John McCormick is a former deputy editor at The Wall Street Journal and has been an editor and reporter at several other media outlets, including Digital Insurance and Financial Planning, where he covered insurance, personal finance, and technology.
This guide to the cheapest car insurance companies in the U.S. will help you find reliable, budget-friendly car insurance.The table below shows carrier prices for full coverage insurance from some major carriers and how much their rates differ from the national average. And, of course, there is age. Younger drivers, typically those under 25, face higher insurance rates due to their driving inexperience and higher risk profile. Conversely, older drivers may benefit from lower premiums as they have more driving experience and a lower risk of filing claims.Most states require drivers to purchase a minimum amount of car insurance coverage, which varies depending on the state.
High-risk drivers will have a tough time finding cheap car insurance, but shopping around is the best way to navigate this issue – insurers have proprietary rating systems, so one company may rate a violation higher than another company.The table below shows the percentage increases for at-fault accidents, DUIs and bad credit. States that prohibit credit as a car insurance rating factor include California, Hawaii, Massachusetts and Michigan.
“As you compare insurance products, have a list of the discounts you may qualify for. Good student discount. Combining home and vehicle insurance. Having a no-wreck record. This is part of the apples-to-apples comparison,” Brau says.When you’re shopping for cheap car insurance, make sure you understand your current coverages and policy limits.