How does an auto insurance company determine my premium?
Asking the question, "how does an insurance company determine my premium?" means you're serious about what coverage you have. Auto insurance companies determine your premiums through several factors, such as driving record, credit history, and age. On average, car insurance companies charge $90 to $268 for full coverage insurance. However, your personal factors determine your rates. Shop around and compare multiple insurance companies to get the best insurance rates.
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Feature Writer
Rachel Bodine graduated from college with a BA in English. She has since worked as a Feature Writer in the insurance industry and gained a deep knowledge of state and countrywide insurance laws and rates. Her research and writing focus on helping readers understand their insurance coverage and how to find savings. Her expert advice on insurance has been featured on sites like PhotoEnforced, AllWo...
Rachel Bodine
Insurance Premium Auditor
With over a decade of experience in insurance premium auditing, audit department management, and business audit representation, Aaron has developed a deep understanding of audit regulations, compliance requirements, and industry best practices. As the Founder & CEO of AdvoQates, he specializes in representing businesses during their audits to ensure accurate, transparent, and fair assessments ...
Aaron Englard
Updated March 2025
Have you ever wondered how car insurance companies determine your rates? There are several ways insurance companies calculate what you will pay for a policy.
But are prices determined differently for each person? Don’t worry – we’re here to help.
Our guide explains how auto insurance companies determine your rates and why you should compare auto insurance before buying a policy.
Continue reading to learn how an auto insurance company can determine your premium. If you’re ready to compare multiple insurance quotes right now, enter your ZIP code in the free online quote tool above.
- Driving record and credit history are significant factors when determining rates
- Age is also a major factor when calculating auto insurance rates
- Where you live affects how much you pay for auto insurance
- Your vehicle can determine your auto insurance cost
- Occupation status affects auto insurance quotes
How does an auto insurance company determine my premium?
Car insurance companies use various characteristics to determine how much average auto insurance costs you will pay for monthly coverage. Each characteristic is a snapshot of how risky a driver is to insure.
Before we break down how each factor affects auto insurance rates, let’s look at the average cost from the best insurance companies in the United States.
Average Car Insurance Rates by Company
| Insurance Company | Car Insurance Rates |
|---|---|
| *Industry Average | $260 |
 | $318 |
 | $224 |
 | $288 |
 | $179 |
 | $398 |
 | $229 |
 | $283.00 |
 | $235.00 |
 | $287.00 |
 | $161.00 |
Read more: What does it mean when a policy is ‘fully paid up?’
USAA, Geico, American Family, Nationwide, and State Farm are the cheapest companies in America. However, your rates may vary.
Your personal factors have a significant impact on car insurance quotes.
- Allstate vs. Farmers: Best Auto Insurance
- American Family vs. State Farm: Best Auto Insurance
- American Family vs. USAA: Best Auto Insurance
- Farmers vs. GEICO: Best Auto Insurance
- GEICO vs. Nationwide: Best Auto Insurance
- GEICO vs. Progressive: Best Auto Insurance
- GEICO vs. Travelers: Best Auto Insurance
- Liberty Mutual vs. Progressive: Best Auto Insurance
- Liberty Mutual vs. Travelers: Best Auto Insurance
- Liberty Mutual vs. USAA: Best Auto Insurance
- Nationwide vs. State Farm: Best Auto Insurance
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How are auto insurance rates determined by driving record?
One of the most significant factors that affect auto insurance is your driving record. Your driving history is a report card of your driving activity. If you can keep accidents and traffic violations off your history, you can secure affordable car insurance rates. (For more information, read our “These Factors Affect your Auto Insurance Rates“).
Read more: How Traffic Violations Increase Car Insurance Rates
Let’s compare the cost of auto insurance based on driving records.
Auto Insurance Rates by Driving Record and Company
| Insurance Company | Monthly Rates with a Clean Driving Record | Monthly Rates w/ One Speeding Violation | Monthly Rates w/ One Accident | Monthly Rates w/ One DUI Conviction |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| $318 | $374.00 | $416.00 | $522.00 |
| $224 | $252.00 | $310.00 | $361.00 |
| $288 | $340.00 | $377 | $393.00 |
| $179 | $220.00 | $266.00 | $406.00 |
| $398 | $475.00 | $517 | $634.00 |
| $229 | $259.00 | $283.00 | $379.00 |
| $283 | $334.00 | $398 | $331.00 |
| $235 | $266.00 | $283.00 | $303 |
| $287 | $355.00 | $357 | $478 |
| $161.00 | $183.00 | $210 | $292.00 |
DUI convictions and car accidents have the most impact on auto insurance quotes. Traffic infractions and accidents can drive up your monthly rates by hundreds of dollars.
Does credit history determine auto insurance rates?
It depends on the state where you live. Most states allow auto insurance companies to use credit to determine your risk.
Excellent credit generates cheap auto insurance because the insurance company connects an excellent credit score to a low risk of filing claims. But bad credit does the opposite.
Let’s examine how the top car insurance companies calculate rates based on credit.
Bad Driving Record Auto Insurance Monthly Rates by Provider & Credit Score
| Insurance Company | Good Credit | Fair Credit | Poor Credit |
|---|---|---|---|
 | $152 | $185 | $308 |
 | $181 | $238 | $413 |
 | $203 | $241 | $355 |
 | $224 | $264 | $372 |
 | $244 | $271 | $340 |
 | $302 | $330 | $395 |
 | $306 | $325 | $405 |
 | $322 | $382 | $541 |
 | $338 | $362 | $430 |
 | $366 | $467 | $734 |
| Average | $264 | $307 | $429 |
USAA is the cheapest company, but State Farm has passed Geico and American Family. You can pay hundreds of dollars less per year if you have exceptional credit.
Why do auto insurance companies use age to determine rates?
Age shows the driving experience of most drivers. It’s uncommon for new drivers to be 25 and older, but new adult drivers have more expensive rates.
Teens and young adults produce the highest car insurance rates in the nation. Drivers from age 16 to 24 have a higher risk of filing auto insurance claims.
How much is car insurance based on age? Let’s look at the monthly rates from multiple insurance companies to learn that answer.
Monthly Auto Insurance Rates by Company and Driver's Age
| Companies | Auto Insurance Rates Based on a Clean Driving Record | Auto Insurance Rates with a Young Adult Driver (20 to 24) | Auto Insurance Rates with a Teen Driver (16-19) |
|---|---|---|---|
| $318 | $382 | $414 |
| $224 | $269 | $292 |
| $288 | $346 | $375 |
| $179 | $215 | $232 |
| $398 | $477 | $517 |
| $229 | $275 | $298 |
| $283 | $339 | $368 |
| $235 | $282 | $306 |
| $287 | $345 | $373 |
| $161 | $193 | $209 |
| **National Average** | $260 | $312 | $338 |
As predicted, people 24 and younger are connected to more expensive auto insurance. Car insurance can be up to 30% less for experienced drivers who are 25 and older. (For more information, read our “The Most Expensive Cars To Insure“).
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Does an auto insurance company determine rates based on the vehicle I drive?
Your car is also a significant factor when determining auto insurance. Auto insurance companies want to know the make and model year of the vehicle you want to insure.
Drivers can get more accurate quotes if they use the VIN. Let’s see the car insurance rates for the most sold vehicle in the United States last year.
Ford F-150 Auto Insurance Rates by Company
| Companies | Average Monthly Rates |
|---|---|
| Geico | $35 |
| State Farm | $50 |
| Progressive | $52 |
| USAA | $57 |
| Erie | $59 |
| Nationwide | $69 |
| American Family | $73 |
| Safeco | $75 |
| Aculty | $79 |
| Country | $81 |
| Allied | $82 |
| Vermont Mutual | $82 |
Read more: Safeco Auto Insurance Review
The Ford F-150 is one of the most popular vehicles in America. These rates were based on the 2018 Ford F-150.
Therefore, auto insurance rates for older model-year F-150s have cheaper rates, but newer F-150 models have more expensive rates.
Do auto insurance rates change for each state?
According to the National Association of Insurance Commissioners (NAIC), the national average for auto insurance is $90 per month ($1,080 per year). Car insurance varies for each state in America, though.
Here’s an extensive look at the cost of insurance for each state and different coverages in the United States.
Monthly Auto Insurance Rates by State and Coverages
| States | Average Monthly Liability Rates | Average Monthly Collision Rates | Average Monthly Comprehensive Rates | Average Monthly Full Coverage Rates |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Alabama | $37 | $28 | $14 | $79 |
| Alaska | $47 | $31 | $12 | $90 |
| Arizona | $48 | $25 | $16 | $89 |
| Arkansas | $36 | $29 | $17 | $82 |
| California | $45 | $36 | $8 | $88 |
| Colorado | $49 | $25 | $17 | $91 |
| Connecticut | $59 | $32 | $11 | $102 |
| Delaware | $69 | $28 | $11 | $107 |
| District of Columbia | $58 | $41 | $19 | $118 |
| Florida | $76 | $26 | $11 | $113 |
| Georgia | $55 | $30 | $14 | $98 |
| Hawaii | $39 | $27 | $9 | $75 |
| Idaho | $32 | $20 | $10 | $62 |
| Illinois | $40 | $27 | $11 | $77 |
| Indiana | $34 | $22 | $11 | $67 |
| Iowa | $27 | $19 | $16 | $62 |
| Kansas | $32 | $23 | $21 | $76 |
| Kentucky | $47 | $24 | $12 | $83 |
| Louisiana | $73 | $37 | $19 | $128 |
| Maine | $30 | $23 | $9 | $62 |
| Maryland | $55 | $31 | $13 | $100 |
| Massachusetts | $52 | $34 | $12 | $98 |
| Michigan | $72 | $37 | $13 | $121 |
| Minnesota | $39 | $20 | $16 | $76 |
| Mississippi | $41 | $29 | $18 | $88 |
| Missouri | $38 | $24 | $16 | $79 |
| Montana | $34 | $23 | $21 | $77 |
| Nebraska | $33 | $21 | $20 | $74 |
| Nevada | $64 | $27 | $10 | $100 |
| New Hampshire | $35 | $26 | $9 | $70 |
| New Jersey | $76 | $33 | $11 | $119 |
| New Mexico | $44 | $24 | $15 | $84 |
| New York | $71 | $34 | $15 | $120 |
| North Carolina | $31 | $26 | $11 | $67 |
| North Dakota | $25 | $22 | $20 | $67 |
| Ohio | $35 | $24 | $10 | $69 |
| Oklahoma | $40 | $27 | $20 | $88 |
| Oregon | $53 | $20 | $8 | $81 |
| Pennsylvania | $43 | $29 | $13 | $85 |
| Rhode Island | $68 | $36 | $11 | $116 |
| South Carolina | $50 | $24 | $16 | $89 |
| South Dakota | $26 | $19 | $24 | $69 |
| Tennessee | $37 | $27 | $13 | $77 |
| Texas | $49 | $33 | $19 | $101 |
| Utah | $45 | $23 | $10 | $78 |
| Vermont | $30 | $26 | $11 | $68 |
| Virginia | $38 | $25 | $12 | $74 |
| Washington | $53 | $24 | $9 | $86 |
| West Virginia | $43 | $28 | $18 | $88 |
| Wisconsin | $33 | $20 | $12 | $65 |
| Wyoming | $29 | $24 | $23 | $75 |
| **National Average** | $48 | $29 | $13 | $90 |
Michigan and Louisiana have the highest monthly rates.
Full coverage auto insurance is the most expensive, but it provides the most coverage. Liability insurance is required in most states but has the least coverage.
Collision and comprehensive are optional, but they cover vehicle damage in incidents.
Collision insurance covers an accident regardless of fault, and comprehensive coverage pays for damage from unforeseen accidents, such as sudden fires, flooding, storms, vandalism, and car theft.
Is auto insurance determined by my occupation?
Your occupation may come up during the quote process. Where you work indicates risk. Some careers correlate to higher chances of filing claims. To learn more, read our “Occupation Discount: How Much Can You Save?“.
Here’s an example of how Geico calculates auto insurance rates for high-risk and low-risk occupations.
GEICO Auto Insurance Rates for High-Risk and Low-Risk Occupations
| High-Risk Occupations | Monthly Rates | Low-Risk Occupations | Monthly Rates |
|---|---|---|---|
| Chef (Without a High School Diploma) | $173 | Homemaker | $68 |
| Chef (With a High School Diploma) | $173 | Professor (With a College Degree) | $72 |
| Currently Unemployed | $165 | Military Officer (Air Force O1) | $139 |
| Actor | $165 | Retired Military (Air Force O6) | $139 |
| Waiter/Bartender/Host | $165 | Psychiatrist | $145 |
| Athlete | $165 | Military E5 | $146 |
Low-risk occupations have cheaper monthly car insurance rates. Combining other favorable factors (such as a clean driving record and good credit) can save hundreds of dollars more.
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Can my education level determine rates at an auto insurance company?
Although your education level is a minor factor that affects your car insurance rates, it can provide at least 5% off. People with college degrees pay less for auto insurance because higher education levels are associated with a low risk of filing claims.
Check out the way education levels determine car insurance quotes for individuals in military and chef careers.
GEICO Auto Insurance Rates by Education Level
| Education Levels | Monthly Rates |
|---|---|
| No High School (Military E-5) | $146 |
| High School (Military E-5) | $146 |
| Associate's (Military E-5) | $146 |
| Bachelor's (Military E-5) | $146 |
| Master's (Military E-5) | $146 |
| PhD (Military E-5) | $146 |
| Associates (chef) | $165 |
| Bachelor's (chef) | $165 |
| Master's (chef) | $165 |
| PhD (chef) | $165 |
| No High School (chef) | $173 |
| High School (chef) | $173 |
Drivers without high school diplomas pay more unless they are in the military. People in the military usually pay less for auto insurance because of the discounts provided by auto insurance companies. When you compare multiple insurance companies, you’ll still get various rates.
How do you get more affordable auto insurance rates?
Don’t get discouraged by the sample car insurance rates you’ve seen in the article. There’s a chance that you can get cheaper auto insurance with your personal factors.
Here are five ways you can secure affordable car insurance.
- Get a higher deductible
- Qualify for more auto insurance discounts
- Drive less
- Purchase a car with safety features and anti-theft features
- Switch to liability-only coverage if necessary
Did we miss anything? Continue exploring different companies until you find the best and most affordable insurance policy.
Can more expensive auto insurance rates lead to better coverage?
No, they can’t. Spending more on car insurance every month doesn’t guarantee good coverage.
Some insurance companies may be expensive but may not provide the coverage you need. There’s a way to find a balanced medium between cost-efficient insurance and sufficient coverage.
Determine My Premium: The Bottom Line
Auto insurance companies determine rates based on multiple factors. Characteristics related to higher risks of filing claims generate more expensive car insurance rates.
If you want to see how auto insurance companies determine your premium, enter your ZIP code in our free comparison tool below to compare multiple insurance companies near you.
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