Average Cost of Car Insurance

If you’re actively shopping for car insurance, you may be curious what others are paying for their coverage.

While it’s hard to get an apples to apples comparison given all the options and variables, such as driver history, type of car, applied discounts, and so on, it can still serve as a barometer to what you might pay (how are car insurance rates determined).

The table below displays the “average cost of car insurance by state,” broken down by liability coverage, collision coverage, and comprehensive coverage.

Generally, only liability insurance is required in each state, so this breakdown will give you a better overall picture of what the associated costs might be with some or all options included.

The data is based on 2007 auto insurance premiums, the latest available, as provided by the National Association of Insurance Commissioners and reported by the Insurance Information Institute (III).

Per the III, car insurance is more expensive in states where the economy is healthy, as it leads to the purchase of newer cars and higher associated coverage to protect those vehicles.

States with large urban areas and high traffic density also increase car insurance rates, as do higher theft rates and minimum liability limits.

Using the numbers below, you can see how your car insurance rate stacks up to the average in your state, and the average in the nation, which is $795.

If you’re paying a higher insurance premium than the average driver, be sure to ask your auto insurance company or independent agent to explain why.

Read more: How can I lower my car insurance rate?

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