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Online car insurance quotes

Bankrate’s team of insurance professionals uses real-world industry experience to help you find the best free online car insurance quotes for your needs and budget. Unlock cheap rates from the top companies with this guide.

Written by
Carol Pope
Edited by
Angelica Leicht
Reviewed by
Mark Friedlander
Updated Mar 16, 2023
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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 

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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.

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How do I get a car insurance quote?

Whether this is your first policy or your tenth, finding the best car insurance quotes online can be intimidating. However, following these six easy steps could streamline the process and may help you find personalized coverage with the cheapest premium:
 

1. Determine your priorities

Insurance is a highly-individualized product, and every driver has different needs to meet — knowing what you’re looking for in an insurance company can help you pick a personalized policy. For instance, are you willing to spend a little more for coverage if the company offers top-notch customer service? If so, you may want to research customer satisfaction by reviewing the J.D. Power 2022 U.S. Auto Insurance Study. Or perhaps you’re on a strict budget and need the lowest rates. If that’s the case, then it could be best to request quotes from the cheapest car insurance companies.
 
Regardless of your priorities, knowing what you’re looking for in your car insurance company is the first step in finding the best coverage at the best price.
 

2. Consider how much you want to spend

Setting a budget for your car insurance will help you (or your agent) better understand your coverage options. Additionally, knowing your budget in advance can help you weed out the companies that are out of your reach once you’re done gathering quotes. 
 
 

3. Build your desired coverage package

Once you know how much you can spend, you can build your desired coverage package. It can be a good idea to know what coverage options you need before requesting quotes so that you can request the same package from each company. Comparing quotes apples to apples is essential in ensuring you are getting a competitive rate.
 
When choosing the right, cheap car insurance for your budget, there are a few things to consider. Is your vehicle financed? If so, you’ll likely need full coverage insurance, and your lienholder may have stipulations regarding your deductible amount. If you’re leasing, you will probably need increased liability limits. Additionally, carrying above the state minimum can provide important financial protection for what could be a small premium increase. If you have questions when building your coverage package, reviewing your current declarations page or discussing your options with a licensed agent can be helpful.
 

4. Gather your documents 

Although it may be possible to get anonymous car insurance quotes, these rates are generally not very accurate. To avoid this, you will want to have some information handy, including:
  • Driver information: You will need to provide basic information for all the drivers you'd like included on your quote (names and birthdays, for example). While you probably won't need their driver's license numbers during the quoting process, you will need them to purchase the policy — you may want to gather this information now to make it easier to purchase the policy later. Additionally, the company may ask for your Social Security Number so it can run your insurance-based credit score. 
  • Vehicle information: Providing your vehicle identification number (or VIN) when requesting a quote can help ensure that you receive all the vehicle safety discounts you may be eligible for.
  • Driving history: It's vital to give a detailed account of the accidents, tickets and suspensions you and any other drivers have received over the last three to 10 years. This is because most companies don't run driving records until you decide to purchase the policy. Failure to provide this information during the process could result in a quoted premium that is artificially low. 
 

5. Request free car insurance quotes

Once you know what you want to spend and what coverage options you need, you can begin gathering free car insurance quotes. There are three main avenues to take when requesting free quotes, each with its own advantages: 
 
  • Shop for auto insurance online: Many companies now allow customers to quote a car insurance policy online through their websites. After providing some personal information, you can then select the coverage types and limits that you want. Some companies may let you start the policy immediately with a payment, while others may finish the process by having one of their representatives call you over the phone.
  • Contact a captive insurance agent: A captive insurance agent, sometimes also called an “exclusive” or “dedicated” insurance agent, is an insurance agent that works on behalf of only one insurance company. Many major car insurance companies, such as State Farm, Allstate and Farmers, operate through captive insurance agents. This type of agent only sells the insurance products their company offers, but has knowledge of the company’s underwriting guidelines and claims process. 
  • Work with an independent insurance agent: In contrast to a captive agent, an independent insurance agent represents multiple carriers. An independent agent will shop for your coverage selections with different carriers they represent to provide you with comparable quotes. Some shoppers find independent insurance agents convenient since the agent does the legwork by collecting the quotes for you. Insurance brokers are very similar to independent agents, but some may charge a fee to provide their shopping service.
After you’ve gathered enough quotes, you can begin the process of comparing quotes based on the priorities, budget and coverage package you set prior to your search. Remember that while comparing multiple quotes is an integral part of the process, requesting too many quotes can cause you to become overwhelmed. As such, you may want to set reasonable goals based on your comfort level — some drivers feel that three to five quotes are enough to find the best policy, while others may request more or less. There is no hard and fast rule on the number of quotes you request, but keeping your quotes manageable can make finding a new policy less daunting.
 
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Why should you use Bankrate to compare auto insurance quotes?
As a trusted name in the financial services sector since 1976, Bankrate began as a print publication geared towards bankers and those in the banking industry. Today, we help millions of readers make wise decisions regarding their savings, loans, investments and insurance. Our insurance editorial team includes three licensed agents with agency experience. Using our combined knowledge and proprietary rate data, we can provide accurate, helpful and easy-to-understand information to help you find the cheapest online car insurance quotes. 
 
With Bankrate, you can: 
 
  • Rest assured that we safeguard your private information
  • Instantly compare personalized rates among many of the nation’s top car insurance companies
  • Purchase a policy with a licensed agent through our coverage agency
  • Research auto, home and life insurance through articles written, edited and reviewed by industry professionals 

What can affect my car insurance quotes?

Car insurance is like a fingerprint — car insurance companies may use almost a dozen different rating factors to determine your premium. Although these factors can vary depending on your state, some may include your age, gender, location, driving history and credit score. Additionally, the type of vehicle you drive and the level of coverage you select will impact the cost of your car insurance. With this in mind, the best car insurance quote will be different for everyone. The best way to find the cheapest policy that suits your individualized needs is to request free quotes and shop around. 

Age and gender

In most states, the age and gender of a driver may play an important role in determining car insurance rates. Demographic groups that are shown to engage in riskier driving behaviors, such as young drivers, male drivers and senior drivers, typically face higher rates on average. However, using age and gender as a component of car insurance rates is not allowed in some states. Massachusetts and Hawaii ban the use of both age and gender, although Massachusetts allows insurers to use the years of driving experience a driver has, which often correlates with age. California, Michigan, North Carolina and Pennsylvania do not allow for the use of gender as a rating factor when calculating car insurance premiums.
 

Driving history

Perhaps the most influential factor of car insurance rates, your driving history is closely analyzed when calculating car insurance quotes, as it indicates risky driving behavior. If you have a speeding ticket, at-fault accident or DUI on your record, you may find that your premium is more expensive for some time compared to before the incident. If this is the case, then you may want to explore carriers that offer high-risk auto insurance.
 
The average annual full coverage rates below from different car insurance companies show how premiums may change after an incident; your individual rate may be higher or lower depending on your car insurance rating factors. Incidents will typically impact your premium for three to five years, but usually will lessen in premium surcharge with each passing year.
Clean record Speeding ticket At-fault accident DUI conviction
National Average $2,014 $2,427 $2,854 $3,091
AAA $2,562 $3,131 $3,717 $5,569
Geico $1,353 $1,658 $1,988 $3,351
Progressive $1,642 $2,140 $2,638 $2,156
State Farm $1,480 $1,704 $1,876 $2,431
Travelers $1,551 $2,019 $2,149 $3,038
USAA $1,361 $1,652 $1,971 $2,620

*based on full coverage

Location

Where you live also plays a role in your car insurance premium. For example, cities may be more congested than rural areas and also have higher costs of labor and parts when it comes to repairing a vehicle after an accident. While almost all states permit the use of ZIP code in determining car insurance rates, Michigan does not and California limits the ways insurers can use it.
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Credit score

Credit score, or more accurately, your credit-based insurance score, can be used by insurance companies in many states to predict the risk of claims being filed in the future. People with a lower credit score may be more likely to file claims compared to those with a higher credit score, according to actuarial studies conducted by the Insurance Information Institute. Because of this added risk, insurance companies may charge a higher premium to insure a driver with a lower credit-based insurance score. California, Hawaii, Massachusetts and Michigan ban or restrict the use of credit as a rating factor in car insurance.  
Credit tier Average annual rate*
Excellent $1,764
Good $2,014
Average $2,176
Poor $3,479

*based on full coverage

Vehicle

The type of car you drive also plays an important role in your car insurance premium. Luxury vehicles tend to have higher premiums, due in part to expensive repair costs for labor and parts. Technology-based safety sensors can make your car safer, for instance, but may actually drive your premium up because they are so expensive to repair or replace. Contrary to popular belief, economy models aren’t always the cheapest cars to insure, either. Because so many of them are on the road, it’s more likely that they will be involved in an accident or be targeted for vandalism and theft.

Advertising Disclosure
This advertisement is powered by Coverage.com, LLC, a licensed insurance producer (NPN: 19966249) and a corporate affiliate of Bankrate. The offers and links that appear on this advertisement are from companies that compensate Coverage.com in different ways. The compensation received and other factors, such as your location, may impact what offers and links appear, and how, where and in what order they appear. While we seek to provide a wide range of offers, we do not include every product or service that may be available. Our goal is to keep information accurate and timely, but some information may not be current. Your actual offer from an advertiser may be different from the offer on this advertisement. All offers are subject to additional terms and conditions.

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Insurance Disclosure

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.

How do I get the right car insurance quote for me?

An important part of shopping for the best car insurance is knowing how much coverage you need. Some things to consider are how much you can comfortably pay for your deductibles if you want or need comprehensive and collision coverage, as well as your overall financial situation to figure out your liability amounts. Once you know this, it may be beneficial to try to make sure all chosen coverage and limits, as well as deductibles, are identical in all your quotes. This will ensure that you can compare carriers fairly and that you’re not accidentally choosing a cheaper option with less coverage.
 
Additionally, it’s important to be accurate when providing information for your car insurance quote. Providing anonymous information could give you a highly inaccurate premium estimate, and you will need to provide detailed information to receive a final quote and bind the policy.

Frequently asked questions about car insurance quotes

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.
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Age: Rates were calculated by evaluating our base profile with the ages 18-60 (base: 40 years) applied. Depending on age, drivers may be a renter or homeowner. Rates for 18 year olds are based on a driver of this age that is a renter (not a homeowner) and on their own policy. Age is not a contributing rating factor in Hawaii and Massachusetts due to state regulations.
 
16-year-old driver: Rates were calculated for 16 year olds by evaluating our 2023 base profile, based on a driver of this age added to their parents’ policy.
 
Model: To determine cost by vehicle type, we evaluated our base profile with the following vehicles applied: BMW 330i, Ford F-150, Honda Odyssey, Toyota Prius and Toyota Camry (base). 
 
Incidents: Rates were calculated by evaluating our base profile with the following incidents applied: clean record (base), at-fault accident, single speeding ticket and single DUI conviction.
 
Gender: The following states do not use gender as a determining factor in calculating premiums: California, Hawaii, Massachusetts, Michigan, North Carolina, and Pennsylvania.
 
Credit-based insurance scores: Rates were calculated based on the following insurance credit tiers assigned to our drivers: “poor, average, good (base) and excellent.” Insurance credit tiers factor in your official credit scores but are not dependent on that variable alone. Four states prohibit or limit the use of credit as a rating factor in determining auto insurance rates: California, Hawaii, Massachusetts and Michigan. 
Written by
Carol Pope
Insurance Writer

Carol Pope is an insurance writer for Bankrate and prior to joining the team, she spent 12 years as an auto insurance agent. During this time, she sold, serviced and underwrote auto insurance for people across the country. She also has experience selling supplement coverage such as umbrella insurance.

Edited by
Angelica Leicht
Insurance Editor
Reviewed by
Mark Friedlander
Director of corporate communications, Insurance Information Institute