Car Insurance Rates by State (2026)

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Rates as of August 31, 2026. Average annual and monthly premiums for one benchmark driver, calculated from insurers’ filed rates. How we calculate these

Key takeaways

What is the National Average Cost for Car Insurance?

Car insurance costs vary widely by state. For the same driver and the same full coverage, the annual premium ranges from $1,546 in Vermont to $4,889 in Nevada, based on insurers’ filed rates as of August 31, 2026. Vermont, Ohio and New Hampshire are the cheapest, while Nevada, Michigan and California are the most expensive. The gap between the cheapest and most expensive state is about $3,340 a year.

🟢 5 Cheapest States (2026)

Full coverage, monthly average

1. Vermont$129/mo
2. Ohio$136/mo
3. New Hampshire$144/mo
4. Maine$146/mo
5. Hawaii$148/mo

🔴 5 Most Expensive States (2026)

Full coverage, monthly average

1. Nevada$407/mo*
2. Michigan$354/mo
3. California$332/mo
4. Florida$331/mo
5. Louisiana$300/mo

Insurers’ filed rates as of August 31, 2026, for one benchmark driver (40, good credit, clean record, 2024 Toyota Camry). *Nevada is based on four insurers. Your rate will vary.

Nationally, full coverage averages $2,806 a year ($234 a month) for our benchmark driver, and state-minimum liability averages $986 a year ($82 a month).

Updated:

How Much Does Car Insurance Cost in Your State?

Full-coverage car insurance ranges from $1,546 a year in Vermont to $4,889 in Nevada for the same driver. Find your state in the table below, or open your state’s guide for costs by city, insurer, age and vehicle.

Rates by State:

Average Car Insurance Cost by State

Auto insurance rates and laws can vary widely from state to state, which is why it’s smart to always get multiple free car insurance quotes. Learn more about the required minimums, tips for moving and how to save money on auto insurance in your state by finding your state in the list below. As you do your research by comparing auto insurance rates, you’ll find that each state has their own set of rules which can lead to added costs to your overall auto insurance coverage price rates.

StateMin. Liability /moMin. Liability /yrFull Coverage /moFull Coverage /yr
Alabama$53$640$171$2,047
Alaska$56$668$187$2,238
Arizona$81$970$206$2,466
Arkansas$58$697$204$2,448
California$122$1,460$332$3,979
Colorado$74$892$269$3,222
Connecticut$90$1,077$223$2,670
Delaware$111$1,333$241$2,888
Florida$126$1,508$331$3,972
Georgia$84$1,012$208$2,494
Hawaii$47$561$148$1,773
Idaho$42$506$153$1,841
Illinois$69$823$201$2,406
Indiana$49$583$180$2,156
Iowa$35$420$196$2,348
Kansas$63$752$222$2,666
Kentucky$76$907$229$2,749
Louisiana$82$988$300$3,600
Maine$41$494$146$1,747
Maryland$89$1,072$197$2,362
Massachusetts$69$831$182$2,178
Michigan$87$1,039$354$4,252
Minnesota$64$765$223$2,674
Mississippi$60$714$187$2,242
Missouri$65$782$203$2,431
Montana$43$515$178$2,136
Nebraska$50$602$224$2,688
Nevada$190$2,275$407$4,889
New Hampshire$50$596$144$1,728
New Jersey$128$1,539$279$3,345
New Mexico$69$823$205$2,462
New York$152$1,820$288$3,457
North Carolina$52$625$154$1,848
North Dakota$37$445$164$1,963
Ohio$39$467$137$1,638
Oklahoma$69$832$243$2,910
Oregon$73$879$173$2,070
Pennsylvania$53$641$204$2,444
Rhode Island$83$993$248$2,977
South Carolina$70$841$189$2,269
South Dakota$29$343$194$2,329
Tennessee$56$666$187$2,238
Texas$71$848$209$2,513
Utah$113$1,350$242$2,908
Vermont$31$376$129$1,546
Virginia$65$774$178$2,137
Washington$93$1,111$254$3,053
Washington, D.C.$97$1,158$269$3,228
West Virginia$58$698$194$2,331
Wisconsin$46$554$184$2,210
Wyoming$30$365$161$1,936

Averages of 61,450 insurer-by-ZIP prices from 3–6 insurers per state (40 insurers nationally), covering 13,199 ZIP codes in all 50 states and Washington, D.C. Each insurer counts once per ZIP code, at its lowest eligible price. Monthly figures are annual premiums divided by 12. Modeled estimates for comparison, not price quotes. How we calculate these rates

*Nevada: only four insurers in our rating data offer this driver a policy in Nevada, and our figure is higher than other published estimates. Treat it as a high-end benchmark. We’ll update it as more insurers’ rates are added.

Car Insurance Cost Guides by State

Which States Have the Most Expensive Car Insurance?

  1. Nevada: Dense traffic in the Las Vegas area, high accident and injury-claim costs, and a limited set of insurers in our data.
    • State Minimum: $190 monthly – $2,275 yearly
    • Full Coverage: $407 monthly – $4,889 yearly (based on four insurers)
  2. Michigan: Michigan’s no-fault system and its personal injury protection requirements keep costs high even after the 2019 reforms.
    • State Minimum: $87 monthly – $1,039 yearly
    • Full Coverage: $354 monthly – $4,252 yearly
  3. California: High repair and medical costs, dense urban traffic, and frequent litigation.
    • State Minimum: $122 monthly – $1,460 yearly
    • Full Coverage: $332 monthly – $3,979 yearly
  4. Florida: No-fault PIP requirements, frequent severe weather, a high share of uninsured drivers, and litigation.
    • State Minimum: $126 monthly – $1,508 yearly
    • Full Coverage: $331 monthly – $3,972 yearly
  5. Louisiana: High accident and litigation rates and a high share of uninsured drivers.
    • State Minimum: $82 monthly – $988 yearly
    • Full Coverage: $300 monthly – $3,600 yearly

Car insurance rates can vary significantly based on individual factors such as driving history, age, gender, type of vehicle, coverage limits and the insurance company. It’s always best to use InsuranceQuotes to shop around and compare quotes from multiple insurers to find the best rates for your specific situation. Additionally, insurance rates can change over time due to various factors, so it’s essential to stay updated and check your auto policy options every 4 months to get the best price.

Which States Have the Cheapest Car Insurance?

Vermont, Ohio, New Hampshire, Maine and Hawaii are the cheapest states for full coverage in our data. Idaho ($1,841 a year) is also among the lowest. Here are state-minimum and full-coverage averages for each:

  1. Vermont: Low population density and fewer accidents per driver.
    • State Minimum: $31 monthly – $376 yearly
    • Full Coverage: $129 monthly – $1,546 yearly
  2. Ohio: A competitive insurance market and moderate claim costs.
    • State Minimum: $39 monthly – $467 yearly
    • Full Coverage: $136 monthly – $1,638 yearly
  3. New Hampshire: Rural roads and low claim frequency.
    • State Minimum: $50 monthly – $596 yearly
    • Full Coverage: $144 monthly – $1,728 yearly
  4. Maine: Low population density and low claim costs.
    • State Minimum: $41 monthly – $494 yearly
    • Full Coverage: $146 monthly – $1,747 yearly
  5. Hawaii: Low speed limits and relatively few severe accidents.
    • State Minimum: $47 monthly – $561 yearly
    • Full Coverage: $148 monthly – $1,773 yearly

How Car Insurance Rates Changed in 2026

Comparing the same insurers in the same ZIP codes, full-coverage rates for our benchmark driver fell about 3.6% between November 2025 and August 2026, based on insurers’ filed rates. Prices fell in 43% of those comparisons and rose in 21%; the rest were unchanged. State-minimum rates fell about 1%.

How we measure change: we compare each insurer’s lowest price for the same driver in the same ZIP code in each release of filed rates, so insurers entering or leaving a state don’t distort the trend. Your own renewal can still go up because of your driving record, claims, vehicle or location.

What is the Difference Between State Minimum Liability & Full Coverage Car Insurance?

Nationally, full coverage costs about 2.8 times the state-minimum price for the same driver: $2,806 versus $986 a year. Minimum liability and full coverage car insurance policies offer different levels of protection for drivers in their state, each with its own advantages and considerations. Here’s a breakdown of the major differences between each policy option:

How Much Do Higher Liability Limits Cost?

Once you’re paying for collision and comprehensive, raising your liability limits is relatively cheap. For our benchmark driver, moving from 50/100/50 to 100/300/100 limits adds about $136 a year, or roughly $11 a month, on average, based on insurers’ filed rates as of August 31, 2026. In about 1 in 5 quotes the higher limits were actually cheaper, because some insurers give drivers who choose higher limits a better rate. In Iowa, Missouri, Wisconsin, North Carolina, Oregon, Delaware, Wyoming, Ohio and Washington, D.C., 100/300/100 limits cost about the same as 50/100/50 or less. The upgrade costs the most in Nevada (about $631 a year), Florida ($563) and Louisiana ($454).

  1. Minimum Liability Coverage:
    • This is the minimum level of insurance required by law in most states.
    • It typically includes two types of coverage: bodily injury liability and property damage liability.
    • Bodily injury liability covers medical expenses, lost wages, and legal fees for injuries caused to other people in an accident where you’re at fault.
    • Property damage liability covers damage to another person’s property, such as their vehicle or home.
    • Minimum liability coverage limits vary by state but usually appear in a format like “25/50/25”, where:
      • $25,000 bodily injury liability per person
      • $50,000 bodily injury liability per accident
      • $25,000 property damage liability per accident
    • While it meets legal requirements, it may not provide sufficient coverage in accidents involving extensive damage or injuries.
  2. Full Coverage Car Insurance:
    • This is a more comprehensive insurance option that includes not only liability coverage but also additional protections for your own vehicle.
    • In addition to liability coverage, full coverage typically includes collision and comprehensive coverage.
    • Collision coverage pays for damage to your vehicle caused by a collision with another vehicle or object.
    • Comprehensive coverage pays for damage to your vehicle from incidents other than collisions, such as theft, vandalism, or natural disasters.
    • Full coverage policies usually have higher premiums compared to minimum liability coverage due to the broader range of protections.
    • Full coverage may be required if you have a loan or lease on your vehicle, as lenders often require you to protect their investment with comprehensive and collision coverage.

Considerations:

Ultimately, the choice between minimum liability and full coverage car insurance depends on your individual circumstances, budget, and preferences for risk management. It’s essential to carefully evaluate your options and choose the coverage that best suits your needs.

Why Do Auto Policy Costs Differ by State?

Car insurance rates can vary significantly by state due to a variety of factors such as population density, traffic congestion, weather patterns, crime rates, and state insurance regulations. Here’s a general overview of why car insurance rates differ across states:

  1. State regulations: Each state has its own set of insurance regulations, including requirements for minimum coverage levels, permissible rating factors, and approval processes for rate changes. These regulations can influence the pricing strategies of insurance companies operating within the state.
  2. Population Density: States with higher population densities tend to have more traffic congestion and a higher likelihood of accidents, leading to higher insurance rates. Examples include California, New York, and New Jersey.
  3. Weather Patterns: States prone to severe weather events such as hurricanes, tornadoes, or heavy snowfall may have higher insurance rates due to increased risk of vehicle damage. This includes states like Florida, Texas, and Colorado.
  4. Crime Rates: Areas with higher crime rates, especially auto theft and vandalism, often have higher insurance premiums. Urban areas or states with higher crime rates like Michigan, Louisiana, and Illinois may have higher insurance costs.
  5. State Insurance Regulations: Each state has its own insurance regulations and requirements, which can affect insurance rates. Some states have no-fault insurance laws, which may impact premiums. States with more stringent insurance regulations may have higher premiums.
  6. Medical Costs: States with higher medical costs typically have higher insurance rates due to the increased expenses associated with medical claims resulting from accidents. This includes states like Massachusetts and Connecticut.
  7. Uninsured Motorist Rates: The percentage of uninsured motorists in a state can also affect insurance rates. States with higher rates of uninsured drivers usually have higher risks that insurance companies take into account.
  8. Traffic congestion and accident rates: States with higher levels of traffic congestion and more frequent accidents typically have higher insurance premiums. This is because the likelihood of accidents and subsequent insurance claims is higher in areas with heavy traffic.
  9. Legal environment: Differences in tort liability systems between states can influence insurance costs. States with “no-fault” insurance systems tend to have higher insurance premiums because insurance companies must cover the costs of medical expenses regardless of fault, leading to increased claims costs.

What Factors Affect Your Car Insurance Rates?

Car insurance rates in your state can be influenced by several factors, including:

  1. Driving record: A clean driving record typically leads to lower premiums, while accidents, tickets, and DUI convictions can increase rates.
  2. Age and gender: Younger drivers, especially teenagers, tend to have higher rates due to their lack of driving experience. Additionally, statistics show that males are more likely to be involved in accidents than females, so gender can also affect rates.
  3. Location: Where you live can impact your insurance rates. Urban areas with higher traffic congestion and crime rates may have higher premiums compared to rural areas.
  4. Vehicle type: The make, model, and year of your vehicle can affect your insurance rates. Cars with high repair costs, high theft rates, or those that are more expensive to replace or repair generally have higher premiums.
  5. Driving Habits: How you use your car (e.g., for commuting, business, pleasure) and the number of miles you drive annually can affect your rates.
  6. Credit score: In many states, insurance companies use credit scores as a factor in determining rates. Individuals with lower credit scores may face higher premiums.
  7. Coverage limits and deductible: Higher coverage limits and lower deductibles typically result in higher premiums, while lower coverage limits and higher deductibles can lower premiums.
  8. Marital status: Married individuals tend to have lower rates compared to single individuals, as statistics suggest they are less likely to engage in risky driving behaviors.
  9. Previous insurance history: Continuous coverage and a history of making on-time payments may lead to discounts.
  10. Discounts: Insurance companies often offer discounts for factors such as bundling policies, having safety features in your car, completing driver education courses, or being a member of certain organizations.
  11. Claims history: Individuals with a history of making frequent claims may face higher premiums.
  12. Occupation: Some occupations are associated with lower risk, leading to lower premiums. For example, individuals with jobs that require a lot of driving may have higher rates.

How We Calculate These Rates

Every figure on this page comes from the rates insurers file with state regulators, applied to one consistent benchmark driver, so states can be compared fairly.

The driver. A 40-year-old single male with good credit (in states that allow credit to affect pricing) and a clean driving record, licensed for 24 years, driving an owned 2024 Toyota Camry LE for personal use, on a 12-month policy.

The coverage. State minimum uses the basic liability limits each state requires. Full coverage is $100,000/$300,000 bodily injury liability, $100,000 property damage liability, $100,000/$300,000 uninsured and underinsured motorist coverage, and $500 comprehensive and collision deductibles.

The geography and averaging. We price the same driver in 13,199 ZIP codes across all 50 states and Washington, D.C. In each ZIP code we take each insurer’s lowest eligible price once, even if it sells through several companies, then average across ZIP codes and insurers in the state.

Which quotes count. We include only quotes an insurer would actually offer this driver at that location. We exclude insurers that decline the risk, don’t write policies in that county, or require a membership or program this driver doesn’t have.

Known limits. In a few states, including California and Ohio, the basic coverage in insurers’ rating data may trail recent increases to the legal minimum. Arizona, Connecticut, Oklahoma, Tennessee and Virginia have three insurers in our data, and Nevada has four, so their averages reflect a narrower market.

Freshness. Insurers change their rates throughout the year. We update this page after each new release of filed rates. The as-of date at the top shows which release you’re seeing.

What this is not. These are modeled estimates for comparison, not quotes. Your own price depends on your age, driving history, vehicle, credit (where allowed), coverage choices and discounts. Compare real quotes for your situation using the form at the top of this page.

What is the average cost of car insurance per month in the United States?

For our benchmark driver, full coverage averages about $234 a month ($2,806 a year) nationally, and state-minimum coverage about $82 a month ($986 a year), based on insurers’ filed rates as of August 31, 2026. Your own rate depends mostly on where you live and your driving profile.

Which states have the cheapest car insurance in 2026?

For full coverage, Vermont ($1,546), Ohio ($1,638), New Hampshire ($1,728), Maine ($1,747) and Hawaii ($1,773) are the cheapest in our data, per year. For state-minimum coverage, South Dakota, Wyoming and Vermont are the lowest, at about $343–$376 a year.

Which states have the most expensive car insurance in 2026?

For full coverage, Nevada ($4,889), Michigan ($4,252), California ($3,979), Florida ($3,972) and Louisiana ($3,600) cost the most in our data, per year. Nevada’s figure is based on only four insurers.

How much does car insurance vary between states?

The same driver with the same full coverage pays about 3.2 times as much in Nevada as in Vermont, roughly $3,340 more a year.

What factors determine car insurance rates by state?

Key factors: minimum coverage requirements, no-fault vs. at-fault legal systems (no-fault costs more), population density and traffic, weather/catastrophe risk, litigation and fraud rates, and the percentage of uninsured drivers (higher rates mean more uncompensated claims passed to other policyholders).

Why is full coverage so much more than state minimum?

Full coverage adds collision and comprehensive, which pay to repair or replace your own car, plus higher liability limits. Nationally in our data, full coverage costs about 2.8 times the state-minimum price for the same driver.

How much more does higher liability coverage cost?

For our benchmark driver, raising liability limits from 50/100/50 to 100/300/100 adds about $136 a year, or roughly $11 a month, to a full-coverage policy on average, based on insurers’ filed rates as of August 31, 2026. In about 1 in 5 quotes the higher limits were actually cheaper, because some insurers give drivers who choose higher limits a better rate, so it’s worth pricing both.

Are car insurance rates going down in 2026?

For our benchmark driver, modestly: comparing the same insurers in the same ZIP codes, full-coverage rates fell about 3.6% between November 2025 and August 2026, and about 0.6% in the latest month, based on insurers’ filed rates. Your own rate can still rise at renewal because of your driving record, claims, vehicle or where you live.

How often are these rates updated?

After each new release of insurers’ filed rates, roughly monthly. The date above the table shows the release you’re viewing.

How do you calculate these averages?

We price one benchmark driver (a 40-year-old with good credit and a clean record, driving a 2024 Toyota Camry) using insurers’ filed rates in 13,199 ZIP codes. We count each insurer once per ZIP code at its lowest eligible price, then average by state. See “How We Calculate These Rates” above.

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