How Much Auto Insurance Costs in Each State
Auto insurance is crucial no matter where in the United States you may live, but the going rates for car insurance vary. Below, you’ll find a breakdown of the average auto insurance rates in every state based on statistics from bankrate.com, from Alabama to Wyoming.
Alabama
The Cotton State may surprise you with its auto insurance premiums. On average, the cheapest auto insurance costs $2,055 per year for full coverage, and a measly $501 for the bare minimum. This is significantly lower than the national averages, but we can’t exactly speak to the quality of the service you may receive there.
Alaska
Like Alabama, auto insurance in Alaska falls below the national average rates, with full coverage costing $2,478 per year and minimum coverage costing a paltry $513 per year. That said, due to the state’s generally harsh climate, comprehensive claims may be more common.
Arizona
Unfortunately for Arizona drivers, you’ll likely end up paying slightly more than the national average for both full and minimum coverage. Full coverage is $2,771 per year, while minimum coverage will set you back $828, in comparison to the national averages of $2,677 and $807, respectively.
Arkansas
Folks driving in Arkansas can breathe a sigh of relief at the going rates for auto insurance in the state. Arkansas residents pay roughly $2,410 for full coverage and $495 for minimum coverage. These rates loosely match up with those found in the neighboring states of Missouri and Mississippi.
California
For the rich and famous, the Golden State may well be a paradise on earth. For everyone else, however, it’s nightmarishly expensive, with auto insurance rates being a full 16 percent more than the national average. This is due to a variety of factors, including the state’s generally high cost of living and its low-ranking infrastructure.
Colorado
Unfortunately for Colorado drivers, you’re likely to end up paying much more than the national average for full coverage. Minimum coverage is slightly less than average, however, but due to the amount of car accidents and auto thefts in the state, comprehensive claims are more likely, and so you’re probably better off going for full coverage anyway.
Connecticut
Connecticut drivers may end up paying a full $1,057 just for minimum coverage, in contrast to the national average of $807. This is likely due to the population density of the state. Despite having far less urban density than New York, for example, Connecticut still maintains a huge population.
Delaware
Despite being a smaller state than some of its neighbors, Delaware has a pretty high number of registered drivers, all tightly compartmentalized within the state’s small urban scapes. As such, Delaware drivers tend to pay more than the national average for even the minimum coverage for their vehicles, but still slightly less than neighboring New Jersey.
Florida
Unfortunately for drivers in the Sunshine State, you can expect to pay quite a bit more than the national average for auto insurance. Full coverage will set you back a whopping $3,864 per year. These high rates are most likely due to Florida’s often volatile weather patterns, where storms, hurricanes, and even tornadoes are likely occurrences.
Georgia
Folks in Georgia can breathe a sigh of relief at not having to pay nearly as much for auto insurance as residents in neighboring Florida. Full coverage - $2,863 - is still well above the national average, however, with neighboring state South Carolina only paying $1,955 per year, a full 32% less than Georgia.
Hawaii
Despite maintaining a similarly “volatile” climate to Florida, Hawaii residents still pay less than the national average for auto insurance. This is likely due to the state’s strict laws regarding what can and cannot be considered when determining a driver’s premiums. States like Alaska, for example, have no such limitations and thus tend to have much higher rates.
Idaho
Idaho drivers can rest assured that they’ll be paying well below the national average for their auto insurance. Full coverage will only set you back around $1,442, which is nearly 63 percent lower than neighboring Montana, and much, much lower than California, likely due to the state’s lower population density.
Illinois
Illinois residents will probably end up paying close to the national average for their auto insurance. At $2,479 per year for full coverage, this is slightly lower than the rates found in neighboring Missouri, but still much higher than Indiana, likely due to Illinois' greater urban density.
Indiana
Indiana residents can enjoy some fantastic, competitive rates for all their auto insurance needs. On average, you’ll pay $1,720 per year for full coverage, and $446 for minimum. While various factors affect auto insurance rates in any given state, it’s worth noting that the number of registered drivers on Indiana’s roads has dropped significantly, which has led to fewer accidents and, in turn, lower auto insurance rates.
Iowa
Like Indiana, auto insurance rates in Iowa are kept well below the national average. You’ll pay around $1,939 for full coverage, and $330 for minimum. These rates are likely due to Iowa’s relatively low population density, due to vast swaths of the state being rural.
Kansas
Kansas auto insurance rates hew pretty close to the national averages. You’ll pay around $2,497 per year for full coverage, and $579 for minimum. It’s worth noting, however, that while these rates may be higher than expected, the average cost of living in Kansas is otherwise quite low, and comprehensive claims may be more uncommon due to its low population density.
Kentucky
Like Kansas drivers, Kentucky residents can expect to pay close to the national average for their auto insurance needs, around $2,658 for full coverage, and $735 for minimum. These rates - which are higher than some of its neighbors’ - could be due to Kentucky’s increased likelihood of tornadoes and other extreme weather patterns.
Louisiana
Louisiana drivers have it pretty bad when it comes to their auto insurance rates. At $3,954 per year for full coverage, this is way above the national average and is most likely due to the economic strain that auto accidents may cause the state’s economy.
Maine
Residents of Stephen King’s home state have it great when it comes to their auto insurance rates. You’ll likely pay no more than $1,631 for full coverage, and $418 for the minimum. That makes Maine’s auto insurance rates some of the lowest in the entire country, likely due to the state’s relatively low population density.
Maryland
Maryland motorists can expect to pay close to the national average for their auto insurance needs. Full coverage is $2,917 per year, which is 9% higher than the national average. This could be due to the average number of auto accidents in the state, an average of 110,000 per year, which is pretty high given the state’s relatively low population density.
Massachusetts
Despite maintaining a high population, auto insurance rates in Massachusetts are relatively low at $2,058 per year for full coverage, and $711 for minimum. It’s worth noting that Massachusetts state laws prevent insurers from considering certain factors - including gender and income - when determining premiums.
Michigan
Unfortunately for Michigan motorists, you’re likely to end up paying well above the national average for your auto insurance. This is likely due to the state’s many crowded roadways, which inevitably lead to more accidents than states with fewer roadways. As well, Michigan has a pretty high number of uninsured drivers, too, leading to higher premiums for everyone else.
Minnesota
Residents of the North Star State are likely to pay close to the national average for their auto insurance, around $2,568 per year for full coverage, and $717 for minimum. These rates are much higher than some of Minnesota’s neighbors, likely due to the amount of snow the state gets, which leads to slippery roads and more accidents.
Mississippi
Mississippi drivers can expect to pay close to the national average rates for their auto insurance. At $2,318 for full coverage and $525 for minimum coverage, these rates are much lower than those found in neighboring Louisiana and slightly higher than neighboring Alabama.
Missouri
Like Minnesota and Mississippi residents, drivers in Missouri pay close to the national average for their auto insurance needs, around $2,495 for full coverage, and $635 for minimum. These rates are still higher than neighboring states, which is likely due to Missouri’s high volume of uninsured drivers and high rates of vehicle theft.
Montana
Montana residents can breathe a sigh of relief at having to pay slightly less than the national average for their auto insurance. You’ll pay around $2,355 for full coverage, and only $400 for minimum coverage, less than half of the national average. Despite this, Montana’s auto insurance rates are still higher than many of its neighbors.
Nebraska
Residents of the Cornhusker State will pay, on average, around $2,406 per year for full coverage, and $519 for minimum. Nebraska falls somewhere in the middle when compared to its neighbors: Kansas residents tend to pay more, while South Dakota drivers pay slightly less.
Nevada
Unfortunately for Nevada drivers, you can expect to pay well above the national average for your auto insurance needs. Nevada drivers pay $3,639 per year for full coverage, and $1,086 for the bare minimum, likely due to the state’s high volume of auto accidents, which involve drugs or alcohol.
New Hampshire
New Hampshire residents get to enjoy lower-than-average auto insurance rates, at $1,735 per year for full coverage, and just $465 for minimum. The state falls somewhere in between the rates offered by their neighbors, Massachusetts and Vermont, likely due to their lower population density.
New Jersey
Unfortunately for residents of the big NJ, you can expect to pay well above the national averages for your auto insurance, $3,008 per year for full coverage, and a staggering $1,303 just for the minimum. This is still lower than neighboring New York, but also much higher than neighboring Pennsylvania.
New Mexico
Residents of New Mexico can expect to pay, on average, $2,160 per year for full coverage, and $450 for minimum. This is quite a bit lower than its neighbors, Colorado and Arizona, most likely due to New Mexico’s lower population density and relatively stable weather patterns.
New York
Residents of the Big Apple and surrounding locales can expect to pay a hefty amount for their auto insurance, around $4,031 per year for full coverage, and $1,729. This is likely due to New York’s staggeringly high population density, as well as the state’s higher minimum insurance requirements.
North Carolina
In North Carolina, drivers will pay, on average, around $1,955 per year for full coverage and $661, both of which are well below the national average rates. This could be due to the fact that many parts of the state are shielded from severe weather, and also have much lower population densities.
North Dakota
Residents of North Dakota will pay, on average, $1,799 per year for full coverage, and only $397 for minimum coverage. These low rates are likely due to the state’s low population density, as well as its lower-than-average auto theft rates.
Ohio
Residents of the Buckeye State can expect to pay well below the national average for their auto insurance needs, around $1,806 for full coverage and a mere $482 for minimum coverage. These rates are not only lower than the national average, but also those found in neighbouring states, Pennsylvania and Michigan.
Oklahoma
Oklahoma residents tend to pay more than the national average rates for full coverage auto insurance, around $2,737. Minimum coverage is slightly lower than average at $557, however.
Oregon
Oregon residents can expect to pay around $2,198 per year for full coverage, and $911 for minimum coverage. Oregon is much less densely populated than neighboring California, and also has a below-average crime rate, thus leading to cheaper premiums overall.
Pennsylvania
Pennsylvania residents will pay around $2,386 per year for full coverage, and $521 for minimum coverage. These rates are not only lower than the national averages, but also much lower than neighbors New Jersey and New York.
Rhode Island
Unfortunately, for many Rhode Island drivers, you will likely end up paying more than the national average at $2,959 per year for full coverage, and $910 for minimum coverage, though rates may still fluctuate depending on your specific location.
South Carolina
The going rates for auto insurance in South Carolina almost perfectly match those found in neighboring North Carolina, around $1,955 for full coverage and $625 for minimum coverage, both of which are well below the national averages.
South Dakota
Auto insurance in South Dakota tends to be lower than the national average on the whole. Full coverage typically costs around $2,277 per year (which is higher than in North Dakota), and $370 for minimum coverage.
Tennessee
Tennessee auto coverage costs around $1,991 for full coverage, and $504 for minimum coverage, likely due to the relatively low traffic levels outside of Nashville.
Texas
Texans pay only slightly below the national averages, around $2,601 per year for full coverage, and $807 for minimum coverage. This is still significantly lower than rates found in neighboring Louisiana and Colorado.
Utah
Residents of Utah will pay around $2,098 for full coverage, and $807 per year for minimum coverage. These rates are much lower than those found in neighboring Arizona and Nevada.
Vermont
Vermont residents tend to pay much lower than the national average for their insurance premiums. It costs roughly $1,489 for full coverage and $322 for minimum coverage.
Virginia
Residents of Virginia tend to pay much lower than the national averages for auto insurance rates, around $2,142 for full coverage, and $756 for the minimum, which is still somewhat higher than rates found in neighboring states.
Washington
Washington drivers luck out with their auto insurance rates, around $1,895 per year for full coverage, and only $576 for minimum coverage, significantly less than rates found in nearby California.
Washington, D. C.
Washington, D.C. drivers, meanwhile, can expect to pay slightly more than the national average, around $2,802 per year for full coverage, and $866 for minimum coverage.
West Virginia
Residents of West Virginia will likely end up paying around $2,178 per year for full auto coverage, and $551 for minimum. These rates are lower than the national average, but still higher than those found in its neighboring states.
Wisconsin
Wisconsin auto coverage rates are relatively low, around $1,921 for full coverage and $454 for the minimum, likely due to the state’s relatively low number of road accidents.
Wyoming
Finally, residents of Wyoming can expect to pay well below the national average, around $1,759 for full coverage, and $263 for the minimum.
