Cheapest and Best Car Insurance in Columbia, MO (June 2024)

In Columbia, Nationwide offers the cheapest full and minimum coverage policies, while State Farm is the most affordable for families with teens. The best car insurance for customer service is American Family, also topping as the best overall for balancing cost and service. Finding the best policy for you depends on your coverage needs and preferences.

MoneyGeek found that the following companies offer the cheapest car insurance in Columbia:

• Nationwide: $387 per year
• Progressive: $424 per year

GEICO has the most expensive minimum coverage policy in Columbia, at an annual premium of $952. That's a significant difference of $565 when compared against the cheapest provider. This stark price variance underscores the importance of shopping around for car insurance, to ensure you're getting the best deal for your needs.

For all Missouri cities, from Columbia to St. Louis, car insurance requirements are dictated by state law. Here's what you must have at a minimum:

• $25,000 bodily injury per person
  
• $50,000 bodily injury per accident
  
• $25,000 property damage liability per accident
  
• $25,000 uninsured motorist bodily injury per person
  
• $50,000 uninsured motorist bodily injury per accident
  

If you're at fault in an accident, your minimum coverage insurance will cover up to $25,000 for bodily injury per person affected, $50,000 for everyone injured in the accident. However, if the medical bills shoot beyond these figures, you're paying the difference from your own pocket.

MoneyGeek found that Nationwide offers the cheapest full coverage car insurance in Columbia. Here are the top two insurers:

• Nationwide: $791 per year
• American Family: $908 per year

Kemper stands as the most costly option in Columbia, with full coverage policies averaging at $2,180 annually. Full coverage policies are pricier than minimum coverage due to the comprehensive and collision insurance included, which covers a variety of damages to your vehicle, not just liability for damages to others.

A full coverage policy includes $100,000 for bodily injury per individual, $300,000 for bodily injury per accident and $100,000 for property damage per accident. Informally, professionals refer to this as a 100/300/100 policy.

Full coverage policies go beyond elevated liability limits; they include both comprehensive and collision coverage to offer a robust safety net:

• Collision Insurance: This provides coverage for your vehicle in the event of a collision, whether with another vehicle or or a stationary object like a tree or light pole. It also covers rollover accidents and pothole damage.

• Comprehensive Insurance: This coverage insures your vehicle against various types of damage not caused by collisions, including theft, vandalism, fires, natural disasters and being struck by an animal like a deer.

Obtaining full coverage insurance is a prudent step for new car owners to protect their investment. Contrastingly, for older vehicles, the costs of supplementary coverage may surpass the benefits, as it can tack on several hundred dollars.

The key in determining how much car insurance you need is to strike a balance: opting for more coverage can elevate your premiums, yet selecting minimal coverage could leave you inadequately insured.

MoneyGeek found that buying full coverage car insurance in Columbia for those with infractions can be more affordable with certain companies. Notably, the cheapest company for drivers with a poor driving record varies based on the type of offense:

• Speeding Ticket: Nationwide ($1,010 per year)
• At-Fault Accident: American Family ($1,120 per year)
• DUI: American Family ($1,075 per year)

On the higher end, Kemper has the most expensive rates for a speeding ticket at $2,557 per year, highlighting the impact offenses have on insurance premiums.

In cities like Columbia, insurance premiums tend to increase with the severity of driving offenses due to the heightened risk to insurers. For instance, drivers with a DUI can expect to pay an average of $2,598 annually, while those caught speeding might see rates around $2,322. It's essential for drivers with infractions to shop around; comparing insurance rates can lead to substantial savings and ensure they find the most competitive offers tailored to their specific situation.

MoneyGeek found the cheapest car insurance for teens in Columbia. Here are the two most affordable providers:

• GEICO: $1,146 per year for female teens and $1,212 per year for male teens
• Nationwide: $1,568 per year for female teens and $1,704 per year for male teens

These rates represent the cost for a policy covering a combination of two parents and a teen driver. In comparison, the company with the most expensive teen family policy in Columbia is Kemper, with annual premiums of $6,258 for female teens and a staggering $7,690 for males. This highlights a significant price difference of $5,112 for female teen drivers between the cheapest and most expensive provider.

In Columbia, as well as in other urban centers, the disparity between teen car insurance costs when purchased individually versus being added to a family plan is stark. The average individual annual premium for teen drivers stands at $6,620, in contrast to $2,943 when they are included in a family policy. The heightened rates for individual policies reflect the increased risk insurers associate with insuring inexperienced drivers.

MoneyGeek found that USAA offers the most affordable full coverage car insurance for individuals with military backgrounds in Columbia.

• USAA: $695 per year
• Nationwide: $791 per year

As one of the cheapest options, USAA not only provides competitive rates but also specializes in services tailored to active-duty military members.

Saving on car insurance in Columbia starts with comparing rates — yet this endeavor can consume more than 15 minutes per company, amounting to an hour or more when assessing multiple insurers. To expedite this process, use MoneyGeek's car insurance calculator, an efficient tool tailored to identify the significant factors influencing rates in your area. By inputting details such as age, driving history, credit score and desired coverage level, you can swiftly receive an accurate estimate, thereby streamlining your decision-making process.

Choosing the right auto insurance depends on your preferences for service, cost, coverage and other factors. MoneyGeek's unique scoring system evaluates these aspects distinctly for each category.

• Best overall: American Family (MoneyGeek score 91 out of 100)
• Best for service: American Family (MoneyGeek score 90 out of 100)
• Best cheap: American Family (MoneyGeek score 87 out of 100)

American Family stands out in Columbia as the leading provider, excelling in overall value, customer service and affordability.

MoneyGeek found that American Family is the best option for car insurance in Columbia. For those seeking the best car insurance, consider the following providers:

• American Family: MoneyGeek score of 91 out of 100 ($908 per year)
• State Farm: MoneyGeek score of 76 out of 100 ($1,124 per year)

American Family stands out with its high satisfaction and affordability scores, contributing significantly to its overall MoneyGeek score.

MoneyGeek found that the following companies are the best options in Columbia for consumers seeking top-notch customer service, regardless of cost:

• American Family: MoneyGeek score of 90 out of 100 ($907 per year)
• Shelter: MoneyGeek score of 79 out of 100 ($1,397 per year)

American Family distinguishes itself primarily through its high satisfaction rating, which is a significant component of the MoneyGeek score. Coupled with strong claims processing and coverage options, American Family delivers a top-tier insurance experience.

MoneyGeek found the best options for cheap car insurance in Columbia. While affordability is a significant factor, MoneyGeek’s scoring system also takes into account claims handling and overall customer satisfaction to determine the top choice for consumers.

• American Family: MoneyGeek score of 87 out of 100 ($500 per year)
• State Farm: MoneyGeek score of 77 out of 100 ($497 per year)

American Family stands out due to its overall balance of affordability with a strong emphasis on customer satisfaction and claims handling. Notably, its score reflects its excellence in customer service and claims resolutions for a minimum coverage policy, ensuring drivers in Columbia not only save money but also receive quality service.

The average cost of car insurance in Columbia is $1,284, which is less than the Missouri state average of $1,528. In comparison, the Missouri state average is slightly lower than the national car insurance cost of $1,720. Understanding these differences is essential as insurance rates vary by location due to factors like accident rates, theft, weather conditions and other risks involved.

For instance, St. Louis holds the record for the most expensive city insurance premium at $2,030, whereas Columbia is at the other end of the spectrum with the cheapest premium at $1,284. The discrepancy shows how urban areas with higher traffic density often see elevated insurance rates, while more rural or less trafficked areas might benefit from lower rates.