Cheapest Liability Car Insurance (2025)
Best cheap liability car insurance companies
State Farm has the cheapest liability coverage car insurance for most drivers at $661 per year. However, you may find cheaper options depending on where you live.
Cheapest liability car insurance companies
USAA, Erie Insurance and Auto-Owners have the cheapest liability car insurance, with average rates of $437, $516 and $632 a year, respectively. However, Erie Available in Illinois, Indiana, Kentucky, Maryland, New York, North Carolina, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Tennessee, Virginia, Washington, D.C., West Virginia and Wisconsin and Auto-Owners Available in Alabama, Arkansas, Arizona, Colorado, Florida, Georgia, Iowa, Idaho, Illinois, Indiana, Kansas, Kentucky, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, North Carolina, North Dakota, Nebraska, Ohio, Pennsylvania, South Carolina, South Dakota, Tennessee, Utah, Virginia and Wisconsin do not offer insurance in all states, and only members of the military or their families can get coverage from USAA.
State Farm has the cheapest liability-only rates among national companies. Its rates average $661 a year.
| Company | Annual rate | LendingTree score |
|---|---|---|
| Erie | $516 |  |
| Auto-Owners | $632 |  |
| Farm Bureau | $637 | |
| State Farm | $661 |  |
| Country Financial | $679 | |
| American Family | $751 | |
| Travelers | $792 | |
| Geico | $797 |  |
| Progressive | $801 | |
| Nationwide | $1,024 |  |
| AAA | $1,086 |  |
| Amica | $1,120 | |
| Allstate | $1,344 | |
| Farmers | $1,363 | |
| USAA | $437 | |
Along with affordable rates, Erie offers a rate-lock feature as an optional coverage. This can protect you from future rate increases unless you make big changes to your policy, like adding a car or moving.
Who has the cheapest liability car insurance in my state?
Erie and Auto-Owners offer the cheapest car insurance rates nationally, but you may find cheaper rates with other insurance companies depending on where you live.
State Farm has the cheapest liability car insurance in 16 states. You may also find cheap liability insurance through local insurance companies.
| State | Cheapest company | Cheapest rate |
|---|---|---|
| Alabama | State Farm | $432 |
| Alaska | Geico | $548 |
| Arizona | State Farm | $711 |
| Arkansas | State Farm | $414 |
| California | Geico | $505 |
| Colorado | State Farm | $689 |
| Connecticut | Travelers | $569 |
| Delaware | Travelers | $914 |
| Florida | Geico | $468 |
| Georgia | Farm Bureau | $569 |
| Hawaii | Geico | $276 |
| Idaho | State Farm | $233 |
| Illinois | Country Financial | $468 |
| Indiana | Auto-Owners | $424 |
| Iowa | Progressive | $251 |
| Kansas | Progressive | $472 |
| Kentucky | Farm Bureau | $500 |
| Louisiana | Farm Bureau | $690 |
| Maine | MMG | $407 |
| Maryland | State Farm | $742 |
| Massachusetts | Geico | $430 |
| Michigan | Auto-Owners | $949 |
| Minnesota | State Farm | $475 |
| Mississippi | State Farm | $360 |
| Missouri | American Family | $546 |
| Montana | State Farm | $208 |
| Nebraska | Progressive | $382 |
| Nevada | Travelers | $980 |
| New Hampshire | Hanover | $187 |
| New Jersey | Geico | $500 |
| New Mexico | State Farm | $434 |
| New York | NYCM | $475 |
| North Carolina | Erie | $353 |
| North Dakota | State Farm | $371 |
| Ohio | Erie | $340 |
| Oklahoma | State Farm | $440 |
| Oregon | State Farm | $678 |
| Pennsylvania | Erie | $341 |
| Rhode Island | Travelers | $729 |
| South Carolina | Auto-Owners | $634 |
| South Dakota | State Farm | $284 |
| Tennessee | Erie | $468 |
| Texas | Texas Farm Bureau | $404 |
| Utah | Auto-Owners | $813 |
| Vermont | State Farm | $251 |
| Virginia | Farm Bureau | $504 |
| Washington | State Farm | $441 |
| Washington, D.C. | Erie | $794 |
| West Virginia | Erie | $436 |
| Wisconsin | Erie | $343 |
| Wyoming | Geico | $212 |
How much does liability car insurance cost in my state?
The average cost of liability car insurance is $829 a year, or $69 a month. Average rates range from $372 a year in Wyoming to $1,597 in Michigan.
Car insurance rates can vary by state because of factors such as different state coverage requirements, accident rates and crime rates.
| State | Minimum liability |
|---|---|
| Alabama | $907 |
| Alaska | $544 |
| Arizona | $1,094 |
| Arkansas | $717 |
| California | $700 |
| Colorado | $970 |
| Connecticut | $1,160 |
| Delaware | $1,407 |
| Florida | $1,216 |
| Georgia | $963 |
| Hawaii | $531 |
| Idaho | $460 |
| Illinois | $894 |
| Indiana | $574 |
| Iowa | $500 |
| Kansas | $682 |
| Kentucky | $978 |
| Louisiana | $1,042 |
| Maine | $543 |
| Maryland | $1,083 |
| Massachusetts | $612 |
| Michigan | $1,597 |
| Minnesota | $809 |
| Mississippi | $694 |
| Missouri | $746 |
| Montana | $586 |
| Nebraska | $570 |
| Nevada | $1,559 |
| New Hampshire | $575 |
| New Jersey | $1,266 |
| New Mexico | $688 |
| New York | $1,141 |
| North Carolina | $831 |
| North Dakota | $584 |
| Ohio | $565 |
| Oklahoma | $752 |
| Oregon | $1,137 |
| Pennsylvania | $650 |
| Rhode Island | $1,184 |
| South Carolina | $802 |
| South Dakota | $448 |
| Tennessee | $649 |
| Texas | $808 |
| Utah | $1,148 |
| Vermont | $428 |
| Virginia | $858 |
| Washington | $749 |
| Washington, D.C. | $1,097 |
| West Virginia | $716 |
| Wisconsin | $522 |
| Wyoming | $372 |
In no-fault insurance states like Florida, New Jersey and New York, liability policies also include personal injury protection (PIP). Liability policies include uninsured motorist coverage in states that require this coverage.
Liability vs. full-coverage car insurance costs
Liability car insurance costs 87% less than full-coverage car insurance, on average. Drivers with full-coverage policies pay around $2,101 a year, while drivers with liability-only coverage pay around $829.
| State | Full coverage | Minimum liability | Cost difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Alabama | $2,322 | $907 | $1,415 |
| Alaska | $1,694 | $544 | $1,150 |
| Arizona | $2,618 | $1,094 | $1,524 |
| Arkansas | $2,314 | $717 | $1,597 |
| California | $2,017 | $700 | $1,317 |
| Colorado | $2,892 | $970 | $1,922 |
| Connecticut | $2,325 | $1,160 | $1,165 |
| Delaware | $2,758 | $1,407 | $1,351 |
| Florida | $3,267 | $1,216 | $2,051 |
| Georgia | $2,194 | $963 | $1,231 |
| Hawaii | $1,484 | $531 | $953 |
| Idaho | $1,330 | $460 | $870 |
| Illinois | $2,146 | $894 | $1,252 |
| Indiana | $1,560 | $574 | $986 |
| Iowa | $1,901 | $500 | $1,401 |
| Kansas | $2,099 | $682 | $1,417 |
| Kentucky | $2,378 | $978 | $1,400 |
| Louisiana | $2,989 | $1,042 | $1,947 |
| Maine | $1,243 | $543 | $700 |
| Maryland | $2,034 | $1,083 | $951 |
| Massachusetts | $1,740 | $612 | $1,128 |
| Michigan | $3,151 | $1,597 | $1,554 |
| Minnesota | $2,037 | $809 | $1,228 |
| Mississippi | $1,968 | $694 | $1,274 |
| Missouri | $2,041 | $746 | $1,295 |
| Montana | $2,218 | $586 | $1,632 |
| Nebraska | $1,933 | $570 | $1,363 |
| Nevada | $3,439 | $1,559 | $1,880 |
| New Hampshire | $1,278 | $575 | $703 |
| New Jersey | $2,384 | $1,266 | $1,118 |
| New Mexico | $2,037 | $688 | $1,349 |
| New York | $2,274 | $1,141 | $1,133 |
| North Carolina | $1,672 | $831 | $841 |
| North Dakota | $1,897 | $584 | $1,313 |
| Ohio | $1,373 | $565 | $808 |
| Oklahoma | $2,400 | $752 | $1,648 |
| Oregon | $2,218 | $1,137 | $1,081 |
| Pennsylvania | $2,060 | $650 | $1,410 |
| Rhode Island | $2,838 | $1,184 | $1,654 |
| South Carolina | $1,812 | $802 | $1,010 |
| South Dakota | $2,070 | $448 | $1,622 |
| Tennessee | $1,887 | $649 | $1,238 |
| Texas | $2,184 | $808 | $1,376 |
| Utah | $2,266 | $1,148 | $1,118 |
| Vermont | $1,283 | $428 | $855 |
| Virginia | $1,684 | $858 | $826 |
| Washington | $1,909 | $749 | $1,160 |
| Washington, D.C. | $2,371 | $1,097 | $1,274 |
| West Virginia | $1,788 | $716 | $1,072 |
| Wisconsin | $1,616 | $522 | $1,094 |
| Wyoming | $1,491 | $372 | $1,119 |
Full coverage usually includes higher liability limits as well as collision and comprehensive coverages, which protect your own vehicle.
Comprehensive coverage pays to repair your car after something other than a collision damages it. It also covers the replacement of your car if it is stolen. Collision coverage pays to repair or replace your car after an accident.
What is liability car insurance?
Liability-only car insurance is auto coverage that pays for injuries and property damage you cause to others in a car accident. Liability coverage is broken down into two parts:
- Bodily injury liability coverage: Bodily injury coverage helps pay for the medical costs of someone injured in an accident you caused.
- Property damage liability coverage: Property damage coverage helps pay for another vehicle or any property you damaged in an accident.
If you need to dispute a liability claim against you, your car insurance company also covers the costs of your legal defense.
Almost every state requires you to have liability coverage. Several states require other coverages, too.
What does liability car insurance not cover?
Liability car insurance doesn’t cover your own injuries or damage to your vehicle. To cover those costs, you can add these coverages to your car insurance policy:
- Collision coverage: Collision covers damage your vehicle sustains in a collision with another vehicle or object, or if it overturns.
- Comprehensive coverage: Comprehensive covers your vehicle for theft or damage from non-collision causes, like fires, floods, falling objects and vandalism.
You may also need to buy these types of car insurance coverage in some states:
- PIP and medical payments (MedPay): These coverages protect you if you and your passengers are injured in a car accident, regardless of fault. PIP is required in about a dozen states. PIP and MedPay are optional in most other states.
- Uninsured motorist coverage: This covers injuries you and your passengers suffer in an accident caused by a driver without insurance. About 20 states require this coverage, and it’s optional in most others.
How much liability car insurance do I need?
The amount of liability car insurance you need to drive legally varies by state. However, the minimum liability limits your state requires may not provide enough financial protection, no matter where you live.
If the amounts needed to cover an accident victim’s injuries or car repairs are higher than your policy’s liability limits, you may need to pay the difference. This could put your savings or other assets at risk.
Choosing liability limits that match your net worth protects your assets if you cause severe injuries or damage in an accident.
If you have a high net worth and/or a high salary, consider buying an umbrella policy for more protection.
How can I get cheaper liability car insurance?
There are several ways to lower your liability car insurance rate:
Compare quotes from multiple companies
Since insurance company rates vary by customer, you should compare quotes from multiple companies to get the cheapest liability car insurance.
Take advantage of discounts
Insurance companies offer a variety of discounts, including multi-policy discounts, claims-free discounts and good student discounts.
Keep a good driving record
If you have any violations on your driving record, your car insurance rate can go up. Some insurance companies also offer a safe driving program that customizes your rates based on your driving habits.
Should I get liability or full-coverage car insurance?
There are no laws requiring you to buy full-coverage car insurance. However, if you have a loan on your car, you will likely be required to purchase full coverage by your lender.
When debating whether to buy full coverage vs. liability-only insurance, consider the cost of your vehicle. Full coverage for older or cheaper vehicles may cost more than the value of the car, and for that reason, it may not make sense to insure your car with full coverage.
Methodology
LendingTree uses insurance rate data from Quadrant Information Services using publicly sourced insurance company filings. Rates are based on an analysis of hundreds of thousands of car insurance quotes for a typical driver. Prices are shown for comparative purposes only. Your own rates may be different.
Unless noted otherwise, quotes are for a full-coverage policy for a 30-year-old man with good credit and a clean driving record who drives a 2015 Honda Civic EX.
Minimum-liability policies provide liability coverage with the state’s required minimum limits.
Full-coverage policies include collision, comprehensive and liability coverage:
- Bodily injury liability: $50,000 per person, $100,000 per accident
- Property damage liability: $25,000
- Uninsured/underinsured motorist bodily injury: $50,000 per person and $100,000 per accident
- Personal injury protection: minimum limits, where required by law
- Collision: $500 deductible
- Comprehensive: $500 deductible
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Our team of insurance experts rated insurance companies based on several categories. These categories include average rates, discounts, coverage options, third-party customer service ratings and app/website experience. We weighted these categories based on what customers value in an insurance company.
For third-party customer service ratings, we included Complaint Index scores from the National Association of Insurance Commissioners (NAIC) and financial strength ratings from A.M. Best. NAIC Complaint Index scores are used to determine how satisfied customers are with their claims, while financial strength ratings from A.M. Best reflect the ability to pay out claims.