Best Auto Insurance In The Usa: Top Picks And Why

Auto insurance is a necessity for drivers in the USA, but with so many companies to choose from, it can be challenging to find the best one for your needs. The best auto insurance will vary depending on your circumstances, but some of the top-rated companies in the USA include:

- USAA

- State Farm

- GEICO

- Erie

- Amica

- Progressive

- Nationwide

- Auto-Owners

- Travelers

Best for young drivers

Young drivers are often faced with higher insurance premiums due to their age and relative lack of driving experience. However, there are several insurance companies that offer competitive rates and comprehensive coverage options specifically for young drivers. Here are some of the best auto insurance options for young drivers in the USA:

Progressive

Progressive offers a range of discounts and has a highly-rated mobile app that allows users to pay bills, view policy information, request changes, and file and track claims. They also provide a user-based insurance program that can help lower rates for safe drivers. However, their claims satisfaction score from J.D. Power is lower than average.

Geico

Geico is known for its affordable insurance for young drivers, especially those with a few years of driving experience. They offer a long list of discounts, including student discounts and discounts for alumni association membership and fraternity or sorority affiliation. Geico also has robust digital tools and is available in all 50 states. However, they have fewer local in-person agencies and endorsements available.

Auto-Owners

Auto-Owners is a good choice for young drivers seeking a company with plenty of discount options. They offer three dedicated savings programs for young drivers and a range of other discounts. Auto-Owners also provides several endorsements and has high customer satisfaction scores from J.D. Power. However, they are only available in 26 states.

State Farm

State Farm is ideal for young drivers who prefer working with a local agent. They have a network of 19,000 agents across the USA and offer an exceptional roadside assistance program. State Farm also has higher-than-average claims satisfaction scores from J.D. Power. However, their accident forgiveness feature can only be earned and not purchased. Additionally, they are not available in Massachusetts or Rhode Island.

Nationwide

Nationwide is a good option for young drivers seeking customized policies and various add-ons, such as roadside assistance and gap insurance. They offer usage-based programs like SmartRide and SmartMiles, which can help lower premiums. However, their claims satisfaction scores from J.D. Power are lower than average, and they do not offer auto insurance in Alaska, Hawaii, Louisiana, or Massachusetts.

Best for military members

If you're a military member or veteran looking for auto insurance, you're in luck! There are several insurance companies that offer discounts and benefits tailored specifically for service members. Here are some of the best options for military auto insurance:

USAA

USAA is a highly recommended option for military auto insurance, offering exclusive coverage to active-duty military, veterans, and their families. They provide some of the cheapest rates on average and are known for their top-notch customer service. USAA also offers various military-specific discounts, such as up to 15% off comprehensive coverage for vehicles garaged on military bases and up to 60% off if you store your vehicle while deployed. They have high customer satisfaction ratings and are praised for their easy claims process and flexible policies.

Geico

Geico is another popular choice for military auto insurance, offering coverage in all 50 states. They provide a military discount of up to 15% for active-duty and retired service members, as well as an emergency deployment discount of up to 25% for those deployed to imminent danger zones. Geico also offers a dedicated customer service line for service members, global coverage, and the option to suspend or reduce coverage during military duties. Their rates are already low, and with the military discount, they can be very competitive.

Armed Forces Insurance (AFI)

Armed Forces Insurance is worth considering for military auto insurance. They offer coverage to active-duty service members, veterans, and their families, as well as employees of the Department of Defense and other specific government agencies. AFI provides rate quotes from multiple insurers, allowing you to find the best match for your budget and coverage needs. They also offer additional benefits, such as identity theft resolution services and resources for permanent change of station (PCS).

Liberty Mutual

Liberty Mutual is another option for military auto insurance, offering a discount for active-duty, veteran, or reserve military members. Their telematics program, RightTrack, can help you save up to 30% on your premium by monitoring your driving habits for 90 days. Liberty Mutual also offers a range of coverage options and endorsements to tailor your policy to your needs.

Arbella

If you live in Connecticut, Massachusetts, Rhode Island, or New Hampshire, Arbella is a regional auto insurance company worth considering. They offer a 10% military discount and provide personalized service through their network of independent agents. Arbella's Customer Care Package add-on includes new car replacement coverage, trip interruption coverage, and more.

Farmers

Farmers Insurance offers a military affinity discount of up to 10% for eligible active-duty, active reserves, veteran, and honorably discharged military members. They also provide a wide range of coverage options, including original equipment manufacturer (OEM) coverage, spare parts coverage, guaranteed value coverage, new car replacement, and full windshield and glass coverage.

When choosing an auto insurance company as a military member or veteran, be sure to compare rates, discounts, and the specific benefits offered by each provider. Additionally, remember that your rates may vary based on personal factors such as your age, driving history, and location.

Best for customer satisfaction

State Farm is a popular choice for customers seeking satisfaction, ranking No. 1 among eight large insurers in J.D. Power's 2023 U.S. Insurance Shopping Study. It also ranked No. 5 out of 24 companies in J.D. Power’s U.S. Auto Claims Satisfaction Study and first for overall satisfaction in the Southwest.

State Farm offers numerous discounts and extras, including travel expense coverage, making it a good choice for most drivers. It is the largest personal auto insurance company in the country and is available in all states except Massachusetts and Rhode Island.

According to CNBC, Erie Insurance is the best for customer satisfaction. Erie offers auto insurance for many different situations and affordable premiums. It has below-average NAIC complaint index and high customer satisfaction scores from J.D. Power. However, it is only available in 12 states and Washington, D.C.

USAA is another company that ranks highly for customer satisfaction. It is only available to active-duty military, veterans and their families, but it has relatively low insurance rates and provides other financial solutions for qualifying customers, such as banking and investment products. USAA has high customer satisfaction ratings and offers a discount for storing your car on a military base.

Other companies that offer good customer satisfaction include:

• American Family
• Progressive
• Nationwide

Best for affordability

Geico

Geico is the cheapest large auto insurance company in the nation for good drivers, according to NerdWallet's October 2024 analysis of minimum coverage rates. Geico's average annual rate was $349 or about $29 per month.

Dairyland

Dairyland specializes in insuring high-risk drivers, including those with bad credit (FICO score below 580), who pay an average of 118% more annually than those with excellent credit (800 or above). Dairyland provides non-owner coverage and issues SR-22 certificates. In addition, all California policies come with limited coverage for travel in Mexico.

Travelers

Travelers offers gap insurance, which some competitors don't. It also provides several uncommon discounts, including for homeowners, new cars and electric vehicles.

Auto-Owners

Auto-Owners offers affordable premiums with high customer satisfaction ratings. There are 12 different types of discounts available, as well as various other types of insurance besides auto.

Progressive

Progressive is one of our top picks for high-risk drivers, thanks to its lower-than-average rates for customers with marks on their record. The average rate for full coverage after a DUI is $3,075 with Progressive, compared to $4,532 nationwide.

Best for having few customer complaints

American Family Insurance is a great option for those looking for an auto insurance company with few customer complaints. American Family offers a wide range of coverage, including rideshare and gap insurance, and has a long list of insurance discounts. It also receives fewer consumer complaints than expected for a company of its size.

American Family Insurance is available in the following states: Arizona, Colorado, Georgia, Idaho, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Minnesota, Missouri, Nebraska, Nevada, North Dakota, Ohio, Oregon, South Dakota, Utah, Washington, and Wisconsin.

Another option to consider is Auto-Owners Insurance, which has superior financial strength and offers a wide variety of products with the opportunity to bundle. Auto-Owners has a low level of complaints against it for auto insurance and is available in 26 states.

Frequently asked questions