Cheapest and Best Car Insurance in St. Paul, MN (2024)

Finding the cheapest or best car insurance in St. Paul might vary based on coverage choice and driver profile. For full coverage, AAA offers the lowest rates, while families with teens may find Nationwide more cost-effective. Westfield is the cheapest for minimum coverage.

The best in customer service is West Bend Mutual, but Westfield provides the best overall value when considering a blend of price and service. Therefore, the ideal insurer for you could hinge on what you value most in coverage.

In St. Paul, Westfield offers the cheapest minimum coverage car insurance.

• Westfield: $472 per year
• AAA: $673 per year

Nationwide has the most expensive minimum coverage policy at $1,112 annually. Such a disparity in rates emphasizes the importance of comparing car insurance quotes to ensure you’re getting the most affordable deal possible.

State Minimum Liability Requirements

In Minnesota, including St. Paul, auto insurance coverage minimums are set by state law:

• $30,000 bodily injury per person
  
• $60,000 bodily injury per accident
  
• $10,000 property damage liability per accident
  
• $25,000 uninsured motorist bodily injury per person
  
• $50,000 uninsured motorist bodily injury per accident
  
• $40,000 personal injury protection (PIP) per person
  

For instance, in the case of bodily injury liability, if you're at fault in an accident, your minimum coverage will cover up to $30,000 for each injured person. However, with a cap of $60,000 per accident, costs that exceed this would have to be paid out of pocket.

AAA offers the most wallet-friendly option for drivers seeking the cheapest full coverage car insurance in St. Paul.

• AAA: $1,128 per year
• American Family: $1,143 per year

GEICO presents the most expensive full coverage policy in St. Paul, costing $1,978 annually. This disparity underscores the importance of comparing quotes to ensure you're not overpaying for comprehensive protection, which costs more due to its extensive coverage, including collision and comprehensive insurance.

Do You Need Full Coverage in Minnesota?

A full coverage policy includes coverage for damage to your own vehicle in the form of comprehensive and collision coverages. It usually also includes increased liability limits.

• Collision Insurance: This provides coverage for your vehicle in the event of a collision, whether with another vehicle or a stationary object like a tree or light pole. It also covers rollover accidents and pothole damage.

• Comprehensive Insurance: This coverage insures your vehicle against various types of damage not caused by collisions, including theft, vandalism, fires, natural disasters and being struck by an animal like a deer.

If you have a new vehicle, it's wise to opt for full coverage insurance for more robust financial protection. If you're leasing or have a car loan, you are typically required to carry full coverage insurance.

On the other hand, owners of older vehicles may find that the extra cost — which can amount to several hundred dollars more per year — is not justified by the value of the vehicle. When deciding how much car insurance coverage you need, consider your ideal balance: more extensive coverage comes with higher premiums, but getting less coverage means you may pay more out of pocket if you need to file a claim.

When it comes to finding the cheapest company for drivers with a poor driving record in St. Paul, the most affordable company is the same regardless of the type of driving violation:

• Speeding ticket: American Family ($1,363 per year)
• At-fault accident: American Family ($1,143 per year)
• DUI: American Family ($1,363 per year)

The highest rates for these offenses come from GEICO, with a staggering difference in premiums, especially after a DUI. Factors like policy limits and driving history can significantly impact individual rates.

In St. Paul, insurance rates tend to escalate with the severity of a driver's offenses, reflecting the increased risk insurers take on. For instance, those with a speeding ticket might pay an average annual rate of $2,802, while a DUI offense can send that average soaring to $4,105. This significant price difference underscores the importance of comparing insurance rates for individuals with driving infractions, as finding the right coverage could lead to substantial savings.

Nationwide offers the most affordable full coverage car insurance for both male and female teens in St. Paul.

• Nationwide: $2,204 per year for female teens and $2,337 per year for male teens
• Auto-Owners: $2,291 per year for female teens and $2,484 per year for male teens

The rates provided reflect the costs for a combination of two parents and a teen driver covered under a single policy. Conversely, the most expensive policy for female teens in the city hails from Travelers, costing $2,844 annually. This contrast in cost underscores the necessity for families, particularly those insuring high-risk teen drivers, to thoroughly compare options to find the best financial solution.

Teen drivers in St. Paul and other cities are faced with the daunting reality of high car insurance premiums, particularly when obtaining a policy independently. On average, a teen driver pays an exorbitant $5,524 annually for individual coverage, contrasting sharply with the more economical $2,946 average annual cost when added to a joint family plan.

The staggering rate difference is largely attributed to the perceived increase in risk that insurance companies assign to inexperienced drivers operating independently. Additionally, the lack of a prior insurance history and the probability of filing claims make it challenging for teenagers to secure approval for individual policies. It's prudent for teens seeking to manage their car insurance expenses to consider the benefits of family plan inclusion.

In St. Paul, AAA offers the cheapest full coverage car insurance for military backgrounds.

• AAA: $1,128 per year
• American Family: $1,143 per year

USAA ranks third with a yearly cost of $1,183, slightly higher than the top two contenders. USAA is renowned for offering specialized service specifically catering to active-duty military members, which can be a significant factor for those seeking tailored insurance solutions.

In St. Paul, comparing car insurance rates is a key strategy for cost savings. However, the process is often cumbersome, potentially requiring over an hour to examine rates from three or more companies.

MoneyGeek's car insurance calculator can help you streamline this process. By inputting details like age, driving history, credit score and preferred coverage, you can instantly receive rate estimates.

Selecting the best auto insurance depends on your priorities — be it service quality, cost, coverage, or other factors. MoneyGeek's unique scoring system rates insurance providers in St. Paul under different categories to guide your choice.

• Best overall: Westfield (MoneyGeek score 81 out of 100)
• Best for service: West Bend Mutual (MoneyGeek score 85 out of 100)
• Best cheap: Westfield (MoneyGeek score 87 out of 100)

Westfield emerges as the standout option in St. Paul, scoring highly for overall value and cost-effectiveness. It offers an excellent balance of affordability without greatly compromising on service. West Bend Mutual, with its top score for service, may appeal to those seeking premium customer experiences. When looking for an insurer in St. Paul, consider which aspects you value most to determine the best fit for your needs.

Westfield is the best car insurance option in St. Paul, offering top-tier service and value to its clients.

• Westfield: MoneyGeek score of 81 out of 100 ($1,263 per year)
• West Bend Mutual: MoneyGeek score of 80 out of 100 ($1,600 per year)

Westfield distinguishes itself with an exceptional balance of customer satisfaction and affordability, substantiated by its high scores in these areas. This score is indicative of a full coverage policy, ensuring extensive protection for drivers in the St. Paul area.

West Bend Mutual is the best option in St. Paul for outstanding car insurance customer service. This standing is based on the insurer's performance in general satisfaction, claims handling and coverages — key factors that matter most to policyholders, irrespective of rates.

• West Bend Mutual: MoneyGeek score of 85 out of 100 ($1,600 per year)
• Westfield: MoneyGeek score of 79 out of 100 ($1,263 per year)

West Bend Mutual distinguishes itself by scoring exceptionally in customer satisfaction and claims processing, which are significant contributors to its high MoneyGeek score. Consistent and reliable performance in these areas ensures that customers are likely to have a positive experience throughout the lifespan of their policies.

Westfield is the premier choice for cheap car insurance in St. Paul, striking a balance between cost and service quality. It is recognized for affordability without compromising on claims handling or customer satisfaction.

• Westfield: MoneyGeek score of 87 out of 100 ($472 per year)
• West Bend Mutual: MoneyGeek score of 78 out of 100 ($769 per year)

Westfield shines its perfect affordability score and strong performance in customer satisfaction and claims handling. This score is reflective of a minimum coverage policy.

The average cost of car insurance in St. Paul, Minnesota, is $1,445. When compared with the average car insurance cost in Minnesota at $1,278, St. Paul's premium is higher by $166. The difference is notable considering Minnesota's average cost is less than the national average at $1,781.

Location plays a crucial role in determining car insurance rates. Several factors contribute to this, including the frequency of accidents, car thefts and other risks associated with densely populated areas.

Within Minnesota, MoneyGeek's data shows a stark contrast in insurance premiums between cities. St. Paul, the most expensive city, has an average premium of $1,211, while Rochester is identified as the cheapest city, with its premiums averaging $887, marking a difference of $324. This disparity illustrates the profound impact location can have on insurance costs, hinting at even lower rates in non-urban areas with decreased traffic density.