Finding Affordable Car Insurance for Single Mothers

Being a single mom is tough. You have to balance work, childcare, finances, and still find time for yourself. One of those financial burdens is car insurance. While being a single mom doesn’t directly affect your auto insurance rates, there are some factors that may cause them to be higher. However, with some smart shopping, single moms can find cheap car insurance to fit their budget.

This article will explain how car insurance rates are determined, what coverage types are recommended for single moms, and provide tips to save money on insurance premiums. We’ll also look at the best insurance companies offering affordable rates for single mothers.

How Auto Insurance Rates Are Determined for Single Moms

Your rates as a single mother are not necessarily higher simply due to your marital status. Auto insurance companies determine your premiums based on various risk factors such as:

• Driving Record – Tickets, accidents, DUIs significantly raise rates. Maintaining a clean record is key for the lowest premiums.

• Credit Score – Insurers view lower credit scores as higher risk. Improving your credit can lower premiums.

• Vehicle Type – Flashy sports cars or large SUVs cost more to insure than basic sedans or minivans.

• Annual Mileage – The more miles driven, the higher the risk. Reducing driving can lower rates.

• Garaging Location – Urban areas typically have higher premiums than rural zones due to accident rates and crime.

• Coverage Types – Minimum liability coverage costs less than comprehensive and collision insurance.

So while being a single mom alone doesn’t increase rates, factors associated with single moms like lower credit scores or certain vehicle types may result in higher premium quotes.

Recommended Auto Insurance Coverage for Single Moms

To save money, you may consider only carrying your state’s minimum required auto insurance coverage. This usually includes:

• Bodily Injury Liability – Covers injuries to others in an at-fault accident.

• Property Damage Liability – Covers damage to others’ vehicles/property in an at-fault accident.

However, experts recommend single moms strongly consider these additional coverages:

• Comprehensive – Covers damage to your vehicle from theft, vandalism, weather, fire and collisions with animals.

• Collision – Covers damage to your car from collisions with other vehicles or objects.

• Uninsured Motorist – Covers injuries to you and passengers if hit by an uninsured or underinsured driver.

While costlier, these coverage types protect single moms and their family from major expenses in the event of an accident or vehicle theft. Having comprehensive and collision coverage also makes you eligible for car rental coverage and new car replacement options.

Tips for Single Moms to Save on Car Insurance

Here are some smart tips single moms can use to keep their auto insurance premiums affordable:

• Shop Around – Get quotes from at least 5 insurers to find the best rates. Rates can vary significantly between companies.

• Ask About Discounts – Inquire about all possible discounts you may qualify for like good driver, good student, defensive driving, etc.

• Raise Deductibles – Choosing higher deductibles like $500 or $1,000 decreases premiums. Just be sure you can afford the out-of-pocket cost if you need to file a claim.

• Limit Teen Drivers – Adding teenage drivers increases rates substantially. Limit their driving or exclude them from your policy if possible.

• Drop Unnecessary Coverage – If your car is older, consider dropping comprehensive and collision coverage to save money.

• Improve Credit – Fixing errors on your credit report and improving your credit score can lower your insurance rates.

• Bundle Insurance – You can get a multi-policy discount for bundling auto insurance with renters or homeowners insurance.

• Maintain Good Driving – Avoid accidents, traffic violations, and claims to qualify for the lowest rates as a safe driver.

Best Car Insurance Companies for Single Moms

Here are some top auto insurers offering affordable rates specifically for single mothers:

State Farm

• Avg Monthly Rate for Single Moms: $50
• Usage-Based Discount: Up to 30%
• Discounts Offered: Steer Clear (for under 25 drivers), defensive driving, good student, multiple vehicle

State Farm has some of the lowest rates available for single moms. They offer strong coverage options, plenty of discounts, and helpful local agents.

Progressive

• Avg Monthly Rate for Single Moms: $55
• Usage-Based Discount: Up to 30%
• Discounts Offered: Snapshot program, continuous insurance, pay-in-full, multi-policy

Progressive is another leading choice for affordable single mom car insurance. Their Snapshot program offers significant savings based on driving habits.

Allstate

• Avg Monthly Rate for Single Moms: $60
• Usage-Based Discount: Up to 40%
• Discounts Offered: Drivewise, new car, multi-car, accident-free

Allstate provides a number of ways for single moms to save, including the Drivewise app. Rates start under $60 per month on average.

Geico

• Avg Monthly Rate for Single Moms: $65
• Usage-Based Discount: Up to 30%
• Discounts Offered: Federal employee, emergency deployment, defensive driving

Known for low rates across the board, Geico offers single moms discounts like the DriveEasy app to help keep premiums affordable.

USAA

• Avg Monthly Rate for Single Moms: $50
• Usage-Based Discount: Up to 30%
• Discounts Offered: Annual mileage, loyalty, family discount

For qualifying military members and families, USAA provides some of the lowest rates in the country and excellent service.

Erie Insurance

• Avg Monthly Rate for Single Moms: $70
• Usage-Based Discount: None
• Discounts Offered: Multi-policy, multi-car, youthful driver

Erie Insurance offers highly-rated coverage and competitive single mom rates. Just note they are only available in select states.

Are There Car Insurance Programs for Low Income Single Moms?

In some states, single moms and low-income families may qualify for government-subsidized car insurance programs for more affordable coverage:

• California – Low Cost Auto Insurance Program provides reduced cost policies through insurers like 21st Century, Liberty Mutual and Mercury.

• New Jersey – Special Automobile Insurance Policy offers basic coverage for as little as $365 per year through NJPLIGA.

• Hawaii – Hawaii Temporary Disability Insurance provides PIP coverage for as low as $20/month.

Eligibility is based on income limits. Check with your state’s insurance department to see if you may qualify for these special car insurance programs and discounts.

How to Lower Rates When Adding a Teen Driver

One of the biggest hits to a single mom’s auto insurance premium is adding a teenage driver. Rates can easily double when you add your licensed teen. Here are some strategies to offset the rate increase:

• Put your teen on their own standalone policy if you can afford separate coverage.

• Only add the teen as an occasional driver rather than a primary driver.

• Pick vehicles with better safety ratings and lower insurance rates for teens. Minivans and SUVs are preferable to sports cars.

• Ask about all available discounts like driver’s ed, good student, etc.

• Consider usage-based programs (like Progressive’s Snapshot) to get a discount based on actual driving habits.

• Have your teen take extra defensive driver safety courses for another discount.

• Increase deductibles to offset the overall premium increase.

• Limit your teen’s driving privileges and be sure to set ground rules and boundaries. The less they drive, the lower your insurance rates will be.

How Insurance Rates for Single Moms Change by Age

A single mom’s age is another factor impacting what she’ll pay for auto insurance coverage. Here’s how rates change as single mothers get older:

As single moms gain more driving experience with age, insurance companies consider them lower risk and decrease rates accordingly. Maintaining a clean driving record is key to getting the lowest rates.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do insurance companies charge single moms higher rates?

No, there is no marital status surcharge simply for being a single mother. However, common traits like lower credit scores or certain vehicle types may contribute to higher quotes for some single moms. But with smart shopping, single parents can find affordable coverage.

What’s the average cost of car insurance for a single mom?