CarInsurance.com Insights
- GEICO is the cheapest widely available liability-only insurer, at $651 a year — 21% below the $829 national average.
- USAA is even cheaper, at $465 a year, but coverage is limited to military members, veterans and their families.
- Liability-only rates vary enormously by state — from $367 a year in Wyoming to $1,635 in Florida, a $1,268 gap driven more by where you live than how you drive.
- GEICO is the cheapest company for every age group we analyzed, from teen drivers to seniors.
- Full coverage costs roughly two to two-and-a-half times more than liability-only, depending on your insurer.
GEICO offers the cheapest liability-only car insurance among widely available companies, at an average of $651 a year ($54 a month) for a 50/100/50 policy. USAA beats that at $465 a year, but only military members, veterans and their families qualify. Nationally, liability-only coverage averages $829 a year ($69 a month) — though your own rate depends heavily on your state, age and driving record.
Below, you’ll find the cheapest company in every state, by age group and by driver profile, based on CarInsurance.com’s analysis of Quadrant Information Services rate data covering more than 65 million real insurance quotes.
Who offers the cheapest liability-only car insurance?
GEICO offers the cheapest liability-only car insurance among major, widely available companies, at $651 a year ($54 a month) for a 50/100/50 policy — 21% below the national average of $829. USAA beats GEICO’s rate at $465 a year, but it’s only available to military members, veterans and their immediate families. See the average annual, six-month and monthly liability-only premiums in the table below.
| Company | Average Annual Premium | Average 6-Month Premium | Average Monthly Premium |
|---|---|---|---|
| GEICO | $651 | $326 | $54 |
| Travelers | $833 | $417 | $69 |
| Progressive | $864 | $432 | $72 |
| Nationwide | $941 | $471 | $78 |
| Allstate | $1,059 | $530 | $88 |
| Farmers | $1,064 | $532 | $89 |
| State Farm | $1,139 | $569 | $95 |
| USAA | $465 | $232 | $39 |
Rates shown are for a 50/100/50 liability-only policy for a 40-year-old driver with a clean record and good insurance score. Our analysis of Quadrant rate data across 195 companies and 51 jurisdictions found that switching from State Farm to GEICO could save a driver $488 a year on average — one of the largest gaps between any two major carriers.
Sophie’s note
The cheapest company nationally isn’t always the cheapest company for you. Get quotes from at least three insurers — your age, state and driving record can flip the ranking entirely.
Cheapest liability-only car insurance by state
The cheapest liability-only car insurance company varies by state — GEICO holds the title in more than 20 states, but regional carriers you may not have heard of beat it in many others. Rates themselves swing even more than the winning company: state-minimum and 50/100/50 liability-only coverage averages $367 a year in Wyoming, the cheapest state, compared with $1,635 a year in Florida, the most expensive — a $1,268 gap.
Our analysis of Quadrant rate data across all 50 states and Washington, D.C. ties every figure below to CarInsurance.com’s own database of more than 65 million quotes.
| State | Cheapest company | Monthly premium | % Difference from state average |
|---|---|---|---|
| Alaska | GEICO | $40 | -21% |
| Alabama | Country Financial | $34 | -33% |
| Arkansas | GEICO | $40 | -36% |
| Arizona | Travelers | $46 | -39% |
| California | CSAA Insurance (AAA) | $44 | -47% |
| Colorado | American National | $28 | -56% |
| Connecticut | GEICO | $47 | -50% |
| Washington, D.C. | Chubb | $37 | -58% |
| Delaware | GEICO | $53 | -56% |
| Florida | Travelers | $83 | -39% |
| Georgia | GEICO | $64 | -21% |
| Hawaii | GEICO | $28 | -38% |
| Iowa | GEICO | $31 | -29% |
| Idaho | GEICO | $30 | -44% |
| Illinois | Erie Insurance | $38 | -21% |
| Indiana | GEICO | $29 | -37% |
| Kansas | GEICO | $40 | -38% |
| Kentucky | Kentucky Farm Bureau Insurance | $39 | -39% |
| Louisiana | Southern Farm Bureau | $64 | -42% |
| Massachusetts | Amica | $54 | -27% |
| Maryland | GEICO | $49 | -37% |
| Maine | GEICO | $32 | -19% |
| Michigan | GEICO | $65 | -44% |
| Minnesota | North Star Mutual | $36 | -52% |
| Missouri | Missouri Farm Bureau Insurance | $40 | -22% |
| Mississippi | Safeway Insurance | $46 | -21% |
| Montana | GEICO | $39 | -18% |
| North Carolina | State Farm | $42 | -27% |
| North Dakota | North Star Mutual | $32 | -38% |
| Nebraska | Farmers Mutual of Nebraska | $27 | -45% |
| New Hampshire | MMG Insurance | $27 | -47% |
| New Jersey | GEICO | $88 | -30% |
| New Mexico | Central Insurance | $36 | -34% |
| Nevada | GEICO | $58 | -51% |
| New York | NYCM Insurance | $51 | -58% |
| Ohio | Erie Insurance | $29 | -33% |
| Oklahoma | Mercury Insurance | $35 | -35% |
| Oregon | Country Financial | $58 | -24% |
| Pennsylvania | Erie Insurance | $39 | -22% |
| Rhode Island | State Farm | $65 | -25% |
| South Carolina | Auto-Owners | $56 | -23% |
| South Dakota | Progressive | $21 | -48% |
| Tennessee | GEICO | $32 | -39% |
| Texas | Incline Insurance | $61 | -21% |
| Utah | GEICO | $49 | -36% |
| Virginia | Virginia Farm Bureau Insurance | $40 | -32% |
| Vermont | Allstate | $21 | -41% |
| Washington | PEMCO | $41 | -30% |
| Wisconsin | Rural Mutual Insurance | $32 | -44% |
| West Virginia | GEICO | $35 | -41% |
| Wyoming | American National | $20 | -33% |
Note: where a regional carrier is the cheapest option in a state, we’ve named it directly rather than substituting the cheapest national carrier — regional insurers frequently beat the majors on price.
The cheapest and most expensive states, at a glance
- Low-population states are the cheapest by far. Wyoming, Vermont, South Dakota, Maine and Idaho — all rural — average under $650 a year for liability-only coverage. Less traffic tends to mean fewer claims and lower premiums; urban density is a hidden price driver.
- The five cheapest states average $439 a year; the five most expensive average $1,516 — a difference of $1,077 a year.
- In the priciest states — Florida, New Jersey, Michigan, Nevada and Louisiana — even the cheapest available rate stays high (for example, Florida’s cheapest quote still starts at $994 a year), meaning shopping around helps less than it does elsewhere.
See your state’s minimum coverage requirements for the legal limits that apply where you live.
Cheapest liability-only car insurance by age
GEICO is the cheapest liability-only car insurance company across every age group we analyzed, from 16-year-old drivers to seniors — the only company in our data set to hold the No. 1 spot at every age. Age remains one of the biggest cost factors in car insurance: A 16-year-old pays roughly 4.3 times as much as a 40-year-old for the same coverage. See rates by age group in the table below.
| Age Group | Average Annual Premium | Average Monthly Premium |
|---|---|---|
| Teens (16-19) | $2,866 | $239 |
| Young Adults (20-24) | $1,316 | $110 |
| Adults (25-60) | $831 | $69 |
| Seniors (65-75) | $874 | $73 |
Other takeaways:
- Farmers costs 2.3 times more than GEICO for a 16-year-old driver — choosing Farmers over GEICO at this age can mean paying about $3,812 more a year, one of the widest price gaps between any two insurers in our data.
- GEICO’s lead holds at every age: Travelers comes closest but never takes the top spot in any age segment we reviewed.
How much does liability-only car insurance cost on average?
Liability-only car insurance costs $829 a year ($69 a month) nationwide, on average, for a 50/100/50 policy. That figure blends drivers of every age, so your own quote will land above or below it depending mainly on your age, state and driving record.
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Cheap liability-only car insurance for budget-conscious drivers
If you’re comparing by monthly cost, USAA ($39/month, military only), GEICO ($54/month) and Travelers ($69/month) are the cheapest widely available national companies for liability-only coverage. But several regional carriers beat all of them — if one operates in your state, it’s worth a quote.
| Company | States Available | Average Annual Premium | Average Monthly Premium |
|---|---|---|---|
| Allstate | 47 | $1,059 | $88 |
| Farmers | 31 | $1,064 | $89 |
| GEICO | 50 | $651 | $54 |
| Nationwide | 23 | $941 | $78 |
| Progressive | 43 | $864 | $72 |
| State Farm | 33 | $1,139 | $95 |
| Travelers | 25 | $833 | $69 |
| USAA | 26 | $465 | $39 |
Cheapest regional carriers
Co-operative Insurance Companies, at $23 a month, is the lowest rate in our data set — but it’s available in only one state. Regional carriers like these rarely advertise widely, which is exactly why they’re worth checking before you assume a national brand is your cheapest option.
These smaller, state- or region-specific insurers undercut every national carrier in our analysis — but each is only available in a handful of states.
| Company | States Available | Average Annual Premium | Average Monthly Premium |
|---|---|---|---|
| Auto-Owners | 23 | $596 | $50 |
| Amica | 3 | $816 | $68 |
| American Family | 2 | $505 | $42 |
| Dairyland | 4 | $1,336 | $111 |
| Erie Insurance | 8 | $478 | $40 |
| Iowa Farm Bureau | 6 | $698 | $58 |
| Kemper | 2 | $681 | $57 |
| Mercury Insurance | 4 | $960 | $80 |
| Shelter Insurance | 7 | $689 | $57 |
| Westfield Insurance | 2 | $482 | $40 |
Cheapest car insurance for affordable vehicle models
The car you drive affects your rate as much as your ZIP code does. Across the budget-friendly models we compared, USAA, GEICO and Travelers were consistently the cheapest insurers and the price gap between the cheapest and priciest company for the same model was often more than $1,500 a year. We don’t include USAA in the table below because it’s only available to military community members.
Note that this is full coverage with liability limits of 100/300/100, which is higher than the dataset used earlier in this story and includes comprehensive and collision.
| Make & Model | Cheapest Company | Average Annual Cost | Average Monthly Cost |
|---|---|---|---|
| Chevrolet Trax | Travelers | $1,825 | $152 |
| Hyundai Elantra | Travelers | $2,317 | $193 |
| Hyundai Venue | Travelers | $1,820 | $152 |
| Kia K4 | Travelers | $2,316 | $193 |
| Kia Soul | Travelers | $1,870 | $156 |
| Nissan Kicks | Travelers | $2,139 | $178 |
| Nissan Sentra | GEICO | $2,341 | $195 |
| Nissan Versa | GEICO | $2,045 | $170 |
| Toyota Corolla | GEICO | $2,075 | $173 |
| Volkswagen Jetta | Travelers | $1,988 | $166 |
[Editor note: this table reflects full-coverage rates (100/300/100 with a $500 comprehensive/collision deductible) for new vehicles, the closest available data set for these models — not liability-only pricing. Retitle or re-pull as liability-only data becomes available.]
Liability-only vs. full coverage car insurance cost
Full coverage costs about two to two-and-a-half times more than liability-only insurance, depending on your company. USAA drivers see the widest gap — full coverage costs 250% more than liability-only — while Travelers customers see the narrowest, at 136% more. This chart compares liability-only coverage with limits of 50/100/50 with full coverage and liability limits of 100/300/100.
| Company | Liability-Only | Full Coverage | $ Difference | % Difference |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| GEICO | $651 | $2,159 | $1,508 | 232% |
| Travelers | $833 | $1,962 | $1,129 | 136% |
| Progressive | $864 | $2,569 | $1,705 | 197% |
| Nationwide | $941 | $2,524 | $1,583 | 168% |
| Allstate | $1,059 | $3,159 | $2,100 | 198% |
| Farmers | $1,064 | $3,207 | $2,143 | 201% |
| State Farm | $1,139 | $2,875 | $1,736 | 152% |
| USAA | $465 | $1,628 | $1,163 | 250% |
Liability-only coverage pays for damage and injuries you cause to other people — it never pays to fix or replace your own car. Full coverage adds comprehensive and collision coverage on top of liability, protecting your vehicle as well. See our full breakdown of liability vs. full coverage insurance for more detail on which makes sense for you.
When does liability-only coverage make sense (and when doesn’t it)?
Liability-only coverage makes the most sense once your car is worth less than roughly 10 times what you’d pay each year for comprehensive and collision coverage alone. Below that point, you’re effectively paying more to insure the car than the car is worth protecting. Above it, dropping comprehensive and collision coverage can leave you paying out of pocket for a repair or replacement you could otherwise afford through insurance. For a refresher on how liability car insurance works, see our full coverage guide.
A worked example: the CIC vehicle value test
Take GEICO’s 50/100/50 rates from the table above: a full policy costs $1,879 a year, versus $651 a year for liability-only. The difference — $1,228 a year — is roughly what you’re paying just for comprehensive and collision coverage. Multiply that by 10 and you get $12,280. If your car is worth less than about $12,280, liability-only coverage is likely the smarter financial choice; if it’s worth more, full coverage is probably still worth keeping.
Sophie’s tip
Run the math on your own policy: subtract your liability-only quote from your full-coverage quote, multiply by 10 and compare that number to your car’s actual trade-in value — not what you paid for it years ago. That’s the real test, not a gut feeling about how old the car looks.
What’s the cheapest liability car insurance for military members?
USAA offers the cheapest liability-only car insurance for military members, veterans and their families, at $465 a year ($39 a month) — 28% below GEICO, the cheapest option for everyone else. USAA membership is restricted to active-duty service members, veterans and their immediate families, so it won’t show up as an option when you shop with most comparison tools unless you qualify.
Frequently Asked Questions: Cheap liability insurance
What is the cheapest liability car insurance company?
GEICO is the cheapest widely available liability-only car insurance company, averaging $651 a year.
Which state has the cheapest liability car insurance?
Wyoming has the cheapest liability-only car insurance, averaging $367 a year. Florida is the most expensive, at $1,635 a year.
Is liability-only insurance a lot cheaper than full coverage?
Yes. Across the companies we compared, full coverage costs 136% to 250% more than liability-only coverage, depending on the insurer.
What’s the difference between liability and full coverage insurance?
Liability insurance pays for damage and injuries you cause to other people; it never pays to fix or replace your own car. Full coverage adds comprehensive and collision coverage, which pays for damage to your own vehicle. See what liability car insurance covers for a full breakdown.
Methodology & Resources
CarInsurance.com analyzed millions of auto insurance quotes, using data from its 2026 State of Auto Insurance Report to calculate average rates.
Estimated premiums are based on a sample profile of a 40-year-old male and female driver with a clean driving record and good insurance score, carrying 50/100/50 liability-only coverage unless otherwise noted.
The rates are for comparison purposes only. Your actual premium will vary based on your location, driving history, vehicle type, deductible selection and coverage needs. Read the detailed methodology for more information.
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