Four ways to judge a car insurer
"Best" means different things depending on what you care about. Most useful comparisons look at four separate measures, and a company can do well on one and poorly on another.
- Customer satisfaction. J.D. Power surveys policyholders on trust, price, people, ease of doing business, coverage options, problem resolution and digital channels. Results are reported by region, because the same company can perform differently in different markets.
- Claims experience. A separate J.D. Power study looks only at customers who filed a claim. This is the moment that matters most, and it is not the same as day-to-day service.
- Complaints. The National Association of Insurance Commissioners (NAIC) complaint index compares an insurer's complaints with what you would expect for its size. A score of 1.00 is average. Below 1.00 means fewer complaints than expected; above means more.
- Financial strength. AM Best rates an insurer's ability to pay claims. A++ and A+ are its top grades (Superior), and A and A- mean Excellent.
Price sits on top of all four. It is the measure that varies most from driver to driver, which is why averages are a starting point, not an answer.
J.D. Power 2026: who ranked highest in each region
J.D. Power's 2026 U.S. Auto Insurance Study, released June 9, 2026, surveyed 52,216 customers from April 2025 through April 2026. Overall satisfaction held at 644 on a 1,000-point scale, unchanged from a year earlier. Satisfaction with price rose 3 points, but 30% of customers still reported an insurer-initiated premium increase. Those customers scored 486 on price satisfaction, 155 points below customers whose premium held steady or fell.
| Region | Highest-ranked insurer | Score (out of 1,000) |
|---|---|---|
| California | Wawanesa | 678 |
| Central | Shelter Insurance (6th year in a row) | 674 |
| Florida | Florida Farm Bureau Insurance | 693 |
| Mid-Atlantic | Erie Insurance | 704 |
| New England | Amica (3rd year in a row) | 702 |
| New York | Travelers | 657 |
| North Central | Erie Insurance (6th year in a row) | 688 |
| Northwest | State Farm (2nd year in a row) | 667 |
| Southeast | Erie Insurance (2nd year in a row) | 691 |
| Southwest | CSAA Insurance Group (AAA) (3rd year in a row) | 653 |
| Texas | Automobile Club of Southern California (AAA) | 673 |
| Usage-based insurance | Nationwide (3rd year in a row) | 711 |
Source: J.D. Power 2026 U.S. Auto Insurance Study, press release June 9, 2026.
Two findings from the study are worth acting on. First, only 58% of customers said they fully understand their policy, down 4 points from 2025, and those who did were 127 points more satisfied overall. Read your declarations page before you need it. Second, 21% of customers had to switch channels, such as from website to phone, to resolve one question. Agents resolved 91% of those cross-channel inquiries, while websites resolved only 66%. If you value being able to reach a person, factor that in.
Claims satisfaction
J.D. Power's most recent claims study, released October 28, 2025, scored overall claims satisfaction at 700. Erie (743), NJM Insurance (731) and Liberty Mutual (730) ranked highest. The study also shows how claims are changing: 27% of claims were total losses, up from 16% in 2022, and only 58% of total-loss customers said the payout fully met their expectations. The average repair took 19.3 days, down from 22.3 days. And 26% of customers carried deductibles of $1,000 or more, which shrinks what a claim pays.
Complaints and financial strength for large insurers
The table below combines NAIC complaint indexes and AM Best ratings for the biggest national and regional auto insurers. Lower complaint scores are better.
| Insurer | NAIC auto complaint index | AM Best rating |
|---|---|---|
| American Family | 0.33 | A |
| Travelers | 0.52 | A++ |
| Auto-Owners | 0.54 | A+ |
| Nationwide | 0.63 | A |
| GEICO | 0.69 | A++ |
| Progressive | 0.71 | A+ |
| Amica | 0.75 | A+ |
| State Farm | 0.79 | A++ |
| Farmers | 0.86 | A |
| Erie | 0.89 | A+ |
| Allstate | 1.10 | A+ |
| USAA | 1.18 | A++ |
| Liberty Mutual | 2.86 | A |
Source: CarInsurance.com compilation of NAIC complaint data (updated Aug. 13, 2026) and AM Best ratings (updated Dec. 16, 2025). Auto-Owners was rated A++ until AM Best downgraded it to A+ in October 2024.
Every large insurer here has an A-range rating, so financial strength is rarely the deciding factor among big brands. Complaint records vary more. Liberty Mutual's 2.86 index stands out, even though it ranked among the top three in J.D. Power's claims study. That contrast is a good reason to check more than one source. Your state insurance department can tell you how to check a company's complaint record before you buy.
What large insurers charge the same driver
CarInsurance.com's August 2026 analysis of Quadrant Information Services data priced the same 40-year-old drivers with clean records across insurers. Full coverage meant 100/300/100 liability limits with $500 comprehensive and collision deductibles. The national average was $2,578 a year for full coverage and $738 for state-minimum coverage.
| Insurer | State minimum (per year) | Full coverage (per year) |
|---|---|---|
| USAA* | $406 | $1,628 |
| Travelers | $767 | $1,962 |
| GEICO | $539 | $2,159 |
| Nationwide | $932 | $2,524 |
| Progressive | $752 | $2,569 |
| State Farm | $1,025 | $2,875 |
| Allstate | $946 | $3,159 |
| Farmers | $950 | $3,207 |
Source: CarInsurance.com, "How much is car insurance?" (updated Aug. 5, 2026), Quadrant Information Services data. *USAA is limited to active military, veterans and eligible family members.
The gap between the cheapest and most expensive full-coverage average is $1,579 a year for an identical profile. Your own quotes may rank in a different order, because each company weighs age, location, vehicle, record and credit differently. For a deeper look at prices by state and driver type, see our guide to the cheapest auto insurance.
Who each insurer may suit
- USAA: Lowest average premiums in the dataset above, but only for military members, veterans and eligible family. Its complaint index (1.18) is slightly above average, and it carries an A++ AM Best rating.
- Travelers: Second-lowest full-coverage average, a low complaint index (0.52), an A++ rating and the top J.D. Power score in New York. A good fit for price-focused drivers who also want a strong record.
- GEICO: Low averages for both minimum and full coverage, an A++ rating and a below-average complaint index. Its discount list includes up to 25% for insuring multiple vehicles, up to 22% after an accident-free year and up to 15% for good students on certain coverages.
- Erie: Led three J.D. Power regions in 2026 and topped the 2025 claims study at 743. Regional insurers don't sell in every state, so check that it offers coverage where you live.
- State Farm: Ranked highest in the Northwest, carries an A++ rating and has a below-average complaint index. Its averages above are higher than GEICO's or Progressive's, so compare carefully. Its Drive Safe & Save program can cut premiums by up to 30%.
- Progressive: Mid-range averages and a 0.71 complaint index. Its Snapshot program says users save an average of $322 a year after completing it, though Progressive also says about 20% of drivers see a higher premium.
- Nationwide: Ranked highest for usage-based insurance in J.D. Power's study for the third year in a row, with a 0.63 complaint index.
- Amica: New England's top-ranked insurer for three straight years, with an A+ rating.
- Regional and AAA insurers: Shelter, Florida Farm Bureau, Wawanesa and AAA clubs topped their regions. If one operates near you, include it in your quotes.
Discounts that change the comparison
A quote that looks high before discounts can end up cheapest after them. Ask every insurer about the same list:
- Telematics programs. State Farm's Drive Safe & Save gives 10% for enrolling and up to 30% based on how you drive. It tracks acceleration, braking, cornering, phone use and speeding of 8 mph or more over the limit. It isn't offered in California, Massachusetts or Rhode Island, and your discount can go down at renewal. GEICO's DriveEasy typically saves 5%–15%.
- Multi-vehicle and bundling. GEICO lists up to 25% off for insuring several vehicles, and also lists a multi-policy discount for combining auto with other policies such as home, with savings that vary. See our home insurance comparison if you plan to bundle.
- Clean record and good student. These reward low claim risk and are widely available.
- Payment discounts. GEICO, for example, offers discounts for paying in full and for automatic payments, with savings that vary.
How to choose
- Decide on coverage first. Pick liability limits and deductibles before you compare, so every quote is for the same thing. State minimums averaged $738 a year in the data above, but they may not protect your savings after a serious crash.
- Shortlist three to five insurers. Include the J.D. Power leader for your region, one or two low-price national brands and a regional company.
- Check complaints and ratings. Look for a complaint index near or below 1.00 and an AM Best rating of A or better.
- Get quotes on the same day with identical limits and deductibles, then ask each insurer to apply every discount you qualify for.
- Re-shop at renewal. Rates have moved sharply in recent years. Our explainer on why car insurance rates changed covers the trend, and EV owners should also read our electric vehicle insurance guide.
Frequently asked questions
Which car insurance company is best?
It depends on where you live and what you value. In J.D. Power's 2026 study, Erie ranked highest in the Mid-Atlantic, North Central and Southeast, Amica in New England, State Farm in the Northwest and Travelers in New York. On price, USAA and Travelers had the lowest full-coverage averages in CarInsurance.com's 2026 data.
What does the NAIC complaint index mean?
It compares an insurer's complaints with what would be expected for a company of its size. A score of 1.00 is average, below 1.00 means fewer complaints than expected, and above 1.00 means more.
Is AM Best's rating important when choosing car insurance?
It shows an insurer's financial ability to pay claims. All the large insurers in our table are rated A or higher, so it rarely separates big brands, but it is worth checking for smaller or newer companies.
Why do average prices by insurer differ from my quote?
Averages use one sample driver. Each insurer weighs age, ZIP code, vehicle, driving record and credit differently, so your ranking can differ. Compare quotes with identical limits and deductibles.
Can a telematics program raise my rate?
Yes, with some programs. State Farm says its Drive Safe and Save adjustment can rise or fall at renewal, and Progressive says about 20% of Snapshot drivers see a higher premium.
How often should I compare car insurance?
At least at each renewal, and after major changes such as moving, adding a driver or buying a car. In J.D. Power's 2026 study, 30% of customers reported an insurer-initiated price increase.