Best Car Insurance in North Dakota for 2026

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Updated: April 25, 2026

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Key Takeaways
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Auto-Owners earns North Dakota's top MoneyGeek score at 4.6/5. Its 5/5 customer experience score is the highest of any insurer in the state, and it posts the best rate for young drivers ($73 per month), seniors ($50 per month), speeding ($37 per month) and at-fault accidents ($44 per month).

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American Family has the cheapest rate after a DUI ($37 per month) and the cheapest rate after an at-fault accident ($33 per month) in North Dakota, the right pick for violation-affected drivers who prioritize cost.

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Auto-Owners leads all 10 North Dakota cities MoneyGeek reviewed. West Fargo, Jamestown and Wahpeton score highest at 4.7/5; Bismarck, Dickinson and Mandan score lowest at 4.5/5. That gap reflects the difference between Fargo metro traffic density and North Dakota's smaller rural markets.

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HOW MONEYGEEK CHOSE THE BEST CAR INSURANCE IN NORTH DAKOTA

MoneyGeek analyzed quotes from six North Dakota insurers across every ZIP code in the state. North Dakota is a no-fault state requiring PIP coverage regardless of fault, and its low population density and limited urban congestion produce some of the lowest car insurance rates found in any state. Credit scoring is permitted.

MoneyGeek's licensed insurance producers accounted for North Dakota's PIP requirement, the state's large geographic area, sparse population and the presence of regional carriers like North Star Insurance that price for local loss experience.

  • Affordability (60%): Rate is the primary driver for most North Dakota drivers.
  • 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 the state.

Best Car Insurance in North Dakota by Driver Profile

Auto-Owners earns North Dakota's top MoneyGeek score at 4.6/5, tied with Progressive. Its 5/5 customer experience score is the highest of any North Dakota insurer MoneyGeek analyzed. At $31 per month for a clean-record adult and $73 per month for young drivers, it posts the best composite score across most standard profiles.

American Family has the cheapest rate after a DUI at $37 per month and cheapest after an accident at $33 per month, both below Auto-Owners' equivalent rates. It's also the cheapest for newer cars at $38 per month for drivers whose only concern is minimizing cost.

North Star offers the cheapest car insurance in North Dakota for bad credit ($64 per month), low income ($45 per month), young drivers ($50 per month), seniors ($25 per month) and speeding ($30 per month). It's worth getting a direct quote for any of those profiles. GEICO isn't a featured category winner, but it has the lowest adult rate at $26 per month and the lowest rate for older cars at $22 per month.

Driver Profile
Best Provider
Average Monthly Minimum Coverage
Average Monthly Full Coverage

Adult drivers (26-64), clean record

Auto-Owners

$31

$78

Young drivers (16-25)

Auto-Owners

$73

$177

Senior drivers (65+)

Auto-Owners

$50

$108

After an at-fault accident (best-score)

Auto-Owners

$44

$62

After an at-fault accident (cheapest rate)

American Family

$33

$62

Auto-Owners
Best Overall and Best for Young or Senior Drivers

Auto-Owners

Auto-Owners earns the top score in MoneyGeek's North Dakota analysis, 4.6 out of 5, leading Progressive (4.55/5) by the widest margin among the top-ranked insurers in the state. Auto-Owners is the only North Dakota insurer MoneyGeek analyzed that leads the state on both a competitive rate and a perfect service record. At $31 per month for minimum coverage for a clean-record adult, Auto-Owners wins the best-scoring adult profile, and it holds that lead for young drivers at $73 per month, seniors at $50 per month, speeding at $37 per month and accident on best-score at $44 per month.

Auto-Owners has a 5/5 customer experience score in MoneyGeek's North Dakota analysis, the highest of any insurer in the state. Its independent agent network averages above 4.5 stars on Google Business, its NAIC complaint index runs below the industry baseline and its AM Best financial strength rating is strong. Auto-Owners includes four optional coverages, and diminished value protection comes standard with a policy rather than as a paid add-on. North Dakota's severe winters produce above-average comprehensive claim frequency from ice, hail and deer collisions, so that coverage has real utility for drivers financing or trading in vehicles.

  • Affordability (60%): 4.6/5
  • Customer Experience (30%): 5/5
  • Coverage Options (10%): 3.4/5

Auto-Owners isn't the best choice if you're prioritizing the lowest possible rate after a DUI or accident. American Family's DUI rate ($37 per month) and accident rate ($33 per month) are both lower than Auto-Owners' best-score equivalents. Bad-credit and low-income drivers will find better rates at North Star.

American Family Insurance
Best Cheap for Those With Driving Violations

American Family Insurance

American Family has the cheapest rates in MoneyGeek's North Dakota analysis for DUI ($37/month minimum) and at-fault accident ($33 per month minimum) profiles. For drivers managing a DUI conviction or accident surcharge who want the lowest possible rate, American Family is the clear option. Its $37 per month DUI rate matches Auto-Owners' speeding-ticket rate, competitive for a violation profile.

American Family ranks fifth on customer experience among the North Dakota insurers MoneyGeek analyzed, with a 3.8 score. Its primarily direct-service model is the trade-off against Auto-Owners' local agent network. American Family's optional coverages include roadside assistance, gap insurance and rental reimbursement. Accident forgiveness and a diminishing deductible aren't available. North Dakota DUI-affected drivers who need gap insurance on a financed vehicle and want the cheapest rate will find American Family is the only featured state winner offering both.

  • Affordability (60%): 4.9/5
  • Customer Experience (30%): 3.8/5
  • Coverage Options (10%): 1.9/5

Don't pick American Family if you need accident forgiveness or a diminishing deductible. Neither is available. Progressive's DUI best-score rate ($41 per month) is $4 higher than the other plan's and includes both, along with a stronger customer experience record.

North Star Insurance
Best Cheap for Drivers With Bad Credit or Low Income

North Star Insurance

North Star is a regional carrier with a strong affordability score in MoneyGeek's North Dakota analysis. It has the lowest rates MoneyGeek found in the state for bad credit ($64 per month minimum), low-income ($45 per month minimum) and speeding ($30 per month). Its regional pricing reflects Northern Plains-specific loss experience, which explains its rate advantage on these budget-sensitive profiles.

North Star ranks ninth on customer experience among the North Dakota insurers MoneyGeek analyzed, with a 3.5 score. Its regional footprint means fewer listings on the independent agent Google Business profiles and external review platforms that inform MoneyGeek's scoring. Optional coverages include roadside assistance, rental reimbursement, auto glass coverage and custom equipment coverage. For North Dakota drivers whose primary need is the lowest possible rate for bad-credit or low-income profiles, North Star Insurance is the clearest option.

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

North Star doesn't offer gap insurance or accident forgiveness, and its customer experience score trails the field. Auto-Owners includes diminished value protection standard and has a 5/5 customer experience score, though its monthly rates are higher for these profiles.

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MONEYGEEK VERDICT

Auto-Owners is the top pick for most North Dakota drivers. It earned the highest score (4.6/5) and its 5/5 customer experience score sets it apart for drivers who expect responsive claims handling. American Family is the right call for DUI and accident profiles, where its $4 to $8 per month rate advantage over Auto-Owners adds up over a multi-year surcharge period. North Star is the clearest pick for bad-credit and low-income drivers. North Dakota's rates are among the most affordable in the country, and PIP is required on all policies.

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Best Car Insurance in North Dakota by City

Auto-Owners leads all 10 North Dakota cities MoneyGeek reviewed, matching its state-level result. City-level scores range from 4.5/5 in Bismarck, Dickinson and Mandan to 4.7/5 in West Fargo, Jamestown and Wahpeton. That gap reflects the difference between Fargo metro traffic density and North Dakota's smaller, more rural markets. Monthly rates across most cities range from $45 to $55, consistent with North Dakota's low-density environment. Drivers in the Fargo or Bismarck areas should check their ZIP code for a more accurate rate.

City
Best Provider
MoneyGeek Score
Average Monthly Premium

Fargo

Auto-Owners

4.60

$53

Bismarck

Auto-Owners

4.50

$54

Grand Forks

Auto-Owners

4.50

$54

Minot

Auto-Owners

4.60

$51

West Fargo

Auto-Owners

4.70

$45

Summary: Best Car Insurance Providers in North Dakota on Average

Auto-Owners leads North Dakota's composite ranking at 4.6/5, ahead of Progressive at 4.6/5. Auto-Owners ranks first on customer experience (5/5); Progressive ranks higher on affordability and coverage breadth. GEICO, American Family and Farm Bureau follow. MoneyGeek weights affordability at 60%, customer experience at 30% and coverage at 10%.

Auto-Owners4.62$5715
Progressive4.55$5322
Geico4.4$4466
American Family4.39$4756
Farm Bureau4.36$5037

How to Find the Best Car Insurance in North Dakota for You

North Dakota offers some of the lowest car insurance rates in the country, but a bad-credit or DUI profile can still produce rates two to four times what a clean-record senior pays, and the best option for each profile differs.

  1. 1
    Understand North Dakota Minimums

    North Dakota requires 25/50/25 liability plus PIP (no-fault).

  2. 2
    Account for the No-Fault System

    North Dakota requires PIP, which covers the driver's own injuries regardless of fault. All policies include this baseline cost.

  3. 3
    Factor In a DUI

    American Family is the cheapest at $37 per month for a DUI profile; an SR-22 is required.

  4. 4
    Check Credit Scoring Impact

    North Dakota allows credit scoring. North Star Insurance is cheapest for bad credit at $64 per month.

  5. 5
    Get a Quote from Regional Carriers

    North Star prices several profiles competitively and is worth a direct quote for bad credit, low income and young drivers.

Frequently Asked Questions About Car Insurance in North Dakota

Who has the cheapest car insurance in North Dakota?

What is the average cost of car insurance in North Dakota?

What car insurance is required in North Dakota?

Is North Dakota a no-fault state?

Does North Dakota allow credit scoring for car insurance?

Which insurer has the best customer service in North Dakota?

About Mark Fitzpatrick

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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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