The average cost of car insurance in Austin is $1,894 per year, or $158 per month for full coverage and $541 per year (or $45 per month) for minimum coverage. The good news is that if you’re a driver in Austin, average car insurance rates in the city are slightly below the average cost of insurance across Texas, which is $2,019 per year for full coverage and $565 for minimum coverage. According to Bankrate’s research, some of the best cheap car insurance companies in Austin, Texas include USAA, State Farm, and Geico.

Best cheap car insurance companies in Austin

Bankrate partnered with Quadrant Information Services to analyze the cheapest car insurance rates in Austin. Our insurance editorial team also examined things like coverage options, available discounts, financial strength ratings from AM Best and customer satisfaction ratings from the 2022 J.D. Power U.S. Auto Insurance Study. We assigned each carrier a Bankrate Score based on all available information. Each score is on a five-point scale (with 5.0 being the best) and provides a snapshot of how the best car insurance companies in Austin compare based on the attributes listed above. Based on our research, we found that State Farm, Geico, Nationwide, USAA and Allstate offered the best cheap car insurance in Austin.

*Not officially ranked with J.D. Power due to eligibility restrictions.

State Farm

State Farm made the top of our list for having the cheapest annual full coverage car insurance rates in Austin. The insurance company also performs extremely well in the 2022 J.D. Power Customer Satisfaction Study. Additionally, Austin drivers may be able to take advantage of multiple discounts and coverage options offered by State Farm. Policyholders may add options such as rental car reimbursement and rideshare coverage for greater flexibility or benefit from the service and expertise of local State Farm agents. However, drivers should keep in mind that State Farm does not offer 24/7 customer service.

Learn more: State Farm Insurance review

Geico

Geico offers some of the cheapest rates among the car insurance companies we studied in Austin; however, the company performs slightly below average in the J.D. Power study for customer satisfaction. Although Geico does not offer the cheapest full coverage rates in Austin, drivers may find additional ways to save on premiums with potential discounts. These discount opportunities range from paperless billing and new vehicle discounts to savings for having safety equipment, such as airbags and anti-lock brakes. Drivers looking for additional endorsements will find that options may be limited, however.

Learn more: Geico Insurance review 

Nationwide

Nationwide is one of the cheapest car insurance companies in Austin for full and minimum coverage, according to our study. While the rates are competitive in the area overall, Nationwide also offers a wide range of discounts for drivers for potential additional savings. Drivers who participate in an approved driver safety program or enroll in paperless billing can typically qualify for a discounted premium. However, Nationwide did not earn a score in the 2022 J.D. Power Auto Customer Satisfaction Study (Texas region), so drivers interested in the company may want to do further research on its customer satisfaction in the Austin area.

Learn more: Nationwide Insurance review

USAA

USAA also offers some of the cheapest rates in Austin, but it stands out for its superior customer experience. However, coverage with the company is limited to current or former members of the U.S. military and their immediate families. Drivers who do qualify may benefit from its high customer service ratings and available digital tools. The company also offers potential discounts that are specifically tailored to members of the armed forces. USAA also achieves an A++ (Superior) AM Best rating for financial strength, the highest rating available.

Learn more: USAA Insurance review

Allstate

Allstate ranks as one of the cheapest car insurance companies in Austin, but its average rates are the highest on our list of cheapest car insurance rates for full coverage. However, Allstate still offers additional advantages for drivers and has earned an A+ (Superior) AM Best rating for financial stability. Allstate also offers tools for added convenience, including obtaining a quote and purchasing a policy online or for managing insurance via its mobile app. Despite having a higher rate, discounts could help drivers save, including multiple policy savings, having safety equipment and new car discounts. While it earns a below-average J.D. Power score, Allstate’s mobile app is highly-rated and offers customers the ability to manage insurance needs from a smartphone, like filing claims and updating policy coverages.

Learn more: Allstate Insurance review 

How to get and keep the cheapest car insurance in Austin

Finding the cheapest car insurance in Austin may take some research. Once you find the best car insurance for your specific needs, you’ll want to review your policy annually to ensure your rates remain low. Your car insurance company will likely evaluate your level of risk every time your policy renews. The good news is that there are several ways to get and keep the cheapest car insurance in Austin:

• Compare multiple insurance providers. Shopping around and gathering quotes from several insurance providers gives you a true picture of the cheapest car insurance companies for you. Rates differ from company to company and person to person, so whether you are obtaining a new policy or reviewing your existing policy, shopping around may help you find the best rates. Additionally, car insurance companies offer different discounts, so shopping around can help you identify which companies offer the most discounts applicable to your situation.
• Shop around after life events. When you move to a new home, relocate for a job, get married or add a teenage driver to your policy, it provides a prime opportunity to compare providers and find cheaper insurance companies for your changed circumstances. You may be able to modify your coverage or take advantage of new or additional discounts for greater savings based on your changed life circumstances.