Car Insurance You Can Pay With a Checking Account

All major car insurance companies accept checking account payments. You don't need a credit card to pay. Checking account payment setup is easy and you won't pay credit card transaction fees. You can set up automatic payments from your checking account, so you'll never miss a due date. Plus, you get discounts ranging from 3% to 15%. It's the easiest and cheapest way to pay for car insurance.

According to Mark Friedlander at the Insurance Information Institute, "Paying your car insurance with your checking account is simple and straightforward. Most insurers offer multiple ways to pay directly from your checking account, whether through ACH transfers, debit cards or electronic checks. All of these methods are easy to set up and let you avoid credit card fees while qualifying for autopay discounts."

All major car insurers accept checking account payments, but autopay discounts and setup methods vary. We tested the checking account payment setup process at each company to see how easy it actually is. These are the highest-rated companies with car insurance discounts for checking account payments and easy set up:

Most people use ACH (Electronic Funds Transfer) for automatic payments from their checking account to pay for car insurance. You have other checking account options:

• ACH/EFT is the most common checking accont payment option. Your insurer automatically withdraws payment on your chosen dates. You qualify for autopay discounts. Processing takes one to two business days.
• Online checks let you pay for car insurance electronically from your checking account without setting up automatic payments. Your bank processes it like a check. Takes about five business days.
• Paper check is the traditional method and still accepted as a payment option for car insurance. It takes longer to process since it goes through the mail, but works if you prefer not to use electronic payments.
• Debit Card is linked to your checking account. Works like a credit card but pulls directly from your account to pay for your car insurance. Some insurers charge small processing fees.
• Digital wallets and apps like Apple Pay, Google Pay, or PayPal work for a car insurance payment if they're connected to your checking account. Check with your company allows option.

ACH is the best checking account payment option to avoid fees and qualify for autopay car insurance discounts. The other methods work if you prefer manual control over when payments are made.

Paying your car insurance with your checking account is safe and easy. All major insurers use bank-level security for ACH and EFT payments, and millions of people use this payment method every day. We answer common concerns about checking account payments: