Cheapest car insurance in Indianapolis, Indiana (Nov 2024)

Written by Liz Jenson and 2 others
Nov 25, 2024
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Cheapest car insurance in Indianapolis, Indiana (Nov 2024)

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Best car insurance companies in Indianapolis

The best auto insurance company in Indianapolis, IN, depends on your top priority, whether it’s affordability, customer service, or claims processing. The city offers a variety of options, and the best fit for one person probably won’t be the same for another.

For example, even if two people asked for a quote for Progressive car insurance in Indianapolis, they wouldn’t get the same price, not even if they drove the same car! Comparison shopping isn’t just crucial for comparing provider strengths and weaknesses; it’s the only way to find the best price.

Jerry is dedicated to helping drivers on both fronts. First, we asked over 15,000 verified policyholders nationwide to rate their providers. The results show that big names like State Farm or AAA car insurance in Indianapolis don’t always have the best quality service or lowest prices.

Second, the Jerry app can help you compare free quotes and explore your coverage options from the comfort of your smartphone. It’s easy to balance affordability and quality when you can request quotes from over 55 top car insurance providers in less than a few minutes.

Take a look at the table below to see the average insurance costs for the best-rated auto insurance providers in Indianapolis.

Insurance companyMonthly minimum coverage costMonthly full coverage costCost ratingOverall Jerry rating
Clearcover$32$65N/A4.6
Travelers$41$984.24.5
Nationwide$41$1104.04.2
Progressive$45$1133.84.2
State Auto$51$1974.34.4

How’d we get these scores?

Jerry’s experts conducted one of the largest car insurance surveys in the United States. We surveyed 15,000 policyholders, in all 50 states, over the span of 18 months. These policyholders hold insurance policies with 87 different insurance companies. We surveyed policyholders to gauge their satisfaction with their insurance carriers in: policy cost, customer service, buying and renewal experience, as well as claim experience. These scores were all reported by real customers of the insurance companies.

How to find the cheapest car insurance in Indianapolis

Although quite a few famous figures have made stops in Indianapolis—including JFK and Taylor Swift—the city is best known as a launchpad for the Indy 500. An even bigger race happens twice per day though—with almost 400,000 workers flooding the streets, it’s a challenge to keep your driving history clean and your rates low.

Indianapolis drivers pay an average of $57 per month (or $684 per year) for state minimum coverage. Opt for a full coverage car insurance policy and your costs will rise to about $140 per month or $1,680 per year. For comparison, full coverage auto insurance in Indiana is roughly 23% less.

Coverage typeIndianapolis, INIndianaUnited States
State minimum$57$56$77
Full coverage$140$114$165

Drivers in Indianapolis can compare free quotes and buy policies easily with Jerry, a licensed insurance broker.

Best cheap auto insurance quotes in Indianapolis

You must meet Indiana car insurance requirements to drive in Indianapolis. Generally, minimum coverage is the most affordable, but that doesn’t mean it’s the best. Jerry’s expert insurance agents recommend carrying a full coverage policy that includes at least 100/300/100 liability insurance.

Cheap minimum liability insurance quotes in Indianapolis

To operate a vehicle legally in Indianapolis, drivers must purchase a car insurance policy with coverage limits that follow the “25/50/25” rule.

That means at least:

Liability insurance allows other drivers to file claims against your insurance company to pay for their medical expenses, vehicle repair costs, and property damage bills. It only applies if you were the one at fault for causing the car accident.

The average cost of the state minimum coverage in Indianapolis is approximately $57 per month or $684 per year. Take a look at the table below to see the best rates Jerry found for customers in Indianapolis on minimum coverage.

Insurance companyMonthly minimum coverage cost
Clearcover$32
Travelers$41
Nationwide$41

Do you need more than minimum coverage in Indianapolis?

The rising cost of medical care and car repairs make a compelling case for more auto insurance coverage, even if the law only requires you to follow state minimum coverage requirements.

For example, the average hospital stay following a car accident with evident injuries is about $40,0002, while the average car on the road is worth about $48,000.3 A serious car accident could result in medical bills and property damages well over $100,000, which is beyond the limits of a minimum coverage car insurance policy in Indiana.

Furthermore, Indiana’s car accident laws give drivers two years to file a personal injury lawsuit, meaning, your liability limits could be stretched beyond the date of the initial car accident. For better financial protection, you should consider 50/100/50 or 100/300/100 liability coverage—even if you choose not to carry full coverage on your car.

Expert Insight

“A general rule that I recommend is to carry enough coverage to protect your current and future assets – at least $100,000/$300,000 of liability coverage is recommended, but you may need more coverage depending on your financial situation.”

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Josh Damico
VP Insurance Operations, 18+ Years Experience in Insurance

Cheap full coverage car insurance quotes in Indianapolis

Liability insurance has one major drawback: it doesn’t pay to repair or replace your motor vehicle. You can only file a claim for physical damages or theft if you have full coverage car insurance.

Full coverage describes an auto insurance policy that usually includes collision and comprehensive coverage on top of basic liability.

  • Collision insurance pays for any damages resulting from a collision, whether it’s a fender-bender with a neighbor or an encounter with a pothole.
  • Comprehensive insurance covers damages that are unrelated to collisions, such as vandalism, theft, and severe weather.

Full coverage insurance isn’t a legal requirement in Indianapolis, but it’s included as a condition in leasing and financing agreements. You must maintain coverage (which costs an average of $139 per month or $1,678 per year in Indianapolis) until your contract ends.

You might also want to consider additional car insurance coverage options like:

  • Gap insurance
  • Medical payments (MedPay)
  • Personal injury protection (PIP)
  • Rental reimbursement
  • Roadside assistance
  • Uninsured Motorist / Underinsured Motorist coverage (UM/UIM)

Jerry helped drivers in the Hoosier State find the perfect balance between coverage and budget, as you can see in the table below:

Insurance companyMonthly full coverage cost
Clearcover$65
Travelers$98
Nationwide$110

Average cost of car insurance in Indianapolis

Indianapolis residents pay an average of $57 per month (or $684 per year) for state minimum coverage. Choose a full-coverage car insurance policy and your costs will rise to about $140 per month or $1,680 per year, which is below the national average.

How much you pay doesn’t solely depend on your choice of coverage. There are three reasons why Indianapolis car insurance is so expensive and likely to get more costly in the future:

  • Bad driving habits: Indianapolis has the 25th-worst drivers in the country. It has a slightly above-average crash score due to fatalities resulting from crashes, DUIs, and speeding.4
  • Growing population: Indy’s roads are jam-packed; not only is the city approaching a population of 1 million, but over 300,000 commute to work each day, joined by nearly 100,00 workers from the surrounding area.5
  • Traffic congestion: Thanks to its large commuter population, Indianapolis is ranked the 39th most-congested city in the US. The average commuter loses about 24 hours per year sitting in traffic.6

Average cost of car insurance in Indianapolis by ZIP code

Factors like population density, crime rates, traffic congestion, weather, and car accident rates matter to insurance providers, which is why they ask for your location. Your ZIP code gives them all the data they need.

Here’s what you’ll have to pay for coverage in the three cheapest and most expensive ZIP codes in Indianapolis.

ZIP codesMonthly minimum coverage cost
46234$48
46220$53
46259$53
46202$89
26201$92
46268$112

Car insurance quotes in Indianapolis by rating factors

Every driver is unique and every insurance company considers several rating factors when calculating your car insurance premiums:

  • Your credit score. Studies show that poor credit drivers file more claims. If you have bad credit, you’ll pay more for insurance.
  • Your driving record and claims history. Providers don’t like it if you cause an accident, commit a violation, file a claim, or let your car insurance lapse because it costs them money.
  • Your location. A location tells providers all about your neighborhood’s population density, crime rates, traffic congestion, weather, and car accident rate—all of which affect rates.
  • Your mileage. Mileage tells providers how much you commute and whether you run the risk of getting into a fender-bender around rush hour.
  • Your vehicle make and model. Luxury, high-performance, or sports models can raise your collision and comprehensive coverage costs.

Cheap car insurance quotes in Indianapolis after driving violations

Multiple violations on your Indiana driving record could lead to your insurance company considering you a high-risk driver.

If you have a poor driving record, consider these suggestions when shopping for car insurance in Indianapolis.

Cheap car insurance in Indianapolis after a speeding ticket

An Indiana speeding ticket comes with a $300 fine, plus a sharp increase in your auto insurance premiums.

Have a look at how much a speeding ticket charge can affect your rates in the city.

ViolationMonthly coverage costRate increase (%)
Speeding$17275%

Cheapest car insurance in Indianapolis after a DUI

Getting a DUI in the state of Indiana can result in fines, legal fees, and higher rates for car insurance. Here’s how much Indianapolis drivers can pay after a DUI charge.

ViolationMonthly coverage costRate increase (%)
DUI$13033%

Cheapest car insurance in Indianapolis after an at-fault accident

If you cause a car crash, your insurance rates will spike, but not all companies increase them by the same amount.

Driving recordMonthly coverage costRate increase (%)
At-fault accident$12528%

Cheapest car insurance in Indianapolis after other driving violations

Speeding tickets, car accidents, and DUIs aren’t the only things that can make you a high-risk driver. Regardless of what mistakes appear on your driving record, Jerry can help you find more affordable car insurance.

ViolationMonthly coverage costRate increase (%)
Failure to show documents$15962%
Driving on suspended license$16366%

Cheap car insurance quotes in Indianapolis by age

Younger drivers often suffer high insurance rates because of their limited driving experience. Their rates will drop once they turn 25, but they’ll rise again as they approach 75.

Cheap car insurance in Indianapolis for young drivers

Car insurance for teen drivers is fairly expensive in Indianapolis due to the high rate of accidents, crash fatalities, and violations among drivers aged 19 and under.

Although it’s more expensive, full coverage insurance is typically the best choice for teen drivers because it can pay for any mistakes they make while learning the rules of the road.

AgeMonthly minimum coverage costMonthly full coverage cost
18-21$151$254

Cheap car insurance in Indianapolis for middle-aged drivers

As drivers gain more experience behind the wheel, their rates lower. Drivers 25-64 see some of the cheapest rates for all age demographics, with rates rising again after motorists turn 65+.

AgeMonthly minimum coverage costMonthly full coverage cost
22-25$100$176
26-34$68$135
35-44$57$119
45-54$57$112

While driver premiums are often lower than average for this age group, drivers can still achieve even cheaper costs by looking into car insurance discounts and bundling policies.

Cheap car insurance in Indianapolis for senior drivers

As long as they have a clean driving record, drivers between the ages of 55 and 75 can get the lowest insurance rates of any age group. But as they approach their mid-70s, even good drivers will see their insurance rates start to increase. Older drivers have a risk of car accidents and injuries, making it difficult to find affordable car insurance for senior drivers.

AgeMonthly minimum coverage costMonthly full coverage cost
55-64$55$94
65+$64$101

Cheap car insurance quotes in Indianapolis based on insurance history

There’s more to calculating car insurance quotes than just your driving record. Any car insurance lapse—whether it’s the fault of a missed renewal, an unpaid bill, or a total loss car—could mean higher rates in the future.

Insurance historyMonthly coverage costRate increase (%)
With coverage lapses$12427%

Jerry’s payment reminders can help you keep your payments (and your insurance history) on track. You can choose to be reminded if there’s an upcoming payment or if you’ve missed a bill.

Cheap car insurance quotes for drivers with poor credit

The biggest car insurance companies conduct a soft credit check and factor your credit score into their insurance premiums calculations. On average, drivers with good credit (700 or more) pay less than those with poor credit (550 or below).

It’s not just a history of unpaid bills that worries them; studies indicate that poor credit drivers tend to file more insurance claims.

Credit scoreMonthly coverage cost
< 600$78
601-699$63
700+$48

Insurers charge more for luxury models, performance cars, and cutting-edge, environmentally friendly marvels since they use hard-to-find parts. New cars also feature lots of expensive technology. By contrast, the most popular cars in Indianapolis are cheap to insure because their parts are readily available and their repair costs are low.

Indiana drivers prefer the following five models:

  • Chevrolet Silverado
  • Toyota Camry
  • Honda Civic
  • Jeep Wrangler
  • Ford F-150

Have a look at how much these popular models cost drivers in the city.

Vehicle typeMonthly minimum coverage cost
Ford F-150$57
Chevrolet Silverado$83
Toyota Camry$96
Jeep Wrangler$96
Honda Civic$114

Learn more: How to get car insurance before buying a car


How to lower car insurance costs in Indianapolis

1. Shop around and compare quotes

Finding cheap car insurance in Indianapolis is no easy feat. Each insurance agency has its own rules for calculating premiums, and the rules often change. To get the best deal possible, experts recommend comparing quotes from at least three different companies every six months.

Jerry can help you gather and compare quotes in Indianapolis in less than a few minutes. Plus, it’s free to download.

2. Hunt for car insurance discounts

There’s a huge variety of car insurance discounts, but the only way to find out which ones your provider offers is to ask. Make a call and you could find:

  • Auto and home insurance bundles: You can combine two or more insurance products—like homeowners insurance or renters insurance—to save on both.
  • A good driver discount to reward you for safe driving habits and a clean driving record with no accidents or traffic violations.
  • A good student discount to help students with good grades score savings on their auto insurance rates.
  • A telematics discount rewards good driving habits like staying below the legal speed limit, braking gently, and limiting your mileage.

3. Increase your deductible for comprehensive and collision coverage

You may be able to save a small percentage of your premiums by increasing your full coverage deductible, but this should only be a last resort.

FAQ

  • How much is car insurance in Indianapolis?
  • What’s the cheapest car insurance in Indiana?
  • Why is car insurance so expensive in Indiana?
  • How much is the average car insurance per month in Indiana?
  • Who’s offering the cheapest car insurance?

Sources

  1. https://www.in.gov/bmv/licenses-permits-ids/suspension-and-reinstatement/proof-of-financial-responsibility/ ↩︎
  2. https://injuryfacts.nsc.org/all-injuries/costs/guide-to-calculating-costs/data-details/ ↩︎
  3. https://www.consumerreports.org/cars/buying-a-car/people-spending-more-on-new-cars-but-prices-not-necessarily-rising-a3134608893/ ↩︎
  4. https://www.consumeraffairs.com/automotive/worst-drivers-in-america.html ↩︎
  5. https://www.city-data.com/city/Indianapolis-Indiana.html ↩︎
  6. https://inrix.com/scorecard-city-2022/?city=Indianapolis%20IN&index=348 ↩︎
MEET OUR EXPERTS
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Liz Jenson

Liz Jenson is an insurance writer who specializes in general automotive and insurance topics. Liz’s mission is to produce informative and useful content to help car owners make smart choices when buying cars and car insurance. Since joining Jerry in 2021, Liz has written nearly 4,000 long- and short-form articles on topics including state-specific insurance recommendations, common car insurance questions, and deep dives into vehicle model details. Before they came to Jerry, Liz was a full-time student at Indiana University, Bloomington working on a double major in English and French.

meet-experts-thumbnail
Maria Cruz

Maria is an insurance writer with over 10 years of experience as a professional writer. Prior to joining Jerry’s editorial team in 2023, she worked at various online publications like Nimble Media, Factinate.com, and served as editor-in-chief at The Medium. She holds a double major in English and Professional Writing and Communications.

meet-experts-thumbnail
Josh Damico

As Vice President of Insurance Operations at Jerry, Josh Damico leads teams across product development, operations and carrier relations, integrating Jerry’s smart and fast car insurance customer experience with that of traditional carriers to help customers find savings and coverage. Josh’s nearly 20 years of insurance-industry experience and knowledge generate partnerships with more than 55 name-brand and specialty insurance partners that enable Jerry to serve customers with all types of vehicle and policy needs.

Previously, Josh held executive roles at Geico, where he had vast regional oversight and leadership opportunities. In his most recent role as director of sales, servicing, and underwriting, Josh developed and executed profit and growth strategy for the New England states and New Jersey.

Josh holds a bachelor’s degree in business administration and management from Medaille College.

*Illustration only. For all the pricing information presented in this article (including various tables), please note that not all customers find savings and the information is for illustrative purposes only. Savings depend on type of car, location, policy features, driving history and other factors. Drivers who switch through Jerry save over $70/month on average.

Methodology

The Insurance Research Team analyzes insurance products and services to drive insights and help consumers make informed purchase decisions.

Insurance research

We analyzed over 25 million car insurance quotes; conducted the largest insurance shopping survey (over 15,000 customers surveyed and 85 carriers reviewed in the past 18 months).

We surveyed insurance policyholders for their experience with their insurers in the following areas: (1) insurance cost (2) customer service (3) insurance buying experience (4) insurance renewal experience (5) claim experience. In addition, we asked people what they like about their insurers and what areas in which their insurers could improve. The driver characteristics used in calculating average rates for auto insurance include: single driver, single car, currently insured, clean driving record.

For the quotes and sold policies included in this article, please note that personal information has been hidden. Not all customers find savings.

Team

The team consists of licensed insurance agents, insurance industry veterans, and data scientists.

For illustrative purposes only, results may vary

Editorial Note: This article was written by a paid member of Jerry’s editorial team. Statements in this article represent the author’s personal opinions and do not constitute advice or recommendations. You should consult with an insurance professional about your specific circumstances and needs before making any insurance decisions.