Car insurance rates by state for May 2024

Alabama

According to the Reason Foundation’s Annual Highway Report, Alabama’s highway system ranks 15th in terms of overall conditions. While Alabama experiences its fair share of volatile weather and crime, its low living costs help to keep car insurance costs cheap. Residents here typically pay slightly less than the national average with an average cost of full coverage in Alabama sitting at $2,116 per year.

Alaska

Alaska drivers pay slightly less for their auto insurance on average than the typical American driver. While Alaska has a poorly rated highway infrastructure, its low cost of living and low population density help keep car insurance costs relatively low. The average premium for full coverage in Alaska is lower than the national average at $2,336 per year.

Arizona

Arizona drivers typically pay around 11 percent more per year for full coverage auto insurance than the national average, at $2,543 annually. Arizona’s roadways rank middle-of-the-road, and the state’s cost of living is average. Together, these factors likely contribute to Arizona’s car insurance rates being slightly cheaper than the national average.

Arkansas

Average annual Arkansas full coverage car insurance rates are 6 percent less than the national average. While the state does experience natural disasters like severe storms and flooding, it also has a relatively low population density, which may help even out average auto insurance premiums.

California

Average full coverage car insurance in California costs 15 percent more per year than the national average. High insurance costs in the Golden State could be due to California’s sky-high cost of living and the state’s low-ranking infrastructure, which can make finding cheap car insurance a challenge. Additionally, according to a Texas A&M report, California is home to two of the top five most congested large urban areas, with average commuters near Los Angeles and San Francisco spending more than 100 extra hours in traffic in 2019.

California's legislative and regulatory environment may also influences insurance costs. The state's restrictions on using credit scores in determining insurance rates means that insurers may rely more heavily on other factors such as driving history and the type of vehicle insured, which can lead to higher premiums for certain drivers​.

Colorado

Colorado’s full coverage car insurance rates are, on average, 28 percent more per year than the rest of the country. High insurance costs in the state could be related to the state’s poor road conditions and relatively high rate of uninsured motorists.

Connecticut

Car insurance in Connecticut costs 9 percent more per year for full coverage than the rest of the country, on average. Connecticut has a low crime rate, including vehicle thefts, which may contribute to lower rates in the state. Interestingly enough, Connecticut law requires drivers to have higher liability limits and to carry uninsured/underinsured motorist coverage, which should theoretically result in higher insurance costs. Based on our findings, Connecticut car insurance rates are typically cheap.

Delaware

Delaware’s average annual full coverage car insurance rates are 8 percent more than the national average. The state’s poorly-rated highway infrastructure and high population density could be partly responsible for these above-average rates.

Florida

Florida’s average car insurance costs are some of the highest in the country. This is partially due to the high number of uninsured drivers, elevated population density, high fatal accident rate and extremely costly hurricane damage. On top of these issues, Florida is also rife with insurance-related problems, like abundant insurance fraud and high costs of reinsurance. All of these things combined make Florida’s insurance market one of the most challenging — and expensive — for auto insurance companies to work in, which in turn makes finding an affordable policy an uphill battle.

Georgia

Average full coverage car insurance rates in Georgia are about on par with the national average at $2,578 per year. Georgia experiences natural disasters like tornadoes and hurricanes and has a high fatal accident rate, but it also has a highly-rated highway infrastructure system and fairly low population density.

Hawaii

Despite Hawaii’s high cost of living, car insurance in the state is relatively cheap. Full coverage car insurance in the Aloha State costs 29 percent less than the national average per year. Honolulu, Hawaii is also known for its efficient public transit system, which allows residents to travel without using their cars. Hawaii also has fewer licensed drivers than most other states, according to the Federal Highway Administration, which could contribute to lower car insurance rates.

Hawaii’s insurance laws are some of the most robust in the country. Hawaii law strictly limits which rating factors insurers are allowed to use when calculating your car insurance rate. Insurers are prohibited from considering credit-based insurance score, marital status, age and gender when setting your premium.

Idaho

Idaho’s average annual full coverage car insurance rates are some of the cheapest in the country, coming in 42 percent less than the national average. Car insurance rates in Idaho may remain low due to the state’s low population density, low number of licensed drivers and highly-ranked infrastructure. Of any state in the U.S., Idaho drivers also spend one of the fewest hours in urbanized traffic congestion, which could also contribute to low car insurance rates.

Illinois

On average, drivers in Illinois pay $2,068 annually for full coverage — 10 percent less per year than the national average. Illinois sits in the middle of the pack when it comes to the cost of living and highway infrastructure quality, but average rates may be lower due to the state’s low fatal accident rate and relatively low population density outside of the Chicago metropolitan area.

Indiana

Indiana drivers pay an average of 28 percent less per year than the national average for full coverage car insurance. Despite ranking in the top 15 states for most uninsured motorists, Indiana likely sees cheap rates partially due to the state’s low population density.

Iowa

In Iowa, drivers spend an average of 23 percent less per year for full coverage insurance than the national average. Low vehicle maintenance costs, a low cost of living and low population density may contribute to cheap insurance costs in Iowa. In addition, Iowa drivers spend less time in traffic on their commute than drivers in most other states.

Kansas

Kansas drivers pay 8 percent more per year than the national annual average for full coverage car insurance. The state ranks in the middle of the pack for accident fatality rate, population density and number of licensed drivers – which may be why the state’s average rate for car insurance is so close to the national average.

Kentucky

Kentucky drivers typically spend 17 percent more per year on their full coverage car insurance than the national average. Average car insurance costs in the Bluegrass State may be high due to high fatality rates on state roadways and a relatively high number of uninsured drivers.

Louisiana

Louisiana’s average annual full coverage car insurance rates are sky-high, coming in at 58 percent more than the national average. Car insurance in Louisiana may be expensive because of the state’s high accident fatality rate, poorly-rated highway infrastructure and volatile weather patterns. Louisiana drivers may need to do a little more research in order to lock in a cheap rate.

Maine

Full coverage car insurance in Maine costs around 34 percent less per year than the national average. Cheap car insurance in the Pine Tree State may be due to the state’s low population density, low motorist fatality rate, few uninsured drivers and fairly cheap cost of living.

Maryland

Maryland car insurance costs are very close to the national average. In general, Maryland drivers pay 10 percent more per year than the national average for full coverage car insurance. Maryland has a poorly-rated highway system, but its rates of uninsured drivers are fairly standard, and it has a low fatal accident rate. Depending on where you live in Maryland, it could be much harder to find cheap car insurance. Minimum car insurance rates in Baltimore, for instance, are just over 81 percent more expensive than the national average.

Massachusetts

Despite Massachusetts’ high cost of living and deficient highway infrastructure, drivers in the Bay State pay an average of 28 percent less per year than the national average for full coverage car insurance. These low rates could be due to Boston’s reliable public transportation system and the fact that the state has the second-lowest percentage of uninsured drivers in the country.

Michigan

If you’re looking for car insurance in the Great Lakes State, you may have to pay a steep price. Michiganders generally pay 28 percent more per year for their full coverage car insurance than other U.S. drivers. Car insurance rates in Michigan may be especially high due to Michigan’s high proportion of uninsured drivers. The state also has more stringent car insurance coverage requirements than many other states and precludes car insurance companies from using several standard non-driving rating factors, such as credit rating and ZIP code, when calculating premiums.

Minnesota

In Minnesota, drivers typically spend about 4 percent more for car insurance per year compared to the national average. Minnesota ranks middle-of-the-road for cost of living, infrastructure quality, population density and number of licensed drivers.

Mississippi

Average Mississippi drivers pay 7 percent less than the national average for full coverage car insurance, but urban areas with high congestion may experience more expensive rates. Mississippi has the highest rate of car accident deaths per 100,000 people and the highest proportion of uninsured drivers of any state. However, the cost of living is relatively low, which may help bring down rates despite these other factors.

Missouri

Missouri’s average annual full coverage car insurance rates are 12 percent more than the national average. Although the state has a high rate of vehicle thefts and uninsured motorists, it has a highly-rated highway system and fairly low population density.

Montana

Montana residents typically pay 5 percent more per year than the average U.S. driver for their full coverage auto insurance. Montana has a low population density and low rate of uninsured motorists, which may contribute to its below-average rates.

Nebraska

In line with Nebraska’s low cost of living and low population density, the state’s drivers pay 8 percent less per year compared to the national average for full coverage car insurance.

Nevada

Nevada residents pay 31 percent more per year on average for their full coverage car insurance than the average U.S. driver. These high rates could be due in part to Nevada’s high vehicle theft rate, especially around Las Vegas.

New Hampshire

New Hampshire drivers typically pay significantly less for their car insurance than the average American. Despite not having minimum car insurance requirements, average New Hampshire drivers pay nearly 28 percent less than the average American for a full coverage policy. Low population density, low vehicle theft rates and a low fatal accident rate likely all contribute to these cheap average rates.

New Jersey

Drivers in the Garden State experience high rates of traffic congestion, especially around Newark. Despite this, New Jersey drivers pay 4 percent more, on average, than the national average for full coverage car insurance. However, minimum coverage rates could increase in the near future. In 2022, the New Jersey legislature passed new laws raising minimum insurance requirements. The new requirements will be rolled out in two phases: at the beginning of 2023 and beginning of 2026, and drivers who opt for minimum coverage car insurance could see their rates increase by $99 to $200 per year.

New Mexico

New Mexico drivers pay around 3 percent less for their full coverage car insurance per year than the national average. New Mexico has a comparatively low cost of living compared to many states and low population density, which could both contribute to the lower-than-average cost of car insurance in the state.

New York

With the highest average cost for minimum coverage car insurance in the nation, New York drivers typically pay significantly more for car insurance than the average U.S. driver. And New York minimum car insurance could get even more expensive, due to new state requirements. Beginning August 2023, New York auto insurance providers are required to include spousal liability coverage in all policies unless the policyholder declines it in writing.

The state’s average full coverage premium of $3,672 may be largely due to the high number of fraudulent insurance claims made each year, in addition to its over 12 million registered vehicles and high population density.

North Carolina

North Carolinians typically pay 23 percent less per year for full coverage car insurance than the national average — $1,775 vs. $2,299, respectively. In the capital city of Raleigh, car insurance is even cheaper at $1,715 for full coverage. North Carolina’s high-ranking highway system, mild weather and fairly low cost of living could contribute to these lower-than-average rates.

North Dakota

According to the Reason Foundation study, North Dakota’s highway infrastructure ranks ninth-best in the country. North Dakota drivers typically pay 26 percent less annually for full coverage car insurance than the average American driver. In addition to the state’s great highways, these cheap rates may be attributed to low instances of fatal crashes, low population density and a low number of licensed drivers.

Ohio

Ohio is one of the cheapest states for full coverage car insurance on average, with drivers paying $1,485 per year. The lower average cost of coverage may in part be due to Ohio’s mix of rural and suburban roads, helping to break up what may otherwise be a heavy concentration of traffic.

Oklahoma

Oklahoma drivers pay an average full coverage insurance rate very close to the national average. This rate is in line with the state’s low population density and low cost of living, but poor rural road conditions and a high accident fatality rate may keep average rates from being lower.

Oregon

Despite Oregon’s high cost of living, drivers in the state pay 16 percent less per year than the national average for full coverage car insurance. On average, full coverage here costs $1,920 per year and minimum coverage costs $788. Relatively affordable insurance rates in the Beaver State could be due to its low population density, mild weather and well-kept rural and urban roads.

Pennsylvania

Pennsylvania drivers pay an average of 8 percent more per year for full coverage car insurance than the average U.S. driver. Pennsylvania’s high population density drive average rates up, but its low rate of accident fatalities and uninsured drivers balance it out. Most Pennsylvania drivers adhere to the state’s insurance laws, as it has the sixth-lowest recorded number of uninsured drivers.

Rhode Island

Rhode Island residents pay an average of $2,875 per year for full coverage car insurance. This below-average rate is likely due to the state’s low traffic fatality rate and low crime rates. However, the state has a poorly-rated highway infrastructure system and high rate of uninsured drivers, which may prevent rates from being even lower.

South Carolina

South Carolina motorists pay an average full coverage premium that is 18 percent less than average U.S. drivers. South Carolina’s low cost of living, low population density and mild weather may contribute to affordable average car insurance rates in the Palmetto State.

South Dakota

Drivers in the Mount Rushmore State spend 3 percent less than the national average for full coverage car insurance. These low rates may be attributed to a low population density and a low number of uninsured drivers.

Tennessee

Tennessee drivers typically pay around 16 percent less per year for full coverage auto insurance than the average American. Although the Volunteer State has the third-highest proportion of uninsured drivers, it’s ranked third in terms of highway performance and has a fairly low population density, which may bring rates down.

Texas

Texas drivers pay average full coverage rates 6 percent more than the national average. While the state claims average rankings in cost of living and highway performance, Texas has a high number of annual vehicle thefts and the metropolitan areas of Houston, Dallas-Fort Worth and Austin frequently experience severe traffic congestion. Because of this, finding cheap car insurance in those areas could be a challenge.

Utah

Drivers in the Beehive State pay an average of 10 percent less per year for full coverage car insurance than drivers in the rest of the country. Utah has a low crime rate and a low number of fatal crashes each year – both factors which may contribute to lower average auto insurance premiums in the state.

Vermont

Vermont drivers pay some of the lowest average car insurance rates in the country with an average full coverage premium of $1,380 per year. Vermont has one of the lowest crime rates in the country, relatively few fatal crashes and a low number of licensed drivers. These factors may contribute to cheaper average car insurance costs in the state.

Virginia

Virginia residents spend an average of 15 percent less per year on full coverage car insurance than other drivers in the U.S. Virginia has a very low fatal accident rate and highly-rated highway infrastructure, but an average number of uninsured motorists may keep rates from being lower.

Washington

Despite the state’s high cost of living, Washington residents spend almost 31 percent less per year on full coverage car insurance than the national average. Washington experiences relatively few fatal crashes each year compared to other states. In addition, the state has low population density and mild weather patterns, which could contribute to relatively affordable car insurance in the state.

Washington, D.C.

The average annual cost of full coverage car insurance in Washington, D.C. is 10 percent more expensive than the national average. The nation’s capital has a population density around 10 times higher than any state, which contributes to congestion and potential car accidents. On the other hand, the small size of Washington, D.C. means widespread access to some form of public transportation.

West Virginia

West Virginia residents typically spend 11 percent less per year on their full coverage car insurance than the national average. West Virginians may spend less on their car insurance due to the state’s low crime rate, low cost of living and low number of licensed drivers.

Wisconsin

On average, Wisconsin drivers spend just $1,735 on full coverage car insurance, which is 25 percent less than the nationwide average. Wisconsin has one of the lowest population densities in the country. The state also has a low crime rate and a low cost of living. Together, these factors may account for lower-than-average premiums in the Badger State.

Wyoming

Wyoming has a very low population density and low number of licensed drivers but a high accident fatality rate. These factors likely contribute to the state’s average full coverage premium of $1,667 per year.