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Is your state expensive for car insurance?

Written by Katie Dee

Edited by Alyssa DiCrasto

Published on 2023-10-20
Driver on open road

Your car insurance rate is determined by the company you choose, the car you drive, and your personal details – including the state you live in. However, your rates are never set in stone, making it difficult to know whether or not you are getting the best deal.

According to Rate Retriever’s quarterly car insurance rates report, the national average for car insurance across all states is currently $1,824 annually. So, how does your state compare to this number? And how much can car insurance rates vary depending on your state?

What are the top five least expensive states for car insurance?

United States map

Based on our research, Vermont is the state with the cheapest car insurance rates. The average annual premium for this state is $1,078, a staggering 40.9% less than the national average. Keep in mind that your exact rate will vary depending on the make and model of your car as well as your personal details.

The next cheapest state for car insurance is Idaho with an estimated annual premium of $1,080.  In this state, drivers with female listed as the gender on their license may pay even less, with an average yearly premium of $1,069 for female drivers in Idaho.

Maine comes in third for cheapest car insurance, with an average yearly rate of $1,094. Depending on your credit score, drivers in Maine can end up with an even less expensive rate.

Our data shows that Maine drivers with a good credit score pay an average of 21% less than those who have a fair credit score. However, even those with fair credit pay less for car insurance in Maine than the national average across all states.

Ohio follows with an average annual rate of $1,157. Like all states, the premiums for Ohio vary by zip code. The Ohio zip code with the cheapest car insurance rates is 45885 in Saint Marys, Ohio while the most expensive zip code is 44104 in Cleveland, Ohio.

Cleveland is likely the most expensive area in Ohio because large cities present a higher risk of being in an accident or having your car stolen.

Lastly, Wyoming offers drivers the fifth cheapest car insurance rates among all fifty states. The average annual premium for Wyoming is $1,181 which is 35.3% cheaper than the national average.

Your Wyoming car insurance rate will vary depending on the level of coverage you choose. Those with standard coverage can expect to pay a slightly lower rate of only $1,102, a 7% decrease from those who opt for premium coverage.

There are several reasons why these states might have lower rates for car insurance, including a smaller population, a lack of large cities, and a lower crime rate.

Additionally, the regulations around how car insurance companies can determine your rate differ state-by-state, so the laws simply may be different in these areas. Your exact rate for car insurance in these states will still vary based on your unique driver profile.

It is always a good idea to compare car insurance companies in your state to be sure you are getting the best rate.

What are the top five most expensive states for car insurance?

Our research showed that New York is the state with the highest car insurance rates. The average annual premium for a New York driver is $3,061, which is 67.8% higher than the national average.

Brooklyn is the most expensive area of New York to insure your car. Drivers residing in the 11233 zip code spend an average of $5,512 per year on their car insurance premium. Less densely populated areas such as western and upstate New York offer much lower insurance costs, which is why the cheapest zip code for New York car insurance is 13748 in Conklin, New York.

The next most expensive state is Louisiana with an estimated annual premium of $2,558. However, there are some Louisiana drivers that can save money on their premiums. Married couples in Louisiana with a joint policy and two separate vehicles stand to save around 26% on their insurance rate, bringing the estimated annual premium down to around $1,297.

Florida is next on the list with an average car insurance premium of $2,465 per year. Since car insurance companies in Florida consider gender in their rates, female drivers pay an average of 3% less on their car insurance per year, bringing the amount down to about $2,528.

Additionally, there is a fairly large range between the most and least expensive zip codes for car insurance in Florida. The cheapest zip code is 32459 in Santa Rosa Beach, Florida with an average premium of $1,756 per year compared to $3,662 per year for zip code 33125 in Miami.

New Jersey follows closely behind with an average annual premium of $2,341 which is almost 30% more expensive than the national average. Improving your credit score is a good method to use when trying to save money on New Jersey car insurance.

New Jersey drivers with poor credit pay an average of 106% more for car insurance compared to those with good credit which is a difference of $4,829 per year.

Finally, our research showed that Delaware is the fifth most expensive state for car insurance with an average premium of $2,325 per year. The priciest zip code in this state is 19801 in Wilmington, Delaware. This area has an average yearly premium of $3,245 while drivers in the cheapest zip code, 19970, can expect to pay around $1,881 per year for their premium.

States with different rules around rating

While every state in the United States has their own laws and regulations around car insurance, there are a few notable states worth mentioning.

For example, insurance companies in California, Hawaii, and Massachusetts do not take credit scores into account when determining your rates. This means that whether you have excellent credit, bad credit, or something in between, it will not affect your car insurance rates.

In addition to credit score, there are also a few states that do not permit insurance companies to take gender into account when determining rates. These states are California, Hawaii, Massachusetts, Michigan, North Carolina, and Pennsylvania.

To get a better idea of what you can expect to pay for car insurance in your state, see Rate Retriever’s quarterly insurance rates report.

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