Cheapest and Best Car Insurance in Meridian, ID (July 2024)


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Updated: October 3, 2024

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In Meridian, Idaho, the right car insurance can vary per coverage and driver profile. For full and minimum coverage, American National P&C offers the lowest rates. Families with teens will find Auto-Owners most economical.

When customer service is prioritized, Auto-Owners also stands out as the best overall, offering the best mix of price and service. Choosing the right insurer for you depends on your personal coverage needs and preferences.

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2024

Cheapest and Best Car Insurance in Meridian

Why Trust MoneyGeek? We analyzed 22,176 quotes in Idaho, including the city of Meridian, from 12 companies. We used six sources and original research to rate the cheapest companies and develop a scoring system for Meridian insurance providers based on ZIP codes in the city only. Our scores are based on affordability, customer satisfaction, claims experience, coverages offered and financial stability.

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These rates reflect the cheapest car insurance quotes in Meridian, ID as of July 2024.

22,176Quotes Analyzed
 
12Companies Compared

Cheapest Minimum Coverage Car Insurance in Meridian

American National P&C offers the cheapest minimum coverage car insurance in Meridian. Find the cheapest car insurance options to save on your premiums.

  • American National P&C: $204 per year
  • State Farm: $250 per year

Dairyland has the most expensive policy for minimum coverage in Meridian, at $977 annually. This $773 difference underlines the importance of comparing rates for car insurance because it could lead to significant savings.

Data filtered by:Results filtered by:
Age Group:
Age Group:30-59
Coverage:
Coverage:Minimum Coverage
American National P&CAnnual Premium$204Monthly Premium$17
State FarmAnnual Premium$250Monthly Premium$21
Idaho Farm BureauAnnual Premium$313Monthly Premium$26
Auto-Owners Insurance CoAnnual Premium$324Monthly Premium$27
GEICOAnnual Premium$334Monthly Premium$28
FarmersAnnual Premium$343Monthly Premium$29
American FamilyAnnual Premium$351Monthly Premium$29
TravelersAnnual Premium$448Monthly Premium$37
NationwideAnnual Premium$539Monthly Premium$45
AllstateAnnual Premium$594Monthly Premium$49
DairylandAnnual Premium$977Monthly Premium$81

State Minimum Liability Requirements

For all cities in Idaho, from Boise to Meridian, state law prescribes the baseline for compulsory car insurance coverage. Here's a snapshot of what you're expected to have:

  • $20,000 bodily injury per person
  • $50,000 bodily injury per accident
  • $15,000 property damage liability per accident

Imagine you're involved in an incident where you're at fault, and the bodily injury liability to one person is $25,000. Your minimum coverage would pay up to $20,000 — leaving you to cover the remaining $5,000 personally. The same principle applies to multiple injuries per accident, with the policy covering up to $50,000, no matter the higher actual costs.

Cheapest Full Coverage Car Insurance in Meridian

American National P&C offers the cheapest full coverage car insurance in Meridian, a must for drivers looking for significant savings. Here's how the top two providers stack up:

  • American National P&C: $465 per year
  • State Farm: $522 per year

Dairyland has the priciest policy at $1,972 annually, showing a difference of $1,507 when compared to American National P&C. This gap underscores the importance of shopping around. Full coverage car insurance typically costs more than minimum coverage because it provides broader protection.

Data filtered by:Results filtered by:
Age Group:
Age Group:30-59
Coverage:
Coverage:Full Coverage
American National P&CAnnual Premium$465Monthly Premium$39
State FarmAnnual Premium$522Monthly Premium$44
American FamilyAnnual Premium$612Monthly Premium$51
GEICOAnnual Premium$656Monthly Premium$55
Auto-Owners Insurance CoAnnual Premium$663Monthly Premium$55
Idaho Farm BureauAnnual Premium$672Monthly Premium$56
FarmersAnnual Premium$689Monthly Premium$57
NationwideAnnual Premium$820Monthly Premium$68
TravelersAnnual Premium$842Monthly Premium$70
AllstateAnnual Premium$928Monthly Premium$77
DairylandAnnual Premium$1,972Monthly Premium$164

Do You Need Full Coverage in Idaho?

A full coverage policy in Meridian includes coverage for damage to your own vehicle in the form of comprehensive and collision coverages. It usually also includes increased liability limits.

  • 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.

If you have a new vehicle, it's wise to opt for full coverage insurance for more robust financial protection. If you're leasing or have a car loan, you are typically required to carry full coverage insurance.

On the other hand, owners of older vehicles may find that the extra cost — which can amount to several hundred dollars more per year — is not justified by the value of the vehicle. When deciding how much car insurance coverage you need, consider your ideal balance: more extensive coverage comes with higher premiums, but getting less coverage means you may pay more out of pocket if you need to file a claim.

Cheapest Car Insurance in Meridian After a Driving Offense

American National P&C is the most affordable option in Meridian for drivers needing a full coverage policy after certain infractions. The following providers offer the lowest rates for each individual offense:

  • Speeding ticket: American National P&C ($571 per year)
  • At-fault accident: State Farm ($638 per year)
  • DUI: American National P&C ($754 per year)

The most expensive rates for these offenses are consistently with Dairyland. The variance in annual premiums underscores how the type of violation can significantly influence car insurance rates — for example, the cheapest rate after a speeding ticket with American National P&C is $571, while the rate after a DUI with the same company escalates to $754.

Data filtered by:Results filtered by:
Age Group:
Age Group:30-59
Coverage:
Coverage:Full Coverage
Incident:
Incident:Speeding
American National P&CAnnual Premium$571Monthly Premium$48
State FarmAnnual Premium$583Monthly Premium$49
American FamilyAnnual Premium$640Monthly Premium$53
Auto-Owners Insurance CoAnnual Premium$663Monthly Premium$55
Idaho Farm BureauAnnual Premium$674Monthly Premium$56
GEICOAnnual Premium$771Monthly Premium$64
FarmersAnnual Premium$908Monthly Premium$76
NationwideAnnual Premium$974Monthly Premium$81
AllstateAnnual Premium$1,072Monthly Premium$89
TravelersAnnual Premium$1,150Monthly Premium$96
DairylandAnnual Premium$2,426Monthly Premium$202

In Meridian and comparable cities, insurance rates typically escalate with the severity of a driving violation due to the increased risk drivers pose to insurers. To illustrate, drivers with a DUI offense in Merican face an average annual premium of $1,797, compared with those with a speeding ticket who pay around $1,269.

People with driving offenses should diligently compare insurance rates because this can lead to significant savings and ensure they find the most cost-effective coverage for their situation.

Cheapest Car Insurance in Meridian for Teens and Their Families

State Farm offers the most affordable full coverage car insurance for male and female teen drivers in Meridian.

  • State Farm: $1,072 per year for female teens and $1,360 per year for male teens
  • Auto-Owners: $1,440 per year for female teens and $1,476 per year for male teens

These rates are especially pertinent for a household including two parents and a teen driver. Travelers has the most expensive policy for male teens at $2,289 annually. The rate difference demonstrates the importance of shopping around for families with young drivers, who typically face higher insurance premiums due to their increased risk profile.

Data filtered by:Results filtered by:
Age:
Age:16
Gender:
Gender:Female
State FarmFamily Plan Annual Premium$1,072Individual Plan Monthly Premium$1,462
NationwideFamily Plan Annual Premium$1,249Individual Plan Monthly Premium$2,645
GEICOFamily Plan Annual Premium$1,353Individual Plan Monthly Premium$3,656
AllstateFamily Plan Annual Premium$1,399Individual Plan Monthly Premium$4,368
Auto-Owners Insurance CoFamily Plan Annual Premium$1,440Individual Plan Monthly Premium$1,453
FarmersFamily Plan Annual Premium$1,614Individual Plan Monthly Premium$6,430
TravelersFamily Plan Annual Premium$1,794Individual Plan Monthly Premium$3,502

In Meridian, as well as in other cities across the nation, young drivers face steep costs for car insurance. On average, a teen purchasing their own policy will encounter an annual premium of $3,938, compared with just $1,624 when added to a family's plan. Insurers justify this significant discrepancy through statistics showing increased risk among young, inexperienced drivers.

Moreover, obtaining individual coverage can be challenging for teens due to stringent approval criteria focusing on age and driving history, making a joint family policy both more accessible and cost-effective for insuring young motorists.

Cheapest Car Insurance in Meridian for Military Drivers

USAA offers the cheapest car insurance for military backgrounds in Meridian.

  • USAA: $454 per year
  • American National P&C: $465 per year

**USAA**has services specially tailored for the needs of active duty military members, making it a valuable option for military personnel and their families.

Data filtered by:Results filtered by:
Age Group:
Age Group:30-59
Coverage:
Coverage:Full Coverage
USAAAnnual Premium$454Monthly Premium$38
American National P&CAnnual Premium$465Monthly Premium$39
State FarmAnnual Premium$522Monthly Premium$44
American FamilyAnnual Premium$612Monthly Premium$51
GEICOAnnual Premium$656Monthly Premium$55
Auto-Owners Insurance CoAnnual Premium$663Monthly Premium$55
Idaho Farm BureauAnnual Premium$672Monthly Premium$56
FarmersAnnual Premium$689Monthly Premium$57
NationwideAnnual Premium$820Monthly Premium$68
TravelersAnnual Premium$842Monthly Premium$70
AllstateAnnual Premium$928Monthly Premium$77
DairylandAnnual Premium$1,972Monthly Premium$164

How to Compare Cheap Meridian Car Insurance Quotes Online

In Meridian, comparing car insurance rates is a key strategy for cost savings. However, the process is often cumbersome, potentially requiring over an hour to examine rates from three or more companies.

MoneyGeek's car insurance calculator can help you streamline this process. By inputting details like age, driving history, credit score and preferred coverage, you can instantly receive rate estimates.

Car Insurance Calculator

MoneyGeek's car insurance calculator will give you a customized estimate of your auto insurance cost. It's free to use, requires no personal information and we won't send you any spam.

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Rates updated:

Oct 04, 2024

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Best Car Insurance in Meridian: Overview

Choosing the best auto insurance hinges on prioritizing service quality, cost, coverage and other factors. MoneyGeek's analysis, utilizing distinct scoring criteria for service, affordability and overall excellence, has identified Auto-Owners as Meridian's premier provider across the board:

  • Best overall: Auto-Owners (MoneyGeek score 81 out of 100)
  • Best for service: Auto-Owners (MoneyGeek score 78 out of 100)
  • Best cheap: Auto-Owners (MoneyGeek score 84 out of 100)

Auto-Owners emerges as Meridian's best for overall value, service quality and affordability. Its victory in all categories showcases its ability to offer balanced, cost-effective and premium service.

Overall Best Car Insurance in Meridian

Auto-Owners is the best option in Meridian for drivers seeking the best car insurance.

  • Auto-Owners: MoneyGeek score of 81 out of 100 ($662 per year)
  • American Family: MoneyGeek score of 81 out of 100 ($612 per year)

Auto-Owners stands out in Meridian with a top MoneyGeek score, reflecting its high marks in customer satisfaction and claims handling, essential factors for a full coverage policy. Its reputation for providing excellent service and competitive pricing ensures customers get quality coverage without compromising value.

Company logo for Auto-Owners Insurance
Best OverallAuto-Owners Insurance
MoneyGeek Score:
81/ of 100

Overview

Auto-Owners stands out with high satisfaction and affordability scores. It provides Rental Car and/or Travel Reimbursement and Roadside Assistance. Additionally, you can benefit from unique offerings like Gap Insurance and Accident Forgiveness, handy for new car owners and safe drivers, respectively.

Auto-Owners also offers a Coverage Package, designed to streamline protection with added conveniences. Diminished Value Coverage ensures customers are compensated for any loss in vehicle value after an accident. Deductible Modification is another notable feature, helping policyholders to save on out-of-pocket costs under certain conditions.

Best Car Insurance in Meridian for Customer Service

Auto-Owners is the best option in Meridian for car insurance when prioritizing customer service. This ranking is based on general satisfaction, claims handling and coverages, without considering the rates.

  • Auto-Owners: MoneyGeek score of 78 out of 100 ($662 per year)
  • American Family: MoneyGeek score of 77 out of 100 ($612 per year)

Auto-Owners distinguishes itself as the leading insurance provider not just through its overall score but also by earning the highest claims satisfaction score among competitors. This is indicative of the company's commitment to efficient and effective customer service during the critical post-accident phase, ensuring clients are well taken care of when it matters the most.

Company logo for Auto-Owners Insurance
Best for Customer ServiceAuto-Owners Insurance
MoneyGeek Score:
78/ of 100

Overview

Auto-Owners stands out for its exceptional claims handling. It offers Rental Car and/or Travel Reimbursement and Roadside Assistance. Its Coverage Package combines multiple coverages in one bundle, simplifying protection and claims.

Diminished Value Coverage is particularly valuable because it addresses the often-overlooked issue of value reduction after an accident. Features like Gap Insurance ensure you're not left out-of-pocket if your new car is totaled, offering peace of mind from depreciation concerns.

Best Cheap Car Insurance in Meridian

Auto-Owners is the best option in Meridian if you’re seeking affordable car insurance without compromising on quality. The scoring reflects a balance of cost-effectiveness, along with customer satisfaction and claims handling.

  • Auto-Owners: MoneyGeek score of 84 out of 100 ($324 per year)
  • American Family: MoneyGeek score of 80 out of 100 ($351 per year)

Auto-Owners distinguishes itself with the highest MoneyGeek score in affordable car insurance offerings for a minimum coverage policy. The combination of a strong affordability score, excellent customer satisfaction and top-notch claims handling propels it to the top.

Company logo for Auto-Owners Insurance
Best Cheap CompanyAuto-Owners Insurance
MoneyGeek Score:
84/ of 100

Overview

Auto-Owners excels in claims handling and coverage options. With an average annual premium of only $324, the average driver pays a $27 per month for essential minimum coverage.

Average Cost of Car Insurance in Meridian

In Meridian, Idaho, the average cost of car insurance is $822, according to MoneyGeek's analysis. When compared with the overall state average of $827, Meridian’s insurance costs are slightly less. The state average is substantially lower than the national average, with Idaho’s average insurance premium being $954 less than the national average of $1,781.

Car insurance premiums are influenced by a multitude of factors, with location being a significant element. Regions are assessed based on risk exposure, which includes traffic density, likelihood of theft or vandalism, and the frequency of accidents.

Meridian holds the title for the cheapest car insurance at $656, while Boise is at the opposite end as the most expensive city premium at $670. These figures highlight the importance of location in determining insurance costs, and suggest that in areas beyond city limits with less traffic density, insurance rates could potentially be even lower.

BoiseAnnual Premium$829
MeridianAnnual Premium$822

About Mark Fitzpatrick


Mark Fitzpatrick headshot

Mark Fitzpatrick is a Licensed Property and Casualty Insurance Producer and MoneyGeek's Head of Insurance. He has analyzed the insurance market for over five years, conducting original research and creating personalized content for every kind of buyer. He has been quoted in several insurance-related publications, including CNBC, NBC News and Mashable.

Fitzpatrick earned a master’s degree in economics and international relations from Johns Hopkins University and a bachelor’s degree from Boston College. He is passionate about using his knowledge of economics and insurance to bring transparency around financial topics and help others feel confident in their money moves.