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Full coverage car insurance averages $215 a month nationally. What you pay comes down to your state and your driving record — drivers in the cheapest state pay $138 a month, drivers in the most expensive pay $333, and violations like a speeding ticket or an at-fault accident push your rate up 38% on average.

Use the calculator below to see what a driver like you pays in your ZIP code. Then get quotes from three or four companies and compare them against that range — if they all come in above it, try a few more so you’re not overpaying, since the cheapest company for one driver is rarely the cheapest for the next.

When your monthly payment should drop

Your bill doesn’t fall on its own. Shop around and compare premiums from multiple insurers when any of these happen and you’ll usually see a lower monthly rate.

  • You move. Rates are set by ZIP code, so moving across town can change your monthly payment even if nothing else about you changes.
  • You turn 25. Monthly rates fall steadily through your twenties and flatten out after 25.
  • A ticket or accident ages off your record. Violations stop affecting your rate after a few years, but insurers don’t lower your payment on their own when that happens.
  • You get married or buy a home. Both qualify you for lower monthly rates with most companies.
  • You pay off your car. With no lender requiring full coverage, dropping collision on an older car can cut your payment significantly.

How to calculate the cost of car insurance

What you pay depends heavily on the car you drive — an Acura Integra and a Honda Accord in the same ZIP code can differ by $50 a month or more, because insurers price around what each one costs to repair and how often they get stolen.

Pick your vehicle and state below to see estimated monthly rates at three coverage levels. Compare the full coverage number against the quotes you receive, and if they all come in higher, try a few more companies so you’re not overpaying.

Data last refreshed in 2026
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How does coverage affect what you pay?

The coverage you choose moves the needle more than anything else, which is why comparing matters so much. There are three main levels of car insurance to know:

  • State minimum: The lowest amount of coverage your state legally lets you drive with. In most states that means liability, but some states also require PIP or MedPay, which helps cover medical bills for you and your passengers after a crash, no matter who caused it. It’s the cheapest option, but also the least protection you can have.
  • Liability-only: This pays for damage and injuries you cause to someone else, not anything that happens to you or your car. Going with higher limits than the state minimum, like 50/100/50, just means more of the other person’s costs get covered if things get expensive, like a serious injury or a totaled car.
  • Full coverage: This adds collision and comprehensive on top of liability, and it’s the only option that protects your own car too. Collision pays to fix your car after a crash, no matter who caused it. Comprehensive pays for damage that isn’t from a crash, like theft, fire, or hitting a deer. It’s the most expensive of the three, and worth it mainly if your car is financed, leased or new enough that replacing it out of pocket would hurt.

What each coverage level pays after an accident

State minimum costs $62 a month, liability-only with higher limits costs $69, and full coverage costs $215. Paying $153 less a month for state minimum means paying far more after a crash — you cover anything above your $10,000 limit yourself, and your own car’s repairs come out of pocket no matter who caused the accident.

Here’s what each one pays after a crash that does $25,000 to another driver’s car and $6,000 to yours.

  • State minimum, $62 a month. Your $10,000 limit leaves you owing the other driver $15,000, and your own $6,000 repair bill is yours too. Total out of pocket: $21,000.
  • Liability-only with higher limits, $69 a month. The other driver’s $25,000 is covered in full, but your $6,000 repair bill is still yours.
  • Full coverage, $215 a month. Both are covered, and you pay only your deductible — $500 on a typical policy.

Our agents make it hassle-free to get the right quote.

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Car insurance rates by state

Car insurance rates vary more by state than almost any other factor. Louisiana is the most expensive at $333 a month, more than double Vermont’s $138, the cheapest state in the country.

Your location is one of the biggest factors that determine your premium. Rates come down to how much coverage your state requires, how often crashes there turn into injury claims and lawsuits, what a repair costs locally, how much weather damage insurers pay out and how many drivers on the road carry no insurance at all.

Here’s the average monthly and annual cost of full coverage in every state.

StateAverage monthly premiumAverage annual premium
Alabama$176$2,116
Alaska$181$2,167
Arizona$202$2,420
Arkansas$245$2,942
California$287$3,444
Colorado$265$3,181
Connecticut$228$2,742
Delaware$263$3,157
Florida$326$3,916
Georgia$209$2,503
Hawaii$146$1,757
Idaho$158$1,901
Illinois$162$1,938
Indiana$158$1,894
Iowa$205$2,460
Kansas$208$2,496
Kentucky$219$2,624
Louisiana$333$3,999
Maine$151$1,808
Maryland$167$1,999
Massachusetts$202$2,429
Michigan$330$3,964
Minnesota$216$2,591
Mississippi$200$2,397
Missouri$179$2,151
Montana$206$2,476
Nebraska$175$2,095
Nevada$330$3,963
New Hampshire$141$1,689
New Jersey$260$3,122
New Mexico$215$2,577
New York$216$2,596
North Carolina$220$2,638
North Dakota$203$2,439
Ohio$149$1,783
Oklahoma$249$2,993
Oregon$171$2,048
Pennsylvania$194$2,327
Rhode Island$240$2,878
South Carolina$201$2,417
South Dakota$215$2,575
Tennessee$186$2,235
Texas$259$3,106
Utah$196$2,356
Vermont$138$1,660
Virginia$153$1,835
Washington$199$2,389
Washington, D.C.$289$3,465
West Virginia$201$2,415
Wisconsin$195$2,343
Wyoming$172$2,061
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How to lower your car insurance premium

The fastest way to lower your rate is to compare quotes from a few insurers, since prices for the same coverage can vary by hundreds of dollars a year depending on the company. Beyond that, raising your deductible, bundling policies, and asking about discounts can all bring your monthly payment down.

  • Compare quotes. Insurers don’t all charge the same for the same coverage. Getting quotes from a few different companies is the single biggest way to find a lower price.
  • Raise your deductible. This is the amount you pay out of pocket before your insurance kicks in. A higher deductible means a lower monthly bill, as long as you’re comfortable covering that cost if you ever need to file a claim.
  • Bundle your policies. If you combine your car insurance with home or renters insurance from the same company, most insurers will knock a bit off both.
  • Ask about discounts. Things like a clean driving record, good grades if you’re a student, paperless billing, or autopay can all lower your rate. It’s worth asking your insurer what you qualify for.
  • Choose the right car. Your car’s price, safety record, and repair costs all affect your rate. A luxury car or sports car usually costs more to insure than a sedan or an economy car, since it’s more expensive to fix or replace. 

Frequently asked questions

Is it cheaper to pay for car insurance monthly or annually?

Paying annually is usually cheaper. Most insurers add a small fee or a slightly higher rate when you pay month to month, so the totals add up over a year. If spreading the cost out helps your budget more than saving that extra bit, monthly is still a fine choice, just know you’re paying a bit more for the convenience.

What’s the difference between state minimum and full coverage?

State minimum only covers damage and injuries you cause to someone else. Full coverage also pays to fix or replace your own car. That’s the whole difference, and it’s why full coverage costs more.

Does my credit score affect my car insurance rate?

In most states, yes. Insurers often use your credit history as one factor when setting your price, along with your driving record, age, and location. A few states, such as California and Massachusetts, don’t allow this, so it depends on where you live.

How often should I compare car insurance quotes?

Once a year is a good habit, especially around renewal time. Rates change, insurers adjust their pricing, and you might qualify for new discounts you didn’t have last year.

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Alisha Ambre

 
  

Alisha Ambre holds a Bachelor of Arts with honours in English Literature and Media Studies. She focuses on crafting clear, engaging content that makes complex information feel practical and approachable for everyday readers. When she’s not writing, she’s likely on the volleyball court or immersed in a good video game.

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