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Car Insurance Costs: Minimum Liability vs. Full Coverage
Before we share state-by-state average car insurance costs, let’s define some basic coverage types. Most states have minimum coverage requirements that include some combination of bodily injury liability and property damage liability. These types of insurance help pay for other drivers’ medical bills and repairs to other people’s property from accidents you cause. Some states also require uninsured motorist coverage, personal injury protection (PIP) or medical payments coverage (MedPay).
A full-coverage car insurance policy includes collision coverage and comprehensive coverage in addition to liability coverage. Collision insurance pays for repairs to your own vehicle after an accident, while comprehensive coverage protects your vehicle from damage caused by environmental factors like fallen tree limbs and other natural causes, theft and vandalism. If you have an auto loan, your lender will likely require you to carry a full-coverage policy.
National Average Car Insurance Cost
According to cost data from Quadrant Information Services, Americans pay an average of $2,008 per year or $167 per month for full-coverage car insurance. For minimum-liability coverage, the average cost is $627 per year or $52 per month.
Average Full-Coverage Car Insurance Rates by State
Car insurance costs vary widely by location due to each different state’s minimum insurance requirements and laws, local risk factors and more. To see how full-coverage rates compare nationwide, see the map below.
The table below shows average full-coverage car insurance rates for every state and the District of Columbia. All the following cost estimates are for a 35-year-old driver with good credit and a clean driving record.
| State | Average AnnualMinimum-Liability Premium | Average AnnualFull-Coverage Premium |
|---|---|---|
| Alabama | $502.00 | $1,775.00 |
| Alaska | $486.00 | $1,685.00 |
| Arizona | $635.00 | $2,008.00 |
| Arkansas | $451.00 | $2,038.00 |
| California | $602.00 | $2,313.00 |
| Colorado | $566.00 | $2,173.00 |
| Connecticut | $980.00 | $1,919.00 |
| Delaware | $686.00 | $2,218.00 |
| Washington D.C. | $1,194.00 | $2,881.00 |
| Florida | $1,385.00 | $3,244.00 |
| Georgia | $680.00 | $1,973.00 |
| Hawaii | $529.00 | $1,656.00 |
| Idaho | $378.00 | $1,402.00 |
| Illinois | $441.00 | $1,541.00 |
| Indiana | $432.00 | $1,587.00 |
| Iowa | $274.00 | $1,563.00 |
| Kansas | $475.00 | $1,918.00 |
| Kentucky | $682.00 | $2,522.00 |
| Louisiana | $925.00 | $3,040.00 |
| Maine | $380.00 | $1,238.00 |
| Maryland | $901.00 | $1,833.00 |
| Massachusetts | $754.00 | $2,430.00 |
| Michigan | $1,360.00 | $3,643.00 |
| Minnesota | $481.00 | $1,766.00 |
| Mississippi | $453.00 | $1,658.00 |
| Missouri | $560.00 | $2,104.00 |
| Montana | $398.00 | $1,979.00 |
| Nebraska | $356.00 | $1,871.00 |
| Nevada | $1,283.00 | $2,788.00 |
| New Hampshire | $415.00 | $1,362.00 |
| New Jersey | $1,332.00 | $2,513.00 |
| New Mexico | $536.00 | $1,943.00 |
| New York | $870.00 | $2,088.00 |
| North Carolina | $469.00 | $1,627.00 |
| North Dakota | $445.00 | $1,916.00 |
| Ohio | $536.00 | $1,599.00 |
| Oklahoma | $516.00 | $2,278.00 |
| Oregon | $953.00 | $1,925.00 |
| Pennsylvania | $437.00 | $1,981.00 |
| Rhode Island | $1,036.00 | $2,357.00 |
| South Carolina | $701.00 | $1,845.00 |
| South Dakota | $328.00 | $2,291.00 |
| Tennessee | $404.00 | $1,524.00 |
| Texas | $683.00 | $2,205.00 |
| Utah | $732.00 | $1,928.00 |
| Vermont | $310.00 | $1,199.00 |
| Virginia | $545.00 | $1,781.00 |
| Washington | $561.00 | $1,616.00 |
| West Virginia | $604.00 | $2,177.00 |
| Wisconsin | $408.00 | $1,694.00 |
| Wyoming | $308.00 | $1,702.00 |
States With the Lowest Average Full-Coverage Car Insurance Rates
For full-coverage auto policies, you’ll find the cheapest car insurance on average in the following states:
- Maine: $964 per year
- Ohio: $1,027 per year
- Vermont: $1,056 per year
- Idaho: $1,069 per year
- Virginia: $1,142 per year
States With the Highest Average Full-Coverage Car Insurance Rates
These are the most expensive states for full-coverage car insurance:
- Michigan: $3,785 per year
- Connecticut: $2,999 per year
- Florida: $2,947 per year
- New York: $2,783 per year
- Louisiana: $2,783 per year
Average Minimum-Liability Car Insurance Costs by State
The table below shows average minimum-liability coverage level costs in all 50 states and the District of Columbia.
| State | Average Monthly Cost | Average Annual Cost |
|---|---|---|
| Alabama | $39 | $472 |
| Alaska | $35 | $425 |
| Arizona | $56 | $670 |
| Arkansas | $36 | $428 |
| California | $52 | $627 |
| Colorado | $48 | $575 |
| Connecticut | $125 | $1,503 |
| Delaware | $78 | $941 |
| District of Columbia | $54 | $644 |
| Florida | $112 | $1,343 |
| Georgia | $56 | $673 |
| Hawaii | $52 | $625 |
| Idaho | $27 | $328 |
| Illinois | $44 | $527 |
| Indiana | $36 | $428 |
| Iowa | $24 | $283 |
| Kansas | $42 | $500 |
| Kentucky | $54 | $651 |
| Louisiana | $78 | $932 |
| Maine | $29 | $346 |
| Maryland | $81 | $972 |
| Massachusetts | $73 | $873 |
| Michigan | $134 | $1,604 |
| Minnesota | $50 | $605 |
| Mississippi | $37 | $439 |
| Missouri | $48 | $579 |
| Montana | $38 | $456 |
| Nebraska | $35 | $417 |
| Nevada | $85 | $1,015 |
| New Hampshire | $38 | $459 |
| New Jersey | $86 | $1,032 |
| New Mexico | $37 | $441 |
| New York | $123 | $1,472 |
| North Carolina | $42 | $503 |
| North Dakota | $31 | $377 |
| Ohio | $29 | $347 |
| Oklahoma | $37 | $443 |
| Oregon | $61 | $736 |
| Pennsylvania | $39 | $463 |
| Rhode Island | $67 | $804 |
| South Carolina | $52 | $626 |
| South Dakota | $24 | $290 |
| Tennessee | $35 | $415 |
| Texas | $54 | $642 |
| Utah | $57 | $681 |
| Vermont | $23 | $282 |
| Virginia | $41 | $490 |
| Washington | $48 | $578 |
| West Virginia | $43 | $517 |
| Wisconsin | $36 | $431 |
| Wyoming | $26 | $307 |
States With the Lowest Average Minimum-Liability Car Insurance Rates
The following states boast cheap car insurance rates for minimum-liability coverage:
- Vermont: $282 per year
- Iowa: $283 per year
- South Dakota: $290 per year
- Wyoming: $307 per year
- Idaho: $328 per year
States With the Highest Average Minimum-Liability Car Insurance Rates
Drivers in these states pay the highest rates on average for minimum-liability car insurance:
- Michigan: $1,604 per year
- Connecticut: $1,503 per year
- New York: $1,472 per year
- Florida: $1,343 per year
- New Jersey: $1,032 per year
Factors That Affect Car Insurance Costs
The price you pay for car insurance is determined by a wide range of variables. Providers focus on the following criteria when setting auto insurance premiums:
- Driving record: Drivers with speeding tickets, car accidents, driving under the influence (DUI) violations and other offenses on their records pay higher rates than those with clean driving histories.
- Credit history: Insurers evaluate credit scores as a way of determining financial responsibility.
- Age: Motorists with more experience behind the wheel pay lower rates than young drivers.
- Marital status: 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 location all affect premiums.
- Gender: The gender listed on your driver’s license has an impact on insurance costs. Male drivers usually pay higher rates than female drivers.
- Vehicle type: Luxury cars and high-performance vehicles are among the vehicle types that come with above-average insurance costs.
The Bottom Line: Car Insurance Rates by State
The average cost of car insurance can vary significantly from one state to another. Drivers in Michigan, Connecticut and Florida pay some of the highest auto coverage rates in the nation. Vermont and Idaho are two of the cheapest states for both full-coverage policies and minimum-liability insurance.
Top Auto Insurance Recommendations
Wherever you live, the way to find the best price on auto coverage is to compare car insurance quotes from multiple providers. Travelers and State Farm, 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 that offers a variety of coverage options, plentiful discounts and affordable rates. The company’s IntelliDrive®program that can reduce insurance costs through safe driving habits. Travelers offers a variety of discounts for good drivers and similar discounts for customers with multiple covered vehicles. The company holds an A++ financial strength ratingfrom AM Best and anA ratingfrom BBB.
Keep reading: Travelers insurance review
State Farm: Best Customer Experience
State Farm’s variety of coverage options, competitive rates and excellent industry reputation makes the provider take one of the top spots in our insurance reviews. The company offers standard auto coverage options along with a range of add-on policies. Drive Safe & Save™ is State Farm’s usage-based program, which allows drivers to save up to 30% upon policy renewal if they display safe driving habits while enrolled.
Keep reading: State Farm insurance review
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 a lot to pay for car insurance. The national average costs for car insurance are $52 per month for minimum-liability coverage and $167 per month for a full-coverage auto insurance policy. However, costs vary widely based on location, so $200 may be closer to the average cost of coverage in your state.
Yes, a higher credit score leads to lower car insurance rates in all states except California, Hawaii, Massachusetts and Michigan. Your age, gender, driving record and where you live also play key roles in determining the cost of car insurance.
Our data shows Michigan has the highest car insurance on average with full-coverage rates of $3,785 per year or $315 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:
- Cost: Auto insurance rate estimates generated by Quadrant Information Services and discount opportunities were both taken into consideration.
- Coverage: Companies that offer a variety of choices for insurance coverage are more likely to meet consumer needs.
- Reputation and experience: Our research team considered market share, ratings from industry experts and years in business when giving this score.
- Availability: Auto insurance companies with greater state availability and few eligibility requirements scored highest in this category.
- Customer experience: This score is based on volume of complaints reported by the NAIC and customer satisfaction ratings reported by J.D. Power. We also considered the responsiveness, friendliness and helpfulness of each insurance company’s customer service team based on our own shopper analysis.
Our credentials:
- 800 hours researched
- 45 companies reviewed
- 8,500+ consumers surveyed
*Data accurate at time of publication.
