Average Car Insurance by State
Car insurance costs depend heavily on where you live. The national average for full coverage is $215 a month ($2,578 a year) — but drivers in Vermont pay $138 a month on average, while drivers in Louisiana pay $333. Here are the cheapest and most expensive states for 2026.
Cheapest 10 states for full coverage
| State | Average (monthly) | Average (annual) |
|---|---|---|
| Vermont | $138 / month | $1,656 / year |
| New Hampshire | $141 / month | $1,692 / year |
| Hawaii | $146 / month | $1,752 / year |
| Ohio | $149 / month | $1,788 / year |
| Maine | $151 / month | $1,812 / year |
| Virginia | $153 / month | $1,836 / year |
| Idaho | $158 / month | $1,896 / year |
| Indiana | $158 / month | $1,896 / year |
| Illinois | $162 / month | $1,944 / year |
| Maryland | $167 / month | $2,004 / year |
Most expensive 10 states for full coverage
| State | Average (monthly) | Average (annual) |
|---|---|---|
| Louisiana | $333 / month | $3,996 / year |
| Michigan | $330 / month | $3,960 / year |
| Nevada | $330 / month | $3,960 / year |
| Florida | $326 / month | $3,912 / year |
| California | $287 / month | $3,444 / year |
| Colorado | $265 / month | $3,180 / year |
| Delaware | $263 / month | $3,156 / year |
| New Jersey | $260 / month | $3,120 / year |
| Texas | $259 / month | $3,108 / year |
| Oklahoma | $249 / month | $2,988 / year |
Where does your state fall?
Across all 50 states, average full-coverage premiums cluster into four bands:
| Monthly average | Number of states | What it means |
|---|---|---|
| Under $160 | 8 | The cheapest states — mostly rural states with low claim costs. |
| $160 – $199 | 13 | Below the national average of $215. |
| $200 – $249 | 20 | Around or just above the national average — the largest group. |
| $250 and over | 9 | The most expensive states, led by Louisiana, Michigan and Nevada. |
Among the largest states, California averages $287 a month, Texas $259, Florida $326 and New York $216. The District of Columbia averages $289 a month. Minimum coverage costs much less than full coverage: the national average is $62 a month for minimum coverage, and state-minimum liability averages $51 a month — though minimum coverage leaves you exposed if your own car is damaged.
Why do states differ so much?
State laws set different minimum coverage requirements and fault rules, and insurers price in local claim costs: crash rates, repair and medical costs, weather and natural disaster risk, theft rates and the share of uninsured drivers all vary by state. Where you live within a state matters too — dense cities usually cost more than rural areas. That is why a quote from another state is never a useful comparison: only your own state's figures tell you whether a quote is fair.
What else changes your premium?
Your state average is only the starting point. Insurers also weigh your age, the car you drive and how old it is, your coverage level and deductible, your driving record and how many miles you drive each year. A clean record and a higher deductible can move your premium well below your state average. Use our car insurance estimator to see an estimated range for your own profile.
Source: Insure.com — average car insurance cost per month (2026 data). State figures are average monthly full-coverage premiums. Figures reviewed November 13, 2026.
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