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States with the Biggest Changes in Auto Insurance Prices This Year

Name: Average Auto Insurance Change from 2025 to 2026
Creator: The Zebra
License: https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-sa/4.0/

Find out which state had a 124% increase

By Susan Meyer

Updated February 6, 2026

Reviewed By Beth Swanson

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Variation by state
States with the biggest increases
States with the biggest decreases
Methodology

What's New in 2026?

Auto insurance can feel like it’s already changing. Sometimes you’re aware of the reason (such as a recent accident), but other times the price you’re offered at renewal can feel like it’s coming out of a black box.

At The Zebra, we're trying to give consumers a peak into that black box to help you understand the myriad of factors behind why prices changes. We recently released our 2026 State of Insurance™ | Auto report. In it we discuss how rates have changed over the years, what we project for 2026 insurance prices nationally and by state and all the complex reasons why.

Overall, we found that from 2025 to 2026 insurance prices are rising…but not by nearly as much as in recent years. Nationally, the average increased around 3%, which is a smaller increase than the year before when insurance prices jumped a whopping 18%!

However, when we look at things at the state level, we see some significant differences. In this article we’re diving into the states with the biggest changes (both increases and decreases) from 2025 to 2026 and the reasons why.

Increases and Decreases by State

If you look at all 50 states and the District of Columbia there is some significant variation in change from 2025 to 2026.

21 states and the Washington DC actually saw a decrease last year ranging from as little as .6% to as much as 36% less.
29 states saw an increase ranging from as little as .2% to as great as 124% more.

This map shows all states by how much of an increase or decrease they saw between 2025 and 2026.

Source: The Zebra

States with the Biggest Increases

The states with the biggest jumps in insurance prices in 2026 were:

1. Louisiana

The state with the single biggest jump is Louisiana. Here the average price of insurance increased from $1,535 in 2025 to $3,438. That’s a 124% increase. New Orleans is in the top 10 most expensive cities to insure in the country at an average of $5,256 annually. When looking at the cost of insurance as compared to the average median income, Louisianans have one of the highest percentages in the country, meaning the cost of insurance takes a bigger bite out of the average paycheck. For comparison, the national average is 2.6% of one’s overall budget, and in Louisiana it’s 5%.

The hurricane risk and other disasters are one of the factors that have driven up prices in Louisiana. Another factor is Louisiana’s high litigation rate. Although the number of car accidents in the state is only slightly above the national average, the injuries claimed in those accidents is about 200% higher than the rest of the country according to claims data from the National Association of Insurance Commissioners. Higher litigation costs can drive up claims costs.^[1]

Projections for Louisiana in 2026

We project a more measured increase in Louisiana insurance in 2026, starting with a 2% increase in the first quarter of the year and a 2.5% increase in the second quarter. Already 20 insurers have filed rate reductions, including Progressive which filed for a 6.6% decrease.^[2]

Additionally, state insurance reform aims to improve affordability. This includes Louisiana’s No Pay, No Play law that makes it harder for uninsured drivers to get pay outs. Louisiana also changed their fault system to be more in line with other states in 2026.^[3]

2. Nevada

The second biggest increase in auto insurance prices was in Nevada where the average annual cost for insurance jumped 108%. The average was $1,423 in 2025 increasing to $2,957 in 2026. And like Louisiana, because of a lower median income, the cost of insurance takes a bigger percent of budget than the national average – in this case it’s 3.7%.

Insurance is high in Nevada due to a number of factors including frequent, costly car accidents driven by population growth (especially in Clark County), heavy traffic and nightlife. The average annual cost for insurance in Las Vegas is $3,861. The state’s number of fatal car accidents is above the national average and so is the number of vehicle thefts.^[4][5]

Projections for Nevada in 2026

Good news for Nevadans looking for a break! We project significant decreases in Nevada insurance in 2026, starting with a 5% decrease in the first quarter of the year and continuing with a sharp 8% decrease in the second quarter.

3. New York

The final entry in our top three biggest jumps for auto insurance: New York. The average New Yorker paid $1,531 for auto insurance in 2025 which increased to an average of $2,758 in 2026. That’s an 80% increase. Yet again, New York’s largest city is throwing off the numbers a bit. Of our list of top 10 cities for insurance cost in the U.S., most of them are neighborhoods of New York. Brooklyn has the highest cost of anywhere in the U.S. at an average of $7,702 a year. That said because median income is higher in New York, the pressure insurance puts on people’s budgets in the state are about the same as the national average.

The reason insurance is getting more expensive in New York is in part because of the usual reasons (disasters and larger inflationary issues) but also an increase in insurance fraud and staged accidents. New York also ranks number one for nuclear jury awards (that is: claims and jury awards greater than $10 million).^[6]

Projections for New York in 2026

Like Louisiana, we project New York insurance costs will not increase nearly as much as in the last year. In fact, in the first quarter of the year, we predict a slight (less than 1%) decrease. In the second quarter of 2026, we predict a 1% increase.

New York is in the process of trying to reform insurance in the state and hopefully bring down the average cost for New Yorkers. Recent proposals strengthen anti-fraud programs, limit damages to at-fault drivers, lowering the serious injury threshold which could make meaningful changes for insurance costs.^[7]

States with the Biggest Decreases

Now let’s look at the states that saw the biggest drops in insurance costs over the last year. Most of these already had and continue to have some of the lowest insurance costs in the country.

1. Maine

Maine saw a decrease of 36% in annual insurance costs. The annual average cost of insurance in Maine was $2,425 in 2025 and is now only $1,551. Maine Insurance Superintendent Bob Carey credits a competitive market for keeping Maine insurance prices stable.^[8] Maine also has a very low percent of uninsured drivers, at only 5.7%, compared to the national average of nearly 15%.^[9]

Given it’s median income and the annual cost of insurance, the insurance affordability for Maine drivers is below the national average.

Projections for Maine in 2026

Maine may see a slight increase in 2026; however, it will likely continue to have some of the lowest auto insurance premiums due to its low population and few uninsured drivers.

2. New Hampshire

Another state that saw a big decrease in auto insurance was New Hampshire which saw a 33.5% drop with the average annual insurance rate going from $2,425 in 2025 to $1,551 in 2026. New Hampshire is truly unique in being the only U.S. state that does not have a mandatory insurance law, although New Hampshire drivers do have to prove “financial responsibility” to cover an at-fault accident. This system creates a competitive market that helps keep prices down. And despite not being mandatory, New Hampshire has a relatively low percent of uninsured drivers.

The median income to insurance cost ratio in New Hampshire is only 1.6% putting New Hampshire well below the national average in terms of insurance affordability.

Projections for New Hampshire in 2026

Much like Maine, the relative affordability of auto insurance in New Hampshire will likely not change substantially in 2026. The low population density and lack of mandatory insurance make for a stable and lower cost insurance market.

3. Ohio

Ohio has a nearly identical drop to New Hampshire at around 33% with the average annual premium going from $2,400 in 2025 to $1,605 in 2026.

While affected by the same economic and inflationary forces that caused insurance to rise everywhere in the last few years, Ohio has had a fairly stable market. Auto thefts and catalytic converter theft which was particularly prevalent in the state a few years ago have both dropped off.^[10] Similar to these other states with low insurance costs and steep decreases, the affordability of insurance is great and better than the national average.

Projections for Ohio in 2026

We do project a slight increase for insurance rates in Ohio. In Ohio, we predict a 2% increase in the first quarter of the year and another 2% increase in the second quarter.

How Is Insurance Changing Where You Live?

This chart shows how insurance has changed in the last few years in each state. As you can see insurance, as a state-regulated industry, is very much impacted by where you live.

Source: The Zebra

Is insurance changing drastically in your state? If so, you might get a surprise at your renewal period despite not filing any claims.

One way to stay on top of insurance costs is to compare rates with multiple carriers as there can be big changes in pricing from one to the other. You can even sign up for price tracking and get notified if prices drop.

While change is inevitable in car insurance (and in life), looking ahead can help you adapt and keep insurance an affordable part of your budget.

Methodology

The Zebra’s Dynamic Insurance Rating Tool for home and auto insurance rates utilizes the latest ZIP code-level rate filings from across the U.S., sourced from Quadrant Information Services and S&P Global. These filings, typically updated annually or biennially by insurers, are verified through Quadrant’s QA process and then integrated into The Zebra’s estimator.

The displayed rates are based on a dynamic home and auto profile designed to reflect the content of the page. This profile is tailored to match specific factors such as age, location, and coverage level, which are adjusted based on the page content to show how these variables can impact premiums.

For a comprehensive understanding, see our detailed methodology.

Affordability data was calculated using The Zebra Premium Pressure Index (ZPPI). More information about ZPPI here.

Sources

Auto Insurance Database Report. [National Association of Insurance Commissioners]

Auto Insurance Database Report. [National Association of Insurance Commissioners]
Progressive Approved for Personal Auto Rate Decreases. [Louisiana Department of Insurance]

Progressive Approved for Personal Auto Rate Decreases. [Louisiana Department of Insurance]
Louisiana’s Legal Reforms: A Step Toward Fairer Courts and Lower Auto Insurance Rates. [Pelican Institute for Public Policy]

Louisiana’s Legal Reforms: A Step Toward Fairer Courts and Lower Auto Insurance Rates. [Pelican Institute for Public Policy]
Facts and Statistics: Auto Thefts. [Insurance Information Institute]

Facts and Statistics: Auto Thefts. [Insurance Information Institute]
Fatality Statistics: State by State. [Insurance Institute for Highway Safety]

Fatality Statistics: State by State. [Insurance Institute for Highway Safety]
Combating the rising price of auto insurance in New York. [City and State NY]

Combating the rising price of auto insurance in New York. [City and State NY]
Money in Your Pockets: Governor Hochul Highlights Proposals to Bring Down Costs of Vehicle Insurance Rates and Tackle Fraudulent Claims. [New York State Governor's Office]

Money in Your Pockets: Governor Hochul Highlights Proposals to Bring Down Costs of Vehicle Insurance Rates and Tackle Fraudulent Claims. [New York State Governor's Office]
Maine drivers pay lowest auto insurance premiums in US, new report finds. [News Center Maine]

Maine drivers pay lowest auto insurance premiums in US, new report finds. [News Center Maine]
Facts and statistics: Uninsured motorists. [Insurance Information Institute]

Facts and statistics: Uninsured motorists. [Insurance Information Institute]
Ohio saw a decrease in vehicle thefts in 2024. See which models get stolen most often. [Canton Rep]

Ohio saw a decrease in vehicle thefts in 2024. See which models get stolen most often. [Canton Rep]

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Variation by state
States with the biggest increases
States with the biggest decreases
Methodology

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States with the biggest changes in auto insurance prices