Best auto insurance of 2026.
The cheapest auto insurance is rarely the same as the best. Here are the 8 carriers worth comparing in 2026, scored on premium range, financial strength, JD Power satisfaction, and digital experience.
The 8 auto carriers we recommend right now.
Premium ranges are full-coverage estimates for a typical 35-year-old driver with clean record. Click any carrier for the full review.
USAA
Auto InsuranceTop pickMilitary families, lowest premiums for eligible members
- +Consistently lowest premiums for military members and families
- +Top JD Power satisfaction scores year after year
- +A++ AM Best rating, one of the most financially stable insurers
GEICO
Auto InsuranceLow premiums, digital experience
- +Consistently among the lowest premiums nationwide
- +Award-winning mobile app and online portal
- +Over 85 years in business with A++ AM Best rating
State Farm
Auto InsuranceAgent-based service, top JD Power scores
- +Largest auto insurer in the US with extensive agent network
- +Top JD Power customer satisfaction rankings
- +Drive Safe and Save telematics discount program
Progressive
Auto InsuranceSafe drivers, Snapshot telematics program
- +Snapshot program rewards safe drivers with significant discounts
- +Name Your Price tool helps find coverage within your budget
- +Rideshare insurance available for Uber and Lyft drivers
Allstate
Auto InsuranceSafe drivers, bundling discounts
- +Drivewise telematics program: safe drivers can earn up to 40% back
- +Accident forgiveness available
- +New car replacement coverage option
Nationwide
Auto InsuranceSolid all-around coverage, bundling
- +SmartRide telematics program with up to 40% discount
- +Vanishing deductible: deductible drops $100 per claim-free year
- +On Your Side Review: free annual coverage checkup
Liberty Mutual
Auto InsuranceDiscount stackers, customizable coverage
- +Over a dozen available discounts to stack
- +RightTrack telematics program with up to 30% discount
- +Accident forgiveness and better car replacement options
The General
Auto InsuranceHigh-risk drivers, SR-22 filings
- +Accepts high-risk drivers including those with DUIs and multiple violations
- +SR-22 filing assistance available
- +No credit check required in most states
How we ranked auto carriers.
Four scores combined into one ranking. No paid placement, ever.
Average premium (40 percent)
We pull average annual premium data for a typical 35-year-old driver with clean record, $100/300/100 liability, and a 5-year-old midsize car. Carriers with lower realistic premiums score higher.
AM Best financial strength (20 percent)
AM Best rates insurer ability to pay claims. A++ is the top score. Anything below A- gets penalized, since financial strength matters when you actually need to file a claim.
JD Power satisfaction (25 percent)
JD Power surveys policyholders on price, billing, claims, and interaction. Scores are reported on an 1,000-point scale. Above 870 is excellent. Below 820 is below industry average.
Digital experience (15 percent)
App quality, online quote, policy management, and claims filing through the app. Carriers with award-winning apps (GEICO, Progressive, USAA) score top marks.
Auto coverage types, plain English.
Liability
Covers damage you cause to other people and their property. Required in every state. Carry at least 100/300/100, not the state minimum.
Collision
Pays to repair your car after a crash, regardless of who caused it. Required if you finance or lease.
Comprehensive
Covers your car for non-crash damage: theft, vandalism, hail, fire, falling trees. Usually pairs with collision as full coverage.
Uninsured / underinsured motorist
Pays for your injuries and damage if a driver with little or no insurance hits you. About 1 in 7 US drivers has no insurance.
Medical payments / PIP
Covers medical bills for you and your passengers after a crash, regardless of fault. PIP is required in 12 no-fault states.
Gap insurance
Pays the gap between what your car is worth and what you still owe on a loan or lease. Worth it for the first 2 to 3 years of a new car loan.
Common questions.
What auto insurance coverage do I really need?
Every state requires liability insurance, which covers damage you cause to other people and their property. If you finance or lease, the lender requires collision and comprehensive too. Most drivers should also carry uninsured motorist coverage, which protects you if someone with no insurance hits you.
How much auto insurance is enough?
State minimum liability limits are usually way too low. We suggest 100/300/100, which means $100,000 per person and $300,000 per accident for bodily injury, plus $100,000 for property damage. If you own a home or have savings to protect, consider adding an umbrella policy on top.
What is a telematics or usage-based program?
Telematics programs (GEICO DriveEasy, Progressive Snapshot, Allstate Drivewise) use an app or device to track how you drive. Safe drivers can save 10 to 40 percent. The catch: drivers with frequent hard braking, late-night driving, or high mileage can see rates go up.
Should I drop full coverage on an older car?
A common rule: if your car's market value is less than 10 times your annual collision and comprehensive premium, dropping full coverage often makes sense. If you carry a $1,000 deductible and the car is worth $4,000, the math rarely works in favor of keeping full coverage.
How often should I shop my auto insurance?
Every 2 years at minimum, or any time you move, marry, add a driver, or buy a different car. Loyalty is rarely rewarded in auto insurance, and a 15-minute comparison can easily save $300 to $800 per year for the same coverage.
Does my credit score affect my auto insurance rate?
In most states, yes. Auto insurers use a credit-based insurance score to predict claim likelihood. Drivers with poor credit can pay 60 to 90 percent more than drivers with excellent credit for the same coverage. California, Hawaii, Massachusetts, and Michigan ban or restrict this practice.
Shop your auto insurance in 15 minutes.
Click any carrier for the full review and direct quote link.