Auto insurance prices vary by age, driving history, location, and vehicle. This guide provides state-by-state averages and pricing criteria, helping you compare quotes and estimate costs.
How Much Is Car Insurance?
According to Quadrant Information Services, the national average price for full-coverage car insurance is $1,730 per year or $144 per month. The average annual cost of state minimum car insurance, also known as minimum coverage, is $635 per year or $53 per month.
What Is Full-Coverage Car Insurance?
Full coverage auto policies include state minimum insurance and other types of coverage that provide more financial protection. Here’s a look at the types of insurance often found in comprehensive coverage policies:
Liability Insurance: This refers to coverage for liability for property damage and protection against liability for bodily injury. It pays for property damage and injuries to other parties when you are at fault in a car accident.
Collision Coverage: Collision insurance pays for damage caused to your vehicle if your vehicle hits an object such as a fence or telephone pole.
Comprehensive Coverage: It covers damages caused to your car due to non-collision issues like natural calamities, theft, vandalism, and fire.
Uninsured/Underinsured Motorist Coverage: This pays for your property damage and medical expenses if you get into an accident with an uninsured or underinsured driver.
Medical Payments Coverage (MedPay): This handles medical and funeral expenses for you and your passengers, regardless of who is at fault for the accident.
Personal Injury Protection: Along with medical and funeral expenses, it covers lost wages for you and your passengers, regardless of who is at fault in a car accident.
What is the Minimum Coverage for Car Insurance?
When you’re looking for the cheapest car insurance, specifying the minimum coverage is the way to go. Coverage requirements vary by state, but 48 states require drivers to have liability insurance. If you have an auto loan or lease, you will need to get a full coverage auto insurance policy with collision and comprehensive coverage.
Average Cost Of Full-Coverage Car Insurance By State
In the table below, we’ve listed the average annual cost of full coverage car insurance in each state and Washington DC. These averages come from Quadrant Information Services and are for a 35-year-old married driver with good credit and clean driving. driving record.
| State | Average Annual Cost | State | Average Annual Cost |
|---|---|---|---|
| Alabama | $1,775 | Missouri | $2,104 |
| Alaska | $1,685 | Montana | $1,979 |
| Arizona | $2,008 | Nebraska | $1,871 |
| Arkansas | $2,038 | Nevada | $2,788 |
| California | $2,313 | New Hampshire | $1,362 |
| Colorado | $2,173 | New Jersey | $2,513 |
| Connecticut | $1,919 | New Mexico | $1,943 |
| Delaware | $2,218 | New York | $2,088 |
| Washington D.C. | $2,881 | North Carolina | $1,627 |
| Florida | $3,244 | North Dakota | $1,916 |
| Georgia | $1,973 | Ohio | $1,599 |
| Hawaii | $1,656 | Oklahoma | $2,278 |
| Idaho | $1,402 | Oregon | $1,925 |
| Illinois | $1,541 | Pennsylvania | $1,981 |
| Indiana | $1,587 | Rhode Island | $2,357 |
| Iowa | $1,563 | South Carolina | $1,845 |
| Kansas | $1,918 | South Dakota | $2,291 |
| Kentucky | $2,522 | Tennessee | $1,524 |
| Louisiana | $3,040 | Texas | $2,205 |
| Maine | $1,238 | Utah | $1,928 |
| Maryland | $1,833 | Vermont | $1,199 |
| Massachusetts | $2,430 | Virginia | $1,781 |
| Michigan | $3,643 | Washington | $1,616 |
| Minnesota | $1,766 | West Virginia | $2,177 |
| Mississippi | $1,658 | Wisconsin | $1,694 |
| Wyoming | $1,702 |
Average Cost Of Minimum-Coverage Car Insurance By State
Below are the average annual car insurance rates with minimum coverage in each state and Washington DC. These are based on the profile of a 35-year-old married driver with good credit and a clean driving record.
| State | Average Annual Cost | State | Average Annual Cost |
|---|---|---|---|
| Alabama | $502 | Missouri | $560 |
| Alaska | $486 | Montana | $398 |
| Arizona | $635 | Nebraska | $356 |
| Arkansas | $451 | Nevada | $1,283 |
| California | $602 | New Hampshire | $415 |
| Colorado | $566 | New Jersey | $1,332 |
| Connecticut | $980 | New Mexico | $536 |
| Delaware | $686 | New York | $870 |
| Washington D.C. | $1,194 | North Carolina | $469 |
| Florida | $1,385 | North Dakota | $445 |
| Georgia | $680 | Ohio | $536 |
| Hawaii | $529 | Oklahoma | $516 |
| Idaho | $378 | Oregon | $953 |
| Illinois | $441 | Pennsylvania | $437 |
| Indiana | $432 | Rhode Island | $1,036 |
| Iowa | $274 | South Carolina | $701 |
| Kansas | $475 | South Dakota | $328 |
| Kentucky | $682 | Tennessee | $404 |
| Louisiana | $925 | Texas | $683 |
| Maine | $380 | Utah | $732 |
| Maryland | $901 | Vermont | $310 |
| Massachusetts | $754 | Virginia | $545 |
| Michigan | $1,360 | Washington | $561 |
| Minnesota | $481 | West Virginia | $604 |
| Mississippi | $453 | Wisconsin | $408 |
| Wyoming | $308 |
Average Cost Of Car Insurance For Teen Drivers
People under the age of 21 are considered high-risk drivers due to their limited experience on the road. As a result, they pay much higher than the average cost of car insurance.
Here are the national average car insurance rates for full coverage for drivers aged 19 and under:
| Driver’s Age | Average Monthly Cost | Average Annual Cost |
|---|---|---|
| 16 | $632 | $7,581 |
| 17 | $468 | $5,612 |
| 18 | $413 | $4,958 |
| 19 | $309 | $3,708 |
Factors That Affect Car Insurance Costs
Here are the key criteria auto insurers use to set premiums in most states:
Location: If you live in a densely populated area, you’ll likely pay higher car insurance premiums. This is because car accidents and insurance claims are higher in these places.
Driver age: Younger drivers pay higher auto insurance costs because their lack of driving experience more often causes accidents.
Gender: The gender listed on your driver’s license affects your rate in many states. Female drivers are generally paid less than male drivers.
Marital status: Single drivers pay more for auto coverage than married drivers in most states.
Driving record: Premiums increase after violations such as at-fault accidents, DUI, or speeding tickets.
Type of vehicle: High-end luxury vehicles, sports cars, and classic cars tend to cost more than less expensive models. Newer vehicles are more expensive than older vehicles because they cost more to repair and are more expensive.
Your credit history can also affect your car insurance rates in most states (the exceptions are California, Hawaii, Massachusetts, and Michigan). Poor credit score leads to higher premiums.
Of course, the coverage you purchase also has a significant impact on your auto insurance cost. If you have a full coverage policy with multiple add-ons, you can expect to pay a higher premium. A lower deductible usually results in a higher insurance payout, and vice versa.
Common Car Insurance Discounts
Auto insurance companies offer many discounts to help drivers save money. As you search for the right cheap car insurance provider, check out these common discounts:
Multi-car discounts: Having more than one car on your insurance policy often results in a discounted rate.
Bundling Discounts: Bundling homeowners, renters, or life insurance with your auto policy is a great way to get discounts.
Defensive Driving Discounts: Many auto insurers offer discounts for completing a defensive driving course.
Safe Driver Discount: Being a good driver, whether it’s avoiding accidents or using telematics programs that track driving habits, often leads to significant savings.
New car discounts: Some insurance companies give you discounts if you drive the latest car model with advanced safety features.
Military discount: Most auto insurers offer discounts to members of the military.
Conclusion
The cost of a car insurance policy depends on several factors, including where you live, what type of car you drive and what level of coverage you need. When you compare car insurance quotes from providers, don’t just consider prices. Look for a company with a strong industry reputation and lots of positive customer reviews online.