Car Insurance Calculator: Estimate the Cost of Car Insurance for You

The cost of car insurance is highly personalized and varies from person to person. Car insurance companies weigh several 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.

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.

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.

Car insurance pricing and your 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. 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.

At MoneyGeek, we recommend most drivers get higher liability limits than many states require. We recommend a minimum coverage limit of 100/300/100, 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.

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 like comprehensive and collision coverage. Roadside assistance, rental car reimbursement and gap insurance may also be included as part of full coverage.
• Coverage Amounts: The more coverage, the higher your premium, but 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 75 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 and uninsured/underinsured motorist 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.
• Driving Record: Drivers with several tickets or accidents on their record are riskier to insure, which means they'll pay more for car insurance. Drivers with 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 history when calculating premiums.
• Car Choice: The more your car is worth, 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 singles.
• Deductible Size: Picking a higher deductible will save you on premiums, but you’ll have to pay more out of pocket if you file a claim.

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.

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.

MoneyGeek partnered with Quadrant Data Services to get car insurance quotes from companies across all 50 states and hundreds of cities. Our data science team analyzed how personal factors impacted cost and incorporated our findings into our calculator to provide users with an accurate estimate of their expected yearly auto insurance costs. Read more about our methodology here.