The average cost of car insurance varies wildly depending on your home state. Drivers in Louisiana, Florida and California pay the most for car insurance nationwide, while drivers in Maine, New Hampshire and Vermont have the cheapest car insurance.
Every state has its own car insurance laws and requirements, and that’s one reason why car insurance rates by state vary dramatically. Additionally, auto insurers assign risk levels to ZIP codes based on the number of uninsured drivers and the frequency of thefts, collisions and vandalism to gauge the likelihood of such incidents in an area.
Other pricing factors, such as your driving record, the type of car you drive, desired coverage types and limits and your age are added into the equation.
Keep reading to explore car insurance rates by state.
- Louisiana, Florida and California drivers pay the highest car insurance rates in the nation.
- Maine, New Hampshire and Vermont have the cheapest car insurance rates.
- The national average annual cost for a full-coverage policy is $1,895.
- Alaska (AK)
- Alabama (AL)
- Arizona (AZ)
- Arkansas (AR)
- California (CA)
- Colorado (CO)
- Connecticut (CT)
- Delaware (DE)
- Florida (FL)
- Georgia (GA)
- Hawaii (HI)
- Idaho (ID)
- Illinois (IL)
- Indiana (IN)
- Iowa (IA)
- Kansas (KS)
- Kentucky (KY)
- Louisiana (LA)
- Maine (ME)
- Maryland (MD)
- Massachusetts (MA)
- Michigan (MI)
- Minnesota (MN)
- Mississippi (MS)
- Missouri (MO)
- Montana (MT)
- Nebraska (NE)
- Nevada (NV)
- New Hampshire (NH)
- New Mexico (NM)
- New York (NY)
- New Jersey (NJ)
- North Carolina (NC)
- North Dakota (ND)
- Ohio (OH)
- Oklahoma (OK)
- Oregon (OR)
- Pennsylvania (PA)
- Rhode Island (RI)
- South Carolina (SC)
- South Dakota (SD)
- Tennessee (TN)
- Texas (TX)
- Utah (UT)
- Vermont (VT)
- Virginia (VA)
- Washington (WA)
- Washington D.C. (DC)
- West Virginia (WV)
- Wisconsin (WI)
- Wyoming (WY)
Average car insurance rates by state
CarInsurance.com gathered car insurance premium data from every state for nearly every ZIP, so you can see how much you can expect to pay for car insurance. The editors included data on which states offer the cheapest car insurance by state, on average, and which states have the most expensive car insurance rates.
The national average annual cost for a full-coverage policy is $1,895, but laws in your state and your driving profile and vehicle profile can cause rates to vary.
The editors’ findings might surprise you. Some of the states with the lowest average annual car insurance premium rates are states where the cost of living, on average, is higher. Some of the smallest and least-populated states in the nation rank among the 10 states with the highest average annual car insurance premium rates.
See the table below for the average car insurance rates by state.
| State | Annual rate | Highest rate | Lowest rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| Alaska | $1,676 | $2,241 | $1,154 |
| Alabama | $1,860 | $2,681 | $1,272 |
| Arkansas | $1,957 | $3,077 | $1,075 |
| Arizona | $1,812 | $2,529 | $1,248 |
| California | $2,416 | $3,133 | $1,790 |
| Colorado | $2,337 | $3,807 | $1,361 |
| Connecticut | $1,725 | $2,591 | $602 |
| Washington, D.C. | $2,157 | $3,817 | $1,221 |
| Delaware | $2,063 | $3,365 | $1,411 |
| Florida | $2,694 | $3,787 | $1,981 |
| Georgia | $1,970 | $2,865 | $1,449 |
| Hawaii | $1,517 | $1,966 | $1,062 |
| Iowa | $1,630 | $2,594 | $1,130 |
| Idaho | $1,428 | $2,453 | $733 |
| Illinois | $1,532 | $2,739 | $930 |
| Indiana | $1,515 | $2,346 | $778 |
| Kansas | $1,900 | $2,965 | $1,135 |
| Kentucky | $2,228 | $3,312 | $1,649 |
| Louisiana | $2,883 | $3,730 | $1,860 |
| Massachusetts | $1,726 | $2,740 | $689 |
| Maryland | $1,746 | $3,190 | $1,034 |
| Maine | $1,175 | $1,698 | $674 |
| Michigan | $2,352 | $3,777 | $1,448 |
| Minnesota | $1,911 | $2,878 | $1,307 |
| Missouri | $1,982 | $3,285 | $1,073 |
| Mississippi | $2,008 | $2,928 | $1,259 |
| Montana | $2,193 | $3,080 | $919 |
| North Carolina | $1,741 | $2,899 | $1,049 |
| North Dakota | $1,665 | $2,448 | $815 |
| Nebraska | $1,902 | $2,787 | $1,160 |
| New Hampshire | $1,265 | $2,138 | $777 |
| New Jersey | $1,902 | $2,438 | $1,310 |
| New Mexico | $2,049 | $3,404 | $1,042 |
| Nevada | $2,060 | $2,981 | $1,357 |
| New York | $1,870 | $3,136 | $1,009 |
| Ohio | $1,417 | $1,980 | $945 |
| Oklahoma | $2,138 | $3,300 | $1,186 |
| Oregon | $1,678 | $3,040 | $1,129 |
| Pennsylvania | $1,872 | $2,629 | $925 |
| Rhode Island | $2,061 | $3,508 | $1,142 |
| South Carolina | $2,009 | $3,165 | $1,424 |
| South Dakota | $2,280 | $3,346 | $1,499 |
| Tennessee | $1,677 | $3,083 | $1,176 |
| Texas | $2,043 | $3,485 | $1,203 |
| Utah | $1,825 | $2,754 | $1,131 |
| Virginia | $1,469 | $2,250 | $1,085 |
| Vermont | $1,319 | $2,398 | $791 |
| Washington | $1,608 | $2,654 | $848 |
| Wisconsin | $1,664 | $2,573 | $961 |
| West Virginia | $2,005 | $3,249 | $1,145 |
| Wyoming | $1,758 | $2,914 | $827 |
Real-world insight: Experience of shopping for the best state for car insurance shared on Facebook
On November 13, Facebook user Jessie Morgan posted that she gets calls from friends and family shopping their insurance policies because of rising insurance rates.
“Wyoming, Vermont and New Hampshire have some of the cheapest full coverage car insurance rates in the country, while Florida, Louisiana and Rhode Island are the most expensive. While average car insurance rates can be a good indicator of what you may pay for coverage, your own price will likely be different.”
Which states are the most expensive for car insurance?
Louisiana, Florida, California, Michigan and Colorado are the most expensive states for car insurance in the U.S.
Mark Friedlander, director of corporate communications for the Insurance Information Institute in St. Johns, Florida, says Florida rates are driven by severe weather and uninsured motorists.
“Florida drivers pay the highest average premiums in the United States due to a variety of factors,” Friedlander says. “These include the impact of severe weather on roadways, heavy traffic patterns on interstates generated by residents and millions of annual visitors, congested roadways in major metro areas, a state’s no-fault insurance law … and the fact that Florida has one of the highest uninsured motorist rates in the United States – 20.4%.”
Based on our research, the table below shows the states where average annual car insurance rates are the most expensive:
| State | Average annual premium |
|---|---|
| Louisiana | $2,883 |
| Florida | $2,694 |
| California | $2,416 |
| Michigan | $2,352 |
| Colorado | $2,337 |
| South Dakota | $2,280 |
| Kentucky | $2,228 |
| Montana | $2,193 |
| Washington, D.C. | $2,157 |
| Oklahoma | $2,138 |
Which states have the cheapest car insurance?
By contrast, the cheapest states for car insurance include Maine and New Hampshire.
“States that have the lowest overall car insurance premiums on average may have lower populations, which result in fewer car accidents and less money paid out by insurance companies, resulting in cheaper insurance premiums,” says Lauren McKenzie, an insurance broker at A Plus Insurance in Liberty, South Carolina.
Geoff Cudd, a Philadelphia-based consumer advocate and owner of FindTheBestCarPrice.com, says states with milder weather and rural areas pay cheaper car insurance rates.
“That generally means less chance of accidents and weather-related claims, which means car insurance companies will have to spend less money,” Cudd says.
See the states with the cheapest full coverage car insurance in the table below.
| State | Average annual premium |
|---|---|
| Maine | $1,175 |
| New Hampshire | $1,265 |
| Vermont | $1,319 |
| Ohio | $1,417 |
| Idaho | $1,428 |
| Virginia | $1,469 |
| Indiana | $1,515 |
| Hawaii | $1,517 |
| Illinois | $1,532 |
| Washington | $1,608 |
How much have car insurance rates increased?
Car insurance rates have risen significantly since 2018, according to S&P Global. In 2023, 43 states and the District of Columbia saw an effective rate change exceeding 10%, resulting in a nationwide effective increase of 14.0% for the year.
In comparison, only 26 states experienced a double-digit rate increase in 2022, leading to a national average increase of 11.4%.
Nevada recorded the highest effective rate increase in 2023 at 28.3%, followed by Minnesota at 19.8% and Washington at 19.7%.
The states with the lowest average effective increases were Hawaii (3.8%), North Carolina (4.3%), and Colorado (4.5%).
| State | Cumulative change 2022 – YTD 2023 | Cumulative change 2018 – YTD 2023 |
|---|---|---|
| National average | 26.9 | 30.9 |
| Alabama | 19.7 | 18.9 |
| Alaska | 16.4 | 19.7 |
| Arizona | 38.1 | 46.1 |
| Arkansas | 24 | 20.9 |
| California | 12.9 | 18.5 |
| Colorado | 18.2 | 33.2 |
| Connecticut | 27.1 | 30.1 |
| Delaware | 26.7 | 30.7 |
| District of Columbia | 29.6 | 30 |
| Florida | 25.9 | 38.6 |
| Georgia | 34.3 | 42.6 |
| Hawaii | 4.4 | -2 |
| Idaho | 15.1 | 20.9 |
| Illinois | 37.7 | 37.6 |
| Indiana | 29.2 | 24.3 |
| lowa | 20.1 | 23.1 |
| Kansas | 30.6 | 33.9 |
| Kentucky | 25.3 | 22.3 |
| Louisiana | 27.9 | 29.1 |
| Maine | 28.3 | 29.4 |
| Maryland | 33.6 | 33 |
| Massachusetts | 18.4 | 25 |
| Michigan | 19.7 | 22.9 |
| Minnesota | 36 | 39.8 |
| Mississippi | 23.6 | 23.3 |
| Missouri | 32 | 36.4 |
| Montana | 19.1 | 18.3 |
| Nebraska | 28.7 | 34 |
| Nevada | 34.6 | 39.8 |
| New Hampshire | 28.1 | 24.7 |
| New Jersey | 17.3 | 21.5 |
| New Mexico | 24.6 | 22.4 |
| New York | 24.2 | 36.4 |
| North Carolina | 8.2 | 6.3 |
| North Dakota | 25.4 | 24.9 |
| Ohio | 38.9 | 36.5 |
| Oklahoma | 31.9 | 25 |
| Oregon | 35.2 | 30.8 |
| Pennsylvania | 30.2 | 28 |
| Rhode Island | 19.5 | 24.7 |
| South Carolina | 29.1 | 34.4 |
| South Dakota | 24.5 | 26.1 |
| Tennessee | 37 | 35.7 |
| Texas | 45.5 | 46.5 |
| Utah | 33.7 | 44.4 |
| Vermont | 19.6 | 15.4 |
| Virginia | 32 | 36.2 |
| Washington | 23.11 | 24.9 |
| West Virginia | 22.4 | 16.9 |
| Wisconsin | 29.6 | 30 |
Why do car insurance rates vary from state to state?
Each state has different insurance requirements that drivers must maintain to be considered legal on the road, which is why some states may cost more for insurance than others. Some states require personal injury protection or medical payment coverage, but others don’t.
“For example, South Carolina requires drivers to have uninsured/underinsured motorist bodily injury protection and property damage as a minimum requirement on their auto insurance policy, whereas many states offer that coverage but don’t require it,” McKenzie says. “That additional coverage has a price associated with it and will increase your total premium.”
| State | State minimum | Liability only | Full coverage | Non-owners |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Alaska | $398 | $508 | $1,676 | $260 |
| Alabama | $433 | $639 | $1,860 | $380 |
| Arkansas | $397 | $589 | $1,957 | $266 |
| Arizona | $516 | $764 | $1,812 | $396 |
| California | $551 | $864 | $2,416 | $299 |
| Colorado | $437 | $717 | $2,337 | $282 |
| Connecticut | $704 | $783 | $1,725 | $395 |
| Washington, D.C. | $558 | $785 | $2,157 | $310 |
| Delaware | $788 | $1,022 | $2,063 | $344 |
| Florida | $993 | $1,629 | $2,694 | $545 |
| Georgia | $577 | $789 | $1,970 | $312 |
| Hawaii | $396 | $572 | $1,517 | $395 |
| Iowa | $260 | $320 | $1,630 | $153 |
| Idaho | $357 | $440 | $1,428 | $187 |
| Illinois | $421 | $471 | $1,532 | $279 |
| Indiana | $417 | $498 | $1,515 | $259 |
| Kansas | $434 | $471 | $1,900 | $274 |
| Kentucky | $606 | $810 | $2,228 | $375 |
| Louisiana | $722 | $1,266 | $2,883 | $330 |
| Massachusetts | $511 | $655 | $1,726 | $445 |
| Maryland | $727 | $756 | $1,746 | $438 |
| Maine | $335 | $341 | $1,175 | $238 |
| Michigan | $654 | $694 | $2,352 | $513 |
| Minnesota | $475 | $512 | $1,911 | $302 |
| Missouri | $488 | $582 | $1,982 | $358 |
| Mississippi | $463 | $637 | $2,008 | $321 |
| Montana | $350 | $540 | $2,193 | $299 |
| North Carolina | $476 | $523 | $1,741 | $470 |
| North Dakota | $349 | $370 | $1,665 | $209 |
| Nebraska | $331 | $373 | $1,902 | $186 |
| New Hampshire | $397 | $416 | $1,265 | $318 |
| New Jersey | $853 | $915 | $1,902 | $459 |
| New Mexico | $421 | $658 | $2,049 | $293 |
| Nevada | $720 | $1,042 | $2,060 | $346 |
| New York | $731 | $827 | $1,870 | $421 |
| Ohio | $362 | $446 | $1,417 | $214 |
| Oklahoma | $408 | $657 | $2,138 | $242 |
| Oregon | $641 | $710 | $1,678 | $441 |
| Pennsylvania | $375 | $504 | $1,872 | $263 |
| Rhode Island | $646 | $808 | $2,061 | $518 |
| South Carolina | $720 | $925 | $2,009 | $368 |
| South Dakota | $307 | $338 | $2,280 | $170 |
| Tennessee | $442 | $547 | $1,677 | $363 |
| Texas | $572 | $774 | $2,043 | $447 |
| Utah | $582 | $756 | $1,825 | $444 |
| Virginia | $428 | $477 | $1,469 | $290 |
| Vermont | $306 | $324 | $1,319 | $296 |
| Washington | $438 | $731 | $1,608 | $349 |
| Wisconsin | $365 | $425 | $1,664 | $230 |
| West Virginia | $510 | $585 | $2,005 | $367 |
| Wyoming | $288 | $331 | $1,758 | $215 |
Note: State minimum BI/PD
Liability only: 50/100/50 BI/PD
Full coverage: 100/300/100 BI/PD
California’s car insurance coverage limits increasing in 2025
The state of California is increasing its minimum car insurance coverage limits. Starting on January 1, 2025, drivers must carry a minimum of 30/60/15 coverage. This breaks down to a minimum of $30,000 for bodily injury liability per person, $60,000 per accident in bodily injury liability and $15,000 in property damage liability coverage.
For drivers who opted for a policy that meets the minimum car insurance requirements, the new limits are significantly higher. Until Jan. 1, drivers only need $15,000 for bodily injury liability per person, $30,000 per accident in bodily injury liability, and $5,000 in property damage liability coverage.
It’s likely this increased level of coverage will raise average auto insurance rates for drivers who pay for a minimum coverage policy. After all, auto insurers providing the policy must expect to pay more for damages after an accident.
Does population density affect insurance rates in your state?
Where you live is a crucial factor in calculating the cost of what you will fork over for car insurance, and the population in your state can affect your rates.
“On average, drivers in more sparsely-populated states such as Idaho and North Dakota are going to pay much less for coverage than drivers in more populous states such as California, Florida and New York,” Friedlander says. “But it goes beyond just the state you live in. Insurers determine rates by the city you live in and even your specific ZIP code. Traffic volume, accident frequency and severity, as well as theft and vandalism data, vary in every city throughout every state.”
In other words, you could live in a large metro like Los Angeles or Chicago and pay significantly different rates based on your ZIP code within that city. Urban drivers generally pay much more for auto insurance than motorists in rural areas in the same state.
“If you live in an area with a high crime rate, a large number of accidents and large payouts, insurance prices will be higher there,” McKenzie says. “If you live in a state with busy, expensive cities where gas prices and rent costs are high, car insurance prices will be high as well.”
Tort states vs. no-fault states: What’s the difference?
State laws vary when it comes to who pays for damages; most states are either tort or no-fault states.
In general, car insurance is more expensive in no-fault states because no-fault law states that you do not need to prove who was at fault to receive compensation from your insurance company. In a no-fault state, each driver’s insurance covers their medical expenses and lost wages after an accident, regardless of who is at fault. This system limits the ability to sue the other driver, except in cases of severe injury or significant damages.
On the other hand, if you cause an accident in a tort state, your insurance company will be on the hook for any damage/injuries you’ve caused. A tort state is one where the driver found to be at fault in an accident is responsible for covering the damages and injuries of the other party in a car accident.
Generally, this means the at-fault driver’s insurance company pays for the damages caused and medical costs of others involved in the accident. This system allows the injured party to sue the at-fault driver for compensation beyond what insurance covers.
How can I find the best car insurance rates in my state?
The best way to find cheap car insurance rates is to comparison shop for quotes around renewal time—at least annually, but every six months if you really want to save.
“To find the best car insurance rates in your state, start by comparing quotes from multiple insurers online, using comparison websites to review coverage options and discounts,” says James Brau, Joel C. Peterson Professor of Finance at Brigham Young University. Additionally, you may want to check with your state’s insurance department for information on average rates and any other resources they may have.”
Get three quotes from different car insurance companies comparing the same coverages, and look at the companies’ financial strength ratings, claims scores and more from annual rankings, like the best car insurance companies.
It’s worth noting that although a minimum coverage policy often offers the cheapest car insurance price, it doesn’t necessarily make it the right car insurance policy for your financial situation. Some drivers may benefit from a full coverage car insurance policy, which includes both comprehensive and collision insurance to help you pay for repairs to your own vehicle after an accident.
The extra protection provided for your wallet through a comprehensive and collision coverage policy might be worth paying more.
Are there any states where car insurance is not required?
Every state except for New Hampshire requires car insurance.
Virginia’s car insurance laws changed in 2024. For policies effective through Dec. 31, 2024,
Virginia’s minimum car insurance limits are:
- $30,000 for injury or death of one person
- $60,000 for injury or death of two or more people and
- $20,000 for property damage
For policies effective on or after Jan. 1, 2025, Virginia’s minimum car insurance limits are:
- $50,000 for injury or death of one person
- $100,000 for injury or death of two or more people and
- $25,000 for property damage
Even if you aren’t required to carry auto insurance coverage, it’s often a good idea to pay for this coverage to protect your financial security. After all, uninsured drivers must pay for the damages they cause out of pocket without help from an auto insurance policy.
In conversation with experts
Explore what experts have to say about car insurance rates below.
How important is it for car owners to shop around, and how often should they compare insurance rates?
You should shop around each time your policy renews. If you opt for a six-month policy, compare car insurance quotes from multiple companies before signing up for another six months. Putting the effort into finding the lowest car insurance rates can lead to big savings.
“Don’t hesitate to shop around and compare quotes from different insurers — prices can vary significantly for the same level of coverage,” says John Crist, founder of Prestizia Insurance.
What advice would you give drivers in states with high insurance rates to help them reduce their premiums?
“For those in states with high insurance rates, understanding the factors affecting their premiums is a must,” says Scott Distasio, a Florida-based board-certified civil trial lawyer with extensive experience in auto accident law. “Simple actions like regularly checking credit reports, enrolling in defensive driving courses or leveraging multi-policy discounts can yield significant savings.”
For example, let’s say you live in Florida, where car insurance costs are relatively high. Maintaining a clean driving record, insuring multiple vehicles through a single insurance company and bundling your policies could help you keep your costs low for your state.
What are some recent trends or changes in state laws that are significantly impacting car insurance rates?
“One emerging trend is the adoption of telematics programs, allowing insurers to base premiums on actual driving behavior,” Distasio says. “However, it’s important to be mindful of potential privacy issues. Also, some states are considering prohibiting the use of credit-based insurance scores that could dramatically change how premiums are calculated.”
“Some states are cracking down on gender-based pricing,” says Andrew Lokenauth, founder of Be Fluent In Finance, a publisher of financial information. This change could erase some of the standard differences in rates between male and female drivers. “Weather-related claims are driving up rates in many regions.”
After severe weather strikes, a spike in claims can put a strain on the insurance industry. Generally, this strain leads to higher auto insurance premiums for drivers.
Final thoughts
Car insurance rates vary from state to state. Although you likely can’t change where you live easily, you can switch insurance companies painlessly. Make sure to shop around for the cheapest policies before signing up for an auto insurance policy.
FAQ: Car insurance rates by state
Will car insurance rates in my state continue to increase?
Car insurance costs have increased because of car repairs and inflation, pushing up prices for insurers and creating more expensive car insurance for customers.
“With more drivers on the road, higher inflation and replacement part costs continuing to escalate, this loss trend in the insurance industry is expected to continue, leading to rate increases from national and regional insurers,” Friedlander says.
How will my car insurance change if I move to a new state?
If you’re moving to a new state, you must inform your insurance company immediately. State minimum insurance requirements vary by state and your location does affect insurance rates.
Check out this calculator to see how much your car insurance costs will increase or decrease when you move. And remember, the weather, crime rate and other factors also come into play for rate calculations.
Is car insurance required in my state?
Every state except New Hampshire requires car insurance. Drivers must carry bodily injury and property damage liability in minimum amounts depending upon their state.
Resources & Methodology
Sources
- U.S. Department of Transportation National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. “Overview of Motor Vehicle Crashes in 2020.” Accessed December 2024.
- Virginia Department of Motor Vehicles. “Insurance Requirements.” Accessed December 2024.
Methodology
CarInsurance.com editors collected rates from Quadrant Information Services for a 40-year-old driving a Honda Accord LX with a good insurance score and no violation on record for a full coverage insurance policy with limits 100/300/100 and $500 comprehensive and collision deductibles. The hypothetical driver has a 12-mile commute and 10,000 annual mileage. We analyzed 53,409,632 records, 34,588 ZIP codes and 170 insurance companies nationwide.
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Laura Longero
Executive Editor
Laura Longero is an insurance expert and Executive Editor at CarInsurance.com, where she specializes in helping consumers navigate the complexities of the financial and insurance industries. She has 15 years of experience educating people about finance and car insurance. Prior to joining CarInsurance.com, she worked as a reporter and editor at the USA Today Network. Her expertise provides readers with practical guidance, helping them make informed choices about their financial and insurance needs.
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John McCormick
Editorial Director
John is the editorial director for CarInsurance.com, Insurance.com and Insure.com. Before joining QuinStreet, John was a deputy editor at The Wall Street Journal and had been an editor and reporter at a number of other media outlets where he covered insurance, personal finance, and technology.
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Leslie Kasperowicz
Executive Editor
Leslie Kasperowicz is an insurance educator and content creation professional with nearly two decades of experience first directly in the insurance industry at Farmers Insurance and then as a writer, researcher, and educator for insurance shoppers writing for sites like ExpertInsuranceReviews.com and InsuranceHotline.com and managing content, now at CarInsurance.com.
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Nupur Gambhir
Managing Editor
Nupur Gambhir is a content editor and licensed life, health, and disability insurance expert. She has extensive experience bringing brands to life and has built award-nominated campaigns for travel and tech. Her insurance expertise has been featured in Bloomberg News, Forbes Advisor, CNET, Fortune, Slate, Real Simple, Lifehacker, The Financial Gym, and the end-of-life planning service.