Auto insurance is a legal requirement in 48 states, so having some form is necessary before getting behind the wheel. This guide to the best auto insurance companies should help you sift through your options and determine which company and policy best suit your needs: vehicle and situation.
We will start with some basic concepts. Most general auto insurance policies offer property damage protection, personal injury protection, and bodily injury liability coverage if an accident occurs. From there, you can add other types of coverage. These can include damage to your own vehicle for a variety of reasons (collision coverage), roadside assistance, auto accident incidents with uninsured or underinsured drivers, plus protection against personal injury and medical expenses incurred due to accidents. Some auto insurance companies even have comprehensive options that can include roadside assistance or can be combined with homeowners insurance,
It’s also worth mentioning that not all car insurance companies have your best interests at heart, both when offering car insurance quotes and after you’ve been in an accident. An August 2019 BuzzFeed News report revealed that State Farm, Farmers, and Erie Insurance are among several insurance companies that have paid law enforcement to investigate customers for fraud. All these companies have been excluded from this ranking.
If you’re just starting your search for car insurance, it could take a long time to dig into each car insurance company’s website to understand better their level of coverage and how you arrive at the cost of coverage. We’re making it easier to find the best auto insurance coverage by narrowing down the list. We chose the top 10 insurance companies in the country, based primarily on audience satisfaction, as measured by the JD Power 2019 US Auto Insurance Study. The auto insurance review study estimates five criteria: interaction, policy offers, price, the billing process, and claims. 42,759 customers were surveyed from February to April 2019. Let’s dive in.
| Geico | 830 |
| Allstate | 826 |
| Progressive | 818 |
| Auto-Owners Insurance | 841 * |
| Esurance | 836 * |
| Liberty Mutual Insurance | 810 |
| nationwide | 808 |
| Travel insurance | 818 * |
| Safeco | 810 * |
| USAA | 891 * |
*Not available in all regions of the US or to all people in the US. This affects general location.
Comparing the best auto insurance companies
GEICO
The highest-scoring auto insurance policy overall was Geico, which reported high levels of customer satisfaction in every region of the country and made it the number one auto insurer in the US. This insurance company also ranked It routinely ranks among the cheapest car insurance coverage providers (and a significant premium is a considerable expense), which certainly adds to the satisfaction.
Geico’s savvy salespeople ensure that it remains one of the best-known auto insurance options in the country. Still, its customers know the company for the excellent service and support it offers, along with some of the cheapest insurance prices. Geico’s 97% customer satisfaction rate speaks for itself, as does its long list of honors, including Kanbay Research Institute’s Most Desired Insurer. You know, in case the gecko isn’t enough to convince you that you want his insurance coverage.
Allstate
Allstate was one of the few auto insurance companies ranked in every single JD Power regional customer satisfaction list and was number one in Florida. Allstate prides itself on claims satisfaction and its range of coverage options. It offers a host of auto insurance discounts that, depending on your circumstances, could easily make it the most cost-effective auto insurance policy coverage option available to many motorists.
In addition, Allstate offers many types of insurance (auto, home, motorcycle, ATV, renters, term life, and more) and will offer deals to customers who combine.
Progressive
A giant in the insurance world with more than 18 million customers, Progressive is able to attract and retain so many satisfied customers with an ongoing commitment to saving customers money on their auto insurance rates. Progressive was the first auto insurer to offer safe driver discounts, making the company a great option for people with a good driving record looking for the cheapest auto insurance options.
Even today, customers who switch to Progressive save an average of $699 on their car insurance premiums each year. Progressive’s website even has a nifty tool that lets you compare rates with the competition to find the best fit. You also save an average of 4% if you bundle your car with your homeowner’s or renter’s insurance.
Auto-Owners Insurance
Auto owner’s insurance may not have the flashy marketing presence of the competition, but how many of them can say they’ve been around nearly as long as cars? Established in 1916, the company has nearly 3 million auto insurance policyholders in 26 states. Your high JD Power rating might ask you to check if you have coverage where you live.
Auto Owners Insurance also offers life, home, and business insurance.
Ranked the number one auto insurer in California, Esurance is making inroads across the country (the company operates in 43 states). Esurance, a division of Allstate, promises customers that switching to or signing up for car insurance can be as easy as possible or “painless,” as the company says. Offers auto, motorcycle, renters, and homeowners insurance. Esurance also offers a policy meant to help fill in the gaps in coverage for Uber and Lyft drivers.
Users agree with the review, as reviews on the website indicate how quick and easy it is to sign up with this car insurance provider, either online or with the Esurance app. And if you’re calling all introverts, you probably won’t have to speak directly to an insurance agent to get set up. The app is also very useful if you live in a state that allows digital insurance ID cards; As long as you have your phone, you’ll have your most current ID card.
Liberty Mutual Insurance
With operations worldwide, Liberty Mutual is the fifth-largest property and casualty insurer in the world. Still, the company makes it very clear that your business starts with you, and the first step on that journey is getting an insurance coverage quote.
Most insurers offer free car insurance quotes on their websites, but Liberty Mutual gives you discounts for using your own; You can save up to 12% off your rate by getting a car insurance policy quote online. Plus, getting that quote only takes a few minutes; you just have to answer a few questions about where you live and how often you drive.
National Insurance
With more than 90 years covering drivers, Nationwide has learned something about what keeps customers happy (and, in turn, what keeps them, customers). The company’s vision and values list show precisely where your priorities lie. The company stepped up during the COVID-19 pandemic, suspending policy cancellations, waiving late fees, and deferring payment terms to help its members stay insured. It also provided a one-time reimbursement of $50 per personal auto policy to reflect trends in declining driving.
Higher ratings from various outlets (such as AM Best, S&P, and Moody’s) would suggest it’s working. Those values extend to employees, too: Nationwide was ranked 53rd on Fortune’s most recent list of the “100 Best Companies to Work For.