Mad Mad News

LIVE ABOVE THE MADNESS

SUCCESS


Here’s How Much Money You’d Have if You Invested in Costco 5, 10 or 20 Years Ago

Filed Under: Money.com, SUCCESS

A lot can happen in 20 years. In 2006, the first iPhone hadn’t even hit stores yet. Twitter was just getting started. And Beyoncé had just dropped B’Day.
But if you’d put $1,000 into Costco stock in 2006, you’d have more than $19,000 today — and that’s before accounting for dividends.

Must Read

You’re probably eligible to save money on car insurance. Compare rates for your ZIP code with this free — and fast — tool from Money.
Meet your financial goals faster: Take this free, no-obligation quiz to get matched with an advisor today.
These 6 hacks can help seniors save money on things they’re already buying.

That’s a solid return for a company known for bulk groceries, bargain hunting and a famous $1.50 hot dog combo. Then again, 20 years is a long time to hold a stock. So what if you’d invested more recently?
Here’s how much a $1,000 investment in Costco five, 10 or 20 years ago would be worth today.
How much would $1,000 invested in Costco be worth today?
Over the past decade, Costco’s stock has climbed more than 550%, turning a $1,000 investment into roughly $6,576 based on share-price growth alone.
To calculate these hypothetical returns, Money compared Costco’s historical closing prices with its closing price of $992.13 on Tuesday (Oct. 27, 2026). We divided the latest stock price by the price on each historical date, then multiplied that figure by $1,000 to estimate how much the original investment would be worth today. The figures reflect stock-price growth only and excludes dividends, taxes and trading fees.
Five years ago
A $1,000 investment in Costco on Oct. 27, 2021, would be worth about $2,028 as of press time. That’s a gain of roughly $1,028, or 103% — more than doubling the original investment.
10 years ago
Investing $1,000 in Costco on Oct. 27, 2016, would have grown to about $6,576 by present day. That’s an increase of approximately $5,576, or 558%, meaning the investment would be worth more than six times its starting amount.
20 years ago
Go back to Oct. 27, 2006, and that same $1,000 investment would be worth about $19,336 today. That’s a gain of about $18,336, or 1,834% — more than 19 times the original investment.
The takeaway for long-term investors
Costco’s stock performance shows how much an investment can grow when a company’s share price rises over time. In this case, investors who held the stock for longer periods saw substantially greater gains.
Still, there’s no guarantee that Costco will deliver similar results over the next five, 10 or 20 years. Individual stocks can be volatile and past performance doesn’t guarantee future returns. Investors who want to reduce their exposure to any one company can consider diversified funds, which spread investments across multiple stocks.
For everyday investors, the takeaway isn’t necessarily to find the next Costco. It’s to think long term, stay diversified and remember that investing comes with risks as well as potential rewards.

Never miss a Money story.

Join 700,000+ readers who get the latest financial news and advice delivered daily for free. Subscribe to our newsletters.

How Solo Creators and Side-Hustlers Use 3D AI to Turn Ideas into Sellable Digital Assets

Filed Under: Addicted2Success, SUCCESS

A game developer requires a street food cart for a night market scene. Someone else likes small furnishings for a tabletop display. Neither buyer wants to spend the entire weekend modelling a single product. For a solo creator – demands like this can indicate a modest digital product.
Your first job is deciding what someone would buy. Attractive previews help but the downloaded files must work.
Start With a Problem Someone Is Already Trying to Solve
Before opening your modelling tool, spend twenty minutes browsing a marketplace. Search for a specific item rather than typing “3D assets.” Try “low-poly camping equipment” or “printable miniature bookshelves” and study the existing listings.
Read the practical questions that paying customers ask in listings. Do buyers want separate pieces for changing their scene? Are they requesting an STL file instead of an OBJ? Do complaints mention missing textures or objects with the wrong scale?
Choose one small customer problem you can handle yourself. Five matching campsite props make a clearer first product than fifty unrelated objects.
How 3D AI Fits Into a One Person Workflow
An AI 3D model generator creates a mesh based on a written description or reference image. Instead of starting with an empty workspace – you will have something to modify.
For example: Meshy supports text-based and image based generation in its browser platform. Its tools also cover texturing, remeshing and automatic rigging. Free and paid plans let you try the workflow first.
Its free plan currently includes 100 generation credits each month. Downloads on that plan are limited to 10 untextured Meshy 6 Lite models monthly. Finished textured exports and Meshy 7 downloads require a paid subscription. Check those limits before planning a product for sale.
From an Idea to Your First Downloadable Pack
1. Write a Tiny Product Brief
Suppose you choose a campsite kit for indie game developers. Write down six objects:

tent
lantern
cooking pot
stool
backpack
wooden sign

Keep your chosen art style consistent throughout the collection. Choose one scale and the game engine you want to support.
Now you have a checklist instead of endless prompts.
2. Generate With the Final Buyer in Mind
A prompt such as “camping lantern” leaves too many decisions open. Describe your object’s shape, materials and visual style instead. Try “small iron camping lantern, rectangular glass panels, low-poly game prop, isolated object.”
Check every side of your model before accepting it. Handles may merge into the body or surfaces might be distorted.
For objects with different details on every side, reference images help. Meshy 7 offers Multi-View through paid plans, accepting one main image plus three additional angles. Keep your framing consistent across all the reference pictures.
3. Do the Unexciting Cleanup Work
Open the result in Blender and check its geometry. Remove loose fragments and any unwanted surfaces hidden inside the object. Adjust the number of polygons to suit its intended use.
Test your finished textures under several different lighting conditions. A nice preview cannot tell you how the material behaves inside a customer’s project.
For printable products, test thickness and repair open surfaces. Run the file through slicing software before advertising it as print-ready.
4. Add Rigging Only When the Product Needs It
Your campsite prop kit needs no skeleton or animation. A fantasy creature pack could need both, especially for games.
Meshy’s Auto Rigging works with both humanoids and traditional four-legged characters. Smart Rig (Beta) can also handle custom or fantastical creatures that do not fit into any of the standard groups. It can generate a skeleton, however smart-rigged models are not currently compatible with Meshy’s animation library.
Check your final rig inside the intended game application. Never advertise playable animations without testing them yourself first.
5. Package Files People Can Understand
Meshy supports eight export formats, including GLB, FBX, OBJ and STL. Choose formats based on the buyer’s actual workflow – rather than supplying everything indiscriminately.
For game assets, FBX is widely used with Unity and Unreal. GLB can keep textures inside a single file – making previews easier to share. STL works for geometry intended for 3D printing but it does not contain color textures.
Keep your models and previews in two separate folders. Add a short readme stating dimensions and tested software. Name objects individually so your customer can find the lantern without guessing.
6. Make the Listing Answer Real Questions
Your cover image should show the entire pack together. Follow it with closeups and an imported scene from the software you tested.
Put the useful details near the top of the description:

Number of individual models included in the download
File formats and supported applications you personally tested
Approximate scale and polygon counts for game assets
Texture information and any installation instructions
License conditions and limitations buyers should know

Do not market an untested model as game ready. A few accurate details do more work than dramatic claims.
Where Can You Sell These Digital Assets?
Fab caters to game developers looking for props and environment kits. According to Epic Games, publishers receive 88% of the sales revenue. You still need to meet the technical standards and pass the listing review.
Etsy may be suitable for printable decorations and original digital designs. The normal listing charge is $0.20, and the transaction fee is 6.5%. Other charges – such as payment processing fees – may apply. Etsy also demands AI usage disclosure in relevant product descriptions.
Choose the marketplace that best meets the demands of your buyer. A printable tabletop piece draws a different customer than an Unreal Engine prop kit.
Can You Sell Models Generated on a Free Plan?
Yes. But check the license attached to each file. Meshy’s free plan outputs use the CC BY 4.0 license. This permits commercial use with attribution. Paid plans provide private asset ownership without that attribution requirement – subject to the platform’s terms.
Use your own artwork or reference images you have permission to use. A familiar movie character might attract searches but it can introduce copyright problems.
How Do You Know What to Make Next?
Start with one entire pack and record actual customer enquiries. Record any requests from buyers for a matching table or a different export format. These requests can help steer the next product rather than making arbitrary assumptions.
The goal is straightforward: sell something people can use instantly. Your modest pack could outperform a gallery of incomplete experiments.
The post How Solo Creators and Side-Hustlers Use 3D AI to Turn Ideas into Sellable Digital Assets appeared first on Addicted 2 Success.

Alphabet Inc. Q3 2026 Earnings: Live Updates of $GOOGL Earnings Call, Stock Forecast

Filed Under: SUCCESS, The Street

Google parent Alphabet Inc is set to report after the closing bell on Oct. 28, 2026, joining AI peer Microsoft in a tech-heavy after hours slate which could provide clues on the health of AI demand.

These are the top and bottom-line figures expected from today’s report, with consensus estimates tabulated by Reuters:

Revenue: $128.2 billion, +25% YoY

Earnings per share (adj): $3.02 / share

Live updates from the company’s earnings report and call will be posted on TheStreet.com as they come available. Check back periodically for the latest.

AT&T settlement could pay eligible customers up to $5,000

Filed Under: SUCCESS, The Street

AT&T (T) had two major security failures in 2024.

Both put customer data in the hands of people who were not supposed to have it. A class-action lawsuit followed, and a federal judge has now granted final approval to a $177 million settlement that will pay out to customers who filed a timely claim.

The size of your payment depends on which settlement class you qualify for and whether you documented your losses at the time.

Some claimants could receive up to $5,000. Others will receive less, or a proportional share of what remains in the fund after costs are taken out. The exact amount will not be known until payments are distributed.

The deadline to file has already passed. If you submitted a claim, you can check your status at TelecomDataSettlement.com. Here is what the settlement covers, how payments are calculated, and what to watch for before the money goes out.

What AT&T’s 2 breaches actually exposed

The first incident became public on March 30, 2024. AT&T said a data set containing customer information had appeared on the dark web.

The company confirmed the exposed data included Social Security numbers, account numbers, passcodes, email addresses, and birth dates for roughly 73 million current and former customers.

Also read: AT&T accelerates the end of a network that’s losing customers

On July 12, 2024, AT&T said limited data had been illegally downloaded from its workspace on a third-party cloud platform. The downloaded data was call and text records. It covered nearly all of AT&T’s wireless customers. The records spanned May through October 2022.

The lawsuit alleged that AT&T failed to put adequate cybersecurity protections in place before either incident occurred. AT&T denied wrongdoing but agreed to settle rather than take the case through trial.

The U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Texas granted final approval to the settlement on Oct. 2. If no appeal is filed, the effective date is Nov. 12. An appeal would push that date back and delay any payments by the length of the appeals process.

How much you could receive from the AT&T settlement?

Your payment depends on which of the two settlement classes you fall into. The classes are defined by when your documented losses occurred, not by which breach affected you.

The first class covers documented losses that took place in 2019 or later. If your claim falls into this class, the maximum payment is $5,000. Valid documentation includes records of identity theft, fraud losses, credit-monitoring expenses, or other out-of-pocket costs you can connect to the breach.

The stronger your documentation, the closer to the cap your payment is likely to be.

The second class applies to documented losses that occurred on or after April 14, 2024. Payments in that class are capped at $2,500.

If you did not document a specific financial loss when you filed, you may have selected the pro rata option instead. That gives you a proportional share of whatever remains in the $177 million fund after administrative costs, attorney fees, and service awards are paid out.

The pro rata payment will be smaller than the documented-loss caps, and the exact amount depends on how many claimants choose that option.

The size of your payment depends on which settlement class you qualify for and whether you documented your losses at the time.dennizn / Getty Images

When your payment will arrive

Payments must go out within 60 days of the effective date. The estimated effective date is Nov. 12. The distribution deadline is around mid-January.

You will receive an electronic payment or a paper check, based on what you chose when you filed. If your contact details or banking information have changed, update them at TelecomDataSettlement.com before payments go out.

More AT&T:

AT&T puts $3 billion behind expanding a key service for customers

Apple’s priciest iPhone is giving some AT&T customers problems

AT&T launches free healthcare perk for customers

Your claim is already on file. The administrator will send your payment after Nov. 12, assuming no appeal is filed.

If you are unsure whether your claim was accepted, the settlement website is the place to check. The administrator sends status updates through the site, not through unsolicited messages.

Watch for scams using the AT&T settlement as cover

The filing deadline has closed. No third party can help you submit a new claim or move up your payment.

If you receive an unsolicited call, text, or email offering to help you collect a settlement payout or expedite your check, it is a scam.

Legitimate updates come from TelecomDataSettlement.com or directly from the settlement administrator. The administrator will not contact you to ask for payment information, Social Security numbers, or personal details beyond what you already provided when you filed.

Even if you did not file a claim, treat the two breaches seriously. Data exposed in a security incident can be used for identity theft months or years after the initial event.

Pull your credit reports from each of the three major bureaus and look for accounts or inquiries you do not recognize. You are entitled to a free report from each bureau weekly at AnnualCreditReport.com.

A credit freeze prevents new credit from being opened in your name without your authorization and costs nothing to place or lift. A fraud alert is a lighter option that flags your file without blocking new accounts outright.

Either step is reasonable, given the scope of what was exposed in the two 2024 breaches.

Related: AT&T CEO holds firm stance on Elon Musk’s SpaceX phone strategy

7 Best Car Insurance Companies of November 2026

Filed Under: Money.com, SUCCESS

Key Takeaways

Amica is the best overall auto insurance company because it consistently ranks near the top of industry benchmarks for customer satisfaction, particularly in handling claims. Progressive is best if you want to customize your premiums, while State Farm is a good choice for younger drivers.
Every state except New Hampshire requires car owners to have liability insurance at minimum. If you’re leasing or paying off your car loan, the lender will also require comprehensive and collision coverage. Rates can vary widely by state.
Once your policy is up for renewal, it pays to shop around for better rates with other providers. According to Consumer Reports, drivers who switched providers saved over $460 a year on average.
Our writing and editing team independently reviewed 15+ auto insurance companies to ensure the accuracy and reliability of our information. We dedicated 1,000+ hours of research to reviewing over 15 insurers across more than 25 factors.

Our top picks for car insurance companies

Amica Mutual – Best Overall
Progressive – Best Quote Customization
State Farm – Best for Young Drivers
Nationwide – Best Usage-Based Insurance Program
GEICO – Best Mobile App
USAA – Best for Military Members
Travelers – Best for Coverage Options

Pros

Top marks in customer satisfaction from multiple third-party evaluators

Free airbag replacement (after it deploys)

Credit monitoring services and lock replacement for stolen keys

$1,000 for bail bonds/wage reimbursement if required to appear in court

Bundling discount up to 30%

Cons

Often more expensive than competitors

Good driving rewards are gift cards, not premium discounts

No coverage in Hawaii

HIGHLIGHTS

A.M. Best Rating
A+

Crash Network’s Insurer Report Card
B+

J.D. Power U.S. Auto Claims Satisfaction Study
Above average (718/1,000 vs. a 700 study average)

J.D. Power U.S. Insurance Shopping Study
N/A

NAIC Complaint Index
Above average (1.16)

Discounts
19 discount options, including legacy discounts for drivers whose parents have been insured with Amica for at least five years

Why we chose it: Amica Mutual consistently ranks near the top of industry benchmarks for customer satisfaction, particularly in handling claims.
Amica Mutual ranks highly in J.D. Power’s 2025 U.S. Auto Claims Satisfaction Study, which measures the consumer’s experience filing a claim, communicating with the insurer, and their satisfaction with the settlement.
Amica has also ranked highest in J.D. Power’s New England regional study 13 times in 14 years, including the 2026 study. This survey measures auto insurers across the U.S. 12 geographic regions, looking at pricing, coverage benefits, and digital tools. The company also has 4.5 out of 5 stars on Trustpilot and an A+ with the Better Business Bureau.
Amica is also well-regarded by repair shops nationwide for its handling of repairs and payments once a car is in the shop. CRASH Network awarded Amica a B+ in its most recent Insurers Report Card. This rating is rarely given out for insurers of Amica’s size — the largest insurers nationwide received poor grades (C or lower).
Finally, its perks like free airbag replacement, identity theft support, and legacy discounts add value beyond standard coverage. While premiums may be higher than average, drivers who prioritize reliability and hassle-free claims over the lowest price find the added cost worth a smoother claims experience. Its bundling discount (up to 30%) doesn’t hurt either.

Pros

Name Your Price tool matches consumers with the right policy for their budget

Offers pet injury coverage and rideshare coverage for Uber and Lyft drivers

Loyalty Rewards program helps get a lower rate

Savings bank program can help you cover your deductible

Accident forgiveness lets you avoid rate increases after an accident

Cons

Risk factors recorded by the telematics program might raise premiums

Coverage for OEM parts only available for motorcycle insurance

HIGHLIGHTS

A.M. Best rating
A+ (Superior)

Crash Network’s Insurer Report Card
C-

J.D. Power U.S. Auto Claims Satisfaction Study
Below average (673/1,000)

J.D. Power U.S. Insurance Shopping Study
Below average (645/1,000)

NAIC Complaint Index
Above average (2.6)

Discounts
18 including discounts for automatic and paperless statement, continuous coverage, and teen and student drivers

Why we chose it: Progressive offers the best customizable premiums and is ideal for drivers who want more control over how much they pay.
Its well-known “Name Your Price” tool lets users build a policy around a specific budget, adjusting deductibles and coverage levels in real time.
For example, you can quickly and easily increase the deductible for collision coverage and save on your premium. However, note that if you’re in an accident, you’ll have to pay a higher amount before the insurance kicks in.
In terms of savings, Progressive’s telematics Snapshot program uses driving data such as acceleration, braking and distance to provide drivers a discount for safe driving behavior. It also gives customers the option of joining its deductible savings bank. This program puts $50 into savings every six months that pass without a claim or driving violation, until it reaches its limit. Then, if you file a claim, your deductible will already be paid for.
Read full review of Progressive Car Insurance

Pros

Multiple discounts opportunities for young drivers that offset the high rates for that age range

Rideshare and classic car insurance coverage

Premiums won’t increase based on telematics data

Cons

Often more expensive than competitors, particularly for drivers with poor credit

Deductible waiver available by state
D- rating from the BBB

HIGHLIGHTS

A.M. Best rating
A+ (Superior)

Crash Network’s Insurer Report Card
D+ (No. 85 out of 91 insurers ranked)

J.D. Power U.S. Auto Claims Satisfaction Study
Above average (716/1,000)

J.D. Power U.S. Insurance Shopping Study
Above average (674/1,000)

NAIC Complaint Index
(Worse than most) 13.800

Discounts
12, including discounts for safe driving, loyalty, low-mileage and teen/student drivers

Why we chose it: Young drivers typically face the highest premiums, but State Farm offers one of the most generous discount structures to offset those costs. Its Good Student Discount can reduce premiums significantly for eligible drivers, and additional savings are available for driver training and low-mileage use.
With the Good Student Discount, policyholders can save up to 25% if their teen driver maintains a GPA of 3.0 or higher until the teen turns 25. Many competitors offer a smaller good-grades discount or don’t disclose the amount at all.
Drivers under 21 can also get a discount for taking a driver’s ed course and enroll in the Steer Clear program, which offers savings for improving your driving skills. Additionally, the “Student Away at School” discount helps customers save by only covering the student while at home on vacation and holidays.
State Farm also pairs these savings with solid customer satisfaction scores and a large agent network, making it easier for younger policyholders (and their families) to get support when needed.

Pros

Top position in J.D. Power’s Usage-Based Insurance Satisfaction Study

Often less expensive than competitors, particularly for drivers with poor credit

Guarantees your rates won’t increase for enrolling in its telematics program

Cons

No automatic crash detection tools in the SmartRide telematics program

HIGHLIGHTS

A.M. Best rating
A (Excellent)

Crash Network’s Insurer Report Card
C

J.D. Power U.S. Auto Claims Satisfaction Study
Above average (729/1,000)

J.D. Power U.S. Insurance Shopping Study
Above average (715/1,000)

NAIC Complaint Index
Worse than most (2.00)

Discounts
10% when you enroll; safe driving history; good grades; policy bundles; automatic payments ; and paperless statements

Why we chose it: Nationwide offers one of the strongest usage-based insurance (UBI) ecosystems, combining its SmartRide (behavior-based) and SmartMiles (pay-per-mile) programs.
SmartRide rewards safe driving behavior. Customers get 10% off just for signing up and can save up to 40% for safe driving. The second program is SmartMiles, which charges you based on how much you drive — a monthly bill made up of a base rate plus a per-mile rate, both of which vary by driver, vehicle and state. The program even offers road trip protection; if you go on a long drive, only the first 250 miles count toward your mileage for the month.
Unlike many competitors, Nationwide guarantees that rates won’t increase just for signing up, which is a major advantage for cautious users.

Pros

Second place in J.D. Power’s Usage-Based Insurance Satisfaction Study

23 discount opportunities to get a better rate, including a discount for military personnel

Typically offers low to moderate premium rates for a variety of driver profiles

Cons

Rideshare coverage is only available through a commercial auto policy

No GAP insurance and new car replacement coverage

Risk driving recorded by the telematics program could increase your premiums

HIGHLIGHTS

A.M. Best rating
A++ (Superior)

Crash Network’s Insurer Report Card
C-

J.D. Power U.S. Auto Claims Satisfaction Study
Below average (697/1,000)

J.D. Power U.S. Insurance Shopping Study
Below average (656/1,000)

NAIC Complaint Index
Higher than most (1.74)

Discounts
23 discounts including safe and defensive driving, federal employee, military deployment and good student discounts

Why we chose it: GEICO offers a fully digital experience that is ideal for those who prefer to go online rather than call customer service. It delivers one of the most seamless digital insurance experiences available. Policyholders can manage nearly every aspect of their policy through the mobile app, including accessing ID cards to filing claims and requesting roadside assistance.
GEICO policyholders can use the company’s app to request roadside assistance, upload photos to get damage estimates and submit and manage their claims. The app can also serve as a type of “agent in your pocket” that answers insurance-related questions and helps you stay on top of your car’s history, sending you alerts about recalls or when it’s time for maintenance.
Integration with vehicle tools like CARFAX adds extra utility, helping users track maintenance and recalls directly from the app. (Speaking of, both its Android and Apple mobile apps are very highly rated.)
While its claims satisfaction scores are more mixed, its pricing and convenience make it a strong contender for tech-first consumers who want on-the-go access to their policy and insurer.

Pros

One of most affordable car insurance companies in several premium surveys

Top marks across several J.D. Power Customer Satisfaction Surveys, though USAA is not rank-eligible for awards

Premiums won’t increase based on negative telematics data

Cons

Limited to military members, veterans and their immediate families

Low rating in CRASH Network’s Insurer Report Card

Above-average complaint volume

HIGHLIGHTS

A.M. Best rating
A++ (Superior)

Crash Network’s Insurer Report Card
C-

J.D. Power U.S. Auto Claims Satisfaction Study
Well above average (741/1,000 vs. a 700 study average)

J.D. Power U.S. Insurance Shopping Study
Above average (719/1,000)

NAIC Complaint Index
Worse than most (2.98)

Discounts
12 discounts, including discounts for newer vehicles, if you’re deployed and storing your car and if your parents already have a USAA policy

Why we chose it: USAA is consistently among the higher-rated insurers for affordability and customer satisfaction. However, it’s only available to military members, veterans and their families.
It offers specialized benefits tailored to military life, such as vehicle storage discounts during deployment and strong low-mileage savings. While it doesn’t officially rank in some industry studies due to eligibility restrictions, its scores often exceed top competitors.
Like other companies, USAA offers a variety of discounts with some unique features. These include a car storage discount for members who store their vehicles at a military base or installation. In this case, customers get up to 60% off their policy and could save up to 15% on comprehensive coverage. It also offers a low-mileage discount of up to 20% off your policy that both stateside and deployed members can benefit from. Like others on this list, there are also telematics and safe driving programs that can save you on your premium as well.
Read full review of USAA Car Insurance

Pros

Wide range of optional coverages (gap, accident forgiveness, new car replacement)

IntelliDrive telematics program with valuable discounts

Good bundling options for home and auto policies

Cons

IntelliDrive may increase premiums depending on driving behavior

HIGHLIGHTS

A.M. Best Rating
A++ (Superior)

Crash Network’s Insurer Report Card
C

J.D. Power Claims Satisfaction:
Below average (691/1,000)

J.D. Power Shopping Study:
Below average (650/1,000)

NAIC Complaint Index:
Better than most (0.12)

Discounts:
12, including safe driver, multi-policy, hybrid/EV and telematics-based savings

Why we chose it: Travelers is a top auto insurance provider, especially for drivers who want more than standard coverage. It offers a wide range of optional coverages, including accident forgiveness, new car replacement and gap insurance. These features are not always available across competitors.
Travelers also performs well financially (with strong A.M. Best ratings) and maintains a broad national footprint. Its IntelliDrive telematics program allows drivers to earn discounts based on real-world driving behavior.
Travelers provides a strong balance of customization, financial stability and coverage depth.

What you need to know about car insurance
Auto insurance helps you cover losses stemming from theft, collision, natural disasters and liability involving your vehicle. In simple terms, you pay a premium to an insurer, and it pays for losses as stipulated in your policy.
Liability policies don’t require you to pay a deductible, but other coverages typically do. Your deductible is how much you must pay out of pocket — from $250 all the way to $2,000 — before the insurer covers the rest. Policies with higher deductibles will cost less than those with lower ones because you’ll assume more of the cost of repair or replacement in the event of an incident.
Types of car insurance coverage
Here are common types of auto insurance coverage you’ll encounter when considering policies:

Liability insurance includes property damage and bodily injury liability. It only covers damages that you cause others in an at-fault accident.

Uninsured/underinsured motorist coverage covers medical bills and repairs if you’re in an accident caused by another driver with little or no insurance. It can also cover the cost of damages that result from a hit-and-run.

Comprehensive coverage pays for repairs if your vehicle is damaged by something other than another vehicle (including hail, fire, floods, theft and vandalism).

Collision coverage covers repair costs to your vehicle if you’re involved in an at-fault accident.

Full coverage car insurance refers to comprehensive and collision policies, along with the state’s required minimum coverages.

Medical payments coverage pays for medical expenses if you or your passengers are injured in an accident.

Personal injury protection (PIP), also known as no-fault insurance, covers medical bills, loss of wages and funeral costs for you or your passengers if you’re in an accident, regardless of who is at fault.

Guaranteed asset protection (GAP) pays the difference between how much you owe on your vehicle and how much your insurance will pay out if your vehicle is totaled or stolen. This is only necessary if you have financed or leased your car and have not paid it off yet.

In addition to these, optional insurance riders can give you additional coverage such as roadside assistance, glass replacement and rental reimbursement at an extra cost.
How much is car insurance?
Car insurance costs vary greatly based on a wide range of factors. In fact, the NAIC explicitly notes that state-to-state comparisons are difficult due to the high degree of variability in insurance requirements and other factors. According to the Insurance Information Institute, drivers in Louisiana, New York, and Michigan pay the most for auto insurance, while those in North Dakota, Maine, and Iowa pay the least.
To determine your premium, insurers consider your driving history, the type of vehicle you own, where you live, your credit score and even where you park. Your choice of deductible will also affect the cost of your policy — the higher the deductible, the lower your rate.
As of August 2026, Experian puts the national average at about $2,922 per year ($243 per month) for full coverage and about $1,580 per year ($132 per month) for minimum coverage. The best way to see how much you’ll pay for car insurance is to get quotes from several companies.
How to lower your car insurance premium
There are things you can do to lower the cost of your car insurance. You may already know about bundling, but there are other strategies to use to help offset the high cost of insurance.

Bundle insurance policies
On average, bundling home, renters, auto or life insurance with the same provider can save you over 15% on your combined premiums.

Increase your deductible
Increasing your deductible can make your payment more affordable. However, you want to ensure that you can afford to pay it out of pocket in case you’re in an accident.

Review your policy regularly
Reassessing your current policy before renewal, or whenever you make life changes that affect who is driving your car, can ensure you’re getting the type and level of car insurance coverage you need and can afford. (If you’re interested in changing insurers to get a lower price, take a look at Money’s guide on how to switch car insurance.)

Apply for discounts
Companies offer discounts to policyholders who maintain a clean driving record (e.g., no speeding tickets, DUI, etc.) and drive vehicles with good safety features. Although discounts vary from one lender to the next, common ones include safe driver, multi-vehicle and multi-policy discounts.

Reduce coverage
You can reduce your annual premium by dropping collision or comprehensive coverage on vehicles that don’t have a lease or loan.

Consider usage-based insurance
Usage-based insurance (UBI) policies (also called telematics programs) take into account your current driving habits to determine your premium. They measure how fast you drive, how quickly you turn and how abruptly you brake, among other risk factors.
Depending on your driving habits, you could earn a discount on your policy. Make sure to ask whether negative driving marks will increase your rates and how the insurer will protect your personal data.

Shop around for cheaper rates
Comparing online quotes from at least three different insurance providers can help you get a low rate without sacrificing important coverage. Using a car insurance comparison tool can help match you with a provider that offers the best policy for your vehicle.
Besides average rates, consider the available discounts, coverage limits and deductible options of each company when shopping for car insurance coverage. If you don’t know where to start, an independent insurance agent or broker could help you narrow down your options.
If you want to read more about savings opportunities with online insurers, read our guide to the best cheap car insurance companies.
How to get car insurance
Whether you’re getting car insurance for the first time or shopping around for a new policy, it’s a good idea to review the steps to buying car insurance. While the exact process may vary depending on the insurance company you select, here’s what you can expect.

Gather your personal and vehicle information: You’ll need your driver’s license, vehicle registration and a copy of your existing insurance declaration page if the vehicle is already insured.

Get quotes: Since insurance rates can vary drastically, we recommend getting quotes from 3-5 insurers.

Compare your options: As you’re comparing premiums, be sure to look at the type of coverage and limits. It’s important to compare apples to apples.

Read customer reviews and third-party ratings: Read reviews from current and previous customers and note any negative patterns or red flags.

Don’t cancel your old policy until the new one is active: You don’t want to cancel your old policy until you have your new one in place, you can have a lapse in coverage.

Car Insurance FAQs
What’s the cheapest car insurance company?
No single company is cheapest for everyone — the ranking reorders depending on the driver. Among our picks, USAA is typically lowest for military families, Nationwide for drivers with poor credit, and GEICO across the widest range of profiles. Our top overall pick, Amica, often costs more than competitors.
Will my car insurance go up after an accident?
In most cases, yes… if you caused it. However, you can also be surcharged for an accident you didn’t cause: only California and Oklahoma bar insurers from raising rates after a not-at-fault crash.
Does your credit score affect car insurance rates?
In most states, yes. Good drivers with poor credit paid an average of $1,012 a year for state-minimum coverage, compared with $470 for the same drivers with excellent credit, according to a 2023 Consumer Federation of America study. California, Hawaii, Massachusetts and Michigan prohibit the practice. You should know, however, that insurers don’t use your FICO score; instead, they use a separate credit-based insurance score drawn from your credit file.
Does car insurance follow the car or the driver?
Generally, it follows the car. If you lend your vehicle to a licensed friend and they cause a crash, your policy pays first, and the claim goes on your record, not theirs.

How we chose the best car insurance companies
For this roundup, we focused on insurers widely available in the U.S. Unfortunately, this meant we had to exclude regional insurers that excelled in several of our metrics. That includes Erie Insurance and NJM, which ranked first and second in J.D. Power’s 2025 U.S. Auto Claims Satisfaction Study but aren’t available nationwide.
Notwithstanding, we strongly encourage you to get quotes from household names and local insurers. You may find a better rate and overall better customer experience with a small, regional provider.
The team at Money reviewed 23 auto insurers based on 25+ factors, which we grouped into five broad categories: customer satisfaction, cost, coverage options, digital tools and financial stability. We then assigned a percentage value to each category, giving the most weight to customer satisfaction and cost, and rated insurers on a one-to-five scale.

Customer satisfaction: We considered the volume of complaints recorded with the National Association of Insurance Commissioners (NAIC) and rankings from four J.D. Power Customer Satisfaction Surveys (the U.S. Insurance Shopping Study, the U.S. Auto Insurance Study, the U.S. Auto Claims Satisfaction Study and the Usage-Based Insurance Study). We also looked at the CRASH Network’s Insurer Report Card, which rates insurers based on feedback from automotive collision repair professionals.

Cost: We compiled third-party auto insurance rate data, noting which insurers typically offered the most affordable and most expensive rates. We also took into account the number of discount opportunities available to policyholders.

Coverage options: Our top picks offer comprehensive, collision, liability, uninsured/underinsured motorist, medical payments, personal injury protection, and riders such as roadside assistance, travel expenses, ridesharing, pet injury, and classic cars.

User experience: For this category, we considered how easy it is for customers to get a quote, file a claim and manage their policy with each company. We also considered availability and excluded insurers that only operated in a small number of states.

Digital tools: Car insurance companies that allow policyholders to file car insurance claims via apps ranked higher on our list. We also looked at the insurer’s usage-based insurance program, noting whether the company explicitly states that it won’t increase your premiums for poor driving.

Financial stability: An insurance company’s financial stability can be gauged by its AM Best financial strength rating. We gave the most points to insurers that earned an A++ rating from A.M. Best, the benchmark for financial stability in the insurance industry.

Goldman Sachs sees significant shift in AI labour market

Filed Under: SUCCESS, The Street

For most of the past two years, worries about artificial intelligence and jobs centered on software engineers, coders and young tech workers. That picture is getting a lot wider. Goldman Sachs economist Jan Hatzius now says AI’s impact on employment is starting to show up in industries far from Silicon Valley.

The timing is awkward for investors. Tech stocks slid on October 22 as fears grew that the AI investment boom may have peaked. Now the same technology that powered the rally is raising harder questions about paychecks, spending and growth heading into 2027.

Goldman Sachs says AI is hitting jobs well beyond tech

The core finding is fairly simple. Across U.S. non-manufacturing industries, companies that lean more on AI in their regular business functions are seeing weaker employment growth and higher unemployment, and both links are statistically significant, according to Seeking Alpha. Goldman measured both outcomes against their 2015 to 2019 averages, using the latest three-month readings.

Also read: Goldman Sachs sends a stern warning to stock market investors

A separate note from Goldman economist Joseph Briggs, dated October 22, points in the same direction. Employment in the industries most exposed to AI has slipped about 10,000 jobs below its long-term trend over the past three months, although stronger hiring in AI-related construction has largely offset that gap.

The pain is not landing evenly, either. In an August 19 report examining employment growth across more than 800 occupations, Goldman found that AI-related hiring headwinds were strongest for entry-level workers.

Corporate America is starting to act on it. American Express said on October 23 that it would eliminate about 5% of its global workforce, with CEO Stephen Squeri saying the company is using AI to become more agile and efficient. A credit card company, not a chipmaker, is exactly the kind of spread Hatzius means.

Solid labour markets hide a slow, steady drag

Hatzius was careful not to oversell the alarm. Taken as a whole, he said, labor markets in developed economies are still holding up, and Goldman has not backed away from its view that AI spending will eventually pay for itself through improved productivity and higher profits across the economy. 

The uncomfortable part is how that happens. Some of the payoff comes from companies needing fewer workers, and the bank admits that process hurts the economy before it helps.

Briggs has been tracking that drag for months. In July, he said AI tools were already pulling between 10,000 and 15,000 jobs out of monthly payroll growth, mostly in tech, management consulting and graphic design. He also estimated that AI could displace roughly 9% of American workers over the next decade.

The monthly picture has shifted since then. Goldman’s research showed AI was replacing more jobs each month than it created through new, adjacent roles, but the net gap narrowed by June as data-center construction hiring picked up. In other words, the AI building boom has been quietly covering for AI’s job losses elsewhere.

That cushion may not last. Only 23% of U.S. establishments currently use AI in their regular workflows, suggesting most of the disruption is still ahead and that an economic downturn could accelerate automation and layoffs, according to Investing.com. Goldman’s baseline still calls for a gradual rise in AI-related disruption rather than a sudden shock.

Goldman found AI-related hiring headwinds were strongest for entry-level workers.Bloomberg / Getty Images

The AI spending boost is close to its peak

The second half of the note may matter even more for markets. Goldman said the growth impulse from the AI boom was already set to peak in late 2026 or early 2027, even before recent doubts about the investment boom intensified. AI investment is still rising fast, but its increase as a share of GDP should slow over the next twelve months, while the fading lift from last year’s bigger U.S. depreciation allowances also weighs on capital spending.

Goldman’s own strategists see a similar pattern. They expect the five largest U.S. hyperscalers to continue raising AI spending, but capex growth is projected to decline sharply in 2027 and again in 2028. The bank also estimates these companies need roughly $300 billion in annual AI revenue just to break even.

Investors have already started to price in that slowdown. Tech stocks fell on October 22 after Meta increased its capital spending guidance and Tesla cut its full-year capex guidance by $5 billion. Capital.com analyst Kyle Rodda said the worry had flipped from hyperscalers spending too much to investment growth slowing down.

More Goldman Sachs:

Goldman Sachs rethinks U.S. economy as interest rates stay higher

Goldman Sachs spills the beans on what’s next for S&P 500

Goldman Sachs sees big change coming for interest rates

Financing costs add another layer. The 10-year Treasury yield climbed to its highest level since 2002 in early October, and Fed Chair Kevin Warsh has acknowledged that hyperscalers raising money in the bond market are adding to competition for capital, according to TheStreet. The largest hyperscalers have shrugged off higher funding costs so far, but smaller AI players are far more exposed.

Consumers may lose a quiet tailwind

Households have been riding the AI boom, too. Goldman estimates that gains in AI-related stocks have quietly lifted consumer spending, and Hatzius expects that support to fade over the next year, gradually if the bank’s fairly upbeat stock outlook plays out and more sharply if AI stocks keep falling.

Consumers are not in great shape to absorb that hit. U.S. consumer sentiment slipped to near a record low in October as rising prices tied to the Middle East conflict soured views of the economy.

So what should workers and investors actually watch? Not the jobless rate, which tends to pick up the damage late. Adoption rates and entry-level hiring are the better early warning signs. Right now, those are the places where the strain is showing, from American Express trimming staff ahead of its AI push to younger workers struggling to get hired.

Related: Goldman Sachs has a new warning for the housing market for 2027