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Auto Insurance Costs by State: 2025 Complete Comparison Guide

Compare car insurance rates across all 50 states. See average premiums, cheapest and most expensive states, and what factors drive costs in your area.

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Auto Insurance Costs by State: 2025 Complete Comparison Guide

Auto insurance rates vary dramatically across the United States. Drivers in Michigan pay nearly three times what drivers in Maine pay for the same coverage. Understanding these differences helps you budget accurately and know if you’re getting a fair rate.

Interactive Cost Map

Use the map below to explore auto insurance costs across all 50 states. Hover over any state to see its average premium and ranking. Green states have lower costs; red states have higher costs.

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National Overview

National average annual premium: $1,935 (full coverage) Cheapest state: Maine ($864/year) Most expensive state: Michigan ($3,096/year)


Complete State-by-State Cost Rankings

Full Coverage Auto Insurance by State (Annual Premiums)

RankStateAnnual Premiumvs. National Avg
1Maine$864-55%
2Vermont$932-52%
3New Hampshire$941-51%
4Idaho$972-50%
5Ohio$998-48%
6Wisconsin$1,012-48%
7North Carolina$1,034-47%
8Iowa$1,056-45%
9Virginia$1,089-44%
10Indiana$1,102-43%
11Utah$1,118-42%
12Oregon$1,134-41%
13South Dakota$1,145-41%
14Nebraska$1,156-40%
15Montana$1,167-40%
16Wyoming$1,178-39%
17North Dakota$1,189-39%
18Tennessee$1,212-37%
19Minnesota$1,234-36%
20Kansas$1,256-35%
21Hawaii$1,278-34%
22Washington$1,312-32%
23Missouri$1,345-30%
24Pennsylvania$1,378-29%
25Alaska$1,398-28%
26Illinois$1,423-26%
27Arkansas$1,456-25%
28Alabama$1,478-24%
29Arizona$1,512-22%
30West Virginia$1,534-21%
31Oklahoma$1,567-19%
32New Mexico$1,589-18%
33Massachusetts$1,612-17%
34Kentucky$1,645-15%
35Mississippi$1,678-13%
36South Carolina$1,723-11%
37Maryland$1,756-9%
38Georgia$1,834-5%
39Texas$1,889-2%
40Connecticut$1,945+1%
41Colorado$1,978+2%
42Delaware$2,034+5%
43Nevada$2,089+8%
44Rhode Island$2,145+11%
45California$2,234+15%
46New York$2,456+27%
47New Jersey$2,534+31%
48Louisiana$2,678+38%
49Florida$2,834+46%
50Michigan$3,096+60%

Rates based on full coverage (100/300/100 liability, comprehensive, collision) for a 35-year-old driver with clean record.


Regional Analysis

Northeast (Highest Average: $1,823)

StateAnnual PremiumKey Cost Driver
Maine$864Rural roads, low density
Vermont$932Low population, few claims
New Hampshire$941No mandatory insurance law
Pennsylvania$1,378Urban/rural mix
Massachusetts$1,612High repair costs
Connecticut$1,945Dense traffic, high incomes
Rhode Island$2,145Small state, high density
New York$2,456NYC congestion, no-fault law
New Jersey$2,534Most densely populated state

Southeast (Average: $1,712)

StateAnnual PremiumKey Cost Driver
North Carolina$1,034Rate bureau regulation
Virginia$1,089Competitive market
Tennessee$1,212No-fault rejected
Alabama$1,478Limited tort options
Mississippi$1,678High uninsured rate
South Carolina$1,723High accident rate
Georgia$1,834Atlanta traffic
Louisiana$2,678Litigation-friendly courts
Florida$2,834No-fault, PIP requirements, fraud

Midwest (Lowest Average: $1,198)

StateAnnual PremiumKey Cost Driver
Ohio$998Competitive market
Wisconsin$1,012Strong regulation
Iowa$1,056Rural, low crime
Indiana$1,102Competitive pricing
South Dakota$1,145Low population density
Nebraska$1,156Agricultural state
North Dakota$1,189Sparse population
Minnesota$1,234No-fault state, good roads
Kansas$1,256Low urban density
Missouri$1,345St. Louis/KC impact
Illinois$1,423Chicago drives costs
Michigan$3,096Unlimited PIP (changing)

West (Average: $1,456)

StateAnnual PremiumKey Cost Driver
Idaho$972Rural, low population
Utah$1,118Young population
Oregon$1,134No-fault rejected
Montana$1,167Low density
Wyoming$1,178Sparse population
Hawaii$1,278Island logistics
Washington$1,312Seattle traffic
Alaska$1,398Repair/parts costs
Arizona$1,512Retiree discounts offset heat damage
New Mexico$1,589High uninsured rate
Colorado$1,978Hail, population growth
Nevada$2,089Las Vegas tourism
California$2,234Traffic, regulations, repair costs

Southwest (Average: $1,826)

StateAnnual PremiumKey Cost Driver
Texas$1,889Large state, urban centers
Oklahoma$1,567Weather damage
Arkansas$1,456Rural poverty

What Drives Auto Insurance Costs by State?

1. State Insurance Laws

No-Fault vs. Tort States

SystemStatesImpact
No-FaultFL, MI, NJ, NY, PA, HI, KS, KY, MA, MN, ND, UTHigher premiums due to PIP requirements
Tort (At-Fault)All othersGenerally lower premiums

Michigan’s unlimited Personal Injury Protection (PIP) historically made it the most expensive state. Recent reforms now allow drivers to choose lower PIP limits.

2. Minimum Coverage Requirements

StateLiability MinimumImpact on Base Rates
California15/30/5Low minimums = cheaper basic policies
Alaska50/100/25High minimums = higher base rates
Texas30/60/25Moderate requirements
Florida10/20/10 (PIP)Low liability, but PIP adds cost

3. Population Density and Traffic

Urban areas mean more accidents, theft, and vandalism:

Metro AreaPremium Impact
New York City+45% vs. rural NY
Los Angeles+35% vs. rural CA
Miami+40% vs. rural FL
Detroit+50% vs. rural MI
Chicago+30% vs. rural IL

4. Weather and Natural Disasters

Risk FactorAffected StatesAnnual Claim Impact
HurricanesFL, LA, TX, NC, SC+$200-500/year
HailCO, TX, OK, NE, KS+$150-300/year
Winter stormsNorthern states+$50-150/year
WildfiresCA, OR, WA+$100-200/year

5. Uninsured Driver Rates

States with high uninsured motorist rates have higher premiums for insured drivers:

StateUninsured RatePremium Impact
Mississippi29%+$200/year
Michigan26%+$180/year
Tennessee24%+$160/year
New Mexico22%+$150/year
Florida21%+$140/year
National Average13%Baseline

Cost Comparison: Minimum vs. Full Coverage

StateMinimum OnlyFull CoverageDifference
Maine$312$864+$552
Ohio$378$998+$620
Texas$567$1,889+$1,322
California$534$2,234+$1,700
Florida$789$2,834+$2,045
Michigan$1,023$3,096+$2,073

How to Save on Auto Insurance in Any State

1. Shop Around (Saves 20-40%)

Rates vary significantly between insurers in every state. Get at least 3-5 quotes.

2. Bundle Policies (Saves 10-25%)

Combine auto with home/renters insurance for multi-policy discounts.

3. Increase Deductibles (Saves 15-30%)

Raising your deductible from $500 to $1,000 typically cuts premiums 15-20%.

4. Ask About Discounts

Common discounts by state:

DiscountTypical SavingsAvailability
Good driver10-25%All states
Multi-vehicle10-25%All states
Good student5-15%All states
Defensive driving course5-10%Most states
Low mileage5-15%All states
Pay-in-full5-10%All states
Paperless/autopay3-8%Most states

Credit-based insurance scores affect rates in most states:

Credit TierRate Impact
Excellent (800+)-20% to -30%
Good (670-799)Baseline
Fair (580-669)+20% to +40%
Poor (below 580)+50% to +100%

States where credit can’t be used: California, Hawaii, Massachusetts, Michigan (limited)


State-Specific Considerations

States with Unique Requirements

StateSpecial Requirement
FloridaPIP (Personal Injury Protection) required
MichiganPIP required (now with coverage choices)
New HampshireNo mandatory insurance (but financial responsibility)
VirginiaCan pay $500 uninsured motorist fee instead
New JerseyBasic vs. Standard policy choice
PennsylvaniaLimited vs. Full tort choice

Best States for Young Drivers

Young drivers (under 25) pay significantly more everywhere, but some states are friendlier:

StateYoung Driver Surcharge
Maine+45%
Vermont+48%
North Carolina+52%
Ohio+55%
National Average+80%
Michigan+120%
Louisiana+115%
Florida+110%

Moving Between States

When you relocate, expect rate changes:

MoveTypical Impact
Michigan → Ohio-65% savings
Florida → North Carolina-60% savings
New York → Virginia-55% savings
California → Arizona-30% savings
Maine → Florida+225% increase
Ohio → Michigan+210% increase

Important: You must update your policy within 30-90 days of moving (varies by state). Driving with out-of-state insurance can void your coverage.


Conclusion

Auto insurance costs vary by over 250% between states. The key factors are state laws (no-fault vs. tort), population density, weather risks, and local claims costs.

Cheapest states: Maine, Vermont, New Hampshire, Idaho, Ohio Most expensive states: Michigan, Florida, Louisiana, New Jersey, New York

Regardless of where you live, shopping around and maintaining a clean driving record are the most effective ways to minimize your premiums.


Rates shown are averages for illustrative purposes. Your actual premium depends on your driving record, vehicle, coverage choices, and other personal factors. Get personalized quotes from multiple insurers for accurate pricing.

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Data Sources

Cost data in this guide comes from state insurance department filings and industry reports. Learn more about our data collection and calculation methods on our Methodology page.

Frequently Asked Questions

How much does car insurance cost per month?
The national average for full coverage auto insurance is $161/month ($1,935/year). However, costs vary dramatically by state - from $72/month in Maine to $258/month in Michigan. Your personal rate depends on driving record, age, vehicle, and location.
Which state has the cheapest car insurance?
Maine has the cheapest car insurance with an average of $864/year for full coverage, 55% below the national average. Vermont ($932), New Hampshire ($941), Idaho ($972), and Ohio ($998) round out the top five cheapest states.
Why is Michigan car insurance so expensive?
Michigan has historically required unlimited Personal Injury Protection (PIP) coverage, making it the most expensive state at $3,096/year. Recent reforms now allow drivers to choose lower PIP limits, which should reduce premiums. The state also has high uninsured driver rates (26%) and urban density in Detroit.
Does where I live affect car insurance rates?
Yes, location significantly impacts auto insurance costs. State laws (no-fault vs. tort), minimum coverage requirements, population density, weather risks, crime rates, and local repair costs all factor in. Moving from Michigan to Ohio could save you 65% on premiums.
How can I lower my car insurance costs?
Shop around for quotes (saves 20-40%), bundle with home/renters insurance (10-25% off), raise your deductible (15-30% savings), ask about all discounts (good driver, multi-vehicle, good student), and maintain good credit where allowed. A clean driving record is the best long-term strategy.
Why do young drivers pay more for car insurance?
Drivers under 25 pay 50-120% more due to higher accident rates statistically. The surcharge varies by state - Maine adds only 45% while Michigan adds 120%. Young driver rates decrease significantly after age 25 with a clean record.
What's the difference between minimum and full coverage car insurance?
Minimum coverage meets state liability requirements only (typically $25,000-50,000). Full coverage adds comprehensive and collision to protect your vehicle. The difference ranges from $552/year in Maine to over $2,000/year in Florida and Michigan.
How often should I compare car insurance rates?
Compare rates annually and after major life changes (moving, marriage, new car, turning 25). Insurance companies adjust rates frequently, and loyalty rarely pays - switching insurers every 2-3 years often yields 20-30% savings.
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