Best Cheap Auto Insurance in South Bend, Indiana (2023)

With a population of around 103,000, South Bend is the fourth-largest city in Indiana.^[1] On average, South Bend drivers pay $98 per month for car insurance, which is close to the state average cost of $102. 

South Bend residents commuting to work have an average travel time of 20.1 minutes, which is nearly seven and a half minutes fewer than the average commute time in the U.S.^[2] Less time spent on the road leads to fewer accidents, which can decrease average auto premiums in an area.

To find the cheapest quotes for your insurance needs, you’ll want to compare quotes from multiple insurers. Here’s what you should know about finding cheap coverage in South Bend.

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Best car insurance companies in South Bend 

The best auto insurance company for you in South Bend will depend on various factors, including your car’s make and model, driving record, and chosen coverage. An insurance company may also look at your credit score, age, and ZIP code when determining rates. You should consider your budget and coverage needs when shopping around for coverage.

State Farm, USAA, and Dairyland are some of the best insurers available in South Bend.

Best insurer for cheap rates: State Farm

Best insurer for the military community: USAA

Best insurer for high-risk drivers: Dairyland

Cheapest liability-only car insurance in South Bend

Liability-only insurance is the minimum amount of coverage you need to drive a vehicle. If you cause an accident, your liability policy will cover the other driver’s resulting vehicle damages and medical expenses. It doesn’t cover any of your vehicle repairs or medical bills.^[3] Most drivers purchase coverage beyond the minimums to protect their vehicle.

Here are the cheapest average options for liability coverage in South Bend.

Cheapest full-coverage car insurance in South Bend

Full-coverage car insurance includes liability, medical payments, comprehensive, and collision coverage. Unlike liability-only coverage, full coverage can cover damages to your vehicle and medical care for you and your passengers.

If you finance or lease your vehicle, your lender will likely require you to purchase this policy. Even if you don’t need to purchase it, you should consider buying this additional vehicle protection, especially if you have a new or expensive vehicle.

Here are some of the cheapest quotes for full-coverage insurance in South Bend.

Car insurance requirements in Indiana

Indiana is an at-fault state when it comes to auto accidents. The driver responsible for the accident needs to cover the other party’s property damage and medical expenses resulting from the accident.^[4]

Indiana law requires drivers to carry minimum amounts of bodily injury and property damage liability coverage.^[5] Here are the specific requirements:

Most drivers choose to purchase coverage beyond their state’s minimum liability requirements. For more financial protection, you should consider the following optional coverages:

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  Collision coverage

  If you have an accident, collision coverage can pay for your vehicle replacement or repair costs, regardless of who caused the damage.

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  Comprehensive coverage

  In the event of vehicle damage from a non-collision incident — like severe weather, vandalism, or fire — comprehensive coverage kicks in to protect your vehicle.

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  Medical payments coverage

  Medical payments coverage can pay for medical treatment for you and your passengers after an accident, up to a certain limit. It can even sometimes cover funeral expenses.

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  Roadside assistance coverage

  Specifics vary by insurer, but roadside assistance coverage typically provides customers access to services like towing, jump-starts, flat-tire changes, gas delivery, winching, and more.

Cheapest car insurance for drivers with an incident

A driving incident refers to the moving violations that can end up on your driving record, like at-fault accidents, speeding tickets, and driving under the influence (DUI) charges. Having driving incidents on your record makes you a riskier driver to insure and typically results in higher car insurance premiums.^[6]

How much your premium increases after a violation depends on whether you have other incidents on your record and the severity of your offense. South Bend drivers with an incident on their record pay $133 per month for car insurance, on average.

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Cheapest car insurance for drivers with a speeding ticket

A speeding ticket on your record can increase your insurance premiums. Speeding demonstrates risky driving behavior, which can make insurers wary of potential future claims. How much your premium increases after a speeding ticket will depend on how fast you were going over the speed limit.

On average, South Bend drivers with a speeding ticket pay $147 per month for car insurance. Here are the average rates for South Bend drivers in this category.

Cheapest car insurance for drivers with an at-fault accident

If you cause an accident, an at-fault accident will go on your driving record and likely result in higher insurance premiums. You can cause an accident by texting while driving, running a red light, operating illegally in a lane, speeding, and more. Your insurer will increase your rates to account for the amount of risk you pose.

In South Bend, drivers with an at-fault accident pay $148 per month for car insurance. Find some of the cheapest quotes from top insurers in South Bend below.

Cheapest car insurance for drivers with a DUI

Driving while incapacitated due to drugs or alcohol affects your judgment and your ability to see correctly and use motor skills. Due to the severity of the offense, a DUI can result in hefty fines, driver’s license suspension, jail time, and more in Indiana.^[7] And when you can get back on the road after a DUI, you typically have to pay significantly increased premiums.

Drivers with a past DUI in South Bend pay $168 per month for car insurance, on average. Take a look at the best options for coverage after a DUI in South Bend below.

Cheapest car insurance for seniors

Your age is one of the factors auto insurers use when calculating auto insurance premiums. Drivers between the ages of 35 and 70 typically benefit from premiums that decrease with age due to continued driving experience. After the age of 75, drivers may start to face increased premiums because auto insurers may begin accounting for aging-related risk factors.

Senior drivers pay an overall average monthly rate of $63 for car insurance in South Bend. Here are the best options for senior drivers in the city.

Cheapest car insurance for teens

Teenagers face the highest car insurance rates by driver age due to their lack of experience driving and higher accident rates. Teens are also more likely than older drivers to participate in risky behavior while operating the vehicle, such as playing with their phones, putting on makeup, or eating.

Teens can earn cheaper car insurance by joining their parents’ existing insurance policy, earning good grades to qualify for a student discount, and maintaining a clean driver record. In South Bend, car insurance for teen drivers costs $172 per month, on average. You can find some of the best coverage options for teens in the city below.

How to get the cheapest car insurance in South Bend

Along with your age and driving record, car insurance companies may consider your gender, the make and model of your car, the area you live in, and your credit score when offering you a policy.

Though you can’t control some factors influencing insurance costs, you can take steps to earn cheaper coverage. The following tactics can help you find lower rates:

• Only buy necessary coverage. Having full-coverage insurance for an older car you plan on replacing might not make sense financially. Consider dropping some of your coverage if you have a particularly old, high-mileage, or inexpensive vehicle.

• Shop around. Look to see who has a lower rate in case it makes sense to switch over.

• Inquire about available discounts. Insurance companies offer discounts if you ask for them. Student, military, clean driving record, and more are available.

• Consider alternative coverage. If you drive infrequently, consider usage-based insurance (UBI). This type of coverage can cost much less than a standard policy if you’re a low-mileage driver.

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South Bend car insurance quotes by credit tier

Indiana allows insurance companies to use your credit history when determining your car insurance premium.^[8] Credit scores can help insurance providers determine your financial stability. Based on your credit-based insurance score, agents can assume your likelihood of getting into an accident and whether you can financially handle it.

Drivers with good or excellent credit scores tend to pay lower premiums than people with poor credit. Here are the average monthly rates for full-coverage insurance in South Bend by credit tier.

Is car insurance more expensive in South Bend?

The national average cost for car insurance is $139 per month, while the average insurance rate in South Bend is much lower, at $98 per month. The cost in South Bend is in line with the Indiana state average of $102 per month.

Within Indiana, car insurance rates can vary by city and ZIP code due to factors like crime rates, population, cost of living, and more. Drivers in Indiana benefit from the state’s at-fault insurance laws and relatively low minimum car insurance requirements.

Cities with a lower cost of living also typically pay lower rates. For example, New York City drivers pay $354 per month, which is much more expensive than coverage in South Bend.

More cities in Indiana

Drivers in South Bend tend to earn lower rates than some other Indiana cities. On average, the cost of full-coverage insurance in South Bend is $130 per month. See how average rates in other cities compare below.

South Bend car insurance FAQs