Average Cost of Car Insurance (October 2021)
Average Cost of Car Insurance (October 2021)
The average cost of a car insurance policy is $876 per year, or $73 per month, for a policy that meets the minimum requirements of each state.
Find Cheap Auto Insurance Quotes in Your Area
Because quotes vary for every individual, comparing rates is often the best way to find savings on car insurance. Our analysis — based on hundreds of thousands of quotes collected nationwide — backs that up.
We always recommend getting quotes from multiple auto insurers to find the best rate for you. Get a quote now by clicking above, or read on to see how much average car insurance costs break down for you.
We compare average auto insurance rates by company, location, age and gender, vehicle make and model, accident history, DUI record, credit score and marital status. Explore how much car insurance costs by each of these factors.
How much does car insurance cost by company
Here we've listed average rates for full-coverage auto insurance and minimum-coverage auto insurance by company.
State Farm is the cheapest widely-available car insurance company for both minimum and full coverage.
Allstate is the most expensive on average for both policy types.
A minimum-coverage policy is the cheapest policy you can buy. As its name suggests, it only meets the minimum requirements for an auto insurance policy in any given state.
A full-coverage policy usually adds comprehensive and collision coverage to a minimum-coverage policy. It's not as cheap as minimum coverage, but provides you with more protection for your car. These rates include full-coverage policies with extra liability coverage over state minimums.
Find Cheap Auto Insurance Quotes in Your Area
In the table below, you can see how average annual rates for 13 of the biggest auto insurers in the country compare based on online quotes for a 30-year-old driver.
Average costs increase by more than 174%, and rankings change slightly if you're looking for a full-coverage auto insurance policy.
Rank | Insurer | Full coverage rate | Min. coverage rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | USAA | $1,288 | $447 |
| 2 | Erie | $1,612 | $390 |
| 3 | State Farm | $1,623 | $617 |
| 4 | Farm Bureau | $1,742 | $502 |
| 5 | Geico | $2,017 | $780 |
Average car insurance rates by state
Location is an important factor for auto insurance rates. Insurance is regulated at the state level, and even within a state, drivers in different ZIP codes can get different quotes.
The average annual cost of insurance varies by state for both full-coverage policies vs minimum coverage policies.
How much auto insurance costs in each state
Rank | State | Full coverage | Min. coverage |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Michigan | $9,071 | $5,740 |
| 2 | Rhode Island | $3,589 | $1,375 |
| 3 | Louisiana | $3,546 | $1,128 |
| 4 | Florida | $3,230 | $2,361 |
| 5 | Colorado | $3,120 | $865 |
Rates are the average annual premium for a policy across insurers.
Cheapest states for minimum-coverage car insurance
State | Cost per year | Cost per month |
|---|---|---|
| Iowa | $408 | $34 |
| Wyoming | $410 | $34 |
| South Dakota | $424 | $35 |
Most expensive states for minimum-coverage car insurance
State | Cost per year | Cost per month |
|---|---|---|
| Michigan | $5,740 | $478 |
| Florida | $2,361 | $197 |
| Kentucky | $1,549 | $129 |
Shoppers who want greater protection against property damage to their vehicle may consider purchasing full-coverage auto insurance.
Cheapest states for full-coverage car insurance
State | Cost per year | Cost per month |
|---|---|---|
| Maine | $1,285 | $107 |
| Indiana | $1,485 | $124 |
| North Carolina | $1,506 | $126 |
Most expensive states for full-coverage car insurance
State | Cost per year | Cost per month |
|---|---|---|
| Michigan | $9,071 | $756 |
| Rhode Island | $3,589 | $299 |
| Louisiana | $3,546 | $296 |
How much car insurance rates cost by age and gender
For example, an 18-year-old driver pays more than twice as much as a 25-year-old driver for auto insurance, with all other factors equal. Average rates gradually decrease each year until a driver reaches age 25.
Auto insurance quotes also vary depending on the driver's age and years of experience. Young and inexperienced drivers tend to get in more accidents behind the wheel, which is why young drivers have higher auto insurance rates.
Annual Full Coverage Car Insurance Quotes by Age
Average annual car insurance costs can decrease significantly between the ages of 18 and 25, as insurers tend to evaluate older drivers as both less risky and likely to file a claim.
Among drivers that are 30 or older, auto insurance rates vary little by gender. But among younger drivers, men can be charged 10% or more than female drivers.
Driver profile | Annual auto insurance premium |
|---|---|
| 18-year-old female | $7,030 |
| 18-year-old male | $7,762 |
Why is this the case? Insurance companies look at data trends showing that in comparison to young women, young men tend to:
- Drive more often
- Receive more speeding tickets
- Be involved in more accidents
- Receive more DUI convictions
Because of the increased likelihood that the car insurance company will have to pay out for a claim by insuring these drivers, they often charge young men more for coverage.
These differences in rates do not hold true in all states, however. The following states preclude insurers from using gender when setting auto insurance rates. This means that male and female drivers in the state will pay the same amount for car insurance in those locations if all other factors affecting rates are equal.
- California
- Hawaii
- Massachusetts
- Parts of Michigan
- Montana
- North Carolina
- Pennsylvania
How much is the average cost of car insurance by vehicle make and model?
Car insurance costs can differ based on vehicle make and model.
We found that rates for the latest Mazda, the 2021 Mazda MX-5 Miata Club, was the cheapest car model to insure when compared to the most recent base models of the country's top-selling vehicles.
Model | Average annual rate | MSRP |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 Ford F-150 XL | $3,263 | $28,940 |
| 2021 Honda Civic EX | $3,245 | 21,250 |
| 2021 Toyota RAV4 LE | $3,093 | $26,250 |
| 2021 Mazda MX-5 Miata Club | $3,083 | $30,290 |
| 2021 Dodge Grand Caravan GT | $3,168 | $32,595 |
Rates are the average annual premium for a full coverage policy.
Cars and trucks with higher Manufacturer Suggested Retail Prices (MSRPs) can have higher costs to insure than cheaper cars, but this is not universally the case. As our data shows, the Ford F-150 has the cheapest annual insurance premium, despite having a higher MSRP than many other vehicle models. Superior safety features and a lower chance of a total loss may be contributing factors in making bigger, more expensive cars cheaper to insure.
Average cost of car insurance before and after an accident
Insurance companies price their policies based on risk, and a driver who has a history of accidents may be charged higher rates.
Among our sample insurers, insurance rates rose by 42% on average after an accident.
MetLife saw the largest increase in insurance rates, with premiums going up by almost 70% for a driver with one at-fault accident on his record. Conversely, Travelers penalized drivers the least after one crash. Its rates increased by only 20% for our sample driver.
Drivers who have a history of accidents or traffic violations should take special care to shop around for auto insurance policies. Your combination of accident history, vehicle, location and other factors may be priced entirely differently with another insurance company, and switching to an equivalent policy with a rival insurer has the potential to save you hundreds of dollars per year.
Insurer | Clean record | One accident | % increase |
|---|---|---|---|
| Erie | $1,612 | $2,010 | 25% |
| State Farm* | $1,623 | $2,020 | 24% |
| Farm Bureau | $1,742 | $2,325 | 33% |
| Geico* | $2,017 | $3,194 | 58% |
| American Family | $2,135 | $3,260 | 53% |
Rates are an annual average for our sample driver with a full-coverage policy.
Average cost of auto insurance for drivers with a DUI on their record
Insurers generally charge drivers with a DUI history higher rates due to the increased risk of accidents associated with such behavior.
Drivers with a DUI history pay 72% more on average for car insurance compared to drivers with a clean record. Applied to our national average, this means drivers with a DUI pay $1,823 more per year for car insurance.
In our analysis, North Carolina saw the largest relative increase in insurance rates, with premiums going up by almost 300% for a driver with a DUI on his record. Conversely, Florida penalized drivers the least after a DUI. Its rates increased by only 27% for our sample driver.
Drivers who have a history of driving under the influence or while intoxicated should consider comparing quotes from multiple carriers. Your record may be assessed differently across insurers, so getting several rates can help you find savings.
State | Clean record | DUI on record | % increase |
|---|---|---|---|
| Michigan | $9,071 | $27,120 | 199% |
| Rhode Island | $3,589 | $7,550 | 110% |
| North Carolina | $1,506 | $6,020 | 300% |
| Hawaii | $1,763 | $5,652 | 221% |
| Connecticut | $2,753 | $5,553 | 102% |
Rates are an annual average for our sample driver with a full-coverage policy.
How much does car insurance cost for drivers with good credit?
Drivers with good credit are considered lower risk by insurance companies and, as a result, can receive substantial savings on their auto insurance policies.
We found that drivers with an excellent credit history received an average discount of 49% on annual premiums compared drivers with a poor credit history.
Company | Poor credit | Very good credit | Discount |
|---|---|---|---|
| USAA | $1,937 | $997 | 49% |
| Geico | $2,386 | $1,445 | 39% |
| Farm Bureau Mutual | $2,452 | $1,368 | 44% |
| Nationwide | $2,665 | $1,679 | 37% |
| State Farm | $2,679 | $953 | 64% |
Rates are an annual average for our sample driver with a full-coverage policy.
State Farm gave our sample driver the biggest discount for excellent credit, more than halving his quote, while Nationwide had the smallest discount, and as a consequence ranked as the most expensive insurer for our sample driver with excellent credit.
How much does marital status affect average auto insurance costs?
Insurers usually charge single drivers more for car insurance than married drivers. Married drivers are often seen as more financially stable and risk averse, and are therefore charged lower rates than single drivers.
In the 10 largest U.S. states, single drivers tended to pay $123 more for full-coverage auto insurance per year compared to married drivers.
Annual full-coverage car insurance quotes by marital status
State | Single | Married |
|---|---|---|
| Michigan | $9,071 | $9,071 |
| Rhode Island | $3,589 | $3,454 |
| Louisiana | $3,546 | $2,968 |
| Florida | $3,230 | $3,071 |
| Colorado | $3,120 | N/A |
Rates are the average annual premium for a full-coverage policy.
What else can affect average car insurance rates?
We've discussed how the following factors have the biggest effect your car insurance premiums:
- Company
- State
- Policy coverage
- Age
- Vehicle type
- Accident and credit history
But there are even more factors that can affect how much your car insurance costs:
- Driving experience
- Address and ZIP code
- Insurance and claims history
- Annual mileage
- Discounts
If you're a 30-year-old who's had an insurance policy and been licensed since you were 16, you're likely to get a cheaper rate than another 30-year-old who just took up driving.
Driving experience: Age affects car insurance rates, but so does the number of years you've been insured and driving.
Location within a state: Auto insurance is regulated differently in each state, leading to average prices for a full-coverage policy ranging from just under $1,300 (Maine) to over $8,700 (Michigan). But even within a state, insurers considered certain locations — or territories, in insurance terms — to be higher risk.
If you live in an area an insurer considers higher risk due to its rate of crashes, weather or crime, you may be subject to a higher rate than an equivalent driver living elsewhere.
Insurance and claims history: If you've maintained continuous auto insurance coverage, your insurer will be more confident that you've protected yourself and will usually charge a lower rate. Likewise, if you have a history of having auto insurance policies without filing claims, you'll get cheaper rates than someone who has filed claims in the past.
Mileage: Cars that are driven less frequently are less likely to be involved in a crash or other damaging event. Vehicles with lower annual mileage may qualify for slightly lower rates.
Discounts: Auto insurance companies offer a variety of discounts for those who take steps to become safer drivers or demonstrate responsible behavior. For example, adults can take defensive driving lessons, while young adults can qualify for good student discounts.
Forget the averages, how much does auto insurance cost for me?
Our quote estimates are a good starting point, but the only way to find the cheapest and best car insurance for you is to get quotes and shop around for options, either with your own research or by talking to an agent or broker. How expensive or cheap your policy will be depends on how your profile fits the factors we've discussed.
To find the best car insurance for you, you should comparison shop online or talk to an insurance agent or broker.
You can shop for car insurance yourself online, but be sure to keep track of the coverages selected by you and offered by insurers to make a fair comparison.
Alternatively, you can talk to an insurance agent or insurance broker who can help you find the best combination of price and fit. You should be aware, however, that agents and brokers operate on commission paid by the insurers themselves. Independent agents work for multiple insurance companies and can compare among them, whereas captive agents work for only one insurance company.
Given the different rating methodologies and factors used by insurers, no single insurance company will be best for everyone. To get a better understanding of your typical car insurance cost, spend some time comparing quotes across companies with your chosen method.
Frequently asked questions
What's the average cost of car insurance?
The national average cost of insurance is $73 per month for minimum coverage, or $876 per year. But your rate will vary based on where you live, what kind of coverage you have and your driving history.
What is the cheapest car insurer?
The cheapest major insurers are State Farm and USAA. USAA tends to have the best prices, but it's only available to people who have served in the military and their families. State Farm is more widely available and also has affordable rates.
How much more expensive is full coverage car insurance?
Depending on your car and driving history, full coverage insurance is typically about twice as expensive as liability-only coverage. This includes collision coverage, which pays for damage to your car in a crash, and comprehensive coverage, which covers other forms of damage like hail.
Methodology
We collected quotes across 50 states and the District of Columbia for 51 insurance companies. Although 51 insurance companies were included in the analysis, insurance company rates were only included in our company lists if their policies were available in at least five states.
Our base driver was a 30-year-old male who drove a 2015 Honda Civic EX, and quotes were drawn from all available ZIP codes in each state. The driver was profiled as having no credit history, which makes him equivalent to a driver with below-fair to poor credit, according to our data source, Quadrant Information Services.
When our driver had a full-coverage policy, we gave him coverage limits slightly above any one state's minimum requirements.
Full-coverage policy
Coverage type | Study limits |
|---|---|
| Bodily injury liability | $50,000 per person/$100,000 per accident |
| Property damage liability | $25,000 per accident |
| Uninsured/underinsured motorist BI | $50,000 per person/$100,000 per accident |
| Comprehensive and collision | $500 deductible |
| Personal injury protection | Minimum, when required by state |
Our rates for minimum-coverage policies represent the average cost of a policy that meets any state's minimum required auto insurance coverage.
ValuePenguin's analysis used insurance rate data from Quadrant Information Services. These rates were publicly sourced from insurer filings and should be used for comparative purposes only — your own quotes may be different.
Editorial Note: The content of this article is based on the author’s opinions and recommendations alone. It has not been previewed, commissioned or otherwise endorsed by any of our network partners.