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Cheapest car insurance in Merced, California (Nov 2024)

Compare 55+ insurance companies including Progressive, Travelers, AAA, Nationwide (and more!) to find the best and cheapest car insurance in Merced, California.
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R.E. Fulton
Licensed Insurance Agent —Senior Content Writer
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Reviewed by Josh Damico, Vice President Insurance Operations
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Edited by Lina Zhang, Licensed Insurance Agent, VP of Operations

Cheapest car insurance quotes in Merced

On average,
auto insurance
in Merced costs about $90 per month for minimum coverage liability insurance, and about $130 per month for full coverage insurance. Merced drivers pay 7% less than the national average.  
Insurance companyPremium (monthly)CustomerCarInsurance coverage
Progressive
$129
Jerome, 28
Zip: 95340
Honda Civic LX
• State Minimum Liability
• Comp / Collision
Nationwide
$282
Alfred, 42
Zip: 95348
Alfa Romeo Giulia TI
• 100,000/300,000 Liability
• Comp / Collision
Allstate
$214
Nettie, 28
Zip: 95348
Dodge Charger SXT Plus
• State Minimum Liability
• Comp / Collision
Clearcover
$186
Eva, 28
Zip: 95341
Honda Accord LX
• 50,000/100,000 Liability
• Comp / Collision
Infinity
$62
Gavin, 59
Zip: 95341
Honda FIT Sport
• 25,000/50,000 Liability
coverageLast Updated Nov 19, 2024

Cheapest Merced car insurance for good drivers

Insurance rates are calculated based on your driving record, age, zip code, past claims, and vehicle type. While the majority of these factors aren’t in your control—you can be a good driver and keep your driving record clean.
Good drivers in Merced can save up to 40% on their insurance, and with Jerry's DriveShield™, you can track your driving and unlock discounts for safe driving habits. Discover how other drivers are using DriveShield™ to save on their insurance below.
Customer
Driving Score
Insurance Savings
Has Violations
Insurance Coverage
Giovanni, 25
88
28%
No
  • 100/300
  • Comp/Collision
Alex, 34
98
35%
No
  • State Minimum Liability
  • Minimum Coverage
Paul, 44
76
20%
No
  • 50/100
  • Comp/Collision
Dina, 54
96
31%
No
  • 50/100
  • Comp/Collision
David, 65
74
24%
No
  • 50/100
  • Comp/Collision

Best Car Insurance Companies in Merced

There is no single best car insurance company for everyone. The most important reason is that every customer gets different
car insurance quotes
based on their profile—meaning that the most affordable company is different for everyone. Besides price, you also need to consider factors such as claims handling and customer service. 
To help drivers better compare the cheapest car insurance companies, Jerry conducted the largest insurance survey in the nation—and what we found surprised us. While big-name carriers like GEICO and State Farm got mixed reviews for policy cost and customer service, smaller insurers like Aspire Advantage and National General came through with the highest ratings from actual customers. 
The table below shows how drivers in Merced rate different companies on a scale of 0 to 5.
Insurance companyOverall ratingPriceClaims experienceCustomer service
Progressive
4.4
3.9
3.9
4.3
USAA
4.3
4.8
4.8
4.8
Geico
4
3.5
3.8
3.9
State Farm
3.9
3.3
3.7
4
Liberty Mutual
2.8
3.2
2.7
2.7
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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.

Best cheap car insurance quotes in Merced

California’s minimum car insurance requirements reflect how much insurance you need the carry to legally drive as well as the cheapest coverage option in Merced. However, minimum liability coverage provides minimal financial protection.
You’ll need full coverage if you want to cover the cost of repairing or replacing your own vehicle–but that’s not as easy to get in the Golden State as it once was thanks to the current car insurance crisis. Take a listen to what Jerry’s experts have to say about the state of the insurance industry in California, and how it could affect your policy choices in Merced.

Cheap minimum liability insurance quotes in Merced

In order to legally hit the road, Merced , California drivers need to meet California minimum coverage limits for bodily injury liability and property damage liability
California minimum liability coverage includes $15,000 in bodily injury liability per person, $30,000 per accident, and $5,000 for damage to property. These coverages are commonly referred to as 15/30/5 coverage. With this basic liability coverage, you’ll be covered up to the policy’s limits if you cause injuries or property damage while driving. 
Here are some examples of Merced car owners that Jerry recently assisted with obtaining minimum liability coverage.
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Jerome (28 years old)
coverageCoverage
State Minimum
locationMerced, CA
(Zip Code: 95340)
carHonda Civic LX
$129
per month
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Nathaniel (28 years old)
coverageCoverage
State Minimum
locationMerced, CA
(Zip Code: 95340)
carFord Focus SE
$105
per month
card cover
Grace (26 years old)
coverageCoverage
State Minimum
locationMerced, CA
(Zip Code: 95341)
carNissan Altima 3.5SE
$94
per month
card cover
Clyde (43 years old)
coverageCoverage
State Minimum
locationMerced, CA
(Zip Code: 95348)
carNissan Maxima GXE
$141
per month

Do you need more than minimum coverage in Merced?

Most drivers in Merced need higher liability coverage than the 15/30/5 state minimum mandated by
California car insurance laws
In an at-fault accident, you could be responsible for medical bills and vehicle repairs well over the 15/30/5 limit, especially if you cause serious injuries to another person. If the car is totaled, the cost to replace it can be more than $40,000—well above that scant $5,000 property damage limit. 
And keep in mind:
California’s car accident laws
allow drivers to file bodily injury lawsuits for up to two years after a car accident and sue for property damage for up to three years—so your liability extends long past the initial accident! 
The bottom line: For better financial protection, drivers should consider purchasing a full coverage with higher liability limits of 50/100/50 or 100/300/100.

Cheap full coverage car insurance quotes in Merced

Full coverage car insurance
is the only way to protect yourself from costs associated with repairing or replacing your car. 
Full coverage includes comprehensive and collision coverage.
Collision coverage
covers the cost of fixing or replacing your car after an accident, while
comprehensive coverage
pays out if your car is stolen or damaged by something other than a collision, such as vandalism, theft, or natural disasters. If you have a loan on the car, your lender will typically require collision and comprehensive coverage.  
On top of a full-coverage policy, you can purchase
uninsured motorist coverage
to guard against uncovered injuries or damage in an accident caused by a driver without car insurance. 
The table below shows some recent examples of cheapest Merced full coverage quotes that Jerry’s agents helped our customers obtain.
Insurance coverageInsurance companyPremium (monthly)CustomerCar
• State Minimum Liability
• Comp / Collision
Progressive
$129
Jerome, 28
Zip: 95340
Honda Civic LX
• State Minimum Liability
• Comp / Collision
Allstate
$214
Nettie, 28
Zip: 95348
Dodge Charger SXT Plus
• 100,000/300,000 Liability
• Comp / Collision
Nationwide
$282
Alfred, 42
Zip: 95348
Alfa Romeo Giulia TI
• State Minimum Liability
• Comp / Collision
National General
$256
Maurice, 48
Zip: 95341
RAM 1500 BIG Horn
• 50,000/100,000 Liability
• Comp / Collision
Clearcover
$186
Eva, 28
Zip: 95341
Honda Accord LX
coverageLast Updated Nov 19, 2024
The easiest and fastest way to find the cheapest car insurance for your preferred coverage option is to compare car insurance rates online.
Jerry,
a top insurance agency
, offers an app that compares car insurance quotes for free and provides end-to-end service to customers with the help of 100+ licensed insurance agents.
Lower my car insurance too!

Average cost of car insurance in Merced

By helping lots of drivers in Merced find car insurance, we found that the average cost for minimum liability coverage is $90 per month or$1,084 per year. The average cost for full coverage insurance in Merced is $130 per month or $1,560 per year.
While average insurance rates can help you predict your own insurance costs, it's important to note that each driver's insurance premium is calculated based on many factors such as the type of car, driving record, claims history, and demographics. 

Average cost of car insurance in Merced by zip code

Even within the same city, car insurance rates can still vary based on where you live. Neighborhoods that have a greater incidence of auto theft, car accidents, and other situations that can lead to insurance claims will be flagged as “high-risk.” Drivers living in these neighborhoods tend to pay more than people in other areas of the city.
Zip CodeAverage State Minimum Coverage RateAverage Full Coverage Rate
95340
$61
$181
95348
$62
$163

Car insurance quotes in Merced by rating factors 

Insurance companies in Merced use many rating factors when
deciding your auto insurance premium
:  
  • Your driving record and claims history: Insurance companies will charge more if you’ve had accidents or tickets. 
  • Your age: Drivers younger than 25 years old will pay higher insurance rates as insurance companies consider young drivers a higher risk due to limited driving experience. 
  • The kind of car you have: Collision and comprehensive coverage are more costly for luxury, high-performance, and sports cars. 
  • Where you keep your car: Rates are likely higher if you regularly park your car in a neighborhood with a higher incidence of auto insurance claims. 
  • How you use your car: Insurance companies often charge more if you drive your car to and from work than use it for leisure.

How do different factors impact your car insurance costs in Merced?

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Allowed (with applicable limitations): Driving experience, marital status, zip code.
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Prohibited (or effectively prohibited): Gender, age, credit history, education, occupation, employment status, insurance history.
Learn more about the car insurance rating factors in Merced:

Cheap car insurance quotes in Merced after driving violations

Your
California driving history
impacts your auto insurance quotes. If insurance companies notice a history of violations, they’ll see you as a higher risk and charge a steeper rate. Some common violations that could increase your insurance rates include:
  • Speeding
  • DUIs
  • At fault accident 
  • Reckless driving 
  • Driving on a suspended license

Cheapest car insurance in Merced after speeding ticket

In Merced, a speeding ticket could increase your car insurance rate by about 13%. Jerry is proud to help drivers with varying speeding tickets save on car insurance.  
Speeding TypeInsurance CompanyPremium (monthly)CustomerCarInsurance Coverage
Speeding 16-20
Allstate
$217
Logan, 25
Zip: 95348
Hyundai Santa FE SEL
• 50,000/100,000 Liability
• Comp / Collision
Speeding 21+
Progressive
$110
Lizzie, 21
Zip: 95348
Nissan 370Z
• State Minimum Liability
coverageLast Updated Nov 20, 2024

Cheapest car insurance in Merced after DUI

In Merced,
a DUI violation
can increase your insurance rate by as much as 22%. If you have a DUI offense on your record, car insurance rates can vary significantly from one insurance company to another. You may need to compare rates from many insurance companies to find low-cost options after a DUI.
Jerry has helped many Merced drivers obtain affordable auto insurance rates after a DUI.
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Derrick (37 years old)
coverageCoverage
State Minimum
locationMerced, CA
(Zip Code: 95340)
carToyota Corolla SE
$148
per month
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Alfred (42 years old)
coverageCoverage
100,000 per person
300,000 per accident bodily injury
Comp / Collision
locationMerced, CA
(Zip Code: 95348)
carAlfa Romeo Giulia TI
$282
per month
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Alice (67 years old)
coverageCoverage
State Minimum
locationMerced, CA
(Zip Code: 95348)
carFord Expedition Eddie Bauer
$117
per month
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Dennis (28 years old)
coverageCoverage
State Minimum
locationMerced, CA
(Zip Code: 95348)
carKIA RIO LX
$108
per month

Cheapest car insurance in Merced after an at-fault accident

One of the most important factors affecting car insurance rates is your car accident or claim history. For Merced drivers, car accidents could result in an average rate increase of 15%.
California is an at-fault state. If you were involved in an at-fault accident in the recent past, your car insurance rates could skyrocket. Jerry has helped many Merced drivers save on car insurance after accidents. 
Accident typeInsurance companyPremium (monthly)CustomerCarInsurance coverage
At Fault With Injury
Progressive
$107
Henrietta, 70
Zip: 95341
Toyota Yaris IA
• State Minimum Liability
• Comp / Collision
At Fault With No Injury
Allstate
$214
Miguel, 27
Zip: 95348
Dodge Charger SXT Plus
• State Minimum Liability
• Comp / Collision
Not At Fault
National General
$69
Frances, 35
Zip: 95348
Toyota Corolla CE
• State Minimum Liability
At Fault With No Injury
Clearcover
$119
Henrietta, 27
Zip: 95340
Hyundai Accent SE
• 25,000/50,000 Liability
coverageLast Updated Nov 16, 2024

Cheapest car insurance in Merced after other driving violations

In addition to speeding tickets and DUIs, other violations such as
reckless driving
and driving on a suspended license can also cause your in car insurance costs to increase in Merced.
We’ve compiled a list of various other driving violations and how we helped drivers with these violations save on their car insurance.
ViolationInsurance companyPremium (monthly)CustomerCarInsurance coverage
Failure to Obey Signal
National General
$213
Cora, 27
Zip: 95340
Hyundai Accent SE
• State Minimum Liability
Careless Driving
Clearcover
$119
Cole, 27
Zip: 95340
Hyundai Accent SE
• 25,000/50,000 Liability
Failure to Obey Signal
National General
$213
Ora, 27
Zip: 95340
Hyundai Accent SE
• State Minimum Liability
coverageLast Updated Nov 21, 2024

Cheap car insurance quotes in Merced by driving experience

Inexperienced drivers, such as teens or newly licensed motorists, pay higher than average insurance rates. As drivers gain more experience, their insurance rates can drop. Car insurance costs often start rising again at the age of 75 due to increased risk factors.

Cheapest car insurance in Merced for young drivers

Teen drivers
aged 16 to 19 pay the highest insurance rates out of any age group in Merced. For teen car owners that drive a newer car, full coverage would afford better financial protection as teens are more likely to get into accidents.
In the meantime, teens should consider sharing a policy with a household member, such as a parent or guardian. Most drivers can save up to $2,055 annually by keeping a teen driver on their policy, and with Jerry, you may be able to save even more.
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Sarah (22 years old)
coverageCoverage
State Minimum
locationMerced, CA
(Zip Code: 95348)
carNissan 370Z
$110
per month
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Isaiah (24 years old)
coverageCoverage
50,000 per person
100,000 per accident bodily injury
Comp / Collision
locationMerced, CA
(Zip Code: 95341)
carToyota RAV4
$115
per month
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William (24 years old)
coverageCoverage
State Minimum
locationMerced, CA
(Zip Code: 95340)
carNissan Rogue S
$73
per month
card cover
Clearcover
Dustin (24 years old)
coverageCoverage
25,000 per person
50,000 per accident bodily injury
locationMerced, CA
(Zip Code: 95340)
carNissan Juke S
$65
per month
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Noah (23 years old)
coverageCoverage
State Minimum
locationMerced, CA
(Zip Code: 95341)
carSubaru Legacy 2.5I Premium
$185
per month

Cheapest car insurance in Merced for senior drivers

Older drivers
in Merced are more likely to be involved in an accident. Furthermore, they’re much more vulnerable to injuries after a car accident. All of this can be very expensive, which is why car insurance companies charge older adults in Merced more for coverage.
card cover
Bruce (71 years old)
coverageCoverage
State Minimum
locationMerced, CA
(Zip Code: 95341)
carToyota Yaris IA
$107
per month
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Alice (67 years old)
coverageCoverage
State Minimum
locationMerced, CA
(Zip Code: 95348)
carFord Expedition Eddie Bauer
$117
per month
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Embark General
Helen (72 years old)
coverageCoverage
State Minimum
locationMerced, CA
(Zip Code: 95341)
carToyota Corolla LE
$63
per month

Cheap car insurance quotes in Merced based on insurance history

An important factor in your car insurance rates is your insurance history—i.e., whether you are currently insured or not.
Any lapse in your insurance coverage
usually leads to an increase in car insurance rates.
To help our customers make insurance payments on time and to avoid a lapse in coverage, Jerry sends payment reminders to eligible customers when a payment is coming up or if they’re late on their payments.
We have helped many customers who are currently not insured or have had a lapse in coverage find savings on a new auto insurance policy.
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Milton (27 years old)
Currently Insured
coverageCoverage
State Minimum
locationMerced, CA
(Zip Code: 95340)
carHonda Civic LX
$129
per month
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Hattie (41 years old)
Currently Insured
coverageCoverage
100,000 per person
300,000 per accident bodily injury
Comp / Collision
locationMerced, CA
(Zip Code: 95348)
carAlfa Romeo Giulia TI
$282
per month
card cover
Hulda (27 years old)
Currently Insured
coverageCoverage
State Minimum
locationMerced, CA
(Zip Code: 95340)
carFord Focus SE
$105
per month
card cover
Brent (58 years old)
Currently Insured
coverageCoverage
25,000 per person
50,000 per accident bodily injury
locationMerced, CA
(Zip Code: 95341)
carHonda FIT Sport
$62
per month
card cover
Brian (22 years old)
Currently Insured
coverageCoverage
State Minimum
locationMerced, CA
(Zip Code: 95340)
carDodge Journey SE
$75
per month

How to lower car insurance costs in Merced

1. Shop around and compare quotes

Different insurance companies use different rules to set your premium, and those rules are constantly changing! To make sure you always have the most affordable car insurance, experts recommend comparing quotes from at least three companies and shopping for new rates every six months. 
Jerry makes this tedious process simple! In just 45 seconds, Jerry can collect quotes from a pool of 55+ top insurance providers to help you identify the best auto insurance coverage at the best price. Better yet—Jerry compares quotes for free! 

 2. Hunt for car insurance discounts

Every insurance company offers
a set of discounts
, but the exact discount offered varies by company. Some common discounts include: 
  • Good driver discounts. California state law mandates 20% insurance discounts for drivers with one or fewer points on their license who have continuously held a license for three years with no at-fault accidents responsible for injury or death.
  • Telematics discounts. Many companies offer easy-to-win discounts to drivers who use telematics to track their driving habits. You might even get a discount just for signing up!
  • Good student discounts. Are you a full-time student in either high school or college? Do you have a B average or better? You probably qualify for a discount from your insurance company.

3. Increase your deductible for comprehensive and collision coverage

If you’ve got full coverage car insurance, increasing your deductible is an easy way to keep your monthly expenses low without sacrificing coverage.

FAQ

People living in Merced pay on average $90 per month – or $1,084 per year – on state-minimum liability coverage. Full coverage in Merced costs on average $130 per month or $1,560 per year. 
With car insurance though, there’s no such thing as average. It is important to know that car insurance varies greatly based on a driver’s individual situation. Shopping around for car insurance quotes is the best way to get an accurate idea of how much you can expect to pay on insurance. Luckily, Jerry is here to take the hassle out of insurance shopping! At the click of a button, Jerry will help you compare personalized quotes from top insurance providers. Best of all, it’s 100% free. 
Based on thousands of Merced drivers Jerry has worked with, car insurance in Merced costs an average of $90 per month for state-minimum coverage and $130 per month for full coverage.
No single insurance company has the cheapest insurance for everyone, but by shopping for insurance quotes, you can find the cheapest insurance company for you. Jerry takes the hard work and the waiting out of insurance shopping – generating you quotes with the best coverage and best prices in seconds, 100% free. Try Jerry Today!   
Shopping for the best coverage at the best price is important, but customer service may play a role in what insurance company you pick, too. Metlife,
Encompass
, and Direct Auto receive good ratings from Merced drivers, based on the largest car insurance survey in the nation conducted by Jerry.
Learn more about how fellow car owners rate various insurance companies and get free quotes in seconds with Jerry.
California's minimum insurance requirements—known as the 15/30/5 rule—mandate the following:

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.

Meet our experts

avatar
R.E. Fulton
badge icon
Licensed Insurance Agent —Senior Content Writer
R.E. Fulton is an expert insurance writer specializing in car ownership topics from car shopping and loan advice to insurance and repair guides. R.E.’s mission is to create unique and accessible content that helps readers to become more successful and independent car owners. R.E. has written and edited over 900 high-performing articles for Jerry, with an average of 1 million+ views.
As a senior writer on Jerry’s editorial team, R.E. draws on over 10 years of experience as a professional writer and digital publishing specialist. Prior to joining Jerry’s editorial team in 2021, R.E. worked as a writing coach at Columbia University, the Rochester Institute of Technology (RIT), and the University of Rochester. They serve as a managing editor for peer-reviewed history publication Nursing Clio, where their work has appeared regularly since 2015.
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Lina Zhang
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Licensed Insurance Agent
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Licensed in 50 states and Washington DC
Lina Zhang is Vice President of Operations at Jerry. She helped to found Jerry in order to take the confusion and mystery expenses out of car ownership and help drivers achieve financial success. Leading a global team responsible for operations, talent acquisition, legal, and content, Lina has been a key contributor to the AllCar™ app’s 10x growth in its first year of operation. Prior to Jerry, Lina and her Jerry co-founders, Art Agrawal and Musawir Shah, created YourMechanic, the largest on-demand car repair services provider. In one year, Lina built and scaled YourMechanic operations from just five markets to more than 50. The trio left YourMechanic to incubate Jerry at Y Combinator in 2017. Lina’s previous roles include intellectual property attorney at Morrison & Foerster LLP and a biomedical researcher at Stanford University.
avatar
Josh Damico
badge icon
Head Of Insurance Operations
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18+ Years Experience in Insurance
Josh Damico is Jerry’s vice president of insurance operations and a licensed insurance professional with nearly two decades of experience in the industry. Previously, Josh held executive roles at Geico, where he had vast regional oversight and leadership opportunities.  He holds a bachelor’s degree in business administration and management from Medaille College, and has appeared on news channels including FOX and CBS to offer insurance expertise and tips to drivers across the country. His work has appeared in Business Insider, Kelley Blue Book, and Digital Insurance and been quoted in The Balance, GOBankingRates, and Inspiring Workplaces.
*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.