Key Takeaways
- Louisiana drivers pay the highest average full-coverage car insurance rates at $3,481 per year.
- New Jersey has the most expensive minimum coverage on average at $1,455 annually.
- The cheapest full-coverage insurance is found in Vermont, where rates average $1,624 per year, and Wyoming has the lowest average minimum-coverage rates at just $294 per year.
- If you live in one of the 14 “no-fault” states, you’re required to carry personal injury protection coverage, which may increase your premium.
Car insurance rates are all over the map — literally. Local laws and differences in weather and traffic make premiums vary wildly from state to state. Whether you’re in a high-cost state like New Jersey or a low-cost haven like Wyoming, we’ve crunched the numbers to help you compare rates and find the best car insurance for you.
Learn more about our methodology and editorial guidelines.
Car Insurance Cost by State
Where you live plays a major role in how much you’ll pay for car insurance. Wyoming has the cheapest car insurance rates for minimum coverage, with the average driver paying only $24 per month. New Jerseyans pay the most for this type of coverage — $121 per month on average.
Laws in each state determine the types of coverage drivers must have, as well as minimum policy limits. It’s common for these coverages to be listed in shorthand with slashes separating them. For example, a minimum-coverage requirement of 25/50/25 would mean $25,000 worth of bodily injury coverage per person, $50,000 worth of bodily injury coverage per accident and $25,000 worth of property damage coverage per accident.
Below, you can compare the average minimum-coverage and full-coverage car insurance rates for every state and Washington, D.C.
| State | Minimum Coverage Required | Average Annual Minimum-Liability Premium | Average Annual Full-Coverage Premium |
|---|---|---|---|
| Alabama | 25/50/25 | $570 | $2,264 |
| Alaska | 50/100/25 | $440 | $1,978 |
| Arizona | 25/50/15 | $875 | $2,503 |
| Arkansas | 25/50/25 | $575 | $2,572 |
| California | 30/60/15 | $741 | $2,967 |
| Colorado | 25/50/15 | $637 | $3,171 |
| Connecticut | 25/50/25 | $1,234 | $2,656 |
| Delaware | 25/50/10 | $1,169 | $2,639 |
| Florida | 10/20/10 | $1,418 | $3,229 |
| Georgia | 25/50/25 | $1,135 | $2,822 |
| Hawaii | 20/40/10 | $457 | $1,652 |
| Idaho | 25/50/15 | $415 | $1,769 |
| Illinois | 25/50/20 | $593 | $2,060 |
| Indiana | 25/50/25 | $509 | $1,914 |
| Iowa | 20/40/15 | $384 | $2,147 |
| Kansas | 25/50/25 | $572 | $2,478 |
| Kentucky | 25/50/25 | $889 | $2,780 |
| Louisiana | 15/30/25 | $1,188 | $3,481 |
| Maine | 50/100/25 | $460 | $1,705 |
| Maryland | 30/60/15 | $1,033 | $2,453 |
| Massachusetts | 20/40/5 | $650 | $2,145 |
| Michigan | 50/100/10 | $890 | $2,918 |
| Minnesota | 30/60/10 | $553 | $2,373 |
| Mississippi | 25/50/25 | $583 | $2,427 |
| Missouri | 25/50/25 | $636 | $2,343 |
| Montana | 25/50/20 | $484 | $2,492 |
| Nebraska | 25/50/25 | $425 | $2,298 |
| Nevada | 25/50/20 | $1,372 | $2,889 |
| New Hampshire | 25/50/25 | $530 | $1,791 |
| New Jersey | 25/50/25 | $1,455 | $2,837 |
| New Mexico | 25/50/10 | $535 | $2,312 |
| New York | 25/50/10 | $1,141 | $2,460 |
| North Carolina | 50/100/50* | $743 | $2,326 |
| North Dakota | 25/50/25 | $531 | $2,272 |
| Ohio | 25/50/25 | $461 | $1,687 |
| Oklahoma | 25/50/25 | $576 | $2,782 |
| Oregon | 25/50/20 | $916 | $2,163 |
| Pennsylvania | 15/30/5 | $501 | $2,527 |
| Rhode Island | 25/50/25 | $1,026 | $2,670 |
| South Carolina | 25/50/25 | $923 | $2,497 |
| South Dakota | 25/50/25 | $433 | $2,721 |
| Tennessee | 25/50/25 | $562 | $2,047 |
| Texas | 30/60/25 | $827 | $2,863 |
| Utah | 30/65/25 | $847 | $2,365 |
| Vermont | 25/50/10 | $398 | $1,624 |
| Virginia | 50/100/25 | $728 | $1,915 |
| Washington | 25/50/10 | $624 | $2,253 |
| Washington, D.C. | 25/50/10 | $1,244 | $3,209 |
| West Virginia | 25/50/25 | $626 | $2,417 |
| Wisconsin | 25/50/10 | $426 | $1,957 |
| Wyoming | 25/50/20 | $294 | $1,713 |
Some states require additional coverage to meet the legal minimum. These may include uninsured or underinsured motorist coverage or PIP coverage, which could raise the cost of your coverage.
No-Fault PIP Insurance Requirements
Fourteen states require all drivers to carry PIP in addition to minimum liability coverage, but the amount varies. These states are typically referred to as no-fault states because no matter who causes a collision, you’ll need to file a claim with your own insurance company for any injuries you or your passengers have.
This is unlike traditional liability coverage in an at-fault state, where, if you’re injured in a car accident, you can file a claim for medical expenses with the insurance company of the driver who caused the wreck.
There are minimum PIP insurance requirements in all 12 no-fault states as well as in Delaware and Oregon, which are at-fault states but require PIP coverage.
| State | No-Fault PIP Insurance Requirements |
|---|---|
| Delaware | $15,000 per person/$30,000 per accident |
| Florida | $10,000 |
| Hawaii | $10,000 |
| Kansas | $4,500 |
| Kentucky | $10,000 |
| Massachusetts | $8,000 per person / per accident |
| Michigan | Levels vary |
| Minnesota | $40,000 per person / per accident |
| New Jersey | $15,000 |
| New York | $50,000 |
| North Dakota | $30,000 |
| Pennsylvania | $5,000 |
| Oregon | $15,000 |
| Utah | $3,000 |
States With The Most Expensive Car Insurance
Below, we’ve listed the states with the highest car insurance rates for minimum and full coverage.
States With the Highest Full-Coverage Car Insurance Rates
These are the states with the most expensive premiums, on average, for full-coverage car insurance:
- Louisiana: $3,481 per year
- Florida: $3,229 per year
- Washington, D.C.: $3,209 per year
- Colorado: $3,171 per year
- California: $2,967 per year
States With the Highest Minimum Liability Car Insurance
Drivers in these states pay the highest rates on average for minimum liability car insurance:
- New Jersey: $1,455 per year
- Florida: $1,418 per year
- Nevada: $1,372 per year
- Washington, D.C.: $1,244 per year
- Connecticut: $1,234 per year
States With The Cheapest Car Insurance
In the sections below, we’ve broken down the cheapest states for car insurance for both minimum and full coverage.
States With the Lowest Full-Coverage Car Insurance Rates
For full-coverage auto policies, you’ll find the cheapest car insurance on average in the following states:
- Vermont: $1,624 per year
- Hawaii: $1,652 per year
- Ohio: $1,687 per year
- Maine: $1,705 per year
- Wyoming: $1,713 per year
States With the Lowest Minimum Liability Car Insurance Rates
The following states boast the cheapest car insurance rates, on average, for minimum liability coverage:
- Wyoming: $294 per year
- Iowa $384 per year
- Vermont: $398 per year
- Idaho: $415 per year
- Nebraska: $425 per year
Factors That Affect Car Insurance Costs
The price you pay for car insurance in every state is determined by a wide range of variables. Charles Yang, Ph.D., Kaye Family research fellow in insurance at Florida Atlantic University, told MarketWatch Guides that higher premiums occur in “regions with more traffic (higher population density), a higher car theft rate, frequent natural catastrophes and a preference for higher-value vehicles.”
To determine your premiums, car insurance providers consider the following criteria:
- Driving record: A driver with a history of speeding tickets, car accidents, driving under the influence or other offenses pays a higher rate than one with a clean driving history.
- Deductible: Drivers with full coverage can often choose a higher deductible to reduce their premiums.
- Credit history: In most states, companies evaluate credit-based insurance scores to help determine if drivers are financially responsible.
- Age: Motorists with more experience behind the wheel pay lower rates than teens or young drivers.
- Marital status: In many states, married drivers typically pay lower car insurance premiums than their single counterparts.
- Location: Where you live plays a key role in how much you pay for auto coverage. Population density, the frequency of insurance claims and the number of uninsured drivers in your area all affect premiums.
- State insurance minimums: How much coverage you’re required to carry by local and state insurance laws can have a significant impact on average car insurance rates in your region.
- Gender: The gender on your driver’s license impacts insurance costs in most states. Male drivers usually pay higher rates.
- Vehicle type: Car insurance for luxury cars and high-performance vehicles come with above-average premium costs.
Top Auto Insurance Recommendations
Wherever you live, you can find the best price on auto coverage by shopping around to compare car insurance quotes from multiple providers. Travelers and USAA, two of our top-rated insurance companies, are ideal places to begin your search for the right coverage.
Travelers: Best for Most Drivers
Travelers is a popular insurance provider and offers a variety of coverage options, plenty of discounts and affordable rates. If you have consistently safe driving habits, the company’s IntelliDrive program can reduce your auto insurance costs. Travelers also offers discounts for good drivers and similar discounts for customers who insure multiple vehicles. The company holds an A++ financial strength rating from AM Best.
USAA: Best for Military Members
USAA is one of our top-ranked insurance providers for its low rates and excellent customer service. To be eligible for coverage, you need to be a member of the military, a veteran or an immediate family member of a service member. If you qualify, USAA offers several military discounts, including deployment discounts. Its usage-based insurance program, SafePilot, can save you up to 30% for safe driving habits. USAA also has a strong industry reputation, holding an A+ rating from the Better Business Bureau and an A++ financial strength rating from AM Best.
Car Insurance Rates by State: FAQ
Below are frequently asked questions about car insurance rates by state:
If paid on a monthly basis, $200 is around the average cost for full-coverage car insurance. The national average cost for car insurance is $203 per month for a full-coverage policy. If you’re looking for minimum coverage, $61 per month is the national average.
Yes, a higher credit score leads to lower car insurance rates in most states. However, insurers aren’t allowed to weigh your credit score when determining your premium if you’re insured in California, Hawaii, Maryland, Massachusetts or Michigan. Your driving record and where you live (as well as your age and gender in most states) also play key roles in determining the cost of car insurance.
Our data shows Louisiana drivers pay the most for full-coverage car insurance at an average rate of $3,481 per year or $290 per month.
Our Methodology
Because consumers rely on us to provide objective and accurate information, we created a comprehensive rating system to formulate our rankings of the best car insurance companies. We collected data on dozens of auto insurance providers to grade the companies on a wide range of ranking factors. The end result was an overall rating for each provider, with the insurers that scored the most points topping the list.
Here are the factors our ratings take into account:
- Coverage (30% of total score): Companies that offer a variety of choices for insurance coverage are more likely to meet consumer needs.
- Cost and Discounts (25% of total score): Auto insurance rate estimates generated by Quadrant Information Services and discount opportunities are both taken into consideration.
- Industry Standing (20% of total score): Our research team considers market share, ratings from industry experts and years in business when giving this score.
- Customer Experience (15% of total score): This score is based on volume of complaints reported by the National Association of Insurance Commissioners (NAIC) and customer satisfaction ratings reported by J.D. Power. We also consider the responsiveness, friendliness and helpfulness of each insurance company’s customer service team based on our own shopper analysis.
- Availability (10% of total score): Auto insurance companies with greater state availability and few eligibility requirements score highest in this category.
Our credentials:
- 800+ hours researched
- 130+ companies reviewed
- 8,500+ consumers surveyed
*Data accurate at time of publication.
link