Best Car Insurance Companies of September 2023

Best Car Insurance Companies of September 2023

American Family stands out as the top car insurance company, while USAA, Nationwide, and Auto-Owners . For prudent drivers seeking affordability, USAA emerges as the most cost-effective choice, boasting an average annual rate of just $1,412.

American Family

American Family is recognized for having a very low level of complaints. They offer car insurance coverage with competitive rates, making them an attractive option for drivers who value excellent customer service and affordable premiums. Their collision repair grade is rated as C+, indicating good performance in handling collision claims.

Average Annual Cost for Good Drivers: $2,176

Collision Repair Grade: C+

Auto-Owners

Auto-Owners is known for providing cost-effective car insurance for drivers who have caused accidents. With a low complaint level, they offer reliable coverage options. Their collision repair grade of B+ indicates a strong performance in handling claims related to collisions.

Average Annual Cost for Good Drivers: $1,628

Collision Repair Grade: B+

Nationwide

Nationwide is a solid choice for drivers interested in usage-based or mileage-based insurance. They have very low complaint levels and offer competitive rates. Nationwide's collision repair grade is rated as C, suggesting a decent performance in addressing collision-related claims.

Average Annual Cost for Good Drivers: $2,041

Collision Repair Grade: C

USAA

USAA is an excellent option for military members, veterans, and their immediate family members. While their complaint level is average, they offer competitive rates and various coverage options tailored to the needs of military personnel. USAA's collision repair grade is rated as C.

Average Annual Cost for Good Drivers: $1,412

Collision Repair Grade: C

Geico

Geico is recognized for providing some of the best overall car insurance rates available to the general public. They are a cost-effective choice for drivers with good records. Geico's collision repair grade is rated as C-, indicating an average performance in handling collision claims.

Average Annual Cost for Good Drivers: $1,716

Collision Repair Grade: C-

Travelers

Travelers offers competitive rates, particularly for gap insurance coverage. They have a very low complaint level, reflecting their commitment to customer service. Travelers' collision repair grade is rated as C+, suggesting a good performance in addressing collision-related claims.

Average Annual Cost for Good Drivers: $1,852

Collision Repair Grade: C+

Westfield

Westfield is known for providing family discounts on car insurance. They have a very low complaint level, indicating customer satisfaction. Westfield's collision repair grade is rated as B, reflecting their positive reputation among collision repair professionals.

Average Annual Cost for Good Drivers: $1,759

Collision Repair Grade: B

Erie

Erie Insurance is recognized for receiving the highest grade from collision repair professionals. While their complaint level is higher than the industry average, they offer competitive rates and high-quality service. Erie's collision repair grade is rated as B+.

Average Annual Cost for Good Drivers: $2,144

Collision Repair Grade: B+

Progressive

Progressive is a top choice for drivers with a DUI, offering competitive pricing in this situation. Their complaint level is low, and they provide a range of coverage options. Progressive's collision repair grade is rated as C.

Average Annual Cost for Good Drivers: $2,157

Collision Repair Grade: C

State Farm

State Farm is recognized for offering a renewal discount to policyholders. They have a low complaint level and competitive rates. State Farm's collision repair grade is rated as C-, indicating an average performance in addressing collision-related claims.

Average Annual Cost for Good Drivers: $1,959

Collision Repair Grade: C-

How to Save on Car Insurance?

Saving on car insurance is a common goal for many drivers. Car insurance costs can vary significantly depending on factors like your driving history, the type of coverage you choose, and your location. Here are detailed steps on how to save on car insurance,

Shop Around and Compare Quotes

One of the most effective ways to save on car insurance is to shop around and get multiple quotes from different insurance providers. Each company uses its own algorithms to determine rates, so prices can vary significantly.

Choose the Right Coverage

Assess your insurance needs carefully. While it may be tempting to opt for the minimum required coverage, it's essential to consider your circumstances. If you have a new or valuable car, full coverage (comprehensive and collision) may be worth the extra cost. On the other hand, if your car is older and less valuable, you might consider reducing coverage.

Raise Your Deductible

Increasing your deductible (the amount you pay out of pocket before your insurance kicks in) can lower your premium. However, make sure you can afford the higher deductible in case of an accident.

Maintain a Good Driving Record

Safe driving habits not only keep you and others safe but can also lead to lower insurance premiums. Avoid accidents and traffic violations to maintain a clean driving record, as this is a significant factor that insurers consider when setting rates.

Take Advantage of Discounts

Inquire about available discounts with your insurance provider. Common discounts include,

• Good Driver Discount: For maintaining a clean driving record.
• Multi-Car Discount: If you insure multiple vehicles on the same policy.
• Good Student Discount: For students with good grades.
• Safety Features Discount: If your car has safety features like anti-lock brakes or airbags.
• Anti-Theft Device Discount: If your car is equipped with anti-theft devices.
• Low Mileage Discount: If you drive fewer miles than the average driver.

Consider Usage-Based Insurance

Some insurers offer usage-based insurance programs where your rates are based on your actual driving habits. This can be beneficial if you're a safe and low-mileage driver.

What Types of Car Insurance Do I Need?

In various states, motorists are mandated to procure liability car insurance, although specific coverage requirements may depend on your location and whether your vehicle is financed. Below, are the primary types of car insurance to consider:

Liability Car Insurance

Liability car insurance covers expenses arising from accidents where you are at fault. It encompasses two key components:

• Bodily Injury (BI) Liability: Covers medical expenses and related costs incurred by other parties involved in an accident caused by you, including passengers and pedestrians. It may also assist with your legal expenses if you face a lawsuit.
• Property Damage (PD) Liability: Addresses repair or replacement costs for another individual's property, such as their vehicle, damaged in an accident that you caused.

Liability insurance is a requirement in nearly every state, with exceptions in New Hampshire and Virginia. However, even drivers in these states may need coverage under specific circumstances.

Collision Car Insurance

Collision coverage pays for the repair or replacement of your vehicle in the event of damage resulting from collisions with other vehicles, objects, or rollover accidents. Although no state mandates collision coverage, lenders or lessors may require it if you finance your vehicle. It is frequently bundled with comprehensive car insurance.

Comprehensive Car Insurance

Comprehensive car insurance reimburses you for losses incurred due to theft and non-collision events. This includes damage caused by factors such as hail, floods, fires, vandalism, theft, animal collisions, or falling objects. Generally, it covers damages arising from unforeseeable and uncontrollable incidents. Similar to collision coverage, comprehensive car insurance is not mandated at the state level but is often necessary for financed vehicles.

Personal Injury Protection (PIP)

PIP covers medical expenses related to accidents for you, your passengers, and household family members, irrespective of fault. It may also include compensation for lost wages and everyday services like childcare if an accident renders you or your passengers unable to perform these tasks.

PIP is typically required in "no-fault" or "choice no-fault" states but may not be available in others.

Medical Payments Coverage (MedPay)

MedPay, or medical payments coverage, caters to accident-related medical bills for you and your passengers, regardless of fault. This includes doctor visits, ambulance services, X-rays, surgeries, and funeral expenses. Unlike PIP, MedPay is limited to medical costs and does not cover lost wages or replacement services. MedPay is a requirement in some states. These various types of car insurance provide essential coverage options to consider based on your individual needs and legal requirements in your state.

How to Find the Best Car Insurance Company?

When searching for car insurance, cost is often a primary consideration for many shoppers. It's essential to compare quotes from different insurers as pricing is determined by personal factors such as age, location, vehicle, credit history, and gender. Additionally, assessing an insurer's customer service standards can provide insight into the overall shopping experience.

To find the top car insurance companies, you can visit the state insurance commissioner's website to gather information and complaints about companies in your area.  Consider exploring smaller auto insurance companies as they often offer competitive rates compared to larger competitors.

If you have a past ticket, DUI, or violation, shopping for insurance three to five years after the incident can lead to significant drops in surcharges. To compare rates, you can utilize a cheap full coverage calculator and compare average rates from the three most affordable car insurance companies in your location.

What is Car Insurance?

Car insurance is a type of financial protection that provides coverage for potential damages, losses, or liabilities arising from owning and operating a vehicle. It is a contract between the policyholder and an insurance company, where the policyholder pays a premium in exchange for the insurer's promise to pay for certain expenses resulting from accidents, theft, or other covered incidents involving the insured vehicle.

Car insurance typically includes various types of coverage, such as liability coverage (for damage to others' property or injuries to others), collision coverage (for damage to the insured vehicle in a collision), comprehensive coverage (for non-collision-related damages like theft or natural disasters), and medical payments coverage (for medical expenses related to accidents).

The specific coverage and policy terms may vary depending on the insurance company and the policyholder's chosen options. Car insurance is legally required in most states in the United States to protect drivers, passengers, and other road users in the event of accidents or unforeseen circumstances.

What Are the Uses of Car Insurance?

Car insurance serves several important purposes ranging from Financial Protection to Protecting Your Investment. Let us look into some of the uses of Car Insurance in detail below.

Financial Protection

Car insurance provides financial protection in case of accidents, theft, or damage to your vehicle. It helps cover the costs of repairing or replacing your vehicle, as well as the costs of medical treatment for injuries sustained in an accident.

Liability Coverage

Car insurance includes liability coverage, which protects you if you are at fault in an accident and cause damage to someone else's property or injure another person. It helps cover the costs of repairs, medical bills, and legal expenses if you are sued.

Legal Requirement

Car insurance is a legal requirement in most states. It is mandatory to have at least a minimum level of liability coverage to drive a vehicle legally. Driving without insurance can result in fines, license suspension, or even legal penalties.

Assistance and Support

Car insurance often includes additional benefits such as roadside assistance, towing services, and rental car coverage. These services can be valuable in emergencies or when your vehicle is temporarily out of service.

Protecting Your Investment

If you have financed or leased your vehicle, car insurance may be required by the lender or leasing company. It helps protect their investment by ensuring that the vehicle is repaired or replaced if it is damaged or stolen.