57% Of Drivers Did This To Save On Car Insurance

If you drive a car on American roads, auto insurance is a necessary expense that's rolled into the cost of ownership, and it isn't optional. Some drivers sacrifice their level of protection, opting for only liability coverage to keep sudden expenses as low as possible. The University of North Dakota reported in 2023 that liability-only policies average 67% cheaper than those offering full coverage. Considering the monthly savings, it's unsurprising that staying underinsured is a tempting solution roughly 18% of drivers embrace, according to 2023 data from Insurance Information Institute. Needless to say, opting for liability-only coverage leaves drivers with a significant financial vulnerability.

A different approach to managing car insurance costs has become popular in recent years, however, and it doesn't expose drivers to the financial ramifications of an accident that come from being underinsured. Instead of reducing coverage close to their policy's end date, 57% of American drivers shopped around for a new quote in 2024, according to J.D. Power's 2025 U.S. Insurance Shopping Study.

This figure is up from 49% the previous year, and it coincides with a jump in insurance pricing. Both insurance rates and the prevalence of quote-seeking behavior have peaked, marking new multi-decade highwater marks in the process. It's not particularly fun to scour the market for a new policy, especially given the murkiness of legal terminology, coverage and deductible regulations, and more. But performing at least a cursory search can make a massive difference in the price you pay for essential coverage.

The dread of having to scour the market for new auto insurance quotes is real. Avoiding the task is therefore a powerful analgesic that keeps your daily life comfortable. But failing to shop around can destroy your budget. Each year, as the renewal date gets nearer, millions of Americans simply bite the bullet and reup with their current provider, putting up no resistance whatsoever to the new rate they've been quoted. Yet, a single phone call to your existing provider can be enough to get a few bucks knocked off the price. It's the same principle that helps you get the best terms when choosing a bank.

Add car insurance to the list of things you're probably paying too much for: In a 2025 survey, LendingTree found that 92% of drivers who switched insurance providers saved money, with 63% of them saving at least $100 over the course of the year. Similarly, per Consumer Reports, 41% of switchers saved $500 or more on their insurance, while 13% nabbed at least $1,000 off their policy. Consumer Reports found the median annual savings figure to be $461, or roughly 33% of the median annual premium cost. Because insurance is an expense you can't legally avoid if you drive, you have an obligation to yourself and your financial wellbeing to engage in this yearly dance to shake out the best rate possible. Saving even a few hundred bucks on a service you're paying for no matter what can translate into big value over the long run.