Your needs and driver profile will determine which company is the best for you. Auto-Owners Insurance Co is the most affordable insurer for minimum coverage and for drivers with a speeding ticket, while Country Financial is the cheapest for full coverage, military-affiliated drivers and those with an at-fault accident or DUI offense. Teens will find the lowest rates with Allstate. We recommend Country Financial if you want the best blend of affordability and service quality.
Cheapest and Best Car Insurance in Athens, GA (2024)
Updated: December 19, 2024
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Key Takeaways
In Athens, Auto-Owners Insurance Co offers the most affordable minimum coverage car insurance at $269 per year, significantly cheaper than Allstate's highest premiums of $561 annually, highlighting a potential savings opportunity of nearly $300 by comparing providers.
In Athens, comparing full coverage car insurance premiums between the most affordable provider, Country Financial at $671 per year, and the most expensive, Progressive at $1,012 per year, reveals a potential savings of $341 annually by choosing the cheapest option.
For military drivers seeking full coverage car insurance in Athens, Country Financial offers the most affordable option at $671 per year, providing a cost-effective solution without compromising on service quality.
Why Trust MoneyGeek? Our analysis is based on thousands of car insurance quotes and data from the Georgia Department of Insurance and Quadrant Information Services. We combined this information to rank providers using our unique scoring system.
35,648Quotes Analyzed
8Companies Compared
Cheapest Minimum Liability Car Insurance in Athens
The following insurers offer the cheapest minimum coverage policies in Athens:
- Auto-Owners Insurance Co: $269 per year
- Country Financial: $307 per year
Allstate has the most expensive premiums for a minimum coverage policy at $561 per year. We also found that Auto-Owners Insurance Co also offers the cheapest car insurance in Georgia, not just in Athens. As of October 2022, its state-wide average premium is $311, which makes buying this insurer’s minimum coverage policy in Athens slightly more affordable compared to most other cities in the state.
Data filtered by:Results filtered by:
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Age Group:30-59
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Coverage:Minimum Coverage
| Auto-Owners Insurance Co | $269 | $22 |
| Country Financial | $307 | $26 |
| Mercury | $358 | $30 |
| GEICO | $389 | $32 |
| Progressive | $408 | $34 |
| State Farm | $517 | $43 |
| Allstate | $561 | $47 |
State law determines liability limits for minimum coverage. Georgia state law requires that minimum coverage policies include the following bodily injury and property damage liability limits:
- $25,000 bodily injury liability per person
- $50,000 bodily injury liability per accident
- $25,000 property damage liability per accident
If you’re found at fault in an accident, your liability coverage will shoulder the medical bills of any injured drivers and passengers up to certain limits. For instance, with bodily injury liability limits of $25,000 per person and $50,000 per accident, your insurer will pay up to $25,000 per injured person, up to a maximum of $50,000 per incident, regardless of how many were injured. You’ll have to pay out of pocket for costs exceeding these limits.
Cheapest Full Coverage Car Insurance in Athens
The cheapest car insurance companies for a full coverage policy in Athens are:
- Country Financial: $671 per year
- Auto-Owners Insurance Co: $709 per year
Progressive charges the highest premiums for full coverage at $1,012 per year, on average. Country Financial not only provides the cheapest full coverage policies in Athens, it also offers the cheapest full coverage car insurance in Georgia at $665 per year as of October 2022. This shows that this insurer may charge slightly higher rates in Athens than in other Georgia cities.
Data filtered by:Results filtered by:
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Age Group:30-59
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Coverage:Full Coverage
| Country Financial | $671 | $56 |
| Auto-Owners Insurance Co | $709 | $59 |
| Allstate | $844 | $70 |
| GEICO | $856 | $71 |
| Mercury | $958 | $80 |
| State Farm | $996 | $83 |
| Progressive | $1,012 | $84 |
Full coverage insurance raises your liability limits and adds comprehensive and collision insurance to your policy.
- Collision Insurance: Covers the costs of the repair or replacement of your vehicle if it sustains damage in an at-fault accident, such as a collision with another vehicle or an object (stop sign, light post, median, etc.).
- Comprehensive Insurance: Helps cover expenses related to the repair or replacement of your vehicle if it is damaged as a result of natural disasters, vandalism or theft.
Typically, those with new cars opt for a full coverage policy to safeguard their investment. It may not be worth the extra cost if you have an older vehicle.
Cheapest Car Insurance in Athens After a Driving Offense
The following insurers offer the cheapest full coverage policies in Athens after a driving violation:
- Speeding ticket: Auto-Owners Insurance Co ($795 per year)
- At-fault accident: Country Financial ($939 per year)
- DUI: Country Financial ($1,103 per year)
The most expensive option for drivers with a speeding ticket or an at-fault accident is Mercury, with annual premiums averaging $1,396 and $1,907, respectively. GEICO is the least affordable option for drivers with a DUI offense on their record at $2,715 per year. Drivers with offenses should expect to pay higher rates than those with clean records, with even the cheapest providers charging hundreds of dollars more for the same policy.
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Age Group:30-59
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Coverage:Full Coverage
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Incident:Speeding
| Auto-Owners Insurance Co | $795 | $66 |
| Country Financial | $911 | $76 |
| Allstate | $945 | $79 |
| GEICO | $1,024 | $85 |
| State Farm | $1,128 | $94 |
| Progressive | $1,352 | $113 |
| Mercury | $1,396 | $116 |
Typically, car insurance rates increase in proportion to the severity of the driving offense. In Athens, drivers with a speeding ticket or DUI offense pay an average of $215 or $614 more for car insurance than drivers with a clean driving history. We’ve outlined ways to get affordable car insurance for drivers with a bad driving record.
Cheapest Car Insurance in Athens for Teens and Their Families
The cheapest car insurance companies for 16-year-old teens on a family policy in Athens are:
- Allstate: $1,482 per year for female teens; $1,551 per year for male teens
- GEICO: $1,652 per year for female teens; $2,043 per year for male teens
State Farm offers the most expensive full coverage insurance for teens, costing around $2,594 or $3,321 when a female or male teen is added to a family policy. Male teens typically face higher premiums because companies view them as riskier to insure. For example, the cheapest insurer in Athens for teen drivers, Allstate, charges male teens $69 more than female teens for car insurance. However, this cost discrepancy levels out in early adulthood.
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Age:16
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Gender:Female
| Allstate | $1,482 | $7,362 |
| GEICO | $1,652 | $9,041 |
| Auto-Owners Insurance Co | $2,008 | $5,215 |
| Progressive | $2,304 | $10,880 |
| State Farm | $2,594 | $5,881 |
It’s significantly more expensive for teens to purchase an individual policy compared to joining a family policy. For example, a 16-year-old male in Athens could save up to $3,112 per year by joining a family policy compared to purchasing an individual one. To get the cheapest auto insurance for teens, we recommend comparing rates from multiple providers.
Cheapest Car Insurance in Athens for Military Drivers
In Athens, the following insurers offer the cheapest rates for military members and their families:
- Country Financial: $671 per year
- Auto-Owners Insurance Co: $709 per year
Note that the rates above are for a full coverage policy. USAA offers the third cheapest rate at $783 per year, making it another great option for those looking for cheap car insurance for military drivers. For minimum coverage policies, Auto-Owners Insurance Co, at $269 per year, and Country Financial, at $307 per year, are your cheapest options.
Data filtered by:Results filtered by:
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Age Group:30-59
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Coverage:Full Coverage
| Country Financial | $671 | $56 |
| Auto-Owners Insurance Co | $709 | $59 |
| USAA | $783 | $65 |
| Allstate | $844 | $70 |
| GEICO | $856 | $71 |
| Mercury | $958 | $80 |
| State Farm | $996 | $83 |
| Progressive | $1,012 | $84 |
How to Compare Cheap Athens Car Insurance Quotes Online
Many insurance companies have online tools that allow you to estimate your car insurance cost. However, it can take up to 15 minutes to input the personal information required to generate a quote.
Fortunately, MoneyGeek’s car insurance calculator simplifies that process. Simply input your age, vehicle type, preferred coverage level and driving record to receive a car insurance estimate.
Car Insurance Calculator
MoneyGeek's car insurance calculator will give you a customized estimate of your auto insurance cost. It's free to use, requires no personal information and we won't send you any spam.
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Rates updated:
Dec 21, 2024
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Best Car Insurance in Athens: Summary
The best car insurance for you will depend on how much you value affordability, service quality, coverage and other factors. Here is MoneyGeek’s lineup of the best car insurance companies in Athens, Georgia:
- Best overall: Country Financial (MoneyGeek score of 81 out of 100)
- Best for service: Auto-Owners Insurance Co (MoneyGeek score of 66 out of 100)
- Best cheap: Auto-Owners Insurance Co (MoneyGeek score of 84 out of 100)
The total MoneyGeek score for a company may vary across categories based on the factors weighted in that category. Country Financial’s high ratings reflect a good mix of affordable premiums and top-notch service, which makes it the best auto insurance company in Georgia. With a MoneyGeek score of 75 out of 100, USAA is also worth considering if you have a military background.
Best Overall Car Insurance in Athens
In Athens, these companies offer the best overall car insurance, balancing affordability and service quality:
- Country Financial: MoneyGeek score of 81 out of 100 ($671 per year)
- Auto-Owners Insurance Co: MoneyGeek score of 78 out of 100 ($709 per year)
Of the seven insurers we evaluated, Country Financial is the cheapest and has the highest customer satisfaction rating. We also recommend USAA for military personnel and their families. With a MoneyGeek score of 75 out of 100, USAA policies are well suited to military drivers.
pros
Has the highest affordability and customer satisfaction rating out of the companies we evaluated
Offers rare and useful coverages like new car replacement, safety glass and personal effects coverages
cons
Has a poor claims management rating
Offers few coverage options
COMPANY HIGHLIGHTS
Compared to the other insurers in our study, Country Financial offers the most affordable rates and provides the best customer service. This is a rare combination — typically, there is a tradeoff between cost and customer service quality.
Although the insurer has limited coverage options compared to its competitors, the coverages offered may be more than sufficient for some drivers. It could cost hundreds of dollars to replace damaged windshields, windows or headlights, especially for newer cars that have advanced features like sensors and cameras that are built into the glass. With Country Financial’s safety glass coverage, your policy will pay for these replacements and you don’t have to pay your comprehensive coverage deductible. If you bring along valuable items while traveling, consider purchasing personal effects coverage. This add-on coverage lets you get up to $800 for personal belongings that are stolen from your car, like your phone or laptop.
Best Car Insurance in Athens for Customer Service
If you value customer service over cost, consider purchasing insurance from these companies:
- Auto-Owners Insurance Co: MoneyGeek score of 66 out of 100 ($709 per year)
- Country Financial: MoneyGeek score of 65 out of 100 ($671 per year)
Auto-Owners Insurance Co provides reliable and efficient service together with a wide range of coverage options. Its policies are also the second cheapest in Athens, making this insurer’s full coverage policies the best value for your money.
pros
Has above-average ratings for customer service
Offers three out of the four essential coverages
Offers diminished value coverage, gap insurance, deductible modification and accident forgiveness
cons
Doesn’t offer new car replacement coverage
COMPANY HIGHLIGHTS
Auto-Owners Insurance Co gets the basics right with its combination of essential and rare coverage options. Auto-Owners Insurance Co’s Personal Automobile Plus Package, which includes over 10 additional coverages at one competitive rate, is ideal for drivers who wish to keep their car insurance simple while maximizing their savings.
Its other rare add-on options offer a perfect solution for drivers who are concerned about the financial impact of an accident. For instance, with deductible modification, your collision deductible will be waived if you get into an accident with another vehicle that’s also insured under Auto-Owners Insurance Co. Another coverage that’s worth considering is diminished value coverage which compensates for the reduced value of your car after it is damaged in an accident. Gap insurance and at-fault accident forgiveness coverages are also worth considering if you want the most financial protection.
Best Cheap Car Insurance Companies in Athens
Our analysis of affordability and service quality for policies that meet Georgia’s minimum coverage requirements indicated that these are the best auto insurance companies in Athens:
- Auto-Owners Insurance Co: MoneyGeek score of 84 out of 100 ($269 per year)
- Country Financial: MoneyGeek score of 77 out of 100 ($307 per year)
Minimum coverage might be the cheapest insurance, but it’s important to know that this coverage provides little protection against liability costs. It also won’t cover repairs and other expenses if your car is damaged in an accident.
pros
An affordable minimum coverage policy costs $269 per year — the cheapest out of seven providers
Offers most of the essential coverages
Discounts for bundling, safe driving and responsible payment
cons
No defensive driving or driver’s education discounts
COMPANY HIGHLIGHTS
Auto-Owners Insurance Co offers a good lineup of essential and rare coverages and offers the most affordable minimum coverage policies. Insurance buyers will be impressed with Auto-Owners Insurance Co’s long list of discounts which include those that are commonly offered and apply to most drivers. For instance, you could maximize your savings through a bundling discount by purchasing your auto policy together with a home, life, condo or renter’s insurance policy from Auto-Owners Insurance Co.
You’ll also get a discount for being a safe driver and by insuring two or more passenger vehicles on your personal auto policy. This insurer rewards policyholders who are up to date on their payments, so those who paid their premiums on time for at least 36 months and those who pay their annual premium in full will qualify for substantial discounts.
Average Cost of Car Insurance in Athens
The average cost of car insurance in Athens for a full coverage policy is $864 per year. This is $149 cheaper than the average cost of car insurance in Georgia at $1,012 and $401 less the national average cost of car insurance — $1,265 as of October 2022. In our study, a full coverage policy includes $100,000 bodily injury liability per person, $300,000 bodily injury liability per accident and $100,000 property damage liability per accident. Keep in mind that location is just one of the many factors that insurers use in calculating your rates.
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.