What is the Average Price of Car Insurance?

By State

Each state has its own minimum coverage requirements, accident rates, car theft rates, DUI rates, and other factors that impact the cost of car insurance. See the average rate in your state below.

To give some context for the state-by-state breakdown, the national average is $1,047.¹ Some ZIP codes have higher or lower average rates than others in the same state, depending on factors such as population density and auto theft rates.

By Company

By Age

The below numbers from Progressive demonstrate how auto insurance rates for teens are higher than for any other age group, as they have the least driving experience on average. But the good news for parents is that car insurance rates decrease the older your teen gets because of the driving experience they typically gain. Prices usually increase again for those age 75 or older, because seniors are often more likely to be in car accidents.

By Gender

Except in a few states that ban gender discrimination, men pay more for car insurance than female drivers. No, this isn’t just reverse sexism at work: Studies show men have higher DUI rates and are more likely to die in traffic accidents than women, leading to costly claims. That’s why men pay an average of $1,323.21 per year for car insurance, compared with $1,210.57 for women.

By Driving History

If you have a spotty driving record full of DUIs, at-fault accidents, and/or tickets, you’ll have higher auto insurance costs than someone with a clean driving record. That speeding ticket may cost you more than you think — not just a fine but also increased auto insurance rates.

By Credit Score

Every state except New Hampshire, Michigan, California, and Hawaii gives people with bad credit higher car insurance rates. That means you’ll likely save money if you have a good credit score in any other state.

• Homeownership: Homeowners can expect lower rates than renters.
• Mileage: People who drive more give themselves more opportunities for collisions. Those who drive less can save money with usage-based insurance.
• Policy: Not surprisingly, minimum coverage costs less than full coverage.

1. Adjust your deductible. If you raise your deductible on your collision and comprehensive coverage, your premium will decrease.
2. Drop coverages you don’t need. You can save money by getting rid of any coverages that aren’t required by law, such as rental car coverage and roadside assistance.
3. Lower your limits. You can also drop your limits down to the state minimums if you feel confident paying more for a covered claim.
4. Shop the entire market. How can you know you’re getting the best rates if you only have a quote from one company? You can’t. To find the cheapest car insurance, you’ll need to get quotes from multiple companies. Don’t be afraid to switch providers if you find a more reasonable rate.
5. Get discounts. Every company offers discounts, so ask your agent about the insurer’s savings options.
6. Bundle policies. Have homeowners’ insurance or another type of policy? Bundle them under the same provider to get a loyalty discount.

Not every state requires auto insurance through an insurance company. The two exceptions are Virginia and New Hampshire. However, you don’t get off scot-free in those states, as you’ll have to meet other financial responsibility requirements in place of paying a car insurance premium.

Virginia

In Virginia, rather than getting a personal auto insurance policy, you can pay a $500 uninsured motorist fee to the DMV.⁵

While averages can give you a rough estimate of what you’ll pay for car insurance, you’ll need to share some personal information to get a custom quote online — and even those quotes aren’t entirely accurate. To truly find out what an insurance company will charge you, you’ll need to apply for a policy, so don’t be afraid to contact an insurance agent or broker to find the right auto insurer for you.