Is car insurance more expensive if you pay monthly?

Asked by: Arianna McLaughlin  |  Last update: December 25, 2025
Score: 4.9/5 (70 votes)

Typically, plans offer lower premiums to those who pay once a year or per term, so this is the cheaper option. If companies only have to process your payment once or twice a year, that saves them money and manpower, so they encourage borrowers to choose this option.

Is it cheaper to pay car insurance monthly or yearly?

Paying your insurance premiums annually is almost always the least expensive option. Many companies give you a discount for paying in full because it costs more for the insurance company if a policyholder pays their premiums monthly since that requires manual processing each month to keep the policy active.

Is $200 a month for car insurance bad?

Is $200 a lot for car insurance? Paying $200 per month is a little higher than average for car insurance. Nine states have average rates for full coverage that are higher than $200 per month, and no state has average rates that high for minimum coverage.

Is it better to pay your insurance completely or to make payment?

Key takeaways. Paying your policy in full could save you money if your insurance provider offers a paid-in-full discount. Paying for your car insurance in monthly installments might make it easier to manage your budget, but you might also pay extra fees if you don't pay for your policy up front.

Is $100 a month expensive for car insurance?

Paying $100 a month for car insurance is not particularly expensive. The average car insurance policy costs anywhere from $56 per month for state-minimum coverage to $176 per month for full coverage, and individual car insurance rates vary depending on factors such as your driving record, age and location.

Paying Monthly vs. Yearly for Insurance Explained! | Car Insurance 101

18 related questions found

How much insurance should I pay per month?

Car insurance on average is $79.83 per month in low-cost states, $105.36 per month in medium-cost states, and $157.27 per month in high-cost states. Note that it's often cheaper to pay for your policy in full rather than monthly.

What is a good 6 month premium car insurance?

The average 6-month car insurance premium is $947 per year, but some insurers offer lower rates; Nationwide offers 6-month car insurance at $774.

Is it better to pay monthly or yearly?

While annual subscriptions offer cost savings and less administrative hassle, monthly subscriptions provide flexibility and lower upfront costs. Your choice might hinge on your cash flow, budgeting preferences, and the level of commitment you're willing to make to a particular service.

How should I pay for car insurance?

Car Insurance Payment Methods
  1. Write an Online Check. Pay directly from your checking account. Here's how it works: Log in to the secure Policyholder Service Center. ...
  2. Use a Debit or Credit Card. It's simple to make a payment with your debit card, check card, or any major credit card. Just follow these easy steps.

Is it better to pay out of pocket or use car insurance?

If you can afford to pay out of pocket for the damages, it can be cheaper in the long run than having your insurance rates impacted for the next five years. However, the person you hit might not want you to pay out of pocket and would prefer to handle it through the insurance company.

How to get a lower car insurance rate?

If you're wondering how to get a lower car insurance rate, use these methods for lowering your premium:
  1. Qualify for insurance discounts. ...
  2. Increase your deductible. ...
  3. Reduce your coverage. ...
  4. Compare rates. ...
  5. Try usage-based insurance. ...
  6. Take a defensive driving course. ...
  7. Get a car that's cheaper to insure.

Why did my car insurance go up $40 a month?

Reasons that might make car insurance rates go up

Common among them are speeding tickets, DUIs, credit and moving violations. But beyond that, insurers also consider specific risks like the rates of accidents, vandalism and theft in your area, which result in higher claim rates.

What is the most expensive car insurance company?

Allstate

Allstate is one of the pricier major insurers in America, averaging as the most expensive out of the ten largest insurance providers. At $168 per month, covering a vehicle through Allstate costs $41 more than choosing another large auto insurance company. Esurance is an owned subsidiary of Allstate.

How much does car insurance go down after 1 year no claims?

In many cases, your insurance will go down by 5-20% in the first year of no claim, depending on your insurer. After the first year, this discount increases each year, usually by 5%, if you don't make a claim. But it only increases up to a maximum discount, usually 50-60%, and a number of years — usually 5-6 years.

Why is Geico only 6 months?

A term of six months is what you'll likely be quoted unless you specifically ask for a different policy period length. This is because six-month policies give insurers the flexibility to update rates in response to shifts in pricing trends and your driving history.

Can I get car insurance and pay later?

But did you know auto insurance companies offer payment plans too? Perhaps you don't have all the money just yet to pay in full and you want to secure the coverage you need quickly. So, setting up a monthly payment plan with a car insurance down payment will make your coverage more affordable.

How do you lower your car insurance bill?

Nine ways to lower your auto insurance costs
  1. Shop around. ...
  2. Before you buy a car, compare insurance costs. ...
  3. Ask for higher deductibles. ...
  4. Reduce coverage on older cars. ...
  5. Buy your homeowners and auto coverage from the same insurer. ...
  6. Maintain a good credit record. ...
  7. Take advantage of low mileage discounts. ...
  8. Ask about group insurance.

Does credit score affect car insurance?

How credit-based insurance scores work. Most U.S. insurance companies use credit-based insurance scores along with your driving history, claims history and many other factors to establish eligibility for payment plans and to help determine insurance rates. Again, except in California, Hawaii, and Massachusetts.

How much of my paycheck should go to car insurance?

Financial experts recommend spending no more than 10% of your monthly take-home pay on your car payment and no more than 15% to 20% on total car costs such as gas, insurance and maintenance as well as the payment.

What are the disadvantages of paying monthly?

Only paying employees once a month can cause financial burdens, as most have bills to pay throughout the month, and it can be hard to budget when all that money is paid at once. Tracking overtime. While a monthly payroll can simplify things like benefit deductions, it can complicate overtime pay.

Why is it better to be paid monthly?

Monthly pay allows employees to receive a regular and consistent income, allowing for better management of their cash flow.

Is it better to pay premium monthly or yearly?

The best premium payment option for you is based on your financial obligations. The annual premium payment is suitable if you can afford more lump sum payment at once. On the other hand, if managing monthly finances is convenient, the monthly premium option is apt.

Is Progressive or Geico better?

When it comes to the provider rankings from the J.D. Power 2024 U.S. Auto Claims Satisfaction Study, both carriers scored below the industry average — but Geico takes the lead with a score of 692 compared to Progressive's score of 672.

Is it cheaper to pay car insurance monthly or every 6 months?

Is it better to pay car insurance monthly or every 6 months? It depends. If you have the money to make a big payment every six months, you will pay a little less for your car insurance over time. If you need to make payments monthly it will cost a little more, but you won't need to come up with one lump sum.

How can I lower my car insurance after 6 months?

13 Ways to Lower Your Car Insurance Rate
  1. Increase your deductible.
  2. Check for discounts you qualify for.
  3. Compare auto insurance quotes.
  4. Maintain a good driving record.
  5. Participate in a safe driving program.
  6. Take a defensive driving course.
  7. Explore payment options.
  8. Improve your credit score.