What is the average cost of car insurance in America?
The average cost of car insurance is $1,548 per year. That's $774 per six-month policy or $129 per month.
Auto insurance quotes vary widely based on individual rating factors. The Zebra's team of licensed insurance experts crunched the numbers using a composite user profile and gathered rates from the top auto insurance companies to develop these figures. Dive into the data below to see how age, gender, location, and vehicle type affect auto insurance premiums.
Jump to:
- Rates by company
- Rates by insurance coverage level
- Rates by driver age
- Rates by driving record
- Rates by credit score
- Rates by gender
- Rates by location
- Rates by vehicle type
- FAQs
Note: all of the insurance resources published by The Zebra are written and reviewed by licensed insurance experts. Learn more about The Zebra.
Which car insurance companies are the most affordable?
As part of our car insurance rate analysis, we compared premiums from some of America's most popular insurers. Check out average car insurance rates from the best car insurance companies below. Keep in mind your rates will vary, depending on your driving history.
| Insurance company | 6-Month premium |
| Allstate | $1,011 |
| Farmers | $822 |
| GEICO | $602 |
| Liberty Mutual | $863 |
| Nationwide | $714 |
| Progressive | $809 |
| State Farm | $647 |
| USAA | $545 |
Among the surveyed car insurance companies, USAA was the cheapest based on our average profile. Our individual profile might not reflect your rates, but you can use our auto insurance premiums as a jumping-off point to explore options from multiple car insurance companies.
Average car insurance rate by coverage level
Depending on your level of coverage, your premium will vary. The average auto insurance policy includes $50,000/$100,000 of bodily injury and $50,000 of property damage coverage with collision and comprehensive deductibles at $500. If you're leasing or financing your vehicle, you might be required to carry gap insurance as well. Below are some average auto insurance rates based on coverage levels across the US.
| Coverages | 6-Month premium | Monthly premium |
| State Minimum | $310 | $51 |
| 50/100/50 BI/PD | $360 | $60 |
| 100/300/100 BI/PD | $408 | $68 |
| State Min with 1000 Comp/Coll DED | $638 | $106 |
| 50/100/50 BI/PD with 1000 Comp/Coll DED | $686 | $114 |
| 100/300/100 BI/PD with 1000 Comp/Coll DED | $733 | $122 |
| State Min with 500 Comp/Coll DED | $726 | $121 |
| 50/100/50 BI/PD with 500 Comp/Coll DED | $774 | $129 |
| 100/300/100 BI/PD with 500 Comp/Coll DED | $821 | $136 |
The less coverage you have, the less your premium will cost. However, it's generally recommended to keep your liability coverage as high as possible to ensure your assets are protected. If your vehicle has any considerable value or you're thinking of selling it in the future, make sure you add comprehensive and collision coverage.
Compare rates and find an affordable policy today.
Average car insurance rates by driver age
Age is a major component of auto insurance premiums. Age is a reliable indicator of how risky a driver you will be to your insurance company. In fact, you should consider shopping around for cheaper car insurance rates every year. The below data shows the relationship between age and car insurance rates.
| Age group | 6-Month premium | Monthly premium |
| 16-19 | $2,511 | $418 |
| 20-29 | $994 | $165 |
| 30-39 | $766 | $127 |
| 40-49 | $737 | $122 |
| 50-59 | $682 | $113 |
| 60-69 | $692 | $115 |
| 70-79 | $805 | $134 |
| 80-85 | $940 | $156 |
Those aged 50 to 59 pay the least for car insurance, with all other variables constant. Teen drivers pay the most — about $419 per month for drivers 16-19 years ago. Once you turn 20, you should expect an average monthly drop in your insurance premium by about $253. Aside from very young and very old drivers, age doesn't have a major impact on the average cost of auto insurance. Between the ages of 40 and 60, the average difference in premium is only $45. It's important to consider other rating factors that could have a larger impact on premiums.
Average car insurance premium by driving record
Getting any type of violation — even a minor one — can have major impacts on your premium. For an at-fault accident, the average rate increase in 2019 was $384 per six-month policy — or $767 per year. Most insurance providers will raise rates for three to five years after any violation, ticket, or claim.
Average cost of car insurance by credit score
In all but a handful of states, your credit score is a major rating factor. According to the Federal Trade Commission, drivers with low credit not only file more claims than drivers with high credit but their claims tend to be more expensive. On average, drivers with Excellent credit pay $774 less for car insurance than drivers with very poor credit — all other rating factors constant.
| Credit tier | 6-Month premium | Monthly premium |
| Very Poor (300-579) | $1,448 | $241 |
| Fair (580-669) | $1,159 | $193 |
| Good (670-739) | $966 | $161 |
| Very Good (740-799) | $812 | $135 |
| Exceptional (800-850) | $674 | $112 |
For more information on how your credit score impacts your rates, including car insurance company-specific rates, see our related content below:
Compare auto insurance rates today.
Car insurance rates by gender
In states like California, Hawaii, Massachusetts, Pennsylvania, North Carolina, and Montana, there is no difference in car insurance premiums for men and women. In other states, the difference between car insurance rates for men and women is small — less than a 1% difference in car insurance premiums, nationwide.
6-Month Average Car Insurance Premiums by Gender
| Male | Female |
|---|---|
| $779 | $774 |
Although many people assume car insurance costs vary greatly between men and women, it's a minor factor when you look at the bigger picture. However, gender does play a factor in premiums for young drivers. On average, male drivers between the ages of 16 and 19 pay almost $700 more per year than do female teens.
Car insurance quote pricing by location
Anytime you move, you'll need to update your car insurance. Car insurance is regulated at the state level and priced by zip code. Your exact location can have a major impact on your premium. Compare your rates against your state's average to see whether you're paying too much for auto insurance.
| State | Average 6-month premium | Monthly premium |
|---|---|---|
| Alabama | $725 | $120 |
| Alaska | $637 | $106 |
| Arizona | $735 | $122 |
| Arkansas | $848 | $141 |
| California | $934 | $155 |
| Colorado | $878 | $146 |
| Connecticut | $847 | $141 |
| Delaware | $901 | $150 |
| Florida | $1,154 | $192 |
| Georgia | $804 | $134 |
| Hawaii | $522 | $87 |
| Idaho | $582 | $97 |
| Illinois | $651 | $108 |
| Indiana | $582 | $97 |
| Iowa | $553 | $92 |
| Kansas | $811 | $135 |
| Kentucky | $1,104 | $184 |
| Louisiana | $1,189 | $198 |
| Maine | $467 | $77 |
| Maryland | $707 | $117 |
| Massachusetts | $731 | $121 |
| Michigan | $1,548 | $258 |
| Minnesota | $659 | $109 |
| Mississippi | $793 | $132 |
| Missouri | $868 | $144 |
| Montana | $767 | $127 |
| Nebraska | $684 | $114 |
| Nevada | $986 | $164 |
| New Hampshire | $518 | $86 |
| New Jersey | $796 | $132 |
| New Mexico | $666 | $111 |
| New York | $852 | $142 |
| North Carolina | $477 | $79 |
| North Dakota | $689 | $114 |
| Ohio | $523 | $87 |
| Oklahoma | $893 | $148 |
| Oregon | $731 | $121 |
| Pennsylvania | $737 | $122 |
| Rhode Island | $1,051 | $175 |
| South Carolina | $706 | $117 |
| South Dakota | $854 | $142 |
| Tennessee | $784 | $130 |
| Texas | $707 | $117 |
| Utah | $652 | $108 |
| Vermont | $577 | $96 |
| Virginia | $502 | $83 |
| Washington | $684 | $114 |
| West Virginia | $767 | $127 |
| Wisconsin | $590 | $98 |
| Wyoming | $719 | $119 |
| Washington DC | $691 | $115 |
Auto insurance is state-regulated and zip code-specific, so your location contributes to your premium. The difference between the cheapest car insurance state (Maine) and the most expensive (Michigan) is $1,081 per six-month policy period. This means drivers in Michigan pay over $180 per month more for car insurance than do Mainer drivers! Learn more about auto insurance rates by state.
Car insurance costs vary by region, as well. For example, in the Midwest, Michigan is expensive, but the cheaper car insurance offered in Ohio ($523), Indiana ($582), Illinois ($651), and Wisconsin ($590), help lower the overall average.
Average 6-Month Insurance Premiums by Region
| Region | Average 6-month premium |
|---|---|
| New England | $652 |
| Great Plains | $724 |
| Rocky Mountains | $746 |
| Southeast | $818 |
| Mideast | $786 |
| Great Lakes | $772 |
| Farwest | $832 |
| Southwest | $742 |
Compare auto insurance rates now!
Car insurance quotes by vehicle
It goes without saying: your vehicle contributes to the cost of your car insurance. Every single vehicle will generate a unique premium based on its vehicle identification number (VIN). Insurance companies use the VIN to assess your vehicle’s mileage, accident history, and other characteristics that are factored into your premium. It’s difficult to give an average cost of car insurance by vehicle — below are some national averages.
Average Cost of Car Insurance by Vehicle Type — 6-Month Term
| Vehicle type | 6-Month premium |
|---|---|
| Truck | $865 |
| Van | $844 |
| SUV | $967 |
| Car | $1,137 |
| Luxury | $1,045 |
| Green | $1,055 |
How car insurance premiums are calculated
An “average rate” is hard to calculate, thanks to the myriad rating factors contributing to any driver's auto insurance premium.
Car insurance is designed — and priced — to suit each individual driver, accurately estimating the risk they represent to an insurer. While car insurance quote pricing varies by driver, it also varies by company. Between the cheapest company and the most expensive, you might find a substantial price gap.
Take the national average cost of car insurance with a grain of salt. To find an affordable policy, consult an insurance agent, or compare companies online.
Compare rates and find a policy today!
Average car insurance rate FAQs
What is the average cost of car insurance?
Across the U.S., the average annual premium is $1,548, or $129 per month. That's an increase of more than 5% compared to 2019's national average of $1,470.
How much does car insurance cost in my state?
Your location — down to your specific zip code — is a critical rating factor when insurance companies calculate your premium. In addition, because auto insurance is regulated on the state level, each state's laws and regulations do make an impact on average rates. For instance, Michigan is consistently the most expensive state for car insurance largely due to mandated coverage requirements enforced by law.
Other expensive states include Louisiana, Florida, Kentucky, Rhode Island, Nevada, and California. Some of the cheapest states for car insurance include Maine, North Carolina, Virginia, New Hampshire, and Hawaii.
Which car insurance companies have the most affordable rates?
In our survey of top car insurance companies, USAA was the cheapest for our average driver profile. For drivers who don't qualify for USAA, GEICO was a close second. Keep in mind that this individual profile likely won't match yours exactly. The best way to find a budget-friendly rate is to shop around for quotes before the end of every policy period.
How much is car insurance for a young driver in their 20s?
On average, drivers aged 20 to 29 pay $1,989 per year for auto insurance. That's $995 for a six-month policy or $166 per month. Young drivers in their 20s paid almost 30% more than the national average.
Additional resources
If you want to learn more about car insurance, see our additional articles:
- Best cheap car insurance and car insurance companies
- Car Insurance Rating Factors Overview
- Car Insurance Rates by Driver Age
- Car Insurance Costs by Occupation
About The Zebra
The Zebra is not an insurance company. We’re an independent, unbiased partner for consumers, on a mission to help you compare insurance options apples-to-apples, so you can make a truly informed decision. We’re proud because:
- We’re the first to compare all the major insurance companies side-by-side. The information provided on those insurers here is intended to help inform and educate consumers before they decide where to spend their hard-earned cash.
- We have no stake in which insurance company you choose — we simply want to offer you unbiased, fast, side-by-side comparisons of your insurance options.
This article was written by one of The Zebra’s insurance experts. Each article is thoroughly researched to ensure we provide readers the most accurate — and helpful — information possible. That’s insurance in black and white.®
Learn more about how The Zebra's team of experts derives our auto insurance rates.
