U.S. auto-insurance premiums have climbed roughly 26% since 2023, according to CPI data. Fortunately, price hikes aren’t uniform (carriers file new rates by ZIP code every few months), so the smartest counter-move is fast, wide shopping. In practice, that means using an online comparison marketplace first, then double-checking any bargain directly with the insurer before you buy.
Why marketplaces beat single-carrier shopping
Insurance comparison sites work because they automate the state-by-state filing lookup that agents perform manually. Independent research from Rutgers (2024) found the median spread between the cheapest and 10th-cheapest insurer in a metro area was $743 a year - savings you only capture by looking across lots of companies. The caveat: comparison sites differ in how many carriers they show, whether the prices are “bindable” (final) or estimates, and how aggressively they remarket your data.
Below are four of the biggest platforms, with two independent yardsticks for each: the Trustpilot customer-review score and the Better Business Bureau (BBB) letter grade or accreditation status. Trustpilot tells you how actual shoppers feel about the quote experience, while BBB signals how a company handles complaints.
Compare.com is 4.7 / 5 on Trustpilot, A+ accredited since 2015 on BBB. Bindable prices from 75+ insurers, with minimal spam thanks to “email-only” follow-ups - longest history of happy customers.
Insurify is 4.8 / 5 on Trustpilot, A- accredited since 2020 on BBB. Fastest form, 120+ carriers, and no phone spam - best all-round starting point for cheap car insurance.
Policy Genius is 4.8 / 5 on Trustpilot, A- on BBB (but not accredited). Specializes in life insurance, so best for bundling auto coverage with life.
Gabi (Experian) is 3.5 / 5 on Trustpilot, not accredited on BBB. Offers an option to upload your policy for coverage matching.
Remember: always run an apples-to-apples quote on a comparison site. Enter the exact coverages and deductibles from your current declarations page so you can be sure that the savings aren’t illusionary.
We looked at some other insurance comparison options, but typically they lacked significant Trustpilot reviews, BBB accreditation or both - and the unfortunate truth is that the industry lends itself to lead-generation websites that can spam and resell your data, so you are best advised to stick to tried and tested names with a track record of success and positive reviews. The sites above are clear about their no-spam approach and have clear data handling policies and terms of service aimed at preventing your inbox or voicemail from blowing up after using them, which is always better than the alternative.
A final note is to consider bundling, or a "multi-policy" premium where you combine auto with home (or renters) insurance in the same policy. Insurance companies like to promote bundling to get more of your business, so this can often unlock additional savings - however, the complexity requires a licensed agent to price the bundle for you and requires more of your time to enter your home details for the full quote. Of the platforms above, Compare.com and Insurify both have licensed insurance agents that could help with pricing an auto-and-home or auto-and-renters insurance bundle, whereas Policy Genius also has agents but typically would have users bundle with life insurance.
After you find a cheaper policy, set a reminder to re-shop every renewal cycle (6–12 months). Claims costs, state-level loss ratios, and even telematics discounts move quickly, so a rate that’s cheapest today can be third-cheapest next year.