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Vermont is the second-smallest state by population. The relatively small population and lack of urban density in the Green Mountain State may help explain why its average auto insurance costs are so low.
The state’s overall average cost of car insurance is $109 per month, which is considerably less than the national average cost of $144 per month. But even though Vermonters generally enjoy low rates, it’s always helpful to understand how to find the lowest rates for the coverage you need.
Here’s what you need to know about finding cheap car insurance in Vermont.
3 of the cheapest car insurance companies in Vermont
The best company for you will depend on your financial situation and coverage needs. Every insurance company sets rates using different criteria. Most insurers use factors like gender, marital status, ZIP code, driving history, and type of vehicle to calculate rates, but the weight applied to these factors can vary from one insurer to the next.
To find the best coverage at the right price, Vermont drivers need to compare quotes from several different insurers. Start your search with the following three insurers, which all offer cheap rates in Vermont.
State Farm
USAA
Safeco
How to get the cheapest car insurance in Vermont
Finding the cheapest insurance in Vermont will vary for every driver. Insurers use a number of factors to set your rate, including your driving history, age, marital status, credit score, and ZIP code.1 The type of vehicle you drive is also a significant factor in your insurance costs. The best way to find the cheapest rates is to shop around and get multiple quotes from a number of insurance companies.2
The following strategies will also help decrease your premium rates:
Reduce your coverage levels. By increasing your deductible, dropping collision or comprehensive coverage, or decreasing your liability coverage limits, you can immediately lower your rates. But don’t forget that lower coverage levels mean you’ll have higher out-of-pocket costs after an accident.
Drive safely. The most effective way to keep your insurance costs low is to maintain a clean driving record.
Use all available discounts. Most insurance companies offer discounts to customers who bundle their home or renters insurance with their auto insurance, among other discounts for everything from your car’s safety features to your driving behavior.
Improve your credit. Vermont allows insurance companies to use credit-based insurance scores as a factor in setting premium rates. Improving your credit will not only save you money on car insurance, but it can also improve your finances in general.
Cheapest liability-only car insurance quotes in Vermont
Liability-only car insurance covers damages if you cause an accident. With liability-only coverage, your insurance company will pay for the property damage and medical costs of other parties in the accident you caused. It won’t cover any medical expenses or damage to your vehicle.
Budget-minded drivers can save money by purchasing liability-only insurance since it’ll have lower premiums than full-coverage insurance. But you should consider the costs you may incur if you cause an accident.
The average monthly cost for liability insurance in Vermont is $65. Vermonters can find cheap liability-only insurance from the following insurers:
Cheapest full-coverage car insurance quotes in Vermont
Though not required, many drivers choose full-coverage insurance for greater financial protection. Full-coverage insurance includes liability, collision, and comprehensive insurance. Collision coverage pays for the damages to your vehicle if you cause an accident and comprehensive covers damage from non-collision incidents.
Lenders may require drivers who lease or finance their vehicles to purchase full-coverage car insurance. It’s a good idea for drivers with new or high-value vehicles to purchase full coverage.
Vermonters pay $154 on average for full coverage. Insurers who offer cheap full-coverage insurance in Vermont include the following:
Age is one of the most important factors insurance companies use to determine rates. Teens and drivers younger than 25 have the most expensive rates due to their lack of experience. Older drivers pay the cheapest rates because of their experience and extensive driving history. But around age 70, older drivers may see their rates increase due to reduced faculties.
Here’s how rates compare by age group in Vermont.
Car insurance requirements in Vermont
As an at-fault insurance state, Vermont’s laws require the at-fault driver to pay for the other driver’s damages.3 This means if your actions result in an accident, your insurance company will pay to repair or replace the other party’s vehicle or property and pay for the other party’s medical costs.
Vermont requires all drivers to purchase the following amounts of minimum coverage:4
Vermonters don’t legally need to carry more than the above minimum requirements, but it may be smart to increase these coverage amounts in case of a serious accident.
Additionally, you should consider the following types of coverage depending on your financial situation and insurance needs:
Cheapest car insurance in Vermont by driving record
Finding cheap car insurance is easy for drivers with a clean record. Drivers with a past incident on their record — including speeding tickets, at-fault accidents, DUIs, or other traffic infractions — may have a hard time finding affordable coverage. An incident on your record will increase your rates because insurers view you as more likely to have a repeat offense.
On average, Vermont drivers with a past incident pay $138 per month for car insurance, though specific premiums will vary based on the severity and frequency of violations.
The table below shows how various incidents may affect your insurance rates.
Where you live, even down to the ZIP code, affects how much you pay for car insurance. Insurers take into account how likely you are to file a claim. Drivers in a more populated area with higher crime rates have a higher possibility of an accident and theft, so they pay more for insurance than drivers in more rural areas.
For example, Burlington is highly populated compared to the rest of Vermont, has many young students, and has a higher crime rate, so drivers there will see higher rates.
Since changing where you live would be a big undertaking, it’s even more important to compare multiple quotes from different insurers in your area, as each insurer weighs location differently.