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Auto Insurance in Indianapolis (The Complete Guide)

SUMMARY OVERVIEW OF INDIANAPOLIS, INDETAILS
Population863,002
Density2,387 people per square mile
Average Cost of Insurance in Indianapolis$3,512.78
Cheapest Car Insurance CompanyUSAA
Road ConditionsPoor: 22%
Mediocre: 22%
Fair: 15%
Good: 42%
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Indianapolis is the third-largest city in the Midwest, with a population of around 863,000. The Indianapolis Metropolitan Area has a population of around two million people.

Home to the Indiana Colts and the Indiana Pacers, the city of Indianapolis has had a strong influence on national culture. The city has a rich history since it was established as the capital of Indiana in 1825.  Presidents such as Lincoln and Kennedy have delivered famous speeches in the city.

The capital city is also a global center of motorsports. Every year on Memorial Day weekend, the city’s Indianapolis Motor Speedway plays host to the Indy 500, which is considered part of the prestigious Triple Crown of Motorsports. Around 500 motorsports companies and two racing bodies are headquartered in Indianapolis.

With such a strong pedigree, the love of cars in Indianapolis is well established. If you love to drive, auto insurance becomes inherently critical. It helps you not only protect yourself and your family but also your ride.

With so many options for car insurance, we understand that it can be overwhelming. We created this guide to clear the confusion and help you to decide the right coverage for your needs confidently.

This comprehensive guide will give you all the knowledge on factors impacting your auto insurance, such as coverage type, driving behavior, rate calculation, and more.

Use our FREE tool above with just your ZIP code to compare quotes from multiple insurance carriers. Read along to see how you can save money on your premiums.

Table of Contents

The Cost of Car Insurance in Indianapolis

Shopping for insurance can be overwhelming. Researching the companies, types of insurance, and getting the best rate can be confusing and very time-consuming. However, to get the best price for your car insurance policy, you need to understand the factors impacting your auto insurance.

You might find yourself asking how does my Indianapolis, IN stack up against other top metro auto insurance rates? We’ve got your answer below.

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In this section, we will discuss all the major factors that have an impact on your auto insurance rates.

Male vs. Female vs. Age

Your age has a significant effect on how much you have to pay for your auto insurance premium. Teens have to pay a significantly higher premium for auto insurance. Why?

As a teen driver, you will not have a driving history, and therefore insurers have no way to directly assess your driving behavior.

Insurance data suggests that an average teen driver has a relatively higher risk of filing claims due to reckless driving. That is an overall perception that is applied in the absence of relevant driving history data. This may not apply to you.

These states no longer using gender to calculate your auto insurance rates — Hawaii, Massachusetts, Michigan, Montana, North Carolina, and Pennsylvania. But age is still a significant factor because young drivers are often considered high-risk. Indiana does use gender, so check out the average monthly auto insurance rates by age and gender in Indianapolis, IN.

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If you keep a clean driving record, you can expect that your insurance rates will drop as you gain experience.

By the age of 25, young drivers can hope to see a substantial drop in their insurance rates. In Indianapolis, drivers can expect an average drop of $5,669 in auto insurance rates between the age of 17 and 25.

Indianapolis, IN auto insurance rates by company and age is an essential comparison because the top auto insurance company for one age group may not be the best company for another age group.

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Here’s the summary of average insurance rates by age in Indianapolis:

AGE17253560CHEAPEST AGE
Average Annual Rate$8,085.57$2,416.35$2,040.98$1,876.9560
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As you can see, insurance rates drop as you gain experience. By the age of 35, the average rate is close to the minimum. That is a good thing considering that the median age in Indianapolis is 34.2 years.

On average, a 35-year-old driver in Indianapolis is expected to pay around $6,000 less for car insurance compared to a teen driver.

But keep in mind that these are average annual rates. The rates you get might be different based on a variety of factors that we will discuss later in this guide.

Apart from your age, insurance companies may also consider your gender and marital status to calculate your auto insurance rates. While gender and marital status may not have a significant impact, some car companies may employ these as contributing factors to your risk profile.

The average car insurance rate in Indianapolis is $3,604 for males and $3,314 for females. This is in line with the national trend where the average overall rates may be slightly higher for males.

Here are the average insurance rates in Indianapolis organized by age, marital status, and gender:

DemographicAverage Rate
Average$3,604.96
Married 60-year old female$1,849.21
Married 60-year old male$1,904.68
Married 35-year old male$2,039.61
Married 35-year old female$2,042.35
Single 25-year old female$2,265.85
Single 25-year old male$2,566.84
Single 17-year old female$7,099.65
Single 17-year old male$9,071.49
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We see that the average premium for married drivers is lower than that of unmarried drivers. The rate difference between married and unmarried individuals is because insurance companies consider married people relatively safer drivers.

Cheapest ZIP Codes in Indianapolis

Your location is a critical factor in determining your overall risk profile. Where you live can help insurance companies determine the following:

  • number of accidents reported per year from your neighborhood or zip code
  • number of claims made
  • cost of living
  • car thefts in your zip code
  • crime rate

Check out the monthly Indianapolis, IN auto insurance rates by ZIP Code below:

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Here are the average insurance rates across different zip codes:

ZIP CODEAVERAGE RATE
46290$3,061.03
46280$3,098.61
46259$3,326.62
46268$3,371.41
46250$3,389.25
46234$3,394.96
46256$3,395.47
46217$3,400.62
46237$3,403.43
46240$3,427.53
46231$3,427.98
46278$3,428.78
46236$3,431.65
46220$3,435.45
46241$3,458.51
46214$3,467.94
46229$3,472.21
46260$3,477.91
46254$3,478.81
46219$3,489.50
46282$3,500.45
46228$3,503.62
46235$3,504.56
46239$3,510.03
46216$3,521.97
46227$3,549.21
46224$3,607.19
46221$3,614.21
46226$3,635.25
46222$3,663.91
46204$3,698.19
46203$3,707.05
46208$3,717.08
46205$3,725.41
46202$3,745.72
46201$3,810.79
46218$3,815.46
46225$3,817.96
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Where you live in Indiana can make a substantial difference in how much you have to pay for your car insurance. The difference between the cheapest and most expensive zip code for car insurance is around $750.

What’s the best car insurance company in Indianapolis?

Figuring out the best car insurance company is challenging. With so many insurance providers to choose from, the process can become overwhelming.

Which Indianapolis, IN auto insurance company has the cheapest rates? And how do those rates compare against the average Indiana auto insurance company rates? We’ve got the answers below.

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The best car insurance will depend on your requirements.

Insurance companies use sophisticated models to calculate your rate. Based on what is important to you, you can choose the insurer offering the most competitive rate and the best customer service.

In this section, we will discuss factors such as driving requirements, drivers covered, coverage type, and more. Based on these factors, you can identify the insurance companies that may suit you the best

Cheapest Car Insurance Rates by Company

The plethora of options available in Indianapolis allows you to score some discounts.

However, you should not simply opt for the cheapest policy without reviewing the coverage you are buying. Insurance is a product that is used in times of distress. At that time, you will want your insurance company to process your claims promptly and provide excellent customer service.

To make sure you are getting the best deal, you will need to figure out what factors are most important you, and based on that information, seek quotes from various auto insurers.

Insurance carriers may offer varying rates based on a complicated method to calculate your premium. Based on what is important for you, insurance companies may end up offering slightly different quotes.

Here’s a table that shows the cheapest insurance carriers in Indianapolis based on average insurance rates:

GroupAverageSingle 17-year old femaleSingle 17-year old maleSingle 25-year old femaleSingle 25-year old maleMarried 35-year old femaleMarried 35-year old maleMarried 60-year old femaleMarried 60-year old male
USAA$1,837.91$3,306.78$3,680.29$1,568.47$1,668.91$1,162.30$1,141.19$1,086.90$1,088.41
GEICO$2,604.98$5,268.68$4,887.93$2,020.54$1,771.45$1,760.01$1,755.89$1,655.39$1,719.96
State Farm$2,674.64$5,046.17$6,439.56$1,789.54$1,995.57$1,612.78$1,612.78$1,450.36$1,450.36
Nationwide$3,126.51$5,663.41$7,332.80$2,248.82$2,455.69$1,907.65$1,947.19$1,673.57$1,782.91
Farmers$3,295.05$8,027.43$8,572.78$1,967.88$2,127.11$1,490.21$1,472.11$1,272.95$1,429.93
Travelers$3,727.95$8,395.62$13,267.17$1,402.78$1,611.47$1,319.93$1,341.61$1,243.88$1,241.17
American Family$4,062.05$7,073.22$10,190.81$2,526.77$3,092.23$2,526.77$2,526.77$2,279.90$2,279.90
Allstate$4,263.87$8,199.29$10,354.82$2,627.12$2,859.35$2,604.72$2,662.02$2,294.51$2,509.11
Progressive$4,316.55$10,866.99$12,214.98$2,284.76$2,327.70$1,817.25$1,714.68$1,647.85$1,658.19
Liberty Mutual$6,140.11$9,148.93$13,773.78$4,221.86$5,758.89$4,221.86$4,221.86$3,886.83$3,886.83
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As you can see, USAA, Geico, and State Farm are the cheapest auto insurance providers in the city. On the other end, Liberty Mutual is the most expensive auto insurance provider in the city.

However, the choice is not so linear. While Liberty Mutual is the most expensive on average, it is substantially cheaper than Progressive for a 17-year-old female driver. The bottom line is that rates vary by various factors, and average rates may not apply to you.

In this section, we will discuss the major factors that might impact your insurance premiums and the corresponding cheapest providers.

Best Car Insurance for Commute Rates

How much you drive in a year can also affect your insurance rates.

If you clock higher than average mileage, insurance carriers may see this as an additional risk.

Any additional risk results in a higher insurance premium.

Nevertheless, there are insurance companies that do not increase premiums for a reasonable increase in mileage. The best way to find the cheapest provider is to seek quotes from multiple providers for your higher than average commute.

According to the Federal Highway Administration, the average commute in Indiana is 17,806 miles per year. This is considerably higher than the national average of 14,132 miles.

To understand the impact of commute on your insurance rates, we partnered with Quadrant Data Solutions. Here’s the table summarizing insurance rates based on annual commute:

GROUP10 MILES COMMUTE. 6000 ANNUAL MILEAGE.25 MILES COMMUTE. 12000 ANNUAL MILEAGE.AVERAGE
USAA$1,813.70$1,862.12$1,837.91
Geico$2,560.76$2,649.21$2,604.99
State Farm$2,600.17$2,749.11$2,674.64
Nationwide$3,126.51$3,126.51$3,126.51
Farmers$3,295.05$3,295.05$3,295.05
Travelers$3,727.96$3,727.96$3,727.96
American Family$4,013.01$4,111.08$4,062.05
Allstate$4,263.87$4,263.87$4,263.87
Progressive$4,316.55$4,316.55$4,316.55
Liberty Mutual$5,978.99$6,301.22$6,140.11
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We can see that there are insurance carriers that are more lenient than others. Nationwide, Farmers, Travelers, Allstate, and Progressive do not tend to increase premiums for a reasonable increase in annual mileage. Liberty Mutual, State Farm, and Geico may increase your insurance rates if you clock a higher than average mileage.

However, our analysis takes into account mileage that is far less than the state average of 17,806 miles. Therefore, your insurance rates might differ in case you drive higher than the state average. Shop around to get the best rates for your policy.

Best Car Insurance for Coverage Level Rates

We always recommend that you choose coverage based on your requirements. E.g., it is always advisable to purchase slightly higher liability coverage. In case you have substantial assets, you should buy coverage equal to the asset value.

Your coverage level will play a major role in your Indianapolis auto insurance rates. Find the cheapest Indianapolis, IN auto insurance rates by coverage level below:

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Sometimes you may need a specific type of coverage on your policy.

All these additional or optional coverages increases the risk exposure for your insurance carrier. Therefore, to compensate for the additional risk, insurers will sometimes increase the corresponding rates.

However, the hike in premium may vary by insurer and the type of coverage that you opt for in your policy.

With the help of  Quadrant Data Solutions, we calculated the impact of different coverage levels on the premium amount. Here’s the summary of auto insurance rates organized by insurance carriers:

GroupAverageHighLowMedium
USAA$1,837.91$1,909.72$1,770.60$1,833.40
GEICO$2,604.98$2,774.06$2,442.58$2,598.31
State Farm$2,674.64$2,808.85$2,540.77$2,674.30
Nationwide$3,126.51$3,115.39$3,162.14$3,101.99
Farmers$3,295.05$3,409.48$3,185.65$3,290.01
Travelers$3,727.96$3,765.35$3,656.18$3,762.34
American Family$4,062.05$3,976.99$4,014.19$4,194.97
Allstate$4,263.87$4,490.63$4,056.21$4,244.77
Progressive$4,316.55$4,617.15$4,081.89$4,250.61
Liberty Mutual$6,140.11$6,372.55$5,925.79$6,121.98
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The difference between high and low coverage in Indianapolis is only around $240 per year. However, these are average rates and may vary from what applies to you.

To choose what coverage to opt for, you need to understand what is covered under different types of plans.

The minimum liability coverage required in Indianapolis is:

  • Bodily Injury Liability — $25,000 for one person / $50,000 per accident
  • Property Damage Liability — $25,000 per accident
  • Uninsured coverage that matches the limits of your liability insurance

This may not provide adequate coverage, and you may have to consider a higher liability coverage and supplemental protection.

Some of the optional coverages that you can purchase are:

  • Collision
  • Comprehensive
  • MedPay
  • Uninsured/Underinsured Motorist
  • Personal Injury Protection

Remember, what you purchase over and above the minimum liability protection is based on your requirements. E.g., if you are leasing a car, you may need to purchase collision and comprehensive in addition to the liability coverage.

Best Car Insurance for Credit History Rates

Insurance carriers also use your credit score to calculate the insurance rates. See the following video to understand how credit scores are used in auto insurance calculation:

Your credit score will play a major role in your Indianapolis auto insurance rates unless you live in these states where discrimination based on credit is not allowed: California, Hawaii, Massachusetts, and North Carolina. Find the cheapest Indianapolis, IN auto insurance rates by credit score below.

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A high credit score may indicate a lower risk for insurance companies. According to Experian, the average credit score in Indianapolis is 667, which is slightly less than the national average credit score (675).

Take a look at the following table to understand the impact of credit score on your insurance rate:

GroupAverageGoodFairPoor
USAA$1,837.91$1,404.99$1,637.53$2,471.20
GEICO$2,604.98$2,072.62$2,604.98$3,137.34
State Farm$2,674.64$1,806.57$2,326.40$3,890.95
Nationwide$3,126.51$2,809.68$3,004.39$3,565.45
Farmers$3,295.05$2,906.58$3,137.18$3,841.39
Travelers$3,727.96$3,517.14$3,518.49$4,148.24
American Family$4,062.05$3,019.57$3,605.80$5,560.78
Allstate$4,263.87$3,573.75$3,935.99$5,281.87
Progressive$4,316.55$3,980.85$4,217.90$4,750.90
Liberty Mutual$6,140.11$4,924.17$5,323.59$8,172.56
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As we see from the table, poor credit can significantly increase your auto insurance rates. If your credit score drops from good to poor, you can expect an average increase of around $1,480 in your annual auto insurance premiums.

But not all companies increase the rates by this much. Some companies are more lenient than others. You need to shop around to find the best possible rates.

From the table above, we see that Travelers and Progressive seem to be the most lenient. On the other hand, Liberty Mutual, American Family, and State Farm might increase your insurance rates by as much as $3,000 per year.

Best Car Insurance for Driving Record Rates

One of the most important factors impacting your insurance rates is your driving record. It gives a direct assessment of your driving risk and therefore is critical for your insurance carrier.

Your driving record will play a major role in your Indianapolis auto insurance rates. For example, other factors aside, a Indianapolis, IN DUI may increase your auto insurance rates 40 to 50 percent. Find the cheapest Indianapolis, IN auto insurance rates by driving record.

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A poor driving record will increase the risk for the insurance carrier. Any increase in risk is directly proportional to an increase in premiums.

A clean driving record goes a long way in reducing your auto insurance rates.

To know your driving record, insurance companies access your motor vehicle report (MVR) that provides them access to the following information:

  • and parking tickets
  • Convictions
  • Accidents

As per the data from Quadrant Data Solutions, here’s the average premium rate in Indianapolis organized by violations:

GroupAverageClean recordWith 1 speeding violationWith 1 accidentWith 1 DUI
USAA$1,878.08$1,383.73$1,717.39$1,977.95$2,272.56
GEICO$2,688.02$1,695.34$2,355.87$2,691.08$3,677.64
State Farm$2,696.66$2,608.59$2,608.59$2,872.79$2,608.59
Nationwide$3,159.22$2,691.82$3,028.38$3,463.57$3,322.26
Farmers$3,309.22$2,946.44$3,252.54$3,440.92$3,540.30
Travelers$3,838.70$3,166.27$3,395.72$3,914.42$4,435.41
Progressive$4,257.43$3,226.43$4,493.89$5,690.95$3,854.92
American Family$4,302.17$2,806.87$3,341.68$4,449.64$5,650.00
Allstate$4,336.73$3,388.84$4,045.30$5,003.01$4,618.33
Liberty Mutual$6,440.43$4,736.88$5,239.14$5,624.20$8,960.20
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In this table, you can see the increase in insurance rates based on accidents and common violations. As you can see, a speeding violation can increase insurance rates by $482 on average. However, every insurance company uses different models to calculate insurance rates.

While Progressive may increase your insurance rates by $1,267 for a speeding violation,  State Farm may not penalize you for the first offense.

However, your insurance rates can increase substantially if you have a DUI offense or an at-fault accident on your record. For a DUI violation, you can expect your insurance rates to increase by an average of around $1,428. Here as well, you should consider shopping around to save on premium costs. You can expect a variety of rates available in the market. Liberty Mutual can increase the rates by as much as $4,200, whereas State Farm might not penalize you for the first DUI offense.

Remember, keeping a clean driving record is critical to getting insurance rate discounts.

Our FREE comparison tool provides a convenient way of seeking quotes. To start comparison shopping today, you just need your zip code below to get started.

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Car Insurance Factors in Indianapolis

Many factors impact your auto insurance premiums. Some factors are in your control and others not so much.

Factors affecting auto insurance rates in Indianapolis, IN may include your commute, coverage level, tickets, DUIs, and credit. Controlling these factors will help you maintain cheap Indianapolis, Indiana auto insurance.

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These external factors also have an impact on your auto insurance rates.

In this section, we will review how factors pertaining to Indianapolis can influence your auto insurance rate.

Metro Report – Growth & Prosperity

Indianapolis has seen steady growth in economic activity in the last ten years. The local economy has provided jobs in various sectors including healthcare, retail, and manufacturing.

According to the Brookings Institution, the Indianapolis metro area ranks 38th in growth and 60th in prosperity nationwide.

Growth (38th)

  • Jobs: +10.3 percent (30th of 100)
  • Gross metropolitan product (GMP): +14.3 percent (38th of 100)
  • Jobs at young firms: -17.8 percent (60th of 100)

Prosperity (60th)

  • Productivity: +3.6 percent (67th of 100)
  • Standard of living: +2.9 percent (53rd of 100)
  • Average annual wage: +5 percent (51st of 100)

Compared to the national average, the Indianapolis metro area has shown weak growth in productivity during the last ten years.

Median Household Income

According to DataUSA, the median household income in Indianapolis is $47,225. This is less than the national median household income of $60,336.

The median household income in Indianapolis is less than the state average, as well. Added to that, insurance rates in Indianapolis are slightly higher than the state average.

This means that if you live there, you may have to shell out a higher percentage of your income towards maintaining auto insurance compared to the rest of Indiana.

 MEDIAN INCOME LEVELAVERAGE CAR INSURANCE PREMIUMPREMIUM AS A PERCENTAGE OF INCOME
Indianapolis$47,225$3,512.787.44%
Indiana$54,181$3,232.315.97%
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As you can see, compared to the rest of the residents in Indiana, drivers in Indianapolis have to spend a higher percentage of their income towards maintaining car insurance.

You can also calculate how much of your income goes towards auto insurance by using our free calculator:

CalculatorPro

Homeownership in Indianapolis

While being a homeowner does not directly impact your ability to qualify for a plan, it may help you get discounts on your insurance rates. You have to check with your insurer to find if they offer any discounts for homeowners.

According to DataUSA, the median property value in Indianapolis is $137,600. This is considerably less than the national median property value of $193,500. Despite the low property values, the homeownership rate in the city is only 53.5 percent compared to the national average of 63.9 percent.

– Education in Indianapolis

Your education level can also influence how much you have to pay for your auto insurance. Why?

Because insurance carriers have observed that people with higher education pose a lower risk to them.

The residents of Indianapolis have access to quality education. The three largest educational institutions in the city are:

  • Ivy Tech Community College (19,383 degrees awarded)
  • Indiana University-Purdue University-Indianapolis (7,425 degrees awarded)
  • American College of Education (1,546 degrees awarded)

These, combined with other smaller institutions, awarded around 34,000 degrees in 2016. The most common concentrations among students in Indianapolis are business administration, liberal arts, and registered nursing.

Wage by Race & Ethnicity in Common Jobs

Asians, Whites, and Pacific Islanders are the highest-paid ethnicities in Indianapolis.

Here’s the average annual wage in Indianapolis organized by ethnicity:

RACE & ETHNICITYAVERAGE SALARIES
Asian$59,125
White$46,930
Pacific Islander$44,004
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Wage by Gender in Common Jobs

While insurance rates in Indianapolis are dependent on gender, there is also wage disparity among genders. The average annual male salary in Indy is $60,734, whereas the average annual female wage is $44,336.

This means that females have to shell out a larger chunk of their income to maintain auto insurance coverage in Indianapolis.

Poverty by Age and Gender

According to DataUSA, around 20 percent of the residents in Indianapolis live below the poverty line. This is much higher than the national average poverty rate of 13.4 percent.

This means that around 168,000 residents of the city live below the poverty line.

Poverty impacts both genders. However, the top three demographics living in poverty are females aged between 25-34 (9.4 percent), 18-24 (7.8 percent), and 35-44 (6.8 percent).

Maintaining auto insurance coverage is tough for young people living below the poverty line. Their auto insurance rates may be considerably higher than the average on account of their age and economic situation. This would mean that young people living in poverty have to shell out an even higher percentage of their income to sustain auto insurance premiums.

Poverty by Race & Ethnicity

Poverty impacts people of all races, but according to DataUSA, White, Black, and Hispanic people are more likely to be affected by poverty in Indianapolis. Together, they make up around 87 percent of the people living below the poverty line.

Employment by Occupations

In 2017, there were 414,000 people employed in Indianapolis across various occupations. The top three professions in the city are:

  • Office & Administrative Support Occupations (59,393 people)
  • Management Occupations (38,406 people)
  • Sales & Related Occupations (36,484 people)

Driving in Indianapolis

We have thus far discussed factors such as how you drive, but your insurance carrier may also consider what and where you drive to calculate your insurance risk.

In this section, we will discuss driving-related factors that may impact your insurance rates.

Roads in Indianapolis

You may prefer some roads more than others based on congestion or general upkeep. Do you want to know which roads to take in Indianapolis?

Read this section to know the major roads, road conditions, speed traps, and much more.

Major Highways in Indianapolis

The Crossroads of America was initially the nickname for Indianapolis, as the city is a hub for several major interstates that connect it to the rest of the country.

Here’s the map of interstates and highways connecting the city:

I-70 intersects the city east to west, while I-65 passes through downtown and travels northeast to southwest. I-69 connects the city from the northeast. All these interstates are connected through I-465, which circles the city.

The streets in Indianapolis are laid out in a grid pattern, with Meridian Street being the main north-south thoroughfare.

Popular Road Trips/Sites

Indianapolis is well connected and provides many options for road trips.

You can take the I-69 to reach the Burne Waterpark, the Fort Wayne Children’s Zoo, or the Mounds State Park. See what can you do at the Fort Wayne Zoo in the following video:

For a trip to the wilderness, take the I-65 to the Hoosier National Forest that has around 260 miles of trails. The next video gives an excellent overview of the Hoosier National Forest:

If you prefer to see what the city has to offer, watch the following video:

Road Conditions in Indianapolis

According to TRIP, a Washington, D.C.-based transportation research group, roads in Indianapolis are in reasonably good condition. According to the TRIP report, around 57 percent of the roads in Indianapolis are either in good or fair condition.

Here’s the summary of the road conditions in Indianapolis:

ROAD CONDITIONPOORMEDIOCREFAIRGOODVOC
Indianapolis, IN22%22%15%42%$575
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Due to the generally good conditions of the roads, drivers in Indy only have to spend around $575 towards car maintenance in the year.

Does Indianapolis use speeding or red light cameras?

According to the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS), Indiana doesn’t use red-light or speeding cameras.

Vehicles in Indianapolis

Most people in Indianapolis prefer their cars over public transit for their daily commute. If you are driving from the suburbs, you may not have access to a very robust public transportation network.

In this section, we will review how the car you drive can have an impact on your auto insurance rate.

Most Popular Vehicles Owned

General Motors does well in Indiana. The Buick Encore and the Chevrolet Impala have been the most popular cars in the state lately. The Pontiac Grand Am was the most popular car in Indianapolis before GM discontinued the Pontiac brand.

The Buick Encore is a small SUV that is sold in North America.

The latest iteration of the Encore is rated highly on safety by IIHS. The car scored an excellent rating across almost all safety tests.

Buick Encore is equipped with modern safety features, including the forward collision warning, lane departure warning, crash-imminent braking, and dynamic brake support.

What you drive can influence your auto insurance rates.

How?

First, insurance companies encourage drivers to use cars fitted with modern safety tech as it reduces the chance of an accident. Second, if you choose a luxury or expensive car, your premium for collision and comprehensive coverage go up. Because in case of a crash, parts and repair work will be costly for your luxury car.

Therefore, before buying a car, it is always advisable to talk to your auto insurer to understand the likely coverage cost.

How many cars per household

People in Indianapolis rely on their cars for their transportation needs. Therefore, households in Indianapolis own an average of two cars per household. This is in line with the rest of the country.

Households without a Car

According to DataUSA, only around 3.6 percent of households do not own a car in the city. This is slightly less than the national average of approximately 4 percent.

If you do not own a car, you can opt for a non-owners policy for protecting your occasional drives. This can be more cost-effective compared to the waiver programs offered by car rental companies.

Speed Traps in Indianapolis

Although Indiana does not allow automated red light and speeding cameras, people still have to follow posted speed limits. The local law enforcement put in speed traps to force people to follow the speed limits.

Indianapolis is the largest city in Indiana and therefore has the most number of speed traps.

Vehicle Theft in Indianapolis

According to the Federal Bureau of Investigation, law enforcement in Indianapolis reported a total of 4,947 motor vehicle thefts in 2018. Motor vehicle theft is a growing problem in Indianapolis.

Thieves in Indianapolis may also use high-tech devices to steal your car.

However, Indianapolis is also facing other crime-related issues.

According to neighborhoodscout.com, it is one of the least safe cities in the U.S. If you compare the city with Indiana or the rest of the United States, it suffers from a high rate of violent crimes.

GeographyViolent Crimes (per 1,000 Residents)
Indianapolis13.52
Indiana3.99
United States (median)4
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The violent crime rate is more than three times the rest of Indiana.

In Indiana, you have a one in 251 chance of becoming a victim of violent crime, whereas, in Indianapolis, it is one in 74.

However, there are relatively safer neighborhoods in the city. Here are the ten safest neighborhoods in Indianapolis:

  • Promontory Rd / Old Stone Dr
  • S Franklin Rd / E Edgewood Ave
  • Acton / Charle Sumac Estates
  • W 56th St / Dandy Trl
  • E 96th St / Fall Creek Rd
  • Shore Acres
  • Fairwood Hills
  • Wanamaker
  • E Hanna Ave / 5 Points Rd
  • Glenns Valley / Sunshine Gardens

Traffic in Indianapolis

Nobody likes to drive in traffic, but your commute usually involves handling congestion. With a little bit of information, you can be better prepared to handle or avoid this congestion.

Traffic Congestion

With so many people using cars for their daily commute, there is bound be congestion. According to Inrix, Indianapolis is the 38th most congested city in the U.S. and 177th most congested in the world.

With congestion comes delays. In 2018, drivers lost around 59 hours in gridlock. The traffic resulted in a cost of congestion of about $826 per driver in 2018.

Transportation

Many people commute from the Indianapolis metro area to work in the city. However, according to DataUSA, commuters have a shorter commute (22.5 minutes) in Indianapolis than the average US worker (25.5 minutes).

Around 8 percent of commuters have an average daily commute of over 45 minutes.

Due to a lack of last-mile connectivity through public transportation, around 81 percent of commuters prefer to drive alone to work.

Busiest Highways

According to a report by the American Transportation Research Institute, Indianapolis has three of the country’s most congested highways. The three most congested stretches of road in Indianapolis are:

  • I-65 at I-70 (North)
  • I-65 at I-70 (South)
  • I-465 at I-69

How safe are the streets and roads in Indianapolis?

Indianapolis is the home of Marion County, which is the most populous county in the state. Unfortunately, according to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), it is also the worst county in Indiana for traffic-related fatalities.

Here are the 10 worst counties in Indiana in terms of traffic fatalities:

Indiana Counties by 2018 Ranking20142015201620172018
1. Marion County8397104102109
2. Lake County4859505151
3. Allen County3130364333
4. St. Joseph County2312222728
5. Bartholomew County1220141621
6. Madison County2315131720
7. Hamilton County1414161019
8. Howard County1013171219
9. Porter County1322192819
10. Delaware County151010818
Top Ten Counties298327318367337
All Other Counties447490511549521
All Counties745817829916858
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According to NHTSA, there were 109 cases of traffic-related fatalities in Marion County in 2018. Here are the biggest reasons for traffic fatalities in Marion County:

REASON20142015201620172018
Fatalities in Crashes Involving an Alcohol-Impaired Driver1421333333
Single Vehicle Crash Fatalities4352585962
Fatalities in Crashes Involving a Large Truck by County for 20176414612
Fatalities in Crashes Involving Speeding2030311823
Fatalities in Crashes Involving an Intersection3128313728
Passenger Car Occupant Fatalities3028463742
Pedestrian Fatalities1831212727
Pedalcyclist Fatalities11724
FATALITIES (ALL CRASHES)8397104102109
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Single-vehicle crashes are one of the biggest causes of traffic-related fatalities in Marion County. However, speeding and alcohol-induced driving have also been fatal for not only drivers but other car occupants and pedestrians as well.

We can also refer to another database of the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration to know which roads are best to use:

ROADSFATALITIES
RURAL INTERSTATE1
URBAN INTERSTATE19
FREEWAY/EXPRESSWAY0
OTHER PRINCIPAL ARTERIAL26
MINOR ARTERIAL35
COLLECTOR ARTERIAL5
LOCAL11
UNKNOWN1
TOTAL98
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According to NHTSA, minor arterial roads in Marion County are most fatal. You can refer to the website of NHTSA to understand how it classifies different types of roads.

Allstate America’s Best Drivers Report

Your car insurance rates are not only dependent on your driving style but also on how drivers in your city drive on the road.

While it is not in your control, it is relevant for your rate.

Bad driving behavior in a city might mean a higher than average claim rate. This would potentially mean losses for the insurance companies and, therefore, higher premiums for drivers.

To understand driver behavior, Allstate conducted a study that compared 200 cities in the U.S.

Indianapolis ranks as the 75th best city in terms of driving behavior. This means that the average period between claims by a driver is 9.5 years, which is less than the national average of 10.6 years.

Ridesharing

In the absence of a robust transportation network, ridesharing solutions provide the last mile connectivity to people in Indianapolis.

The following ridesharing options are available in Indianapolis:

  • Blacklane
  • Carmel
  • Jayride
  • Limos.com
  • Lyft
  • Taxi
  • Uber

E-Star Repair Shops

After an accident, you may have to take care of many things. One of those is probably to look for a reputable car repair shop.

To help drivers find the best repair shops around them, Esurance launched the E-star network. Here’s a list of five repair shops in Indianapolis:

  • CALIBER – INDIANAPOLIS – DOWNTOWN
  • CALIBER – INDIANAPOLIS – WEST
  • BLOSSOM CHEVROLET INC.
  • CALIBER – INDIANAPOLIS – BEECH GROVE
  • CALIBER – INDIANAPOLIS – SHADELAND

Weather in Indianapolis

Indianapolis has a humid continental climate that is characterized by humid summers and cold winters.

Here’s a quick snapshot of the year-long weather in Indianapolis:

WEATHER FACTSDETAILS
Average Annual High Temperature62.4°F
Average Annual Low Temperature43.8°F
Average Temperature53.1°F
Average Annual Snowfall23 inches
Average Annual Rainfall40 inches
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Indianapolis has an even distribution of precipitation throughout the year. It receives around 40 inches of rain and 23 inches of snow.

Indianapolis is also prone to natural disasters. The total number of natural disasters in Marian County is 15, which is slightly more than the U.S. average of 13. Out of the 15, Indianapolis has thus far faced 11 natural disasters that required the presidential disaster declaration. The most common types of natural disasters in Indianapolis are:

  • Floods
  • Storms
  • Tornadoes
  • Winter Storms
  • Blizzard

Public Transit in Indianapolis

Public transportation in Indianapolis is managed by the Indianapolis Public Transportation Corporation (IndyGo), which operates around 30 fixed-route buses. IndyGo has also recently announced the new red line rapid transit bus system that covers 13 miles and features 28 stations.

IndyGo charges the following fares:

Pass TypesCost
2-Hour Transfer Ticket$1.75
One Day$4.00
10 Trips$17.50
 7 Days$20.00
31 Days$60.00
Summer Youth Pass$30.00
College S-Pass$30.00
Veterans Pass$2.00 for initial, $5.00 for replacement
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You can buy tickets in person, online, or via soon to be launched MyKey app.

Alternate Transportation in Indianapolis

In May 2019, the city’s Department of Neighborhood and Service approved a new regulation for operating an e-scooter service in the city. The salient provisions of the new legislation are:

  • Only 1,000 e-scooters are allowed per service provider
  • E-scooters are available through access areas outside of the downtown
  • Service providers pay $15,000 upfront fee along with a $1 per scooter per day fee

Residents in Indianapolis can now use e-scooters from Lime, Bird, and Spin.

Parking in Indianapolis

Finding parking in the city, especially downtown, can be a hassle. However, you have multiple options to choose from to book a parking spot ahead of time.

  • Metered parking through ParkIndy
  • SpotHero
  • Parkwhiz
  • Parking Panda

Air Quality in Indianapolis

According to the Environmental Protection Agency, vehicular emissions contribute to air pollution by emitting pollutants such as particulate matter (PM), nitrogen oxides (NOx), and volatile organic compounds (VOCs). In large cities, the air quality is relatively poor because we have a lot of cars plying on the road.

However, the Indianapolis Metropolitan Area has relatively clean air when compared to cities of the same size.

According to the Environmental Pollution Agency (EPA), here’s the summary of air quality in Indianapolis:

YEARGOODMODERATEUNHEALTHY FOR SENSITIVE GROUPSUNHEALTHYVERY UNHEALTHY
20181871621510
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In 2018, the Indianapolis Metropolitan Area had 187 days of clean air and only 16 days of unhealthy air.

Military/Veterans

Although there are no military bases in Indianapolis, the Grissom Air Reserve Base is the nearest military base to the city. The Air Reserve Base is around an hour-long drive north of Indianapolis.

Indianapolis is home to a large number of veterans who have served the country in Vietnam and the Gulf Wars.

For military personnel, the following insurance carriers may provide additional discounts:

  • Allstate
  • Esurance
  • Farmers Insurance
  • The General
  • Geico
  • Liberty Mutual
  • Metlife
  • State Farm
  • and USAA

In the following table, you can see the average insurance rates for military personnel in Indiana:

CARRIERAVERAGE ANNUAL PREMIUM ($3,414.97)HIGHER/LOWER (%)
USAA1630.86-52.24
GEICO2261.07-33.79
StateFarm2408.94-29.46
Travelers3393.75-0.62
Farmers Insurance3437.550.66
American Family3679.687.75
Progressive389814.14
Allstate3978.8116.51
Liberty Mutual5781.3569.29
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Based on the data from Quadrant Data Solutions, it seems that USAA, followed by Geico, is the most economical insurer for military personnel in Indianapolis.

Unique City Laws

In this section, we will discuss some unique laws in Indianapolis.

– Handheld Device Laws

The laws in Indiana prohibit drivers below the age of 18 from using cell phones or any electronic device while driving. Drivers over the age of 18 are not allowed to text or email while driving. However, they can make phone calls.

– Food Trucks

Indianapolis has a thriving food truck scene that offers a wide variety of delectable street food.

However, you have to follow a few rules if you plan on starting a food truck of your own. The good thing is that the city has fewer regulations which helps support the food truck industry. All food truck operators must follow the health codes and labor laws that apply to restaurants. According to the Government of Indiana, you must follow these rules:

  • Register with the local health department
  • Train those handling food in food safety
  • Complete the health inspection before registration

If you do not follow proper safety precautions, you may end up with fines or worse.

– Parking

There are plenty of spaces in Indianapolis for parking. You can use parking garages or metered parking spots downtown.

The metered parking spots are operational Monday through Saturday from 7 AM to 11 PM. The fee is $1.50 per hour for the downtown core and $1 elsewhere.

The city is also spending around $20 million to improve infrastructure around parking meters and develop a mixed-use parking structure at the intersection of Broad Ripple and College avenues.

Indianapolis Car Insurance FAQs

Here are some routinely asked questions on car insurance in Indianapolis.

– Is Indiana a no-fault or at-fault state?

Indiana is an at-fault state. That means that in case of an accident, the driver at-fault is liable for any damages and injuries sustained by the other driver.

– What is the minimum liability insurance required to drive legally in Indianapolis?

To be able to drive in Indianapolis legally, you must have the following minimum insurance:

  • Bodily Injury Liability — $25,000 for one person / $50,000 per accident
  • Property Damage Liability — $25,000 per accident

What happens if you drive without insurance in Indiana?

Indiana has stiff fines and penalties for those caught without valid insurance:

  • For the first offense, your drivers’ license will be suspended for 90 days
  • For the second offense, your license will be suspended for one year, and you have to pay $500 fine. You will also have to carry SR-22 insurance for three years
  • Any subsequent offense will result in a $1,000 fine and driver license suspension for one year. Additionally, you will now have to carry SR-22 insurance for at least five years.

Which carrier offers the cheapest car insurance in Indianapolis?

Insurance rates depend on various factors, such as your driving record, age, annual mileage, and more. Therefore, each insurance carrier may offer you varying rates based on your risk profile. However, based on average rates, the cheapest car insurance providers are USAA, Geico, and State Farm.

What if insurers deny me auto coverage because of high risk?

Based on your past driving record, auto insurers can deny you auto coverage in the voluntary market. You can apply for coverage under the Indiana Automobile Insurance Plan (IN AIP) that is designed to provide coverage to high-risk drivers. If you are eligible, IN AIP will assign you to an insurer. The coverage that you get will be the same as the voluntary market, but your premiums might be higher.

Now that you know about car insurance in Indianapolis, you can start comparison shopping today using our FREE online tool. Enter your ZIP code below to get started.

References:

  1. https://www.fhwa.dot.gov/
  2. https://www.quadinfo.com/
  3. https://datausa.io/profile/geo/indianapolis-city-(balance)-in#income
  4. https://datausa.io/profile/geo/gilbert-az/#housing
  5. https://datausa.io/profile/geo/indianapolis-city-(balance)-in#income_ethnicity
  6. https://datausa.io/profile/geo/indianapolis-city-(balance)-in#poverty_age_gender
  7. https://www.iihs.org/ratings/vehicle/buick/encore-4-door-suv/2019
  8. https://www.nhtsa.gov/vehicle/2019/BUICK/ENCORE/SUV/FWD
  9. https://ucr.fbi.gov/
  10. https://www.neighborhoodscout.com/in/indianapolis/crime
  11. https://www.indiana-demographics.com/counties_by_population
  12. https://cdan.nhtsa.gov/
  13. https://www-fars.nhtsa.dot.gov/States/StatesCrashesAndAllVictims.aspx
  14. https://www.fhwa.dot.gov/planning/processes/statewide/related/highway_functional_classifications/section03.cfm
  15. https://www.epa.gov/transportation-air-pollution-and-climate-change/smog-soot-and-local-air-pollution
  16. https://datausa.io/profile/geo/indianapolis-city-(balance)-in#veterans
  17. https://www.in.gov/isdh/21363.htm
  18. https://www.indy.gov/activity/vendor-cart-licenses
  19. http://www.parkindy.net/
  20. https://thehayeslawoffice.com/caught-driving-without-insurance-indiana/

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