BestCar InsuranceMinnesotaBest Car Insurance in Minnesota (May 2023)
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The best overall carrier for full coverage, customer service, minimum coverage and senior drivers is Westfield. Young adults might find a good deal at American Family. Consider a Travelers policy if you have a new car. Other great options include Western National for drivers with offenses and USAA for military personnel. If you’re on the lookout for an affordable rate, we also list the cheapest car insurance in Minnesota.
BestCar InsuranceMinnesotaBest Car Insurance in Minnesota
Best Overall - Westfield
Best for Service - Westfield
Best for Minimum Coverage - Westfield
Best for Young Adults - American Family
Best for Seniors - Westfield
Best for Driving Offenses - American Family
Best for New Cars - Travelers
Best for Military - USAA
Best Overall for Car Insurance in Minnesota
Westfield earned the highest marks for a full coverage auto insurance policy in the Land of 10,000 Lakes. Based on our study, the following companies offer the best car insurance in Minnesota:
- Westfield: MoneyGeek score of 93 out of 100 (approximately $866 per year)
- American Family: MoneyGeek score of 92 out of 100 (approximately $831 per year)
Westfield earned the top spot because it pairs reasonable premiums with high-quality customer support. The cheapest full coverage auto insurance in Minnesota is an option for drivers who prioritize affordability over other factors.
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WestfieldBest Overall
Score:93
Westfield policies cost an average of $866 per year. This company ranked third among Minnesota insurers for both affordability and customer service. Drivers can utilize Westfield’s Wespak coverage package to significantly increase their policy’s coverage.
More About Westfield
Through its Wespak coverage packages, Westfield offers some unique options for Minnesota drivers. When you bundle your home and auto policies with Westfield, you can access extra loan/lease coverage, trip protection coverage, replacement cost coverage and more.
Westfield also offers some common coverages, like gap insurance, to cover the difference between your car’s value and the remaining value of your loan or lease. You can also get roadside assistance and rental car reimbursement coverages, both of which are common and popular options. Roadside assistance provides help if you’re stranded on the road, while rental car reimbursement pays for a rental vehicle while your car is in the repair shop.
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American Family
Score:92
American Family’s premiums are the second cheapest in Minnesota, costing $831 per year. The provider offers a broader range of coverage options than any other insurer in the state. These include Original Equipment Manufacturer (OEM) coverage, auto death indemnity coverage and more.
More About American Family
With American Family, drivers can choose from a wide range of coverages at a reasonable cost. You can get Original Equipment Manufacturer (OEM) coverage, a unique coverage that many insurers don’t offer. When your vehicle is being repaired, OEM insurance ensures that aftermarket parts won’t be used. This caters best to those who prefer to maintain their vehicle with the manufacturer’s original car parts.
Another uncommon coverage option from American Family is its auto death indemnity coverage, which covers death benefits and certain injuries resulting from a collision. This coverage kicks in whether you were at fault in the accident or not.
Finally, you can purchase some more common coverages, like accident forgiveness which prevents your rates from going up after your first at-fault accident.
How the Best Insurers in Minnesota Rank: MoneyGeek Scores and Costs
In Minnesota, Westfield ranked highest in our auto insurance analysis because of its relatively cheap premiums and great customer satisfaction ratings. Westfield has no glaring weaknesses, as it ranked relatively high in all of our categories.
Our analysis only included quotes for a full coverage policy. We assigned an overall MoneyGeek score if a company provided sufficient data for all categories.
Best Car Insurance in Minnesota for Customer Service
The top auto insurance carrier for customer service is Westfield. We ranked the best providers for the average Minnesotan:
- Westfield: MoneyGeek score of 91 out of 100 (approximately $866 per year)
- Western National: MoneyGeek score of 91 out of 100 (approximately $1,226 per year)
Westfield outshined its competitors because it delivers stellar service quality and solid claims management. An average Westfield policy is pretty affordable, so you’re paying a reasonable price for great service.
pros
Ranked 3rd for affordability and service quality
Ranked 3rd for claims management
Offers Wespak packages with extra coverage
cons
No accident forgiveness, deductible modification or new car replacement coverages available
COMPANY HIGHLIGHTS
In the Land of 10,000 Lakes, Westfield is our top pick for customers prioritizing customer service. This company ranked third in the state for overall customer satisfaction and claims management reputation. If you are a Westfield policyholder, you can expect prompt customer support with a seamless claims process.
While Westfield doesn’t provide as many supplementary coverage options as some competitors, like American Family, it still provides a solid selection of coverages that compares favorably to most competitors in Minnesota.
Although we didn’t weigh pricing heavily in the “Best for Customer Service” category, it’s worth mentioning that Westfield performed well in this area, too, placing third out of the 12 insurers analyzed for affordability.
What Makes an Insurer the Best for Customer Service?
Drivers who highly prioritize exceptional customer service should ensure that their desired provider has:
- Timely response to issues or questions
- Efficient resolutions to problems
- Prompt payments following an approved claim
Westfield has relatively affordable quotes and delivers excellent service to its policyholders, earning the top spot in this important category.
Best Car Insurance in Minnesota for Minimum Coverage
Consider Westfield if you’re looking for a minimum coverage policy that follows Minnesota’s liability coverage mandate. Customer satisfaction and affordability are the two main factors that we highlight in this category.
- Westfield: MoneyGeek score of 94 out of 100 (approximately $320 per year)
- Auto-Owners Insurance Co: MoneyGeek score of 91 out of 100 (approximately $360 per year)
Out of 14 insurance providers, Westfield offers the most affordable minimum coverage in Minnesota, ranking third-best in customer satisfaction. Minimum coverage is pretty affordable, but it only offers limited liability coverage and no protection for your vehicle.
pros
Most affordable premiums in Minnesota ($320 per year)
Earned third place in customer service
cons
No information available regarding discounts
COMPANY HIGHLIGHTS
In the Land of 10,000 Lakes, Westfield balances stellar service quality while offering minimum coverage policies at an average rate of $320 per year. This rate significantly undercuts all competitors, making Westfield a no-brainer for anyone looking for minimum coverage in Minnesota.
However, we will note that we were unable to find any information regarding Westfield’s discounts. It’s highly unusual for a company to keep its discount availability so close to the vest, as every other insurer we analyzed provided us with comprehensive lists of the discounts they offer.
Therefore, if you’re considering Westfield and want more information about potential money-saving opportunities, we recommend contacting the insurer by phone to inquire.
What Makes an Insurer the Best for Minimum Coverage?
The reason some drivers choose minimum coverage auto insurance is that it adheres to state liability requirements at an affordable price. Westfield doesn’t compromise affordability for service quality, although we were disappointed at the lack of information available regarding its discounts. While minimum coverage is budget-friendly, its financial protection is limited for third parties and nonexistent for your own vehicle.
Best Car Insurance in Minnesota for Young Adults
American Family ranks as the best full coverage policy option for young adults. For drivers in their 20s, we analyzed top companies in Minnesota based on their quotes and customer satisfaction:
- American Family: MoneyGeek score of 92 out of 100 (approximately $842 per year)
- Westfield: MoneyGeek score of 91 out of 100 (approximately $1,105 per year)
In comparison to a driver in their 20s, teens pay more for insurance, while middle-aged drivers pay considerably less. Drivers in their 20s that prioritize saving money above all else can also check the cheapest auto insurance for young adults in Minnesota.
pros
Lowest average rate of $842/year
Offers many optional coverage add-ons
Good student and distant student discounts available
cons
Ranks 7th out of 12 insurers for customer satisfaction
No driver's education discount
COMPANY HIGHLIGHTS
American Family is a top pick for young Minnesotan drivers since it offers commonly used discounts and the most affordable premiums. Drivers in their 20s can use good student and distant student discounts to save on premiums. Those with a solid academic record can get lower rates with a good student discount, while drivers under 25 who live 100 miles away from home can utilize the distant student discount. However, American Family does not offer discounts for taking driver’s ed courses.
American Family has some appealing coverage options for young drivers as well, such as its gap insurance that pays for the difference between the actual value of your vehicle and the remaining value on your loan or lease if you total the car in a collision.
What Makes an Insurer the Best for Young Adults?
Drivers in their 20s should look for auto insurance providers that deliver superior customer service balanced with affordable premiums. American Family offers the lowest quotes for young drivers in Minnesota while also providing them with plenty of coverage options. However, if you highly prioritize customer service, you may prefer Westfield, our number two overall pick for young-adult drivers, as this company has superior customer support. However, its policies are far more expensive than American Family’s plans.
Best Car Insurance in Minnesota for Seniors
Minnesota ’s senior drivers can snag a great auto insurance deal with Westfield. Our research incorporated each company’s service quality scores and quotes for a full coverage policy. Here are our top two picks for this category:
- Westfield: MoneyGeek score of 92 out of 100 (approximately $847 per year)
- American Family: MoneyGeek score of 91 out of 100 (approximately $773 per year)
Westfield ranked third for both affordability and customer satisfaction, giving it a nice balance between these two crucial elements. That said, you can also search for the cheapest auto insurance premiums for Minnesota seniors if you don’t care as much about customer service.
Rates for drivers in their 60s are similar to premiums for drivers in their 30s to 50s. However, rates tend to increase dramatically in your 70s.
pros
Ranked 3rd for affordability at $847 per year
Ranked 3rd for customer satisfaction and claims management
Gap insurance available
cons
No information available on discounts
COMPANY HIGHLIGHTS
Westfield surpasses its competitors for Minnesota seniors, pairing reasonably priced premiums with solid customer service.
Rental reimbursement and roadside assistance are two common yet handy coverages that can be great additions to your policy. Roadside assistance is available 24/7, so you can easily call for assistance when you experience a breakdown or an accident. Senior Minnesotans can get rental car reimbursement through Westfield’s trip protection coverage. This add-on is particularly helpful for those who travel or rent vehicles often.
Unfortunately, we will mention once more that Westfield does not provide information on its auto insurance discounts. If you want to know if they offer a senior discount (or any others) in your area, you’ll need to call them and ask.
What Makes an Insurer the Best for Seniors?
A good car insurance policy for seniors typically has affordable rates, senior discounts and important coverages like roadside assistance. Although seniors are considered safe drivers, they’re more likely to sustain serious injuries after a collision. We encourage senior drivers to look for companies that offer discounts, such as defensive driving.
Senior drivers benefit from affordable full coverage policies with personal injury protection (PIP), which is part of why Westfield ranked first in this category.
Best Car Insurance in Minnesota for Drivers With Offenses
Our analysis revealed that American Family is the best option for drivers with violations. For drivers with accidents, speeding tickets or DUIs, ratings were based on the affordability of a full coverage policy and customer service ratings:
- American Family: MoneyGeek score of 92 out of 100 (approximately $935 per year)
- Western National: MoneyGeek score of 91 out of 100 (approximately $1,212 per year)
American Family ranked second in affordability and ninth in service quality. Compared to someone with a clean record, drivers with speeding tickets pay around $247 more per year for auto insurance, while drivers with at-fault accidents pay $404 extra and those with DUIs pay $877 more.
However, there are still options for cheap car insurance for Minnesota drivers with offenses.
pros
Ranked 2nd for affordability at $935 per year
Ranked 9th for customer satisfaction
Roadside assistance, rental car reimbursement and accident forgiveness coverages available
cons
Doesn’t offer accident forgiveness
Ranked in the bottom half of insurers for claims management
COMPANY HIGHLIGHTS
For Minnesota drivers with offenses, American Family garnered the top spot. The company delivers good service quality while charging relatively cheap annual premiums. With American Family, policyholders can add common coverages like rental car reimbursement, roadside assistance and accident forgiveness.
Rental car reimbursement is ideal for those who travel or rent cars often. Policyholders with this add-on will be reimbursed for meals, lodging and transportation costs up to their chosen limits. In case you get into an accident, or your car breaks down, you can also get emergency roadside assistance that covers services such as towing and repair. These coverages can prove useful for drivers prone to violations since they offer financial protection in stressful situations. Consider purchasing accident forgiveness if you want to protect yourself from drastic premium increases after your first at-fault accident. This handy add-on coverage can grant peace of mind after an already stressful situation.
What Makes an Insurer the Best for Drivers With Offenses?
For drivers with an offense on their record, an exceptional insurance provider should offer valuable discounts, essential coverages and affordable premiums. It’s best to choose companies that offer accident forgiveness and roadside assistance. Because of its relatively cheap rates and reliable customer service, American Family is our top pick. Western National, our runner-up, delivers relatively better customer satisfaction but at a noticeably higher cost.
Best Car Insurance in Minnesota for Drivers With New Cars
Travelers is the best option for drivers with new cars in Minnesota. The following companies earned high scores in service quality and affordability in this category:
- Travelers: MoneyGeek score of 91 out of 100 (approximately $1,236 per year)
- Allstate: MoneyGeek score of 76 out of 100 (approximately $1,707 per year)
Travelers is the cheapest option and offers a decent amount of add-ons for drivers who want more than just the standard coverage. It’s good practice to purchase new car replacement coverage when you get a new car. This covers the cost of replacing your vehicle with the same make and model if it’s deemed a total loss.
pros
Has the most affordable rates at $1,236 per year
Accident forgiveness and gap insurance available
Offers essential add-on coverages
cons
Mediocre customer satisfaction and claims management reputation
COMPANY HIGHLIGHTS
Travelers is a top-tier auto insurance option for drivers with new cars. The provider offers several valuable add-on coverages and has the cheapest quotes, costing roughly $103 per month. Travelers is an outstanding pick because it offers new car replacement, a good fit for drivers with a new vehicle.
If your new vehicle is totaled within the first five years, Travelers will cover the cost of replacement with the same make and model. Accident forgiveness and gap insurance coverages are also worth considering. As a feature of Travelers' Responsible Driver Plan, drivers can get accident forgiveness to prevent huge rate increases after an isolated, at-fault incident within a specified period. Gap insurance caters to those who have a lease or loan on their vehicle. In the event of a total loss, it covers the difference between the car's actual value and the outstanding balance.
What Makes an Insurer the Best for Drivers With New Cars?
If you own a brand-new vehicle, we recommend selecting a provider that offers new or better car replacement coverage. Purchasing a new car is a big investment, so it’s worth financially protecting. Our scoring system determined Travelers as the winner because it offers the most affordable rates with new car replacement coverage. Overall, some companies ranked better than Travelers, but these weren’t included because they didn’t provide new or better car replacement coverage options.
Best Car Insurance in Minnesota for Military Drivers
Military personnel in Minnesota will find that USAA is the best auto insurance provider. Earning a MoneyGeek score of 93 out of 100, USAA has the best customer satisfaction reputation in Minnesota. It ranked third for affordability, with full coverage policy premiums that cost roughly $841 per year.
pros
Ranked 3rd for affordability with an annual premium of $841
Best customer satisfaction reputation in Minnesota
Provides accident forgiveness coverage
cons
Average claims rating
Very few coverage options
COMPANY HIGHLIGHTS
USAA is the best auto insurance provider for Minnesota drivers with a military background. Its superior customer service is paired with relatively affordable premiums, coming out to around $70 per month. Overall, you’ll get great value for your money.
With USAA, you can purchase accident forgiveness coverage, which ensures that your rates won’t spike after your first at-fault accident. To be eligible, you should not have caused an accident for five years as a USAA policyholder.
Drivers can also save with military-specific discounts, as you can slash rates if you garage your vehicle on base. The insurer also offers rare and valuable discounts for vehicle storage, new vehicles and customer loyalty.
How to Find the Best Car Insurance in Minnesota for You
When seeking reliable car insurance companies, opt for one that balances affordability, high-quality service and strong financial stability. It’s also worth considering providers with a reputation for efficient claims handling. You’ll want quick processing and helpful support during stressful situations. Use these tips to guide you as you supplement our findings by conducting your own research.
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Research customer service reputations in Minnesota
MoneyGeek gathered quotes and policy details to streamline your research process. You can also browse the J.D. Power satisfaction scores and NAIC complaint ratios of insurers you're considering. Doing so can help you determine a suitable insurer. The Minnesota Department of Commerce's Insurance Division is also a credible resource worth checking out.
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Compare quotes
Our quotes are only average estimates for sample driver profiles across most areas in Minnesota. Premiums are most likely not the same statewide. To get a better idea of your insurance costs, we strongly suggest you gather quotes from at least three different auto insurance companies in your area. Remember that the cheapest option doesn’t mean it’s the best provider, and expensive premiums don’t necessarily translate to top-notch service quality.
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Find the coverages you want in Minnesota
Ensure that your preferred insurance provider offers the coverages or discounts you want. What you’re looking for may not be available in all states or even in all cities and counties within the state. Before you purchase an auto insurance policy, double-check with your desired insurer to make sure that what you need is available. It also pays to dig deeper and check eligibility requirements.
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Check financial stability ratings
We advise you to research a company’s financial stability rating since it also plays a role in an insurer’s overall performance. Major national insurers tend to have more stability, while regional insurance companies in Minnesota may have lower scores. Financial stability measures the ability of a provider to uphold your claims, regardless of external economic conditions.
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FAQs About the Best Car Insurance in Minnesota
The best car insurance in the Land of 10,000 Lakes depends on your needs and driver background. MoneyGeek answers some common questions to help you decide.
What is the best way to figure out which insurer is best for me in Minnesota?
Kristin Baker:
Insurers are either agents, which means they are captive to a particular company, or brokers, which means they work for the consumer to find the best value combination of coverage and price. I recommend consumers look for either an insurance broker or an independent agent. Independent agents are licensed to offer insurance from many companies, much like a broker. By utilizing an independent agent or a broker, consumers can compare multiple policies and find the right fit for them.
What are the best coverages to add to your car insurance policy in Minnesota?
Kristin Baker:
Minnesota is a no-fault state. As such, drivers must carry a minimum of $40,000 in personal injury protection (PIP), consisting of $20,000 in medical coverage and $20,000 in disability coverage. But Minnesota allows consumers to "stack" their PIP coverages. Therefore, if a driver has $20,000 in medical coverage but has three vehicles on the policy, the driver can "stack" those coverages and effectively be covered for $60,000 in medical coverage. That is a great, low-cost way to add additional insurance coverage, but it does need to be added to the policy.
Another thing to consider is umbrella insurance. Although it is a separate policy, it works in tandem with an auto policy to add additional coverage at a reasonable cost.
Lastly, consumers should keep in mind that just because there is a minimum amount of insurance required in Minnesota, that doesn't mean it is the appropriate amount. It is prudent to look into higher liability limits as they are often not commensurate with the pricing — in a good way. Often, the higher limits are much more affordable than one would think and may be the right choice for many consumers.
About Mark Fitzpatrick
sources
- J.D. Power. "2022 U.S. Auto Insurance Study." Accessed February 2, 2023.