Uncover the Best Deals in Car Insurance

Best Overall: State Farm Auto Insurance

State Farm stands out as the best overall choice for many customers. It offers a balance of affordability, good customer service, and reliable coverage. As the largest car insurance company by market share, it's available in all 50 states except Rhode Island and Massachusetts. A full-coverage policy with State Farm costs $1,141 per year, which is slightly cheaper than the national average of $1,638 per year. It's also more affordable for young drivers and those with moving violations. State Farm earns high marks from several third-party rating agencies, including above-average ratings in nearly all regions in the JD Power Customer Satisfaction Study and above-average claims satisfaction in the JD Power Claims Satisfaction Study. Additionally, it has fewer complaints than expected for its size according to the NAIC Complaint Index. However, you can only buy a policy from a State Farm captive agent, so it's important to compare multiple quotes to ensure you're getting the best deal.

Highlights:- High JD Power ratings- Affordable coverage for various driver profiles- No access to independent agents

Best for Discounts: Farmers Auto Insurance

Farmers offers over 23 car insurance discounts, making it a great choice for those looking to save on premiums. Discounts are available for being a loyal customer, a student, or part of an affiliated organization. You can also get a 10% multi-policy discount. While the full coverage policy costs about $2,084 annually, which is 27% higher than the national average, the wide array of discount offerings makes it worth considering.

Highlights:- Multi-policy discount of up to 10%- A wide array of discount offerings- Expensive premiums

Best for High-Risk Drivers: Auto-Owners car insurance

High-risk drivers, such as teen drivers, those with multiple accidents, or those with a bad credit score, can benefit from Auto-Owners insurance. It has the lowest premiums for high-risk drivers, with a full coverage policy costing $2,256 per year, saving drivers more than $500 annually compared to the national average. Auto-Owners provides several coverages for high-risk drivers, including accident forgiveness and SR-22 and FR-44 filings. It's important to note that Auto-Owners is only available in 26 states, so drivers outside those states must purchase car insurance elsewhere.

Highlights:- Competitive rates on high-risk insurance- Accident forgiveness coverage and SR-22 filings- Only available in 26 states

Best for Luxury Vehicles: Chubb

If you own a luxury car, Chubb Masterpiece is the policy for you. It offers specific coverages for luxury cars, such as agreed upon value (coverage up to your vehicle's current market value without subtracting depreciation), original equipment manufacturer (OEM) parts for repairs to maintain performance and resale value, and the choice of a repair shop. However, Chubb rates are higher than average according to several quote comparison platforms.

Highlights:- Specific coverages for luxury cars- Higher coverage limits- Expensive premiums

Best for People with Poor Credit: GEICO Auto Insurance

Your credit score affects your insurance premiums, and GEICO offers friendly rates for those with poor credit. Drivers with bad credit pay $1,885 a year with GEICO, which is 40% cheaper than the national average. With up to 25% in discounts, it's easier to get a better rate. It's worth noting that GEICO only sells through captive agents, so it's a good idea to compare quotes from other companies.

Highlights:- Affordable rates for drivers with poor credit- Discounts up to 25%- Only sells through captive agents

Best for Customer Service: Erie Auto Insurance

Erie has the best auto insurance company for customer service based on our research. It ranks No.1 in the Mid-Atlantic and North Central region in the JD Power Customer Satisfaction Study and No.1 in the JD Power Claims Satisfaction Study. However, it has mixed customer reviews, with some expressing dissatisfaction with claims handling and customer service, while others praise the helpful insurance agents and low prices. Erie is only available in 12 states and the District of Columbia.

Highlights:- No.1 for two JD Power satisfaction surveys- Low volume of complaints- Mixed customer reviews

Best for Military Members: USAA Auto Insurance

Military members trust USAA for its financial services, and car insurance is no exception. USAA drivers save about 36% on their full-coverage policy at $1,044 a year, and military-specific discounts can make the deal even sweeter. You can save up to 15% by parking your vehicle in a garage on base, and if you're on deployment, USAA provides discounts for storing your vehicle. USAA has excellent ratings in the industry, with high scores in every region in the JD Power customer satisfaction study and placed third-highest for claims satisfaction. However, it's only available to those affiliated with the military community.

Highlights:- Affordable car insurance- Excellent company ratings- Only military-affiliated members qualify

Factors That Affect Full Coverage Insurance Costs

A few factors influence your insurance costs. Age and gender play a role, as men and younger drivers are more likely to have accidents and see higher rates. Driving history matters too, with speeding tickets, DUIs, and at-fault accidents increasing the likelihood of filing a claim and leading to higher premiums. Vehicle characteristics also affect premiums, with safer or older vehicles having lower repair costs and cheaper policy prices. The type of coverages you choose, such as deductibles and the amount of coverage, also impact your rates. A lower deductible leads to higher premiums, while a higher deductible means lower premiums but higher out-of-pocket costs when filing a claim. Location is another factor, with areas having higher costs of living, more accidents, vandalism, theft, and weather risk having higher premiums. In some states, insurance providers can use your credit-based insurance score to predict your likelihood of a claim, with a good credit score leading to cheaper premiums.

Tips for Finding the Cheapest Full Coverage Insurance

Full coverage car insurance is more expensive than the minimum coverage, but it can fit your budget with the right strategies. Shopping around is crucial, as insurance companies weigh risks differently. Quote comparison platforms like Insurify or Policygenius can help you generate multiple quotes at once. Improving your driving record can also keep your rates affordable, as a clean record affects premiums less each year. Increasing your deductible can lead to lower premiums, but be aware of the higher out-of-pocket costs when filing a claim. Switching to pay-per-mile insurance can be a good option for low-mileage drivers, as you only pay more if you drive more.

Cheap Full Coverage Car Insurance Frequently Asked Questions

- What does full coverage car insurance consist of? The standard full coverage car insurance consists of liability insurance, collision insurance, and comprehensive insurance. Some insurance companies may include additional coverages depending on the carrier and state regulations. Consult with an insurance professional to ensure you have the right coverage for your needs.- What full coverage doesn’t cover? Full coverage doesn't cover you and your passengers' medical expenses after an accident, regardless of fault. Look into medical payments or personal injury protection coverage instead. It also doesn't cover car accidents caused by an uninsured or underinsured motorist. Insurance companies offer uninsured/underinsured motorist coverage for this.- What is the difference between full coverage and collision? A full coverage policy includes collision coverage. It also often includes comprehensive and liability insurance (this can vary by state insurance regulations and provider).- Is full coverage car insurance worth it? Most drivers can benefit from full coverage car insurance. Lenders may require it if you have an auto loan. But it may not make sense to insure a low-value, older car with full coverage, especially if its replacement cost is less than your deductible.

Why You Should Trust Us: How We Chose the Best Cheap Full Coverage Car Insurance

We developed a rating system to evaluate the quality of each car insurance company. Our methodology includes considering coverage options, prices, customer service, and financial stability. Coverage options were reviewed to ensure they catered to the target customers. Prices were sourced from Policygenius quotes and included variations for different driving profiles. Customer service was measured through data from industry-leading rating agencies and customer review sites. Financial stability was determined using AM Best.

Read more about how Business Insider rates car insurance companies.

Alani Asis is a personal finance expert with extensive experience in covering insurance, retirement, and credit. Her work has been published in various reputable publications. She is passionate about demystifying insurance and personal finance topics to help readers make the best money decisions. Her areas of expertise include car insurance, life insurance, home insurance, travel insurance, pet insurance, credit, credit cards, and retirement planning. She graduated from the University of Hawaii at Manoa with a degree in political science and history.