Our take
The national average cost of car insurance is $1,682 a year for full coverage, while a policy that meets state legal minimums is $511 a year. Knowing the average costs can help you benchmark your rates and identify potential savings, but keep in mind that actual premiums vary widely based on factors such as location, driving history, and vehicle type.
If an insurer offers you a premium that seems too high, make sure to shop around and compare quotes. This is one of the best ways to ensure you get the most competitive rate. Many insurance companies offer various discounts that can lower your premium, such as bundling policies, good student discounts, or safe driver programs.
Ultimately, understanding the average cost of car insurance and the factors that affect your rates can empower you to make better financial decisions and find the best coverage for your needs.
How much does car insurance cost?
While your rates will vary based on the various factors that affect car insurance, like your driving history, where you live, and what kind of vehicle you drive, the average cost of car insurance in the U.S. is $1,682 a year for full coverage. For a basic policy that meets state legal minimums, the average cost is $511 a year.
Here’s a quick reference table with the average car insurance costs for coverage at three different levels:
| Coverage Type | Annual cost | Monthly cost |
|---|---|---|
| State minimum | $511 | $43 |
| 50/100/50 liability only | $637 | $53 |
| 100/300/100 full coverage | $1,682 | $140 |
Average cost of car insurance by state
Remember that the average cost of car insurance in your state will vary. Car insurance costs differ by state due to local laws and varied risks. Below, you’ll find the average cost of car insurance in each state.
| State | Average Rate | Highest Rate | Lowest Rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| Alaska | $1,359 | $2,546 | $812 |
| Alabama | $1,542 | $2,770 | $847 |
| Arkansas | $1,597 | $3,830 | $874 |
| Arizona | $1,617 | $4,235 | $799 |
| California | $2,115 | $5,744 | $950 |
| Colorado | $1,940 | $5,566 | $733 |
| Connecticut | $1,750 | $7,636 | $737 |
| Washington, D.C. | $1,858 | $3,830 | $862 |
| Delaware | $2,137 | $7,679 | $973 |
| Florida | $2,560 | $7,910 | $1,162 |
| Georgia | $1,647 | $3,690 | $843 |
| Hawaii | $1,306 | $1,833 | $879 |
| Iowa | $1,321 | $4,174 | $731 |
| Idaho | $1,121 | $2,051 | $573 |
| Illinois | $1,578 | $10,121 | $645 |
| Indiana | $1,256 | $3,782 | $521 |
| Kansas | $1,594 | $3,523 | $830 |
| Kentucky | $2,105 | $6,108 | $972 |
| Louisiana | $2,546 | $5,958 | $1,050 |
| Massachusetts | $1,538 | $4,414 | $495 |
| Maryland | $1,640 | $4,810 | $707 |
| Maine | $1,116 | $2,542 | $619 |
| Michigan | $2,133 | $16,397 | $847 |
| Minnesota | $1,493 | $3,545 | $791 |
| Missouri | $2,104 | $10,332 | $736 |
| Mississippi | $1,606 | $2,984 | $821 |
| Montana | $1,692 | $3,340 | $789 |
| North Carolina | $1,368 | $2,961 | $689 |
| North Dakota | $1,419 | $3,184 | $614 |
| Nebraska | $2,018 | $8,922 | $802 |
| New Hampshire | $1,307 | $5,129 | $660 |
| New Jersey | $1,901 | $5,029 | $887 |
| New Mexico | $1,505 | $3,155 | $819 |
| Nevada | $2,023 | $7,072 | $688 |
| New York | $2,020 | $15,851 | $468 |
| Ohio | $1,023 | $2,024 | $516 |
| Oklahoma | $1,797 | $3,629 | $880 |
| Oregon | $1,244 | $2,276 | $681 |
| Pennsylvania | $1,445 | $7,370 | $636 |
| Rhode Island | $1,845 | $4,510 | $778 |
| South Carolina | $1,894 | $6,425 | $1,037 |
| South Dakota | $1,581 | $3,397 | $838 |
| Tennessee | $1,373 | $3,550 | $743 |
| Texas | $1,875 | $4,722 | $841 |
| Utah | $1,469 | $3,048 | $665 |
| Virginia | $1,321 | $4,189 | $629 |
| Vermont | $1,158 | $1,978 | $689 |
| Washington | $1,371 | $4,125 | $673 |
| Wisconsin | $1,499 | $7,358 | $505 |
| West Virginia | $1,610 | $3,088 | $733 |
| Wyoming | $1,736 | $2,950 | $808 |
Rates can also change by ZIP code, so the average cost of car insurance in your city may be above or below the state average.
Average cost of car insurance by age
In most states, age is a factor that has a big impact on car insurance rates. Young drivers, especially teens, pay much more than older drivers. On the other end of the spectrum, car insurance rates for senior drivers tend to rise again (but nowhere near as high as for teens).
The average cost of car insurance for teens at 16 years old is $2,402 for state minimum liability and $7,203 for full coverage. At 18, the cost goes down to $1,706 for minimum liability and $5,242 for full coverage.
How much does car insurance cost for seniors by comparison? The average rate is $507 yearly for minimum liability and $1,555 for full coverage at age 65. By age 75, average rates climb to $619 for minimum liability and $1,817 for full coverage.
Take a look at the average cost of a car insurance policy between the ages of 16 and 75 below.
| Age | State Minimum Liability Only | 50/100/50 Liability Only | 100/300/100 Liability with $500 Comp/Coll Deductibles |
|---|---|---|---|
| 16 | $2,402 | $2,883 | $7,203 |
| 17 | $1,971 | $2,367 | $5,924 |
| 18 | $1,706 | $2,058 | $5,242 |
| 19 | $1,234 | $1,482 | $3,874 |
| 20 | $1,109 | $1,333 | $3,532 |
| 21 | $884 | $1,066 | $2,864 |
| 22 | $794 | $961 | $2,593 |
| 23 | $736 | $893 | $2,415 |
| 24 | $690 | $840 | $2,267 |
| 25 | $609 | $747 | $2,010 |
| 30 | $539 | $669 | $1,785 |
| 35 | $528 | $657 | $1,730 |
| 40 | $520 | $649 | $1,682 |
| 45 | $512 | $641 | $1,647 |
| 50 | $496 | $623 | $1,581 |
| 55 | $482 | $605 | $1,528 |
| 60 | $482 | $605 | $1,511 |
| 65 | $507 | $635 | $1,555 |
| 70 | $554 | $689 | $1,661 |
| 75 | $619 | $765 | $1,817 |
How much does auto insurance cost with a bad driving record?
Good drivers see the lowest rates for car insurance. How much more you will pay with a bad driving record depends on what’s on that record.
Here’s a look at how much car insurance costs for a clean record compared with one speeding ticket or a DUI in each state.
| State | Annual average rate,clean record | With a speeding ticket | With a DUI |
|---|---|---|---|
| Alaska | $1,286 | $1,644 | $1,855 |
| Alabama | $1,503 | $1,887 | $2,356 |
| Arkansas | $1,475 | $1,889 | $2,442 |
| Arizona | $1,665 | $2,241 | $2,737 |
| California | $2,206 | $3,151 | $6,111 |
| Colorado | $1,970 | $2,390 | $3,002 |
| Connecticut | $1,461 | $1,658 | $2,587 |
| Washington, D.C. | $1,909 | $2,281 | $3,050 |
| Delaware | $1,730 | $2,160 | $2,693 |
| Florida | $2,927 | $3,618 | $3,997 |
| Georgia | $1,597 | $2,024 | $2,837 |
| Hawaii | $1,309 | $1,997 | $4,150 |
| Iowa | $1,241 | $1,545 | $1,790 |
| Idaho | $1,015 | $1,227 | $1,670 |
| Illinois | $1,368 | $1,837 | $2,388 |
| Indiana | $1,279 | $1,783 | $2,060 |
| Kansas | $1,488 | $1,839 | $2,492 |
| Kentucky | $1,857 | $2,314 | $3,201 |
| Louisiana | $3,121 | $4,318 | $4,876 |
| Massachusetts | $1,760 | $2,197 | $3,137 |
| Maryland | $1,981 | $2,573 | $3,163 |
| Maine | $1,072 | $1,334 | $1,579 |
| Michigan | $4,013 | $5,419 | $10,260 |
| Minnesota | $1,699 | $2,200 | $3,375 |
| Missouri | $2,403 | $2,968 | $3,376 |
| Mississippi | $1,407 | $1,724 | $2,378 |
| Montana | $1,766 | $2,085 | $2,786 |
| North Carolina | $1,396 | $2,051 | $5,726 |
| North Dakota | $1,239 | $1,472 | $2,163 |
| Nebraska | $1,861 | $2,217 | $3,246 |
| New Hampshire | $949 | $1,200 | $1,595 |
| New Jersey | $2,228 | $2,788 | $3,850 |
| New Mexico | $1,686 | $2,032 | $2,423 |
| Nevada | $2,371 | $3,055 | $3,885 |
| New York | $1,822 | $2,170 | $2,718 |
| Ohio | $1,110 | $1,429 | $1,688 |
| Oklahoma | $1,836 | $2,320 | $2,628 |
| Oregon | $1,461 | $1,933 | $2,283 |
| Pennsylvania | $1,297 | $1,484 | $2,072 |
| Rhode Island | $1,793 | $2,347 | $3,081 |
| South Carolina | $1,804 | $2,228 | $2,662 |
| South Dakota | $1,585 | $2,046 | $2,920 |
| Tennessee | $1,308 | $1,677 | $2,124 |
| Texas | $1,969 | $2,461 | $2,947 |
| Utah | $1,582 | $1,968 | $2,381 |
| Virginia | $1,230 | $1,642 | $1,819 |
| Vermont | $1,081 | $1,317 | $1,779 |
| Washington | $1,325 | $1,894 | $2,338 |
| Wisconsin | $1,587 | $2,210 | $2,795 |
| West Virginia | $1,413 | $1,781 | $2,485 |
| Wyoming | $1,812 | $2,371 | $3,141 |
How to get the best price on car insurance
Car insurance is expensive, but there are a lot of ways to get a better rate. While choosing lower coverage limits or carrying state minimum liability will get you cheaper car insurance, there are better ways to save without sacrificing coverage:
- Raise your deductible
- Ask about discounts
- Bundle your auto with home and other policies
- Shop around and compare companies
Car insurance rates vary widely by company, so shopping around is the easiest way to find a better deal.
Methodology
Insurance.com commissioned car insurance rates in 2022 from Quadrant Data Services. Rates were fielded across all states for three levels of coverage. The base driver profile used is a 40-year-old male driving a 2021 Honda Accord LX. Rates were also gathered across multiple age groups and for drivers with violations.
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