At the intersection of the Maumee, St. Marys, and St. Joseph Rivers is Fort Wayne, the second-largest city in Indiana. The overall average monthly rate for drivers in this eastern Indiana community is $108 per month, which is on par with Indiana’s average monthly rate of $102, according to Insurify data. Luckily, this is much lower than the overall U.S. average of $144 per month.
While Fort Wayne drivers see premiums close to the state average, policy costs are still higher than in many other cities in Indiana. Its rates can partly be attributed to the city’s high population and density, which can increase traffic and accidents. Here’s what you need to know about comparing quotes to find the best coverage if you’re in the market for car insurance in Fort Wayne.
3 of the cheapest car insurance companies in Fort Wayne
There isn’t a one-size-fits-all policy for everyone. The right insurance company for you depends on your budget, insurance needs, driving history, and many other rating factors. If you’re seeking dependable coverage in Fort Wayne, consider the following insurers. The rates in the table below represent Indiana state averages.
Best insurer for cheap rates: Auto-Owners
Best insurer for families: State Farm
Best insurer for high-risk drivers: GEICO
How to get the cheapest car insurance in Fort Wayne
While searching for a new insurer, it’s important to examine a company’s quality of customer service, coverage options, financial stability, and record of claims handling. However, finding a reliable insurer that meets your needs doesn’t have to cost a lot. Here are a few ways to lower the cost of your auto insurance policy:
Shop around. The Insurance Information Institute recommends gathering at least three quotes from reputable insurers. Many insurance companies allow you to obtain a quote from their website, but you can also contact an insurance agent or use an online quote-comparison tool.
Take advantage of discounts. Whether you’re a member of an affiliated group, a student, or a safe driver, everyone can find discounts. You can even get a discount for bundling your auto insurance with your homeowners policy, renters insurance, or life insurance.
Avoid reckless driving. Drivers who adhere to road rules and are claim-free usually see better rates than those with incidents on their records. Many insurers also offer a telematics program that rewards safe driving with good driver discounts.
Increase your deductible. If you can afford a higher deductible for collision and comprehensive coverage when you file a claim, consider increasing it when you customize your policy. This can help you lower your monthly payments.
Cheapest liability-only car insurance in Fort Wayne: Auto-Owners
A liability-only insurance policy only covers the other party’s medical expenses and property repairs if you’re at fault in an accident. Liability-only policies in Fort Wayne cost $76 per month, on average. While this basic policy tends to be the cheapest one insurers offer, the following companies offer the most affordable liability policies.
Cheapest full-coverage car insurance in Fort Wayne: Auto-Owners
While a liability-only policy covers the other party’s damages if you’re at fault, a full-coverage insurance policy protects your vehicle. It includes comprehensive coverage, which reimburses you for losses and vehicle damages from non-collision incidents like theft and natural disasters. Full-coverage car insurance also provides collision insurance for car repairs if you collide with another vehicle or object.1
Drivers in Fort Wayne pay an average of $140 per month for full-coverage insurance. This car insurance coverage is the best option for drivers who use their car regularly to commute, own an expensive vehicle, or drive in a high-risk area. Your lender may also require full-coverage car insurance if you have a loan or lease on your vehicle.
Car insurance requirements in Indiana
Indiana is a tort state, which means your insurance company is on the hook for paying the other party’s medical expenses if you’re at fault in an accident. All Indiana drivers must carry the state’s minimum liability insurance.2
You must also have minimum uninsured and underinsured motorist coverage in Indiana. The table below shows the state’s minimum coverage limits you must obtain to drive legally.
Accidents can cost thousands of dollars in repairs, medical expenses, and legal fees. Insurance is an important financial investment because it can help mitigate your financial burden and keep you from going into debt. Consider adding these coverage options to your policy to protect you against hefty out-of-pocket expenses:
Cheapest car insurance for drivers with an incident
Driving incidents refer to moving violations like speeding tickets, driving under the influence (DUI), and at-fault accidents. If you have an incident on your driving record, you’ll likely see an increase in your auto insurance premiums.
Cheapest car insurance for drivers with a speeding ticket: Auto-Owners
A speeding ticket will result in you paying a fine and possibly increase your insurance rates for three to five years. It can stay on your driving record for up to five years, amounting to hundreds of dollars in increased costs. The average cost of car insurance for drivers with a speeding ticket in Fort Wayne is $177 per month for full coverage and $96 for liability only.
You can soften the damage by looking for insurance companies with budget-friendly rates for drivers with speeding tickets, such as the following:
Cheapest car insurance for drivers with an at-fault accident: Auto-Owners
At-fault accidents can spell costly consequences, like expensive vehicle repairs and spikes in your insurance rates for several years. In fact, even a non-at-fault accident can result in a slight increase in your premiums. In Fort Wayne, the average cost of car insurance for drivers with an accident is $183 per month for full coverage and $99 for liability only.
However, you don’t have to succumb to sky-high rates to get reliable insurance. The table below illustrates cheap car insurance companies for Fort Wayne drivers with an at-fault accident on their record.
Cheapest car insurance for drivers with a DUI: Auto-Owners
If you get a DUI, you'll have to carry an SR-22 certificate to prove you’ve purchased Indiana’s minimum liability coverage. Your rates may double for three to five years after a DUI conviction. Many insurers will even refuse to insure high-risk drivers; if they do, SR-22 insurance is often extremely expensive. Fort Wayne drivers pay an average of $180 per month for full coverage and $98 for liability only after a DUI conviction.
However, it’s not all bleak for drivers with a DUI. The following insurers provide the best monthly quotes for drivers in Fort Wayne with a past DUI conviction.
Cheapest car insurance for seniors: Auto-Owners
While rates significantly decrease around age 25 as you gain more experience on the road, they may gradually climb at 70. Age-related conditions, such as diminished vision and hearing loss, leave senior drivers more susceptible to car accidents. The average cost of car insurance for senior drivers in Fort Wayne is $120 per month for full coverage and $65 for liability only.
Due to the increased risk, drivers in their 70s may see increased insurance premiums. Fortunately, seniors in Fort Wayne can count on the following insurance companies to offer the best deals on car insurance.
Cheapest car insurance for teens: Auto-Owners
Getting behind the wheel is an exciting milestone for many teen drivers; however, it’s often a costly one. With less experience on the road and an increased likelihood of being involved in an accident, young drivers tend to see lofty insurance premiums compared to premiums for all other age groups. Teen drivers in Fort Wayne pay an average of $295 per month for full coverage and $160 for liability only.
Teenagers can lower costs by staying on their parents’ policies, driving a car with safety features, and taking advantage of good student discounts. Keep in mind, teens younger than 18 can't legally get their own policies unless they have written consent from a parent or guardian. The following insurance companies have competitive monthly prices for teens shopping for their own auto insurance policy.
Fort Wayne car insurance quotes by credit tier
Indiana allows insurance companies to use your credit history when determining your risk level and, therefore, your policy’s rates.3 Drivers with excellent or good credit are less likely to file a claim, which means lower premiums. In contrast, drivers with poor credit have an increased likelihood of filing a claim, according to insurers. So they usually pay more for their policies.
Is car insurance more expensive in Fort Wayne?
The average cost of car insurance in Fort Wayne is $108 per month, which is well below the national average of $144 and about the same as the Indiana overall average of $102. However, car insurance rates differ in Indiana based on the city you live in.
Factors such as your city’s population density, vehicle crime rate, accident frequency, and weather conditions can influence your premiums. For instance, residents of Indianapolis, the state capital, pay higher rates on average ($125 per month) than residents of Fort Wayne.
More cities in Indiana
The cost of car insurance in Fort Wayne is somewhere in the middle compared to other cities in Indiana, with Indianapolis being a bit more expensive and South Bend and Muncie being cheaper. The table below illustrates average quotes in various cities in Indiana.