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Best Car Insurance for Good Drivers in 2023

Auto-Owners, Travelers, and State Farm have some of the lowest rates and best customer service for drivers with good records.

Lindsay VanSomeren
Written byLindsay VanSomeren
Lindsay VanSomeren
Lindsay VanSomeren

  • 8 years in insurance and personal finance writing

  • Former data scientist for U.S. Geological Survey

Lindsay is a freelance personal finance writer currently pursuing her Series 65 license. She enjoys helping readers learn money management skills that improve their lives.

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Chris Schafer
Edited byChris Schafer
Chris Schafer
Chris SchaferSenior Editor

  • 15+ years in content creation

  • 7+ years in business and financial services content

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Updated November 30, 2023 at 11:00 AM PST

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If you’re a good driver, good news: You’ll probably spend a lot less on car insurance than most folks. The best car insurance companies often reward drivers with accident- and claims-free histories with the lowest rates they offer. Many companies also offer apps or telematics-based devices that track your driving so you can prove your skills to your insurer in exchange for lower rates.[1]

Here’s what you should know about the best car insurance for good drivers.

Quick Facts

  • Many auto insurance companies offer discounts specifically for people with good driving records.

  • Auto-Owners offers the cheapest car insurance for good drivers, at an average of $110 per month.

  • Even with a good driving record, comparing quotes from multiple insurers is the best way to find a policy that meets your budget and needs.

Table of contents

The cheapest car insurance companies for good drivers

If you have a good driving record, you’ll want to check out Auto-Owners for cheap car insurance. The average full-coverage policy costs 35% less than the next-closest option, Travelers. Here are some other insurers that offer cheap car insurance for good drivers.

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Insurance CompanyAverage Monthly Quote for Good DriversInsurify Quality (IQ) Score
Auto-Owners$1104.1
Travelers$1694.3
State Farm$1724.4
GEICO$1754.3
Nationwide$1824.1
Disclaimer: Table data sourced from real-time quotes from Insurify's 50-plus partner insurance providers and quote estimates from Quadrant Information Services. Actual quotes may vary based on the policy buyer's unique driver profile.

  • Insurify uses an in-house, proprietary method to rate and review the best car insurance companies. The Insurify Quality (IQ) Score uses more than 15 crucial criteria, including average premiums, customer satisfaction, discounts, third-party ratings, and more, to calculate a final score for a company.

    Criteria are weighted by importance to the consumer — factors such as customer reviews and affordability influence the score more than availability and third-party ratings. With the IQ Score, Insurify is able to provide quantitative ratings for drivers to better compare car insurance companies and make informed decisions to meet their coverage needs.

Auto-Owners

Compare personalized, real-time quotes
IQ Score
The Insurify Quality (IQ) Score uses more than 15 criteria to objectively rate insurance companies on a one-to-five scale. The Insurify editorial team researches insurer data to determine the final scores.
4.1
JD Power
J.D. Power data measures overall customer satisfaction and claims satisfaction based on a 1,000-point scale.
837
Liability Only
Liability-only insurance, sometimes called minimum-coverage insurance, pays for bodily injury and property damage to others in an accident the policyholder causes. It does not pay for the insured’s own damages.
$39/mo
Full Coverage
Full-coverage car insurance generally includes liability, collision, and comprehensive coverage, and may include other optional coverages such as uninsured motorist coverage. Collision covers a policyholder’s repair or replacement costs in case of an accident. Comprehensive covers damages caused by non-accident events. The average quote displayed here reflects policies with the following coverage limits: $50,000 bodily injury liability per person; $100,000 bodily injury liability per accident; $50,00 property damage liability per accident; $1,000 collision deductible; and a $1,000 comprehensive deductible.
$81/mo

Auto-Owners focuses on people who love cars and drive them safely. It’s one of a few companies that offer insurance coverage for car enthusiasts who own classic or modified cars. It also offers discounts for drivers with a “favorable loss history,” as well as other common discounts like having certain safety features or bundling insurance policies.

However, while Auto-Owners generally has good ratings and reviews, it ranks below average in customer satisfaction, according to a 2022 J.D. Power survey.[2]

Pros

  • A++ (Superior) A.M. Best rating[3]

  • Offers coverage for classic and modified cars

  • Lower-than-average volume of customer complaints on the National Association of Insurance Commissioners (NAIC) complaint index

Cons

  • Available in only 26 states

  • Rideshare coverage not available

  • Quotes available only through independent agents

I was pleased with the agent and for years the price, but now they have gotten too expensive for a person on a fixed income.

Mary - August 13, 2023
Verified

I was dropped because of two minor at-fault accidents in two plus years.

Zachary - January 8, 2023
Verified

You can work directly with an agent.

Guy - May 17, 2022
Verified
Read our Auto-Owners review

Travelers

Compare personalized, real-time quotes
IQ Score
The Insurify Quality (IQ) Score uses more than 15 criteria to objectively rate insurance companies on a one-to-five scale. The Insurify editorial team researches insurer data to determine the final scores.
4.3
JD Power
J.D. Power data measures overall customer satisfaction and claims satisfaction based on a 1,000-point scale.
829
Liability Only
Liability-only insurance, sometimes called minimum-coverage insurance, pays for bodily injury and property damage to others in an accident the policyholder causes. It does not pay for the insured’s own damages.
$89/mo
Full Coverage
Full-coverage car insurance generally includes liability, collision, and comprehensive coverage, and may include other optional coverages such as uninsured motorist coverage. Collision covers a policyholder’s repair or replacement costs in case of an accident. Comprehensive covers damages caused by non-accident events. The average quote displayed here reflects policies with the following coverage limits: $50,000 bodily injury liability per person; $100,000 bodily injury liability per accident; $50,00 property damage liability per accident; $1,000 collision deductible; and a $1,000 comprehensive deductible.
$196/mo

If you’re making the switch to an electric car or hybrid, Travelers is a good option because of the discounts it offers. While Travelers has a lower-than-average volume of customer complaints lodged against it with the NAIC, it unfortunately also features low overall customer satisfaction and claims satisfaction scores from J.D. Power.[4] 

If you drive your car for a rideshare app like Uber or Lyft, you may want to consider another company, since Travelers only offers rideshare coverage in Colorado and Illinois. Similarly, while Travelers does offer discounts for bundling policies, the discount is relatively limited, at just 13%.

Pros

  • A++ (Superior) A.M. Best rating[5]

  • Offers discounts for EVs and hybrids

  • Fewer-than-average customer complaints on the NAIC complaint index

Cons

  • Smaller bundling discount than some other insurers

  • Limited rideshare coverage

  • Poor auto claims and overall satisfaction ratings from J.D. Power

They have the lowest rates I could find.

Elise - September 11, 2023
Verified

They are one of the few companies writing policies for a full year. All these "discount companies " miss lead you by quoting 6 month policies.

Albert - September 6, 2023
Verified

Good service.

Jorge - September 4, 2023
Verified
Read our Travelers review

State Farm

Compare personalized, real-time quotes
IQ Score
The Insurify Quality (IQ) Score uses more than 15 criteria to objectively rate insurance companies on a one-to-five scale. The Insurify editorial team researches insurer data to determine the final scores.
4.4
JD Power
J.D. Power data measures overall customer satisfaction and claims satisfaction based on a 1,000-point scale.
842
Liability Only
Liability-only insurance, sometimes called minimum-coverage insurance, pays for bodily injury and property damage to others in an accident the policyholder causes. It does not pay for the insured’s own damages.
$52/mo
Full Coverage
Full-coverage car insurance generally includes liability, collision, and comprehensive coverage, and may include other optional coverages such as uninsured motorist coverage. Collision covers a policyholder’s repair or replacement costs in case of an accident. Comprehensive covers damages caused by non-accident events. The average quote displayed here reflects policies with the following coverage limits: $50,000 bodily injury liability per person; $100,000 bodily injury liability per accident; $50,00 property damage liability per accident; $1,000 collision deductible; and a $1,000 comprehensive deductible.
$109/mo

State Farm is the largest private car insurance company in the United States, covering almost 17% of all vehicles on the road.[6] Yet despite its size, State Farm still has a lower-than-average volume of customer complaints and a higher-than-average J.D. Power score.[7] 

State Farm also offers many common discounts, such as for bundling policies and being accident-free.

Pros

  • Offers rideshare coverage

  • A++ (Superior) A.M. Best rating[8]

  • High customer satisfaction scores from J.D. Power

Cons

  • Gap insurance not available

  • Higher-than-average rates for bad credit

  • Not available in Massachusetts or Rhode Island

I feel like I am being way overcharged for my insurance since I have had no accidents or tickets in the last 10 years.

Theresa - September 14, 2023
Verified

I really enjoyed working with them, I just couldn't keep up with the expensive rates.

Becki - September 13, 2023
Verified

I was 5 stars until the recent increase, without any explanation.

Norman - September 13, 2023
Verified
Read our State Farm review

GEICO

Compare personalized, real-time quotes
IQ Score
The Insurify Quality (IQ) Score uses more than 15 criteria to objectively rate insurance companies on a one-to-five scale. The Insurify editorial team researches insurer data to determine the final scores.
4.3
JD Power
J.D. Power data measures overall customer satisfaction and claims satisfaction based on a 1,000-point scale.
835
Liability Only
Liability-only insurance, sometimes called minimum-coverage insurance, pays for bodily injury and property damage to others in an accident the policyholder causes. It does not pay for the insured’s own damages.
$53/mo
Full Coverage
Full-coverage car insurance generally includes liability, collision, and comprehensive coverage, and may include other optional coverages such as uninsured motorist coverage. Collision covers a policyholder’s repair or replacement costs in case of an accident. Comprehensive covers damages caused by non-accident events. The average quote displayed here reflects policies with the following coverage limits: $50,000 bodily injury liability per person; $100,000 bodily injury liability per accident; $50,00 property damage liability per accident; $1,000 collision deductible; and a $1,000 comprehensive deductible.
$114/mo

GEICO, famous for its signature gecko mascot, is also noted for offering many great discounts. Available discounts include going five years without an accident (savings of up to 22%), having certain safety features in your car (savings of up to 23%), or for being a member of the military (savings of up to 15%).

On the opposite end, GEICO doesn’t offer gap coverage or rideshare insurance. If you need to speak to someone in person — such as if you have a problem with your claim — the company only operates a relatively small network of agents.

Pros

  • Many great discount options available

  • A++ (Superior) A.M. Best rating[9]

  • Above-average claims satisfaction ratings from J.D. Power[2]

Cons

  • Limited network of agents

  • Gap insurance not available

  • Rideshare coverage not available

Unwilling to work with clients. Especially senior citizens on a fixed income.

Janina - September 10, 2023
Verified

Awesome customer service, good prices, easy to deal with.

Kathleen - September 9, 2023
Verified

Good treatment in responding to questions and handling of my accident, especially because I was not at fault. No hesitation in paying the repair bill and then collecting from the at-fault insurance company client's policy.

James - September 7, 2023
Verified
Read our GEICO review

Nationwide

Compare personalized, real-time quotes
IQ Score
The Insurify Quality (IQ) Score uses more than 15 criteria to objectively rate insurance companies on a one-to-five scale. The Insurify editorial team researches insurer data to determine the final scores.
4.1
JD Power
J.D. Power data measures overall customer satisfaction and claims satisfaction based on a 1,000-point scale.
815
Liability Only
Liability-only insurance, sometimes called minimum-coverage insurance, pays for bodily injury and property damage to others in an accident the policyholder causes. It does not pay for the insured’s own damages.
$84/mo
Full Coverage
Full-coverage car insurance generally includes liability, collision, and comprehensive coverage, and may include other optional coverages such as uninsured motorist coverage. Collision covers a policyholder’s repair or replacement costs in case of an accident. Comprehensive covers damages caused by non-accident events. The average quote displayed here reflects policies with the following coverage limits: $50,000 bodily injury liability per person; $100,000 bodily injury liability per accident; $50,00 property damage liability per accident; $1,000 collision deductible; and a $1,000 comprehensive deductible.
$185/mo

If you only use your car occasionally, check out Nationwide’s Vanishing Deductible program, which lowers your deductible by $100 per year, down to a minimum of $500. It’s available as an optional rider on your policy, for a fee. Nationwide’s SmartMiles program also offers an option to pay a monthly fee based on how much you actually drive.

Nationwide doesn’t offer rideshare coverage, though. And it also received very low ratings from J.D. Power for overall customer satisfaction and for claims satisfaction.[2]

Pros

  • Vanishing Deductible program

  • Mileage-based pricing option

  • Low volume of customer complaints on the NAIC complaint index

Cons

  • Rideshare coverage not available

  • Low customer satisfaction scores from J.D. Power

  • Very poor claims satisfaction ratings from J.D. Power

Was very happy until I was told I would not be renewed as my agent was not with them anymore. I have to get a new agent and start as a new account after 50 years.

Linda - July 25, 2023
Verified

Hard to use on the internet.

Vincent - July 15, 2023
Verified

Personal interaction but prices have increased.

Pamela - July 6, 2023
Verified
Read our Nationwide review

Methodology

Data scientists at Insurify analyzed more than 40 million real-time auto insurance rates from our partner providers across the United States to compile the car insurance quotes, statistics, and data visualizations displayed on this page. The car insurance data includes coverage analysis and details on drivers’ vehicles, driving records, and demographic information.

Quotes for Allstate, Farmers, GEICO, State Farm, and USAA are estimates based on Quadrant Information Services’ database of auto insurance rates. With this information, Insurify is able to offer drivers insight into how companies price their car insurance premiums.

How your driving record affects your car insurance rates

One of the most serious driving offenses is a DUI, and research shows that about 1 out of every 4 drivers convicted of this offense will do it again.[10] Similar logic applies if you’ve caused an accident or gotten a speeding ticket in the past.

If you have these marks on your record, you’re seen as more of a gamble by your insurer, and you’ll pay higher rates as a result, as illustrated by the table below.

StatusAverage Monthly Quote
Clean driving record$259
Speeding ticket$347
At-fault accident$370
DUI$515
Disclaimer: Table data sourced from real-time quotes from Insurify's 50-plus partner insurance providers. Actual quotes may vary based on the policy buyer's unique driver profile.

Find Car Insurance for Good Drivers

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Based on 3,806+ reviews
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Who’s considered a good driver?

Most people think they’re a good driver, but are they a good driver in an insurer’s eyes?

When it comes down to it, insurers assess who’s a good driver and who isn’t based on one overriding factor, according to Bob Passmore, department vice president of personal lines for the American Property Casualty Insurance Association (APCIA). “Auto insurers base premiums on the likelihood someone will file an insurance claim and the cost of claims,” Passmore says.

Your personal history of traffic violations and prior insurance claims factor heavily into an insurer’s cost determinations. If you’ve gotten into accidents or filed claims in the past, insurers judge you as statistically more likely to do it again.

Your age also has a big impact, as young drivers may not have as much skill behind the wheel, and the reaction time of senior drivers may not be as quick. Both groups often pay higher premiums because of this.

Many insurers also offer telematics devices or apps that record your driving, giving you a score and potentially offering discounts.

“Not all insurers utilize the same set of factors to determine a driver’s risk profile,” says Passmore. “But all of the factors that are used are correlated with the risk of loss and help companies make accurate predictions.” 

That’s also why it’s important to shop around for rates, because insurers have different ways of determining if you’re a good driver.

Why do good drivers get better car insurance rates?

“Insurers offer better rates to drivers who are less likely to have a claim and whose claims are likely to be less costly,” says Passmore. “In this way, rates are based on the likelihood and cost of claims, which is the fairest way to price insurance.” 

In other words, if the insurance company thinks you’ll cost it less money, it won’t charge you as much.

Types of car insurance for good drivers

You’ll need to decide between several different types of coverage options when you shop for a policy. You may not end up purchasing all of these, but it’s a good idea to know what’s out there so you can decide if a level of coverage is something you need:

  • Liability insurance: Required by most states, this coverage will pay some or all of the costs if you injure someone else or damage their property.

  • Collision coverage: Lenders may require you to purchase this type of policy to cover any damage to your own car in an accident. This coverage is optional if your car is paid off.

  • Comprehensive coverage: Similarly required by lenders unless you drive a paid-off car, this covers any damage to your car from non-collision factors, like falling trees and riots.

  • Underinsured/uninsured motorist coverage: Required in certain states, this covers you if the driver who hit you either doesn’t have insurance or doesn’t have enough coverage.

  • Personal injury protection: Mandatory in some states and optional in others, this covers any injuries or costs to make things right for your home life after an accident, such as lost wages or funeral costs.

  • Gap insurance: This will cover the remaining balance on your auto loan if your car is totaled while you’re still paying it off.

  • Umbrella policy: This provides a blanket amount of extra coverage on top of your already-purchased coverages just in case you happen to have a particularly spendy claim.

How to find the best car insurance for good drivers

Follow these four steps to find the best car insurance policy for your needs:

  1. Figure out what you need. A lot of coverage options and specialty insurers are available to choose from. Make sure you’re clear about what types of coverage — and how much — you need, as well as any complicating factors that might lead you to seek out particular types of insurers.

  2. Research insurers. Read reviews for popular insurers in your state. Check customer reviews, A.M. Best financial security ratings, and customer satisfaction scores from the National Association of Insurance Commissioners (NAIC) and J.D. Power. Check what coverage options and discounts each insurer has available to you.

  3. Gather quotes. Set aside an hour or two to gather quotes online. Aim for at least three companies, but the more, the better. This is one of the single-best things you can do to find the lowest rates for your individual situation.

  4. Choose the best option. Purchase a policy with the insurer you’re most comfortable with, whether that’s the lowest-cost option or based on another factor you find important.

Find Car Insurance for Good Drivers

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Based on 3,806+ reviews
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Best car insurance for good drivers by state

Nationwide averages are an interesting point of comparison, but they don’t tell you the full picture. Car insurance rates can vary wildly depending on where you live — sometimes so much that a good driver in a high-cost state will pay even more than a bad driver in a low-cost state.

Below, you can see the average monthly quotes, by state, for the general population and for good drivers.

StateAverage Monthly Quote: All DriversAverage Monthly Quote: Good Drivers
Alabama$271$197
Alaska$237$142
Arizona$304$238
Arkansas$315$254
California$292$238
Colorado$308$261
Connecticut$330$284
Delaware$345$329
Florida$409$355
Georgia$371$303
Hawaii$181$112
Idaho$193$157
Illinois$221$178
Indiana$205$153
Iowa$238$182
Kansas$271$201
Kentucky$353$297
Louisiana$446$357
Maine$200$163
Maryland$390$310
Massachusetts$196$179
Michigan$426$407
Minnesota$239$189
Mississippi$283$223
Missouri$314$248
Montana$196$179
Nebraska$256$208
Nevada$391$346
New Hampshire$130$92
New Jersey$348$280
New Mexico$202$180
New York$406$387
North Carolina$146$117
Ohio$216$159
Oklahoma$293$233
Oregon$273$213
Pennsylvania$238$214
Rhode Island$327$284
South Carolina$353$269
South Dakota$279$196
Tennessee$227$187
Texas$334$278
Utah$243$203
Vermont$210$163
Virginia$266$205
Washington$248$197
Washington, D.C.$318$274
West Virginia$279$210
Wisconsin$236$179
Wyoming$221$167
Disclaimer: Table data sourced from real-time quotes from Insurify's 50-plus partner insurance providers and quote estimates from Quadrant Information Services. Actual quotes may vary based on the policy buyer's unique driver profile.

Car insurance for good drivers FAQs

Looking for more ideas on how to find the best car insurance for good drivers? Check out the information below. You can also check out our 2023 guide, How to Compare Car Insurance Rates.

  • Is car insurance required for good drivers?

    Yes. All drivers are generally required to have car insurance, regardless of how safely they drive. Some states, such as New Hampshire, waive this requirement if you can show proof of sufficient funds to insure yourself, but this is based on your financial standing and not your driving skills.

  • Which car insurance company is cheapest for good drivers?

    Auto-Owners is the cheapest car insurance company for good drivers, running an average of $80 per month for liability-only coverage and $110 per month for full coverage. The next-closest company, State Farm, is quite a bit more expensive, costing an average of $127 and $172 per month for liability-only and full coverage, respectively.

  • Who are the most expensive drivers to insure?

    Drivers with significant infractions in their history, such as a DUI, are generally the most expensive to insure. Very young or inexperienced drivers may also be more expensive to insure, and drivers living in some states with high fraud rates and extra insurance requirements, like New York, also are generally more expensive to insure.

  • What factors affect car insurance rates for good drivers?

    The rates that good drivers pay for car insurance are affected by the same things as everyone else’s rates, including purchasing extra coverage, living in a state that requires additional insurance or has high fraud rates, living in an urban area, or having a poor credit score. Any of these factors may increase your rates, even if you’re a good driver.

Related articles

Popular articles

Sources

  1. Insurance Information Institute. "Background on: Pay-as-you drive auto insurance (telematics)." Accessed May 11, 2023
  2. J.D. Power. "Insurers Struggle to Manage Expectations in Auto Claims Process as Repair Times Increase, J.D. Power Finds." Accessed May 11, 2023
  3. AM Best. "Auto Owners Insurance." Accessed May 11, 2023
  4. National Association of Insurance Commissioners. "Travelers Prop Cas Ins Co National Complaint Index Report." Accessed May 11, 2023
  5. AM Best. "AM Best Affirms Credit Ratings of The Travelers Companies, Inc. and Its Main Subsidiaries." Accessed May 11, 2023
  6. National Association of Insurance Commissioners. "State Farm Mut Auto Ins Co National Complaint Index Report." Accessed May 11, 2023
  7. J.D. Power. "Usage-Based Auto Insurance Takes Center Stage as Satisfaction Flatlines, J.D. Power Finds." Accessed May 11, 2023
  8. A.M. Best. "State Farm." Accessed May 11, 2023
  9. AM Best. "GEICO." Accessed May 11, 2023
  10. U.S. Department of Transportation. "DWI Recidivism in the United States: An Examination of State-Level Driver Data and the Effect of Look-Back Periods on Recidivism Prevalence." Accessed May 11, 2023
Lindsay VanSomeren
Lindsay VanSomeren

Lindsay VanSomeren is a freelance personal finance writer living in Suquamish, WA. Her work has appeared with FICO, Credit Karma, The Balance, and more. She enjoys helping people learn how to manage their money better so they can live the life they want.

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Chris Schafer
Edited byChris SchaferSenior Editor
Chris Schafer
Chris SchaferSenior Editor

  • 15+ years in content creation

  • 7+ years in business and financial services content

Chris is a seasoned writer/editor with past experience across myriad industries, including insurance, SAS, finance, Medicare, logistics, marketing/advertising, and many more.

Read Editorial Guidelines

View Full Bio

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