How to Get Help Paying for Car Insurance [2025]
Finding out how to get help paying for car insurance bills can be challenging, but there are ways to lower rates.
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Table of Contents
Table of Contents
Former State Farm Insurance Agent
Benjamin Carr worked as a licensed insurance agent at State Farm and Tennant Special Risk. He sold various lines of coverage and informed his clients about their life, health, property/casualty insurance needs. Assessing risks and helping people find the best coverage to suit their needs is a passion of his. He appreciates that insurance was designed to protect people, particularly during times...
Benjamin Carr
Licensed Insurance Agent
Jeffrey Manola is an experienced insurance agent who founded TopQuoteLifeInsurance.com and NoMedicalExamQuotes.com. His mission when creating these sites was to provide online consumers searching for insurance with the most affordable rates available. Not only does he strive to provide consumers with the best prices for insurance coverage, but he also wants those on the market for insurance to ...
Jeffrey Manola
Updated May 2024
Summary Stats
| Summary Stats | Details | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Minimum Coverage Required to Drive in Most States | Bodily Injury and Property Damage Liability | Insurance Information Institute |
| States that Offer Government Assistance Programs to help Qualified Applicants Pay Auto Insurance Costs | California, New Jersey, and Hawaii | California Department of Insurance, Hawaii Department of Human Services, New Jersey Department of Banking and Insurance |
| Best Ways to Lower Insurance Rates | Looking for discounts, getting a higher deductible, and shopping around for the best rates | Insurance Information Institute |
What happens if I can’t afford my car insurance? Can you get help paying for car insurance? If you find yourself saying, “I need help paying my car insurance bills,” you should take comfort in the fact that there are multiple ways to reduce your car insurance bill to make it more affordable.
There typically aren’t any programs in place for help paying car insurance coverage deductibles or bills. Insurance companies are limited in the payment assistance they offer beyond the usual payment plans that allow you to pay your premium monthly. However, there are steps you can take to find cheap car insurance.
Read this article to learn about how you can make your car insurance payments more affordable if you need help paying car insurance bills.
Get started by finding car insurance quotes. You can enter your ZIP code above for free car insurance quotes that can help you with paying for car insurance.
If you need help with car insurance problems, read our guide — and don’t forget to check out the FAQs at the end.
Car Insurance Payment Assistance
If you’re thinking, I need help with paying my car insurance, you’ve come to the right place. While help with car insurance payments is not typically available (unless you have California car insurance, New Jersey car insurance, or Hawaii car insurance), there are things you can do to lower your rates so they’re more affordable.
Keep reading to learn more about how do you reduce the cost of your car insurance.
One way to find affordable car insurance rates is to comparison shop. You can compare great low-income car insurance rates now by entering your ZIP code.
Can I get financial assistance for car insurance?
In general, the answer to this question is no. If you’re looking for places that help pay car insurance bills, you may be able to find a local nonprofit or aid organization that temporarily helps cover payments under specific circumstances, but this is not common unless there are programs for government car insurance for low-income families.
If you live in New Jersey, California, or Hawaii, there are some limited government programs that may be available to help with car insurance payments, though these low income car insurance programs come with qualifications and very limited coverage options.
The California Department of Insurance offers qualified drivers the ability to purchase minimum liability car insurance coverage that meets state requirements at a subsidized price.
Hawaii’s financial and SNAP benefits program allows qualified drivers to obtain no-fault insurance for free, while the State of New Jersey offers Special Automobile Insurance Policy (SAIP), which offers qualified drivers the option to purchase emergency accident coverage for $1 per day (or $365 per year).
If you don’t live in one of these states, or simply don’t qualify for one of these programs, there are other things you can do to lower your rates if you need help paying car insurance bills. Keep reading to find out more if you need money to pay car insurance bills.
Are there discounts to help lower my rates?
Do you need help with car insurance during COVID? Finding discounts can give you help paying for auto insurance.
Practically every car insurance provider offers car insurance discounts or preferred rates for a variety of reasons. If you already have a policy in place, make sure you immediately contact your insurer and ask if you have the maximum number of discounts for which you qualify.
If not, find out the types of discounts they offer and make sure you become eligible for as many as possible. Quite often, a simple act like joining your local PTA for an annual $5 fee can save you 5 to 10 percent on your annual insurance rates.
If you are in the market for car insurance, it pays to be aware that each insurer offers different discounts. Take a look at this table to see what we mean.
Car Insurance Discount Availability by Provider
| Discount Name | Allstate | American Family | Farmers | Geico | Liberty Mutual | Nationwide | Progressive | State Farm | Travelers | USAA |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Adaptive Cruise Control | NA | NA | 10% | 10% | 5% | 3% | NA | 7% | 10% | NA |
| Adaptive Headlights | 15% | 15% | 10% | 5% | 5% | 10% | 15% | 5% | 5% | 15% |
| Anti-lock Brakes | 10% | 10% | 10% | 5% | 5% | 5% | 10% | 5% | NA | NA |
| Anti-Theft | 10% | NA | NA | 23% | 20% | 25% | 20% | 15% | NA | NA |
| Claim Free | 35% | 10% | 15% | 26% | 15% | 10% | 15% | 15% | 23% | 12% |
| Continuous Coverage | NA | 10% | 10% | NA | 15% | 15% | 10% | 10% | 15% | 5% |
| Daytime Running Lights | 2% | NA | 2% | 3% | 5% | 5% | 7% | 3% | NA | NA |
| Defensive Driver | 10% | 10% | NA | 10% | 10% | 5% | 10% | 5% | 10% | 3% |
| Distant Student | 35% | 15% | 30% | 30% | 20% | 10% | 20% | 20% | 7% | NA |
| Driver's Ed | 10% | 10% | 8% | NA | 10% | 8% | 10% | 15% | 8% | 3% |
| Driving Device/App | 20% | 40% | 20% | NA | 30% | 40% | 20% | 50% | 30% | 5% |
| Early Signing | 10% | 12% | 15% | 15% | 8% | 8% | 8% | 15% | 10% | 12% |
| Electronic Stability... | 2% | 3% | 3% | 2% | 5% | NA | 5% | NA | 3% | 2% |
| Emergency Deployment | 5% | NA | 20% | 25% | NA | NA | NA | NA | 20% | 25% |
| Engaged Couple | 10% | 10% | 5% | NA | 5% | 10% | 5% | NA | NA | 10% |
| Family Legacy | NA | 10% | NA | 5% | 10% | 5% | 5% | NA | 5% | 10% |
| Family Plan | 20% | NA | 15% | NA | 10% | 25% | NA | 15% | 15% | NA |
| Farm Vehicle | 10% | NA | 10% | NA | 10% | 5% | NA | 5% | 10% | NA |
| Fast 5 | NA | NA | NA | NA | NA | NA | NA | NA | NA | NA |
| Federal Employee | 13% | 15% | NA | 12% | 10% | 16% | NA | 15% | NA | NA |
| Forward Collision Warning | 5% | 10% | 5% | 10% | 5% | NA | 5% | 5% | 5% | 10% |
| Full Payment | 10% | 10% | 8% | NA | $50 | 8% | 10% | NA | 8% | NA |
| Further Education | NA | NA | NA | NA | 10% | 15% | NA | NA | NA | NA |
| Garaging/Storing | NA | NA | NA | NA | NA | NA | NA | NA | NA | 90% |
| Good Credit | 10% | NA | 5% | 10% | 5% | NA | 10% | NA | 10% | NA |
| Good Student | 20% | 23% | NA | 15% | 23% | 10% | 8% | 25% | 8% | 3% |
| Green Vehicle | 10% | NA | 5% | NA | 10% | NA | NA | 10% | 10% | NA |
| Homeowner | 3% | 3% | 5% | NA | 5% | 5% | NA | 3% | 5% | NA |
| Lane Departure Warning | NA | NA | NA | NA | NA | NA | NA | NA | NA | NA |
| Low Mileage | 30% | 30% | 25% | 25% | 30% | 25% | NA | 25% | 30% | 25% |
| Loyalty | 5% | 15% | 5% | NA | 15% | 5% | 15% | 15% | 5% | NA |
| Married | 5% | NA | 5% | NA | NA | NA | 5% | NA | NA | NA |
| Membership/Group | NA | 7% | NA | NA | 10% | 7% | NA | NA | NA | 7% |
| Military | NA | NA | 15% | 15% | 4% | 10% | NA | NA | NA | 30% |
| Military Garaging | NA | NA | NA | NA | NA | NA | NA | NA | NA | 15% |
| Multiple Drivers | 25% | 20% | 20% | NA | NA | 25% | NA | NA | 25% | NA |
| Multiple Policies | 10% | 29% | 20% | 10% | 20% | 10% | 12% | 17% | 13% | NA |
| Multiple Vehicles | NA | 10% | 8% | 25% | 10% | 20% | 10% | 20% | 8% | NA |
| New Address | NA | 5% | NA | NA | 5% | 5% | NA | 5% | NA | NA |
| New Customer/New Plan | NA | NA | NA | NA | NA | NA | NA | NA | NA | NA |
| New Graduate | 5% | 15% | 10% | NA | 5% | 15% | 10% | 5% | 15% | 10% |
| New Vehicle | 30% | NA | 30% | 15% | 40% | NA | 40% | 10% | 12% | NA |
| Newly Licensed | NA | NA | NA | NA | 5% | NA | NA | NA | NA | NA |
| Newlyweds | 10% | NA | 5% | 5% | 5% | NA | 10% | NA | 10% | NA |
| Non-Smoker/Non-Drinker | NA | NA | 10% | NA | 10% | 10% | NA | NA | NA | 10% |
| Occasional Operator | NA | NA | NA | NA | NA | NA | NA | NA | NA | NA |
| Occupation | NA | NA | NA | NA | 10% | 15% | NA | NA | NA | NA |
| On-Time Payments | 5% | 10% | NA | 10% | 10% | 15% | 15% | NA | 15% | NA |
| Online Shopper | 10% | NA | NA | NA | 10% | NA | 7% | NA | 10% | NA |
| Paperless Documents | 10% | 5% | NA | 5% | 5% | 5% | $50 | 10% | 5% | 10% |
| Paperless/Auto Billing | 5% | 5% | NA | NA | 3% | $30 | NA | $20 | 3% | 3% |
| Passive Restraint | 30% | 30% | NA | 40% | NA | 20% | NA | 40% | NA | NA |
| Recent Retirees | NA | NA | NA | NA | 4% | NA | NA | NA | NA | NA |
| Renter | NA | NA | NA | NA | NA | NA | NA | NA | NA | NA |
| Roadside Assistance | NA | NA | NA | NA | NA | NA | NA | NA | NA | NA |
| Safe Driver | 45% | NA | NA | 15% | NA | 35% | 31% | 15% | 23% | 12% |
| Seat Belt Use | NA | NA | NA | 15% | NA | NA | NA | NA | NA | NA |
| Senior Driver | 10% | NA | NA | NA | NA | NA | NA | NA | NA | NA |
| Stable Residence | NA | NA | NA | NA | NA | NA | NA | NA | NA | NA |
| Students & Alumni | NA | NA | NA | NA | 10% | 7% | NA | NA | NA | NA |
| Switching Provider | NA | NA | NA | NA | 10% | NA | NA | NA | NA | NA |
| Utility Vehicle | 15% | NA | NA | NA | NA | NA | NA | NA | NA | NA |
| Vehicle Recovery | 10% | NA | NA | 15% | 35% | 25% | NA | 5% | NA | NA |
| VIN Etching | NA | NA | NA | NA | 5% | NA | NA | NA | NA | NA |
| Volunteer | NA | NA | NA | NA | NA | NA | NA | NA | NA | NA |
| Young Driver | NA | NA | NA | NA | NA | NA | NA | NA | NA | $75 |
As you can see there are a number of available discounts offered by the major insurers across the country. The amount of a particular discount also varies by company (and sometimes by state). For example, Allstate offers a 45 percent safe driver discount, while if you’re insured by Safe Auto, the safe driver discount is 10 percent.
As another example, if you’re insured by Esurance, you may qualify for a 25 percent discount if you use a driving device or app, but only if you live in Colorado, Missouri, Ohio, or Utah.
This often accounts for price differences you’ll find from one insurer to another. Therefore, you’ll need to get a variety of quotes from different insurers in order to see the true difference made by those various discounts (and other factors that can affect your rates).
You’ll also need to speak with licensed insurance agents to find out exactly which discounts are available where you live.
Ready to buy low-income car insurance? Enter your ZIP code now to compare low-income car insurance quotes from great low-income car insurance companies.
Can I make changes to my policy to lower my rates?
Getting help paying for car insurance can also come in the form of policy changes. In order to keep your car insurance costs low enough to be affordable in your budget, you will probably need to make some changes to your policy.
This is an easy way to get significant breaks on your rates. However, you must be ready to face the consequences of such decisions if you need to make a claim, as you will often have more out-of-pocket expenses.
- Remove unnecessary coverage from your policy – You may have a full coverage car insurance policy and be paying for things such as towing and labor coverage, rental car reimbursement, and more. By cutting out these extras you will get a small reduction in your rates.
- Remove collision and comprehensive coverage – If you have an older vehicle that is no longer financed and has a lower value, getting rid of collision insurance and comprehensive insurance can be a good idea. There comes a certain point in the life of a car when it makes more sense to not pay the extra for these types of coverage because what you will get after the deductible is paid is not significant enough to really matter.
- Raise your deductible – If your car still has a decent value or it is financed and the lender requires full coverage, you can still save on the cost of your car insurance policy by raising your car insurance deductible. Higher deductibles will result in lower premiums. Just be sure you can afford the deductible if you were to have an accident.
- Carry minimum coverage only – Another policy change you can make, but is not advised, is to carry only the minimum amount of coverage required by the state in which you live.
Most full coverage policies are written with liability coverage in the amounts of $100,000 bodily injury coverage per person, $300,000 bodily injury coverage in total per accident and $100,000 property damage coverage.
Mandatory coverage limits are much lower and therefore much less expensive. This is the last resort to save on your policy in order to avoid further fines and problems by not carrying insurance at all.
However, remember that such minimums often prove to be insufficient in the case of serious accidents.
Should I shop for lower car insurance rates?
Need help paying car insurance? For anyone struggling to pay for car insurance, the number one solution is to shop around for car insurance to get the best price possible on the coverage you want to carry.
If the prices you find still do not fit in your budget, shop around again for the best price possible on the minimum coverage you can get away with after increasing deductibles, removing unnecessary coverage and when all else fails, reducing your coverage to state limits.
To make shopping around quick and easy, opt to use a free online quote tool that does the work for you like the one on this page.
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Case Studies: How to Get Help Paying for Car Insurance
Case Study 1: Comparison Shopping for Lower Rates
Sarah, a single mother with a limited budget, was struggling to afford her car insurance premiums. She decided to compare quotes from multiple insurance companies using a free online quote tool. By doing so, she was able to find a more affordable car insurance policy that fit within her budget.
Case Study 2: Exploring Discounts for Lower Rates
John, a college student with tight finances, wanted to find ways to lower his car insurance rates. He contacted his insurance provider and learned about various discounts available. By joining his local PTA and taking a defensive driving course, he became eligible for multiple discounts, resulting in significant savings on his car insurance premiums.
Case Study 3: Adjusting Policy Coverage to Reduce Rates
Michael, a recent graduate starting his career, needed to lower his car insurance costs. He decided to adjust his policy coverage by increasing his deductibles and removing unnecessary coverage. While this meant he would have higher out-of-pocket expenses in the event of a claim, it allowed him to maintain affordable car insurance coverage.
Bottom Line: How to Get Help Paying for Car Insurance
Do you need help with car insurance payments? Do you need help paying car insurance deductible? Asking, I need help paying my car insurance; what do I do? There are a few things to keep in mind when answering this question.
- Insurance companies don’t offer payment assistance, but there are ways to find lower rates
- There are many car insurance discounts you should ask about to see if they apply to you or could apply to you, including:
- Good driver
- Good student
- Member of certain groups
- Low-mileage discounts
- All drivers over a certain age
- Multiple-line insurance discounts
- Multiple vehicle coverage
- Completion of a driver training course
- Being claims free
- Opting for automated debit payments
- Raising your deductible is a good way to lower your monthly premium
- If you live in California, Hawaii, or New Jersey, you can speak with a licensed insurance agent to find out if you qualify for the government assistance programs available in those states
You should also shop around to find the best rates. Obtaining at least three different quotes can help ensure you’re getting the lowest rates you qualify for, based on your needs and personal circumstances.
Frequently Asked Questions: How to help with paying auto insurance.
Need help paying car insurance? Still have questions about help paying your car insurance bill or other insurance costs? Read these frequently asked questions to learn more.
#1 – Who has the cheapest car insurance?
What company is the cheapest for car insurance? In general, USAA offers the best rates for car insurance coverage. However, since USAA is specifically available for military members and their families, not everyone can purchase a policy through them. Check out our USAA car insurance guide for more information.
The next cheapest car insurance is typically Geico car insurance or State Farm car insurance. Take a look at this table to find average rates for USAA, Geico, and State Farm in your state.
Average Annual Car Insurance Rates for USAA, Geico, and State Farm
| Average Annual Car Insurance Rates for USAA, Geico, and State Farm | Average by State | Annual Average USAA Rates | Annual Average Geico Rates | Annual Average State Farm Rates |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Alaska | $3,421.51 | $2,454.21 | $2,879.96 | $2,228.12 |
| Alabama | $3,566.96 | $2,124.09 | $2,866.60 | $4,798.15 |
| Arkansas | $4,124.98 | $2,171.06 | $3,484.63 | $2,789.03 |
| Arizona | $3,770.97 | $3,084.29 | $2,264.71 | $4,756.25 |
| California | $3,688.93 | $2,693.87 | $2,885.65 | $4,202.28 |
| Colorado | $3,876.39 | $3,338.87 | $3,091.69 | $3,270.77 |
| Connecticut | $4,618.92 | $3,190.00 | $3,073.66 | $2,976.24 |
| District of Columbia | $4,439.24 | $2,580.44 | $3,692.81 | $4,074.05 |
| Delaware | $5,986.32 | $2,325.98 | $3,727.29 | $4,466.85 |
| Florida | $4,680.46 | $2,850.41 | $3,783.63 | $3,397.67 |
| Georgia | $4,966.83 | $3,157.46 | $2,977.20 | $3,384.88 |
| Hawaii | $2,555.64 | $1,189.35 | $3,358.86 | $1,040.28 |
| Iowa | $2,981.28 | $1,852.57 | $2,296.16 | $2,224.51 |
| Idaho | $2,979.09 | $1,877.61 | $2,770.68 | $1,867.96 |
| Illinois | $3,305.48 | $2,770.21 | $2,779.16 | $2,344.88 |
| Indiana | $3,414.97 | $1,630.86 | $2,261.07 | $2,408.94 |
| Kansas | $3,279.62 | $2,382.61 | $3,220.65 | $2,720.00 |
| Kentucky | $5,195.40 | $2,897.89 | $4,633.59 | $3,354.32 |
| Louisiana | $5,711.34 | $4,353.12 | $6,154.60 | $4,579.12 |
| Maine | $2,953.28 | $1,930.79 | $2,823.05 | $2,198.68 |
| Maryland | $4,582.70 | $2,744.14 | $3,832.63 | $3,960.87 |
| Massachusetts | $2,678.85 | $1,458.99 | $1,510.17 | $1,361.86 |
| Michigan | $10,498.64 | $3,620.00 | $6,430.11 | $12,565.52 |
| Minnesota | $4,403.25 | $2,861.60 | $3,498.54 | $2,066.99 |
| Missouri | $3,328.93 | $2,525.78 | $2,885.33 | $2,692.91 |
| Mississippi | $3,664.57 | $2,056.13 | $4,087.21 | $2,980.48 |
| Montana | $3,220.84 | $2,031.89 | $3,602.35 | $2,417.74 |
| North Carolina | $3,393.11 | Data Not Available | $2,936.69 | $3,078.65 |
| North Dakota | $4,165.84 | $2,006.80 | $2,668.24 | $2,560.53 |
| Nebraska | $3,283.68 | $2,330.78 | $3,837.49 | $2,438.71 |
| New Hampshire | $3,151.77 | $1,906.96 | $1,615.02 | $2,185.46 |
| New Jersey | $5,515.21 | Data Not Available | $2,754.94 | $7,527.16 |
| New Mexico | $3,463.64 | $2,296.77 | $4,458.30 | $2,340.66 |
| Nevada | $4,861.70 | $3,069.07 | $3,662.09 | $5,796.34 |
| New York | $4,289.88 | $3,761.69 | $2,428.24 | $4,484.58 |
| Ohio | $2,709.71 | $1,478.46 | $1,867.19 | $2,507.88 |
| Oklahoma | $4,142.33 | $3,174.15 | $3,437.34 | $2,816.80 |
| Oregon | $3,467.77 | $2,587.15 | $3,220.12 | $2,731.48 |
| Pennsylvania | $4,034.50 | $1,793.37 | $2,605.22 | $2,744.23 |
| Rhode Island | $5,003.36 | $4,323.98 | $5,602.63 | $2,406.51 |
| South Carolina | $3,781.14 | $3,424.77 | $3,178.01 | $3,071.34 |
| South Dakota | $3,982.27 | Data Not Available | $2,940.29 | $2,306.23 |
| Tennessee | $3,660.89 | $2,739.28 | $3,283.42 | $2,639.30 |
| Texas | $4,043.28 | $2,487.89 | $3,263.28 | $2,879.94 |
| Utah | $3,611.89 | $2,491.10 | $2,965.57 | $4,645.83 |
| Virginia | $2,357.87 | $1,858.38 | $2,061.53 | $2,268.95 |
| Vermont | $3,234.13 | $1,903.55 | $2,195.71 | $4,382.84 |
| Washington | $3,059.32 | $2,262.16 | $2,568.65 | $2,499.78 |
| West Virginia | $2,595.36 | $1,984.62 | $2,120.80 | $2,126.32 |
| Wisconsin | $3,606.06 | $2,975.74 | $3,926.20 | $2,387.53 |
| Wyoming | $3,200.08 | $2,779.53 | $3,496.56 | $2,303.55 |
The best way to make sure you’re getting the cheapest car insurance in your area is to shop around and compare rates.
#2 – How can I get help paying my cell phone bill?
If you want to save on other bills to help pay your car insurance bill, you may be able to get assistance in paying phone bills through the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) Lifeline program. This program helps low income families get discounted rates for land line or cell phone service.
#3 – Are there any programs to help pay medical bills?
You may be able to request a discount on your medical bills, depending on your circumstances. You can request a payment plan, if you’re unable to pay the costs upfront. In some cases, depending eligibility, you may also be able to request financial assistance from state and federal government programs, nonprofits, and even the hospital.
When looking for help paying car insurance costs, the first step is to lower your rates. Get started now by using your ZIP code in our online quote tool to help you find cheaper car insurance you don’t have to struggle to pay for.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I get help paying for car insurance?
There aren’t specific programs to help with car insurance payments. However, there are ways to lower your rates to make them more affordable.
Can I make changes to my policy to lower my rates?
Yes, making changes to your car insurance policy can help lower your rates. However, be aware that reducing coverage or increasing deductibles may result in higher out-of-pocket expenses if you need to make a claim.
Should I shop for lower car insurance rates?
Obtaining multiple quotes allows you to compare rates and choose the most affordable coverage for your needs.
Who has the cheapest car insurance?
USAA generally offers the best rates for car insurance, but it’s available only to military members and their families. Geico and State Farm are also known for competitive rates.
Can I get help paying my cell phone bill or medical bills?
Assistance with phone bills may be available through the FCC Lifeline program for low-income families. For medical bills, options such as requesting discounts, payment plans, or financial assistance from government programs and nonprofits may be available based on eligibility.
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