Updated: December 20, 2024
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Your driver profile and needs impact which provider offers the best car insurance for you. Auto-Owners is the best for teens, young adults, seniors, those who value customer service and those who prioritize affordability. American Family is the best option for drivers with violations, while Farmers is the best for those with new cars.
MoneyGeek also analyzed the cheapest car insurance in Salt Lake City to help you find the most affordable rates.
In Salt Lake City, Auto-Owners stands out as the best full coverage car insurance option, boasting a MoneyGeek score of 82 out of 100 with an annual premium of $839, which reflects its high affordability and robust customer satisfaction.
For military personnel seeking full coverage car insurance in Salt Lake City, USAA stands out with a high MoneyGeek score of 85 out of 100, making it the top choice for its exceptional service and tailored benefits for the military community.
In Salt Lake City, Auto-Owners is the top insurer for minimum coverage, excelling in affordability and service quality with a MoneyGeek score of 80 and an annual premium of $479, while American Family and Farmers cater better to drivers with violations or new cars, respectively.
Why Trust MoneyGeek? MoneyGeek obtained Salt Lake City car insurance quotes and data from Quadrant Information Services and the Utah Insurance Department. We also collected financial stability, affordability, customer satisfaction and claims experience data for this analysis.
The best car insurance companies in Salt Lake City are:
Auto-Owners ranked highly for coverage options and affordability, making it a good option if you are looking for a balance of financial protection and cost. USAA ranked among the top auto insurance companies in Salt Lake City with a MoneyGeek score of 85 out of 100.
Auto-Owners also offers the best car insurance in Utah, with an overall MoneyGeek score of 92 out of 100.
How was this MoneyGeek score calculated?
MoneyGeek’s score for the overall best car insurance was calculated with the following weights:
High coverage score
Ranked first for affordability
Offers diminished value coverage, gap insurance and accident forgiveness
Doesn’t offer new car replacement
Scored lower for claims
Auto-Owners is the best car insurance company in Salt Lake City, with affordability and coverage options being its two highest scores.
This insurer offers diminished value coverage. It allows you to get compensated based on the agreed value stated in your policy without factoring in the diminished value of the car at the time of the accident.
If you are financing or leasing your car, gap insurance is a good coverage option since it will ensure that in case of a total loss, your policy will cover the difference between what is owed on the loan and the actual value of the car.
You can also opt for accident forgiveness, which will protect you from premium hikes after your first at-fault accident. Auto-Owners also offers essential coverages, including roadside assistance to cover emergency services and rental car or travel reimbursement coverage.
We analyzed 11 providers in Salt Lake City to identify the best auto insurers. Auto-Owners ranked first, receiving the highest MoneyGeek score and ranking first in claims, affordability and coverage.
The runner-up, American Family, received high scores in customer satisfaction, but its low scores in claims brought its overall ranking down. Kemper, the most expensive provider in the comparison group, received the lowest MoneyGeek score with low scores in customer satisfaction, affordability and coverage.
This analysis is based on rates for a full coverage policy. We only ranked auto insurers with enough data for all the scoring categories analyzed.
| Auto-Owners Insurance Co | 82 | $839 | 4 | 3 | 4 | 5 |
| American Family | 75 | $1,042 | 4 | 3 | 5 | 3 |
| GEICO | 74 | $885 | 4 | 2 | 3 | 5 |
| Nationwide | 73 | $844 | 3 | 2 | 4 | 4 |
| Farmers Union Insurance | No Data | $903 | 5 | No Data | 0 | No Data |
| State Farm | 70 | $1,063 | 4 | 2 | 3 | 5 |
| Progressive | 68 | $1,087 | 3 | 2 | 4 | 4 |
| Iowa Farm Bureau | No Data | $1,136 | 5 | No Data | 0 | 3 |
| Farmers | 63 | $1,212 | 3 | 2 | 4 | 3 |
| Allstate | 62 | $1,236 | 3 | 2 | 4 | 4 |
| Kemper | 21 | $2,042 | 1 | 2 | 1 | 2 |
Excluding cost as a factor, the best car insurance companies in Salt Lake City for customer service are:
Auto-Owners ranked highly for coverages and satisfaction. This means policyholders can expect great service from this provider. The insurer’s rates are the cheapest in Salt Lake City, so policyholders do not have to pay a high price to get great service.
How was this MoneyGeek score calculated?
MoneyGeek’s score for Best for Customer Service was calculated with the following weights:
Ranked well for satisfaction
Tied in first for coverage
Offers diminished value coverage, deductible modification coverage
Does not offer new car replacement
Lower score for claims
Auto-Owners offers the best car insurance in Salt Lake City for those who value service quality. This provider ranked first in claims and tied in first for coverages.
With Auto-Owners, you can get diminished value coverage as an optional add-on to help protect your investment by covering the difference between what your car was worth before an accident and its diminished value after an accident.
Deductible modification waives your deductible if you are in an accident with another Auto-Owners policyholder. Common loss deductible is also available, which reduces your deductible if you have both auto and home insurance with the insurer and you experience an event where both are damaged.
Essential coverages like roadside assistance and rental car or travel reimbursement are also available to cover the cost of emergency services and travel expenses if your car breaks down.
A good insurer for customer service will be prompt and fair in handling claims, meaning that you can count on them in your time of need.
Auto-Owners emerged as the best option in this category based on its excellent track record in coverages and customer satisfaction. Although American Family scores better in customer satisfaction, it does not do as well as Auto-Owners in claims management.
Based on affordability and service quality for minimum coverage policies that meet Utah’s minimum requirements, the best cheap car insurance companies in Salt Lake City are:
The cheapest minimum coverage policies in Salt Lake City have the most affordable rates, but keep in mind that you will get limited protection against liability costs and damages to your vehicle are not covered.
The minimum car insurance requirements in Utah are the same across all cities in the state.
How was this MoneyGeek score calculated?
MoneyGeek’s score for the Best Cheap company was calculated with the following weights:
Affordable minimum coverage at $479 per year
Multiple car, safe driving and early signing discounts
Great coverage score
No defensive driving or driver’s education discounts
Lowest score is in claims management
Auto-Owners is the best option for drivers looking for the best cheap car insurance in Salt Lake City. This insurer’s highest-scoring categories include affordability and coverages. Compared to other insurers, it scored the highest for claims management.
There are various discounts that you can take advantage of to get even lower rates. This includes common discounts like multiple-car, safe driving and bundling discounts. You will also be eligible for a discount if you have safety equipment installed in your vehicle, such as anti-lock brakes, an anti-theft system or airbags.
Auto-Owners also offers less common discounts, including an early signing discount for requesting a premium quote before the effective date of the policy. You will also get a discount if you have an eligible life insurance policy with Auto-Owners.
An insurer with a good minimum coverage policy will offer affordable rates without compromising on quality of service. They will also offer a wide range of discounts to help you save even more on your premiums.
Auto-Owners emerged first in this category due to its coverage options and affordability. Although companies like GEICO and Progressive score well in customer satisfaction, they fall short in affordability compared to Auto-Owners.
The best companies for car insurance for young adults in Salt Lake City are:
Auto-Owners individually scoring categories that were best include affordability and coverages. This means that this insurer offers young drivers reasonable rates and many ways to protect themselves financially.
How was this MoneyGeek score calculated?
MoneyGeek’s score for Best for Young Adults was calculated with the following weights:
Relatively affordable policy at $1,171 per year
Offers good student and distant student discounts
Has a good coverage score
Doesn’t offer driver’s education discounts
Lowest-scoring category is claims
Auto-Owners offers the best car insurance if you are a young driver in Salt Lake City. This insurer offers young drivers excellent rates and many coverage options.
You can take advantage of common discounts offered by Auto-Owners to lower your premiums, including good student discounts for maintaining good grades. Safe driving discounts are also available for those who maintain a good driving record.
Auto-Owners offers a distant student discount for students who go to school 100 miles or more away from home. Having safety equipment like airbags, an anti-theft system or anti-lock brakes installed in your vehicle will also make you eligible for a discount.
There are also less common discounts available with this insurer, including a responsible payment discount for paying your premiums on time.
A good auto insurance provider for young adults will offer good rates, coverages and discounts tailored to suit young drivers. They will also have good claims and customer service records.
Auto-Owners ranked first in this category based on its excellent record in coverage options and affordability. In comparison, GEICO, the runner-up, received a below-average coverage score but scored higher in affordability.
The best car insurance companies in Salt Lake City for teens on a family policy are:
Auto-Owners ranked well for affordability and coverage options, so teen drivers can get a good balance of cost and financial protection.
If you are looking for the best car insurance for teens, a family policy is significantly cheaper. Male teen drivers in Salt Lake City who purchase an individual policy pay up to $3,782 more for car insurance compared to teens on a family policy. Teens under 18 cannot purchase insurance without a parent’s consent.
How was this MoneyGeek score calculated?
MoneyGeek’s score for Best for Teens was calculated with the following weights:
Cheapest option for teens on a family policy at $3,537 per year
Good number of coverage options
Offers good student and distant student discounts
No paperless or autopay discounts
The company’s lowest score is in claims management
Teen drivers in Salt Lake City looking for a balance of affordability and great service should get coverage from Auto-Owners. This insurer offers various discounts to make rates even more affordable, including student discounts like good student and distant student discounts.
You will qualify for the good student discount if you maintain a B grade point average or better while the distant student discount is available for those who attend school 100 miles or more from home.
This provider has various coverage options suitable for teen drivers, including accident forgiveness. This coverage ensures that your premiums will not be increased after your first at-fault accident.
Essential coverage options like roadside assistance and rental car or travel reimbursement are also available to ensure that you are covered for emergency services and travel expenses if your car breaks down.
Teen car insurance can be expensive, so a good provider for teen drivers will offer affordable rates and discounts tailored to suit young drivers. They will also offer essential coverages that ensure the safety and comfort of teen drivers.
Auto-Owners won this category based on its claims management rating and affordability. Compared with the runner-up Nationwide, Auto-Owners has a better claims and satisfaction rating.
The best car insurance companies for seniors in Salt Lake City are:
Auto-Owners’ individual scores were the highest for affordability and coverages, so policyholders get a balance of great financial protection options and cost.
Car insurance rates for drivers in their 60s and those in their 30s through 50s tend to be similar. However, premiums typically increase from age 70. If you are on a budget, you can get cheap car insurance for seniors by comparing quotes from multiple providers.
How was this MoneyGeek score calculated?
MoneyGeek’s score for Best for Seniors was calculated with the following weights:
Affordable policy at $846 per year
Offers accident forgiveness
Great coverage score
Lowest score is in claims
Auto-Owners is the best provider for seniors looking for service quality, affordable rates and plenty of coverage options.
This insurer offers roadside assistance coverage, which is essential since it pays for the cost of emergency services like towing or gas delivery when your car breaks down. You can also include rental car or travel reimbursement coverage in your policy to get compensated if your car needs to go to the shop for repairs and you need to rent a car or incur other travel expenses.
Policyholders can also opt for deductible modification coverage. This coverage ensures that you will not be required to pay the deductible in case of a collision with another vehicle insured by Auto-Owners.
Accident forgiveness is also available to protect you from hikes in your premiums after your first at-fault accident in a 36-month period.
The best insurer for seniors will offer coverages and discounts that will benefit senior drivers as well as affordable rates.
Auto-Owners emerged as the best insurer in this category based on its coverage options and affordability for senior drivers. Compared to insurers like American Family, Auto-Owners offers cheaper rates.
The companies with the best car insurance for a poor driving record in Salt Lake City are:
American Family scored highly in coverage options and cost, making it a great choice for drivers with violations who value affordability and availability of coverages.
The cost of car insurance may be higher for more severe offenses. Salt Lake City drivers with a DUI pay $709 more for car insurance compared to rates for a clean record, but those with a ticket only pay $255 more.
How was this MoneyGeek score calculated?
MoneyGeek’s score for Best for Drivers With Offenses was calculated with the following weights:
Affordable policy at $1,276 per year
Offers roadside assistance, rental car reimbursement and accident forgiveness
High score for coverages
Doesn’t offer new or better car replacement
Low claims score
American Family offers the best car insurance if you have a violation in Salt Lake City. This insurer scored well for affordability and coverage options.
The insurer offers accident forgiveness, which will protect you from premium increases after your first at-fault accident. You can also get roadside assistance, which will ensure that if you need emergency services like towing or gas delivery after your car breaks down, your policy will cover the cost.
Rental car or travel reimbursement coverage is also available as an add-on to help you cover travel expenses incurred when your car is in the shop for repairs.
If you are leasing or financing your car, gap insurance can help you cover the difference between what is owed and the actual value of the car in case of a total loss.
Car insurance for drivers with violations can be costly, so a good insurer will offer affordable rates, coverage options and discounts tailored to suit those with a poor record.
American Family ranked first in this category, scoring highly in coverages and affordability. State Farm, which ranked second, has more affordable rates but below-average scores in claims, bringing down its overall score.
The best insurance companies in Salt Lake City for drivers with new cars are:
Farmers ranked well for affordability and coverage options. We scored insurers based on affordability and service quality for drivers with a 2022 car model. Only companies that offer new or better car replacement were ranked.
New car replacement coverage ensures that in case of a total loss, your policy will reimburse you for a new car of the same make and model.
How was this MoneyGeek score calculated?
MoneyGeek’s score for Best for New Cars was calculated based on insurers offering new or better car replacement coverage and the following weights:
Affordable policy at $1,478 per year
Offers new car replacement
High coverage score
Does not offer gap insurance or better car replacement coverage
Lower satisfaction score
Farmers is the best provider for Salt Lake City drivers with new cars looking for affordability and many coverage options.
This insurer’s new car replacement coverage is available to drivers with new cars less than two years old. It will pay to replace your new car with a new one of the same make and model if your car gets totaled. Farmers also offers original equipment manufacturer (OEM) coverage.
This is ideal if you want to ensure that in case of damage, your car will only be repaired using original manufacturer parts.
Policyholders can also opt for glass deductible modification coverage to ensure that payment of the deductible will not be required for windshield or window repairs. If you have custom parts or equipment in your vehicle, like a custom body kit or wheels, you can get them covered under your policy by opting for custom parts coverage.
A good insurer for drivers with new cars will help protect their investment by offering new or better car replacement coverage.
Farmers stood out in this category for balancing affordability and coverages. It is the cheapest option among other companies that offer new or better car replacement.
When shopping for the best car insurance in Salt Lake City, it is important to consider cost, service record and financial stability. We made it easy for you by collecting this data, but you can also do your own research using the following steps.
We researched customer service data for providers in Salt Lake City, but you can also do research on your preferred provider by looking up J.D. Power satisfaction scores and National Association of Insurance Commissioners (NAIC) complaint ratios. You can also get more information from the Utah Insurance Department.
We obtained quotes based on sample driver profiles in Salt Lake City. Actual rates may vary depending on your individual profile and needs, so it is best to compare quotes from three or more providers to get an accurate estimate of how much car insurance will cost for you.
Insurers may offer certain coverages or discounts in some locations but not others. It is best to confirm that your preferred provider offers the coverage options you need in your state so that you can get a policy that best suits your needs.
Companies with a strong financial strength rating are more likely to honor their obligations, so it is recommended that you check financial stability ratings when choosing a provider. Large companies tend to be financially stronger, while regional insurance companies available in Salt Lake City may have lower financial stability ratings.
The best car insurance company in Salt Lake City may vary depending on your needs and driver profile. We answered frequently asked questions to help you learn more.
Auto-Owners offers the best car insurance in Salt Lake City at an average of $839 per year. Auto-Owners received high scores in coverage options and affordability, earning an overall MoneyGeek score of 82 out of 100.
Auto-Owners is also the best insurer in Salt Lake City for young adults, teens, seniors, those who value customer service and drivers who want cheap policies.
Auto-Owners offers the best cheap car insurance in Salt Lake City at an average of $479 per year for minimum coverage. Auto-Owners received a MoneyGeek score of 80 out of 100, scoring high in affordability and coverage options.
Auto-Owners is also the best provider overall, for good service and for most driver profiles, including seniors, young adults and teens.
About Mark Fitzpatrick
Mark Fitzpatrick is a Licensed Property and Casualty Insurance Producer and MoneyGeek's Head of Insurance. He has analyzed the insurance market for over five years, conducting original research and creating personalized content for every kind of buyer. He has been quoted in several insurance-related publications, including CNBC, NBC News and Mashable.
Fitzpatrick earned a master’s degree in economics and international relations from Johns Hopkins University and a bachelor’s degree from Boston College. He is passionate about using his knowledge of economics and insurance to bring transparency around financial topics and help others feel confident in their money moves.
