Auto Insurance Comparison By State
This article is a comparison of auto insurance rates by state. It includes an interactive map to help you easily compare quotes from various providers in your area, plus information on the average rates for the past year by state.
In order to start viewing and comparing rates, just fill out the form at the bottom of this page and click "Get Quotes." Within seconds, you'll receive a list of quotes from some of the most trusted and reliable providers in your area. Ready? Let's get started! If you're not quite ready, just keep reading for more great tips on saving money with car insurance.
One of the biggest costs related to running and maintaining your car is getting auto insurance. Unfortunately, one of the most important components of this cost is often left out of the conversation: how much you should be paying for your coverage. That's because many factors impact your rates, including where you live and drive, what kind of car you drive, and how safe it is to drive in each area.
So which state has the highest auto insurance rate? With an average annual premium of $1,746 in 2010, New Jersey ranks first in overall average cost. This is despite having among the lowest per capita rates across all states at $670. This is because New Jersey has a relatively low rate of uninsured drivers -- just 2.6% compared to the national average of 13%. However, to help compensate for this positive difference, drivers in the Garden State have among the highest collision and comprehensive coverage rates in the country.
As a general rule, coastal states are among the most expensive for auto insurance across the board. This is because their populations tend to be densely packed and full of high-income earners -- two traits that increase insurance rates. These states also often have tough regulations on insurance companies due to their large populations; they also have higher numbers of uninsured drivers than other parts of the country. These factors ultimately lead to higher costs for the insured. In addition, the areas within these states tend to be much more urban than other states, which increases your risk of suffering a car accident.
The four most expensive states for auto insurance in 2011 are:
New Jersey: $1,746 average premiums. South Carolina: $1,542 average premiums. Massachusetts: $1,530 average premiums. New York: $1,501 average premiums.
The five least expensive states for auto insurance in 2011 are:
Mississippi: $647 annual premiums. Idaho: $661 annual premiums. Kentucky: $670 annual premiums and Louisiana: $672 annual premiums round out the top four.
Other factors that influence your auto insurance rates
No matter where you live, some basic factors can significantly affect your rates. As a general rule, the more miles you drive and the more likely you are to make claims on your policy, the higher your rates will be. In addition to these general factors, however, there are a number of other reasons that rates can vary so drastically from state to state or even from zip code to zip code. These additional variables include:
The number of insured drivers. If a higher percentage of drivers are insured by each company in your area, there's less risk for the insurer -- and therefore much lower premiums on average.
If a higher percentage of drivers are insured by each company in your area, there's less risk for the insurer -- and therefore much lower premiums on average. Your type of car. The specifics of a given car can have a significant impact on the rates that you pay because (in general) sports cars and luxury cars tend to come with higher insurance costs than other vehicles.
The specifics of a given car can have a significant impact on the rates that you pay because (in general) sports cars and luxury cars tend to come with higher insurance costs than other vehicles. How safe it is to drive in your state . How safe a state is for drivers has a direct impact on the number of crashes and claims that are filed in that state, as well as the overall cost of insurance. That high-risk driving typically correlates to higher costs for insurers.
. How safe a state is for drivers has a direct impact on the number of crashes and claims that are filed in that state, as well as the overall cost of insurance. That high-risk driving typically correlates to higher costs for insurers.Driver age . Young drivers can have prohibitive rates because it can be difficult to prove liability in an accident that occurred with someone under age 25.
. Young drivers can have prohibitive rates because it can be difficult to prove liability in an accident that occurred with someone under age 25. Your gender. Women tend to have higher insurance costs than men, even when they have the same driving record and the same amount of coverage as a man with similar assets.
Women tend to have higher insurance costs than men, even when they have the same driving record and the same amount of coverage as a man with similar assets. How safe you drive . If your car is equipped with antilock brakes or a stability control system, for example, these features will come at a premium -- especially if you haven't yet had them installed by your insurance company.
. If your car is equipped with antilock brakes or a stability control system, for example, these features will come at a premium -- especially if you haven't yet had them installed by your insurance company. Your driving record . Driving records that involve speeding tickets and accidents can lead to higher insurance rates than those who have avoided problems on the road for years.
. Driving records that involve speeding tickets and accidents can lead to higher insurance rates than those who have avoided problems on the road for years. The zip code in which you live . Some places are more attractive to insurers than others for multiple reasons: natural disasters or poor economic conditions, for example. Higher crime rates, on the other hand, can be a deterrent for insurers.
. Some places are more attractive to insurers than others for multiple reasons: natural disasters or poor economic conditions, for example. Higher crime rates, on the other hand, can be a deterrent for insurers. The number of claims filed in your area . Areas that have many claims filed with an auto insurance company will often lead to higher average cost of insurance because of the high costs associated with these claims.
It's also worth noting that some states tend to have more fraud-related problems than others -- and these issues often translate into higher costs all around.
Conclusion
The overall cost of auto insurance can vary dramatically from state to state -- and perhaps even more so from zip code to zip code. Factors such as age, gender, driving record, area of residence and more all play a big role in your rates.
If you're looking for a cheap auto insurance quote this year, however -- or if you want to switch carriers to save money on coverage -- consider checking out sites like Insure.com or Simply Safe To drive as much as possible when you drive and be picky about where you decide to live? These tips should help you keep the costs of your car insurance down if they aren't already low enough already.CarInsurance.