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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.

If you’re expecting a Social Security check in November, keep a close eye on the calendar — there are several changes to the usual payment schedule this month.
Roughly 76 million Americans receive benefits from the Social Security Administration every month, including about 9 out of every 10 people age 65 and up. Funds aren’t just for older folks, though. Payments go out to retirees, survivors of deceased workers, those with little to no resources, disabled workers, the blind, dependents and more.
The average Social Security payments for those different groups of people vary, but data from September shows the typical retirement benefit was about $2,035.

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When will I get my November Social Security payment?
Your Social Security payment date is determined by your birthday.
If you were born on the first through the 10th of the month, you can typically expect to get your Social Security check on the second Wednesday of every month. But this November, that falls on Veterans Day, which is a federal holiday; as a result, Social Security payments will go out a day earlier, on Nov. 10.
If you were born on the 11th through the 20th of the month, you can expect to get your Social Security check on the third Wednesday of every month — in this case, Nov. 18.
If you were born on the 21st through the 31st, you can expect to get your Social Security check on the fourth Wednesday of every month — in this case, Nov. 25.
Where is my November SSI payment?
Supplemental Security Income, or SSI, payments are usually distributed on the first of each month. But because Nov. 1 is a Sunday in 2026, the payment date has been moved up to Friday (Oct. 30).
This means SSI recipients are technically getting paid twice in the month of October. The next SSI check is scheduled to arrive Dec. 1.
Folks who get both SSI and Social Security, as well as those who initially claimed Social Security before May 1997, will receive benefits on Nov. 3 as scheduled.
Where is my November Social Security payment?
Check the payment schedule above.
If you think your money is missing, you can reach out to the Social Security Administration. The SSA has both local offices and a toll-free national number. The national phone number is 1-800-772-1213. Representatives are available weekdays from 8 a.m. to 7 p.m. local time. Pro tip: The agency says wait times are shortest in the morning, late in the week and late in the month.
In any case, the SSA asks that you wait three mailing days before contacting it about a missing Social Security payment.

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What is the SSA payment schedule for 2027?
You can find the SSA’s 2027 payment calendar on its website. Although it largely follows the schedule laid out above, some months are different.
To learn more about your payment status or to get additional help with Medicare, retirement benefits, disability, SSI and more, make a “my Social Security” account for free at SSA.gov.
What is the Social Security COLA for 2027?
The federal government announced the 2027 cost-of-living adjustment, or COLA, on Oct. 14. Payments will rise by 3.6% due to inflation in the third quarter, which spans July, August and September. This is an increase from the 2026 COLA of 2.8%; it’s also tied for the fifth-largest in the past 35 years.
The typical Social Security retirement check will increase by $75 to $2,170, according to projections.
The first Social Security checks to actually include the COLA will go out Dec. 31, but the majority of beneficiaries won’t see the raise until January.
How do I calculate my Social Security payment?
Benefits are generally calculated according to your average indexed monthly earnings, which include up to 35 years of your highest-earning years. The SSA then applies a formula to determine your primary insurance amount.
The amount of money retirees actually receive depends partially on their age. Although you can start getting Social Security retirement payments at 62 years old, the longer you wait to claim Social Security, the higher your payments will be (until age 70, when the increases stop).
For many Americans, this money is crucial — Social Security accounts for about 30% of the income received by folks over age 65. As people live longer and legislators wrestle over the future of Social Security, the cost of retirement is surging: Federal data shows that, in 2022, retired households spent an average of $54,975, including $11,186 on shelter, $8,065 on transportation and $7,505 on healthcare.

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