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The largest car insurance companies are some of the most recognizable names in the auto insurance industry. Major auto insurance companies are household names — we see them advertise in Super Bowls and between episodes during Hulu binge-watching.
Larger insurers tend to have financial strength you can rely on and the budget to provide better online tools, customer service, and claims support. If you’re interested in covering your car through the biggest car insurance companies, trying to choose the best one for your needs can be challenging, but no need to worry. We’ve compiled a list of car insurance companies, based on their ratings and market share, allowing you to compare and contrast your options.
The Largest Auto Insurance Companies in the U.S.
| Rank | Company | Direct Premiums Written* | Market Share* | 2020 J.D. Power Customer Satisfaction** | AM Best Rating |
| 1 | State Farm | $40.9 billion | 16.14% | 881/1,000 | A++ |
| 2 | Geico | $34.9 billion | 13.78% | 871/1,000 | A++ |
| 3 | Progressive | $31.1 billion | 12.25% | 856/1,000 | A+ |
| 4 | Allstate | $23.6 billion | 9.33% | 876/1,000 | A+ |
| 5 | USAA | $15.2 billion | 6.01% | 890/1,000 | A++ |
| 6 | Liberty Mutual | $11.7 billion | 4.62% | 867/1,000 | A |
| 7 | Farmers | $10.5 billion | 4.20% | 872/1,000 | A- |
| 8 | Nationwide | $6.2 billion | 2.50% | 876/1,000 | A+ |
| 9 | American Family | $5.8 billion | 2.30% | 862/1,000 | A |
| 10 | Travelers | $4.9 billion | 1.90% | 861/1,000 | A |
*Information based on filings from March 2020 and reported by NAIC
**Based on J.D. Power’s 2020 Auto Claims Satisfaction Study
To help you choose a provider that’s right for you, here’s what you need to know about the largest auto insurance companies.
Best for Premium Reducing Programs
Why we chose it
Why we chose it
Pros
- Variety of insurance options
- Good customer service ratings
- Online tools to begin and manage coverage
Cons
- Rideshare insurance not available in all states
- New policies not available in Massachusetts and Rhode Island
Types of Coverage Offered
- Rideshare coverage
- Commercial auto
- Classic and antique cars
- Sports cars
Discounts Available
- Good driving discount for no accidents in a three-year period
- Savings for having an anti-theft device or alarm on vehicle
- Safe driving discount for enrolling in Drive Safe and Save via smartphone or OnStar
Further Reading on State Farm:
Best for Customer Service
Why we chose it
Why we chose it
Pros
- Affordable quotes
- Helpful online and mobile tools
- Variety of discounts
Cons
- Average claims satisfaction ratings
- Average customer service ratings
Types of Coverage Offered
- Rideshare
- Collector
- Tourist driving in Mexico
Discounts Available
- Military and federal
- Over age 50
- Student discount (age 16-24, full-time)
- Multi-vehicle
- Multi-policy
- Membership in certain professional or alumni associations
Further Reading on Geico:
Best for Discounts
Why we chose it
Why we chose it
Pros
- Simple online quotes
- Customizable coverage
- Useful discount options
Cons
- Below average claims satisfaction ratings
Types of Coverage Offered
- Roadside assistance
- Custom parts and equipment
- Rideshare and deductible savings bank
- Loan/lease payoff
Discounts Available
- Continuous insurance (also includes time with previous auto carriers)
- Teen driver
- Homeowner discount (even with another carrier)
- Good student
- Getting a quote and signing up online
Further Reading on Progressive:
Best for Clean Driving Records
Why we chose it
Why we chose it
Pros
- Resources and discounts for new drivers
- Helpful mobile and online tools
- Good for families with teen drivers
Cons
- Customer service quality varies depending on region
- Higher than average premiums
FURTHER READING ON ALLSTATE:
Best for:
Why we chose it
Pros
- Affordable quotes
- Excellent customer service ratings
- Excellent claims satisfaction ratings
Cons
- Available only for active and retired military and their families
Types of Coverage Offered
- Collector and classic car
- Rideshare insurance
Discounts Available
- Military installation (for storing vehicle on a base); not available in New York state
- Rental car discounts
- Hotel discounts
Further Reading on USAA:
Best for:
Why we chose it
Pros
- Simple quote process
- Solid policy offerings
- Ability to lower deductible by investing in deductible fund
Cons
- Below-average claims satisfaction scores
Types of Coverage Offered
- High value
- Rideshare
- Electric
Discounts Available
- Advanced safety features discount
- Alternative energy vehicle discount
- RightTrack program for safe driving
Further Reading on Liberty Mutual:
Best for:
Why we chose it
Pros
- Highly rated claims process
- Range of available add-ons
- Great online and mobile tools
Cons
- Customer service ratings vary, considered average at best
Types of Coverage Offered
- High value
- Collectible autos
- Rideshare
- Electric
Discounts Available
- Track driving habits on Signal app
- Occupational discounts for certain professions
Further Reading on Farmers:
Best for:
Why we chose it
Pros
- Many coverage options
- Helpful policy management tools
- Accident forgiveness available
Cons
- Not many discounts
Types of Coverage Offered
- Gap insurance
- Roadside insurance
Discounts Available
- Defensive driving for people over 55 who have completed driver safety course
- Automatic bill pay
- SmartRide for driving safety
Further Reading on Nationwide:
Best for:
Why we chose it
Pros
- Variety of discounts
- Good customer service ratings
Cons
- Only 19 states served
Types of Coverage Offered
- Classic cars
- Rideshare
Discounts Available
- Generational discount for children of policyholders
- Young volunteer discount (for drivers under 25 who volunteer in the community)
- Discount just for switching to American Family
Further Reading on American Family:
Best for:
Why we chose it
Pros
- Thorough coverage options
- Ample discounts
- Mobile app with same functionality as website
Cons
- Poor claims satisfaction scores
Types of Coverage Offered
- High value
- Rideshare
- Electric cars
Discounts Available
- InteliDrive for safe driving
- Good student
- Paperless billing
Further Reading on Travelers:
*Data provided by Bankrate.com.
**J.D. Power’s 2020 U.S. Auto Insurance Study average rating. Based on a 1,000-point scale.
Small vs. major auto insurance companies
When we talk about the biggest car insurance companies, it’s worth noting that smaller insurance companies also provide coverage for drivers. You may wonder what to expect from a smaller insurance company, and which type of insurer is better for you.
Larger insurance companies generally provide more coverage options for their customers; as they have more customers, they generally offer more insurance options to meet the needs of vast customer bases. Larger auto insurance companies are more likely to provide customer service on a 24/7 basis, as they hire more employees, and they generally have a larger network of agents.
Smaller companies, however, may be good options for specialty insurance. They can offer superior products and can sometimes charge lower rates due to having less overhead expenses.
Here are some points to consider:
- Major auto insurance companies are generally considered secure by the general public, due to brand recognition. If security matters to you, a larger company may be your best bet in the event you have to file an insurance claim; there is a greater likelihood your claim will be paid in full.
- The largest auto insurance companies typically provide more options for accessibility. They have more agents and employees, meaning if you need to speak to someone, there is a greater likelihood you can reach someone at any time at a larger company.
- Smaller insurance companies, however, can provide specialty insurance and in some cases, lower rates.
- The quality of service, however, is not related to the size of the insurance company.
FAQs
Methodology
Reviews.com reviews products, services and companies based on five criteria to help readers understand how companies compare based on similar metrics. For the best car insurance companies, our editorial team compared affordability, customer support, coverage options, customer satisfaction scores and online resources from each company to determine top providers.
As for average pricing, we used Bankrate.com’s data of car insurance rates, based on the profiles of a 40-year male and female. For full coverage, the details used were the following:
- $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 2019 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.
About the Authors
Samantha Kostaras is an insurance reporter who covers personal finance and insurance. After a degree in finance from the University of Alabama and stint at Morgan Stanley, she worked as a financial analyst before becoming a journalist. Her writing has appeared in The Simple Dollar, Reviews.com, Coverage.com, and elsewhere.
