Auto Insurance Quotes: What to Know Before You Buy

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Auto Insurance Quotes: What to Know Before You Buy

A car insurance quote is the estimated amount an insurer will charge you based on your own self-reported information. Quotes can help drivers get an idea of the car insurance market, allowing them to compare quotes and prices before buying a policy.

One of the easiest ways you find and compare car insurance quotes for free is through a comparison shopping platform like Insurify. Insurify provides you with dozens of personalized quotes from the nation’s leading insurers in just minutes, allowing you to compare purchase policies with ease while saving up to $996 annually.

How to Get Free Car Insurance Quotes

There are a few different ways for drivers to get free car insurance quotes. You can visit an agent in person, call an agent over the phone, or use insurance company websites or comparison services like Insurify to find policies online.
  • Getting a quote online. Online comparison shopping offers lots of benefits that in-person or over-the-phone comparison lacks. With Insurify, you only need to put in your personal details once to view a list of car insurance quotes from top companies, and you can seal the deal on an insurance policy at any time of day or night in the comfort of your own home. Check out the best and worst sites to compare auto insurance.
  • Visiting an insurance agent in person. If you aren’t a big fan of technology, visiting an insurance agent in person is an easy way to purchase a policy. However, visiting agents in person takes more time than comparing quotes over the phone or online, and your nearest agent may be far away or not available before 9 a.m. or after 5 p.m. Additionally, some agents may sway you into buying insurance from a particular company because they get the best commission from that company, not because it’s a good fit for you.
  • Getting a quote over the phone. Most major car insurance companies like GEICO or State Farm will have a phone number you can call to get a free quote. However, these phone lines aren’t always manned 24/7, and repeating details about your driving record or vehicle may get exhausting if you’re comparing quotes from multiple insurers.

Ultimately, comparing car insurance quotes online beats out comparing quotes in person or over the phone, thanks to its convenience, easy access, and unparalleled breadth of choice. And the most-rated and best-rated comprehensive platform for comparing insurance can be found at Insurify. Remember: always compare quotes every six months to score the lowest premiums!

How much should car insurance cost?

The average cost of car insurance in America is $136 a month, according to Insurify’s proprietary database of millions of unique driver quotes. But the cost of car insurance coveragevaries widely from driver to driver.

If you speak to neighbors or friends about their car insurance, you might learn that rates vary due to an excess of factors like age, location, gender, driving history, and the type of vehicle you drive, among others.

Your chosen coverage level matters too: a bare-bones plan with a high deductible will almost always cost less than a robust full coverage policy with add-ons that reimburses you for almost any incident behind the wheel.

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Factors That Affect Insurance Rates

Car Insurance Quotes by Location

The location where you park and drive your car has a large impact on your car insurance rates. This is, in part, due to certain states requiring more robust car insurance coverage with higher limits. According to Insurify’s data, drivers in Michigan pay the highest car insurance premiums in the country, with the average Michigan resident paying $431 a month for car insurance.

Take a look below to see how much the average car insurance policy costs in each state.

Average Monthy car insurance by state

In addition to the state in which you live, car insurance companies also take into account the neighborhood and zip code in which you reside. Depending on the average number of car insurance claims filed in your area, car insurance companies may charge you a higher or lower premium. Here are the average monthly rates for the ten most populous states in the US.

Related content:
  • Cheap Car Insurance Quotes in California
  • Cheap Car Insurance Quotes in Texas
  • Cheap Car Insurance Quotes in Florida

Average monthly rates by state

North Carolina

$127

Ohio

$144

Illinois

$155

Pennsylvania

$177

California

$220

Texas

$239

Florida

$282

Georgia

$297

New York

$316

Michigan

$431

Who You Are

Car Insurance Quotes by Gender

On average, men pay 9 percent more for car insurance than women do. The difference in insurance premiums is higher for teen drivers and drivers in their early 20s but reduces as drivers get older. This disparity is due to historical data insurers rely on to evaluate risk, which shows that men are more likely to engage in risky driving behavior than women.

Some states, such as California, Hawaii, Massachusetts, Montana, North Carolina, Pennsylvania, have barred insurers from using a driver’s gender while calculating their insurance rates.

Average monthly rates by gender

Female

$216

Male

$238

Car Insurance Quotes by Age

Your age has quite a substantial impact on how much you pay for car insurance, with drivers under 25 paying the most expensive premiums and drivers over 60 paying the least expensive. Insurers use your age to determine your car insurance premium as age is usually an indicator of driving experience and general driving behavior.

Average monthly rates by age

60 and above

$176

51-60

$191

31-40

$203

41-50

$210

25-30

$229

less than 25

$343

See More: Best Car Insurance for Seniors

Car Insurance Quotes by Education

Based on historical data insurers use to assess risk, drivers with more educational qualifications are less likely to file a car insurance claim. As such, drivers with higher levels of educational attainment pay less for car insurance, with those who haven’t completed high school paying the most expensive premiums and those with doctorate degrees paying the least expensive premiums.
States such as California, Massachusetts, Georgia, Hawaii, and Montana have barred insurers from using a driver’s education level to determine their car insurance rates.

Average monthly rates by education

Doctorate

$196

Associate’s Degree

$203

Bachelors Degree

$213

Masters Degree

$214

Some College but No Degree

$235

High School

$239

Less Than a High School Diploma

$241

Car Insurance Quotes by Credit Score

Drivers with poor credit scores are considered high-risk drivers and pay up to 15 percent more for car insurance than counterparts with excellent credit scores. Similar to statistics about age, gender, and education level, statistics about credit scores show that drivers with lower credit are more likely to file for expensive claims than those with better credit.

California, Massachusetts, Hawaii, Michigan, and Washington have barred insurers from using a driver’s credit score as a determining factor in their car insurance rate.
Credit Score Average Monthly Premium
Excellent $216
Good $238
Average $233
Poor $224
Disclaimer: actual quotes may vary based on the policyholder’s unique driver profile.
See More:

  • Car Insurance for Bad Credit Drivers
  • Car Insurance With No Credit Check

Car Insurance Quotes by Marital Status

Single people pay slightly higher rates for their auto insurance policy than those who are married. This difference is likely due to the plethora of auto insurance discounts married couples are usually eligible for, like insuring multiple vehicles on one policy and a discount just for being married. On average, married couples pay 7 percent less for coverage than singles.

Marital Status Average Monthly Premium
Married $216
Not Married $232
Disclaimer: actual quotes may vary based on the policyholder’s unique driver profile.
See More: Car Insurance for Married Couples

Car Insurance Quotes by Homeownership

Generally, drivers who own homes have cheaper car insurance premiums than renters. This is because most insurers consider homeowners to be more financially stable and at a lower risk of filing a claim. Additionally, many insurers offer homeowners a discount if they bundle their car and home insurance policies.
Homeowner Status Average Monthly Premium
Homeowner $209
Not a Homeowner $234
Disclaimer: actual quotes may vary based on the policyholder’s unique driver profile.
See More: Auto and Home Insurance Quotes

Your Driving Habits

Car Insurance Quotes Based on How Much You Drive Your Car

On average, Americans who drive less than five thousand miles a year pay nearly 40 percent less than those who drive more than 30 thousand miles a year. Insurers use your annual mileage to calculate your level of risk for one simple reason: the more you drive, the higher your chance of filing a claim due to a car accident or wear and tear. The impact of mileage on your car insurance rate depends on the area in which you live.

Mileage per Day Average Monthly Premium
0-5 miles $177
6-10 miles $211
11-15 miles $168
16-20 miles $229
21-25 miles $193
26-30 miles $240
more than 30 miles $246
Disclaimer: actual quotes may vary based on the policyholder’s unique driver profile.
11-15 miles

$168

0-5 miles

$177

21-25 miles

$193

6-10 miles

$211

16-20 miles

$229

26-30 miles

$240

more than 30 miles

$246

See More: Low-Mileage Car Insurance

Car Insurance Quotes Based on Your Driving Record

Your driving record is perhaps the most important factor insurers consider while setting your car insurance rates. Drivers with driving violations like an at-fault accident, a suspended driver’s license, or failure to stop for a school bus on their record often have to pay a hefty car insurance premium. Indeed, drivers with a driving violation on record pay up to 30 percent more for car insurance than those with a clean driving record.

Have a look below to see just how much of an impact certain driving violations have on your car insurance premium:
Driving Violation Type Average Monthly Premium Impact of Violation
No Prior Violation $206 N/A
Not-at-fault accident $260 26.21%
Failure to stop at a red light $266 29.13%
Negligent driving $276 33.98%
At-fault accident $279 35.44%
Careless Driving $297 44.17%
Failure to stop for a school bus $305 48.06%
Disclaimer: actual quotes may vary based on the policyholder’s unique driver profile.
See More: High-Risk Car Insurance
No Prior Violation

$206

Not-at-fault accident

$260 +26.21%

Failure to stop at a red light

$266 +29.13%

Negligent driving

$276 +33.98%

At-fault accident

$279 +35.44%

Careless Driving

$297 +44.17%

Failure to stop for a school bus

$305 +48.06%

Your Car

Car Insurance Quotes Based on The Age of Your Car

The age of your car is an important factor insurers consider when setting your car insurance rates because newer cars have more expensive parts that are costly to replace in the event of a claim. However, if your car is older than 30 years, your premium will also be on the more expensive side since parts for those cars can be difficult to replace. Take a look below to see how the age of your car impacts your car insurance rate.

How much does vehicle’s age impact insurance costs?

25 years

$138

30 years

$141

20 years

$154

15 years

$181

10 years

$215

5 years

$270

Less than a year

$300

Car Insurance Quotes Based on The Type and Make of Your Car

The make, model, and type of car you drive has a major impact on your car insurance rate. Usually cars with a high retail value, cars made by foreign manufacturers, and cars built for faster driving are more expensive to insure because their parts are harder and costlier to replace.

Have a look at the average cost of car insurance for various car types:
Car Type Average Monthly Premium
Coupe (2-door) $272
Sedan (4-door) $262
Convertible $237
Hatchback $229
Sport Utility Vehicle $228
Sport Utility Truck $189
Pickup $187
Truck (Both Sport Utility and Pickup) $187
Passenger Van $156
Cargo Van $149
Disclaimer: actual quotes may vary based on the policyholder’s unique driver profile.

Car Insurance Quotes Based on Your Insurance History

Drivers who have been continuously insured for the last seven years tend to have cheaper car insurance premiums than those who have had lapses in their car insurance history. According to Insurify’s data, those with no prior insurance coverage pay 6.5 percent more for car insurance than those who have been continuously insured.

Average monthly rates by insurance state

Previously Insured

$222

Not Previously Insured

$237

Car Insurance Quotes Based on Your Coverage Level

State Minimum Car Insurance

Most states require drivers to purchase a car insurance policy that includes some form of bodily injury and property damage liability insurance. However, some states require additional auto insurance coverages, such as uninsured and underinsured motorist coverage and personal injury protection.

Some drivers may choose to supplement their state minimum car insurance coverage with helpful add-ons like roadside assistance, accident forgiveness, or medical payments coverage. The more coverage options you choose and the higher the limits you pick for those options, the more expensive your car insurance policy is.

Liability Car Insurance Quotes

Since bodily injury and property damage liability insurance is required in most states, some drivers may purchase state minimum liability insurance to save money, though that’s not always advisable. The average cost of a liability-only car insurance policy is $160, but based on the laws in your state, prices vary. Check out the cheapest liability-only policies in your state.

Which type of car insurance has the lowest rates?

Drivers who opt for liability-only car insurance see the lower rates than drivers who choose full-coverage car insurance. Drivers can find liability-only coverage with premiums as low as $47 per month.
State Insurance company Monthly rate
Alabama Progressive $67
Alaska Midvale Home & Auto $110
Arizona Foremost Signature $86
Arkansas Progressive $68
California Freedom National $76
Colorado Sun Coast $79
Connecticut Progressive $130
Delaware Midvale Home & Auto $176
Florida Assurance­America $144
Georgia Progressive $108

Disclaimer: actual quotes may vary based on the policyholder’s unique driver profile.

Full Coverage Car Insurance Quotes

full-coverage car insurance policy consists of collision and comprehensive coverage in addition to the required liability insurance. Collision coverage pays for property damage to your car in the event that it collides with another vehicle or object, while comprehensive coverage covers damage to your car in the event of theft, vandalism, Acts of God, and so on.

A lot of drivers opt for a full coverage policy since liability insurance only pays for property damage and medical injuries you inflict on another party in the event of an accident. While the average cost of a full coverage car insurance policy is $267, the cost can vary by state. Check out the cheapest full coverage car insurance rates by state below:
State Insurance company Monthly rate
Alabama Progressive $135
Alaska Midvale Home & Auto $179
Arizona Mile Auto $128
Arkansas Progressive $168
California Travelers $155
Colorado Bristol West $198
Connecticut Progressive $191
Delaware Midvale Home & Auto $236
Florida Assurance­America $203
Georgia Progressive $186

Disclaimer: actual quotes may vary based on the policyholder’s unique driver profile.

Home and Car Insurance Quotes

Drivers can potentially score major savings by combining their home and car insurance quotes into a single insurance policy. Bundling two different types of insurance coverage doesn’t just streamline the insurance process; it can also be the source of some serious discounts. Insurers like Allstate offer discounts of over 20 percent for bundling home and auto policies.

However, bundling your home and car insurance doesn’t guarantee the cheapest quote. Even after applying discounts, another insurer might offer a lower price for individual home or auto policies, and some low-cost insurers like Metromile and Clearcover offer car insurance exclusively. That’s why it’s smart to use a comparison site like Insurify before bundling.

See More: Auto and Home Insurance Quotes

How to Find Cheap Car Insurance Quotes

Other than shopping around every six months, the best and easiest way to get cheap car insurance quotes is by using a quote-comparison site like Insurify, which automatically compares quotes from dozens of different insurers to find the perfect policy for you.

One of the other ways to save on car insurance quotes is to negotiate with your current insurer.  Your insurer won’t want to lose a paying customer, so if you’ve found more affordable car insurance elsewhere and let them know, they may agree to match that price or offer a discount. A few other simple tips and tricks to get the cheapest car insurance quotes include:

  • Installing an anti-theft or telematics device
  • Taking a defensive driving course
  • Raising your credit score or GPA
  • Driving a safe, low-risk vehicle like a minivan

Many insurance companies also offer car insurance discounts for certain professional groups or categories of drivers. Popular discounts include the good driver discount for drivers with a clean driving record, the good student discount for young drivers who have a good GPA in high school and college, and the electric car discount for eco-friendly drivers.

Best Car Insurance Quotes by State

For each state, different carriers will, on average, provide the best car insurance quotes. According to Insurify data, here are the best quotes you can expect in each of the 50 states.

State Insurance company Monthly rate
Alabama Travelers $128
Alaska Midvale Home & Auto $164
Arizona Clearcover $118
Arkansas Safeco $152
California Travelers $143
Colorado Bristol West $164
Connecticut Safeco $196
Delaware Midvale Home & Auto $220
Florida Bristol West $226
Georgia Travelers $182

Disclaimer: actual quotes may vary based on the policyholder’s unique driver profile.

Compare Quotes Online Instantly

Compare car insurance quotes in minutes by using Insurify. It’s easy to get overwhelmed by finding an auto insurance quote. Insurify does all the hard work to find the perfect quote for you, using cutting-edge AI tech to prepare quotes custom-fit for your unique needs. With a 4.8 overall customer satisfaction rating based on over 3,200 customer reviews, Insurify is the most highly-rated and best-rated insurance comparison site in America.

Insurify is partnered with leading insurers like Nationwide and Liberty Mutual so customers can compare and purchase dozens of different car and home insurance quotes in just minutes and save up to $996 annually. Most importantly, Insurify is always free to use and never sends spam calls or texts to users who don’t request them. Try Insurify today to see the difference.

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