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An auto insurance search that feels like getting all green lights.

We know finding the right coverage can feel like driving without GPS. That’s why we guide you to a personalized plan you actually understand. Find a route with zero jargon that gets you exactly where you need to be.

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What matters when choosing
a car insurance company?

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Financial Strength

A strong financial rating means the provider has the reserves to back up their promises, even after severe storms or disasters. Independent agencies rate this, and AM Best is the most widely recognized in insurance.

Common types of Coverage

How to Compare Car Insurance Quotes

Comparing car insurance quotes is one of the easiest ways to lower your premium without sacrificing coverage. Since every insurance company prices risk differently, getting quotes from multiple insurers — and comparing the same coverage limits and deductibles — can help you find the right policy at the right price. 

Why is comparing car insurance important?

Comparing car insurance quotes regularly helps you find the best value because insurers calculate risk and weigh rating factors differently.¹ The exact same driver can receive very different prices for the same coverage depending on which company they’re quoting with.

Think about buying a vehicle. You probably wouldn’t buy the first car you see without checking a few other dealerships’ inventory and prices first. Car insurance works the same way. One insurer might see you as a lower-risk driver than another, even if nothing about you has changed. That’s why shopping around matters.

According to Luva Research, more than half of insured drivers shopping for car insurance have had continuous coverage for at least four years.² If you’ve been renewing the same policy year after year, it may be worth checking whether your rate is still competitive.

How much can you save by comparing quotes?

Drivers can often save hundreds of dollars per year by comparing quotes. The amount you save depends on your driving history, location, vehicle, coverage needs, and the way each insurer prices risk.

A single company isn’t the cheapest for everyone. State Farm may offer the lowest rate for one driver. But GEICO, Allstate, or Progressive might be more affordable for someone with a different driving history or ZIP code. 

Luva research found that nearly half of shoppers stayed with the same insurer for five or more years.² That’s long enough for pricing to change significantly, especially if you’ve had life changes like moving, getting married, buying a different vehicle, or adding a teen driver.

Here’s a look at some sample average monthly rates across major insurance companies.

Note: Figures are based on estimated rate data from Quadrant Information Services. Actual premiums will depend on your specific driver profile.

GEICO

$45

$144

Erie

$46

$177

Auto Owners

$51

$202

State Farm

$62

$167

Nationwide

$63

$145

Travelers

$64

$149

Progressive

$65

$148

American Family

$86

$250

Allstate

$100

$259

Farmers

$104

$283

What factors affect your car insurance rates?

Most insurers look at the same core information when setting car insurance rates, but they don’t all price it the same way. That’s why two companies can offer very different quotes for the same driver.

According to the National Association of Insurance Commissioners (NAIC), the main factors affecting your rates are:³

  • Age

  • Driving history

  • Location

  • Credit history (in most states)

  • Prior insurance history

  • Marital status

  • Gender (in most states)

  • Vehicle type and usage

  • Annual mileage

  • Coverage choices

Your age, driving record, and where you live are the most impactful.

Car insurance rates by age

Age is one of the biggest factors affecting car insurance rates. Teen drivers usually pay the highest premiums because they’re almost four times as likely to get into an accident as drivers 20 and older, per mile driven, according to the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) data.⁴ Rates generally decrease as drivers mature and gain experience, then level out in adulthood.

The table below shows how average car insurance premiums change by age.

Note: Figures are based on estimated rate data from Quadrant Information Services. Actual premiums will depend on your specific driver profile.
16$757$9,090
18$509$6,110
21$296$3,558
25$220$2,636
35$191$2,294
55$167$1,999
65$167$2,002
70$177$2,126

Car insurance rates by driving record

Your driving record directly impacts your car insurance costs. Insurers typically look back at violations from the past three to five years, according to the NAIC.⁵ Drivers with a clean record typically pay the lowest rates. Accidents, speeding tickets, and DUIs can lead to significantly higher premiums.⁶

Here’s how average annual and monthly premiums compare based on common driving violations. 

Note: Figures are based on estimated rate data from Quadrant Information Services. Actual premiums will depend on your specific driver profile.
Clean record$191$2,294
Not at-fault accident$199$2,393
At-fault accident$294$3,532
Expired registration$240$2,882
Speeding ticket$249$2,990
Suspended license$351$4,209
DUI$363$4,359
Hit and run$366$4,395

Car insurance rates by state

Car insurance rates vary by state because each has different insurance requirements, traffic patterns, weather risks, repair costs, and claim trends.⁷ Even if nothing else changes, moving to a different state can affect what you pay.

Check out the table below to see average annual premiums by state for full and minimum coverage.

Note: Figures are based on estimated rate data from Quadrant Information Services. Actual premiums will depend on your specific driver profile.
StateState MinimumFull Coverage

Alabama

$671

$1,945

Alaska

$455

$1,720

Arizona

$824

$1,902

Arkansas

$585

$2,162

California

$910

$2,613

Colorado

$671

$2,662

Connecticut

$1,441

$3,125

Delaware

$1,341

$2,821

Florida

$1,505

$3,114

Georgia

$1,032

$2,351

How do you get car insurance quotes?

Getting car insurance quotes is a simple process that starts with gathering your information, choosing your coverage, and comparing offers from multiple insurers. 

Follow these steps to get quotes.

1. Gather your information

Have these details ready before you start shopping:

  • Driver information: Names, ages, driver’s license numbers, and driving history for all household drivers.

  • Vehicle information: Year, make, model, VIN, and current mileage.

  • Address information: Your home address and where each vehicle is primarily parked (if different).

  • Current insurance details: Your current coverage limits, deductibles, and premium.

2. Decide which coverage you need

Start by reviewing your current policy and determining whether the coverage you have still meets your needs. Your coverage should protect you financially if you get into an accident, regardless of fault. That may mean higher liability limits to protect your assets or full coverage with comprehensive and collision coverage to help pay for repairs to your vehicle.⁸

3. Compare quotes from multiple insurers

Since insurance companies price risk differently, getting several quotes can help you find the best value. Make sure every quote uses the same drivers, vehicles, coverage limits, and deductibles.

Luva makes this process easier by helping you compare real-time rates from carriers. Lu, your personal insurance guide, can explain your options in plain language so you understand what you're choosing.

4. Review your options carefully

The cheapest quote isn’t always the best fit. Look at the coverage details, customer service options, discounts, third-party customer reviews, and any differences between policies before making a decision. 

5. Choose your policy

Once you’ve found the right option, make your first payment, confirm your effective date, and cancel your old policy if needed. Print or download your new insurance ID card as proof of insurance.

What should you look for when comparing quotes?

When comparing quotes, make sure you’re doing an “apples-to-apples” comparison. That means each quote has the same coverage types, policy limits, and deductibles.

Here are some other things to look for:

  • Discounts you qualify for that one insurer offers that others don’t

  • Optional coverages, like gap insurance or accident forgiveness, that you might need and are only available through certain insurers

  • Does the company offer features like vanishing deductibles to help you save when filing claims?

  • What type of reputation does each company have?

How do you choose the right types and levels of coverage?

The right types and levels of car insurance coverage depend on your vehicle, finances, driving habits, and comfort with risk. 

Full coverage or liability-only?

Lenders often require comprehensive and collision coverage. Once you pay off your car, you can decide whether to keep full coverage or switch to liability-only. If your vehicle isn’t worth much and you can afford repairs or to replace it after a total loss, you can save money by dropping full coverage.⁹

Liability limits

Most drivers need more than their state’s minimum requirements because minimum coverage likely won’t protect you after a serious accident. Injured parties can sue the at-fault driver in many states, so choosing high enough liability limits to cover your assets is a good idea.

Deductibles

If you can afford to pay more out of pocket after a loss, raising your deductibles will lower your premium. The Insurance Information Institute (III) estimates that raising your deductible from $200 to $1,000 can reduce your collision and comprehensive coverage costs by around 40% or more.⁹

How can you save money on car insurance?

Comparison shopping, maintaining a clean driving record, and taking advantage of discounts are some of the best ways to save money on car insurance. 

Here are some other common ways to save:

  • Shop rates at each renewal to ensure you’re getting the best price

  • Bundle policies with the same company to qualify for a multi-policy discount

  • Increase your deductibles

  • Pay your bills on time to boost your credit history, which can lower your rate in states that use credit-based insurance scoring

  • Ask about all available discounts to ensure you’re getting what you qualify for

  • Check insurance rates before buying a new or used car

How do comparison websites work?

Car insurance comparison sites collect your information, match it with insurance providers, and show you available options so you can compare prices and coverage. Traditional insurance shopping often means filling out the same information multiple times on each company’s website.

With Luva, you share your information once and receive multiple quotes to compare side by side. Lu helps you understand what separates them, so you can decide based on your coverage needs and budget, not just the price.

Ready to see your options? Compare quotes now with Luva.

Comparing car insurance: FAQs

Sources

  1. 1.Trends and Insights: Risk-Based Pricing of Insurance — Insurance Information Institute
  2. 2.Luva Research
  3. 3.Auto Insurance — National Association of Insurance Commissioners
  4. 4.Teenagers — Insurance Institute for Highway Safety
  5. 5.A Consumer’s Guide to Auto Insurance — National Association of Insurance Commissioners
  6. 6.What determines the price of an auto insurance policy? — Insurance Information Institute
  7. 7.2022/2023 Auto Insurance Database Report — National Association of Insurance Commissioners
  8. 8.How much auto coverage do I need? — Insurance Information Institute
  9. 9.Nine ways to lower your auto insurance costs — Insurance Information Institute
Mandy SleightLicensed Insurance Agent

Mandy has been a licensed insurance agent for over 21 years. She uses her deep industry knowledge working with carriers including Nationwide and State Farm to help consumers understand insurance and find the best coverage for their needs and budget. Mandy has been a freelance insurance writer since 2018. Her work blends real-world experience with a deep passion for helping people make informed coverage decisions by creating clear, reader-friendly content, and has been featured in outlets such as Bankrate, Compare.com, Insurance.com, USA Today, MoneyGeek, and Kin Insurance.

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