Compare Car Insurance Quotes – NerdWallet

Hey, we get it — comparing car insurance quotes is about as fun as going to the dentist. But our research shows that average rates can vary by more than $1,000 per year from one company to another. That’s some serious potential savings.

We recommend comparing quotes from at least three companies to make sure you get the best deal. We can’t promise shopping for car insurance will be fun, but this guide will help make it a little easier — while hopefully saving you hundreds of dollars in the process.

For a smooth shopping process, follow these five steps when you’re ready to compare car insurance.

Checking out average auto insurance rates for drivers like you can give you an idea of how much you can expect to pay. Below are a few key factors that may affect your premiums, along with how much each one might change your average cost.

Having a DUI or at-fault accident on your record will cause your rates to go up — or even double. But each car insurer prices these incidents a little differently, so it’s worth shopping around for the best rates.

You might be surprised to learn that your credit history is one of the largest factors affecting your car insurance rate. In states where it’s allowed, carriers use credit history to determine how likely you are to file a claim.

California, Hawaii and Massachusetts don’t allow insurers to use credit when determining car insurance rates. In Washington, the legal code around this issue is being debated.

Your age can have a big impact on your car insurance rates. Teens pay the most, with rates typically decreasing once you hit your 30s and going up again in your 70s.

Because insurance regulations vary from state to state, where you live can have a big impact on your car insurance rates. Click on your state in the map below to see our roundup of the cheapest auto insurance companies there.

There are three main ways to shop for car insurance, each with pros and cons.

Another option is to shop with multiple companies at once using a comparison website. (Fun fact: NerdWallet offers its own comparison tool you can try.)

After you enter some basic information about yourself and your vehicle, the site will match you with one or more car insurance companies. Keep in mind that you may not see a list of personalized rates at this stage — you’ll often need to visit each company’s website individually to provide more information and get your final price.

A final option is to work with an independent insurance agent or insurance broker. This is often a local professional who will take your information by phone or in person, then shop around for insurance on your behalf. An agent or broker may be a good fit for people with complicated insurance needs — if you have a spotty driving history, for example, or you’re trying to get quotes for multiple cars, a house and an umbrella policy for extra liability coverage.

Below are three sample auto insurance quotes, along with advice on how to compare them. All three quotes feature the same standard coverage with the following limits and deductibles:

• Bodily injury liability coverage: $100,000 per person and $300,000 per crash.

• Property damage liability coverage: $50,000 per crash.

• Uninsured motorist coverage: $100,000 per person, $300,000 per crash and $50,000 for property damage.

• Collision and comprehensive coverage, each with a $1,000 deductible.

Geico has the lowest rate, but Liberty Mutual’s quote includes a “Deductible Fund,” which effectively reduces your collision deductible by $50 every six months. Is that worth an extra $25 to you? Travelers’ rate is the highest of the three, but you might decide that its extra perks are worth the price.

We also recommend comparing the companies themselves, not just the quotes. Here’s a quick look at how the ones above stack up based on NerdWallet’s research:

All three companies have strong star ratings and lots of discounts, but Travelers has the fewest consumer complaints. If customer service is your top priority, you might consider paying a little more for the Travelers policy. But if you want an affordable price from a solid company and don’t need any extra perks, Geico’s quote is probably the way to go.

Reddit is an online forum where users share their thoughts in “threads” on various topics. The popular site includes plenty of discussion on financial subjects like auto insurance, so we sifted through Reddit forums to get a pulse check on how users feel about comparing car insurance. People post anonymously, so we cannot confirm their individual experiences or circumstances.

Many Redditors are frustrated about the rising cost of insurance around the country. Some drivers shop around regularly to try and find better deals, even using their car insurance quotes as leverage to see if insurers can match or beat another company’s quote. At NerdWallet, we recommend comparing quotes at least once a year for this exact reason.

However, Redditors are equally disappointed with the time and effort that go into getting quotes. People want to find a way to get quotes quickly and reliably, and contacting a handful of insurers to get quotes can certainly feel tedious. You can always use a car insurance comparison tool to save time and effort on this part of the process. (Hint: We’ve got a comparison tool right here.)

Additionally, many Redditors suggest working with a local independent insurance agent. It’s a smart move to take advantage of an insurance expert because they know the industry and how to match drivers with insurers. For example, these agents often direct drivers to smaller regional insurers that may not be well-known but still provide affordable rates.