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Icon CheckLast updated: October 9, 2024

The Best Liability Auto Insurance

Find the best plans for minimum coverage.

Best Liability Auto Insurance With Discounts
State Farm Logo

Minimum Liability-Only Coverage Averages
• Annual Premium: $482
• Monthly Premium: $40

Pros + Cons
Solid and affordable liability coverage
Excellent customer satisfaction ratings
X No accident forgiveness

Read our State Farm review.

Best Cheap Liability Auto Insurance
Geico Logo

Minimum Liability-Only Coverage Averages
• Annual Premium: $413
• Monthly Premium: $34

Pros + Cons
Low prices
User-friendly mobile app
X Costs more for high-risk drivers

Read our Geico Review.

Best Flexible Liability Auto Insurance
Travelers Insurance Logo

Minimum Liability-Only Coverage Averages
• Annual Premium: $530
• Monthly Premium: $44

Pros + Cons
Low average rates for liability
Offers great potential discounts for safe drivers
X Higher prices for teen drivers

Read our Travelers review.

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Looking for low-cost coverage to drive legally? Most states in the U.S. require you to have at least liability coverage before you can drive legally. Liability coverage helps cover the costs of the other driver’s bodily injuries and property damages if you’re in an at-fault accident. While we recommend you take on more coverage than just minimum liability, it’s fundamental to any insurance plan.

But who offers the best plans? And how do you know what additional coverage you might need? Below, we’ll look at our top picks for liability auto insurance based on rates, coverage options, discounts, and more.

You might also be interested in the best cheap auto insurance, best auto insurance for high-risk drivers, and our guide to selecting your liability limits.

Editor’s note (last updated June 18, 2024): We updated this guide to include current pricing and coverage details.

Blue CarBest Liability Auto Insurance

  1. State Farm – Best Liability Auto Insurance for Discounts
    State Farm offers multiple ways to save on liability, including good student and safe driver discounts. It also provides bundling options so you can pay less for multiple policies.
  2. GEICO – Best Cheap Liability Auto Insurance
    With lower-than-average rates, GEICO allows drivers to get more liability coverage for less. GEICO is the best option for drivers on a budget, especially if they have a low credit score.
  3. Travelers – Best Liability Auto Insurance for Non Owners
    Travelers is a good option for people who don’t own a car, but drive rentals or borrow other vehicles frequently.

Summary of the Best Liability Auto Insurance

  1. 1.

    Best Liability Auto Insurance for Discounts: State Farm

  2. 2.

    Best Cheap Liability Auto Insurance: GEICO

  3. 3.

    Best Liability Auto Insurance for Non Owners: Travelers

  4. 4.

    Best Liability Auto Insurance for Bundling: Farmers

  5. 5.

    Best Liability Auto Insurance for High-Risk Drivers: Direct Auto

Comparison of the Best Liability Auto Insurance

Category State Farm GEICO Travelers Farmers Direct Auto
Average annual rates for liability-only coverage $482 $413 $530 $634 N/A
Bundling discounts (renters or homeowners insurance) Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes
Safe driver discount Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes
J.D. Power Insurance Shopping Study customer satisfaction index (out of 1,000)1 695 656 680 667 N/A
Review State Farm review GEICO review Travelers review Farmers review Direct Auto review

Detailed List of the Best Liability Auto Insurance

1. Best Liability Auto Insurance for Discounts - State Farm

What We Like Most:

  • Multiple discounts for safe driving, including one specifically for young drivers
  • Local agents
  • Discounts for multiple cars

With an average annual rate of $482 for liability insurance ($40 monthly), State Farm is the cheapest provider on our list after GEICO. It offers affordable liability insurance with plenty of coverage add-ons, policy features, and bundling options. In addition, it has an easy-to-use app and is ranked number one in the country among all large insurance providers for customer service and satisfaction.

ProsWho It's Best For
  • pro
    Drivers who need SR-22s
  • pro
    Safe drivers
  • pro
    People who want to bundle their insurance
  • pro
    People looking for affordable liability coverage
ConsWho It's Not Best For
  • con
    Federal employees, who cannot get any discounts based on their employment
  • con
    People who have been in several at-fault accidents

Solid Coverage Options

Often, liability coverage is the minimum you’ll need in order to drive legally, depending on which state you live in. Still, you may want some additional add-ons even with a solid liability plan to meet your unique needs as a driver. With State Farm, you can get the following features and coverage add-ons:

  • Rideshare coverage
  • Classic car coverage
  • Roadside assistance
  • Towing/labor coverage
  • Glass coverage
  • Personal umbrella insurance
  • Transportation expense coverage

Variety of Discounts

If you’re looking for liability coverage in order to save on your car insurance expenses, then you’ll probably appreciate the variety of discounts that State Farm offers. Discounts and offers may vary from state to state, so speak with an agent to see what you’re eligible for. Here are some ways you can save on your liability insurance with State Farm:

  • Up to 30 percent off with State Farm’s safe driver program.
  • New driver discount if you’re under 25 years old
  • Accident-free savings
  • 40 percent off medical bills coverage if you install passive restraint systems (airbags, seatbelts, etc.) on vehicles made in 1993 or before
  • Up to 25 percent off on good student discounts
  • Up to 20 percent off on multiple-vehicle policies
  • Discounts for completing driver training courses

TIP:

Speak to an agent to learn about all the discounts available to you based on your location, the kind of car you drive, and other personal factors.

Great Bundling

Do you own a home, RV, golf cart, or condo? Consider bundling your liability insurance with another type of insurance. It’s easier to manage multiple insurance policies from the same provider, and you can save when you bundle coverage. With State Farm, you can bundle your liability coverage with any of the following:

  • Homeowners insurance
  • Condo insurance
  • Renters insurance
  • Life insurance
  • Multiple vehicle bundling
  • Motorhome
  • Golf cart
  • RV
2. Best Cheap Liability Auto Insurance - GEICO

What We Like Most:

  • Save money with defensive driving courses
  • Cheapest rates after a speeding ticket
  • Save by installing safety equipment

GEICO is the cheapest provider on our list and one of the cheapest car insurance companies in the nation, with an average annual rate of $413 for liability insurance ($34 monthly). With a long list of discounts and well-rounded bundling and coverage options, GEICO is a great option if you’re looking for affordable liability protection.

ProsWho It's Best For
  • pro
    People on a budget
  • pro
    People with multiple vehicles
  • pro
    Drivers with low credit scores
  • pro
    People who want mobile-friendly insurance policies
ConsWho It's Not Best For
  • con
    Drivers who have DUIs
  • con
    People who want rideshare coverage

Affordable Coverage

Keep in mind that insurance coverage will vary from person to person and state to state depending on your demographic, location, the number of accidents in your area, instances of theft in your area, the chance of natural disasters, and much more.

With GEICO’s low average rate, however, you have a good chance at an affordable insurance quote on your liability coverage. A lot of drivers looking for liability can’t afford full coverage. With GEICO, you might be able to purchase liability coverage with extra protection and still have some money left over.

Tech-Friendly Plan Management

The GEICO mobile app has a 4.8 on the Apple store and a 4.6 on the Google Play store. It has a simple and easy-to-navigate interface that allows you to keep track of your policy and billing details, access your digital insurance card, file a claim, and pay bills. You can request roadside assistance and chat with agents directly on the app.

Additionally, GEICO has an accident estimate feature that allows you to upload photos of car damages to the app and get an estimate of how much the damages will cost.

Extra Coverage Options

You might be surprised to find that you can afford extra coverage options after taking on GEICO’s affordable liability insurance. And if you find yourself with more of a budget to work with, you’ll be happy to learn that GEICO offers a number of different features and coverage types, including these options:

  • Glass coverage
  • Accident death and dismemberment coverage
  • Personal umbrella insurance
  • Mechanical breakdown insurance
  • Personal umbrella insurance
  • Rental reimbursement coverage
  • Classic car coverage

Keep in mind that some coverage options are only available if you hold comprehensive and collision coverages, which are not included in a liability-only policy.

3. Best Liability Auto Insurance for Non Owners - Travelers

What We Like Most:

  • High financial strength rating from AM Best
  • Great customer service reviews
  • Discounts for safe drivers, homeowners, electric vehicle owners, and more

Travelers’ average liability auto rates fall in the middle of the pack among our top picks—a little higher than GEICO and State Farm, and cheaper than Farmers or Direct. Its non-owners insurance makes it a good choice for drivers who borrow or rent vehicles frequently.

ProsWho It's Best For
  • pro
    People looking for add-ons to their liability coverage
  • pro
    Drivers of electric vehicles
  • pro
    People who want to take advantage of safe driver discounts
ConsWho It's Not Best For
  • con
    Anyone outside of Colorado and Illinois who wants rideshare insurance
  • con
    Parents who want to add a teen driver to their policy

DID YOU KNOW?

While most crimes take place primarily in cities and high-population areas, DUIs are actually more common in rural areas.2

Named Non-Owner Insurance

Named non-owner insurance is liability coverage if you don’t own a vehicle. This is a great plan if you drive often but don’t own a car. You might consider signing up for named non-owner insurance if you meet any of the following conditions:

  • Drive rental vehicles often
  • Drive a company car for personal use
  • Borrow vehicles available to you in your social circles
  • Use car-share services
  • Provide care for someone you don’t live with and have to drive their car

Discount for EVs

If you’re looking for liability auto insurance for your electric vehicle, you can save with a special electric vehicle discount from Travelers. We named Travelers one of the best insurance companies for electric vehicles.

Featured Discount Programs

On top of a long list of discounts that you can find at most major insurance providers, Travelers has two unique featured discount programs: The Travelers Affinity Auto & Home Program and the IntelliDrive Program.

The Travelers Affinity Auto & Home Program will allow you to do the following:

  • Benefit from unique discounts unavailable to the general public
  • Become a member if you’re a part of a participating employer, credit union, or affinity association group
  • Become eligible to payroll deductions with no down payment or service free if your employer is a participating affinity member

The IntelliDrive Program is a 90-day safe driver program. Here’s how to apply:

  1. Install the app and link it to your car with the GPS and tracking system.
  2. Begin automatic tracking by driving and waiting for the app to respond.
  3. See your savings at the next policy renewal date.

You can save up to 30 percent through the IntelliDrive Program based on your driving habits, but you might end up with higher premiums if you drive recklessly or unsafely.

4. Best Liability Auto Insurance for Bundling - Farmers

What We Like Most:

  • Keeps rates low after one accident
  • Rental coverage available if your car is out of commission
  • More coverage options for damaged parts

You can bundle your liability coverage with renters insurance, homeowners insurance, pet insurance, and more. Bundling is a great way to get discounts on your insurance and manage all of your policies from the same provider and account.

Most drivers who get only liability coverage or minimum liability are looking for a more affordable plan, so bundling is a good option if you’re already paying for other types of coverage. Farmers is one of the largest providers in the country and is cheaper than the national average with a cost of $634 annually ($53 monthly).

ProsWho It's Best For
  • pro
    Drivers who need rideshare insurance
  • pro
    Drivers who want to bundle their coverage
  • pro
    People with new cars
  • pro
    People who need SR-22s
ConsWho It's Not Best For
  • con
    Farmers auto insurance coverage is unavailable for anyone living in the following areas:
    • Alaska
    • Delaware
    • Hawaii
    • Maine
    • New Hampshire
    • Rhode Island
    • Vermont
    • Washington, D.C.
  • con
    People who want gap insurance

DID YOU KNOW?

Liability coverage (both bodily injury and property damage) is required in every state except for New Hampshire, Virginia, New Jersey, and Florida.

Great Bundling Plans

Farmers has one of the longest lists of bundling options in the country. You can simplify the way you manage your coverage and benefit from big bundling savings. Bundle home, life, business, pet, personal umbrella, and rideshare insurance with your liability coverage. On average, Farmers customers saved 20 percent on their insurance from bundling.

Robust Discounts

Farmers has plenty of discounts that revolve around safe driving habits. The discounts and eligibility can vary from state to state, so speak with an agent to see which ones apply to you. These are some of Farmers’ most notable discounts:

  • 20 percent off if you’re a high school/college student with a 3.0 GPA
  • Up to 5 percent off if you own a hybrid or alternative fuel vehicle
  • Up to 15 percent off if you own a corporation
  • Safe driver discount
  • Anti-theft device discount
  • Premium-paid-in-full discount
  • ePolicy paperless discount
  • Anti-lock brake discount

Seamless Mobile App

The Farmers mobile app has a 4.8-star rating on the Apple store and a 4.6 rating on the Google Play store. The app gives you easy access to pay bills, manage payment options, request roadside assistance, ask for a quote, view policy documents, and more. It’s free to install and gives you the freedom to manage your insurance policies from the comfort of your phone.

5. Best Liability Auto Insurance for High-Risk Drivers - Direct Auto
Direct Auto Logo

What We Like Most:

  • Low rates for high-risk drivers
  • Can pay in cash locally
  • Save money by bundling with life insurance

Do you have a history of DUIs, at-fault accidents, or traffic citations? If so, Direct Auto might be the choice for you. Unlike the other companies on our list, Direct Auto caters specifically to high-risk drivers. You can get minimum liability, full coverage, and a few add-ons to your plan. If you’re having a hard time getting insurance from other providers, it’s worth getting a quote.

ProsWho It's Best For
  • pro
    People with a history of DUIs on their driving records
  • pro
    High-risk drivers
  • pro
    People who need SR-22s
  • pro
    People who live in the following states:
    • Alabama
    • Arkansas
    • Delaware
    • Florida
    • Georgia
    • Louisiana
    • Michigan
    • Mississippi
    • North Carolina
    • Ohio
    • Pennsylvania
    • South Carolina
    • Tennessee
    • Texas
    • Virginia
    • Washington
ConsWho It's Not Best For
  • con
    Safe drivers, who can find better rates elsewhere

FYI:

SR-22s aren’t required in Delaware, Kentucky, Minnesota, New Mexico, New York, North Carolina, Oklahoma, and Pennsylvania.

Made for High-Risk Drivers

Direct Auto is one of the few providers that caters to individuals with a history of accidents, DUIs, traffic citations, and other driving violations that would deter most insurance providers. Although Direct Auto’s rates tend to be more expensive than standard insurers, its rates are often competitive compared to other insurance providers for high-risk drivers. In general, high-risk drivers will pay more for auto insurance.

For many high-risk drivers, minimum liability might be the only affordable option available to you. Direct Auto will work with you directly to find a coverage plan that works, whether you’re looking for minimum liability or something more.

Great Savings

One of the ways Direct Auto keeps car insurance rates relatively low for drivers with histories of violations or accidents is through its discounts. With Direct Auto, you can lower your insurance rates with the following discounts:

  • Save up to 25 percent off if you’re an active military service member.
  • If you’ve been accident-free for three years with Direct Auto, you can save up to 10 percent.
  • If you maintain a B average as a high school or college student, you can get up to 10 percent off your insurance.
  • If you’re over the age of 55, you can get a 5 percent senior discount.
  • You can get up to 25 percent off through a multi-vehicle discount.
  • If you renew your policy within 10 days of expiration, you can get 20 percent off your plan.

Flexible Payment Options

Direct Auto understands how difficult it is to afford car insurance with a history of accidents and violations. That’s why it gives you the opportunity to customize your auto insurance payment options.

With Direct Auto, you can choose payment dates that fit your schedule, plan your payment schedule and recurring payments to fit your budget/spending ability, and decide how you want to pay: online, over the phone, or in person. Regardless of your financial situation, Direct Auto will work closely with you to find a plan that works for your liability insurance.

Methodology

To identify the best providers for liability coverage, we evaluated companies on four criteria:

  • Pricing (40%): We analyzed average annual premiums for liability coverage policies across different driver profiles nationwide. Our reviews accounted for average costs and potential savings opportunities based on factors like age, location, driving record, coverage levels, and available discounts.
  • Claims Handling (25%): We evaluated companies’ claims handling processes by examining industry ratings like J.D. Power’s claims satisfaction scores and the National Association of Insurance Commissioners’ complaint index.
  • Customer Experience (25%): From obtaining quotes and purchasing policies to making payments and adjustments, we assessed the end-to-end customer journey using a variety of sources, including J.D. Power reports, NAIC complaint indices, and mobile app ratings.
  • Coverage Options (10%): While liability coverage is the primary focus, we valued insurers offering additional protection options that complement liability coverage, such as uninsured/underinsured motorist coverage, rental car coverage, and roadside assistance.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is liability coverage?

Liability coverage is the minimum insurance required to drive legally in most states. It consists of bodily injury coverage, which pays for the treatment of injuries you cause to someone else in an accident, and property damage coverage, which pays for damages you caused to someone else’s car or objects/property. Liability coverage does not cover injuries or damages sustained by you or passengers.

How much auto insurance coverage do I need?

How much auto insurance coverage you need depends on your unique circumstances and finances; generally, we recommend limits of at least 100/300/100 for bodily injury and property damage liability, plus uninsured/underinsured motorist and medical payments coverages. Minimum liability coverage may not cover all the costs in the event of an at-fault accident. If your budget allows, we also recommend purchasing additional coverages such as comprehensive and collision coverage, rental reimbursement, and roadside assistance.

How much does liability insurance cost?

On average, minimum liability-only car insurance costs $547 annually ($46 monthly). Exactly how much you pay depends on factors like your age, driver profile, location, and vehicle.

When should I have only liability coverage?

Generally speaking, the cheaper your car is, the less coverage you need. If the total value of your vehicle is so low that you would feel comfortable paying for its damages out of pocket, liability-only coverage (with high limits) may be a good option for you. However, if you’re in an accident with an underinsured/uninsured driver who is also at fault, you may want the peace of mind of knowing that you’re covered even if they can’t afford to pay for the damages they caused.

Ali Saleh
Written by:Ali Saleh
Staff Writer & Editor
Ali Saleh is a copywriter with nearly 10 years of experience in content writing, editing, and journalism. Ali’s work has been featured on a number of notable sites and publications, including MSN, Business.com’s award-winning newsletter, and Groove Korea, South Korea’s largest English-print magazine. Today, he writes for dozens of brands, providing expert guides and informative articles on auto insurance, healthcare, recruiting technology, business, and more. Ali holds a Master of Fine Arts in creative writing from North Carolina State University.

Citations

  1. Auto Insurance Rate Hikes Erode Price Satisfaction, Drive Surge in Value Shopping, J.D. Power Finds. J.D. Power. (2022, May 23).
    https://www.jdpower.com/business/press-releases/2022-us-insurance-shopping-study

  2. 2018 Crime in the United States. Federal Bureau of Investigation. (2018).
    https://ucr.fbi.gov/crime-in-the-u.s/2018/crime-in-the-u.s.-2018/topic-pages/persons-arrested-browse-by/cities-and-counties-grouped-by-size-population-group