With car insurance costs rising sharply, you may be struggling to afford coverage. The good news: there are multiple ways to get help, from state assistance programs, to discounts and strategies that can reduce what you pay.
Jerry has helped 128,527 drivers get car insurance in the last year, finding them the most affordable quotes possible for the coverage they need. This guide covers all your options for making car insurance more affordable.
Jerry pulls up to 20 quotes from top rated carriers.
Try these tips to lower your car insurance costs
Whether you’re feeling the pinch from rising rates or just want to make sure you’re not overpaying, here are proven ways to reduce your car insurance premium.
Jerry agent tip 1: Compare quotes to find the cheapest rates
Comparing quotes from several companies is the best way to find the most affordable rate, because insurers price rates differently.
Here are examples of Jerry customers and the different quotes they’ve gotten recently for full coverage:
Based on Jerry customers with clean driving records who found savings in the past 12 months. Savings depend on coverage and other factors. Potential savings will vary.
Jerry agent tip 2: Pick the right deductible
The higher deductible, the lower your car insurance premium typically is. If you do decide to increase it, be sure you’ll be able to pay the higher amount if you ever need to file a claim.
Here are deductibles Jerry drivers chose in the last year:
To pick the right deductible:
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Check your car’s value, which Jerry tracks for you.
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Choose what you can afford out-of-pocket.
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See how deductibles change your rate in real time.
Jerry agent tip 3: Save more by stacking discounts
Discounts are some of the best ways to save, and these can be stacked. Some of the most common ways to get a discount are by having a safe driving record, bundling or signing up for paperless billing.
Jerry will automatically find the discounts you’re qualified for to maximize your savings.
Jerry Agent Tip 3: Balance coverage and cost for smarter protection
Understanding what each coverage level includes makes it easier to find protection that fits your life and budget.
Minimum coverage keeps premiums low while meeting your state’s legal requirements. Higher tiers add protections like coverage for your own car, uninsured motorist protection, and help with towing and rentals after an accident.
Here are four tiers Jerry offers that may match your needs:
Minimum
$80 – $183 per month
Meet’s the state liability requirements, but won’t cover your own car.
Full
$160 – $359 per month
Adds collision and comprehensive, often required if you finance or lease your car.
Standard
$201 – $444 per month
Includes full coverage, plus uninsured motorist coverage.
Preferred
$226 – $482 per month
Includes higher liability limits, lower deductibles and extras like towing or rental reimbursement for top protection.
Based on Jerry customers with clean driving records who found savings in the past 12 months. Savings depend on coverage and other factors. Potential savings will vary.
Here are more tips you can try to get the most affordable rate possible.
Improve your credit score:
In most states, insurers use credit-based insurance scores to set rates. While this may take some time, improving your credit can lower your premium.
Drive less:
Tell your insurer if you’re working from home, retired, or driving less. Many companies offer low-mileage discounts or pay-per-mile plans that could save you significantly.
Drive a cheaper car to insure:
If you’re buying a car, research insurance costs first. Small SUVs and sedans like the Honda CR-V, Subaru Forester, and Toyota RAV4 tend to be cheaper to insure than sports cars or luxury vehicles.
Key takeaway: The easiest way to lower your car insurance is to compare quotes from multiple insurers. You can save even more by adjusting your deductible, stacking discounts and choosing the right coverage level for your needs.
How Jerry can find you cheaper car insurance
Finding affordable car insurance doesn’t need to be a full-time job. Jerry compares personalized quotes from over 50 insurers in minutes so you can see your options side-by-side and choose the coverage that fits your budget.
Jerry also makes switching easy. Once you pick a policy, Jerry handles the paperwork and can even help cancel your old policy. Jerry also keeps track of market rates and lets you know when you should reshop.
State assistance programs for low-income drivers
A handful of states offer government-sponsored car insurance programs for low-income drivers: California, Hawaii and New Jersey. If you live in one of these states and meet the eligibility requirements, these programs can provide significant savings.
🌴 California’s Low Cost Auto Insurance program (CLCA)
California’s CLCA program provides the legally required liability insurance in the state at reduced rates for eligible drivers.
To qualify, you must:
- Have a valid California driver’s license.
- Drive a car worth less than $25,000.
- Have a good driving record or be a new driver.
- Have a good driving record or be a new driver.
🌺 Hawaii: Assistance to the Aged, Blind, and Disabled (AABD)
Hawaii’s Department of Human Services provides free liability car insurance to qualifying residents receiving public assistance.
To qualify, you must:
- Have a valid Hawaii driver’s license.
- Own a car.
- Be at least 65 years old, or meet the Social Security definition of disabled or blind.
- Have an income below 34% of the 2006 Federal Poverty Level.
đź—˝ New Jersey: Special Automobile Insurance Policy (SAIP)
New Jersey’s SAIP program (sometimes called “dollar-a-day”) provides medical coverage for Medicaid recipients for $365 a year.
To qualify, you must:
- Be enrolled in Federal Medicaid with hospitalization coverage.
- Provide proof of Medicaid enrollment.
Key takeaway: California, Hawaii and New Jersey offer government-sponsored car insurance programs for low-income drivers. If you qualify, these programs can significantly reduce your insurance costs.
Lower your car insurance with discounts
Even if you don’t qualify for assistance programs, car insurance discounts can significantly reduce your premium.
Here are common discounts Jerry customers have used to get cheaper car insurance.
Key takeaway: Discounts for safe driving, autopay, and safety features can significantly reduce your premium. Jerry automatically looks for discounts you qualify for so you get as much savings as possible.
It only takes 2 minutes to sign up at Jerry.
faq
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đź’° What’s the cheapest way to get car insurance?
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đź’Ľ Does income affect car insurance rates?
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⚠️ What if I can’t afford car insurance at all?
Methodology
Data included in this analysis comes from policies that Jerry has quoted within the last 6 months for drivers with a clean record and that have full coverage, unless stated otherwise. Data related to violations, accidents or credit scores pull from quote data from the last 18 months. Jerry services 48 states and offers a range of insurance companies to choose from.
Ben Moore is a writer and editor at Jerry and an auto insurance expert. He previously worked as a writer, editor and content strategist on NerdWallet’s auto insurance team for five years. His work has been published in The Associated Press, Washington Post, Chicago Sun-Times, MarketWatch, Nasdaq and Yahoo News. He also served as a NerdWallet spokesperson, with appearances on local broadcast television and quotes in Martha Stewart and Real Simple magazine.
Ben has an extensive background in digital marketing, working on affiliate and programmatic advertising campaigns for brands like Cabela’s, H&R Block and Sears. He holds a bachelors degree in marketing from Olivet Nazarene University.
