According to our data and customer survey results, USAA is the best overall car insurance company. However, USAA insurance products are only available to active and veteran military members and their families. State Farm ranks No. 2 in our survey, making it the best car insurance company for drivers who aren’t eligible for USAA membership.
Even though USAA and State Farm top the ratings, it’s a good idea to consider and compare multiple insurers that made our Best Car Insurance Companies of 2022 ratings. Doing so can help you find coverage that suits your needs.
USAA also swept all five of our sub rankings based on customer feedback. However, not all policyholders will meet USAA’s membership requirements. For that reason, we’ve identified the runner-up in each category so that all consumers can learn about the best option in each of these areas.
If rates play a primary role in your decision, it’s also important to get and compare car insurance quotes. Though our study includes average rates data, your personal car insurance rate will depend on your age, location, driving record, credit score, and the preferred type and amount of coverage, among other things. A quote can help you accurately estimate costs and determine which insurers offer the best deal.
Best for Customer Service: USAA and State Farm
USAA and State Farm rank No. 1 and No. 2, respectively. Sixty-five percent of USAA customers who haven’t filed a claim say they are extremely satisfied with their customer service experience. That number dips only slightly among those who have filed a claim, with nearly 64% of USAA customers reporting that they are extremely satisfied with the insurer’s customer service.
If you’re not eligible for USAA coverage, you may want to consider State Farm. Nearly 60% of State Farm customers who haven’t filed a claim report being extremely satisfied with their customer service experience. Like USAA, State Farm’s customer satisfaction scores are slightly lower among customers who have filed a claim. Fifty-six percent of survey respondents report being completely satisfied with their customer service experience.
Farmers, Nationwide, and Geico also received above-average scores for customer service.
Best for Claims Handling: Travelers
Claims handling is an important aspect of any insurance policy, and Travelers takes the No. 1 spot in this category. It scores a 4.3 out of 5 and is the only insurer to unseat USAA, which leads the pack in every other subrating category we analyzed. Nearly 62% of Travelers customers report being completely satisfied with the ease of filing a claim, and 65% of them express complete satisfaction with their claims resolution.
Farmers, Nationwide, and State Farm also received above-average claims handling scores.
Most Likely to be Recommended: USAA and Nationwide
With low rates and strong scores across all categories we reviewed, it’s no surprise that USAA customers are most likely to recommend their insurer to other drivers shopping for coverage.
Fifty-three percent of USAA customers who have not filed a claim say they are very likely to recommend USAA car insurance, with an additional 18% saying they are likely to recommend the insurer. After filing a claim, USAA customers are even more likely to recommend their insurer. Sixty-one percent of those we surveyed say they are very likely to recommend the insurer, and an additional 8% say they are likely to recommend it.
If USAA membership isn’t available to you, consider Nationwide. Thirty-one percent of customers who have not filed a claim say they would recommend Nationwide to other drivers, with another 41% saying they are likely to do so. Nationwide’s scores improve among customers who have filed a claim. Forty-two of them say they are very likely to recommend their insurer, with 32% saying they are likely to do so.
Other insurers who performed well in this category include State Farm and Allstate.
Most Likely to be Renewed: USAA and State Farm
A policyholder’s willingness to renew their policy can say a lot about their experience with an insurer. USAA has the highest customer loyalty score, beating State Farm by less than one point.
On average, 78% of USAA customers who haven’t filed a claim say they are likely or very likely to renew their policy. Nearly 70% of survey respondents who have filed a claim say they would recommend USAA to other drivers.
As indicated above, access to USAA insurance products is limited. If you don’t qualify for membership, you may want to consider State Farm, which claims the No. 2 spot in our Most Likely to be Renewed subrating.
According to our survey, 76% of State Farm customers who have not filed a claim say they are likely or very likely to stay with their current insurer when it’s time to renew their policy. That number drops to 69% among respondents who have filed a claim.
Best for Customer Loyalty: USAA and Nationwide
Customer loyalty is a reflection of a policyholder’s willingness to recommend their insurer and renew their policy. With strong renewal and recommendation score, it’s no surprise that USAA takes first place in this subrating as well. If you’re not eligible for USAA, consider Nationwide. It places second in our Most Likely to be Recommended category and receives above-average scores in our Most Likely to be Renewed category.
State Farm, Travelers, and Farmers also join the ranks of companies with above-average customer loyalty scores.
How Much Does Car Insurance Cost?
The average cost of car insurance is $1,539, according to our most recent study. However, your premium may be higher or lower, depending on multiple variables, including:
- Age
- Driver record
- Location
- Type and amount of coverage
- Credit score
- Available car insurance discounts
Car insurance quotes are the easiest way to find out how much you may pay. You can get car insurance quotes online or by talking to an agent via email, over the phone, or in person.
How Much Car Insurance Do I Need?
The amount of insurance you need depends on several factors. One of the most important indicators of how much coverage you may need is state requirements. Most states have laws that require drivers to carry a minimum amount of liability coverage. Some states also require drivers to carry other types of insurance, such as uninsured motorist coverage or personal injury protection (PIP).
The next thing to consider is any lender or lessor requirements. If you make monthly payments on your vehicle, your loan or lease agreement specifies how much coverage you need to carry. Refer to your lender, lessor, or financing agreement.
For more tips on getting the right amount of car insurance, read “How Much Car Insurance Do I Need?” guide.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who are the top car insurance companies?
We surveyed more than 10,000 policyholders across the nation and found that the following insurers represent the top car insurance companies:
#1 USAA
#2 State Farm
#3 Farmers
#3 Nationwide
#3 Geico
#6 Allstate
#6 Travelers
#8 Progressive
#8 AAA
#10 American Family
We also evaluate insurers based on rates. If you’re looking for the most affordable coverage, check out our list of the Cheapest Car Insurance Companies of 2022.
Who has the best car insurance?
USAA and State Farm are the best auto insurance companies, according to our most recent data analysis. USAA has the highest overall score in our customer survey and also ranks first in nearly every subrating we analyzed. It also has the lowest rates among the car insurers included in our study.
USAA products are only available to members of the military community. Drivers who don’t fit into that category are likely to find the best coverage through State Farm, which has the second-highest score in our survey and rates that are lower than the national average.
Other insurers that have above-average survey scores include Farmers, Nationwide and Geico.
Which car insurance is the cheapest?
USAA has the cheapest car insurance, according to our 2022 study. Its average rate is $1,000 a year, which is $539 less than the national average. Drivers who don’t qualify for coverage through USAA are likely to find the lowest rates with Geico. Geico’s average rate is $1,148 a year, which beats the national average by $391.
Keep in mind that an insurer’s average rate may not reflect your own. The best way to find the lowest rates available to you is to get and compare quotes from several insurers.
How can I find the best price on car insurance?
To find the best rate on car insurance, the International Insurance Institute (III) recommends that consumers get quotes from at least three insurers. As you shop for coverage, be sure to compare quotes for the same amount and type of coverage.
For more tips on finding the best car insurance, including coverage types and how to save on auto insurance, visit our Everything You Need to Know About Car Insurance page.