MoneyGeek's car insurance cost calculator will get you a quick rate based on your personal profile and driving history. Remember: your rates are affected by how high you set your liability limits and by whether or not you choose to buy comprehensive and collision insurance. If you're not sure how much car insurance to get, skip to our car insurance coverage limits calculator before coming back to the rates calculator.
Car Insurance Calculator: Get Instant Rate Estimates
Use our free online calculators to estimate car insurance rates, figure out how much car insurance to buy or both.
Receive personalized quotes based on your location and driver profile from over 30 providers to find the cheapest car insurance rates for you.
Updated: February 4, 2026
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Car Insurance Cost 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.
Rates updated:
Feb 07, 2026
Your Next Step:
Get your real quotes from trusted insurance providers.
MoneyGeek's car insurance calculator will give you a customized estimate of your auto insurance cost. Click “Get Your Estimate” to ensure the sample driver details match your profile.
How to Calculate Appropriate Coverage Levels
Car insurance includes many coverage options, but two specific coverages are particular important for calculating how much car insurance you need:
- How much liability insurance to buy
- Whether or not to buy comprehensive and collision insurance (also called full coverage)
MoneyGeek's car insurance coverage quiz will help you calculate how to answer these questions based on where you live, your financial situation, the value of your car and how you purchased your car.
Take our four-step quiz to learn the required and optimal level of car insurance for you.
How Car Insurance Is Calculated
Your car insurance rates are calculated based on a variety of factors, the most important of which are your age and driving experience, location, driving history and credit score. Your rate will also depend on how much car insurance you need to buy to adequately protect your car and the risk you cause damage or injury to others.
When you see an analysis of how much car insurance costs online, those rates are usually an average of sample drivers of different backgrounds and locations. Keep the following in mind when you're trying to calculate whether a rate you've been quoted is fair:
- Age and driving experience are important factors for calculating your rate. Young or inexperienced drivers, especially young men and boys, pay a lot more for car insurance. You'll find that the cheapest car insurance for teens is several times more expensive than an equivalent policy for those 25 and older.
- Location matters. States regulate insurance differently, meaning rates will be calculated uniquely across state lines. And the minimum car insurance required in each state can differ greatly. Our complete car insurance rates by state breakdown includes all 50 states plus Washington, D.C.
- Car insurance is required, but the types of coverage you buy will also affect how your rate is calculated. MoneyGeek estimates that the cheapest full coverage car insurance costs hundreds of dollars more per year compared to the most affordable liability-only car insurance.
- Your driving history and even your credit history can have a major effect on rate calculations. High risk drivers, such as those who have a recent accident or DUI, will pay much more than those with a clean driving record. And in most states insurance companies calculate car insurance rates based on credit scores, charging more to those who have a poor credit or payment history.
Insurers will use other factors to estimate your car insurance rates. Insurance rates by vehicle can greatly alter your rate if you have a brand new model or an electric car that's expensive to repair. But for most shoppers, their age, location, driving and credit history and elected coverage will be decisive.
Because companies calculate rates differently and weigh these factors differently, read car insurance company reviews to understand which insurers offer the best combination of competitive pricing and quality service for your profile.
What You'll Need to Get an Accurate Car Insurance Estimate
Age, location, elected coverage and driving history are all used by insurance companies to calculate your rates, but if you want a real, binding quote, providers will also ask you to provide more specific information about you and your household.
An insurance company doesn't just need your name, address and age to calculate your insurance rate. They'll also ask about other drivers in your household and their driver's license numbers.
An insurance company can estimate your rates based on your specific car model and its year, but they also may want your VIN number and annual mileage to give you a more precise rate.
It's not just your accident history that matters; insurance companies may charge you more if you've filed many claims in the past. The amount of claims you've made before is part of the risk calculation providers make to predict if you'll make claims in the future.
Personal characteristics may matter for your rate estimate in both positive and negative ways. Your educational background may result in a discount to your policy, while your job may make you eligible for certain affinity discounts with some insurers.
Car Insurance Estimates: FAQ
We answer common questions about car insurance cost calculations and what will impact your cost.
What do you need to use a car insurance calculator?
To use our car insurance calculator, enter your ZIP code, age, vehicle information (year, make and model), coverage preferences and credit score range. No personal contact information is required for calculator estimates.
What should I expect from car insurance calculator?
Car insurance calculator estimates range from $86 monthly for minimum coverage to $147 monthly for full coverage, though your results may vary based on age, location, driving record and vehicle type.
How does a car insurance calculator work?
Our car insurance calculator uses your profile information to generate estimated costs from multiple providers. The calculator processes your data against historical claims patterns to predict rates for your specific situation.
Where can I get quotes after using a car insurance calculator?
After getting calculator estimates, use the ZIP code tool on MoneyGeek to connect with insurance companies for official quotes. Your calculator estimates help you know what rates to expect.
How does vehicle type affect car insurance costs?
Your vehicle's make and model directly impact car insurance calculator estimates. Luxury cars and sports vehicles generate higher estimates due to repair costs and theft rates, while economy cars with strong safety ratings show lower estimates.
How do car insurance companies calculate rates?
Insurance companies calculate rates by evaluating your driving record, age, location, credit score, vehicle type and coverage choices. Each company weighs these factors differently, which is why estimates vary between providers.
Methodology: How Does Our Car Insurance Calculator Work?
For more information on how MoneyGeek analyzes car insurance costs, see our auto insurance methodology.
About Mark Fitzpatrick

Mark Fitzpatrick, a Licensed Property and Casualty Insurance Producer, is MoneyGeek's resident Personal Finance Expert. He has analyzed the insurance market for over five years, conducting original research for insurance shoppers. His insights have been featured in CNBC, NBC News and Mashable.
Fitzpatrick holds a master’s degree in economics and international relations from Johns Hopkins University and a bachelor’s degree from Boston College. He's also a five-time Jeopardy champion!
He writes about economics and insurance, breaking down complex topics so people know what they're buying.




