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Icon CheckLast updated: February 10, 2023

The Best Online Auto Insurance

The ultimate providers of online auto coverage

Best Overall
Progressive Logo

As one of the leading insurers in the nation, Progressive comes out on top for online auto insurance. Its easy-to-use online services will help you find massive discounts and manage your policy, with many types of coverage available.

Online Discounts
Geico Logo

With a convenient user interface, GEICO makes purchasing auto insurance online simple with access to standard and specialized coverage options at affordable costs.

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No matter what you are looking for in an automobile insurance provider, intuitive online tools will save you time and money with just a few clicks. However, not all online services are created equal. Our recommended providers are a cut above the rest when it comes to digitally managing policies and claims.

Here is a quick list of the top automobile insurance providers online. We compare them in the table, and go into more detail for each pick.

The Best Online Auto Insurance

  1. 1.

    Best Overall: Progressive

  2. 2.

    Best Discounts: GEICO

  3. 3.

    Best Mobile App: Esurance

  4. 4.

    Best Rates: USAA

  5. 5.

    Best Quoting Process: State Farm

Provider Awarded IOS app rating (out of 5) Android app rating (out of 5) Does it provide quotes online? Can you buy insurance online? Review
#1. Progressive Overall 4.7 4.6 Yes Yes Progressive review
#2. GEICO Discounts 4.8 4.7 Yes Yes GEICO review
#3. Esurance Mobile app 4.8 4.5 Yes Yes Esurance review
#4. USAA Rates 4.8 4.3 Yes Yes USAA review
#5. State Farm Quotes 4.8 4.7 Yes No State Farm review

Detailed List of The Best Online Auto Insurance

1. Best Overall - Progressive

What We Like Most:

  • Cheaper rates for drivers with a DUI
  • Several ways to save if your premium increases
  • Accident forgiveness automatically applies to policy in most states

Progressive, which provides coverage nationwide, is the best in any state when it comes to online auto insurance. You can shop according to your budget, as well as customize your coverage, with access to its Name Your Price Tool.

ProsWho It's Best For
  • pro
    Adult drivers who have recently become licensed drivers
  • pro
    Good drivers in search of discounts
  • pro
    Experienced motorists who’ve been in car accidents
  • pro
    Any automobilist who needs gap coverage
ConsWho It's Not Best For
  • con
    Teen drivers who want coverage

Snapshot Discount

Get rewarded for safe driving with Progressive’s Snapshot discount. Plug the Snapshot device into your car’s diagnostic port or download the mobile app to track your driving habits to earn discounts. Either device will track mileage, braking habits, and the time of day while creating a safe driving report that will translate into discounts on your premiums.

People who participate save $47 by signing up and another $156 once they’ve completed the program. Additionally, you can start the program at any time during your policy.

Quick Quotes

If you’re looking for a new insurance company, we obtained a quote in just four minutes with Progressive. On the company’s website, we used the auto quote explorer to compare quotes from different insurers to view the lowest rate.

With over $700 in average savings for new customers who switch, it pays to get a quick quote with Progressive. If you have complex coverage needs, you can connect with a virtual assistant who will guide you through your options to meet your budget.

NOTE:

If you are considering switching insurers, most providers will not let you cancel a policy online. If you are looking to cancel your policy, it’s best to contact an agent directly.

Expansive Vehicle Coverage Types

Bundling discounts are premium reductions for purchasing more than one policy through the same provider. If you have more than one vehicle to cover, Progressive offers options whether you’re on the road, on the water, or in the snow. The company provides insurance for these vehicles:

  • All-terrain vehicle (ATV)
  • Utility terrain vehicle (UTV)
  • Auto
  • Boat
  • Classic car
  • Golf cart
  • Motorcycle
  • Personal watercraft
  • RV
  • Segway
  • Snowmobile1
2. Best Discounts - GEICO

What We Like Most:

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

GEICO sets itself apart from competitors when it comes to mobile apps and online policies. With over a century of insurance experience, GEICO has adapted to the online market by crafting seamless claim management and quote tools for its users.

ProsWho It's Best For
  • pro
    Any driver who wants low premiums
  • pro
    Someone with bad credit
  • pro
    Safe drivers with clean records
  • pro
    Multiple vehicle owners
ConsWho It's Not Best For
  • con
    High-risk drivers
  • con
    Gap insurance seekers

Extensive Discounts

Discount Maximum savings Requirements
Airbags 23% Your vehicle is equipped with airbags.
Anti-lock brakes 5% Your vehicle has a factory-installed anti-lock braking system.
Anti-theft system 23% Your vehicle has a built-in anti-theft system.
Daytime running lights 3% Your vehicle is equipped with daytime running lights.
New vehicle 15% Your vehicle is 3 model years old, or newer.
Good driver 22% You’ve been accident-free for 5 years.
Seat belt use Varies You and your passengers always wear seat belts.
Defensive driving Varies You’ve completed a defensive driving course.
Driver’s education course Varies A young driver in your family has completed a driver’s education course.
Good student 15% You or your child are a full-time student with a good academic record.
Emergency deployment 25% You’re part of an emergency deployment to an imminent danger zone.
Federal employee 12% You’re an active or retired federal employee.
Affiliate member or employee Varies You belong to an affiliate group, such as the American Public Health Association or the American Kennel Club.
Military 15% You’re active duty, retired from the military, or a member of the National Guard or Reserves.
Multivehicle 25% You insure more than one car with GEICO.
Multipolicy Varies You insure your car and have a homeowners or renters policy with GEICO.2

Accident Forgiveness

Accident forgiveness prevents rates from rising after a driver’s first at-fault accident. This coverage will help drivers save on premiums and keep good driver discounts. Drivers can purchase accident forgiveness as supplemental coverage or get it for free after five years with GEICO. However, GEICO’s accident forgiveness is not available in these states:

Superior Financial Health

An insurance company’s financial health matters because it needs stable finances to pay out your claims. GEICO has an A++ rating from AM Best — the highest a company can receive to indicate their ability to fulfill financial obligations.

3. Best Mobile App - Esurance
Esurance Logo 2023

What We Like Most:

  • Backed by Allstate
  • Easy online experience from start to finish
  • Discounted bundling options with home, renters, or motorcycle insurance

Esurance, an Allstate-owned company, boasts a straightforward interface to make your experience painless when comparing quotes and managing claims online.

ProsWho It's Best For
  • pro
    People who want an online-only insurer
  • pro
    Motorists who drive for a rideshare service
  • pro
    Anyone who is comfortable using a mobile app
  • pro
    Someone who wants to switch providers and could benefit from a transfer discount
ConsWho It's Not Best For
  • con
    Anyone who wants access to in-person agents
  • con
    People who want extremely low rates

Top-Tier Mobile Experience

For those who want to communicate with their insurer via app, Esurance offers an easy-to-use mobile experience. On the Esurance mobile app you can …

  • Pay your bill.
  • File a claim.
  • Manage your policy.
  • Add a new car to your policy.
  • Post pictures of damages and repairs.
  • Update your contact information.
  • View your ID card.
  • Get roadside assistance.3

Online-Only Insurer

Founded in 1999, Esurance became one of the first companies to sell insurance policies over the internet. Esurance has more than two decades’ experience as an online-only insurer, which allows it to tailor the customer experience and policy management tools to online usage. This expertise is a huge benefit if you’re searching for online auto coverage because it offers simple, easy-to-use websites and virtual account assistants.

24-Hour Roadside Assistance

Roadside assistance is free with comprehensive and collision coverage. Esurance’s roadside assistance has a $75 benefit cap per accident, up to three accidents per year. After you’ve reached the limit, you will be responsible for paying any remaining out-of-pocket expenses.

The following emergency services are included with Esurance’s roadside assistance:

  • Towing
  • Fuel delivery
  • Battery jump-start
  • Locksmith
  • Flat tire change
  • Onsite mechanical adjustment
  • Winching and/or extraction

You can request towing or labor services and track your aid in the app.

4. Best Rates - USAA

What We Like Most:

  • Cheapest rates for teens on a family policy or on their own
  • Special discount for teens transitioning off their parents’ policy
  • Strong customer service and claims process

The United Services Automobile Association — or USAA — offers some of the lowest premiums for all eligible driver profiles, including …

  • An active, retired, or separated veteran with a discharge type of “Honorable” or “General Under Honorable Conditions” from the U.S. military.
  • A precommissioned officer attending a U.S. service academy, affiliated academy preparatory school, or advanced ROTC program.
  • A spouse, widow, widower, or unremarried former spouse of a USAA member.
  • A stepchild or biological child of an USAA member.
ProsWho It's Best For
  • pro
    Veterans, military members, and their families
  • pro
    Drivers with clean records
  • pro
    Anyone who stores a vehicle while deployed
ConsWho It's Not Best For
  • con
    People who are not eligible for membership
  • con
    Someone who wants a lot of specialized discounts
  • con
    Anyone who is looking for coverage add-on options, like car replacement and rental reimbursement

High Customer Satisfaction

USAA received a 909 out of 1,000 customer satisfaction rating from J.D. Power, the highest rate of any insurance firm. Even with online insurance, it’s nice to know that you’ll have actual humans helping you every step of the way.

TIP:

When shopping online for auto insurance, you should have a clear understanding of both your coverage needs and budget. Compare quotes from three or more companies to determine the best fit at the lowest price.

Membership Benefits

Here are some of the advantages USAA customers will have access to:

  • Bank: USAA’s team can help you find the right credit card, obtain low rates for car loans, and set up military pay advancements with direct deposit.
  • Bundle: Along with auto coverage, USAA provides policies for home, health, life, and your small business.
  • Advice: This company’s advice center can help answer questions about managing money and military life so you can prepare for deployment transitions and assess financial opportunities.
  • Perks: Take advantage of shopping rewards, 25 percent discounts on car rentals, price matching on vacation packages, waived travel fees, home security discounts with ADT, and additional discounts for moving and storage.4

Multipolicy Discounts

USAA offers an additional 10 percent discount on your annual rate when you bundle auto and home or renters insurance. Whether it’s fire, theft, or weather damage, USAA’s bundled insurance will cover your personal belongings and protect your assets. If you purchase auto insurance with homeowners or renters insurance, the company will automatically apply the multipolicy discount

5. Best Quoting Process - State Farm

What We Like Most:

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

If you’re searching for a personalized policy experience online, State Farm is the perfect insurer for you. State Farm offers virtual chats and effortless policy management tools to simplify your online hunt for car insurance.

ProsWho It's Best For
  • pro
    Teen drivers, as they could see up to 25 percent off in discounts
  • pro
    People who want to bundle auto and home insurance
  • pro
    Consumers who need multiple types of insurance
  • pro
    Someone who has an SR-22
ConsWho It's Not Best For
  • con
    People who want a discount for buying online
  • con
    Someone who is looking for a paperless billing discount

Easy Account Management

State Farm’s online account management makes it easy to update your account from anywhere at any time. Get 24/7 access to all your State Farm products with a single login on its website or mobile app. All you need to create an account is your phone number, date of birth, and email. Once you sign up you can file a claim, pay your insurance bill, or get roadside assistance.

Instant Quotes

With instant free quotes, you can customize your coverage to see how different options impact your rates. State Farm’s online quotes will give you insight on bundling options and possible savings by switching.

Get instant quotes on State Farm’s website for, or a combination of, these policies:

  • Auto
  • Homeowner
  • Renter
  • Small business
  • Life
  • Medical supplement
  • Hospital income
  • Pet

Teen Driver Benefits

Beginning to drive can be exciting — and expensive. State Farm offers savings of up to 25 percent to lower the cost of insuring your teen. You can add your teen driver to your policy online or in the State Farm mobile app. State Farm offers the following additional discounts.

  • Good grades: Save up to 25 percent until your teen turns 25 if they rank in the top 20 percent of their class. Homeschoolers can qualify if they can submit evidence of national standardized test scores.
  • Driver training: Get a discount when drivers under 21 complete a driver’s education course.
  • Dormitory living: Receive a discount if a student under 25 only uses their car at home during school vacations.

Methodology

Our aim is to find customers the cheapest rates for the most trustworthy coverage. For our recommendations of the best providers for online auto insurance, we use a three-pronged approach:

  • Company information: To determine the leading companies for online auto insurance we examine the providers’ online interface, layout accessibility, and its usability. Additionally, we prioritize third-party financial strength and customer satisfaction ratings from AM Best and J.D. Power. We incorporate these ratings with our initial findings to strengthen our suggestions of the best companies.
  • Proprietary data: AutoInsurance.com has 20 years’ experience connecting people to affordable auto insurance companies. We track which customer profiles have the most success with which companies to build our knowledge of each insurer’s primary customer demographics. With these data points, we make customized suggestions based on your financial history and driving record so you don’t waste time considering a provider that’s out of budget or refuses to cover you.
  • Institutional knowledge: In the last two decades, we’ve built an unmatched knowledge base of provider strengths and weaknesses to help us match people with their perfect policies. We take counsel from Paul Ford, the president of insurance at Centerfield, which is AutoInsurance.com’s parent company. Paul’s insurance expertise spans three decades with tenures at Canadian Access, InsLogic, Capital One Insurance Services, NetQuote, Bankrate, and Datalot.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do all car insurance companies offer the same discounts and coverages online as those you receive when you purchase them over the phone?

Yes. There will not be a difference in discounts and coverages when purchasing over the phone, online, or in person. Almost all major auto insurance companies offer basic coverages like liability, collision, comprehensive, medical payments, personal injury protection, and uninsured motorist coverage. Specialized coverages and discounts online will depend on a company’s offerings. Most companies will offer similar options, like gap coverage or safe driving discounts, but discounts will vary.

How much does online car insurance cost?

According to the National Association of Insurance Commissioners, the average annual cost of auto insurance is $1,070. Generally, shopping online is the cheapest option for buying auto insurance because of fewer markups and agent fees. While some providers also offer discounts for signing up online, they calculate rates on a case-by-case basis.

Here are some factors that will influence auto insurance rates:

  • Clean or poor driving record
  • Good or bad credit score
  • Location
  • Vehicle specifications
  • Gender
  • Age
  • Car insurance coverage — both required and optional
  • Add-on insurance products, like roadside assistance

Is it better to buy car insurance online or over the phone?

Typically, buying car insurance over the phone will be cheaper, simpler, and quicker when you use AutoInsurance.com to match you with your perfect policy. Speaking with an agent over the phone can be helpful during the buying process, as we’ll give you recommendations on the best coverage and find discounts you may not know about. Finding the best car insurance requires comparing rates from multiple companies, whether you’re shopping online or over the phone.

Can I buy car insurance completely online?

Yes, you can buy insurance completely online but not with all providers. Many insurers — such as Progressive and GEICO — have services that allow you to complete the entire purchasing process online, but some companies may require that you contact an agent before purchasing.

Ella Erwin
Written by:Ella Erwin
Staff Writer
Ella Erwin is a writer at AutoInsurance.com. Their most recent professional experience was designing and co-facilitating courses in policy advocacy with the Center for New York City Affairs. They are currently pursuing a Master of Science in design and urban ecologies and creative community development at Parsons School of Design. Ella also has a Bachelor of Arts in sociology and sustainability from Pepperdine University.

Citations

  1. Explore all products. Progressive. (2022).
    https://www.progressive.com/insurance/

  2. Car Insurance Discounts – Savings on Auto Insurance. Geico. (2022).
    https://www.geico.com/save/discounts/car-insurance-discounts/

  3. Always on the go? Go Esurance Mobile!. Esurance. (2022).
    https://www.esurance.com/mobile-app

  4. Why Join USAA?. USAA. (2022).
    https://www.usaa.com/inet/wc/why_choose_usaa