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The best car insurance companies give their customers more than just coverage they want at a reasonable price — merely good companies can do that. The best auto insurance companies provide a customer-first experience from quote to claim, including a headache-free way to manage policies and make payments.
Don't limit your search to large companies only. While many big-name insurers made our list, smaller companies like NJM and Mapfre also made the cut. The following companies received 4.5 or 5 stars out of 5 in NerdWallet’s analysis of the best auto insurers in the U.S.
Why you can trust NerdWallet: Our writers and editors follow strict editorial guidelines to ensure fairness and accuracy in our coverage so you can choose the insurance policy that works best for you. These carrier ratings are specific to auto insurance — a company's rating for other products may be different on our site. See our criteria for evaluating auto insurance companies.
The best car insurance companies give their customers more than just coverage they want at a reasonable price — merely good companies can do that. The best auto insurance companies provide a customer-first experience from quote to claim, including a headache-free way to manage policies and make payments.
Don't limit your search to large companies only. While many big-name insurers made our list, smaller companies like NJM and Mapfre also made the cut. The following companies received 4.5 or 5 stars out of 5 in NerdWallet’s analysis of the best auto insurers in the U.S.
Why you can trust NerdWallet: Our writers and editors follow strict editorial guidelines to ensure fairness and accuracy in our coverage so you can choose the insurance policy that works best for you. These carrier ratings are specific to auto insurance — a company's rating for other products may be different on our site. See our criteria for evaluating auto insurance companies.
Easily compare personalized rates to see how much switching car insurance could save you.
Get started on Insure.com
NerdWallet's ratings are determined by our editorial team. The scoring formulas take into account multiple data points for each financial product and service.
Ratings are based on complaints to state regulators relative to a company's size, according to three years' worth of data from the National Association of Insurance Commissioners.
Ratings are determined by our editorial team. Our "ease of use" category looks at factors such as website transparency and how easy it is to file a claim.
American Family
5.0
Auto-Owners Insurance
5.0
NJM
5.0
Amica
5.0
Progressive
5.0
State Farm
5.0
Travelers
5.0
AAA Auto Club Group
5.0
Nationwide
4.5
Chubb
4.5
Farmers
4.5
Country Financial
4.5
Mapfre
4.5
Allstate
4.5
Geico
4.5
Liberty Mutual
4.5
Note: Not all insurers available in all states.
NerdWallet’s editorial team considered pricing, discounts, complaint data from the National Association of Insurance Commissioners and more to determine the best car insurance companies. Our “ease of use” category includes factors such as website transparency and how easy it is to file a claim. As we continue to evaluate more insurance providers and receive fresh market data, this list of best auto insurance companies is likely to change.
Easily compare personalized rates to see how much switching car insurance could save you.
Get started on Insure.com
» MORE: Cheapest car insurance
Why it made the list: In J.D. Power’s 2020 customer satisfaction studies, American Family ranked third among a dozen midsized insurers for satisfaction with the insurance shopping experience and tied for first place for overall satisfaction in the Southwest region. J.D. Power ranked American Family ranked No. 17 out of 24 companies for auto insurance claims satisfaction in 2020.
American Family offers a range of discounts to drivers in some states, including for loyalty, completing a defensive driving course and for students away at school. The company also has apps to monitor driving, allowing good drivers to earn discounts.
Cost: About average.
Available in: 19 states, mainly throughout the Midwest and Pacific Northwest.
Bottom line: American Family really shines when it comes to discounts, with savings for insuring multiple vehicles, completing a defensive driving course and having a student away at school.
» MORE: American Family auto insurance review
Why it made the list: In J.D. Power’s 2020 studies, Auto-Owners ranked fifth among 12 mid-sized insurers for customer satisfaction with insurance shopping and first for overall satisfaction in the Central region. Auto-Owners ranked No. 3 out of 24 companies for customer claims satisfaction in 2020.
Auto-Owners has an app to track your driving. Good drivers can get a discount for avoiding hard braking and sharp turns, along with other safe behaviors.
Cost: About average.
Available in: Alabama, Arizona, Arkansas, Colorado, Florida, Georgia, Idaho, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Kentucky, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, Nebraska, North Carolina, North Dakota, Ohio, Pennsylvania, South Carolina, South Dakota, Tennessee, Utah, Virginia and Wisconsin.
Bottom line: People who need several insurance policies may benefit from the convenience and discounts of bundling them with Auto-Owners, which has many coverage options and few customer complaints.
» MORE: Auto-Owners auto insurance review
Why it made the list: New Jersey Manufacturers Insurance (NJM) gets high scores in J.D. Power’s studies of customer satisfaction. It's ranked No. 1 in "Among the best" in the 2020 Auto Claims Satisfaction Study, the most recent available. It's also ranked third among 14 insurers in the mid-Atlantic region in the 2020 U.S. Auto Insurance Satisfaction Study, which measures overall customer satisfaction.
You can get all the standard auto coverages from NJM, along with extras including new car replacement coverage for cars with fewer than 15,000 miles and pet coverage, which pays for vet bills if they are injured in a covered car accident. You can also add gap insurance to help pay off your car loan if your vehicle is stolen or totaled.
Cost: Cheaper than average.
Available in: Connecticut, Maryland, New Jersey, Ohio and Pennsylvania.
Bottom line: NJM is one of a handful of insurers with a five-star rating, offering some of the cheapest car insurance rates on average. However, its policies are available only in five states.
» MORE: NJM auto insurance review
Why it made the list: In J.D. Power’s 2020 studies, Amica ranked first for overall satisfaction in the New England region and eighth among 12 midsized insurers for insurance shopping satisfaction. J.D. Power also ranked Amica second highest for overall auto claims satisfaction in 2020.
If you do have to go through the claims process, you may not even see an increase in your rates. Customers who opt for certain upgrades can earn “Advantage Points” for good driving, renewing a policy and referring other drivers. These points can be used to keep your current rate after an accident. Amica also offers free glass repair, free lock replacement and free airbag repair after deployment.
Cost: About average.
Available in: Every state but Alaska and Hawaii.
Bottom line: High marks for customer satisfaction and numerous discounts make Amica a great choice for most drivers.
» MORE: Amica auto insurance review
Why it made the list: Progressive has different features and options depending on your state. Some of the more interesting additions include pet injury protection, which is included with collision coverage, and a deductible “savings bank,” which knocks your deductible down by $50 each claim-free policy period to a minimum of $0.
In J.D. Power’s 2020 U.S. Insurance Shopping Study, Progressive ranked seventh out of eight large insurers for customer satisfaction with the insurance shopping experience. J.D. Power rated Progressive No. 21 out of 24 companies for customer satisfaction with its claims process in 2020.
Cost: About average.
Available in: All 50 states and Washington, D.C.
Bottom line: Progressive’s customer satisfaction scores aren’t as high as other companies’, but it offers enough discounts and insurance products to accommodate most people and has few customer complaints.
» MORE: Progressive auto insurance review
Why it made the list: The largest personal auto insurer in the country, State Farm ranked third among eight large insurers for customer satisfaction with buying insurance in J.D. Power’s 2020 studies. It also ranked first for overall satisfaction in New York and the mid-Atlantic region and No. 6 out of 24 companies for customer claims satisfaction in 2020.
The company offers discounts to drivers in some states for having multiple cars, being a good driver and having a student away at school. State Farm has a safe driving app that can live on your phone or through OnStar. You can earn a discount by following the rules and driving sensibly.
Cost: About average.
Available in: All 50 states and Washington, D.C.
Bottom line: With generous coverage and discounts for good driving habits, State Farm is a popular insurer with better customer satisfaction ratings compared to other large competitors.
» MORE: State Farm auto insurance review
Easily compare personalized rates to see how much switching car insurance could save you.
Get started on Insure.com
Why it made the list: Travelers offers potential discounts in some states for using the company’s telematics program, a system that tracks your driving. Optional plans offer forgiveness for one accident and one minor violation so your rates don’t go up after an incident.
In J.D. Power’s 2020 study, Travelers ranked eighth among eight large insurers for customer satisfaction with buying insurance. Travelers ranked No. 19 out of 24 companies for customer claims satisfaction in 2020.
Cost: About average.
Available in: 42 states and Washington, D.C. (Not available in Alaska, Hawaii, Louisiana, Michigan, North Dakota, South Dakota, West Virginia and Wyoming.)
Bottom line: One of the largest auto insurers in the nation, Travelers offers a broad range of coverage options and discounts to help you customize your car insurance policy.
» MORE: Travelers auto insurance review
Why it made the list: With a wide variety of discounts and far fewer complaints for auto insurance than other companies its size, the Auto Club Group is a good option for many drivers. Before you can get coverage, however, you’ll need to become a AAA member. Once you join, you’ll have access to AAA’s perks, including discounts on hotels and restaurants.
Auto Club Group offers plenty of auto insurance options, such as rideshare insurance and original equipment manufacturer coverage, which pays for replacement parts from the manufacturer, rather than aftermarket parts, if you’re in a covered crash.
Unlike some AAA insurers, the Auto Club Group has an app where you can manage both your car insurance policy and AAA membership.
Cost: About average.
Available in: Florida, Georgia, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Michigan, Minnesota, Nebraska, North Carolina, North Dakota, South Carolina, Tennessee and Wisconsin. Auto Club Group may not cover all counties in each state.
Bottom line: Auto Club Group insurance is generally available only to members, but the perks and discounts might make joining worth it.
» MORE: AAA auto insurance review
Why it made the list: Nationwide, one of the largest insurers in the country, sells a wide variety of products for customers who want to bundle policies. The company boasts few complaints and offers optional extras such as accident forgiveness and vanishing deductible.
Nationwide also offers pay-per-mile insurance, which determines your rate based on how many miles you drive. You can also earn a discount based on your driving behavior, which is tracked through Nationwide’s SmartRide app.
Cost: About average.
Available in: You can get a Nationwide auto insurance policy in all states except Alaska, Hawaii, Louisiana and Massachusetts. The company plans to sell Massachusetts policies in 2022.
Bottom line: Nationwide’s low number of complaints and extensive coverage options make it a solid choice for many consumers.
» MORE: Nationwide auto insurance review
Why it made the list: Chubb Insurance isn’t trying to be the cheapest car insurer — it’s trying to be the car insurer with the white-glove touch. Rental reimbursement comes with a whopping $15,000 limit. Coverage will pay for repairing your car with original manufacturer-made parts, for those cars that need just the right imported piece. You can even get extra-high liability limits, up to $10 million.
Cost: About average.
Available in: All 50 states and Washington D.C.
Bottom line: Chubb doesn’t focus on cheap insurance, but rather caters to mostly high-net-worth families, providing generous coverage options and perks that aren’t usually available from other insurers.
» MORE: Chubb auto insurance review
Why it made the list: Farmers Insurance ranks seventh on the list of the largest car insurance companies in the U.S.
In J.D. Power’s 2020 U.S. Insurance Shopping Study, Farmers ranked sixth among eight large insurers for customer satisfaction with the insurance shopping experience. J.D. Power rated Farmers No. 10 out of 24 companies for customer satisfaction with its claims process in 2020.
You can get discounts for building multiple policies, being a good student and being a member of some professional groups.
Cost: About average.
Available in: 42 states (Not available in Alaska, Delaware, Hawaii, Maine, Rhode Island, New Hampshire, Vermont, West Virginia and Washington D.C.)
Bottom line: One of the country's largest insurers, Farmers offers plenty of ways to customize your policies and more discounts than most other insurers.
» MORE: Farmers auto insurance review
Why it made the list: Country Financial may have started out as a farm and crop insurer, but now offers a wide selection of products such as business, boat and motorcycle insurance. In addition, it received far fewer customer complaints for auto insurance than similar-sized companies.
In addition to a variety of discounts, it also gives customers an opportunity to save based on your driving habits through its app, DriverIQ. Drivers who sign up earn an automatic discount, and your driving behavior won’t increase your rates.
Cost: About average.
Available in: Alabama, Alaska, Arizona, Colorado, Georgia, Idaho, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Minnesota, Missouri, Nevada, North Dakota, Oklahoma, Oregon, Tennessee, Washington and Wisconsin.
Bottom line: Country Financial has few customer complaints for auto insurance, but is available in only 19 states.
» MORE: Country Financial auto insurance review
Why it made the list: Mapfre may not sell policies in every state, but it is the biggest auto and home insurance provider in Massachusetts and has far fewer complaints about auto insurance than other companies its size.
In addition, the insurer offers extras such as accident forgiveness and the ability to buy a package with additional coverage for items such as your laptop and mobile phone. This package is not available in all states.
Headquartered in Spain, Mapfre’s website is available in both English and Spanish. You can also use the Mapfre app to view your policy, make payments and submit claims.
Cost: Mapfre does not disclose rate filings.
Available in: You can get a Mapfre auto insurance policy in California, Maine, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, Ohio, Rhode Island, Vermont and Washington. Mapfre also sells policies in Puerto Rico.
Bottom line: Mapfre’s auto insurance offers a variety of coverage and discounts, and the company boasts low auto complaints to state regulators, but policies are available in only eight states.
» MORE: Mapfre insurance review
Why it made the list: In J.D. Power’s 2020 studies, Allstate ranked No. 8 out of 24 companies scored about average for customer claims satisfaction. Allstate also ranked fourth among eight large insurers for customer satisfaction with buying insurance and first for overall satisfaction in Florida.
Allstate offers discounts for drivers in some states who use the company’s telematics program — a system that tracks how safely you drive. You can get discounts for being a good student, driving a new car and going paperless. Allstate also gives you a discount on your deductible if you sign up for the optional deductible rewards program, cutting down on your out-of-pocket expenses when you’re in an accident.
Cost: About average.
Available in: All 50 states and Washington, D.C.
Bottom line: With generous discounts and plenty of coverage options, this auto insurance giant is worth a look.
» MORE: Allstate auto insurance review
Why it made the list: One of the most popular car insurance companies in the U.S., Geico stacks up the discounts, giving drivers in some states a few bucks off for everything from clean driving records to good grades. Federal employees also get discounts, as do veterans, active military and reservists. As for coverage, you can get all the basics plus mechanical breakdown coverage, which helps pay for repairs to newer cars with fewer miles.
In J.D. Power’s 2020 customer satisfaction studies, Geico ranked first among large insurers for the insurance shopping experience and first (or tied for first) for overall satisfaction in the North Central, Northwest and Southwest regions.
Cost: Cheaper than average.
Available in: All 50 states and Washington. D.C.
Bottom line: With nationwide availability and a raft of discounts, Geico is a popular and often affordable choice for car insurance. Among the nation’s four largest insurers, Geico stands out as having the cheapest annual rates on average and the smoothest online experience for users.
» MORE: Geico auto insurance review
Why it made the list: Out of the six largest insurance companies, Liberty Mutual is the only one to offer both gap insurance and new car replacement coverage, which pays for the cost of a new car if it’s totaled in the first year and has less than 15,000 miles. Liberty Mutual also provides a unique benefit for teachers, who can receive free auto insurance such as collision and personal property insurance and vandalism loss protection in certain states.
Among large insurers, Liberty Mutual offers more discounts than anyone besides American Family. For example, drivers can save by paying their bill online, driving a hybrid or electric vehicle, and owning a home.
Liberty Mutual ranked fifth out of eight large insurers for customer satisfaction with buying insurance in J.D. Power’s 2020 study. The insurer ranked No. 14 out of 24 companies for customer claims satisfaction in 2020.
Cost: Liberty Mutual does not disclose rate filings, but in previous years it was more expensive than average.
Available in: All 50 states and Washington, D.C.
Bottom line: Liberty Mutual provides robust digital tools on its website and app, and offers more discounts than most other insurers.
» MORE: Liberty Mutual auto insurance review
Pricing and discounts made up a portion of each insurer’s score, but we know that cost is the top factor for many auto insurance shoppers. Since pricing is based on personal factors including your age, location, vehicle, credit history and gender (in most cases), it’s important to shop around for car insurance quotes to find the cheapest option.
You may find that your shopping experience also sheds light on a company’s customer service standards.
To find the top car insurance companies:
Visit your state insurance commissioner’s website to find complaints and other information about companies in your area.
Ask your agent or a customer service representative questions to make sure you’re getting all the coverage you need — and nothing you don’t want.
Consider smaller auto insurance companies, too. Small companies offer rates well below large competitors in many locations.
If you’ve had a ticket, DUI or other violation, be sure to shop three and five years after the incident, when surcharges can drop significantly.
Want to see rates? Use the cheap full coverage calculator and compare average rates from the three cheapest car insurance companies where you live.
» MORE: Compare car insurance
Last updated on December 22, 2021
Auto insurance ratings methodology
NerdWallet’s auto insurance ratings reward companies for customer-first features and practices. Ratings are based on weighted averages of scores in several categories, including financial strength, consumer complaints and discounts. Our “ease of use” category looks at factors such as website transparency and how easy it is to file a claim. Using our editorial discretion, we also consider customer satisfaction surveys. These ratings are a guide, but we encourage you to shop around and compare several insurance quotes to find the best rate for you. NerdWallet does not receive compensation for any reviews. Read our editorial guidelines.
Insurer complaints methodology
NerdWallet examined complaints received by state insurance regulators and reported to the National Association of Insurance Commissioners in 2018-2020. To assess how insurers compare to one another, the NAIC calculates a complaint index each year for each subsidiary, measuring its share of total complaints relative to its size, or share of total premiums in the industry. To evaluate a company’s complaint history, NerdWallet calculated a similar index for each insurer, weighted by market shares of each subsidiary, over the three-year period. Ratios are determined separately for auto, home (including renters and condo) and life insurance.
To recap our selections…
Kayda Norman is a NerdWallet authority on auto insurance. She previously worked in communications at The Walt Disney Co. and as a web producer and writer at several health and fitness publications, including Health magazine. Her work has been featured in The New York Times, The Washington Post and USA Today. Read more
Updated
Disclaimer: NerdWallet strives to keep its information accurate and up to date. This information may be different than what you see when you visit a financial institution, service provider or specific product’s site. All financial products, shopping products and services are presented without warranty. When evaluating offers, please review the financial institution’s Terms and Conditions. Pre-qualified offers are not binding. If you find discrepancies with your credit score or information from your credit report, please contact TransUnion® directly.
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