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Icon CheckLast updated: November 18, 2024

Best Car Insurance in Houston, Texas 2024

Texas Farm Bureau, State Farm, and Progressive are among the best providers in Houston.

Best Cheap Auto Insurance in Houston
Texas Farm Bureau Logo

Full Coverage Averages in Houston
• Annual Premium: $1,233
• Monthly Premium: $103

Pros + Cons
Cheapest in the state
Excellent third-party ratings
X Must be a member to sign up for insurance

Best Auto Insurance for Drivers With a Bad Record in Houston
State Farm Logo

Full Coverage Averages in Houston
• Annual Premium: $1,348
• Monthly Premium: $112

Pros + Cons
Largest provider in Texas
Cheapest for drivers with bad records
X Must call to receive a quote

Read our State Farm review.

Best Commercial Auto Insurance in Houston
Progressive Logo

Full Coverage Averages in Houston
• Annual Premium: 2,186
• Monthly Premium: $182

Pros + Cons
Second-largest provider in Texas
Best perks and coverage options for commercial auto
X Not the cheapest option for standard coverage

Read our Progressive review.

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If you’re among the millions of drivers in the greater Houston region, you’ve probably noticed your car insurance rates increasing over the past few years. In fact, Texas saw the highest two-year cumulative premium increase (45.5 percent) between 2022 and 2023.1 The increase is largely attributed to the pandemic, which led to price hikes for car parts and, subsequently, the cost of repairs.

Although the auto industry is finding its footing and insurance prices are leveling out across the country, you still might be feeling the burn of the post-pandemic premium surges in Houston, Texas’s largest and second-most expensive city for car insurance.

We’ve reviewed the top insurance providers to help all drivers in Houston find quality insurance at an affordable rate. Our list takes into account regional-specific discounts, driver-specific discounts, average rates in Houston, the best coverage options by driver type, and more.

Average Annual Rates in Houston, Texas

Houston’s $2,014 annual average for full coverage is more expensive than both the state and national averages. It’s also more expensive for minimum coverage compared to the rest of the state and country.

Area Full coverage average annual premium Minimum coverage average annual premium
Houston $2,014 $706
Texas $1,823 $538
The U.S. $1,924 $547

Average Premiums in Texas by City

Houston is among the most expensive cities for car insurance in Texas, just under Dallas ($1,124 annually). On the other hand, El Paso and Austin boast the cheapest rates at around $1,700 a year.

City Full coverage average (annual) Full coverage average (monthly)
El Paso $1,716 $143
Austin $1,776 $148
Fort Worth $1,860 $155
Arlington $1,932 $161
San Antonio $1,944 $162
Houston $2,014 $168
Dallas $2,124 $177

Blue CarBest Auto Insurance Companies in Houston

  1. Texas Farm Bureau – Best Cheap Auto Insurance in Houston
    Texas Farm Bureau offers the cheapest rates and the best service scores in Houston, making it our No. 1 pick for the city.
  2. State Farm – Best Auto Insurance for Drivers With a Bad Record in Houston
    Drivers with DUIs, speeding tickets, and accidents should consider State Farm for its affordable average rates and discount opportunities.
  3. Progressive – Best Commercial Auto Insurance in Houston
    Progressive writes more commercial auto insurance policies than any other
    provider in the country, and it’s the second-largest provider in Texas.

Comparison of the Best Auto Insurance Companies in Houston 2024

Feature Texas Farm Bureau State Farm Progressive Germania Insurance AAA Texas
Average annual full coverage rate in Houston $1,233 $1,348 $2,186 N/A $2,037
Texas Customer Satisfaction Index Ranking out of 1,000 (J.D. Power)2 686 654 616 N/A 662
Best for Drivers on a budget Drivers with a spotty record Business owners and commercial truck owners Working with a local agent Membership perks
Agents in Houston 10+ 100+ 100+ 10+ 20+
Review and pricing N/A State Farm pricing Progressive pricing N/A AAA review

Summary of the Best Auto Insurance in Houston 2024

  1. 1.

    Best Cheap Auto Insurance in Houston: Texas Farm Bureau

  2. 2.

    Best Auto Insurance for Drivers With a Bad Record in Houston: State Farm

  3. 3.

    Best Commercial Auto Insurance in Houston: Progressive

  4. 4.

    Best Local Auto Insurance Provider in Houston: Germania Insurance

  5. 5.

    Best Auto Insurance Membership in Houston: AAA

Detailed List of the Best Auto Insurance in Houston 2024

1. Best Cheap Auto Insurance in Houston - Texas Farm Bureau
Texas Farm Bureau Logo

What We Like Most:

  • Cheapest provider in the city
  • Coverage for all drivers, not just farmers
  • Solid bundling options

With an average rate of $1,233, Texas Farm Bureau is our top pick for drivers on a budget in Houston. Expect the best rates, the best customer service, and several coverage options to customize your policy.

ProsWho It's Best For
  • pro
    Drivers on a budget
  • pro
    Farmers
  • pro
    Drivers who want to customize their policy
  • pro
    Drivers with a bad record
ConsWho It's Not Best For
  • con
    Non-Farm Bureau members

Affordable Coverage

Texas Farm Bureau has some of the cheapest rates for auto insurance in Houston, followed by State Farm.

Car insurance company Monthly average premium in Houston Annual average premium in Houston
Texas Farm Bureau $103 $1,233
State Farm $112 $1,348
National General $135 $1,621
GEICO $138 $1,657
Nationwide $159 $1,902
AAA Texas $170 $2,037
Progressive $182 $2,186

Excellent Service Scores

Texas Farm Bureau consistently scores among the highest providers for customer satisfaction, brand loyalty, claims satisfaction, and other service scores.

J.D. Power, a third-party institution dedicated to assessing providers for customer service and claims satisfaction, rated Texas Farm Bureau 686 out of 1,000 for 2024, the highest rating in the state. State Farm (654 out of 1,000) also scored above average.

CRASH scores providers based on their claims handling policies, attitudes, and payment practices when customers file claims due to a car accident.3 Texas Farm Bureau received a B- from the CRASH Network, which is the 27th highest out of 88 companies nationally. Germania also received a B- in Texas, with a national rank of 44 out of 88. AAA Texas scored even higher, with a grade of B and national rank of 18, making the “Honor Roll.”

Customize Your Policy

With cheaper average rates, you may be able to afford optional coverage add-ons. Here are all the ways to tack on extra protection with Texas Farm Bureau.

  • Medical payments coverage
  • Death indemnity coverage
  • Collision and comprehensive coverage (full coverage)
  • Rental coverage
  • Roadside assistance
2. Best Auto Insurance for Drivers With a Bad Record in Houston - State Farm

What We Like Most:

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

State Farm is the largest car insurance provider in Texas, as well as the rest of the country. It offers the second-most affordable overall rates in Texas, and the cheapest rates for drivers after a speeding ticket, DUI, and accident.

ProsWho It's Best For
  • pro
    Drivers with accidents on their record
  • pro
    Drivers with speeding tickets or DUIs on their record
  • pro
    Customers who plan to bundle auto and home
  • pro
    Households insuring multiple vehicles on the same policy
ConsWho It's Not Best For
  • con
    People who want to receive quotes online

Cheapest After a Speeding Ticket

State Farm has the cheapest rates for drivers with speeding tickets, DUIs, and accidents. For drivers with speeding tickets and accidents, Texas Farm Bureau is the next cheapest, and National General is the next cheapest for DUIs. AAA Texas and Allstate tend to have the highest rates for drivers with spotty records.

Car insurance company Monthly average premium after a ticket Annual average premium after a ticket
State Farm $123 $1,472
Texas Farm Bureau $130 $1,558
GEICO $153 $1,836
National General $175 $2,103
Progressive $208 $2,491
Allstate $228 $2,730
AAA Texas $237 $2,843

Cheapest After a DUI

Car insurance company Monthly average premium after a DUI Annual average premium after a DUI
State Farm $151 $1,814
National General $164 $1,965
Texas Farm Bureau $173 $2,078
GEICO $196 $2,351
Progressive $241 $2,890
Allstate $291 $3,489
AAA Texas $292 $3,506

Cheapest After an At-Fault Accident

Car insurance company Monthly average premium after an at-fault accident Annual average premium after an at-fault accident
State Farm $132 $1,587
Farm Bureau $144 $1,732
GEICO $191 $2,291
National General $207 $2,479
Progressive $242 $2,904
AAA Texas $282 $3,380
Allstate $309 $3,702
3. Best Commercial Auto Insurance in Houston - 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 is the second largest overall provider in Houston and the largest provider in the country for commercial auto insurance. With incentives and discounts for business owners, it offers great rates and several coverage perks for truck and fleet owners.

ProsWho It's Best For
  • pro
    Business owners
  • pro
    Commercial fleet owners
  • pro
    Delivery companies
  • pro
    Rideshare drivers
ConsWho It's Not Best For

LEARN MORE

Looking to loan or lease a vehicle? We recommend you add gap insurance. Check out our guide to gap insurance in Texas.

Truck-Tracking Insights

When you sign up for Progressive’s free fleet-tracking program, Snapshot ProView, you can earn up to 20 percent off your policy. You also get access to several fleet management tools to help make your drivers safer and more efficient.

Snapshot ProView comes with the following features:

  • Vehicle-tracking features with live (or close to live) updates to see where your vehicles are in their journey
  • Trip summary metrics, like gas spent, miles driven, time to arrival, and more
  • Geofencing notifications that show you when trucks enter or leave key locations
  • Driving scorecards that show how safely your team members are driving
  • Tips on how to improve drivers’ habits

Insure Several Vehicle and Business Types

With Progressive, you can get commercial insurance as a small business, transportation service, independent contractor, food service owner, delivery company, nonprofit, and more. Progressive insures the following vehicle types for their customers:

  • Sedans
  • Trucks
  • SUVs
  • Vans
  • Trailer and semi-trailer trucks
  • Dump trucks
  • Commercial and utility trailers
  • And more

Commercial Auto Repair Network

Progressive offers a commercial repair network that you can leverage to get expedited repairs under Progressive’s customer priority policy.

Choose from a selection of Progressive-vetted repair shops, and work with a single Progressive representative to manage your claim, as opposed to communicating with several points of contact.

4. Best Local Auto Insurance Provider in Houston - Germania Insurance

What We Like Most:

  • Serving Texans for more than 125 years
  • Strong local initiatives and partnerships around Texas
  • All discounts are state-specific

Germania Insurance was organized in 1896 as a farming mutual insurance company. Today, it offers auto insurance, as well as other insurance types, with several discounts, add-ons, and local Texan agents. 

ProsWho It's Best For
  • pro
    Safe drivers
  • pro
    Houstonians who want to work with a local agent
  • pro
    People who want roadside assistance
  • pro
    Customers who plan to bundle auto and home
ConsWho It's Not Best For
  • con
    People who want to work with a large provider
  • con
    People who don’t want to sign up for a membership

Local Discounts

So many advertised car insurance discounts are state-specific, so most drivers have to speak directly with an agent to learn if a discount they found online is actually available in their state or city.

With Germania, you can rest assured knowing their discounts are available to all qualifying Texan drivers. Here’s the full list of discounts you may be eligible for:

  • Paid-in-full discount
  • Multicar discount
  • Multipolicy discount (15 percent)
  • Mature driver discount (10 percent)
  • Good student discount (15 percent)
  • Defensive driver discount (10 percent)
  • Young defensive driver discount (10 percent)
  • Passive-restraint discount (30 percent)
  • Anti-theft discount (5 percent)
  • New-vehicle discount (10 percent)

Roadside Assistance

Whether you’re driving in or outside of Texas, Germania offers optional roadside assistance that costs its drivers around $30 a year, which is very affordable compared to other providers.4

Germania roadside assistance comes with the following features and coverages:

  • Towing
  • Battery jumps
  • Fuel and fluid delivery
  • Flat tire replacements
  • Lockout assistance
  • Map services
  • Up to $50 reimbursement if you attain roadside assistance from a different provider

Work With a Local Houston Agent

Germania has more than a dozen agents in Houston and several more in the greater Houston area. While some auto insurance providers are moving out of specific states (e.g., California) because of increasing costs, Germania operates in Texas only. Whether you visit a physical office, call, or chat with someone online, you can expect to speak with a local agent to navigate your insurance needs.

5. Best Auto Insurance Membership in Houston - AAA

What We Like Most:

  • Roadside assistance available
  • Bundling can save you money
  • Low rates for good driving records

Founded in 1950, AAA Texas offers a range of tailored coverage options, including standard insurance options (liability and full coverage) as well as roadside assistance and other add-ons. With nearly 75 years in business, the Texas division offers local discounts and membership benefits to meet the needs of drivers in the Houston area.

FYI

AAA sells auto insurance through independently operated regional companies, each offering its own range of coverage options and discounts. In addition to AAA Texas, the Auto Club of Southern California — despite its name — is another AAA-affiliated club serving Texas.

ProsWho It's Best For
  • pro
    Safe drivers
  • pro
    People who want AAA membership perks
  • pro
    Existing AAA members
  • pro
    People who want roadside assistance
ConsWho It's Not Best For
  • con
    People looking for the cheapest option
  • con
    Drivers with bad credit

Numerous Discounts for Houston Drivers

Like Germania, AAA Texas offers members several ways to save. Here are a few advertised discounts you may be able to take advantage of:

  • Auto and home bundling discount: up to 16 percent on auto and 22 percent on home
  • Auto and condo/renters: up to 6 percent on auto and 9 percent on condo/renters
  • Auto, home, and life: up to 19.8 percent on auto and up to 22 percent on homeowners insurance when you combine auto, home, and life policies
  • Multivehicle: up to 26 percent
  • Group affinity: up to 10 percent
  • Paid-in-full: up to 5 percent
  • Three-year loyalty: up to 20 percent
  • Low-mileage: up to 20 percent
  • OnBoard safe driver program: up to 5 percent for signing up and 30 percent if you score highly for safe driving habits

AAA Membership Perks

On top of benefiting from auto insurance discounts, AAA members benefit from several perks, including:

  • Shell fuel rewards
  • 10 percent off NAPA Auto Parts purchases
  • 10 percent off on AAA-approved auto repairs
  • AAA’s streamlined car-buying service
  • 20 percent off Hertz car rentals
  • 12 percent off Penske truck rentals

Variety of Add-ons

AAA Texas offers coverage options beyond the state-required minimum that can protect you financially in the event of an accident.

Coverage What it includes
Roadside assistance Tiered coverage for jump-starts, towing, flat tires, and other roadside services
Rental reimbursement Reimburses the cost of a rental up to policy limits if your vehicle is in the shop after a covered incident
Gap insurance Pays the gap between the remaining balance on your lease or loan and the actual cash value of your vehicle if it’s declared a total loss
Uninsured/underinsured motorist coverage Provides coverage for medical expenses and damages if you’re in an accident with a driver who has no insurance or not enough insurance
Rideshare insurance Extra protection to keep you insured for the entirety of your rideshare drive
OEM coverage Ensures coverage for original equipment (manufacturer) parts, which tend to be more expensive than aftermarket parts (a good option if you own a vehicle like a Tesla)

PRO TIP

Although uninsured/underinsured motorist coverage is not legally required in Texas, we highly recommend it, as it will protect you in hit-and-run situations and other accidents with underinsured drivers.

Frequently Asked Questions

How much insurance do I need to drive legally in Houston?

According to the Texas Department of Insurance, you need the following limits to drive legally in Texas:

  • Bodily injury liability: $30,000 per person
  • Bodily injury liability: $60,000 per accident
  • Property damage liability: $25,000 per accident

Does Texas offer state-sponsored car insurance assistance?

Unfortunately, Texas does not offer state-sponsored car insurance assistance.

However, you can bring your costs down by comparing providers, increasing your deductible, driving safely, and taking advantage of usage-based insurance (like low mileage or safe driver programs).

What are the recommended auto insurance limits in Texas?

We recommend purchasing full coverage, including uninsured/underinsured motorist coverage, with limits as high as you can afford. Limits of $100,000 per person/$300,000 per accident for bodily injury, $100,000 per accident for property damage, with equal uninsured/underinsured motorist limits, is often a good place to start. While you don’t need full coverage to drive legally in Houston, minimum coverage only covers the other party’s injuries and damages, not your own, and it might not be enough if you’re involved in a serious accident. Additionally, if you financed or leased your vehicle, your lender will likely require you to carry collision and comprehensive coverage.

What is the cheapest provider in Houston for seniors?

Texas Farm Bureau, State Farm, and GEICO are some of the cheapest providers in Houston for seniors, with average annual rates of about $1,400.

Methodology

We analyzed four key categories to determine the best providers in Houston, Texas: pricing, claims handling, customer experience, and coverage options. Here’s the full breakdown of how we measured each category:

  • Pricing (40%): As most of us at AutoInsurance.com are drivers ourselves, we understand just how crucial cost is for prospective customers. That’s why we place the biggest importance on pricing and investigated average annual premiums in Houston for both full and minimum coverage options. Additionally, we evaluated how rates might vary across different categories of drivers, including safe drivers, homeowners, drivers with bad records, young drivers, and more. The minimum coverage averages are based on Texas’s mandated requirements, while the full coverage averages were calculated as follows:
    • Bodily injury liability: $100,000 per person/$300,000 per accident
    • Property damage liability: $50,000 per accident
    • Uninsured and underinsured motorist bodily injury: $50,000 per person/$100,000 per accident
    • Comprehensive and collision: $500 deductible
  • Claims Handling (25%): Since claims handling is the core service provided by insurance companies, it’s essential for us to evaluate how efficiently and effectively they process your claims for repairs and other services. Independent rating systems like CRASH Network, J.D. Power, and AM Best provide us with reliable assessment tools to measure customer service, claims satisfaction, financial strength, and customer experience when reviewing claims processes.
  • Customer Experience (25%): As car insurance customers, we know how important it is to have positive customer experiences when working with insurance agencies. Dealing with claims after an accident or incident can be stressful and draining, so it’s important that we identify providers who have a good track record with customers during these sensitive times. Objective third-party organizations and customer review agencies, like Better Business Bureau (BBB) and the National Association of Insurance Commissioners, give us insight into things like customer complaint scores and customer service experiences, allowing us to identify which providers work best with customers.
  • Coverage Options (10%): It’s important to have options for car insurance to bolster your financial security and make sure you and your loved ones are protected on the road. That’s why we value providers that offer custom coverage and flexible options beyond the legal requirements in Texas.

Learn more about our ratings and methodology.

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. Largest US private auto insurers boost rates by double digits in 2023. S&P Global. (2024, Jan 17).
    https://www.spglobal.com/marketintelligence/en/news-insights/latest-news-headlines/largest-us-private-auto-insurers-boost-rates-by-double-digits-in-2023-80011993

  2. Trust Emerges as Top Driver of Customer Satisfaction with Auto Insurance as Prices Continue to Surge, J.D. Power Finds. J.D. Power. (2024, Jun 11).
    https://www.jdpower.com/business/press-releases/2024-us-auto-insurance-study

  3. Top Rated U.S. Car Insurance Companies for 2024. CRASH Network. (2024).
    https://www.crashnetwork.com/irc/

  4. Roadside assistance coverage: What does it cover and how does it work?. Germania Insurance. (2021, Jan 27).
    https://germaniainsurance.com/blogs/post/germania-insurance-blog/2021/02/05/roadside-assistance-coverage-what-does-it-cover-and-how-does-it-work