CarInsurance.com Insights

  • Louisiana, Florida and Washington, D.C. drivers pay the highest car insurance rates in the nation.
  • Vermont, New Hampshire and Maine have the cheapest car insurance rates.
  • The national average annual cost for a full-coverage policy is $2,513.

The average cost of car insurance varies wildly depending on your home state. Drivers in Louisiana, Florida and Washington, D.C. pay the most for car insurance nationwide, while drivers in Vermont, New Hampshire and Maine have the cheapest car insurance.

Every state has its own car insurance laws and requirements, and that’s one reason why car insurance rates by state vary dramatically.

Additionally, auto insurers assign risk levels to ZIP codes based on the number of uninsured drivers and the frequency of thefts, collisions and vandalism to gauge the likelihood of such incidents in an area.

Car insurance rates by state
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Car insurance in state

Average car insurance rates by state

CarInsurance.com gathered car insurance premium data from every state for nearly every ZIP, so you can see how much car insurance costs in your state. The editors included data on which states offer the cheapest car insurance by state, on average, and which states have the most expensive car insurance rates.

The national average annual cost for a full-coverage policy is $2,513, but laws in your state and your driving profile and vehicle profile can cause rates to vary.

The editors’ findings might surprise you.

Some of the states with the lowest average annual car insurance premium rates are states where the cost of living, on average, is higher. Some of the smallest and least-populated states in the nation rank among the 10 states with the highest average annual car insurance premium rates.

See the table below for the average car insurance rates by state.

State name Annual rate Highest rate Lowest rate
Alaska$2,215$3,780$1,044
Alabama$2,107$3,791$1,207
Arkansas$2,723$5,481$1,336
Arizona$2,333$5,718$1,186
California$3,010$8,707$1,436
Colorado$3,222$6,203$1,329
Connecticut$2,726$8,841$1,233
Washington, D.C.$3,394$4,974$1,406
Delaware$3,097$9,503$1,529
Florida$3,852$11,916$1,624
Georgia$2,739$6,495$1,245
Hawaii$1,721$2,717$966
Iowa$2,228$4,856$1,065
Idaho$1,791$3,710$591
Illinois$1,901$5,067$1,089
Indiana$1,856$5,823$710
Kansas$2,410$5,849$1,082
Kentucky$2,976$9,728$1,141
Louisiana$4,180$13,560$1,533
Massachusetts$2,430$7,216$1,131
Maryland$2,273$6,735$1,064
Maine$1,701$3,073$790
Michigan$3,146$14,474$1,173
Minnesota$2,561$6,164$1,409
Missouri$2,410$6,357$1,072
Mississippi$2,455$4,804$1,215
Montana$2,541$4,510$1,121
North Carolina$2,587$5,902$923
North Dakota$2,079$3,397$855
Nebraska$2,387$6,283$1,342
New Hampshire$1,650$3,202$893
New Jersey$2,736$6,098$1,538
New Mexico$2,486$5,030$1,013
Nevada$3,284$9,608$1,478
New York$2,898$13,915$815
Ohio$1,739$3,245$836
Oklahoma$2,705$4,546$1,203
Oregon$1,927$5,089$910
Pennsylvania$2,428$8,281$1,012
Rhode Island$2,706$5,906$1,108
South Carolina$2,367$4,994$1,366
South Dakota$2,635$5,868$1,438
Tennessee$2,214$4,914$1,035
Texas$2,631$9,745$869
Utah$2,250$5,453$1,082
Virginia$1,837$5,686$847
Vermont$1,504$2,172$889
Washington$2,175$3,866$836
Wisconsin$2,026$7,062$868
West Virginia$2,557$4,932$1,223
Wyoming$1,984$3,623$774
Tip iconReal-world insight from Facebook

The experience of shopping for the best state for car insurance.

On November 13, Facebook user Jessie Morgan posted that she gets calls from friends and family shopping their insurance policies because of rising insurance rates.

“Wyoming, Vermont and New Hampshire have some of the cheapest full coverage car insurance rates in the country, while Florida, Louisiana and Rhode Island are the most expensive. While average car insurance rates can be a good indicator of what you may pay for coverage, your own price will likely be different.”

States with the most expensive auto insurance rates

Louisiana, Florida, Washington, D.C., Nevada and Colorado are the most expensive states for car insurance in the U.S.

Mark Friedlander, director of corporate communications for the Insurance Information Institute in St. Johns, Florida, says Florida rates are driven by severe weather and uninsured motorists.

“Florida drivers pay high average premiums in the United States due to a variety of factors,” Friedlander says. “These include the impact of severe weather on roadways, heavy traffic patterns on interstates generated by residents and millions of annual visitors, congested roadways in major metro areas, a state’s no-fault insurance law … and the fact that Florida has one of the highest uninsured motorist rates in the United States – 20.4%.”

Based on our research, the table below shows the states where average annual car insurance rates are the most expensive:

States with the most expensive annual full coverage car insurance
Graph
Table
State Average annual premium
Louisiana$4,180
Florida$3,852
Washington, D.C.$3,394
Nevada$3,284
Colorado$3,222
Michigan$3,146
Delaware$3,097
California$3,010
Kentucky$2,976
New York$2,898

States with the cheapest car insurance rates

By contrast, the cheapest states for car insurance include Vermont, New Hampshire and Maine.

“States that have the lowest overall car insurance premiums on average may have lower populations, which result in fewer car accidents and less money paid out by insurance companies, resulting in cheaper insurance premiums,” says Lauren McKenzie, an insurance broker at A Plus Insurance in Liberty, South Carolina.

Geoff Cudd, a Philadelphia-based consumer advocate and owner of FindTheBestCarPrice.com, says states with milder weather and rural areas pay cheaper car insurance rates.

“That generally means less chance of accidents and weather-related claims, which means car insurance companies will have to spend less money,” Cudd says.

See the states with the cheapest full coverage car insurance in the table below.

States with the cheapest annual full coverage car insurance
Graph
Table
State Average annual premium
Vermont$1,504
New Hampshire$1,650
Maine$1,701
Hawaii$1,721
Ohio$1,739
Idaho$1,791
Virginia$1,837
Indiana$1,856
Illinois$1,901
Oregon$1,927

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How much have car insurance rates increased over time?

Car insurance costs have climbed sharply nationwide between 2023 and 2025, with nearly every state seeing double-digit percentage increases. The average jump across the U.S. was roughly 30%, reflecting continued inflation in repair costs, rising claim severity and weather-related losses.

More than 40 states experienced double-digit increases in these two years, and 20 states saw annualized gains of 15% or higher — meaning rates have risen by over 15% per year since 2023.

The most significant overall increases from 2023-25 occurred in:

  • Nevada (+59%)
  • Connecticut (+58%)
  • Washington, D.C. (+57%)
  • New York (+55%)
  • Delaware (+50%)
  • North Carolina (+49%)

These states posted annualized increases between 24% and 30%, the highest in the nation, mainly due to dense traffic, higher repair and medical costs, and severe weather claims.

On the other end of the spectrum, Wyoming (+13%), Hawaii (+13%), Oregon (+15%), and Vermont (+14%) saw the smallest increases — all under 8% annualized. These states have lower population density, fewer catastrophic weather events, and historically stable claim patterns.

Overall, the data show that insurance affordability continues to diverge regionally. States like Louisiana and Florida already had among the nation’s highest rates in 2023 and saw further sharp increases in 2025, while lower-cost rural states like Maine and Vermont remain relatively affordable despite moderate hikes.

State % Change (2023-2025)
Alabama13%
Alaska32%
Arizona29%
Arkansas39%
California25%
Colorado38%
Connecticut58%
Delaware50%
Florida43%
Georgia39%
Hawaii13%
Idaho25%
Illinois24%
Indiana23%
Iowa37%
Kansas27%
Kentucky34%
Louisiana45%
Maine45%
Maryland30%
Massachusetts41%
Michigan34%
Minnesota34%
Mississippi22%
Missouri22%
Montana16%
Nebraska25%
Nevada59%
New Hampshire30%
New Jersey44%
New Mexico21%
New York55%
North Carolina49%
North Dakota25%
Ohio23%
Oklahoma27%
Oregon15%
Pennsylvania30%
Rhode Island31%
South Carolina18%
South Dakota16%
Tennessee32%
Texas29%
Utah23%
Vermont14%
Virginia25%
Washington35%
Washington, D.C.57%
West Virginia28%
Wisconsin22%
Wyoming13%

Why car insurance rates vary by state

Car insurance rates aren’t just about your driving record — where you live can play an even bigger role. Each state sets its own rules for required coverage, liability limits, and claims handling, all of which affect how much drivers pay.

Here are the biggest reasons rates differ from state to state:

  • State coverage requirements: Some states only require basic liability coverage, while others mandate additional protection such as uninsured motorist or personal injury protection (PIP). States with higher minimums naturally see higher average premiums.
  • Population density and traffic: Urban areas with more traffic and congestion, like New York or California, tend to have more accidents and higher insurance costs than rural states such as Vermont or Maine.
  • Weather and natural disasters: States prone to hurricanes, floods, or hailstorms, including Florida and Louisiana, experience higher claim volumes and repair costs, driving up premiums.
  • Uninsured drivers: When more people on the road are uninsured, insured drivers end up paying more to cover that risk. For instance, Florida and Mississippi consistently rank among the states with the highest uninsured motorist rates.
  • Repair and medical costs: Regional labor, medical care, and parts pricing also impact premiums. States with higher healthcare or body shop costs tend to have higher full coverage premiums.

See how much car insurance costs in each state in the table below.

State State minimum Liability only Full coverage Non-owners
Alaska$415$542$2,215$168
Alabama$514$703$2,107$389
Arkansas$503$763$2,723$337
Arizona$662$964$2,333$477
California$751$1,016$3,010$394
Colorado$547$898$3,222$345
Connecticut$1,039$1,119$2,726$991
Washington, D.C.$896$1,125$3,394$621
Delaware$1,277$1,498$3,097$762
Florida$1,208$2,220$3,852$925
Georgia$780$1,058$2,739$407
Hawaii$425$603$1,721$333
Iowa$330$405$2,228$171
Idaho$423$491$1,791$209
Illinois$462$503$1,901$395
Indiana$445$535$1,856$286
Kansas$520$579$2,410$340
Kentucky$708$957$2,976$399
Louisiana$993$1,664$4,180$419
Massachusetts$621$809$2,430$499
Maryland$815$840$2,273$471
Maine$377$384$1,701$201
Michigan$714$761$3,146$462
Minnesota$585$628$2,561$278
Missouri$544$645$2,410$440
Mississippi$510$729$2,455$339
Montana$422$604$2,541$326
North Carolina$644$717$2,587$581
North Dakota$354$377$2,079$200
Nebraska$369$422$2,387$277
New Hampshire$447$486$1,650$379
New Jersey$1,124$1,199$2,736$708
New Mexico$475$728$2,486$334
Nevada$908$1,540$3,284$569
New York$1,070$1,191$2,898$661
Ohio$390$474$1,739$245
Oklahoma$452$734$2,705$291
Oregon$715$775$1,927$676
Pennsylvania$421$586$2,428$352
Rhode Island$761$954$2,706$451
South Carolina$682$918$2,367$424
South Dakota$382$418$2,635$201
Tennessee$515$623$2,214$386
Texas$620$900$2,631$418
Utah$708$870$2,250$603
Virginia$528$538$1,837$378
Vermont$299$323$1,504$317
Washington$490$864$2,175$403
Wisconsin$407$479$2,026$290
West Virginia$577$651$2,557$229
Wyoming$286$327$1,984$215
  • Note:
    • State minimum BI/PD
    • Liability only: 50/100/50 BI/PD
    • Full coverage: 100/300/100 BI/PD

Smart Stats:

Even two neighboring states can have dramatically different insurance costs. Crossing from Vermont ($1,504/year) into New York ($2,898/year) nearly doubles the average annual premium in 2025.

Does population density affect insurance rates in your state?

Where you live is a crucial factor in calculating the cost of what you will fork over for car insurance, and the population in your state can affect your rates.

“On average, drivers in more sparsely-populated states such as Idaho and North Dakota are going to pay much less for coverage than drivers in more populous states such as California, Florida and New York,” Friedlander says. “But it goes beyond just the state you live in. Insurers determine rates by the city you live in and even your specific ZIP code. Traffic volume, accident frequency and severity, as well as theft and vandalism data, vary in every city throughout every state.”

In other words, you could live in a large metro like Los Angeles or Chicago and pay significantly different rates based on your ZIP code within that city. Urban drivers generally pay much more for auto insurance than motorists in rural areas in the same state.

“If you live in an area with a high crime rate, a large number of accidents and large payouts, insurance prices will be higher there,” McKenzie says. “If you live in a state with busy, expensive cities where gas prices and rent costs are high, car insurance prices will be high as well.”

Tort states vs. no-fault states: What’s the difference?

State laws vary when it comes to who pays for damages; most states are either tort or no-fault states.

In general, car insurance is more expensive in no-fault states because no-fault law states that you do not need to prove who was at fault to receive compensation from your insurance company. In a no-fault state, each driver’s insurance covers their medical expenses and lost wages after an accident, regardless of who is at fault. This system limits the ability to sue the other driver, except in cases of severe injury or significant damage.

On the other hand, if you cause an accident in a tort state, your insurance company will be on the hook for any damage/injuries you’ve caused. A tort state is one where the driver found to be at fault in an accident is responsible for covering the damages and injuries of the other party in a car accident. 

Generally, this means the at-fault driver’s insurance company pays for the damages caused and the medical costs of others involved in the accident. This system allows the injured party to sue the at-fault driver for compensation beyond what insurance covers.

How to find cheaper car insurance in your state

Even if your state’s average rate is above the national average, you still have options to save. Most drivers can lower their premiums with smart shopping and a few simple policy adjustments.

Compare quotes from multiple companies

Car insurance rates can vary by hundreds of dollars — even for the same coverage. Compare quotes from at least three insurers to find the best deal.

Pro Tip: Use a trusted comparison tool like CarInsurance.com to get personalized quotes without spam calls or data sharing.

Adjust your coverage

If your car is older or paid off, you might save money by reducing optional coverages like collision or comprehensive. Just make sure you maintain enough protection to meet state laws and your comfort level.

Take advantage of discounts

Combine your auto and home or renters insurance policies with the same provider to qualify for multi-policy discounts that can save you up to 13%.

Also ask about:

  • Safe driver discounts
  • Savings for earning good grades
  • Usage-based or telematics programs (e.g., Drive Safe, Snapshot)
  • Defensive driving course credits
  • Paperless billing or automatic payments

Review your policy regularly

Rates and life circumstances change. Re-shop every six to 12 months to ensure you’re still getting the best price. Even staying with the same insurer, updating your mileage or address can reduce costs.

Wise Words

Drivers who compare quotes annually can save an average of $500 or more per year, depending on their state and driving profile.

Minimum liability insurance requirements by state

Car insurance requirements and costs differ from state to state. Each state sets its minimum coverage limits, affecting how much drivers pay for basic liability insurance.

Some states require only liability coverage, while others mandate higher limits or additional coverages, such as personal injury protection (PIP) or uninsured motorist coverage.

The table below outlines the minimum car insurance requirements in each state.

State Minimum liability coverage limits Other insurance required (if any)
Alabama25/50/25 
Alaska50/100/25 
Arizona25/50/15 
Arkansas25/50/25 
California30/60/15 
Colorado25/50/15 
Connecticut25/50/25UM/UIM
Delaware25/50/10PIP
Washington, D.C.25/50/10UM, UMPD
Florida*0/0/10PIP
Georgia25/50/25 
Hawaii20/40/10PIP
Idaho20/50/15 
Illinois25/50/20UM
Indiana25/50/25UM/UIM
Iowa20/40/15 
Kansas25/50/25UM/UIM, PIP
Kentucky25/50/25
Louisiana15/30/25 
Maine50/100/25UM/UIM, MedPay
Maryland30/60/15UM/UIM, UMPD
Massachusetts25/50/30UM, PIP
Michigan20/40/10PIP, PPI
Minnesota30/60/10UM/UIM, PIP
Mississippi25/50/25 
Missouri25/50/25UM
Montana25/50/20 
Nebraska25/50/25UM/UIM
Nevada25/50/20 
New Hampshire**25/50/25UM/UIM, MedPay
New Jersey****15/30/5UM/UIM, PIP
New Mexico25/50/10 
New York25/50/10UM, PIP
North Carolina50/100/50UM, UIM
North Dakota25/50/25UM/UIM, PIP
Ohio25/50/25 
Oklahoma25/50/25 
Oregon25/50/20UM, PIP
Pennsylvania15/30/5PIP (First Party Benefits)
Rhode Island***25/50/25 
South Carolina25/50/25UM, UMPD
South Dakota25/50/25UM/UIM
Tennessee25/50/25 
Texas30/60/25 
Utah30/65/25UM, PIP
Vermont25/50/10UM/UIM, UMPD
Virginia50/100/25UM/UIM, UMPD
Washington25/50/10 
West Virginia25/50/25UM, UMPD
Wisconsin25/50/10UM, UIM, MedPay
Wyoming25/50/20 

* Florida doesn’t require bodily injury liability coverage, but many insurers only offer policies with minimum amounts of 10/20 of bodily injury coverage.
** Auto insurance isn’t mandatory in New Hampshire, but if you choose to buy insurance, these are the minimum amounts.
*** Rhode Island doesn’t require drivers to buy UM/UIM coverage if buying minimum liability coverage. If you buy higher liability limits, UM is required. 
****In New Jersey, a basic policy with lower limits is also available. Still, it should only be considered by those with few family responsibilities and few real assets and is not recommended.  

Final thoughts

Car insurance rates vary from state to state. Although you likely can’t change where you live easily, you can switch insurance companies painlessly. Make sure to shop around for the cheapest policies before signing up for an auto insurance policy. 

Frequently Asked Questions: 2025 car insurance rates by state

Which states had the highest annualized car insurance rate increases from 2023 to 2025?

The sharpest annualized increases occurred in Nevada (+30% per year), Connecticut (+29%), and Washington, D.C. (+29%), followed closely by New York (+27%), Delaware (+25%), and North Carolina (+24%). 

Which states had the lowest annualized car insurance rate increases?

Wyoming (+6% per year), Hawaii (+7%), Oregon (+7%) and Vermont (+7%) were the slowest-growing states from 2023 to 2025. 

What’s the national average car insurance rate increase between 2023 and 2025?

Nationwide, car insurance premiums rose roughly 29% over two years, or about 14% annually. The increase reflects higher claim costs, expensive vehicle repairs, severe weather losses and inflation in both parts and labor.

Why did car insurance rates rise so much from 2023 to 2025?

Rates climbed due to several converging factors:

  • Inflation: Higher prices for auto parts, repairs, and medical care.
  • Severe weather: More costly claims from storms, flooding, and hail.
  • Increased claim frequency and severity: More accidents and higher payouts.
  • Rising reinsurance and legal costs: Insurers are passing some of these costs to consumers.

Which states now have the highest average car insurance costs in 2025?

Based on 2025 data, the most expensive states are Louisiana ($4,180), Florida ($3,852), Washington, D.C. ($3,394), Nevada ($3,284), and Colorado ($3,222).

Which states have the cheapest average car insurance in 2025?

The lowest average annual costs in 2025 are in Vermont ($1,504), New Hampshire ($1,650), Maine ($1,701), Hawaii ($1,721), and Virginia ($1,837) — all below $1,900 per year.

In conversation with experts

Explore what experts have to say about car insurance rates below. 

Collapse allExpand all

How important is it for car owners to shop around, and how often should they compare insurance rates?

You should shop around each time your policy renews. If you opt for a six-month policy, compare car insurance quotes from multiple companies before signing up for another six months. Putting the effort into finding the lowest car insurance rates can lead to big savings.

“Don’t hesitate to shop around and compare quotes from different insurers — prices can vary significantly for the same level of coverage,” says John Crist, founder of Prestizia Insurance. 

What advice would you give drivers in states with high insurance rates to help them reduce their premiums?

“For those in states with high insurance rates, understanding the factors affecting their premiums is a must,” says Scott Distasio, a Florida-based board-certified civil trial lawyer with extensive experience in auto accident law. “Simple actions like regularly checking credit reports, enrolling in defensive driving courses or leveraging multi-policy discounts can yield significant savings.”

For example, let’s say you live in Florida, where car insurance costs are relatively high. Maintaining a clean driving record, insuring multiple vehicles through a single insurance company and bundling your policies could help you keep your costs low for your state. 

What are some recent trends or changes in state laws that are significantly impacting car insurance rates?

“One emerging trend is the adoption of telematics programs, allowing insurers to base premiums on actual driving behavior,” Distasio says. “However, it’s important to be mindful of potential privacy issues. Also, some states are considering prohibiting the use of credit-based insurance scores that could dramatically change how premiums are calculated.”

“Some states are cracking down on gender-based pricing,” says Andrew Lokenauth, founder of Be Fluent In Finance, a publisher of financial information. This change could erase some of the standard differences in rates between male and female drivers. “Weather-related claims are driving up rates in many regions.” 

After severe weather strikes, a spike in claims can put a strain on the insurance industry. Generally, this strain leads to higher auto insurance premiums for drivers.

Resources & Methodology

Sources

  1. U.S. Department of Transportation National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. “Overview of Motor Vehicle Crashes in 2020.”Accessed October 2025.
  2. Virginia Department of Motor Vehicles. “Insurance Requirements.” Accessed October 2025.

Methodology

CarInsurance.com editors collected rates from Quadrant Information Services for a 40-year-old male and female driver carrying a full coverage insurance policy with limits 100/300/100 and $500 comprehensive and collision deductibles. Read the detailed methodology for more information.

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Meet our editorial team
author-img Sarah Sharkey Contributing Researcher
Sarah Sharkey is a personal finance and insurance writer with a master’s degree in management from the Hough School of Business at the University of Florida. She has written for leading publications including Money Under 30 and The College Investor, helping readers make confident decisions about insurance and financial planning.
author-img Dr. Siwei Gao Industry Expert
Dr. Gao is the director of Principles of Risk & Insurance, which she teaches at Eastern Kentucky University.
author-img Laura Longero Editor-in-Chief
Laura Longero is the editor-in-chief of CarInsurance.com and a Nevada-based insurance expert. With more than 15 years of experience simplifying complex financial and insurance topics, she provides clear, trustworthy guidance to help drivers make confident coverage decisions. She serves as a media spokesperson for CarInsurance.com and has been featured in Consumer Affairs, MotorTrend and Business Insider, and completed the pre-licensing course in Personal Lines Property & Casualty Insurance.