Auto insurance
Car Insurance: A Complete Guide to Coverage, Costs, and Buying
Car insurance protects you financially when you injure someone, damage property, or have your own car damaged or stolen. Every state except New Hampshire requires drivers to carry some form of liability coverage or financial responsibility, but the right policy depends on your car, your drivers, and what you would stand to lose after a serious crash.
This hub links to our detailed guides on coverages, quotes, savings, and special situations. For everything in one place, see auto insurance guides. Blake Insurance Group is an independent agency; a licensed agent can compare options available to us. This page is general information, not legal advice.
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Car insurance coverages
| Coverage | What it pays for | Guide |
|---|---|---|
| Liability | Injuries and damage you cause to others | Liability-only car insurance |
| Uninsured / underinsured motorist | Your injuries when the other driver lacks insurance | UM and UIM coverage |
| Collision and comprehensive | Damage to your own car | Comprehensive vs. collision |
| Roadside, rental, gap | Towing, transportation, loan balance | Auto insurance overview |
General descriptions.
What car insurance costs
The NAIC reported an average annual auto insurance expenditure of $1,126.79 in 2022 and $1,281.60 in 2023, with large differences by state. See rates by state and use our car insurance calculator for an illustrative estimate.
Ways to buy car insurance
| Type | Represents | Strengths | Limits |
|---|---|---|---|
| Captive (exclusive) agent | One insurance company | Deep knowledge of that company's products | Can quote only that company |
| Independent agent | Several insurance companies | Compares options in one conversation; can re-shop at renewal | Limited to the agency's appointments |
| Direct insurer | Itself, online or by phone | Speed and self-service | You make coverage decisions yourself |
General descriptions.
The largest car insurance companies
| Rank | Insurance group | Market share |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | State Farm | 16.84% |
| 2 | Progressive | 14.05% |
| 3 | Berkshire Hathaway (GEICO) | 13.76% |
| 4 | Allstate | 10.69% |
| 5 | USAA | 5.92% |
| 6 | Liberty Mutual | 4.95% |
| 7 | Farmers | 4.55% |
| 8 | Travelers | 2.11% |
| 9 | American Family | 2.11% |
| 10 | Nationwide | 1.99% |
Source: NAIC 2022 market share data as published by Insurify. S&P Global Market Intelligence reported in June 2025 that Progressive reached about 18% of the market in 2024, closing in on State Farm. Shares change every year.
Guides by topic
Coverage terms to match on every quote
| Coverage | What it pays for | What to match |
|---|---|---|
| Bodily injury liability | Injuries you cause to others | Per-person and per-accident limits, such as 100/300 |
| Property damage liability | Damage you cause to others' property | Same limit on both quotes, such as $100,000 |
| Uninsured/underinsured motorist | Your injuries when the at-fault driver lacks enough coverage | Same limits; ideally equal to your liability limits |
| Collision | Damage to your car from a crash | Same deductible |
| Comprehensive | Theft, fire, hail, flood, animal strikes, glass | Same deductible; note any glass option |
| Medical payments or PIP | Medical costs for you and passengers | Same limit; PIP rules depend on your state |
| Rental and roadside | Transportation during repairs; towing | Same daily and total limits |
Limits shown are examples, not recommendations. State minimum requirements differ.
Three coverage levels compared
| Level | Liability limits | Who it may fit | Trade-off |
|---|---|---|---|
| State minimum | Your state's minimum | Drivers with few assets who need the lowest legal price | Little protection after a serious crash |
| Middle | 100/300/100 | Many households with savings or a home | Moderately higher premium |
| Higher | 250/500/100 or more | Homeowners and drivers who want an umbrella policy | Highest premium, strongest protection |
Examples only, not recommendations. Add UM/UIM at matching limits where possible.
Moving from the minimum to a middle level often costs less than people expect, because liability premiums do not rise in proportion to limits. Ask for both prices before deciding.
Ways to lower your premium
- Compare at least three quotes with identical coverage every year or two, and whenever your premium jumps at renewal.
- Raise collision and comprehensive deductibles to an amount you could pay tomorrow without strain.
- Drop collision and comprehensive on an older car only when the car's value is low enough that you could replace it yourself.
- Ask about every discount: multi-policy, multi-vehicle, good student, defensive driving, paperless, paid-in-full, and safety equipment.
- Try a driving-data program if you drive carefully and are comfortable sharing driving data. See usage-based insurance.
- Keep continuous coverage. Even a short lapse can raise future rates.
- Report accurate mileage. Lower annual mileage can mean a lower premium.
- Bundle auto with renters or homeowners insurance where the combined price is lower.
Discounts to ask about
| Discount | Who it may fit | What to ask |
|---|---|---|
| Multi-policy | Households with renters or home insurance | How much it saves on the total, not just auto |
| Multi-vehicle | Households with two or more cars | Whether every car must be on one policy |
| Good student | Students with qualifying grades | Grade requirements and proof needed |
| Defensive driving | Drivers who complete an approved course | Which courses qualify and how long the discount lasts |
| Telematics | Careful, low-mileage drivers | Whether the program can raise your rate |
| Paid in full and autopay | Drivers who can pay upfront | How installment fees compare |
| Safety and anti-theft | Newer vehicles with safety features | Which features qualify |
Discount names, amounts, and availability vary by insurer and state.
Coverage you should think twice about cutting
Some coverage cuts save very little and expose you to large losses. Be cautious about:
- Buying only the state minimum liability. Minimum limits can be exhausted by a single serious injury, leaving you personally responsible for the rest.
- Rejecting uninsured motorist coverage. It protects you when the at-fault driver has no insurance or too little. See uninsured and underinsured motorist coverage.
- Dropping collision on a financed car. Lenders and lessors usually require it.
- Letting the policy lapse between vehicles or during a move.
How insurers set your price
Most insurers price a policy using your driving record, years licensed, age where allowed, the vehicle, where it is garaged, annual mileage, coverage limits, deductibles, prior insurance history, and, where state law permits, a credit-based insurance score. Each insurer weighs these factors differently, which is why quotes for the same driver can differ by hundreds of dollars. Improving the factors you control, especially your record and continuous coverage, pays off over several renewals.
Payment plans and fees
How you pay can change your total cost. Many insurers charge installment fees for monthly payments, and some offer discounts for paying the full term upfront, enrolling in automatic payments, or going paperless. If paying in full is not possible, ask which payment plan has the lowest fees. Missing a payment can cancel your policy and create a lapse, which raises future rates, so set up reminders or autopay.
If you are considered high risk
If several insurers decline you because of violations, accidents, a lapse, or a DUI, you still have options. Many insurers specialize in higher-risk drivers, and every state has a residual market plan for drivers who cannot find coverage in the voluntary market. Prices are higher, but keeping coverage continuous and your record clean will usually bring rates down over three to five years. If a court or the motor vehicle agency requires an SR-22 or similar filing, see our SR-22 insurance and high-risk auto insurance pages.
When an agent may help
Online tools work well for simple situations. A conversation with a licensed agent may be more useful when:
- You have a teen driver, several vehicles, or drivers with recent accidents or violations.
- You need an SR-22 or other state filing. See our SR-22 insurance page.
- You use a vehicle for rideshare, delivery, or other business purposes.
- You own a home, rental property, or significant savings and want liability limits that work with an umbrella policy.
- You have had a claim denied or a policy nonrenewed and need help understanding your options.
An agent can also explain differences in policy wording that are hard to see on a results page.
Switching insurers without a gap
If a new quote is lower, switch carefully so you are never uninsured:
- Confirm the final price after the insurer verifies your information.
- Set the new policy to start on or before the date the old one ends.
- Give the new insurer your lender or lessor information if the vehicle is financed.
- Save your new ID cards and declarations page.
- Cancel the old policy effective the same day, and ask about any refund of unused premium.
- If you have an SR-22, confirm the new insurer files it before the old filing ends.
What to have ready for a quote
These details help produce accurate quotes.
- Driver details. License numbers and dates of birth for every household driver.
- Vehicle VINs. And annual mileage for each vehicle.
- Driving history. Accidents and violations in the past three to five years.
- Current declarations page. To match limits and deductibles.
- Garaging address. Where each vehicle is kept.
Car insurance FAQs
Is car insurance required?
Every state except New Hampshire requires liability coverage or proof of financial responsibility.
What is full coverage?
Usually liability plus collision and comprehensive.
How much car insurance do I need?
At least your state minimum; many drivers choose 100/300/100 or higher.
Who is the largest car insurer?
State Farm, followed closely by Progressive.
How can I lower my premium?
Compare quotes, use discounts, and choose deductibles carefully.
What affects my rate?
Record, vehicle, location, coverage, and history.
Do I need insurance for rideshare driving?
Yes; personal policies often exclude it.
How often should I compare?
Every year or two.
Related guides
Important information
Compensation. Links in the partner quote box near the top of this page are sponsored, and Blake Insurance Group may be paid if you make a purchase. Sponsored placement does not affect the other information on this page.
Independent agency. Blake Insurance Group LLC is an independent insurance agency. Licensed insurance producer NPN 16117464. Licensed states: AZ, AL, TX, CA, NY, OH, FL, NC, VA, GA, OK, NM, IA, KS, MI, NE, SC, SD, WV, IL, NJ, PA, TN, and WA. Which insurance companies we can quote depends on our current appointments, the product, and your state. Mentioning a company on this page does not mean we represent it.
Data sources. NAIC average expenditure data; NAIC 2022 market share via Insurify; S&P Global Market Intelligence, June 2025.
Legal requirements. State requirements summarized here are general information as of October 2026 and can change. This page is not legal advice; confirm current rules with your state's insurance regulator or motor vehicle agency.
Availability. Coverage, prices, discounts, and eligibility vary by insurer, state, and applicant, and are subject to underwriting. The issued policy controls.
Your next step
Request a quote, and a licensed agent will compare options available to us using the coverage you choose.