Car Insurance Calculator: Estimate the Cost of Car Insurance for You (October 2024)


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:

Nov 09, 2024

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The cost of car insurance is highly personalized and varies from person to person. Car insurance companies weigh several individual rating factors when considering which rate to charge you, including your age, driving record, address, the type of car you drive and more. Using the MoneyGeek calculator, you can get a ballpark estimate of how much car insurance will cost without entering your personal information. The estimator can help you decide if it’s time to switch car insurance companies or find the right company that fits your needs and budget.

Why Trust MoneyGeek? MoneyGeek gathered auto insurance quotes from Quadrant Information Services to give you the best car insurance calculator for estimating costs. It allows you to make informed decisions regarding your car insurance by providing you with a quote. Upon entering your unique information, the calculator provides a real-time estimate of your potential premiums.

83,056Quotes Analyzed
 
46Companies Compared
 
473ZIP Codes
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Ensure you're getting the best rate for your auto insurance. Compare quotes from the top insurance companies.

How Can You Learn More About Auto Insurance Companies?

Not all car insurance companies are equal. Some will meet your needs better than others. Before you choose a company, take a look at their website to see the types of policies they offer and the coverages and discounts available. You can also check out MoneyGeek’s car insurance company reviews, including discussions on customer experience and financial strength. Keep in mind: the best car insurance company may not be the cheapest. So shopping around, comparing quotes and learning about the companies offering insurance in your area can help you find a balance between coverage and affordability.

Learn How Car Insurance Is Calculated In Your State

State laws, regulations, and insurance requirements can significantly impact insurance costs. As such, your location (including your ZIP code) is a significant factor in determining your premium. For example, on average, minimum coverage in Maine costs $352 per year, while the same coverage is $5,099 in Michigan; that's a $4,747 difference.

Click on your state below to learn more about how auto insurance is calculated where you live.

How Can You Learn More About Car Insurance?

MoneyGeek makes it easy to learn about car insurance and the companies that offer it. We’ve analyzed each company, including the coverages they offer, discounts you can use to keep costs low, how well they handle customer service and their ability to pay claims on time.

How Do You Estimate Your Car Insurance Coverage Needs?

Car insurance pricing and coverage needs are unique to you and your household. Each car insurance company you get a quote from will request personal information to complete a driving profile, which they will use to determine your rate. You may need to provide the following:

  • Date of birth
  • Gender
  • Marital status
  • Mobile phone number
  • Email address
  • Driver's license number
  • Previous insurance information
  • Moving violation history
  • Home address
  • Vehicle identification number (VIN)

Considering the factors they use will help you estimate how much car insurance you need, including coverage options that may not be required but that you might want.

1
Driving Record

Insurance companies consider drivers with a history of speeding tickets and at-fault accidents a higher risk than those with no moving violations. Maintaining a clean record will help you get the cheapest rate with the best car insurance company.

2
Other Drivers

An insurance company will ask about every licensed driver in the household, not just the applicant. Failure to provide that information could result in denied claims if someone is involved in an accident and isn’t listed on the policy. Encourage everyone you live with to practice safe driving habits to help lower your rate.

3
Your Vehicle

If you have an older vehicle that doesn’t have a high book value, you may decide liability and uninsured motorist coverage are all you need. But if you have a new car that would be costly to fix, you may want the added protection of comprehensive and collision coverage. If you have a loan for your vehicle or lease it, it will likely be a requirement to have these coverages.

4
Existing Insurance

If you’re a new driver, strive to maintain a consistent insurance record without gaps in coverage. This saves you money on your insurance rates and means you’ll avoid fines for driving without insurance.

At MoneyGeek, we recommend most drivers get higher liability limits than many states require. We recommend at least 100/300/100 in liability coverage, which covers up to $100,000 per person for bodily injury, up to $300,000 total in bodily injury per accident and up to $100,000 for property damage liability per accident.

Compare Auto Insurance Rates

Ensure you're getting the best rate for your auto insurance. Compare quotes from the top insurance companies.

What Factors Impact Your Car Insurance Cost Estimate?

Many factors go into calculating your car insurance cost. Consider these when getting quotes to compare for car insurance:

  • Liability-Only vs. Full Coverage: Full coverage will cost more than liability-only because of the additional coverages — comprehensive and collision coverage. Roadside assistance, rental car reimbursement and gap insurance are optional coverages that may also be included as part of full coverage.
  • Coverage Amounts: The more coverage, the higher your premium, but a greater level of financial protection, too. Plus, the more options you have if you’re in an accident or your car breaks down. Additional coverage could include roadside assistance, medical payments and rental car reimbursement.
  • Age: Drivers under the age of 30 and over 70 are statistically more likely to be involved in accidents and have higher fatality rates. Expect higher rates for teenagers and senior drivers than other age groups.
  • Location: Where you live can significantly impact your car insurance. Less dense populations in rural areas see fewer accidents and thefts than highly populated urban areas.
  • Additional Coverage Required by State (PIP, UM, etc.): Some states mandate personal injury protection (PIP) and uninsured/underinsured motorist (UM/UIM) coverage, which costs extra. But even if optional, they may be worth considering since they can provide broader protection if you’re in an accident, whether as a pedestrian or driver, that involves a driver without insurance or minimal coverage.
  • Driving Record: New drivers or drivers with several moving violations or at-fault accidents on their record are riskier to insure, which means they'll pay more for car insurance. Drivers with a history of clean driving records not only get better rates, but they also may be eligible for other discounts.
  • Credit Score: Paying your bills on time can mean lower car insurance rates in states that allow companies to use credit-based insurance scores when calculating premiums.
  • Car Choice: The make and model of your vehicle influence how much car insurance costs. The more your car is worth (its replacement cost value), the more you’ll pay for car insurance. This is because you’ll likely need additional coverages like comprehensive and collision, plus it will cost the insurance company more to fix your car if you file a claim.
  • Marital Status: If you’re married, your spouse must be listed as a driver on your insurance policy, which is great if they have a good driving history but can be costly if not. Even so, research shows that single drivers are twice as likely to be injured in an accident than married drivers, which can account for better insurance rates for married people compared to single consumers.
  • Deductible Level: Choosing a higher deductible for comprehensive or collision coverage or both will save you money on the premium, but you’ll have to pay more out of pocket if you file a claim for your vehicle's damages. Liability coverage does not have a deductible.

How Can You Lower Your Car Insurance Costs?

Not everything is in your control when it comes to car insurance rates, but there are some steps you can take to lower your car insurance costs.

1
Compare Quotes From Multiple Companies

Getting several quotes for the same coverage options can help you find the best deal and the most affordable car insurance.

2
Ask About Discounts

Most car insurance discounts are stackable, so take advantage of everything you’re eligible for to lower your costs.

3
Improve Your Driving Record

The better your driving record, the lower your rate for car insurance — one of many reasons to practice safe driving habits and do your best to avoid accidents and tickets.

4
Improve Your Credit Score

Paying your bills on time can boost your credit score and lower your car insurance rate.

5
Ask About Bundling Your Home & Auto Insurance Policies

If you're a homeowner or renter, opting to purchase home/renters and auto insurance from the same company can get you a bundling discount, which is one of the highest percentage discounts available. To help your research, our proprietary analysis can help figure out which insurance companies provide the cheapest home and auto insurance bundles by state.

Frequently Asked Questions About Estimating Car Insurance Costs

Do you still have questions about using a car insurance calculator to get a ballpark estimate on costs? Here are some frequently asked questions about estimating your car insurance without using your personal information.

What do you need to get a car insurance cost estimate?
What are the cheapest car insurance companies?
What are the best car insurance companies?
Where can I get a quote after I have an estimate?
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Ensure you're getting the best rate for your auto insurance. Compare quotes from the top insurance companies.

Ask the experts:

What’s the best way to estimate my car insurance costs?

Market President and Financial Advisor at BBK Wealth Management

The best way to estimate car insurance costs involves gathering detailed information about your personal and driving profile, including vehicle details, driving history, and personal characteristics. Utilize online quote tools provided by insurance companies, ensuring accurate information input. Also, consult insurance agents or brokers to discuss your situation and receive personalized advice. Consider factors such as coverage types, deductibles and potential discounts, and compare quotes from multiple insurers to find the most competitive rates. Regularly review and update your coverage needs, and be aware of how elements like your location, credit score and driving habits can impact your premium. By taking a comprehensive and proactive approach, you can obtain a more accurate estimate of your car insurance costs.

Market President and Financial Advisor at BBK Wealth Management

Without necessarily indicating that this is the best way to estimate car insurance costs, a preferred method of determining the cost of car insurance is to use one of the vehicle insurance calculators available online. If you have an existing relationship with an auto insurer, utilization of their calculator will give you an estimate that closely approximates the actual cost of car insurance if you choose to continue insurance coverage with that insurer. However, if your goal is to find reliable coverage at a lower price, you could use the vehicle insurance calculators provided by the larger automobile insurers (e.g., Geico, Progressive, Nationwide, etc.).

Market President and Financial Advisor at BBK Wealth Management

The best way to estimate your car insurance costs is to use online quote tools provided by various insurance companies. These tools ask for details such as your age, the make and model of your car, your driving history and your location to provide an estimate. Additionally, you can use comparison websites that allow you to see and compare quotes from multiple insurers at once, which can help you gauge the average cost and find the best deal for your situation.

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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.


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