The cheapest full coverage car insurance policies are from Esurance, Geico and USAA, according to WalletHub’s analysis of 17 major insurers. They are the best car insurance companies for full coverage because they combine low costs, lots of available discounts, and high customer satisfaction.

Cheapest Full Coverage Car Insurance

• Esurance: $129 per month
• Geico: $140 per month
• Mercury: $160 per month
• USAA: $167 per month
• Progressive: $168 per month

Full coverage car insurance is shorthand for a policy that includes the insurance required by the driver’s state, plus comprehensive and collision coverage. Rates reflect the average of a series of quotes for drivers in California, gathered by Quadrant Information Services. For more information, see the methodology section below.

Car insurance discounts are special offers from insurance companies that allow drivers to save up to 35% on their annual premium. Most insurers offer a wide range of car insurance discounts, which fall into three overall categories: policy discounts, driver discounts, and vehicle discounts.

Policy discounts are discounts that insurers offer in order to retain you as a customer. Driver discounts are offered to drivers who pose a relatively low risk to their insurer based on characteristics like age, driving history, and annual mileage. And vehicle discounts are available for drivers who have additional safety technology in their car.

The best car insurance companies are Geico, Progressive, and USAA, based on average premiums, customer reviews, and WalletHub editor ratings. 2021’s best auto insurance companies provide affordable coverage, a variety of insurance types, and plenty discounts.

Best Car Insurance Companies of 2021

1. Geico
2. Progressive
3. USAA
4. Esurance
5. Travelers
6. The Hartford
7. Mercury
8. AAA
9. State Farm
10. Liberty Mutual

Personal injury protection (PIP) is a type of car insurance that covers expenses, like medical bills, legal fees, lost wages, and more, when you are in a car accident, regardless of fault. PIP insurance, also known as “no fault” insurance, is required mostly in states with no-fault insurance laws.

Key Things to Know About Personal Injury Protection (PIP)

• PIP auto insurance is required in 13 states.
• 29 states, including California and Illinois, do not offer PIP coverage.
• PIP covers medical expenses, funeral expenses, lost income, child care expenses, survivors’ loss benefits, and household services.
• PIP does not cover vehicle damage, property damage, or injuries sustained by people outside your car.
• If PIP is available in your state but not required, it is a smart investment if you want additional protection in case of an accident.

EDITOR’S RATING

3.4 / 5

PROS

• Competitive rates.
• Extra benefits at no charge (lock replacement, airbag repair, etc.).
• Easy-to-navigate website.
• Lots of insurance options.

CONS

• Complaints about premium increases.
• Average customer service.
• No ridesharing/commercial auto coverage.

Amica is a budget-friendly insurance company, earning a 3.4/5 rating from WalletHub editors and good scores from organizations such as J.D. Power and the Better Business Bureau (BBB). Amica offers a wide range of coverage options, including auto insurance, home insurance, life insurance, condo insurance, renters insurance, flood insurance, small business insurance, and more. It has a lot of discounts, too.

EDITOR’S RATING

1.9 / 5

PROS

• Affordable option for high-risk drivers who struggle to buy coverage elsewhere.
• Online claims filing by mobile app.

CONS

• Limited coverage option.
• Complaints about customer service, confusing website, and claims service.
• Few discounts.

The General is a below average insurance company overall, earning a 1.9/5 rating from WalletHub and a rating of A+ from the Better Business Bureau (BBB), which accredited The General in 2005. The General also happens to be one of the best auto insurance companies for drivers with a history of traffic violations and accidents. Known for competitive rates, it simply does not offer as many coverage options as its better-known competitors, many of which also have more favorable customer reviews.

A car insurance deductible is the amount of money you’ll pay out of pocket for an accident before your insurance company pays the rest. For example, if you file a claim for $1,500 and you have a $500 deductible, you will have to pay the $500 deductible before your insurer will cover the remaining $1,000 balance.

Key Things To Know About Car Insurance Deductibles

• The average car insurance deductible is $500.
• Not every type of car insurance uses a deductible.
• The higher your car insurance deductible is, the lower your car insurance premium will be.
• If you’re at-fault in a collision, you can’t avoid paying your deductible.
• Most drivers pay a deductible when they’re not at fault, but there are some exceptions.

A car insurance claim is a request for financial compensation that a driver files with an insurance company after their vehicle is damaged or they are injured in a car accident. More than $170 billion in car insurance claims payments are made by U.S. insurance companies each year. While the process can vary between states and insurers, the basic steps are usually the same.

Key Things to Know About Car Insurance Claims

• When to file a claim depends on the extent and cause of the injuries or physical damage.
• Which insurance company to file a claim with depends on who or what caused the damage.
• To file a claim, call the insurance company and provide them with your information and any documentation related to the accident.
• Car insurance claims raise premiums by an average of 12% to 45%, depending on the circumstances and insurance company.

Full coverage insurance is a car insurance term used to describe a policy that includes collision and comprehensive coverage, in addition to the bodily injury and property damage liability coverage required by law. Full-coverage car insurance covers the policyholder’s injuries and vehicle damage, not just the other driver. The cheapest car insurance companies for full coverage are Esurance, Geico, and Mercury.

The term full coverage is commonly used by consumers. However, it does not have an official definition within the insurance industry. That’s why you may come across a few different variations of what it includes.

EDITOR’S RATING

3.9 / 5

PROS

• 60K bonus points (worth roughly $460) for spending $4K in the first 6 months
• 4 points per $1 spent at restaurants
• 4 points per $1 spent at U.S. supermarkets (up to $25K spent per year, then 1 point)
• 3 points per $1 spent on eligible flights
• No foreign transaction fee

CONS

• $250 annual fee
• Points worth less than 1 cent, on average
• Limited ability to carry a balance from month to month

American Express Gold Card Review Summary

The American Express® Gold Card offers lots of rewards, especially on travel and dining purchases. But it costs a pretty penny, too.