Best Auto Insurance Companies: Comprehensive List And Comparison

There are a multitude of auto insurance companies to choose from, each offering different coverage options and rates. Examples of auto insurance companies include GEICO, Mercury Insurance, Texas Farm Bureau, USAA, State Farm, Progressive, and Liberty Mutual. When choosing an auto insurance company, it is important to compare quotes from multiple providers to find the best coverage and rates for your specific needs. Factors such as age, driving history, credit score, and location can impact the cost of auto insurance.

Top auto insurance companies in Texas

Texas has some of the highest speed limits in the country, and its high traffic density makes it a challenging place to find cheap auto insurance. The average annual rate of insurance for Texas drivers is $1,716, but there are a few companies that offer more affordable rates.

Texas Farm Bureau

The Texas Farm Bureau has the cheapest car insurance rates in Texas, with an average annual rate of $863. This is roughly half the statewide average and more than $100 per year less expensive than the next cheapest option. The Farm Bureau offers the same standard coverage options as larger companies, and membership grants access to additional discounts on new vehicles, car rentals, travel, office supplies, and health products.

USAA

USAA offers the cheapest rates for several driver categories, including young adults, seniors, and drivers with a clean record. USAA policies are only available to current and former members of the military and their families.

Farmers

Farmers is a good option for those who drive classic or custom cars, as it includes two additional coverage options in its rates. It also has a highly-rated mobile app and offers a telematics program that rewards safe driving with a discount.

Geico

Geico is a good choice for those who prefer to do business online or through a mobile device. It offers a highly-rated mobile app and a variety of affordable coverage options, including some rare coverages like mechanical breakdown insurance. Geico also offers a telematics program that monitors driving behavior and rewards good driving with cash back.

State Farm

State Farm is a popular choice for customers interested in purchasing home and auto insurance policies from one provider. It offers affordable rates for many different types of drivers and has a strong reputation, with high ratings from the BBB and AM Best. State Farm also has a wide variety of additional coverage options and a telematics program that can help good drivers save up to 30% on their premiums.

Top auto insurance companies in Omaha, Nebraska

Omaha drivers are required to meet the minimum auto insurance coverage requirements in Nebraska. All drivers must have bodily injury liability coverage per person ($25,000), bodily injury liability coverage per accident ($50,000), property damage liability coverage ($25,000), and uninsured/underinsured motorist coverage of at least $25,000 per person and $50,000 per accident. Personal injury protection is optional.

The average cost of car insurance in Omaha is $1,052 per year, which is higher than the Nebraska state average of $955. The average cost of full coverage car insurance in Omaha is $1,736 per year, while the state average is $1,617. The cheapest company in Omaha is Auto-Owners Insurance, with an average of $1,048 per year for full coverage.

American National

American National offers the cheapest minimum coverage auto insurance in Omaha, at $189 per year, as well as the cheapest full coverage at $478 per year. It is also the best overall insurer and the best cheap insurer in Omaha, with a MoneyGeek score of 83 out of 100. The company has high scores for customer satisfaction and affordability. However, it does not offer some common coverage options, like accident forgiveness and new car replacement.

Auto-Owners Insurance

Auto-Owners Insurance is the second cheapest option for minimum coverage at $295 per year and full coverage at $756 per year. It is also one of the cheapest companies in Omaha overall, with an average rate of $1,152 per year.

Farmers Mutual of Nebraska

Farmers Mutual of Nebraska has the best car insurance prices in Omaha for liability-only coverage, at $24 per month, and full coverage, at $109 per month. They also offer the cheapest rates for drivers with prior incidents, such as an at-fault accident, a DUI, or poor credit.

State Farm

State Farm is one of the best-rated car insurance companies in Omaha, with high marks for customer service. They offer a rate discount when you bundle home and auto insurance and have insurance for antique cars.

Shelter

Shelter has the most expensive minimum coverage in Omaha, with yearly prices averaging $727 as of October 2022. However, they are the best for customer service, with a MoneyGeek score of 68 out of 100. They offer new car replacement and rental car reimbursement coverage, as well as gap insurance.

Discounts and savings on auto insurance

Types of Discounts

Policy Discounts

Policy discounts are offered by insurers to retain customers. They include:

• Bundling Discounts: Insuring multiple items with the same company, such as a car and home, or car, home, and life insurance policies. This is one of the biggest discounts, often between 5% and 25% off.
• Multi-Vehicle Discount: Insuring more than one car with the same company. This can range from 8% to 25% off.
• Loyalty Discount: Some companies offer discounts for long-term customers or for renewing a policy.
• New Customer Discount: Some insurers offer an initial bonus for switching, such as up to 10% with Travelers.
• Continuous Insurance: Discounts for proving you've had insurance for the previous six months.
• Early Signing/Renewal: Discounts for signing or renewing before the policy expires.

Driver Discounts

Driver discounts are offered to those who pose a low risk to the insurer. They include:

• Safe/Good Driver Discount: Rewarding drivers for being responsible, often defined as a period without accidents or violations. This can be up to 40% off.
• Student Discount: For students enrolled and maintaining a certain grade average (usually a B or above). This can be up to 15% off with some companies.
• Driver's Education/Defensive Driving Course Discount: For completing an approved course, which can be up to 10% off.
• Good Student Away from Home Discount: For students without regular access to a vehicle and living over 100 miles from home.
• Low Mileage Discount: For drivers who cover less annual mileage.
• Senior/Mature Driver Discount: For older drivers who take an approved course.
• Military Discount: For current or former military personnel. GEICO offers up to 15% off for military personnel.
• Occupation Discount: Certain professions are less likely to file expensive claims and so receive lower rates. Teachers and first responders often qualify.
• Organizational Discount: Members of specific organizations may receive a discount. GEICO offers discounts to members of over 500 groups.

Vehicle Discounts

Vehicle discounts are available for additional safety technology in cars. They include:

• Anti-Theft Device Discount: For factory-installed security devices, which can be up to 25% off the comprehensive portion of the premium.
• Vehicle Safety Discount: For safety equipment like anti-lock brakes, airbags, and daytime running lights. Airbag discounts can be as much as 40% off medical payments coverage.
• New Vehicle Discount: For cars less than three years old, offering between 10% and 15% off.
• Electronic Billing/Paperless Billing Discount: For opting for electronic documents, which can be around 3% off.
• Automatic Payment Discount: For setting up automatic premium payments, which can be done via card or electronic funds transfer (EFT).
• Pay in Full Discount: For paying the full policy term upfront, which can be up to 14% off.

Tips for Maximizing Discounts

• Shop Around: Compare quotes from multiple insurers, as discounts vary by company and state.
• Ask for Discounts: Not all discounts are applied automatically. Regularly ask your insurance agent to review available discounts.
• Check State Requirements: Some discounts are mandated by state law and may not be advertised.
• Combine Discounts: Multiple small discounts can add up to substantial annual savings.

Auto insurance requirements in Texas

Texas law requires all drivers to have adequate car insurance. The minimum insurance coverages in Texas are $30,000 per injured person, $60,000 per accident, and $25,000 for property damage. Insurance professionals refer to these coverage requirements as 30/60/25 coverage.

While these are the minimum requirements, there is no guarantee that this level of coverage will address all the costs of recovery and repairs if you are injured in an accident. As such, it is recommended that drivers consider additional coverage to protect themselves financially.

Texas law only requires drivers to carry liability coverage, which pays for bodily injuries and property damage that the driver causes in an at-fault accident. This coverage also goes towards paying for the injured party's lost wages, pain and suffering, and legal defence expenses. It is important to note that liability coverage will never pay for the driver's own injuries or damages to their own property.

In addition to the minimum liability coverage, Texas drivers must also show proof of insurance when requested by law enforcement or when registering their vehicle. Failure to provide proof of insurance can result in fines, vehicle impoundment, suspension of the vehicle's registration, and other penalties.

To enhance their financial protection, Texas drivers may consider the following optional insurance coverages:

• Comprehensive coverage, which pays for damages to the vehicle caused by non-collision circumstances such as theft, weather events, fire, vandalism, and more.
• Collision coverage, which pays for damages resulting from a collision with another vehicle or stationary object.
• Loan/lease payoff coverage, also known as gap coverage, which covers the difference between the actual cash value of the vehicle and the amount owed on a loan or lease in the event of a total loss.
• Medical payments coverage, which helps pay for the driver's and passengers' medical expenses.
• Rental car reimbursement coverage, which provides a rental car if the insured vehicle is unable to be driven due to repairs.
• Roadside assistance coverage, which offers assistance in the event of breakdowns, flat tires, dead batteries, and towing services.
• Uninsured/underinsured motorist coverage, which protects the insured if they are in an accident with a driver who does not have insurance or has insufficient coverage.
• Personal injury protection (PIP) coverage, which pays for the medical bills, lost wages, and other non-medical costs of the driver and passengers. PIP coverage is automatically included in Texas auto policies but can be declined in writing.

Auto insurance requirements in Tucson, Arizona

Auto insurance is mandatory for all drivers in Tucson, Arizona. The state requires drivers to carry minimum liability insurance, which includes:

• Bodily injury liability: $25,000 per person and $50,000 per accident.
• Property damage liability: $15,000 per accident.

Bodily injury liability helps cover medical expenses, lost wages, and other costs if you injure someone in an accident, while property damage liability helps pay for any damage you cause to another person's property, such as their vehicle, fences, or buildings.

While Arizona only mandates liability insurance, it's recommended that drivers consider additional coverages for more complete protection. Some optional coverages include:

• Collision protection: This covers repairs to your vehicle after an accident, regardless of who is at fault.
• Comprehensive coverage: This covers damage to your car from non-collision events, such as theft, vandalism, or natural disasters.
• Uninsured/underinsured motorist coverage: This protects you if you're in an accident with a driver who has little or no insurance.
• Medical payments coverage: This helps cover medical expenses for you and your passengers after an accident.

The average cost of car insurance in Tucson is about $67 per month for minimum coverage and around $160 for full coverage. However, rates can vary depending on factors such as age, credit score, driving record, and ZIP code. For example, teenage drivers typically pay higher premiums since they are statistically more likely to be involved in accidents. Additionally, a poor credit score can result in higher insurance rates, as insurers consider individuals with lower credit scores to be higher-risk drivers.

When shopping for auto insurance in Tucson, it's important to compare quotes from multiple companies, as rates can vary significantly between providers. Some of the top-rated companies in Tucson include USAA, Geico, State Farm, and Travelers, known for their affordable rates and excellent customer service.

Frequently asked questions