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Best cheap car insurance in Austin for 2024
Powered by Coverage.com (NPN: 19966249)
Coverage.com, LLC is a licensed insurance producer (NPN: 19966249). Coverage.com services are only available in states where it is licensed. Coverage.com may not offer insurance coverage in all states or scenarios. All insurance products are governed by the terms in the applicable insurance policy, and all related decisions (such as approval for coverage, premiums, commissions and fees) and policy obligations are the sole responsibility of the underwriting insurer. The information on this site does not modify any insurance policy terms in any way.
The best car insurance companies in Austin
Finding the best car insurance company means balancing price against other factors — customer service, financial strength and coverage options. Bankrate’s insurance editorial team analyzed all of those factors for the top Texas car insurance companies to find the best picks for drivers in Austin. We considered available discounts, coverage options, customer satisfaction ratings from the 2023 J.D. Power U.S. Auto Insurance Study and financial strength ratings from AM Best. Based on our research, we assigned each carrier a Bankrate Score on a five-point scale. That score offers a snapshot of the best car insurance companies in Austin and how they compare to each other.
Bankrate Score
Avg. min coverage premium
Min. coverage
Avg. full coverage premium
Full coverage
Why Geico made our list: With a Bankrate Score of 4.4 and some of the lowest average rates for drivers in Austin, Geico is a strong pick for auto insurance in Austin. Affordability and simplicity are Geico’s standout features — while certain coverage add-ons like gap insurance aren’t available, customers can take advantage of a range of discounts on top of below-average base prices. Geico may be a particularly good option for young drivers or anyone with an at-fault accident.
Why Geico may be best for digital policy management: Geico scored second in the industry for customer service in J.D. Power’s 2023 U.S. Insurance Digital Experience Study. Its top-rated mobile app offers user-friendly policy management and claims tools — which is a good thing, given that Geico only has a handful of local agents in the Austin area. Drivers who prefer to manage their car insurance via an app may want to get quotes from Geico.
| Bankrate Score | 4.4 |
| J.D. Power | 801/1,000 |
| AM Best score | A++ |
Bankrate Score
Avg. min coverage premium
Min. coverage
Avg. full coverage premium
Full coverage
Why State Farm made our list: State Farm’s 4.3 Bankrate Score for auto insurance reflects its high ratings for customer service and below-average rates. State Farm ranked second in Texas in 2023 J.D. Power U.S. Auto Insurance Study and well above the industry average in the 2023 U.S. Auto Claims Satisfaction Study. With a highly rated mobile app and a wide network of agents in the Austin area, State Farm may be a good fit for either digital natives or drivers who prefer an in-person approach to insurance.
Why State Farm may be best for discounts: State Farm offers a wide range of auto insurance discounts in Texas, from automatic vehicle safety discounts to the Drive Safe & Save and Steer Clear safe driving discounts. When added to already-low average rates, State Farm’s discounts could help you significantly reduce the cost of your coverage.
| Bankrate Score | 4.3 |
| J.D. Power | 838/1,000 |
| AM Best score | A++ |
Bankrate Score
Avg. min coverage premium
Min. coverage
Avg. full coverage premium
Full coverage
Why USAA made our list: USAA received a Bankrate Score of 4.2 for 2024 and consistently outranks the competition in J.D. Power customer satisfaction studies, receiving the highest score in the Texas region for the 2023 U.S. Auto Insurance Study. USAA’s average rates in Austin are also below the citywide average, making it an attractive choice for eligible customers looking for savings.
Why USAA may be best for military-focused coverage: USAA exclusively offers coverage to members of the U.S. Armed Forces, along with veterans, family members and members of the National Guard and Army Reserves. In addition to affordable coverage with military-specific discounts, a wide range of financial services for military drivers are available through USAA.
| Bankrate Score | 4.2 |
| J.D. Power | 860/1,000 |
| AM Best score | A++ |
Bankrate Score
Avg. min coverage premium
Min. coverage
Not available
Avg. full coverage premium
Full coverage
Not available
Why Nationwide made our list: Nationwide’s well-rounded car insurance offerings earned them a 4.0 Bankrate Score in 2024. The company’s robust coverage options include classic car coverage, diminishing deductibles and total loss deductible waivers. Nationwide also offers accident forgiveness and a number of discounts, including multi-car, safe driver and good student discounts, which could offer significant savings for families.
Why Nationwide may be best for usage-based insurance: Among Nationwide’s discount options are two usage-based insurance programs: SmartRide, which offers a safe driving discounts for drivers who track their driving with a telematics app; and SmartMiles, a pay-per-mile program designed to significantly reduce costs for low-mileage drivers. Austin-area residents who don’t drive much or who feel confident in their on-road safety could benefit from these programs.
| Bankrate Score | 4 |
| J.D. Power | |
| AM Best score | A+ |
Bankrate Score
Avg. min coverage premium
Min. coverage
Avg. full coverage premium
Full coverage
Why Allstate made our list: With a large pool of local agents and a top-rated mobile app, Allstate could be a good choice for Austin drivers seeking car insurance. While its average rates trend a little higher than some other carriers, Allstate scored above average in the 2023 J.D. Power U.S. Auto Claims Satisfaction Study, suggesting that it may be better at paying claims than some competitors.
Why Allstate may be best for bundled policies: In addition to its 3.9 Bankrate Score for auto insurance, Allstate received a 4.2 Bankrate Score for home insurance and tied for a 2024 Bankrate Award for Best Home Insurance Company overall. Like other carriers, Allstate offers discounts for bundling home and auto insurance, and its home insurance offerings may hold advantages for Austin residents who own a home.
| Bankrate Score | 3.9 |
| J.D. Power | 809/1,000 |
| AM Best score | A+ |
Bankrate's trusted insurance industry expertise
Read our full methodologyWe know how important financial decisions about your insurance — and how difficult they can be. That’s why Bankrate’s insurance editorial team prioritizes working with the most up-to-date data available from Quadrant Information Services in order to give you the most useful information possible. Our team includes licensed agents with combined decades of experience advising drivers regarding their insurance decisions.
46
years of industry experience
122
carriers reviewed
34.5K
ZIP codes examined
1.2M
quotes analyzed
The cheapest car insurance companies in Austin
If price is the primary driver in your auto insurance search, consider working with one of the cheapest car insurance companies in Austin, according to data from Quadrant Information Services. According to our research, Geico is the cheapest auto insurance carrier in Austin, with an average rate of $38 per month for state minimum coverage.
| Insurance company | Average annual min coverage premium | Average annual full coverage premium |
|---|---|---|
|
$454
|
$1,622
|
|
|
$485
|
$1,776
|
|
|
$520
|
$1,851
|
|
|
$523
|
$1,967
|
|
|
$782
|
$2,171
|
How much is car insurance in Austin, Texas?
The average cost of car insurance in Austin is $2,307 per year for full coverage and $674 per year for state minimum coverage. That’s 6 percent less than the Texas state average of $2,460 for full coverage. Compared to the national average, Austin drivers pay roughly 0 percent more for a full coverage policy.
Austin rates for teens
Teen drivers in Austin are more expensive to insure thanks to a higher statistical rate of crashes and violations. Because teens lack driving experience, it’s generally cheaper to keep them on a parent’s policy so that the older driver’s proven experience can mitigate their risk factor. An 18-year-old on a standalone policy in Austin pays an average of $6,379 per year for full coverage, while a married couple with an 18-year-old on their policy pay an annual average of $4,263.
| Insurance company | 16-year-old* | 18-year-old* |
|---|---|---|
|
$1,056
|
$936
|
|
|
$1,119
|
$1,002
|
|
|
$1,303
|
$944
|
|
|
$1,410
|
$1,147
|
|
|
$1,469
|
$935
|
| Insurance company | 16-year-old* | 18-year-old* |
|---|---|---|
|
$3,452
|
$3,051
|
|
|
$3,602
|
$3,263
|
|
|
$3,778
|
$3,143
|
|
|
$3,962
|
$3,391
|
|
|
$4,357
|
$3,011
|
Austin rates for young drivers
As you move into your early- to mid-20s, you’ll likely see your car insurance rates begin to drop, with the most significant decrease after age 25. A 25-year-old in Austin pays an average of $3,044 per year for full coverage — 39 percent less than a 20-year-old and 52 percent less than an 18-year-old on their own policy.
| Insurance company | 20-year-old | 25-year-old |
|---|---|---|
|
$857
|
$664
|
|
|
$1,008
|
$541
|
|
|
$1,044
|
$549
|
|
|
$1,302
|
$755
|
|
|
$1,860
|
$1,158
|
| Insurance company | 20-year-old | 25-year-old |
|---|---|---|
|
$2,920
|
$2,336
|
|
|
$3,514
|
$2,034
|
|
|
$3,589
|
$1,921
|
|
|
$4,246
|
$2,632
|
|
|
$5,568
|
$3,986
|
Austin rates for adults
Car insurance rates tend to stabilize in adulthood, with 50-year-old drivers in Austin paying $2,119 per year for full coverage, on average. 30-year-old drivers, by comparison, pay an annual average of $2,505 for the same coverage.
| Insurance company | 30-year-old | 40-year-old | 50-year-old |
|---|---|---|---|
|
$461
|
$454
|
$438
|
|
|
$485
|
$485
|
$474
|
|
|
$556
|
$520
|
$506
|
|
|
$593
|
$523
|
$502
|
|
|
$747
|
$782
|
$732
|
| Insurance company | 30-year-old | 40-year-old | 50-year-old |
|---|---|---|---|
|
$1,650
|
$1,622
|
$1,514
|
|
|
$1,822
|
$1,776
|
$1,674
|
|
|
$1,997
|
$1,851
|
$1,726
|
|
|
$2,233
|
$2,171
|
$2,041
|
|
|
$2,259
|
$1,967
|
$1,821
|
Austin rates for senior drivers
Austin seniors may pay the lowest rates for car insurance of any age group in the city, thanks to a lifetime of driving experience. However, it’s not uncommon to see rates begin to climb again as drivers reach their mid-70s and experience slower reaction times and higher vulnerability to serious injuries. On average, 70-year-old drivers in Austin pay $2,272 per year for full coverage, compared to $2,081 at age 60.
| Insurance company | 60-year-old | 70-year-old |
|---|---|---|
|
$424
|
$526
|
|
|
$451
|
$477
|
|
|
$456
|
$576
|
|
|
$496
|
$624
|
|
|
$667
|
$727
|
| Insurance company | 60-year-old | 70-year-old |
|---|---|---|
|
$424
|
$1,644
|
|
|
$451
|
$1,684
|
|
|
$456
|
$1,935
|
|
|
$496
|
$1,946
|
|
|
$717
|
$2,345
|
The cheapest car insurance in Austin by driving record
Insurance companies will check your motor vehicle report (MVR) for violations or at-fault accidents when issuing or renewing an auto insurance policy in Austin. If your record isn’t clean — whether you got a speeding ticket last month or a DUI two years ago — you’re likely to pay a higher rate to account for the added risk on your driver profile. This makes comparing rates even more important if you’re looking for affordable coverage.
Car insurance with a speeding ticket in Austin
Drivers in Austin with a Texas speeding ticket pay 12 percent more for full coverage than drivers with clean records. Statewide, drivers with speeding tickets pay 12 percent more than average. Your exact rate increase will depend on individual factors, including how fast you were going and which carrier you’re working with.
| Insurance company | Average min coverage rate | Average full coverage rate |
|---|---|---|
|
$500
|
$1,807
|
|
|
$543
|
$1,935
|
|
|
$586
|
$2,096
|
|
|
$730
|
$2,592
|
|
|
$734
|
$2,765
|
Car insurance after an accident in Austin
If you cause a car accident — even accidentally — expect your insurance company to charge a higher rate. Austin drivers with a single at-fault accident on their record pay 45 percent more than the state average for full coverage insurance.
| Insurance company | Average min coverage rate | Average full coverage rate |
|---|---|---|
|
$619
|
$2,148
|
|
|
$622
|
$2,227
|
|
|
$865
|
$2,960
|
|
|
$1,084
|
$3,808
|
|
|
$1,183
|
$3,726
|
Car insurance after a DUI in Austin
A DUI in Texas doesn’t just carry fines up to $2,000 and mandatory jail time — it’s also likely to significantly impact your insurance rates for years to come. Austin drivers with DUI convictions pay 53 percent more than the state average just for minimum coverage, and 40 percent more for full coverage. In addition, not all insurers are willing to write coverage for drivers with DUI convictions, so you’ll have to shop around to find the best deal.
| Insurance company | Average min coverage rate | Average full coverage rate |
|---|---|---|
|
$703
|
$2,361
|
|
|
$720
|
$2,614
|
|
|
$799
|
$2,660
|
|
|
$802
|
$2,732
|
|
|
$905
|
$2,520
|
Minimum coverage requirements in Austin
All drivers in Austin must carry at least the state minimum coverage required by law in Texas:
- $30,000 bodily injury liability per person
- $60,000 bodily injury liability per accident
- $25,000 property damage liability per accident
Your insurance company must also offer uninsured/underinsured motorist coverage and personal injury protection (PIP), but you’ll have the option to reject these in writing and still remain in compliance with Texas insurance laws. However, most insurance professionals recommend accepting this coverage, as it gives important protection for motorists in a wide range of situations.
Frequently asked questions
Methodology
Bankrate utilizes Quadrant Information Services to analyze the latest rates in June 2024 for ZIP codes and carriers in all 50 states and Washington, D.C. Rates include the most recent approved rate changes filed by insurance companies that affect our profile. These revised rates are then weighted based on the population density in each geographic region so that policyholders can see the impact rates have in their areas. Quoted rates are based on a 40-year-old male and female driver with a clean driving record, good credit and the following full coverage limits:
- $100,000 bodily injury liability per person
- $300,000 bodily injury liability per accident
- $50,000 property damage liability per accident
- $100,000 uninsured motorist bodily injury per person
- $300,000 uninsured motorist bodily injury per accident
- $500 collision deductible
- $500 comprehensive deductible
To determine minimum coverage limits, Bankrate used minimum coverage that meets each state’s requirements. Our base profile drivers own a 2022 Toyota Camry, commute five days a week and drive 12,000 miles annually.
These are sample rates and should only be used for comparative purposes.
Incidents: Rates were calculated by evaluating our base profile with the following incidents applied: clean record (base), at-fault accident, single speeding ticket and single DUI conviction.
Age: Rates were calculated by evaluating our base profile with the ages 20-70 (base: 40 years) applied. Depending on age, drivers may be a renter or homeowner. Age is not a contributing rating factor in Hawaii and Massachusetts due to state regulations.
Teens: Rates were determined by adding a 16- or 18-year-old teen to their 40-year-old married parents' policy. The rates displayed reflect the total cost of a driver this age added to their parents’ policy.
Bankrate Score
Our 2024 Bankrate Score considers variables our insurance editorial team determined impacts policyholders’ experiences with an insurance company. These rating factors include a robust assessment of each company’s product availability, financial strength ratings, online capabilities and customer and claims support accessibility. Each factor was added to a category, and these categories were weighted in a tiered approach to analyze how companies perform in key customer-impacting categories.
Each category was assigned a metric to determine performance, and the weighted sum adds up to a company’s total Bankrate Score — out of 5 points. Our scoring model provides a comprehensive view, indicating when companies excel across several key areas and highlighting where they fall short.
-
Cost & ratings 50%
-
Coverage & savings 30%
-
Support 20%
- Tier 1 (Cost & ratings): To determine how well auto and home insurance companies satisfy these priorities, average quoted premiums from Quadrant Information Services (if available), as well as any of the latest third-party agency ratings from J.D. Power, AM Best, Demotech and the NAIC, were analyzed.
- Tier 2 (Coverage & savings): We assessed companies’ coverage options and availability to help policyholders find a provider that balances cost with coverage. Additionally, we evaluated each company’s discount options listed on its website.
- Tier 3 (Support): To encompass the many ways an auto insurance company can support policyholders, we analyzed avenues of customer accessibility along with community support. This analysis incorporated additional financial strength ratings from S&P and Moody’s and factored a company’s corporate sustainability efforts.
