What is the best insurance company?

There’s no single car insurance company that offers the best rates, coverage and service to every driver. Instead, each company has its own rating algorithms that return different quotes based on a wide range of risk factors in your profile — from your age and gender to your credit rating, driving history and past claims. Add to that the variations in coverage and customer experience, and there’s no way to name a single best company for everyone. Consider your priorities and get quotes from multiple carriers to find the best fit for your needs.

How much will I pay for auto insurance?

The average cost of car insurance is $2,692 per year, or $224 per month, for full coverage, based on Bankrate’s 2024 analysis of car insurance premiums. On the other hand, the average national cost of minimum coverage car insurance is $808 per year, according to our research. However, your auto insurance rates will likely differ from the national average, as rates are calculated based on a number of different factors, including the insurance provider you choose, your vehicle, driving history and coverage options.

How can I pay the least expensive premiums?

If price is the bottom line in your car insurance search, focus on comparing quotes from a wide range of carriers. To broaden your search, you may want to work with an independent agent or broker who can get you quotes from their network of insurers. In addition to shopping around, ask about discounts, consider taking a defensive driving course and look into telematics to prove to your insurer that you’re prioritizing safety on the road.

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Car insurance for teachers

Written by

R.E. Hawley

Edited by

Lisa McArdle

Updated Jan 09, 2025

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Best car insurance for teachers

The best car insurance companies for teachers include a handful of companies that offer unique benefits to professional educators, such as specialized coverage for vehicles on school property, transportation reimbursement for educators and exclusive discounts. Remember, however, that your profession is just one part of what insurance companies consider when offering a policy.

California Casualty offers auto policies specifically for educators in almost all states despite its name. In most states, the educators policy allows for a $0 deductible if a teacher or administrator’s car is vandalized or hit while on school property or at an administrative office.

California Casualty includes other benefits in its auto policy, including identity theft resolution, if you fall victim to fraudulent activity. Additionally, policy coverage automatically extends to anyone who drives your car, as long as you have given permission. The policies even include up to $3,000 in personal property coverage with no deductible, which can cover such losses as books or lesson plans kept in the vehicle.

Horace Mann is another carrier offering teachers car insurance. The Educator Advantage®, available to teachers at no extra cost, provides benefits such as new car replacement if your new vehicle is totaled and transportation expense coverage of up to $35 if you’re away from home and feel you can’t drive safely.

Like some other carriers, the educator’s policy with Horace Mann has a $0 deductible if your car is vandalized or in a collision while on school property or at a school-sponsored activity. There’s also $1,000 of personal property coverage if items you use for teaching are damaged or stolen while in your insured vehicle.

Liberty Mutual offers auto insurance savings designed specifically for teachers. A policy with these features added includes several additional coverage options a teacher might find beneficial, including vandalism loss protection for damage on school property, personal property coverage and $0 collision deductible for damage that occurs while driving for school-related activities or business. Liberty Mutual’s personal property coverage offers up to a $2,500 reimbursement per occurrence if your teaching materials or school-owned property is damaged or stolen while in your vehicle.

Cheapest car insurance for teachers

Like most people, many teachers want to find the cheapest possible rates for good auto insurance. A solid insurance policy is important for teachers, who need to be able to get to school events as well as drive to school every morning, rain or shine.

Almost every state — with the exception of New Hampshire — requires all car owners to meet certain minimum insurance requirements. Although it’s not required by law, teachers may want to consider getting full coverage, which also includes collision and comprehensive coverage on top of any types of insurance required in your state. This more robust policy will pay for damages to your vehicle up to your policy limits in the event of a covered claim, whereas liability insurance only covers damage and injury you cause to others.

Although your rate will vary depending on personal factors and the insurer you choose, below is a comparison of average full coverage insurance rates based on data from Quadrant Information Services for some of the cheapest U.S. insurers. Keep in mind that the national average for a full coverage annual premium runs about $2,692.


Geico	$180	$2,165
Erie	$183	$2,192
USAA	$171	$2,049
Auto-Owners	$151	$1,810
Nationwide	$162	$1,947

Car insurance discounts for teachers

As an educator, you work hard for your earnings and you want them to stretch as far as possible. This means not overpaying for your auto insurance. Fortunately, you may be able to get teacher car insurance discounts, even if you do not have an educator-specific policy.

Education affinity discount: Some carriers offer discounts if you are affiliated with educator and educational groups. You can often find additional discounts if you are a member of educator organizations such as the Association of American Educators or Association of Teacher Educators.
Loyalty discount: You could qualify for additional savings if you renew your policy with your provider every year. Plus, you might get an extra discount if you auto-renew your policy or opt for paperless statements.
Bundling discount: It’s common for insurance providers to offer a bundling discount when you purchase both your auto and home insurance from them.

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Tips for finding the best car insurance as a teacher

As a teacher, you want the best car insurance coverage for your needs so that you have the right financial protection in case the unexpected happens while behind the wheel. Here are a few ways to get the best coverage at the cheapest price.

Shop around: Don’t assume that the first quote you receive is the lowest possible one, or that the lowest quote will be the right coverage amount for your scenario. Each insurer has a slightly different method of determining premiums, so you may find a better price with the right coverage by collecting several quotes.
Consider mileage: Many teachers drive long miles to work and school activities, while others have short commutes. If you have a short commute, carpool to work or take public transit, consider pay-per-mile insurance rather than traditional coverage, since low-mileage drivers could save significantly on premium costs.
Reward good behavior: Teachers who are safe, responsible drivers can typically find additional savings. Usage-based insurance uses telematics technology to monitor your driving in real time. If you prove to be a good driver, your insurer can reward you with safe driving discounts on your premium.
Get the right optional coverages: As a teacher, maintaining the right levels of coverage to drive your car is important in staying financially protected. Consider optional coverage such as roadside assistance or rental car reimbursement, so you can get to school even if your car can’t.

Frequently asked questions

Methodology

Bankrate utilizes Quadrant Information Services to analyze May 2025 rates for all ZIP codes and carriers in all 50 states and Washington, D.C. Rates are weighted based on the population density in each geographic region. Quoted rates are based on a single, 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 2023 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.

Written by

R.E. Hawley

Senior writer, Insurance