The Zebra Data Desk: Your Source for Unbiased Auto Insurance Data
Explore the latest trends in auto insurance through downloadable datasets, visualizations, and insights you can cite with confidence.
Where Market Reports Meet Expert Insights
We don’t just connect the dots, we connect millions of people to the insurance they need. Our unique analysis can’t be found anywhere else because no one else has access to both market data and the proprietary data we've gathered from years in the business and over 172 million quotes.
What's Driving Costs in 2026
Our third quarter 2026 State of Insurance™ report looks beyond premiums alone. Alongside insurance rates, we're tracking fuel costs, vehicle prices, and how drivers are adjusting their habits to manage the total cost of owning a car. This update also adds new data on how credit scores affect what drivers pay and how driving behavior is shifting nationwide.
- Median annual car insurance premium: $2,079 ($173/month)
- Highest-cost states: Louisiana ($3,342) and Florida ($3,334)
- Most affordable states: Vermont, Wyoming, and North Carolina, all under $1,400
- Drivers with poor credit pay a median of $1,805 more per year than those with excellent credit, comparable to what a DUI costs
- 64% of drivers plan to keep their current vehicle until it's too expensive to repair, pushing average vehicle age to an all-time high of 12.8 years
Affordability of Rates Based on Income
When looking at insurance rates, we can’t just consider the average rate people are paying in a vacuum. That’s why The Zebra developed The Zebra Premium Pressure Index (ZPPI). This index compares the latest insurance premium data with other economic indicators, such as income, to provide an outlook for not just the cost of insurance, but how well people are able to afford it.[1]
$2,079
Median annual premium in the U.S.
$77,816
U.S. income per capita
Q1-206
2.69%
Median premium as % of income
Deductible Affordability Survey
Nearly half of Americans don’t have enough savings to cover a month of expenses.
Our survey found that 46% of Americans don’t have enough emergency savings to cover a single month of expenses.[2] This small amount of savings can easily be eaten up by an unexpected expense, such as a home or car repair, or a medical event.
Source: The Zebra
Increasing your deductible for savings
One of the best ways to lower your monthly premium is to raise your deductible. The deductible is what you pay out of pocket when you file a claim—so increasing it reduces how much your insurer is responsible for, which can lower your monthly cost.
Source: The Zebra
Updating data...
| Coverage | Avg. Annual Premium |
|---|---|
| Liability Only | $811 |
| Full Coverage with $1,000 Deductible | $2,070 |
| Full Coverage with $500 Deductible | $2,327 |
Source: The Zebra
Actual Car Insurance Costs by State
While the average auto insurance cost for the U.S. is an interesting number, it doesn’t really tell the full story. Insurance is a state-regulated industry, and each state has its own unique risk factors that can change what you pay for car insurance just by living there—regardless of who you are or how you drive.
Monthly insurance costs for vehicles from the most popular brands
Most expensive make: Nissan
Insuring a Nissan is the most expensive at $278 a month—however, this is largely due to its most expensive model skewing the data.
Cheapest model: Ford
Ford’s Bronco is the cheapest model to insure, averaging $76 a month.
Most expensive model: Nissan GT-R
Among non-luxury models, the Nissan GT-R is the most expensive to insure at nearly $400 a month.
Source: The Zebra
State-by-State Rate Filings Show When Rates Go Up or Down
Insurance companies can change rates throughout the year or annually. Rate changes must be filed in each state where changes occur. When these rate change filings are approved, they may increase insurance rates in that state by an average of 6.65%. Some markets can be even more impacted by rate filings like this. In California, for example, rates went up 15.30% within 2025.[3]
1,317
Total number of filings that resulted in a rate increase
6.65%
Average national rate increase
2,921
Total approved rate change filings from January-November 2025
Source: The Zebra
The Zebra has helped customers compare over 74 million quotes since 2012. At its heart, both insurance and tech industry veterans collaborate together to simplify insurance shopping for customers. In today’s digital world, The Zebra’s customer-centered approach offers people the choices they want and simplicity they need.
Experts You Can Quote
Beth joined The Zebra in 2022 as an Associate Content Strategist. A licensed insurance agent, she specializes in creating clear, accessible content t…
Credentials
- Licensed Insurance Agent — Property and Casualty
- Associate in Insurance (AINS)
- Professional Risk Consultant (PRC)
- Associate in Insurance Services (AIS)
Katie has worked in the insurance industry for more than 12 years. She started her career in claims with Allstate Insurance, but with a background in…
Credentials
- Licensed Insurance Agent — Property and Casualty
- Licensed Insurance Agent — Life, Accident and Health
- Series 6 License (Investment Company/Variable Contracts Products Limited Representative)
- Series 63 License (Uniform Securities Agent)
- Series 26 License (Investment Company and Variable Contracts Products Principal)
Our Unbiased Writers
Susan is a licensed insurance agent and has worked as a writer and editor for over 10 years across a number of industries. She has worked at The Zebr…
Credentials
- Licensed Insurance Agent — Property and Casualty
Renata joined The Zebra in 2020 as a Customer Experience Agent. Since 2021, she has worked as a licensed insurance professional and content strategis…
Credentials
- Licensed Insurance Agent — Property and Casualty
- 5 years of experience in the insurance industry
The Minds Behind the Metrics
The Zebra is the nation's leading independent insurance comparison site and has sought to bring transparency and simplicity to insurance. We encourage you to explore, share, and reference these research findings. When referencing The Zebra's research or proprietary rate data in editorial coverage, please attribute as: [Finding]. Source: The Zebra, [Report Title] ([Month Year]). A link to the original report is appreciated. For questions about data methodology or press inquiries, contact press@thezebra.com.
The Zebra has helped customers compare over 74 million quotes
29 million people have turned to The Zebra to shop for car insurance
We've pulled more than 172 million quotes so people like you could find their best insurance options.
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The Zebra Premium Pressure Index (ZPPI)
The Zebra Premium Pressure Index (ZPPI)
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This survey was conducted through Survey Monkey in October 2025. 1,040 Americans were surveyed.
This survey was conducted through Survey Monkey in October 2025. 1,040 Americans were surveyed.
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Copyright © 2025, S&P Global Market Intelligence (and its affiliates, as applicable)
Copyright © 2025, S&P Global Market Intelligence (and its affiliates, as applicable)
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