Insurance carriers use several factors to determine your rates. As a result, premiums can vary significantly. So if you’re wondering whether you’re paying a competitive rate for your state’s coverage, keep reading. Here are the average car insurance costs in America.
How Much Is Car Insurance?
The average cost of full coverage car insurance is $1,630 a year or about $136 a month. This combination policy includes comprehensive and collision coverage, plus liability and other state-mandated insurance. However, because auto insurance companies base premiums on numerous individual rating factors, your actual cost varies by your driving history, location, and even your car’s make and model.
A minimum coverage policy is the most economical coverage you can buy, but it only meets the basic requirements for your state. This type of auto insurance policy has an annual average car insurance cost of $785 or $65 monthly, reports ValuePenguin.
Car Insurance by State
Where you live also impacts your auto insurance rates. Each state has different requirements, and even within the same region, drivers in a neighboring ZIP code could be paying more or less than you. For example, Bankrate indicates that New York, Louisiana, and Florida are the three most expensive states for average car insurance costs — between 56% and 69% above the national average.
If you have good credit and no recent accidents and happen to live in Idaho, you’re in luck. The Gem State offers the cheapest rates for full coverage car insurance at $1,027, while Iowa is the cheapest place to live if you’re shopping for a minimum coverage policy.
Cost by Company
The company you pick to insure your wheels also has an enormous impact on your rates. It’s a critical factor in deciding whether or not you should buy a new car. Bankrate also found that Erie, USAA, and Nationwide offer some of the lowest full coverage rates around. However, these economical providers don’t operate everywhere.
If you want the cheapest car insurance, call Farm Bureau for a quote. ValuePenguin claims that this company offers bargain prices for minimum coverage policies at $472 annually. Unfortunately, Allstate charges one of the most expensive rates on average, coming in at $916 a year for minimum coverage.
Age and Gender
We guarantee your agent will ask you about your age and how long you’ve been operating a vehicle. It’s a fact that inexperienced drivers tend to get in more accidents than those who have been on the road for years, making them risky clients that will likely file a claim.
The CDC reports that the second-leading cause of death for American teenagers is vehicle crashes. That’s why quotes for new drivers are almost always higher than the average car insurance cost. Parents can pay as much as $3,343 per year for a newly licensed 16-year-old.
The company also reported that males typically pay over 10% more than females. Data trends show that teen boys drive more often, get more tickets, and have more accidents than girls. This statistic is why parents should share safety tips with their kids before handing over the keys.
Driving Records
Drivers with moving violations pay more for auto insurance. Drivers with a violation pay $15 more every month than those with a clean driving record. Having a DUI or other major infraction on your motor vehicle record will boost your car insurance premium — by 88% on average.
We recommend checking your driving record before getting a quote to see if you have any infractions or points on your license. There may be a modest fee to get this document, but it can save you money in the long run. It can take three to five years for your car insurance rates to go down if you can avoid adding any new moving violations to your record.
Your Credit Score
In addition to your driving record, your credit history also impacts your average car insurance cost. Most providers use an insurance score based on your regular credit rating. Companies in most states use this number to calculate how much you’ll pay, and while it’s not exactly the same, your credit score is a good indicator of your insurance score.
The national average full coverage auto policy for a driver with good credit is $1,630, compared to $2,792 for one with a poor credit rating — even if both drivers have zero moving violations. Minimum coverage policies are also more expensive if your credit score is low. The same good driver pays $561 compared to $973 for a customer with a poor credit file.
Vehicle Types
The type of vehicle you drive also affects your insurance rates. Insurance companies factor things like the price of parts and labor to fix your car after an accident and the manufacturer’s safety and crash prevention features into how much it charges you for coverage. High-performance automobiles, like sports cars and trucks, tend to come with higher insurance costs than sedans, for example.
The Subaru Forester is one of the most cost-effective vehicles to insure, at just $1,773 a year. Covering minivans is also typically less expensive, and that’s true with the Dodge Grand Caravan. Its average policy runs just $1,786.
Additional Factors
Additional factors that change the average car insurance cost you could pay each year include your marital status. Who would have guessed tying the knot came with more than mere tax benefits? According to ValuePenguin, married adults pay $116 less than single drivers. Most couples are more financially stable and risk-averse than their friends who aren’t attached yet.
Another aspect of the seemingly convoluted insurance rating system is available discounts. Many insurers will offer a break on your policy if you have defensive driving lessons or your teen makes the honor roll. Consider bundling your auto and home coverage or pay your annual premium in full to save even more.
The average car insurance cost around the country varies. The only way to ensure you’re getting the best rates is to compare prices from multiple carriers in your area.
At FIXD, our mission is to make car ownership as simple, easy, and affordable as possible. Our research team utilizes the latest automotive data and insights to create tools and resources that help drivers get peace of mind and save money over the life of their car.
