarreview.com
