Best cheap car insurance in Savannah

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Based on Bankrate’s research, Savannah motorists pay an average annual premium of $1,981 for full coverage auto insurance and $670 for minimum coverage. Statewide, Georgia drivers pay an average of $2,009 for full coverage auto insurance.
Savannah drivers may pay high insurance rates in part due to Georgia’s high rates of car theft. According to the most current Federal Bureau of Investigation statistics, Georgia has the sixth highest rate of motor vehicle thefts in the U.S. In 2020 alone, car thieves made off with over 25,500 automobiles in the state.
Our analysis found that several companies, including Auto-Owners, USAA and Progressive, may offer Savannah drivers lower-than-average rates. However, average rates may not reflect what you will pay for a car insurance policy. Insurers may determine rates based on several factors, including your age, driving record, location and the type of car you drive.
Best cheap car insurance companies in Savannah
Based on rate data provided by Quadrant Information Services, the five best cheap car insurance companies in Savannah include Auto-Owners, USAA and Progressive. These providers were selected based on their average annual premiums, discount options, coverage, customer satisfaction ratings, financial strength scores and customer satisfaction scores from the J.D. Power 2022 U.S. Auto Insurance Study.
We calculate each carrier’s Bankrate Score using a 5-point scale. Bankrate assigns Scores by analyzing each insurer’s affordability, availability and financial strength ratings. We also examine each provider’s customer service history and look for carriers that offer mobile and online tools to help policyholders manage their policies. Our survey may narrow the field to help Savannah drivers find carriers that offer the coverage they’re looking for at a price they can afford.
While these car insurance companies may be useful for the sake of comparison, your own rates or coverage needs may make one provider a better fit over another. Comparing quotes and coverage options for your circumstances may help you determine the best provider.
Insurance company | Bankrate Score | J.D. Power score (Southeast) | Average annual premium for full coverage | Average annual premium for minimum coverage |
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Auto-Owners | 4.2 | 871/1,000 | $1,202 | $350 |
USAA* | 5.0 | 886/1,000 | $1,448 | $507 |
Progressive | 4.4 | 842/1,000 | $1,684 | $680 |
Mercury | 4.2 | Not rated | $1,697 | $657 |
Nationwide | 4.4 | 850/1,000 | $1,759 | $513 |
*Not officially ranked by J.D. Power due to eligibility restrictions
Auto-Owners
Auto-Owners may be a great option for Savannah drivers looking for robust coverage at an affordable price. Auto-Owners offers customers an impressive lineup of coverages that include all standard protections, along with optional gap insurance and roadside assistance. Following a covered loss, the provider’s optional additional expense coverage may help pay for rental car costs, and if you have an accident away from home, it may also cover incidental, food and hotel expenses. For drivers looking for a discount, the carrier offers potential savings for students, paperless billing and more. Unfortunately, the carrier only offers auto policies through four independent Savannah insurance agencies.
Learn more: Auto-Owners Insurance review
USAA
USAA has the highest J.D. Power score on our list, but drivers must be active-duty military members, veterans or their family members to qualify for coverage. On average, USAA’s full coverage car insurance policies cost $533 less than the Savannah average. In addition to customizable coverage options, USAA also offers highly-rated customer service, claims handling and generous discounts. Enrolling in USAA’s usage-based SafePilot program could save you up to 30 percent if you maintain good driving habits. Military members who garage their vehicles on base may also earn up to a 15 percent discount. While USAA sells all standard car insurance coverages, it only offers two optional protections: rental car reimbursement and roadside assistance.
Learn more: USAA Insurance review
Progressive
With Progressive, Savannah drivers may get access to helpful online tools and great savings opportunities. Progressive offers a long list of discounts. Its usage-based Snapshot program features an enrollment discount, plus additional savings if you maintain good driving habits. The insurer also extends a discount to homeowners and offers three savings opportunities for young drivers. Along with standard coverages, Progressive also offers several optional protections, including gap insurance, rental car reimbursement, rideshare coverage and roadside assistance. Although Progressive made the cut in J.D. Power’s 2022 U.S. Auto Insurance Study, it earned a below-average score in the Southeast region.
Learn more: Progressive Insurance review
Mercury
In addition to standard auto coverages, Mercury offers optional rental car reimbursement, rideshare and roadside assistance coverages. If you qualify, you may be able to lower your rate with good driver, good student and multi-policy discounts. Plus, you may save even more if your vehicle is equipped with anti-theft devices. Mercury could be a choice for low-mileage drivers as its RealDrive program may lower your premium based on the number of miles you drive. Mercury was not included in the 2022 J.D. Power Auto Insurance Study, but it did receive an A (Excellent) financial strength rating from AM Best. Mercury sells auto policies through five independent Savannah insurance agencies.
Learn more: Mercury Insurance review
Nationwide
In the J.D. Power study, Nationwide ranked above average in the Southeast region. The insurer offers all standard car insurance coverages, plus a few optional protections, including gap insurance, rental car reimbursement, roadside assistance and towing and labor coverage. Nationwide could be a good choice for drivers looking to reduce their premium with discounts. The carrier offers potential savings for being accident free, installing anti-theft devices, enrolling in a defensive driving course, and being a good student, among others. Nationwide does charge the highest full coverage rates on this list.
Learn more: Nationwide Insurance review
How to get and keep the cheapest car insurance in Savannah
Bankrate’s analysis may give you a head start in finding the cheapest car insurance in Savannah, but you may want to do further research on your own. These strategies may help you find and keep the best rates:
- To find cheap car insurance, consider comparing quotes from multiple carriers. Comparing quotes from different auto insurance companies may help you see which provider could offer you the cheapest rates for your specific needs.
- To keep your cheap car insurance, consider maintaining a clean driving record. Staying accident and ticket-free may demonstrate to your insurer that you are less likely to file a claim. Your insurance company may lower your premium based on this lower risk profile.
Frequently asked questions
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There is no single best car insurance company for everyone, as coverage requirements and rates may vary from person to person. The best company for you may depend on your location, the amount and type of coverage you need, and your budget.
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In Savannah, the average annual full coverage insurance premium is $1,981 and the average minimum coverage insurance premium is $670 per year. However, every driver may pay a slightly different rate based on factors like their age, credit history, claims history, the type of car they own, the age of the vehicle, their deductible and the amount of coverage they have. Most insurance experts recommend comparing quotes from multiple providers to find the cheapest car insurance for your needs.
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According to the Georgia Office of the Commissioner of Insurance and Safety Fire, Savannah drivers are legally required to carry at least 25/50/25 in personal liability coverage. However, drivers who have a leased or financed vehicle may be required to carry full coverage insurance as mandated by their lender.
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According to Georgia’s Office of Highway Safety, traffic fatalities in Chatham County have declined in recent years. However, for a city with a population of just over 147,000, Savannah has a high auto theft rate. In 2021, the Georgia Bureau of Investigation reported 264 auto thefts in Savannah. Auto theft rates are one of the factors that insurance companies may consider when determining premiums.
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Bankrate utilizes Quadrant Information Services to analyze 2022 rates for all 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 2020 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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Bankrate Scores are calculated on a five-point scale and primarily reflect a weighted rank of industry-standard ratings for financial strength and customer experience in addition to analysis of quoted annual premiums from Quadrant Information Services, spanning all 50 states and Washington, D.C. We know it is important for drivers to be confident their financial protection covers the likeliest risks, is priced competitively and is provided by a financially-sound company with a history of positive customer support.
To determine how well the best car insurance companies satisfy these priorities, third-party agency ratings from J.D. Power, AM Best, S&P, NAIC, and Moody’s had the most impact on the companies’ Bankrate Scores. As price is a common consideration for drivers, we analyzed quoted premiums based on 40-year-old male and female drivers with a 2019 Toyota Camry. This profile, assessed across nearly 35,000 ZIP codes in the U.S., provided a basis on which drivers may compare each provider.
While coverage options, insurer availability, affordability and customer experience are often the top priorities, Bankrate also analyzed each insurer’s online and mobile resources for policy management and claims handling. Insurance is rapidly evolving to keep pace with our digital world, so these aspects also carried weight in determining Bankrate Scores.
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