One expense that’s difficult to avoid is car insurance. Most states require you to carry some sort of coverage to pay damages if you have an accident. If you finance a car, most lenders also require coverage. If you need it, the best way to find cheap car insurance is to compare auto insurance quotes.
You also want to consider the company offering the coverage. Though they may be the cheapest available option, that does not mean they provide quality service.
I encountered this when I bought coverage out of college. I found the lowest available rate, but when I needed assistance, it was a hassle to get help.
Cheap car insurance doesn’t have to equal poor service. In fact, several auto insurance companies provide quality service at an affordable rate. When looking for cheap car insurance quotes, it’s best to compare multiple vendors.
You want to compare equivalent coverage from each provider. This gives you an accurate gauge of what each provider offers relative to its competitors. Thankfully, comparing quotes takes a small amount of time as most can be done online.
BEST CHEAP CAR INSURANCE COMPANIES
Finding cheap auto insurance is one of the best ways to save money every month. Switching providers can save hundreds of dollars per year. Not comparing rates leaves you vulnerable to overspending and potentially having inadequate coverage.
If you haven’t looked at your coverage options recently, below are the seven best cheap car insurance companies for 2019.
1. ESURANCE
Do you want to handle your coverage online without a local agent? Esurance may be the best car insurance company for your needs.
Esurance is owned by insurance giant Allstate and runs entirely online. Having a local agent does offer perks, but being completely virtual allows Esurance to offer lower rates.
Another perk offered by Esurance is they allow you to fully customize a plan. This lets you build a plan based on your needs, though this may come at a higher premium cost.
In a handful of states, Esurance allows you to purchase usage-based auto insurance. Known as the DriveSense offering, Esurance charges you for the miles you drive rather than a predetermined, fixed set of miles.
Similar to other cheap car insurance companies, you can receive discounts for multiple policies or for paying your auto insurance in full. If you switch to Esurance, you can save over $400 when switching from Geico, according to the Esurance site.
Pros:
- Various discounts
- Customizable plans
- Available in 43 states
- Potential to pay for only what you drive
Cons:
- Online only
- May find cheaper rates from local providers
Compare quotes at Esurance to see how much you can save.
2. GABI
Do you want the ability to simultaneously compare rates from cheap car insurance companies? If so, Gabi is the platform to use to find affordable coverage.
Think of Gabi as a comparison shopping engine for car insurance, allowing you to see rate from up to 20 insurers at once. Gabi is not the one who sells you a policy.
The platform acts as a broker and connects you with the insurer of your choosing after comparing policies. Gabi is relatively simple to use. To start you upload a copy of your policy or provide Gabi access to your online insurance account.
Upon providing this information Gabi searches policy options within their network to find the best available options. This process takes just a few minutes.
The broker claims to find a lower priced policy for two-thirds of users. If you select a policy option through Gabi they connect you with the chosen company and you finish the process. Don’t forget to cancel your old policy once your new one goes into effect!
Gabi also allows you to compare homeowners and renters insurance. Like receiving auto insurance quotes, they offer quotes free of charge.
Pros:
- Available in all 50 States
- Compare up to 20 insurers at once, in under two minutes
- Customizable plans
- Gabi does not sell your personal information
Cons:
- Online only
- You have to create an account to receive a quote
Compare quotes at Gabi to see how much you can save.
3. ALLSTATE
No list of cheap auto insurance companies would be complete without Allstate. While Allstate owns the aforementioned Esurance, they operate their platform separately from the online subsidiary.
One key difference between the two insurers is Allstate provides access to local agents. If having a local point of contact is vital to your needs, Allstate is worth considering.
The insurance giant ranks favorably in the J.D. Power customer satisfaction study and offers a wide array of insurance products, in addition to auto insurance.
Similar to DriveSense by Esurance, Allstate offers the Drivewise program. This program offers a three percent premium discount and analyzes your speed and break patterns. Depending on how you drive, you may receive additional discounts.
If you drive for a ridesharing service, Allstate also offers coverage for your side hustle. Drivers that move to Allstate save over $350 per year, according to their site.
Pros:
- Local agents and online options
- Various discounts for bundling coverage
- Safe driver discounts
- Available in 47 states
Cons:
- Can be expensive if you don’t bundle policies
Compare quotes at Allstate to see how much you can save.
4. GEICO
If you want cheap car insurance and quality service, look no further than Geico. In fact, Geico ranks as one of the best auto insurance companies according to J.D. Power.
Not only does Geico offer good service, but they also offer discounts to hundreds of groups, such as:
- Alumni groups
- Federal employees
- Military members
If you don’t qualify for a discount, you may find Geico to be one of the more expensive companies.
Geico is similar to Allstate as they have local agents and a fully capable online presence to receive quotes. In fact, Geico sets itself apart with their expansive app that allows you to manage most of your needs.
If you’re looking to manage auto insurance on your own but want an agent to help at times, definitely consider Geico.
Pros:
- Available in all 50 states
- Discount rich provider
- Powerful app to manage your needs
Cons:
- Can get expensive without discounts
- Not as many agents as Allstate
Compare quotes at Geico to see how much you can save.
5. STATE FARM
State Farm is one of the oldest companies on our list of best cheap car insurance companies. The insurance giant has been in business since 1922 and boasts over 18,000 local agents, according to their website. This makes State Farm the largest auto insurer in the U.S.
While online-only companies provide ease of service, the wealth of agents State Farm offers allows them to offer unmatched service. It also allows them to offer unique options, such as their Safe Driver Discount for drivers under the age of 25.
Supercharge Your Savings Today!
Start earning more on your savings right now with CIT Bank. They pay 1.45% interest on your balance when you commit to depositing at least $100 per month into your savings account via ACH. Plus, they charge no fees, which helps you save more money faster.
Enjoy quick and easy access to your money, which is FDIC insured up to $250K. Start saving today with as little as $100 per month!
The Steer Clear discount allows drivers under 25 to receive a safe driver discount after passing an online safety course. The insurer also covers expenses if you’re in an accident at least 50 miles from your home. They cover rental car expenses, lodging, and food.
Although State Farm specializes in local assistance, they also have a feature-heavy app to manage all your needs.
Pros:
- Local offices and agents in most states
- Helpful mobile app
- Various discounts
Cons:
- You must use the State Farm app or OnStar to receive some of the safe driver discounts
Compare quotes at State Farm to see how much you can save.
6. PROGRESSIVE
If you know who Flo is, then you know about Progressive Insurance. Like others on our list of cheap auto insurance providers, Progressive offers a mix of local agents and online heavy services, though they focus more on online interaction.
Progressive ranks as highly competitive in pricing, according to J.D. Power, and has high customer service scores. Progressive made a name for itself with their Name Your Price option, allowing customers to create a plan that fits within their budget.
In fact, the average person saves $700 in their first year after switching to Progressive.
The insurer covers over 18,000,000 drivers, according to their website, so they have ample experience serving a variety of different customers. One unique feature offered by Progressive is accident forgiveness.
If you’ve been a customer for at least five years, with no accidents in the past three years, they don’t increase your premiums after an accident.
Pros:
- Various discounts
- Helpful mobile app
- Name Your Price service
Cons:
- Can get expensive without discounts
Compare quotes at Progressive to see how much you can save.
7. ERIE INSURANCE
If you live in Mid-Atlantic or Midwestern states, Erie Insurance is one of the best companies to receive cheap car insurance.
Erie Insurance consistently ranks high in J.D. Power rankings for both quality of service and low rates. Key in this rating is the Erie Rate Lock. Many providers like to increase premiums arbitrarily and whenever they choose.
That is not the case with Erie. If you sign up for the Erie Rate Lock, the provider only increases rates in two instances:
- You add or remove drivers or vehicles
- You move to a new house
Even if you make a change to your plan, rates will not increase. This is a huge selling point. Another benefit of Erie is their diminishing deductible feature. If you go one year without a claim, they lower your deductible by $100, up to $500. Erie does this without increasing your overall premium.
Pros:
- Consistently high rankings from J.D. Power
- Rate lock
- Diminishing deductible
- Various discounts
Cons:
- Only available in Mid-Atlantic or Midwestern states
Compare quotes at Erie Insurance to see how much you can save.
8. USAA
The final insurer on our list of best cheap car insurance companies is USAA. My wife and I have USAA for our auto insurance provider and have used them for years.
While not always the cheapest car insurance, USAA stands out with their impeccable service.
USAA regularly ranks high in J.D. Power ratings for quality service, and to a lesser extent, pricing.
Not everyone can have USAA coverage. You must meet one of the following qualifications to have coverage through USAA:
- Active member in the military
- Former military
- Child or spouse of an eligible member
- U.S. Service Academy or ROTC candidates
If you meet one of the above qualifications, USAA is worth considering for cheap car insurance. You don’t need to pay anything to join USAA as membership is free. You only pay for services like auto insurance.
Pros:
- Consistently high ratings with J.D. Power
- Affordable rates for service members and dependents
- Helpful mobile app
- Various discounts
Cons:
- Only qualified members can join and buy coverage
Compare quotes at USAA to see how much you can save.
WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW ABOUT CAR INSURANCE QUOTES
It’s easy to become confused when it comes to car insurance since auto insurance involves multiple factors that impact rates. Not knowing how car insurance works leaves you open to paying more than you probably need to pay.
Below are several things to keep in mind when comparing cheap auto insurance quotes.
HOW MUCH DOES CAR INSURANCE COST?
The average car insurance premium is in an annual range of $428 on the low end to $1,824 on the high end, according to The Street. Not comparing auto insurance quotes can cost you hundreds of dollars per year.
Below are just a few things that impact your car insurance premium:
- Age of your car
- Coverage amount
- Credit score
- Discounts (such as multiple drivers, or bundling policies)
- How much you drive each year
- Where you live
- Your driving record
Each auto insurer views the above differently when determining rates. Choosing the first option likely will leave money on the table.
WHAT ARE THE TYPES OF AUTO INSURANCE?
When comparing auto insurance quotes, it’s important to compare identical coverage types. Although there are various types of auto insurance, there are three main types you need to consider when comparing quotes. Those are liability, collision, and comprehensive coverage.
Liability
Liability insurance works as it sounds. When you are in an accident, and if it’s determined that you’re at fault, liability insurance comes into play. It pays the cost to repair any property damage, plus any medical expenses related to injury.
Most states require you have at least a certain amount of liability coverage to cover expenses. Going over that amount will protect you financially in the event of a costly accident.
There is one important caveat to know–liability insurance only covers costs for the other car and driver. It will not cover your expenses if you’re at fault.
Collision
If you are in a covered accident, collision coverage will cover the expenses to repair your car. This may not be worth carrying for an older, less expensive car, but only you can determine if it’s not needed.
Comprehensive
Think of comprehensive coverage as insurance to cover things not related to a covered accident. This varies from hitting an animal to a hail storm damaging your car. Comprehensive insurance is great to have but can prove costly.
ADDITIONAL INSURANCE RIDERS TO CONSIDER
Determining your need for liability and collision insurance is important, as is comprehensive coverage. The more coverage you add, the more expensive your premium is each month.
The coverage options don’t end with the above three options. There are other riders and coverage options that help provide additional financial protection. Below are several coverage options you may be able to purchase:
- Personal injury protection
- Uninsured/underinsured motorist protection
- Roadside assistance
- Rental car assistance
- Car replacement assistance
While each of the above provides more complete protection, they also add cost to your premium. Each car insurance company charges differently for the above options.
WHAT TO KEEP IN MIND WHEN COMPARING CHEAP AUTO INSURANCE QUOTES
Cheap is good when it comes to auto insurance, right? That’s not always the case. You sometimes get what you pay for, and that’s also true with car insurance. It’s essential to consider your situation before choosing the cheapest coverage. Consider the following:
Cheapest may not always be best – You may give up service for a lower cost. It’s also possible you’re sacrificing coverage you need. It’s best to compare customer satisfaction scores, financial stability of the insurer, and the premium before choosing a provider.
Consider what you own – If you own a high-end car, cheap insurance may not be a good idea. Likewise, if you own an older car, it may not be worth it to have full coverage.
How much can you afford to pay in an accident – Only having the minimum required coverage is a good way to mitigate costs. It’s also a good way to cause financial ruin if you don’t have enough coverage to pay in an accident.
Compare varying liability amounts before your purchase decision. The extra monthly premium may be worth the peace of mind.
Your car payment – Car payments are a necessary evil for most people. Lenders often dictate the type and amount of coverage you must have to protect their investment.
You may also want to consider gap coverage. Gap coverage makes up for the difference between the value of the car and what you owe on the loan. If you have a newer car, this may be worth the additional cost to ensure you don’t have to pay off a car that’s no longer drivable.
Type of driver you are – Mileage has a direct impact on premiums. Some car insurance companies may be too expensive if you drive on a limited basis.
One alternative is Metromile. The insurer allows you to pay based on the miles you drive each month, so you’re not paying a fixed amount if you drive fewer miles in certain months. You can even receive coverage if you drive under 10,000 miles per year.
WAYS TO LOWER YOUR AUTO INSURANCE BILL
There are various ways to save money on auto insurance without giving up needed protection. Below are a few ways to lower your car insurance bill each month:
- Add a non-auto insurance policy
- Compare cheap car insurance quotes
- Increase your credit score
- Increase your deductible
- Lower coverage on older cars
- Take advantage of low mileage discounts
- Negotiate your rate using BillCutterz
The items on this list won’t necessarily or instantly decrease your car insurance premiums. It’s best to ask your insurer which will have the best impact and balance that with your situation.
BEST AUTO INSURANCE COMPANIES: BOTTOM LINE
Purchasing car insurance is a necessity for most of us and a great way to protect your fellow drivers. Don’t stop short when shopping for auto insurance. Make sure to compare cheap auto insurance quotes from multiple providers to find money- saving opportunities that don’t sacrifice your protection.
What are other cheap car insurance companies you like to use? How much do you spend on auto insurance each month? Have you ever been hit by an uninsured motorist?
