Average cost of car insurance in September 2024 | Bankrate (2024)

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Updated Sep 06, 2024

How much is car insurance?

According to Bankrate’s extensive research, the average cost of car insurance in the U.S. is $2,348 per year. Minimum coverage, on the other hand, has an average annual cost of $639. However, car insurance is like a fingerprint: although your circ*mstances may seem similar, your personalized rating factors will cause your premium to vary from that of friends, family and the national average. Still, knowing the average cost of car insurance might give you the information you need to ensure you’re not overpaying for this necessary financial protection.

Key insights from Bankrate's 2024 car insurance cost analysis:

• Full coverage car insurance costs an average of $2,348 per year, while minimum coverage is $639 per year. On a monthly basis, full coverage averages $196, with minimum coverage averaging $53 per month.
• USAA, Auto-Owners and Geico offer some of the cheapest full coverage car insurance but are not all available to all drivers.
• Men tend to pay more than women for car insurance, on average, since data show they are more likely to engage in riskier driving behaviors.
• Some vehicles experience higher average insurance premiums than others because of MSRPs, safety features, repair costs, parts availability and other variable characteristics.

The average cost of car insurance varies between states for many reasons, like accident and claim frequency, the cost of labor and vehicle parts, vehicle theft frequency and even road conditions. The coverage levels you choose also play a significant role. Here, we cover the two most common coverage limits for a holistic view of average rates — full coverage and minimum coverage. It is typical for drivers who have leases or loans on their vehicles to have comprehensive and collision coverage, along with higher liability limits of 100/300/50, and for drivers of older cars to have liability-only limits at the state-required amounts.

Keep in mind that there are various degrees of coverage between these two options. Even if you are driving an older vehicle, liability coverage helps protect your financial future if you are found at fault for an accident. And insurance experts agree that carrying more liability coverage offers better financial protection at a relatively low cost to you. While making the jump from minimum coverage to full coverage can throw a wrench in your budget, raising your liability limits can be an affordable way to protect your finances if you are at fault for an accident. You may want to speak with a licensed insurance agent to better understand the limits that will work best for you.

Average car insurance cost by state in 2024

Average auto insurance premiums based on a 40-year-old driver with a clean driving record and good credit.

Auto insurance rates are known to fluctuate frequently, but you can rely on Bankrate to offer you the latest options available.

What are the cheapest states for car insurance in 2024?

Drivers in Idaho, Vermont, Ohio, Maine and Hawaii pay the cheapest annual full coverage car insurance rates in the nation, on average. Factors like cheaper cost of living, lower probability of accidents and claims, and less traffic congestion could contribute to these states' lower average premiums.

• Idaho: $1,326 per year — 44 percent below national average
• Vermont: $1,396 per year — 41 percent below national average
• Ohio: $1,492 per year — 37 percent below national average
• Maine: $1,528 per year — 36 percent below national average
• Hawaii: $1,548 per year — 35 percent below national average

What are the most expensive states for car insurance in 2024?

Based on our research, drivers in New York, Louisiana, Florida, Nevada and Colorado have the highest average annual cost of full coverage car insurance. This could be due in part to frequent claims for common losses in these states, making drivers riskier to insure overall.

• New York: $3,757 per year — 58 percent above national average
• Louisiana: $3,683 per year — 55 percent above national average
• Florida: $3,450 per year — 45 percent above national average
• Nevada: $3,111 per year — 31 percent above national average
• Colorado: $3,022 per year — 27 percent above national average

Estimate your monthly car insurance cost

Despite car insurance being a highly individualized product, there are ways to help estimate car insurance costs. By understanding how insurance companies calculate rates, you can be better prepared to shop for car insurance and find a competitive price. While the rate you get from the calculator below is not an exact quote, it can help you budget better. Our rates database is updated monthly and represents the most accurate estimates based on rate change approvals insurers file with state insurance departments.

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On average, car insurance from some of the top insurance carriers in the nation ranges from around $1,300 to $2,800 per year for full coverage, some of the cheapest rates being from Auto-Owners, Erie and Geico. But because car insurance companies have their own proprietary underwriting systems, the cost of car insurance for each individual will vary from carrier to carrier. This can make choosing an insurer a difficult decision.

For drivers looking for the best car insurance company, keep in mind that the coverage you choose plays a role, too. The average cost of full coverage car insurance is about 268 percent more than minimum coverage. The table below showcases the average annual and monthly full and minimum coverage premiums from some of the largest car insurance companies in the nation by market share.

How much does car insurance cost by age?

Car insurance companies use many different rating factors to determine your premium, and in most states, your age significantly impacts how much you pay for coverage. Statistically speaking, younger drivers (especially teens) are more likely to be involved in an accident and engage in distracted driving. Because of the added risk, younger drivers tend to pay more for auto insurance compared to drivers with more experience behind the wheel.

Average rates tend to decrease from ages 25 to 60 but begin to creep back upward when a driver reaches their 70s. Advanced age can cause decreased reaction time and poorer eyesight, which in turn can increase the likelihood of an accident. Because of this, senior drivers typically see elevated insurance rates.

Auto insurance rates are known to fluctuate frequently, but you can rely on Bankrate to offer you the latest options available.

How does driving record impact the cost of car insurance?

Drivers with an at-fault accident on their driving record pay around 44 percent more for car insurance on average compared to drivers with a clean driving record. This average increase is even higher for drivers with a DUI conviction, at 94 percent more, showing how the severity of an incident and being considered a high-risk driver could impact your premium.

*rates are for full coverage

Auto insurance rates are known to fluctuate frequently, but you can rely on Bankrate to offer you the latest options available.

• Speeding ticket: Earning a speeding ticket conviction may be one of the most common driving infractions and it can increase your full coverage premiums by, on average, 22 percent more. Every car insurance carrier will have its own algorithm for determining rates after a speeding ticket. For example, even after a speeding ticket conviction, Erie and Auto-Owner’s average car insurance rates are both well below the national average cost of auto insurance.
• At-fault accident: An at-fault accident on your record could raise your monthly full coverage car insurance payment from $196 to $281, and increase your annual premium by, on average, 44 percent more. If this is your first accident and you’ve previously added optional coverage like accident forgiveness to your policy, you may be able to avoid the surcharge.
• DUI conviction: Being convicted of a DUI could cause your monthly full coverage premium to be 94 percent more, and stay on your driving record for 10 years or more. The amount surcharged will also vary in each state. For example, the average cost of car insurance after a DUI for a full coverage policy is $2,192 per year in Idaho, but around $7,724 per year in Michigan.

Drivers with poor credit pay nearly 85 percent more for full coverage car insurance compared to those with good credit. This is because drivers with poor credit are seen as more likely to file claims and thus pose a larger financial risk to an insurer versus a driver with good credit. In states where using a credit-based insurance score as a rating factor is allowed, insurers review your insurance credit tier, which is not necessarily identical to your credit score from services like Experian, TransUnion or Equifax.

Regulations in California, Hawaii, Massachusetts and Michigan prohibit or severely limit auto insurers from using credit as a factor when setting rates.

*rates are for full coverage

Auto insurance rates are known to fluctuate frequently, but you can rely on Bankrate to offer you the latest options available.

Auto insurance rates are known to fluctuate frequently, but you can rely on Bankrate to offer you the latest options available.

The vehicles listed above are representative of common model types seen across the United States. Our list includes a variety of luxury and standard brands and a broad selection of model sizes. Some vehicle makes and models are considered more expensive to insure by insurance companies. These shared features can include:

• High-end vehicles, like luxury or sports cars: High-value vehicles cost more to insure because they often cost more to replace as well as to repair. Sports cars and sporty versions of luxury models also present an added risk of at-fault accidents thanks to powerful engines and high top speeds.
• SUVs, vans and other large vehicles: While large vehicles like SUVs and vans can reduce the risk of damage to your vehicle or injuries to your passengers, they can cause more damage to other vehicles and their occupants, leading to higher liability costs.
• Common, more affordable vehicles: Economy cars may be more affordable upfront, but their lack of advanced security and safety features could increase your risk of claims. Cheap Hyundai and Kia models, for instance, are common theft targets due to a lack of key security features.
• Hybrid and electric vehicles: The insurance cost gap between electric and hybrid cars and their gas-powered counterparts is closing, but not gone. EVs come with steep repair costs thanks to expensive parts and specialized labor, which can lead to higher rates for comprehensive and collision coverage.
• Vehicles with low safety ratings: Opting for a car with lower safety ratings could raise the base rate you pay for insurance, since these vehicles may have a higher chance of getting into accidents and can sustain more damage in the event of a crash.

If you're looking to save when buying car insurance, there are several simple strategies you can use to lower your costs:

• Compare multiple quotes: Every auto insurance company calculates rates differently, and these systems change. Regularly comparing quotes can help you find the best coverage at the most competitive price in a shifting market.
• Bundle your policies: If you also have a home, renters or life insurance policy (or another type of insurance).
• Reduce your mileage: Driving less than the average annual mileage reduces your risk of accidents. If you’re able to work from home, carpool or switch to another form of transportation, you may qualify for a lower rate based on your mileage.
• Raise your deductible: If you have full coverage on your vehicle, increasing your deductibles — the amount you pay out of pocket to make a claim — can lower your monthly premium.
• Look for discounts: Layering multiple car insurance discounts can significantly reduce your premium. Most insurers offer discounts, but the number, type and availability of discounts varies, so do your research when you shop.

Auto insurance discounts

• Claims-free discounts: Drivers who have no auto claims on their record for the past three to five years typically qualify for savings. This could include either a claims-free or safe driving discount.
• Good student discounts: Drivers under age 25 who are enrolled full time in high school, college or graduate school may qualify for discounted auto insurance rates from many major insurers.
• Discounts for paying in full: Some insurance providers offer discounts to policyholders who pay their premium as a single annual or semiannual lump sum rather than monthly or quarterly payments.
• Telematics discounts: Telematics programs use GPS technology to track your driving habits like speeding, harsh braking and phone use. Many insurers offer a discount to drivers who share telematics data with their provider and avoid these unsafe behaviors.
• Paperless policy discounts: Many insurance providers offer savings when policyholders agree to receive their bills and policy documents electronically instead of through the mail.
• Automatic payments plan: While not technically a discount, the majority of insurance companies charge service fees any time a payment is processed on an insurance policy, unless the customer opts to pay the bill in full each renewal. Many companies will waive or lower the service fee if the account is set up on auto pay through a checking account instead of a credit or debit card.
• Bundling discounts: The home and auto bundle is not the only kind of bundling discount available. Depending on your insurer, you may also be able to bundle your auto policy with a renters, umbrella, motorcycle or other insurance lines.

How are car insurance rates changing?

How is inflation impacting the auto insurance industry compared to the economy as a whole?

Methodology

Other profiles

These are sample rates and should only be used for comparative purposes.

Bankrate Scores

Our 2024 Bankrate Score considers variables our insurance editorial team determined impacts policyholders’ experiences with an insurance company. These rating factors include a robust assessment of each company’s product availability, financial strength ratings, online capabilities and customer and claims support accessibility. Each factor was added to a category, and these categories were weighted in a tiered approach to analyze how companies perform in key customer-impacting categories.

Each category was assigned a metric to determine performance, and the weighted sum adds up to a company’s total Bankrate Score — out of 5 points. Our scoring model provides a comprehensive view, indicating when companies excel across several key areas and highlighting where they fall short.

• Cost & ratings50%

• Coverage & savings30%

• Support20%

• Tier 1 (Cost & ratings): To determine how well auto and home insurance companies satisfy these priorities, average quoted premiums from Quadrant Information Services (if available), as well as any of the latest third-party agency ratings from J.D. Power, AM Best, Demotech and the NAIC, were analyzed.
• Tier 2 (Coverage & savings): We assessed companies’ coverage options and availability to help policyholders find a provider that balances cost with coverage. Additionally, we evaluated each company’s discount options listed on its website.
• Tier 3 (Support): To encompass the many ways an auto insurance company can support policyholders, we analyzed avenues of customer accessibility along with community support. This analysis incorporated additional financial strength ratings from and Moody’s and factored a company’s corporate sustainability efforts.