Best Car Insurance in Minnesota for 2026

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Updated: April 23, 2026

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Key Takeaways
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Auto-Owners earns Minnesota's top MoneyGeek score at 4.75/5 with a 5/5 customer experience score. It's the cheapest option for most driver profiles, including adults ($34 per month), young drivers ($57 per month), drivers with a speeding ticket ($41 per month) and drivers with older cars ($23 per month).

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State Farm is the cheapest after a DUI ($37 per month) and cheapest after an accident ($40 per month) in Minnesota, making it the better choice for violation-affected drivers who prioritize price over service scores.

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Auto-Owners leads all 10 of Minnesota's most populous cities, though Minneapolis scores lower (4.6/5) than most other cities (4.7 to 4.8/5), which reflects higher metro claim frequency.

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HOW MONEYGEEK CHOSE THE BEST CAR INSURANCE IN MINNESOTA

MoneyGeek analyzed quotes from six Minnesota insurers across every ZIP code in the state. Minnesota is a no-fault state requiring PIP coverage that applies regardless of who causes an accident, and it's one of a small number of states that prohibits insurers from using credit scores in rate-setting, so a driver's credit history has no bearing on what carriers charge here.

Licensed insurance producers paid attention to Minnesota's PIP requirement, the credit-scoring ban and the rate variation between the Twin Cities metro and outstate Minnesota, which drives ZIP-code-level differences within the same city.

  • Affordability (60%): rate is the primary driver for most Minnesota drivers, with higher costs in the Twin Cities metro where rates run above the statewide average.
  • Customer experience (30%): based on J.D. Power scores, NAIC complaint ratios, AM Best ratings and independent agent Google Business ratings.
  • Coverage options (10%): measures the range of optional coverages offered in Minnesota.

Best Car Insurance in Minnesota by Driver Profile

Auto-Owners is the right choice for most Minnesota drivers, but State Farm is cheaper for DUI and accident profiles, and North Star has the lowest rates for low-income drivers.

Auto-Owners earns Minnesota’s highest MoneyGeek score at 4.75/5 with a 5/5 customer experience score and comes out ahead across most profiles: adults at $34 a month, young drivers at $57 a month (best and cheapest), speeding at $41 a month (best and cheapest), highest score for accident drivers at $49 a month, old cars at $23 a month and highest score for seniors at $50 a month. Minnesota prohibits credit-based pricing, so all drivers here are rated on their record and location alone.

State Farm is cheapest after a DUI at $37 a month and cheapest after an accident at $40 a month, both well below Auto-Owners' equivalent rates. For violation-affected drivers prioritizing price, State Farm's local agent support also helps with the SR-22 process Minnesota requires after a DUI conviction.

North Star is the best and cheapest option for low-income drivers at $31 a month (the lowest rate found in Minnesota for that profile), and it's a regional carrier worth a direct quote for that need. Travelers is the best and cheapest for newer cars at $37 a month. Westfield isn't a featured option, but it has the cheapest adult rate in the state at $19 a month for drivers whose only concern is minimizing cost. 

Check the cheapest car insurance in Minnesota for a full rate breakdown.

Low income
North Star
$31
$93
Adult drivers (26-64), clean record
Auto-Owners
$34
$75
After a DUI
State Farm
$37
$101
After an at-fault accident
State Farm
$40
$107
After a speeding ticket
Auto-Owners
$41
$91
Senior drivers (65+)
Auto-Owners
$50
$99
Young drivers (16-25)
Auto-Owners
$57
$146
Auto-Owners
Best Overall and Best for Young Drivers or Those With a Violation

Auto-Owners

Auto-Owners has the highest composite score in Minnesota at 4.75/5, built on a 5/5 customer experience score and a near-perfect affordability rating. It's the only Minnesota insurer analyzed that comes out ahead on both rate and service at the same time. At $34 a month for minimum coverage for a clean-record adult, Auto-Owners takes the best-score adult profile and keeps that advantage across most other categories: young drivers at $57 a month, speeding ticket at $41 a month and old cars at $23 a month (both best and cheapest).

That 5/5 customer experience score is the highest of any insurer in the state. Its independent agent network averages above 4.5 stars across the agent Google Business profiles that feed MoneyGeek's scoring, and it holds an A-rated AM Best financial strength rating. Its NAIC complaint index also runs well below the industry baseline.

Auto-Owners has four optional coverages, and diminished value protection comes with a policy rather than as a separate add-on. In Minnesota, where harsh winters produce above-average comprehensive claim frequency and Twin Cities metro traffic generates substantial accident volume, that coverage has genuine utility for drivers financing or trading in vehicles.

  • Affordability (60%): 4.9/5
  • Customer Experience (30%): 5/5
  • Coverage Options (10%): 3.1/5

Don't pick Auto-Owners if you have a DUI or a recent at-fault accident and the lowest possible rate is the priority. State Farm's DUI minimum is $37 a month and its accident minimum is $40 a month, both undercutting Auto-Owners' $49 a month accident rate. Auto-Owners is the better fit for clean-record drivers and young drivers.

State Farm
Best Cheap for Those With a DUI or Accident

State Farm

State Farm has the cheapest DUI rate ($37 a month minimum) and post-accident rate ($40 a month minimum) in Minnesota. For drivers managing a DUI conviction or at-fault accident surcharge, State Farm's rate holds up well. Its DUI minimum is close to Auto-Owners' clean-record adult rate, a notable result for a high-risk profile.

On customer experience, State Farm is third at 3.9/5, behind Auto-Owners and Travelers. Its local agent model is its service differentiator: a named agent to handle SR-22 paperwork and ongoing compliance checkpoints is a practical advantage for a DUI-affected driver. State Farm has three optional coverages: roadside assistance, rental reimbursement and rideshare coverage. It doesn't include gap insurance or accident forgiveness.

  • Affordability (60%): 4.8/5
  • Customer Experience (30%): 3.9/5
  • Coverage Options (10%): 2.5/5

Don't pick State Farm if you have a clean record or are a young driver. Auto-Owners comes out ahead for those profiles on both score and rate in Minnesota, with a better customer experience score and a broader optional coverage selection that includes diminished value protection at no additional cost.

North Star Insurance
Best Cheap for Drivers With Low Income

North Star Insurance

North Star is a Minnesota-based regional carrier with the best-and-cheapest low-income rate in the state at $31 a month minimum. That’s the lowest rate found in Minnesota for that profile and the only category where North Star leads. Its local pricing reflects Minnesota-specific loss experience, which drives its rate competitiveness on this profile.

Customer experience rankings place North Star below the state’s most reliable carriers. Its regional presence and smaller agent network result in less coverage on independent agent Google Business profiles than Auto-Owners or Travelers.

North Star has four optional coverages: roadside assistance, rental reimbursement, auto glass coverage and custom equipment coverage. For low-income drivers whose primary need is the lowest monthly rate, its $31 a month minimum is the clearest option in Minnesota.

  • Affordability (60%): 4.9/5
  • Customer Experience (30%): 3.5/5
  • Coverage Options (10%): 2.5/5

Don't choose North Star if you need gap insurance, accident forgiveness or the best service record in the state. Auto-Owners' low-income best-score rate is $74 a month, higher but backed by a 5/5 customer experience score and included diminished value protection.

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MONEYGEEK VERDICT

Auto-Owners is the top choice for most Minnesota drivers: it has the highest composite score at 4.75/5 with a 5/5 customer experience score and comes out ahead across most common profiles including young drivers and speeding tickets. For DUI and accident-affected drivers who prioritize rate over service quality, State Farm is the better option, with the lowest DUI minimum at $37 a month and the lowest accident minimum at $40 a month in the state. 

North Star is the right choice for low-income drivers whose only priority is the lowest monthly rate, at $31 a month for that profile. Minnesota's credit scoring ban means a driver's credit history has no bearing on rates here, unlike in most other states.

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Best Car Insurance in Minnesota by City

Auto-Owners ranks first across all 10 of Minnesota's most populous cities, consistent with its state-level result. City-level scores show a clear pattern: Minneapolis scores 4.60/5, below the state's 4.75/5, while Rochester and Duluth each score 4.80/5. This gap reflects Twin Cities metro traffic density and claim frequency.

Drivers in Minneapolis or Brooklyn Park should expect rates closer to the higher end of the city range, while drivers in outstate Minnesota will generally see lower rates.

Minneapolis
Auto-Owners
4.6
$75
Brooklyn Park
Auto-Owners
4.7
$66
Maple Grove
Auto-Owners
4.7
$58
Woodbury
Auto-Owners
4.7
$59
St. Cloud
Auto-Owners
4.7
$57
Saint Paul
Auto-Owners
4.8
$82
Rochester
Auto-Owners
4.8
$51
Duluth
Auto-Owners
4.8
$51
Bloomington
Auto-Owners
4.8
$60
Plymouth
Auto-Owners
4.8
$59

Summary: Best Car Insurance Providers in Minnesota on Average

Auto-Owners scores highest in Minnesota's rankings at 4.75/5 with the best combination of affordability and customer experience in the state, followed by Travelers at 4.49/5. Minnesota's credit scoring ban distinguishes its market from most states: a driver's credit history plays no role in what any insurer charges here. 

Note: The "Average Monthly Premium" column in the table below reflects a cross-profile average across all driver profiles analyzed (adult, young, senior, DUI, accident, speeding and low-income). Profile-specific minimums, such as $34 a month for a clean-record adult or $31 a month for a low-income driver, will differ from this cross-profile average. 

See the driver profile table above for profile-specific figures.

Auto Owners4.75$5915
Travelers4.49$6924
AAA4.32$6046
Westfield Insurance4.29$5686
State Farm4.27$6436

How to Find the Best Car Insurance in Minnesota for You

The gap between North Star's $31 a month low-income minimum and Progressive's $63 a month for the same profile is $384 per year, a notable difference in a state where the right insurer varies considerably by driver type.

  1. 1
    Know Minnesota's minimum coverage requirements

    Minnesota requires 30/60/10 liability plus PIP (no-fault). Research the cheapest car insurance options in Minnesota for full minimum coverage details and rates.

  2. 2
    Understand the no-fault system

    Minnesota requires PIP coverage, which pays for a driver's own injuries regardless of who caused the accident. All rates on this page include that baseline cost.

  3. 3
    Note that credit scoring is banned

    Unlike most states, Minnesota doesn't allow insurers to use credit scores in rate-setting. All drivers are priced on driving record, vehicle type and location only.

  4. 4
    Check DUI and violation rates

    State Farm has the cheapest DUI rate in the state at $37 a month. Review car insurance after a DUI in Minnesota to understand how rates change. For required filings, check SR-22 insurance in Minnesota.

  5. 5
    Consider bundle savings

    Bundle home and auto to lower overall insurance costs. Explore best home and auto insurance in Minnesota to compare options.

Frequently Asked Questions About Car Insurance in Minnesota

Who has the cheapest car insurance in Minnesota?

What is the average cost of car insurance in Minnesota?

What car insurance is required in Minnesota?

Is Minnesota a no-fault state?

Does Minnesota allow insurers to use credit scores for car insurance pricing?

Which car insurance company has the best customer service in Minnesota?

About Mark Fitzpatrick

Mark Fitzpatrick headshot

Mark Fitzpatrick, a Licensed Property and Casualty (P&C) Insurance Producer in Connecticut, is MoneyGeek's resident insurance expert. He has analyzed the insurance market for almost a decade, first with LendingTree and now with MoneyGeek, conducting original research on hundreds of insurance companies and millions of insurance rates for insurance shoppers. 

He writes about economics and insurance on MoneyGeek, breaking down complex topics so people can have confidence in their purchase. Like all MoneyGeek analysts, Mark collects and analyzes independent cost and consumer experience data on insurance companies to provide objective recommendations in our content that are independent of any of MoneyGeek's insurance company partnerships. 

His insights on products ranging from car, home and renters insurance to health and life insurance have been featured in The Washington Post, The New York Times and NPR, among others. 

Mark holds a master’s degree in economics and international relations from Johns Hopkins University and a bachelor’s degree from Boston College. He started his career working in financial risk management at State Street before transitioning to the analysis of the personal insurance market. He's also a five-time Jeopardy champion!

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