Coverage.com, LLC is a licensed insurance producer (NPN: 19966249). Coverage.com services are only available in states where it is licensed. Coverage.com may not offer insurance coverage in all states or scenarios. All insurance products are governed by the terms in the applicable insurance policy, and all related decisions (such as approval for coverage, premiums, commissions and fees) and policy obligations are the sole responsibility of the underwriting insurer. The information on this site does not modify any insurance policy terms in any way.
Car insurance for good drivers
The Bankrate promise
At Bankrate, we strive to help you make smarter financial decisions. To help readers understand how insurance affects their finances, we have licensed insurance professionals on staff who have spent a combined 47 years in the auto, home and life insurance industries. While we adhere to strict , this post may contain references to products from our partners. Here's an explanation of . Our content is backed by Coverage.com, LLC, a licensed entity (NPN: 19966249). For more information, please see our .
Car insurance companies value good drivers, as they are less likely to exhibit risky driving behaviors and more likely to remain claims-free. Because of the lower risk they present, good drivers are also more likely to experience better rates across carriers. A driver with a clean driving record pays $2,014 annually on average for full coverage. This is significantly less than rates for a driver with incidents on their record, which increases the average by upwards of $400. Bankrate’s insurance editorial team, which consists of industry experts and licensed property and casualty agents, have assessed rates for good drivers from multiple top insurers and provided strategies to help drivers maintain good rates.
Compare auto insurance rates
Save on auto insurance with quotes from trusted providers like
Drivers switch & save an average of $750+/year
Are you overpaying for auto insurance?
Safe drivers choose Allstate®
Coverage.com, LLC is a licensed insurance producer (NPN: 19966249). Coverage.com services are only available in states where it is licensed. Coverage.com may not offer insurance coverage in all states or scenarios. All insurance products are governed by the terms in the applicable insurance policy, and all related decisions (such as approval for coverage, premiums, commissions and fees) and policy obligations are the sole responsibility of the underwriting insurer. The information on this site does not modify any insurance policy terms in any way.
Key takeaways
- Being involved in at-fault accidents or receiving moving violation tickets can affect your car insurance rates and qualifying for a good driver discount.
- Car insurance companies each have their own rating methods so shopping around with multiple carriers can ensure you find the cheapest car insurance policy.
- If you feel that you have optimized your car insurance policy for all discounts and savings opportunities, consider participating in a telematics program to potentially save even more.
Car insurance for good drivers
Good drivers are more likely to find low car insurance rates when shopping around due to their low risk level. Car insurance companies analyze several individual rating factors to help determine rates. These can include a driver’s ZIP code, age, gender and credit history (in most states), as well as the type of vehicle being insured and annual mileage. Each insurance company uses its own rating algorithm that determines how heavily each factor is weighted into a driver’s rate, but driving record is generally the most heavily considered factor across carriers.
Whether a driver has moving violations on their motor vehicle record is critical information in determining risk level. Having multiple at-fault accidents or a history of tickets can be a disqualification for most good driver discounts and even add a surcharge on the policy, depending on the incident and how recently it took place. To get a sense of how beneficial a clean driving record is, the table below compares average rates — gathered from Quadrant Information Services — for a clean driving record against rates following an incident:
Average annual full coverage car insurance premiums by driving record
| Clean driving record | Speeding ticket | Caused and accident | DUI | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Total | $2,014 | $2,427 | $2,854 | $3,901 |
| Male* | $2,020 | $2,436 | $2,864 | $3,913 |
| Female* | $2,008 | $2,419 | $2,844 | $3,889 |
*Some states do not allow gender to be used as a rating factor when calculating insurance premiums.
Best car insurance companies for good drivers
Requesting an insurance quote from more than one carrier can help you find the best car insurance company for the rate and coverage levels you desire. Because each car insurance company has their own method for calculating auto insurance rates, premiums for the same driver and vehicle can vary from company to company.
To provide a starting point for safe drivers seeking reliable coverage at a competitive rate, Bankrate analyzed car insurance companies across the nation using various key metrics such as J.D. Power customer satisfaction scores, third-party financial strength ratings from agencies like AM Best, and each company’s coverage options, discounts, digital accessibility and national availability. We compiled these data points into a Bankrate Score, which is a tool for drivers to quickly see how well a provider performed across these categories. The closer a company scored to 5 — the highest possible score — the more competitive we feel it is in the market.
Average annual full coverage car insurance premiums by company
| Bankrate Score | Clean driving record | Speeding ticket | Accident | DUI | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Geico | 4.4 | $1,353 | $1,658 | $1,988 | $3,351 |
| Amica | 4.4 | $1,467 | $1,788 | $1,742 | $3,934 |
| USAA* | 4.3 | $1,361 | $1,652 | $1,971 | $2,620 |
| State Farm | 4.2 | $1,480 | $1,704 | $1,878 | $2,431 |
| Progressive | 4.2 | $1,642 | $2,140 | $2,638 | $2,156 |
| Nationwide | 4.0 | $1,422 | $1,684 | $1,852 | $2,634 |
| The Hartford | 3.9 | $2,104 | $3,009 | $3,857 | $5,901 |
| Erie Insurance | 3.8 | $1,356 | $1,476 | $1,607 | $2,356 |
| Allstate | 3.8 | $2,630 | $3,123 | $3,397 | $3,817 |
*USAA is only available to military, veterans and eligible family members.
Additional ways for good drivers to save on car insurance
There are many ways to save money on car insurance beyond having a clean driving record. While some of the most popular strategies are listed below, each car insurance company might offer unique opportunities to save, so it doesn’t hurt to speak with a licensed agent further while requesting quotes.
- Discounts: Some discounts are offered by most car insurance companies, such as the good driver discount and good student discount, but the qualifications and savings amount can vary. One of the most significant discounts not related to driving record is the multiple policy discount, which you may qualify for if you bundle your home (or renters) insurance and auto insurance at the same company. Older drivers may want to inquire about defensive driving discounts, which may be earned after taking a state-approved course.
- Telematics programs: Even though car insurance is already a personalized process, there are some limitations. With usage-based telematics programs, it’s possible to earn discounts and rewards specifically for your own safe driving habits and practices. Some, like Nationwide’s SmartRide, Progressive’s Snapshot and USAA’s SafePilot, are intended only for customers who are currently insured with that particular company, but Allstate’s Drivewise is available to anyone where available.
- Shop around: As seen in the table above, average premiums vary for each carrier, even if the driver, vehicle and policy information is the same. Recent major life events, such as marriage, purchasing a new home or even having a new teen driver, are great opportunities to shop around and see if a different carrier is right for you.
Frequently asked questions
Methodology
Bankrate utilizes Quadrant Information Services to analyze 2023 rates for ZIP codes and carriers in all 50 states and Washington, D.C. Rates are weighted based on the population density in each geographic region. Quoted rates are based on a 40-year-old male and female driver with a clean driving record, good credit and the following full coverage limits:
- $100,000 bodily injury liability per person
- $300,000 bodily injury liability per accident
- $50,000 property damage liability per accident
- $100,000 uninsured motorist bodily injury per person
- $300,000 uninsured motorist bodily injury per accident
- $500 collision deductible
- $500 comprehensive deductible
To determine minimum coverage limits, Bankrate used minimum coverage that meets each state’s requirements. Our base profile drivers own a 2021 Toyota Camry, commute five days a week and drive 12,000 miles annually.
These are sample rates and should only be used for comparative purposes.
Incidents: Rates were calculated by evaluating our base profile with the following incidents applied: clean record (base), at-fault accident, single speeding ticket, single DUI conviction and lapse in coverage.
Bankrate Scores
Our 2023 Bankrate Score considers variables our insurance editorial team determined impacts policyholders’ experiences with an insurance company. These rating factors include a robust assessment of each company’s product availability, financial strength ratings, online capabilities and customer and claims support accessibility. Each factor was added to a category, and these categories were weighted in a tiered approach to analyze how companies perform in key customer-impacting categories.
Like our previous Bankrate Scores, each category was assigned a metric to determine performance, and the weighted sum adds up to a company’s total Bankrate Score — out of 5 points. This year, our 2023 scoring model provides a more comprehensive view, indicating when companies excel across several key areas and better highlighting where they fall short.
- Tier 1 (Cost & ratings): To determine how well auto and home insurance companies satisfy these priorities, 2023 quoted premiums from Quadrant Information Services (if available), as well as any of the latest third-party agency ratings from J.D. Power, AM Best and the NAIC, were analyzed.
- Tier 2 (Coverage & savings): We assessed companies’ coverage options and availability to help policyholders find a provider that balances cost with coverage. Additionally, we evaluated each company’s discount options listed on its website.
- Tier 3 (Support): To encompass the many ways an auto insurance company can support policyholders, we analyzed avenues of customer accessibility along with community support. This analysis incorporated additional financial strength ratings from S&P and Moody’s and factored a company’s corporate sustainability efforts.