Families aren’t one-size-fits-all. Some families are huge, with lots of children and extended family members living in the same household, while other families are small, made up of a couple or a single parent and their child. No matter the size and shape of your family, there is a car insurance policy out there that can meet your needs.
Comparing coverage between multiple companies is the best, most efficient way to save money on car insurance.
Best cheap car insurance for young families
For newlyweds, childless couples, and couples with young children who aren’t old enough to drive, you and your significant other will be the only active drivers on the policy. You don’t have to be married to share a car insurance policy, but some companies offer lower rates to married couples than to single people.
The chart below shows the lowest rates by company based on marital status, but some companies like Union Mutual and North Carolina Farm Bureau charge the same rates to both their married and single customers.
Company | Marital status | Average annual premium |
|---|---|---|
Root | Married | $635 |
Single | $707 | |
American National | Married | $666 |
Single | $768 | |
Integrity Insurance | Married | $691 |
Single | $898 | |
FAIA | Married | $743 |
Single | $790 | |
Concord Group | Married | $777 |
Single | $906 | |
North Carolina Farm Bureau | Married | $799 |
Single | $799 | |
Western Agriculture | Married | $829 |
Single | $871 | |
Countryway | Married | $830 |
Single | $1,040 | |
MMG | Married | $901 |
Single | $955 | |
West Bend Mutual | Married | $910 |
Single | $992 | |
Union Mutual | Married | $941 |
Single | $941 | |
MAPFRE | Married | $1,066 |
Single | $1,066 |
Root and American National offer the lowest rates for both married and single drivers, but remember that these are average rates. Your rates could be higher or lower than the rates above based on a number of factors.
Best car insurance for military families
When it comes to insurance, USAA is often the best, most affordable choice for military families. The company offers excellent coverage at rates that are almost always lower than their competitors, while tailoring their coverage to the specific needs of military families. MAPFRE is another company that offers an extraordinarily low rate for military families. The chart below shows how average rates from USAA compare with other companies:
Company | Average annual premium |
|---|---|
MAPFRE | $1,040 |
USAA | $1,048 |
Auto-Owners Insurance | $1,070 |
Erie | $1,139 |
GEICO | $1,187 |
American Family | $1,227 |
State Farm | $1,383 |
Nationwide | $1,463 |
NJ Manufacturers | $1,481 |
COUNTRY Financial | $1,543 |
Travelers | $1,580 |
Amica | $1,687 |
Progressive | $1,758 |
National General | $1,819 |
Farmers | $1,934 |
The Hartford | $1,939 |
Allstate | $1,974 |
CSAA | $2,318 |
MetLife | $2,431 |
Mercury Insurance | $2,554 |
However, USAA is not the only company that offers coverage for military members and their families. Many insurance companies offer discounts for both active and retired military members, which can bring their policies closer to USAA in price.
Best cheap car insurance for families with teenagers
Rates for teen drivers are typically very expensive. However, it is important to remember that each company has their own formula for setting rates, which means some companies will charge much less for teenage drivers while others charge much more. The best way to make sure you are getting the cheapest insurance with a teen driver is to compare quotes from multiple companies.
The chart below show the 30 cheapest insurance companies for teen drivers by average rates:
Company | 16 | 18 | 21 |
|---|---|---|---|
21st Century Insurance | $1,774 | $1,434 | $1,434 |
AFR Insurance | $2,748 | $2,020 | $1,622 |
American National | $3,618 | $1,771 | $1,183 |
Colorado Farm Bureau | $3,252 | $2,436 | $2,071 |
Concord Group | $1,993 | $1,651 | $1,225 |
COUNTRY Financial | $3,145 | $2,512 | $1,979 |
Countryway | $2,256 | $2,143 | $1,346 |
Erie | $3,145 | $2,663 | $1,960 |
FAIA | $2,495 | $2,015 | $1,274 |
Germania Insurance | $3,457 | $3,028 | $1,942 |
Idaho Farm Bureau | $3,450 | $3,079 | $2,498 |
IMT Insurance | $2,783 | $2,296 | $1,873 |
Indiana Farmers Insurance | $2,021 | $1,878 | $1,417 |
Island Insurance | $1,251 | $1,251 | $1,251 |
MAPFRE | $3,199 | $3,199 | $3,199 |
Michigan Farm Bureau | $3,679 | $3,352 | $2,868 |
Mississippi Farm Bureau | $3,619 | $2,958 | $2,358 |
Missouri Farm Bureau | $3,445 | $3,184 | $2,026 |
MMG | $2,803 | $2,187 | $1,512 |
North Carolina Farm Bureau | $2,628 | $1,800 | $844 |
North Star Mutual | $3,030 | $3,030 | $2,117 |
Patriot Insurance | $3,712 | $3,712 | $2,455 |
Root | $2,519 | $1,851 | $1,134 |
SECURA | $2,780 | $2,168 | $1,569 |
Southern Farm Bureau | $3,176 | $2,611 | $2,090 |
Texas Farm Bureau | $2,535 | $1,752 | $1,463 |
Umialik | $3,059 | $2,707 | $2,139 |
Virginia Farm Bureau | $2,532 | $2,347 | $1,786 |
Wawanesa | $2,205 | $1,926 | $1,434 |
Western Agriculture | $2,554 | $2,075 | $1,491 |
Standalone policies for teens are significantly more expensive than adding a teen to your insurance policy, which means you can save hundreds or even thousands of dollars by keeping a teen driver on a family policy.
Best cheap car insurance for families with college students
There are several ways for families with college students to reduce their car insurance rates, including:
Away from home rates: Many insurance companies allow families with college students who are going to school at least 100 miles away from home (and leaving their car behind) to pay a lower rate because of the significant reduction in time spent driving.
Good student discounts: Most insurance companies offer a significant discount for teens and young adults who maintain a B+ average or higher
Stay on a family policy: Insurance rates are higher for students who have their own policy, so staying on a family insurance plan can save a college student hundreds or even thousands of dollars each year.
Car insurance discounts for families
Car insurance discounts can help families save a significant amount of money on car insurance. There are many car insurance discounts available, including:
Bundling policies: If you have homeowners insurance, renters insurance, etc. you can receive a discount (sometimes up to 20%) for purchasing all of your insurance policies from the same company.
Multi-car discounts: Many companies offer a discount if you insure more than one car on a policy
Group or employer discounts: If you get a discounted insurance rate as part of your job (teachers, military members, etc.) or because you are part of a specific group (alumni associations, fraternal organizations, etc.) those discounts still apply, even if you add a teen driver to your policy.
Vehicle discounts: Depending on your insurance company, choosing a car with certain safety features such as anti-theft devices or a lane departure warning system can earn you a discount.
Low mileage discounts: If you drive less than 7,500 miles annually, you may be charged a lower rate than someone who spends more time on the road.
Improve your credit rating: In many states, insurance companies use your credit rating to help determine your insurance rate. This means improving your credit rating can help you pay less for car insurance.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is it cheaper to get car insurance as a family?
Purchasing a family insurance policy is almost always cheaper than insuring each individual separately. Bundling discounts, multi-car discounts, and other benefits that come with purchasing a family policy can save you a significant amount of money on your insurance.
Can I stay on my parent’s insurance?
If you are living at the same address as your parents and your car is garaged at that address you can stay on your parent’s insurance policy indefinitely. If you move out or start keeping your car at another address, you will need to purchase a separate policy in your name.
Can siblings get car insurance together?
Yes, any immediate family members living in the same household can be on the same car insurance policy. If you do not live at the same address or if your cars are kept in separate places you will need to have separate insurance policies.
Methodology
Policygenius has analyzed car insurance rates provided by Quadrant Information Services for every ZIP code in all 50 states plus Washington, D.C. For full coverage policies, the following coverage limits were used:
Bodily injury liability: 50/100
Property damage liability: $50,000
Uninsured/underinsured motorist: 50/100
Comprehensive: $500 deductible
Collision: $500 deductible
In some cases, additional coverages were added where required by state or insurer.
Rates for overall average rate, rates by ZIP code, and cheapest companies determined using averages for single drivers ages 30, 35, and 45. Our sample vehicle was a 2017 Toyota Camry LE driven 10,000 miles/year.
Rates for driving violations and “Poor” credit determined using average rates for a single male 30-year-old driver with a credit score under 578.
Some carriers may be represented by affiliates or subsidiaries. Rates provided are a sample of costs. Your actual quotes may differ.
