Car Insurance Calculator: Estimate Your Car Insurance Cost
Car insurance cost calculator
Car Insurance Coverage Calculator
Our tool calculates your customized insurance rates.
We'll show you the average cost of our recommendation, or the cost of a policy you customize yourself.
First, let’s see what the minimum coverage requirements are in your state.
Use our car insurance calculator to estimate the cost of your personalized insurance policy.
Car insurance estimates by company
American Family is the cheapest major car insurance company.
Erie and USAA tend to have even cheaper rates, but they're not available to everyone.
Full coverage car insurance estimates
Find Cheap Auto Insurance Quotes Near You
Cheapest
Average
Most expensive
Companies | Monthly rate | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| Erie | $154 | |
| American Family | $159 | |
| Country Financial | $162 | |
| NJM | $168 | |
| Auto-Owners | $171 | |
| Travelers | $173 | |
| USAA* | $125 | |
*USAA car insurance is only available to members of the military, veterans and their families.
Cheapest
Companies | Monthly rate | ||
|---|---|---|---|
|
| Erie | $154 | |
|
| American Family | $159 | |
|
| Country Financial | $162 | |
|
| NJM | $168 | |
|
| Auto-Owners | $171 | |
|
| Travelers | $173 | |
|
| USAA* | $125 | |
*USAA car insurance is only available to members of the military, veterans and their families.
Average
Companies | Monthly rate | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| Geico | $187 | |
| Shelter | $192 | |
| State Farm | $192 | |
| Progressive | $207 | |
| Farm Bureau | $215 | |
| Mercury | $218 | |
Most expensive
Companies | Monthly rate | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| Nationwide | $265 | |
| Allstate | $282 | |
| Amica | $285 | |
| Farmers | $293 | |
| AAA | $298 | |
Car insurance estimates are a good starting point when shopping for a new insurance policy. But your estimates will change depending on factors like your age, your driving record, where you live and the coverage you choose. And each company has its own way of calculating your rate.
Estimates for car insurance by state
Where you live has a big impact on how much you pay for car insurance. For example, in Nevada, the most expensive state for car insurance, full coverage insurance costs $207 more per month than in the cheapest state, Vermont.
How to find affordable car insurance estimates
How to estimate car insurance costs
To estimate the cost of car insurance, first you have to decide what kinds of coverage you need.
The best car insurance coverage for you depends on your budget, your car's value and your state's requirements.
The most basic car insurance pays for damage you cause in an accident. You may also need to protect your own car with collision and comprehensive coverage if you have a car loan or lease. These coverages are also a good idea if you have a newer or expensive car.
Before deciding which insurance coverages to add, compare the cost of each coverage type. Then, review your auto insurance estimates each year to find the cheapest rates and decide if you need different coverage.
Bodily injury liability
Bodily injury liability coverage pays for other drivers' medical costs and lost wages if you cause an accident.
Most states require bodily injury liability coverage.
Limit per person | Limit per accident | Monthly rate |
|---|---|---|
| $25,000 | $50,000 | $42 |
| $50,000 | $100,000 | $49 |
| $100,000 | $300,000 | $56 |
| $250,000 | $500,000 | $69 |
Property damage liability
Property damage liability pays for damage to other people's property if you cause an accident. This includes crashing into another car or a structure, like a building or pole.
Each state has its own requirement for property damage liability. The requirement typically ranges from $5,000 to $25,000.
Limit per accident | Monthly cost |
|---|---|
| $25,000 | $33 |
| $50,000 | $33 |
| $100,000 | $34 |
You should usually choose higher property damage limits, if you can afford it. If you cause a serious accident, $25,000 probably won't be enough money to fully replace the other driver's car.
Higher property damage liability limits don't typically cost much more than the minimum requirement. For around $12 per year more, you could increase your coverage from $25,000 to $100,000. That should be enough to cover the cost of most brand-new cars.
Uninsured and underinsured motorist bodily injury coverage
Uninsured and underinsured motorist bodily injury coverage pays your medical bills if an uninsured or underinsured driver hits you.
It can also cover lost wages and pay for someone to do household tasks you can no longer perform yourself. This can include cleaning your house or babysitting.
Thirteen states require uninsured motorist coverage. Seven states and Washington, D.C., require both uninsured and underinsured motorist coverage.Limit per accident | Monthly cost |
|---|---|
| 25/50 | $5 |
| 50/100 | $6 |
| 100/300 | $9 |
| 250/500 | $14 |
Most insurance companies don't allow you to choose higher uninsured or underinsured motorist limits than your bodily injury and property damage limits. So, if you only have $25,000 of bodily injury liability coverage per person and $50,000 per accident, you can't get $100,000 of uninsured motorist coverage.
Comprehensive and collision coverage
Full coverage insurance includes comprehensive and collision coverage.
Collision coverage pays for your car repairs after an accident, no matter whose fault it is. Comprehensive coverage pays for damage to your car caused by things outside of your control, like a fallen branch or vandalism.
You'll need collision and comprehensive coverage if you have a loan or lease. But it's expensive, often doubling the cost of insurance.
Coverage type | Deductible | Monthly cost |
|---|---|---|
| Collision | $500 | $67 |
| Collision | $1,000 | $53 |
| Comprehensive | $500 | $31 |
| Comprehensive | $1,000 | $24 |
When adding comprehensive and collision coverages, you don't choose coverage limits like you would with liability coverage. That's because these coverages pay to fix or replace your car, up to its current value.
Instead, you have to choose a deductible, which is the amount you'll pay for repairs before your insurance coverage kicks in.
What factors do insurance companies use to calculate your car insurance cost?
Insurance companies calculate your car insurance rate based on several factors. For instance, companies use your age and accident history to determine your "riskiness" as a driver. Young drivers and people with a ticket or accident typically pay more for insurance than someone older or with a clean driving record.
Factors that affect car insurance estimates
Younger drivers tend to pay more for car insurance. This is especially true for teens because young drivers have less experience behind the wheel and are more likely to cause a crash.
Your estimates will go down as you get older. But young drivers can save money by signing up for usage-based driving programs. These programs track your driving habits — including things like speed, hard braking and phone use — using an app or device that plugs into your car. By practicing safe driving habits, you could earn a sizable discount on your car insurance.
You'll almost always pay more for insurance after a ticket, DUI or accident.
The best way to find cheap rates after a ticket or accident is to compare estimates from multiple companies. Every company calculates rates differently, and some may raise your rates less after a ticket or accident.
It's cheaper to insure cars that are older, slower or safer.
If your car insurance estimates are unaffordable, consider trading in your car for a vehicle that's cheaper to cover.
People who drive less tend to have lower car insurance estimates. If you drive fewer than 12,000 miles per year, you may be able to save money with pay-per-mile car insurance.
Families with teen drivers typically have much higher car insurance estimates. You can find the cheapest family car insurance policy by shopping around for quotes from multiple companies.
In addition, married people often pay slightly less for car insurance than unmarried drivers.
Higher coverage limits and extra add-ons will raise your auto insurance estimates. To lower your rates, eliminate coverage you don't need.
For example, comprehensive and collision insurance can be costly. If you don't have a car loan or lease, consider removing these coverages if your car is over 8 years old or worth less than $5,000.
Raising your deductible can save you money. But make sure to choose a deductible you can easily afford to pay after an emergency.
Some states have higher insurance estimates than others. This can be because of more road traffic, uninsured drivers or severe weather events. You'll also typically pay more if you live in a city because of higher accident and crime rates.
The best companies nationally may not have the cheapest car insurance near you. You should compare estimates from small and midsize companies in your area, along with major car insurance companies, to find the best rates.
Drivers with poor credit pay more for car insurance in most states.
The best way to get cheaper rates is to improve your credit score. But that can take some time.
In the short term, try to find a company that offers lots of discounts you can easily qualify for. You can also consider a usage-based car insurance program if you typically practice safe driving habits.
How can you get cheaper auto insurance estimates?
To find the most affordable insurance, get estimates from several companies. Also, look for discounts for bundling or automatic payments.
Compare estimates from multiple companies. Car insurance quotes can differ by an average of $144 per month for full coverage from one company to the next. Get estimates from large insurance companies like American Family and Travelers and smaller ones like Erie and Auto-Owners.
Look for discounts. Most companies, especially large ones like Geico or State Farm, have a lot of discounts available. These discounts can add up to savings of 40% or more. And you may already qualify for many of them.
If you live with other drivers, consider a multicar policy. Adding another person to your insurance plan is cheaper than having two separate policies. You can share a multicar policy with anyone you live with.
Bundle with other insurance policies. Most major insurance companies offer the option to bundle your home or renters insurance with your auto insurance. Choosing a bundle deal can get you a discount on your total insurance cost for both policies.
Shop around every year. If your life situation or driving record has changed since you bought your policy, you may be able to get a cheaper rate. Improving your credit score, getting married or staying accident-free might help you save.
Calculate how much auto insurance you need
How much car insurance you need depends first on your state's minimum required coverage and how much protection you want.
Most states require:
- $20,000-$25,000 of bodily injury liability insurance per person
- $40,000-$50,000 of bodily injury liability insurance per accident
- $10,000-$25,000 of property damage liability insurance
Some states also require uninsured motorist coverage or personal injury protection (PIP).
Start with your state's minimum required insurance, then add higher coverage amounts and extra coverage options based on what you can afford. It doesn't cost much to add more liability coverage to your policy. It can also help you avoid a big bill if you cause a major crash.
How much insurance should you get?
The right amount of auto insurance coverage depends on your budget and driving background.
For example, you can typically double your liability coverage limits for $10 to $15 per month. This can help you avoid expensive bills after a crash, like if you hit an electric or luxury vehicle.
On the other hand, if you drive an older car that's not worth much, you won't need collision and comprehensive coverage.
Liability insurance
- What is it? Liability insurance pays for damage and injuries to other drivers after you cause an accident.
- Do you need it? Every state except New Hampshire requires liability insurance.
- How much should you have? State minimums usually aren't high enough to pay for the average accident. However, more coverage will raise your rates. You should get as much liability insurance as you can afford.
Comprehensive and collision
-
What is it? Collision coverage pays to fix your car after an accident with another vehicle or object, regardless of who's responsible.
Comprehensive coverage pays for other types of damage, like from hail or after hitting a deer.
- Do you need it? Yes, if you have a loan or lease. Also, consider this coverage if your car is worth more than $5,000 or you couldn't afford to replace it after a major crash.
- Which deductible should you choose? Pick an amount you could easily pay in an emergency.
Personal injury protection
- What is it? Personal injury protection (PIP) covers drivers' and passengers' medical costs and lost wages after an accident, regardless of who's at fault.
- Do you need it? There are 16 states that require PIP. PIP is a good idea if your health insurance has high copays or deductibles. It's also smart to have PIP if you don't have an emergency fund to cover lost wages.
- How much should you have? Your state may require a minimum amount of PIP. Choose an amount you think would cover your out-of-pocket costs for medical care after a major accident.
Uninsured or underinsured motorist
- What is it? Uninsured or underinsured motorist coverage pays for your injuries or repairs if you're hit by a driver who doesn't have insurance or doesn't have limits high enough to pay your bills.
- Do you need it? In 20 states and Washington, D.C., drivers must have uninsured or underinsured motorist coverage. Even if your state doesn't require it, you should still consider getting it. It's affordable, and about 13% of drivers don't have car insurance.
- How much coverage should you have? The same limits as your liability coverage for bodily injury and property damage.
The minimum liability requirement may be enough to cover the costs of a minor accident. However, it probably won't be enough to replace the other driver's car or pay their medical bills after a major accident.
For example, state requirements for property damage liability coverage range from just $5,000 in Pennsylvania to $50,000 in North Carolina. But most states require between $20,000 to $25,000 of coverage.
The average cost of a brand-new car is just under $50,000. So if you hit and total a brand-new vehicle and have minimum coverage, you'll likely have to pay a large amount of money to help replace it.
Even if you cause an accident and the other driver has an older vehicle, minimum liability insurance could still leave you with a big bill. A 3-year-old vehicle costs an average of $31,000 to replace, which is well above many states' required limits.
Frequently asked questions
How much should car insurance cost?
The average cost of car insurance in the United States is $208 per month for a full coverage policy. Minimum liability coverage typically costs around $76 per month. However, your rates will vary based on where you live, your insurance company, what kind of car you have and your driving history.
How do I estimate car insurance costs?
The best way to estimate the cost of auto insurance is to use our online car insurance calculator. By answering three easy questions, you can estimate your car insurance rates based on your location, your car and how much coverage you need.
How much car insurance do I need?
At the very least, you need enough car insurance to meet the minimum legal requirements in your state. However, you should buy more coverage if you drive a lot, have a newer car or are paying off a car loan or lease.
What kind of car insurance should I get?
Nearly every state requires you to have liability insurance, which pays for injuries to other people and property damage. But it's worth it to pay more for full coverage if your car is worth more than $5,000 or less than 8 years old. Higher limits and extra coverage can also help you avoid unexpected bills after a crash.
Methodology
ValuePenguin's car insurance calculator is based on millions of car insurance quotes from every ZIP code in the U.S., using multiple coverage limits. Rates are for a 30-year-old man with good credit and a good driving history who owns a 2015 Honda Civic EX.
National rates and rates by company are for a full coverage policy for a 30-year-old single man who owns a 2018 Honda Civic EX. Quotes include collision and comprehensive coverage, along with higher liability limits than the state requirement.
- Bodily injury liability: $50,000 per person and $100,000 per accident
- Property damage liability: $50,000 per accident
- Uninsured and underinsured motorist bodily injury: $50,000 per person and $100,000 per accident
- Collision and comprehensive deductible: $500
To calculate costs for each coverage type, our editors gathered quotes from ZIP codes across Georgia using the same driver profile above.
Insurance analysts and agents recommended matching a driver's net worth to their coverage. Estimates from our calculator default to higher coverage limits for higher-net-worth drivers.
To find the average cost to replace a car after an accident, ValuePenguin editors used new car data from Kelley Blue Book and used car data from Edmunds.
Rate data was compiled using Quadrant Information Services. Your quotes may differ, as these rates are averages and are best used only for comparative purposes.
Senior Writer
Lindsay Bishop is a Senior Writer at ValuePenguin, where she educates readers about home, auto, renters, flood and motorcycle insurance.
Lindsay began her career in the insurance and financial industry in 2010. She was a licensed auto, home, life and health insurance agent and held Series 6 and 63 financial licenses.
After a hiatus from the financial sector, Lindsay returned to the industry as a content writer for ValuePenguin in 2021. She enjoys having the opportunity to help readers make smart decisions about their insurance so they can be prepared for anything life throws their way.
When Lindsay isn't writing about insurance, you can find her spending time with family, enjoying the outdoors on Sunday long runs or riding her Peloton.
How insurance helped Lindsay
As a homeowner for 15 years located in South Carolina, Lindsay has plenty of experience navigating the coastal insurance market and managing the claims process. That includes successfully negotiating a full roof replacement claim.
Expertise
- Home insurance
- Car insurance
- Flood insurance
- Renters insurance
- Motorcycle insurance
Referenced by
- CNBC
- Yahoo Finance
- Miami Herald
Education
- BS/BA Economics, University of Nevada Las Vegas
Editorial Note: The content of this article is based on the author's opinions and recommendations alone. It has not been previewed, commissioned or otherwise endorsed by any of our network partners.
