The Average Cost of Car Insurance in All 50 States

The national average cost of car insurance over the course of an entire year was $3,017 in 2023, about $251 a month.

That's a decent chunk of change: it's more than the average American spends on clothing. And it amounts to 4% of the median salary in America.

Car insurance rates vary by state and provider, and are impacted by your driving record, credit score, and other factors. It's also a good idea to regularly check rates from car insurance providers beyond your current one to see if a better deal is available.

To help shoppers navigate the auto insurance market, Motley Fool Money has compiled:

• The average cost of car insurance in all 50 states
• The cost of minimum and standard auto insurance in each state
• The cheapest and most expensive car insurance providers in each state
• Tips to reduce your auto insurance premium

The national average annual cost of car insurance: $3,017

That national average annual cost of car insurance in 2023 was $3,017, according to Quadrant. That amounts to about $251 a month.

Auto insurance has gotten more expensive over the past three years. The average annual auto insurance premium in 2021 cost $2,640, or about $220 a month.

While a variety of factors influence your individual car insurance rate, like age, location, driving history, and credit score, the overall cost of car insurance has risen in recent years due to repairs becoming more expensive and hazardous weather that's more frequent and intense, leading to vehicle damage.

The average cost of car insurance by coverage

The type of car insurance coverage a car owner opts to purchase through their auto insurance policy has a significant impact on the price of that policy.

Minimum coverage, which is coverage that states require car owners to purchase, is significantly cheaper than more comprehensive coverage.

The average cost of minimum auto insurance coverage in 2023 was $787 over the entire year, roughly $66 a month. More comprehensive coverage cost $3,296 for the year, roughly $275 a month.

Minimum auto insurance coverage generally includes bodily injury liability and property damage liability. That coverage is often grouped together as liability coverage. They help cover the costs of injuries and property damage caused to another person during an accident.

Standard coverage includes liability coverage and all or most of the following:

• Uninsured and underinsured motorist coverage
• Comprehensive coverage
• Collision coverage
• Medical payment coverage
• Personal injury protection (PIP)

Average cost of car insurance by state

Alabama average annual cost of car insurance: $2,907 ($110 below national average)

• Average annual cost of car insurance: $2,907
• Average annual cost of standard coverage car insurance: $3,187
• Average annual cost of minimum coverage car insurance: $664

Cheapest and most expensive car insurance in Alabama

• Cheapest car insurance in Alabama: Progressive, $1,311 average annual premium
• Most expensive car insurance in Alabama: Trexis One, $6,934 average annual premium

Alaska average annual cost of car insurance: $1,897 ($1,120 below national average)

• Average annual cost of car insurance: $1,897
• Average annual cost of standard coverage car insurance: $2,072
• Average annual cost of minimum coverage car insurance: $498

Cheapest and most expensive car insurance in Alaska

• Cheapest car insurance in Alaska: Geico, $1,461 average annual premium
• Most expensive car insurance in Alaska: Allstate, $2,682 average annual premium

Arizona average annual cost of car insurance: $3,218 ($201 above national average)

• Average annual cost of car insurance: $3,218
• Average annual cost of standard coverage car insurance: $3,502
• Average annual cost of minimum coverage car insurance: $941

Cheapest and most expensive car insurance in Arizona

• Cheapest car insurance in Arizona: Geico, $1,320 average annual premium
• Most expensive car insurance in Arizona: CSAA, $10,646 average annual premium

Arkansas average annual cost of car insurance: $2,739 ($278 below national average)

• Average annual cost of car insurance: $2,739
• Average annual cost of standard coverage car insurance: $3,009
• Average annual cost of minimum coverage car insurance: $574

Cheapest and most expensive car insurance in Arkansas

• Cheapest car insurance in Arkansas: USAA, $1,526 average annual premium
• Most expensive car insurance in Arkansas: Auto-Owners Insurance, $4,211 average annual premium

California average annual cost of car insurance: $2,754 ($263 below national average)

• Average annual cost of car insurance: $2,754
• Average annual cost of standard coverage car insurance: $3,018
• Average annual cost of minimum coverage car insurance: $640

Cheapest and most expensive car insurance in California

• Cheapest car insurance in California: Wawanesa General Insurance, $1,673 average annual premium
• Most expensive car insurance in California: Allstate, $3,905 average annual premium

Colorado average annual cost of car insurance: $3,220 ($203 above national average)

• Average annual cost of car insurance: $3,220
• Average annual cost of standard coverage car insurance: $3,545
• Average annual cost of minimum coverage car insurance: $626

Cheapest and most expensive car insurance in Colorado

• Cheapest car insurance in Colorado: Geico, $1,875 average annual premium
• Most expensive car insurance in Colorado: Acuity Mutual Insurance, $6,951 average annual premium

Connecticut average annual cost of car insurance: $3,028 ($11 above national average)

• Average annual cost of car insurance: $3,028
• Average annual cost of standard coverage car insurance: $3,270
• Average annual cost of minimum coverage car insurance: $1,086

Cheapest and most expensive car insurance in Connecticut

• Cheapest car insurance in Connecticut: Geico, $1,609 average annual premium
• Most expensive car insurance in Connecticut: Metropolitan Group, $4,993 average annual premium

Delaware average annual cost of car insurance: $3,759 ($742 above national average)

• Average annual cost of car insurance: $3,759
• Average annual cost of standard coverage car insurance: $4,073
• Average annual cost of minimum coverage car insurance: $1,242

Cheapest and most expensive car insurance in Delaware

• Cheapest car insurance in Delaware: USAA, $1,935 average annual premium
• Most expensive car insurance in Delaware: Peak Insurance, $7,125 average annual premium

The District of Columbia average annual cost of car insurance: $3,187 ($170 above national average)

• Average annual cost of car insurance: $3,187
• Average annual cost of standard coverage car insurance: $3,479
• Average annual cost of minimum coverage car insurance: $847

Cheapest and most expensive car insurance in District of Columbia

• Cheapest car insurance in District of Columbia: USAA, $2,048 average annual premium
• Most expensive car insurance in District of Columbia: Allstate, $5,464 average annual premium

Florida average annual cost of car insurance: $3,766 ($749 above national average)

• Average annual cost of car insurance: $3,766
• Average annual cost of standard coverage car insurance: $4,069
• Average annual cost of minimum coverage car insurance: $1,339

Cheapest and most expensive car insurance in Florida

• Cheapest car insurance in Florida: Geico, $2,525 average annual premium
• Most expensive car insurance in Florida: Allstate: $5,938 average annual premium

Georgia average annual cost of car insurance: $3,009 ($8 below national average)

• Average annual cost of car insurance: $3,009
• Average annual cost of standard coverage car insurance: $3,273
• Average annual cost of minimum coverage car insurance: $900

Cheapest and most expensive car insurance in Georgia

• Cheapest car insurance in Georgia: Country Preferred Insurance, $1,763 average annual premium
• Most expensive car insurance in Georgia: Southern Insurance, $7,156 average annual premium

Hawaii average annual cost of car insurance: $1,619 ($1,398 below national average)

• Average annual cost of car insurance: $1,619
• Average annual cost of standard coverage car insurance: $1,770
• Average annual cost of minimum coverage car insurance: $418

Cheapest and most expensive car insurance in Hawaii

• Cheapest car insurance in Hawaii: State Farm, $938 average annual premium
• Most expensive car insurance in Hawaii: Tradewind Insurance, $2,737 average annual premium

Idaho average annual cost of car insurance: $2,010 ($1,007 below national average)

• Average annual cost of car insurance: $2,010
• Average annual cost of standard coverage car insurance: $2,205
• Average annual cost of minimum coverage car insurance: $450

Cheapest and most expensive car insurance in Idaho

• Cheapest car insurance in Idaho: State Farm, $1,301 average annual premium
• Most expensive car insurance in Idaho: Allstate, $3,357 average annual premium

Illinois average annual cost of car insurance: $2,498 ($519 below national average)

• Average annual cost of car insurance: $2,498
• Average annual cost of standard coverage car insurance: $2,738
• Average annual cost of minimum coverage car insurance: $580

Cheapest and most expensive car insurance in Illinois

• Cheapest car insurance in Illinois: Farmers Automobile Insurance, $1,323 average annual premium
• Most expensive car insurance in Illinois: Milbank Insurance, $5,422 average annual premium

Indiana: $2,065 ($952 below national average)

• Average annual cost of car insurance: $2,065
• Average annual cost of standard coverage car insurance: $2,259
• Average annual cost of minimum coverage car insurance: $516

Cheapest and most expensive car insurance in Indiana

• Cheapest car insurance in Indiana: USAA, $1,117 average annual premium
• Most expensive car insurance in Indiana: United Farm Family Mutual Insurance, $2,889 average annual premium

Iowa average annual cost of car insurance: $2,286 ($731 below national average)

• Average annual cost of car insurance: $2,286
• Average annual cost of standard coverage car insurance: $2,527
• Average annual cost of minimum coverage car insurance: $361

Cheapest and most expensive car insurance in Iowa

• Cheapest car insurance in Iowa: Farmers Automobile Insurance, $1,298 average annual premium
• Most expensive car insurance in Iowa: Western National Mutual Insurance, $4,162 average annual premium

Kansas average annual cost of car insurance: $3,246 ($229 above national average)

• Average annual cost of car insurance: $3,246
• Average annual cost of standard coverage car insurance: $3,576
• Average annual cost of minimum coverage car insurance: $605

Cheapest and most expensive car insurance in Kansas

• Cheapest car insurance in Kansas: USAA, $1,925 average annual premium
• Most expensive car insurance in Kansas: Electric Insurance, $5,165 average annual premium

Kentucky average annual cost of car insurance: $4,200 ($1,183 above national average)

• Average annual cost of car insurance: $4,200
• Average annual cost of standard coverage car insurance: $4,586
• Average annual cost of minimum coverage car insurance: $1,108

Cheapest and most expensive car insurance in Kentucky

• Cheapest car insurance in Kentucky: USAA, $2,234 average annual premium
• Most expensive car insurance in Kentucky: Metropolitan Insurance, $12,528 average annual premium

Louisiana average annual cost of car insurance: $4,280 ($1,263 above national average)

• Average annual cost of car insurance: $4,280
• Average annual cost of standard coverage car insurance: $4,661
• Average annual cost of minimum coverage car insurance: $1,232

Cheapest and most expensive car insurance in Louisiana

• Cheapest car insurance in Louisiana: Louisiana Farm Bureau Insurance, $2,127 average annual premium
• Most expensive car insurance in Louisiana: Metropolitan Insurance, $7,624 average annual premium

Maine average annual cost of car insurance: $2,201 ($816 below national average)

• Average annual cost of car insurance: $2,201
• Average annual cost of standard coverage car insurance: $2,405
• Average annual cost of minimum coverage car insurance: $569

Cheapest and most expensive car insurance in Maine

• Cheapest car insurance in Maine: USAA, $1,139 average annual premium
• Most expensive car insurance in Maine: Electric Insurance, $4,445 average annual premium

Maryland average annual cost of car insurance: $3,308 ($291 more than national average)

• Average annual cost of car insurance: $3,308
• Average annual cost of standard coverage car insurance: $3,591
• Average annual cost of minimum coverage car insurance: $1,050

Cheapest and most expensive car insurance in Maryland

• Cheapest car insurance in Maryland: Geico, $1,464 average annual premium
• Most expensive car insurance in Maryland: Donegal Mutual Insurance, $7,016 average annual premium

Massachusetts average annual cost of car insurance: $2,315 ($702 below national average)

• Average annual cost of car insurance: $2,315
• Average annual cost of standard coverage car insurance: $2,532
• Average annual cost of minimum coverage car insurance: $582

Cheapest and most expensive car insurance in Massachusetts

• Cheapest car insurance in Massachusetts: Geico, $1,276 average annual premium
• Most expensive car insurance in Massachusetts: Safety Insurance, $3,850 average annual premium

Michigan average annual cost of car insurance: $5,766 ($2,749 above national average)

• Average annual cost of car insurance: $5,766
• Average annual cost of standard coverage car insurance: $6,261
• Average annual cost of minimum coverage car insurance: $1,807

Cheapest and most expensive car insurance in Michigan

• Cheapest car insurance in Michigan: USAA, $2,157 average annual premium
• Most expensive car insurance in Michigan: Citizens Insurance, $16,790 average annual premium

Minnesota average annual cost of car insurance: $2,909 ($108 below national average)

• Average annual cost of car insurance: $2,909
• Average annual cost of standard coverage car insurance: $3,176
• Average annual cost of minimum coverage car insurance: $777

Cheapest and most expensive car insurance in Minnesota

• Cheapest car insurance in Minnesota: SECURA Supreme Insurance, $1,845 average annual premium
• Most expensive car insurance in Minnesota: MemberSelect Insurance, $5,595 average annual premium

Mississippi average annual cost of car insurance: $2,792 ($225 below national average)

• Average annual cost of car insurance: $2,792
• Average annual cost of standard coverage car insurance: $3,059
• Average annual cost of minimum coverage car insurance: $656

Cheapest and most expensive car insurance in Mississippi

• Cheapest car insurance in Mississippi: USAA, $1,507 average annual premium
• Most expensive car insurance in Mississippi: Metropolitan Insurance, $6,198 average annual premium

Missouri average annual cost of car insurance: $3,225 ($208 above national average)

• Average annual cost of car insurance: $3,225
• Average annual cost of standard coverage car insurance: $3,528
• Average annual cost of minimum coverage car insurance: $801

Cheapest and most expensive car insurance in Missouri

• Cheapest car insurance in Missouri: USAA, $1,405 average annual premium
• Most expensive car insurance in Missouri: Metropolitan Insurance, $7,047 average annual premium

Montana average annual cost of car insurance: $2,755 ($262 below national average)

• Average annual cost of car insurance: $2,755
• Average annual cost of standard coverage car insurance: $3,045
• Average annual cost of minimum coverage car insurance: $428

Cheapest and most expensive car insurance in Montana

• Cheapest car insurance in Montana: Progressive, $971 average annual premium
• Most expensive car insurance in Montana: Alpha Insurance, $5,955 average annual premium

Nebraska average annual cost of car insurance: $2,913 ($104 below national average)

• Average annual cost of car insurance: $2,913
• Average annual cost of standard coverage car insurance: $3,212
• Average annual cost of minimum coverage car insurance: $521

Cheapest and most expensive car insurance in Nebraska

• Cheapest car insurance in Nebraska: American National Insurance, $1,586 average annual premium
• Most expensive car insurance in Nebraska: Auto Club Group Insurance, $5,423 average annual premium

Nevada average annual cost of car insurance: $3,250 ($233 above national average)

• Average annual cost of car insurance: $3,250
• Average annual cost of standard coverage car insurance: $3,503
• Average annual cost of minimum coverage car insurance: $1,225

Cheapest and most expensive car insurance in Nevada

• Cheapest car insurance in Nevada: Geico, $1,644 average annual premium
• Most expensive car insurance in Nevada: CSAA General Insurance, $5,566 average annual premium

New Hampshire average annual cost of car insurance: $2,943 ($74 below national average)

• Average annual cost of car insurance: $2,943
• Average annual cost of standard coverage car insurance: $3,220
• Average annual cost of minimum coverage car insurance: $724

Cheapest and most expensive car insurance in New Hampshire

• Cheapest car insurance in New Hampshire: Concord General Mutual Insurance, $1,171 average annual premium
• Most expensive car insurance in New Hampshire: Allmerica Insurance, $9,630 average annual premium

New Jersey average annual cost of car insurance: $4,316 ($1,299 above national average)

• Average annual cost of car insurance: $4,316
• Average annual cost of standard coverage car insurance: $4,676
• Average annual cost of minimum coverage car insurance: $1,434

Cheapest and most expensive car insurance in New Jersey

• Cheapest car insurance in New Jersey: Geico, $1,870 average annual premium
• Most expensive car insurance in New Jersey: Hanover Insurance, $11,474 average annual premium

New Mexico average annual cost of car insurance: $2,438 ($579 below national average)

• Average annual cost of car insurance: $2,438
• Average annual cost of standard coverage car insurance: $2,675
• Average annual cost of minimum coverage car insurance: $547

Cheapest and most expensive car insurance in New Mexico

• Cheapest car insurance in New Mexico: USAA, $1,400 average annual premium
• Most expensive car insurance in New Mexico: Financial Independence Insurance, $4,311 average annual premium

New York average annual cost of car insurance: $4,200 ($1,183 above national average)

• Average annual cost of car insurance: $4,200
• Average annual cost of standard coverage car insurance: $4,555
• Average annual cost of minimum coverage car insurance: $1,361

Cheapest and most expensive car insurance in New York

• Cheapest car insurance in New York: Unitrin Safeguard Insurance, $2,254 average annual premium
• Most expensive car insurance in New York: Mercury Insurance, $9,201 average annual premium

North Carolina average annual cost of car insurance: $2,511 ($506 below national average)

• Average annual cost of car insurance: $2,511
• Average annual cost of standard coverage car insurance: $2,752
• Average annual cost of minimum coverage car insurance: $587

Cheapest and most expensive car insurance in North Carolina

• Cheapest car insurance in North Carolina: Integon National Insurance, $1,630 average annual premium
• Most expensive car insurance in North Carolina: Allstate, $4,867 average annual premium

North Dakota average annual cost of car insurance: $2,503 ($514 below national average)

• Average annual cost of car insurance: $2,503
• Average annual cost of standard coverage car insurance: $2,756
• Average annual cost of minimum coverage car insurance: $473

Cheapest and most expensive car insurance in North Dakota

• Cheapest car insurance in North Dakota: USAA, $1,457 average annual premium
• Most expensive car insurance in North Dakota: Milbank Insurance, $3,260 average annual premium

Ohio average annual cost of car insurance: $2,238 ($779 below national average)

• Average annual cost of car insurance: $2,238
• Average annual cost of standard coverage car insurance: $2,441
• Average annual cost of minimum coverage car insurance: $611

Cheapest and most expensive car insurance in Ohio

• Cheapest car insurance in Ohio: USAA, $1,234 average annual premium
• Most expensive car insurance in Ohio: State Farm, $5,542 average annual premium

Oklahoma average annual cost of car insurance: $3,109 ($92 above national average)

• Average annual cost of car insurance: $3,109
• Average annual cost of standard coverage car insurance: $3,425
• Average annual cost of minimum coverage car insurance: $581

Cheapest and most expensive car insurance in Oklahoma

• Cheapest car insurance in Oklahoma: USAA, $1,664 average annual premium
• Most expensive car insurance in Oklahoma: American Hallmark Insurance, $8,121 average annual premium

Oregon average annual cost of car insurance: $2,421 ($596 below national average)

• Average annual cost of car insurance: $2,421
• Average annual cost of standard coverage car insurance: $2,611
• Average annual cost of minimum coverage car insurance: $898

Cheapest and most expensive car insurance in Oregon

• Cheapest car insurance in Oregon: Country Preferred Insurance, $1,595 average annual premium
• Most expensive car insurance in Oregon: Farmers Automobile Insurance, $3,629 average annual premium

Pennsylvania average annual cost of car insurance: $2,532 ($485 below national average)

• Average annual cost of car insurance: $2,532
• Average annual cost of standard coverage car insurance: $2,781
• Average annual cost of minimum coverage car insurance: $543

Cheapest and most expensive car insurance in Pennsylvania

• Cheapest car insurance in Pennsylvania: USAA, $1,693 average annual premium
• Most expensive car insurance in Pennsylvania: SafeAuto Car Insurance, $3,577 average annual premium

Rhode Island average annual cost of car insurance: $3,494 ($477 above national average)

• Average annual cost of car insurance: $3,494
• Average annual cost of standard coverage car insurance: $3,794
• Average annual cost of minimum coverage car insurance: $1,095

Cheapest and most expensive car insurance in Rhode Island

• Cheapest car insurance in Rhode Island: State Farm, $1,585 average annual premium
• Most expensive car insurance in Rhode Island: Metropolitan Insurance, $5,968 average annual premium

South Carolina average annual cost of car insurance: $3,133 ($116 above national average)

• Average annual cost of car insurance: $3,133
• Average annual cost of standard coverage car insurance: $3,397
• Average annual cost of minimum coverage car insurance: $1,027

Cheapest and most expensive car insurance in South Carolina

• Cheapest car insurance in South Carolina: American National Insurance, $1,605 average annual premium
• Most expensive car insurance in South Carolina: Bristol West Insurance, $5,448 average annual premium

South Dakota average annual cost of car insurance: $3,217 ($200 above national average)

• Average annual cost of car insurance: $3,217
• Average annual cost of standard coverage car insurance: $3,566
• Average annual cost of minimum coverage car insurance: $423

Cheapest and most expensive car insurance in South Dakota

• Cheapest car insurance in South Dakota: Farmers Automobile Insurance, $1,967 average annual premium
• Most expensive car insurance in South Dakota: Auto-Owners Insurance, $5,183 average annual premium

Tennessee average annual cost of car insurance: $2,348 ($669 below national average)

• Average annual cost of car insurance: $2,348
• Average annual cost of standard coverage car insurance: $2,575
• Average annual cost of minimum coverage car insurance: $531

Cheapest and most expensive car insurance in Tennessee

• Cheapest car insurance in Tennessee: USAA, $1,515 average annual premium
• Most expensive car insurance in Tennessee: Allstate, $3,651 average annual premium

Texas average annual cost of car insurance: $2,926 ($91 below national average)

• Average annual cost of car insurance: $2,926
• Average annual cost of standard coverage car insurance: $3,192
• Average annual cost of minimum coverage car insurance: $802

Cheapest and most expensive car insurance in Texas

• Cheapest car insurance in Texas: Redpoint County Mutual Insurance, $1,494 average annual premium
• Most expensive car insurance in Texas: Foremost County Mutual Insurance, $5,017 average annual premium

Utah average annual cost of car insurance: $2,788 ($229 below national average)

• Average annual cost of car insurance: $2,788
• Average annual cost of standard coverage car insurance: $3,037
• Average annual cost of minimum coverage car insurance: $793

Cheapest and most expensive car insurance in Utah

• Cheapest car insurance in Utah: General Casualty Insurance Company, $1,758 average annual premium
• Most expensive car insurance in Utah: State Auto Insurance, $4,130 average annual premium

Vermont average annual cost of car insurance: $2,379 ($638 below national average)

• Average annual cost of car insurance: $2,379
• Average annual cost of standard coverage car insurance: $2,620
• Average annual cost of minimum coverage car insurance: $447

Cheapest and most expensive car insurance in Vermont

• Cheapest car insurance in Vermont: USAA, $1,354 average annual premium
• Most expensive car insurance in Vermont: Metropolitan Insurance, $4,409 average annual insurance

Virginia average annual cost of car insurance: $2,808 ($209 below national average)

• Average annual cost of car insurance: $2,808
• Average annual cost of standard coverage car insurance: $3,065
• Average annual cost of minimum coverage car insurance: $751

Cheapest and most expensive car insurance in Virginia

• Cheapest car insurance in Virginia: USAA, $1,523 average annual premium
• Most expensive car insurance in Virginia: Metropolitan Insurance, $6,330

Washington average annual cost of car insurance: $1,803 ($1,214 below national average)

• Average annual cost of car insurance: $1,803
• Average annual cost of standard coverage car insurance: $1,960
• Average annual cost of minimum coverage car insurance: $549

Cheapest and most expensive car insurance in Washington

• Cheapest car insurance in Washington: USAA, $1,097 average annual premium
• Most expensive car insurance in Washington: Middlesex Insurance, $3,007 average annual premium

West Virginia average annual cost of car insurance: $3,075 ($58 above national average)

• Average annual cost of car insurance: $3,075
• Average annual cost of standard coverage car insurance: $3,371
• Average annual cost of minimum coverage car insurance: $711

Cheapest and most expensive car insurance in West Virginia

• Cheapest car insurance in West Virginia: USAA, $1,485 average annual premium
• Most expensive car insurance in West Virginia: Motorists Mutual Insurance, $5,670 average annual premium

Wisconsin average annual cost of car insurance: $2,346 ($671 below national average)

• Average annual cost of car insurance: $2,346
• Average annual cost of standard coverage car insurance: $2,578
• Average annual cost of minimum coverage car insurance: $492

Cheapest and most expensive car insurance in Wisconsin

• Cheapest car insurance in Wisconsin: USAA, $1,252 average annual premium
• Most expensive car insurance in Wisconsin: Acuity Mutual Insurance, $4,252 average annual premium

Wyoming average annual cost of car insurance: $2,393 ($624 below national average)

• Average annual cost of car insurance: $2,393
• Average annual cost of standard coverage car insurance: $2,647
• Average annual cost of minimum coverage car insurance: $354

Cheapest and most expensive car insurance in Wyoming

• Cheapest car insurance in Wyoming: American National, $1,246 average annual premium
• Most expensive car insurance in Wyoming: Allstate, $4,362 average annual premium

The average cost of car insurance by region

One reason why car insurance in the Mid-Atlantic tends to be more expensive is that many states in the region require higher minimum liability coverage and can also require additional coverage, such as personal injury protection and uninsured motorist coverage. That raises the cost of minimum coverage and therefore the overall average car insurance premium in those states.

How to lower your car insurance premium

To get a better car insurance rate, it's necessary to understand how the price of auto insurance policies are set. Most companies look at these factors when setting your rate through their own insurance score system:

• Driving record: New and younger drivers and those who have gotten into major accidents, received a DUI, or been booked for speeding tickets will have higher auto insurance rates than drivers with a clean record.
• Driving frequency: Policyholders that drive more will pay more for auto insurance.
• Location: Living in an area with higher rates of theft and accidents can increase the cost of auto insurance. Locations where severe weather that can damage cars, like hail, is more common can also have more expensive policies.
• Gender: Women have historically been safer drivers than men and as a result may receive a better car insurance rate.
• Automobile model: More expensive cars are more expensive to insure. Cars with certain safety features may qualify for discounts.

With those factors in mind, here are some ways to save on auto insurance:

• Shop around: Whenever your policy comes up for renewal, make a habit of looking at rates other insurance companies offer.
• Bundle auto and homeowners insurance: If you're a homeowner, bundling auto and homeowners insurance can net savings.
• Explore paying per mile: If you aren't driving to work and otherwise minimally use your car, it may make sense to look at whether a pay-per-mile policy would lower your premium.
• Look for discounts: Many auto insurance companies offer discounts for actions taken that lower risk. These include taking a defensive driving course, parking in a secure garage if you live in an urban area, and driving a vehicle with safety features like anti-lock brakes.
• Maintain good credit: Many auto insurance providers use credit history as a factor in calculating auto insurance scores. Data shows that good credit can net big savings.
• Keep a clean driving record: Getting a DUI, being in a major accident, and accumulating speeding tickets can make auto insurance much more expensive. Taking an Uber or taxi after a night out, focusing on the road, and staying within the speed limit are well worth it when considering the financial consequences of being pulled over or getting in a wreck.