The Cheapest Car Insurance of March 2025
Finding the right car insurance at the right price can be a challenge. In 2025, it’s more important than ever to stay informed about the most affordable options available. This analysis provides insights into the cheapest car insurance companies nationwide, considering various factors such as driver profiles, driving records, and age.
According to our analysis, USAA, Nationwide, Travelers, Erie, Geico, and Progressive offer the most competitive rates. However, remember that the best choice for each individual depends on a variety of factors, and it’s always wise to shop around and compare quotes.
Table of Contents
- Our Expert Picks
- The Cheapest Car Insurance Companies
- Cheapest Car Insurance Rates
- Cheapest Car Insurance by Age
- Methodology
- Cheap Car Insurance FAQs
Our Expert Picks
- USAA: Best for Military Members and Veterans
- Nationwide: Cheapest Rates Available to All Drivers
- Travelers: Great for Drivers With a Speeding Ticket
- Erie: Best for Drivers Who Caused an Accident
- Geico: Great for Drivers With Poor Credit
- Progressive: Best for Drivers With a DUI
The Cheapest Car Insurance Companies
To determine the cheapest car insurance companies, we analyzed costs, coverage choices, customer satisfaction, and other key factors using a data-driven methodology. Here are the companies that stood out in our analysis:
USAA
- Best for: Military Members & Veterans
- Average annual cost for good drivers: $1,364
- Collision repair grade: D+
- Complaints level: Low
USAA is an excellent option for military members, veterans, and their families, offering affordable insurance for many driver profiles. If you are part of the military community, it’s definitely worth checking out.
Pros:
- Cheapest for good drivers and those who have caused an accident.
- Offers competitive rates for drivers with speeding tickets or DUIs.
- Provides good prices for drivers with poor credit.
- Offers low rates for seniors, young drivers, and teens.
Cons:
- Available only to veterans, active military members, and their immediate families.
- Received a D+ grade for claims handling from body shop professionals.
USAA was founded in 1922 to serve servicemembers, making them great at sorting out your insurance if you’re deployed or you move a lot. – Kate Terry, advisory board member
USAA’s Average Car Insurance Costs:
- Good drivers: $1,364
- Drivers with a speeding ticket: $1,661
- Drivers who caused an accident with injury: $1,958
- Drivers with a DUI conviction: $2,604
- Drivers with poor credit: $2,450
- Senior drivers: $1,455
- Young drivers: $2,368
- Teen added to a parent’s policy: $3,025
Discounts Available:
USAA offers a variety of discounts, though availability may differ by state.
- Annual mileage discount
- Bundling discount
- Defensive driver discount
- Driver training discount
- Family discount
- Good Student Discount
- Length of membership savings
- Military installation discount
- Multi-vehicle discount
- New vehicle discount
- Safe driver discount
- Vehicle storage discount
Nationwide
- Best for: Cheapest Rates Available to All Drivers
- Average annual cost for good drivers: $1,436
- Collision repair grade: C
- Complaints level: Low
Nationwide impresses with some of the cheapest rates for most driver types, including those with good driving records, those with speeding tickets, and for various ages. In some cases, USAA is more affordable, but eligibility demands a military connection.
Pros:
- Best car insurance rates for drivers with poor credit and those adding a teen to a parent’s policy.
- Cheapest rates for senior drivers aged 65 to 80.
- Low complaint levels made to state insurance departments.
Cons:
- Rates for drivers with a DUI are higher than some top competitors.
Being on your side is not just a slogan with Nationwide as its prices exemplify. Its competitive pricing demonstrates Nationwide’s care and its desire to attract customers. – Marty Ellingsworth, advisory board member
Nationwide’s Average Car Insurance Costs:
- Good drivers: $1,436
- Drivers with a speeding ticket: $1,878
- Drivers who caused an accident with injury: $2,337
- Drivers with a DUI conviction: $3,083
- Drivers with poor credit: $2,051
- Senior drivers: $1,402
- Young drivers: $2,881
- Teen added to a parent’s policy: $2,819
Discounts Available:
Nationwide provides numerous discounts, which vary by state.
- Accident-free discount
- Anti-theft discount
- Automatic payments discount
- Defensive driving discount
- Good student discount
- Multi-policy discount
- Paperless discount
- Safe driver discount
Travelers
- Best for: Drivers with a Speeding Ticket
- Average annual cost for good drivers: $1,521
- Collision repair grade: C
- Complaints level: Very Low
Travelers’ competitive rates make it a good choice for customers. It consistently ranks among the top three to five cheapest companies.
Pros:
- Third-cheapest for good drivers and those who have caused an accident or gotten a DUI.
- Third-cheapest rates for senior drivers ages 65 to 80 and young drivers ages 18 to 25 on their own policies.
- Features competitive rates for drivers with a speeding ticket or poor credit.
- Very low complaint levels.
Cons:
- Higher rates for parents adding a teen driver to a policy compared to some competitors.
- Does not offer SR-22s.
Travelers is a good choice for those who want to bundle their auto and homeowners insurance for additional discounts. Their IntelliDrive telematics program can offer significant discounts for smooth driving. – Kate Terry, advisory board member
Travelers’ Average Car Insurance Costs
- Good drivers: $1,521
- Drivers with a speeding ticket: $2,062
- Drivers who caused an accident with injury: $2,293
- Drivers with a DUI conviction: $2,610
- Drivers with poor credit: $2,699
- Senior drivers: $1,668
- Young drivers: $2,638
- Teen added to a parent’s policy: $3,963
Discounts Available:
Travelers offers a comprehensive array of discounts.
- Continuous insurance discount
- Driver training discount
- Early quote discount
- ETF, paid in full and good payer discounts
- Good student discount
- Homeownership discount
- Hybrid or electric vehicle discount
- Multi-car discount
- Multi-policy discount
- New car discount
- Safe driver discount
- Student away from home discount
Erie
- Best for: Drivers who Have Caused an Accident
- Average annual rate for good drivers: $1,642
- Collision repair grade: A-
- Complaints level: Low
Erie offers the best rates (after USAA) for drivers who have caused an accident. Additionally, Erie stands out for its excellent grade (A-) from repair professionals.
Pros:
- Low rates for young drivers between the ages of 18 and 25 buying their own policies.
- Offers cheap costs for drivers with a speeding ticket or DUI.
- Provides good rates for senior drivers.
Cons:
- Rates for drivers with poor credit are higher than some top competitors.
- Available only in 12 states and Washington, D.C.
Erie is known for selling affordable policies through independent agents, consistently receiving strong reviews from both customers and for their claims service. – Kate Terry, advisory board member
Erie’s Average Car Insurance Costs
- Good drivers: $1,642
- Drivers with a speeding ticket: $1,899
- Drivers who caused an accident with injury: $2,224
- Drivers with a DUI conviction: $2,665
- Drivers with poor credit: $3,701
- Senior drivers: $1,831
- Young drivers: $2,575
- Teen added to a parent’s policy: $3,215
Discounts Available:
Erie provides ways to save money on car insurance.
- Annual payment discount
- Car safety equipment discounts
- Multi-car discount
- Multi-policy discount
- Reduced usage discount
- Safe driving discount
- Young driver discount
Geico
- Best for: Drivers With Poor Credit
- Average annual cost for good drivers: $1,597
- Collision repair grade: C-
- Complaints level: Low
Geico offers low costs for many driver types, especially drivers with poor credit.
Pros:
- Very competitive rates for good drivers and senior drivers.
- Inexpensive car insurance for young drivers ages 18 to 25 on their own policies.
- Excellent for drivers with poor credit.
Cons:
- High rates for drivers with a DUI.
- Received a C- for its claims repair processes.
Geico is known for its convenience and speed of service, selling policies through their call centers and online platforms. Customer service and claims questions are often handled completely via their app. – Kate Terry, advisory board member
Geico’s Average Car Insurance Costs
- Good drivers: $1,597
- Drivers with a speeding ticket: $2,150
- Drivers who caused an accident with injury: $2,748
- Drivers with a DUI conviction: $3,723
- Drivers with poor credit: $2,482
- Senior drivers: $1,793
- Young drivers: $2,781
- Teen added to a parent’s policy: $3,866
Discounts Available:
Geico provides a wide range of discounts.
- Accident-Free Good Driver Discount
- Anti-Theft System Discount
- Airbag Discount
- Anti-Lock Brakes Discount
- Automatic Payments (E-Banking) Discount
- Daytime Running Headlights Discount
- Defensive Driving Discount
- Good Student Discount
- Homeownership Discount
- Membership and Employee Discount
- Military Discount
- Multi-Policy Discount
- Multi-Vehicle Discount
- New Vehicle Discount
- Paid in Full Discount
- Student Away At School Discount
Progressive
- Best for: Drivers With a DUI
- Average annual cost for good drivers: $1,826
- Collision repair grade: C
- Complaints level: Low
Progressive provides the cheapest rates for drivers with a DUI and competitive rates for a broad range of other driver profiles. Progressive also has a low level of complaints against it with state insurance departments.
Pros:
- Relatively low rates for drivers with poor credit and those who have had a gap in coverage.
- Below average costs for parents adding a teen to a policy.
Cons:
- Costs for young drivers ages 18 to 25 buying their own policies are only average.
Progressive is the most tolerant of any carrier and will offer a policy to almost every driver. They sell directly through call centers and their website and also utilize a national agent network. – Kate Terry, advisory board member
Progressive’s Average Car Insurance Costs
- Good drivers: $1,826
- Drivers with a speeding ticket: $2,350
- Drivers who caused an accident with injury: $2,770
- Drivers with a DUI conviction: $2,307
- Drivers with poor credit: $3,221
- Senior drivers: $1,937
- Young drivers: $3,704
- Teen added to a parent’s policy: $3,864
Discounts Available:
Progressive customers benefit from a range of discounts.
- Automatic Payments Discount
- Continuous Insurance Discount
- Distant Student Discount
- Good Student Discount
- Homeowner Discount
- Multi-Policy Discount
- Online Quote Discount
- Paperless Discount
- Pay in Full Discount
- Sign Online Discount
- Teen Driver Discount
Cheapest Car Insurance Rates
The amount you pay for car insurance depends on several factors, including your age, claims history, and driving record. The company offering the cheapest insurance varies based on the driver’s characteristics. Below is the cheapest car insurance for March 2025, according to our analysis.
Cheapest car insurance by category
- For good drivers: Nationwide ($120 per month)
- After a speeding ticket: Nationwide ($157 per month)
- After an accident causing an injury: Erie ($185 per month)
- After a DUI: Progressive ($192 per month)
- If you have bad credit: Nationwide ($171 per month)
- For seniors: Nationwide ($117 per month)
- For young drivers: Erie ($215 per month)
- For teens on parent’s policy: Nationwide ($235 per month)
In certain instances, USAA was the cheapest, however as USAA is only available to military personnel, veterans and their families the next most affordable company has been included.
The Cheapest Car Insurance for Good Drivers: Nationwide
Nationwide is the cheapest company available to the general public for good drivers. USAA provides slightly cheaper options but is only accessible to those with a military affiliation. The national average for good drivers is $2,026 annually. The most affordable companies come in hundreds of dollars below that.
- USAA* Average cost per year: $1,364; Average Cost per month: $114; Savings per year compared to average: $662
- Nationwide Average cost per year: $1,436; Average Cost per month: $120; Savings per year compared to average: $590
- Travelers Average cost per year: $1,521; Average Cost per month: $127; Savings per year compared to average: $505
- Geico Average cost per year: $1,597; Average Cost per month: $133; Savings per year compared to average: $429
- Erie Average cost per year: $1,642; Average Cost per month: $137; Savings per year compared to average: $384
- Average: $2,026; Average Cost per month: $169
*Average rates are based on drivers with a clean driving record, meaning no at-fault accidents or traffic violations. USAA is available to military members, veterans, and their families only.
The Cheapest Car Insurance After a Speeding Ticket: Nationwide
Our assessment indicates that Nationwide offers the lowest car insurance rates after a speeding ticket, followed by Erie, Travelers, and Geico. USAA is also a prime option for people who qualify.
Having a speeding ticket on your record causes a typical insurance rate increase of 26%.
- USAA* Average cost per year: $1,661; Average Cost per month: $138; Savings per year compared to average: $872
- Nationwide Average cost per year: $1,878; Average Cost per month: $157; Savings per year compared to average: $655
- Erie Average cost per year: $1,899; Average Cost per month: $158; Savings per year compared to average: $634
- Travelers Average cost per year: $2,062; Average Cost per month: $172; Savings per year compared to average: $471
- Geico Average cost per year: $2,150; Average Cost per month: $179; Savings per year compared to average: $383
- Average: $2,533; Average Cost per month: $211
*USAA is available to members of the military, veterans, and their families only.
The Cheapest Car Insurance After an Accident Causing Injury: Erie
Erie and Travelers have the cheapest rates if you have caused an accident in which someone was injured. Erie operates in 12 states in the East and Midwest. USAA has good rates for military members.
The national average after an accident is a 49% rise compared to a clean record.
- USAA* Average cost per year: $1,958; Average Cost per month: $163; Savings per year compared to average: $1,051
- Erie Average cost per year: $2,224; Average Cost per month: $185; Savings per year compared to average: $785
- Travelers Average cost per year: $2,293; Average Cost per month: $191; Savings per year compared to average: $716
- Nationwide Average cost per year: $2,337; Average Cost per month: $195; Savings per year compared to average: $672
- State Farm Average cost per year: $2,428; Average Cost per month: $202; Savings per year compared to average: $581
- Average: $3,009; Average Cost per month: $251
*USAA auto insurance is available only to military members, veterans and their families.
The Cheapest Car Insurance After a DUI: Progressive
Progressive offers the lowest rates for drivers with a DUI, whereas USAA provides a strong solution for military members and veterans who meet their requirements. A DUI results in a 71% increase on average.
Car insurance companies usually request motor vehicle records before your policy renewal to check for tickets and convictions, such as DUIs.
- Progressive Average cost per year: $2,307; Average Cost per month: $192 ; Savings per year compared to average: $1,056
- USAA* Average cost per year: $2,604 ; Average Cost per month: $217 ; Savings per year compared to average: $759
- Travelers Average cost per year: $2,610 ; Average Cost per month: $218; Savings per year compared to average: $753
- Erie Average cost per year: $2,665 ; Average Cost per month: $222; Savings per year compared to average: $698
- State Farm Average cost per year: $2,716 ; Average Cost per month: $226; Savings per year compared to average: $647
- Average: $3,363 ; Average Cost per month: $280
*USAA is available only to military members, veterans and their families.
The Cheapest Car Insurance for People With Bad Credit: Nationwide
Nationwide and Geico feature relatively affordable car insurance for drivers with bad credit among the surveyed companies. USAA is a solid option for military members and veterans. Poor credit can lead to higher auto insurance premiums compared to having a DUI or at-fault accident. Average car insurance costs rise 94% for drivers with poor credit compared to those with good credit.
- Nationwide Average cost per year: $2,051; Average Cost per month: $171; Savings per year compared to average: $1,796
- USAA* Average cost per year: $2,450 ; Average Cost per month: $204; Savings per year compared to average: $1,397
- Geico Average cost per year: $2,482 ; Average Cost per month: $207; Savings per year compared to average: $1,365
- Travelers Average cost per year: $2,699; Average Cost per month: $225; Savings per year compared to average: $1,148
- Progressive Average cost per year: $3,221; Average Cost per month: $268; Savings per year compared to average: $626
- Average: $3,847; Average Cost per month: $321
*USAA auto insurance is available only to military members, veterans and their families.
The Cheapest Car Insurance for Seniors: Nationwide
Nationwide has the most competitive rates for senior drivers ages 65 and 80.
- Nationwide Average cost per year: $1,402; Average Cost per month: $117; Savings per year compared to average: $748
- USAA* Average cost per year: $1,455; Average Cost per month: $121; Savings per year compared to average: $695
- Travelers Average cost per year: $1,668 ; Average Cost per month: $139; Savings per year compared to average: $482
- Geico Average cost per year: $1,793 ; Average Cost per month: $149; Savings per year compared to average: $357
- Auto-Owners Average cost per year: $1,813 ; Average Cost per month: $151; Savings per year compared to average: $337
- Average: $2,150; Average Cost per month: $179
*USAA is only available to military members, veterans and their families.
The Cheapest Car Insurance for Young Drivers: Erie
Erie, Travelers, Geico, and Nationwide offer the most affordable car insurance for young drivers purchasing their own policies. Adding a teen to a parent’s policy remains the cheaper option if they continue residing at home, whether or not they are 18 or 25.
- USAA* Average cost per year: $2,368; Average Cost per month: $197; Savings per year compared to average: $1,336
- Erie Average cost per year: $2,575; Average Cost per month: $215; Savings per year compared to average: $1,129
- Travelers Average cost per year: $2,638; Average Cost per month: $220; Savings per year compared to average: $1,066
- Geico Average cost per year: $2,781 ; Average Cost per month: $232; Savings per year compared to average: $923
- Nationwide Average cost per year: $2,881; Average Cost per month: $240; Savings per year compared to average: $823
- Average: $3,704; Average Cost per month: $309
*USAA is only available to military members, veterans and their families.
The Cheapest Car Insurance After Adding a Teen Driver: Nationwide
When adding a teen to a parent’s policy, Nationwide emerges as the most affordable choice. Other competitive companies include Erie, Progressive, and Geico.
- Nationwide Average cost per year: $2,819; Average Cost per month: $235; Savings per year compared to average: $1,543
- USAA* Average cost per year: $3,025; Average Cost per month: $252; Savings per year compared to average: $1,337
- Erie Average cost per year: $3,215; Average Cost per month: $268; Savings per year compared to average: $1,147
- Progressive Average cost per year: $3,864; Average Cost per month: $322; Savings per year compared to average: $498
- Geico Average cost per year: $3,866; Average Cost per month: $322; Savings per year compared to average: $496
- Average: $4,362; Average Cost per month: $363
*USAA is only available to military members, veterans and their families.
States With the Cheapest Car Insurance
Car insurance rates vary by state.
- Alabama: Travelers ($1,211 annually)
- Alaska: Geico ($1,527 annually)
- Arizona: QBE ($1,220 annually)
- Arkansas: Travelers ($1,351 annually)
- California: CIG ($1,735 annually)
- Colorado: American National ($1,124 annually)
- Connecticut: Geico ($1,289 annually)
- Delaware: Travelers ($1,332 annually)
- Florida: Travelers ($2,265 annually)
- Georgia: Auto-Owners ($1,628 annually)
- Hawaii: Geico ($896 annually)
- Idaho: American National ($636 annually)
- Illinois: Travelers ($1,209 annually)
- Indiana: Hastings ($823 annually)
- Iowa: Hastings ($657 annually)
- Kansas: Geico ($1,180 annually)
- Kentucky: Travelers ($1,400 annually)
- Louisiana: Southern Farm Bureau ($2,141 annually)
- Maine: Concord Group ($731 annually)
- Maryland: Geico ($1,123 annually)
- Massachusetts: State Farm ($900 annually)
- Michigan: Secura ($1,127 annually)
- Minnesota: Nationwide ($1,481 annually)
- Mississippi: Direct General ($1,400 annually)
- Missouri: Travelers ($1,385 annually)
- Montana: State Farm ($1,454 annually)
- Nebraska: American National ($701 annually)
- Nevada: CIG ($1,340 annually)
- New Hampshire: MMG Insurance ($902 annually)
- New Jersey: Travelers ($1,366 annually)
- New Mexico: Geico ($1,550 annually)
- New York: Progressive ($1,231 annually)
- North Carolina: Progressive ($838 annually)
- North Dakota: American Family ($1,221 annually)
- Ohio: Hastings ($751 annually)
- Oklahoma: Oklahoma Farmers Union ($1,618 annually)
- Oregon: QBE ($1,036 annually)
- Pennsylvania: Travelers ($1,212 annually)
- Rhode Island: State Farm ($1,630 annually)
- South Carolina: American National ($629 annually)
- South Dakota: Kemper ($1,204 annually)
- Tennessee: Travelers ($1,257 annually)
- Texas: Texas Farm Bureau ($1,031 annually)
- Utah: Nationwide ($1,074 annually)
- Vermont: Progressive ($837 annually)
- Virginia: National Grange Mutual ($972 annually)
- Washington: Pemco ($986 annually)
- West Virginia: Nationwide ($1,100 annually)
- Wisconsin: Rural Mutual Insurance ($821 annually)
- Wyoming: American National ($825 annually)
Cheapest Car Insurance by Age
Erie provides the lowest insurance for drivers at the ages of 16, 18, and 20. For multiple other ages, Nationwide has the most affordable option.
- 16: Erie ($3,958 annually).
- 18: Erie ($3,284 annually).
- 20: Erie ($2,653 annually).
- 25: Nationwide ($1,672 annually).
- 35: Nationwide ($1,498 annually).
- 45: Nationwide ($1,401 annually).
- 55: Nationwide ($1,285 annually).
- 65: Nationwide ($1,273 annually).
- 75: Nationwide ($1,412 annually).
- 80: Nationwide ($1,588 annually).
For the lowest car insurance rates, USAA is sometimes the most affordable choice, although it is only available to military personnel.
Methodology
To pinpoint the cheapest car insurance companies, we evaluated average rates for a variety of drivers from various companies, along with customer complaints, and collision repair grades from professionals. (Auto insurance rates (80% of a company’s score), we used data from Quadrant Information Services to get average rates from each company for good citizens, drivers who caused an accident, drivers with a speeding ticket, drivers with a DUI, drivers with poor credit, drivers caught without insurance, adding a teen driver, senior drivers, and young drivers. Unless otherwise noted, rates are based on a 40-year-old female driver insuring a new Toyota RAV4 and coverage of: $100,000 for injuries to one person, $300,000 for injuries per accident and $100,000 of property damage (known as 100/300/100). Uninsured motorist coverage of 100/300. Collision and comprehensive insurance with a $500 deductible. State minimum coverage rates reflect the minimum amount of auto insurance required in each state; Complaints (10% of a company’s score), we utilized auto insurance complaint data from the National Association of Insurance Commissioners; Collision repair (10% of a company’s score): we incorporated insurance company grades from collision repair professionals.)
Cheap Car Insurance Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
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Who has the cheapest car insurance?
Nationwide, Travelers, and Geico offer the cheapest car insurance in our analysis of rates for good drivers. USAA also has very good rates but sells auto insurance only to military members, veterans, and their families. Car insurance expenses vary greatly based on personal factors such as location, vehicle, and driving record. Comparing quotes with different insurers can aid in finding the most affordable car insurance tailored to individual circumstances.
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What is the cheapest type of car insurance?
State-minimum policies are the cheapest type of car insurance, also known as liability-only auto insurance. State minimum policies cost about $638 annually, which amounts to nearly $1,400 cheaper than the cost of a full coverage policy ($2,026). When an accident happens, these policies cover injuries and damage expenses you cause others, but it might not be enough.
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Should I drop collision and comprehensive coverage to get cheap car insurance?
Removing comprehensive and collision coverage will give you cheaper insurance. However, you will be unable to claim with your insurer if your car is stolen, totaled, or severely damaged in an accident you cause. To assess or evaluate if dropping certain coverage is viable, consider the worth of your vehicle. A car with a lease or loan must have comprehensive and collision coverage, as the lessor or lender mandates.
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How do I get cheap car insurance for a teenager?
The best way to find cheap car insurance for teen drivers is by comparison shopping with diverse insurers. Auto insurance costs for teenagers can be expensive. Adding a teen to a parent’s policy costs an average of an additional $2,359. It’s an average of $4,362 more per year. Adding a teen to a parent’s policy is typically the best way to get a teen insured; on their own, it may cost $8,572 annually.
