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10 Cities with High Auto Insurance Claims Indicators

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By Susan Meyer
Updated February 19, 2026
Reviewed By Beth Swanson
Edited By Renata Balasco
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Susan Meyer

Senior Editorial Manager

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…

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  • Licensed Insurance Agent — Property and Casualty
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Beth Swanson

Insurance Analyst

Beth joined The Zebra in 2022 as an Associate Content Strategist. A licensed insurance agent, she specializes in creating clear, accessible content t…

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  • Licensed Insurance Agent — Property and Casualty
  • Associate in Insurance (AINS)
  • Professional Risk Consultant (PRC)
  • Associate in Insurance Services (AIS)
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Renata Balasco

Senior Insurance Specialist

Renata joined The Zebra in 2020 as a Customer Experience Agent. Since 2021, she has worked as a licensed insurance professional and content strategis…

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  • Licensed Insurance Agent — Property and Casualty
  • 5 years of experience in the insurance industry
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  1. The 10 Cities with the Highest Auto Insurance Claim Frequency
  2. 10 Cities with the Fewest Auto Insurance Claims
  3. Methodology

The Leading Causes of Auto Claims

If you're feeling the pinch of higher auto insurance premiums, you're not alone: prices have gone up a staggering 48% in the last five years.

While many factors impact your personalized car insurance premium, everyone is affected when the number of claims is high, both on your own record and in the area in which you live. So why are people filing claims? 

  • Auto accidents are responsible for the largest number of claims (unsurprisingly), with around 4% of drivers filing one each year.
  • Comprehensive claims, which include car thefts and damages from natural disasters, have an incidence rate between 3 -4%[1]

We set out to find the U.S. cities with the most frequent auto insurance claims based on the most exposure to common auto perils. To come up with this list, we looked at four data sets related to auto insurance claims:

  • crash
    Average years between driver collisions:

    The shorter the time between driver collisions, the more claims submitted to insurance companies.

  • speed icon
    Motor vehicle theft rate per 100k people

    Higher theft rates also indicate a higher number of claims.

  • Wind tree damage icon
    Natural disaster vulnerability

    Cities prone to hurricanes, hail, wildfires and other natural disasters will have more insurance claims for personal property — including vehicles.

  • icon-road-toll
    Auto insurance premium cost

    Higher average insurance premiums in a city also indicate that frequent claims are common.

So, where are you most likely to see higher insurance rates and potentially a greater incidence of claims? Here are the top 10 cities in the U.S.

The 10 Cities with the Highest Auto Insurance Claim Frequency

#1: New Orleans, Louisiana

New Orleans takes the cake for the highest frequency of auto insurance claims, largely due to a high motor vehicle theft rate of 693 per 100,000 people. The average auto insurance premium is also one of the most expensive in the nation, costing $5,256 per year. Unsurprisingly, New Orleans is also quite prone to natural disasters.

New Orleans by the numbers

  • Average years between driver collisions: 7.44
  • Motor vehicle theft rate per 100k: 693.73
  • Natural disaster vulnerability: 89/100
  • Auto insurance premium cost: $5,256

#2: Las Vegas, Nevada

Las Vegas has the fifth highest motor vehicle theft rate in the nation. Its natural disaster vulnerability score is also among the highest at 82/100 and drivers average around seven years between accidents. At $3,818, the average cost of insurance in Las Vegas is among the 10 most expensive in the U.S.

Las Vegas by the numbers

  • Average years between driver collisions: 7.18
  • Motor vehicle theft rate per 100k: 610.62
  • Natural disaster vulnerability: 82/100
  • Auto insurance premium cost: $3,818

#3: Baltimore, Maryland

Baltimore drivers have one of the shortest time periods between collisions, averaging just over four years. On top of that, 388 motor vehicle thefts occur for every 100,000 residents. Those factors are probably why auto insurance premiums average $3,823. The good news, however, is that Baltimore is less vulnerable to natural disasters compared to most cities on our list.

Baltimore by the numbers

  • Average years between driver collisions: 4.17
  • Motor vehicle theft rate per 100k: 388.56
  • Natural disaster vulnerability: 65/100
  • Auto insurance premium cost: $3,823

#4: Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

The average cost of auto insurance in Philadelphia is $3,888 per year, which isn't shocking considering that the average driver has a collision every 5.92 years. Motor vehicle theft is also high in the city, placing Philadelphia in 10th place overall for that category. Natural disaster vulnerability is a bit more muted, scoring 68/100.

Philadelphia by the numbers

  • Average years between driver collisions: 5.92
  • Motor vehicle theft rate per 100k: 375.84
  • Natural disaster vulnerability: 68/100
  • Auto insurance premium cost: $3,888

#5: Los Angeles, California

Los Angeles drivers get into collisions every 5 ½ years, on average. That can lead to higher premium rates, which cost over $3,400 per year. The city's natural disaster vulnerability score, however, is 58/100 and vehicle thefts are under 200 per 100,000 residents.

Los Angeles by the numbers

  • Average years between driver collisions: 5.59
  • Motor vehicle theft rate per 100k: 197.98
  • Natural disaster vulnerability: 58/100
  • Auto insurance premium cost: $3,427

#6: Houston, Texas

In Houston, drivers go a little longer between collisions, averaging just under eight years. On top of that, motor vehicle thefts, while above average overall on our list, are still lower than many other cities in our top 10. But Houston has a higher vulnerability when it comes to natural disasters, scoring 79/100. Plus, the average driver pays just over $3,000 per year for car insurance.

Houston by the numbers

  • Average years between driver collisions: 7.75
  • Motor vehicle theft rate per 100k: 257.68
  • Natural disaster vulnerability: 79/100
  • Auto insurance premium cost: $3,006

#7: Louisville, Kentucky

Louisville stands out with car insurance claims due to a high car theft rate and a high natural disaster vulnerability score. However, drivers in the city average more than nine years in between collisions, tempering premiums costs — which are just over $2,900 annually.

Louisville by the numbers

  • Average years between driver collisions: 9.4
  • Motor vehicle theft rate per 100k: 487.08
  • Natural disaster vulnerability: 95/100
  • Auto insurance premium cost: $2,936

#8: Memphis, Tennessee

Frequent collisions aren't much of an issue in Memphis. But motor vehicle thefts occur at a high rate of 1,173 per 100,000 residents. Additionally, the city scores 99/100 for natural disaster vulnerability. While claims are frequent in those categories, premium costs remain average at around $2,600 per year.

Memphis by the numbers

  • Average years between driver collisions: 9.34
  • Motor vehicle theft rate per 100k: 1,173
  • Natural disaster vulnerability: 99/100
  • Auto insurance premium cost: $2,636

#9: St. Louis, Missouri

St. Louis comes in towards the end of our top 10 with just seven years in between collisions. Drivers also pay a relatively higher premium, which averages $3,123. Theft rates and natural disaster vulnerability threats in St. Louis, however, are on the lower end.

St Louis by the numbers

  • Average years between driver collisions: 7.09
  • Motor vehicle theft rate per 100k: 220.99
  • Natural disaster vulnerability: 54/100
  • Auto insurance premium cost: $3,123

#10: Atlanta, Georgia (tied)

Atlanta drivers average just over six years in between accidents. That may be why car insurance premiums are quite expensive, costing $3,388 on average. The city also has a higher vulnerability score of 70/100. But car theft is not such a huge driver of claims, with a rate of just 81 thefts per 100,000 people.

Atlanta by the numbers

  • Average years between driver collisions: 6.31
  • Motor vehicle theft rate per 100k: 81.75
  • Natural disaster vulnerability: 70/100
  • Auto insurance premium cost: $3,388

#10: Sacramento, California (tied)

Sacramento has one of the highest natural disaster vulnerability scores, playing a major role in the city tying for 10th on our list. Drivers average seven years between collisions, which is also on the higher side. However, auto thefts are relatively low and premium prices are just over $2,600 per year.

Sacramento by the numbers

  • Average years between driver collisions: 7
  • Motor vehicle theft rate per 100k: 151.03
  • Natural disaster vulnerability: 94/100
  • Auto insurance premium cost: $2,653

10 Cities with the Fewest Auto Insurance Claims

Wondering what cities have the fewest number of auto insurance claims? Here are the top 10 based on our research.

  1. Raleigh, North Carolina
  2. Virginia Beach, Virginia
  3. Hartford, Connecticut and Salt Lake City, Utah (tied)
  4. Cincinnati, Ohio
  5. Charlotte, North Carolina and Milwaukee, Wisconsin (tied)
  6. Miami, Florida
  7. San Diego, California
  8. Oklahoma City, Oklahoma

Methodology

The Zebra used four data points to analyze the top 50 MSAs by population related to auto insurance claims.

  • Average years between driver collisions (Allstate)[2]
  • Motor vehicle theft rate (FBI)[3]
  • Natural disaster vulnerability (The U.S. Climate Vulnerability Index)[4]
  • Auto insurance premium cost: The Zebra, see detailed methodology. 

 

 

Sources

  1. Insurance claims statistics trends. [Health Sure Hub]

  2. Allstate’s 2025 America’s Best Drivers Report® reveals the safest and riskiest driving cities. [Allstate]

  3. Motor Vehicle Theft. [FBI]

  4. U.S. Climate Vulnerability Index. [Environmental Defense Fund]