+120 more)
Jessica is a freelance writer, professional researcher, and mother of two rambunctious little boys. She specializes in personal finance, women and money, and financial literacy. Jessica is fascinated by the psychology of money and what drives people to make important financial decisions. She holds a Masters of Science degree in Cognitive Research Psychology.
)
Nick Versaw leads Compare.com's editorial department, where he and his team specialize in crafting helpful, easy-to-understand content about car insurance and other related topics. With nearly a decade of experience writing and editing insurance and personal finance articles, his work has helped readers discover substantial savings on necessary expenses, including insurance, transportation, health care, and more. As an award-winning writer, Nick has seen his work published in countless renowned publications, such as the Washington Post, Los Angeles Times, and U.S. News & World Report. He graduated with Latin honors from Virginia Commonwealth University, where he earned his Bachelor's Degree in Digital Journalism.
Updated
At Compare.com, it’s our mission to give you the tools to find the best (and most affordable) insurance for your unique needs and budget. We strive to provide information that’s helpful, clear, and unbiased, and we believe that comparing insurance companies should never put you at risk of spam. Our editorial team — which is made up of experienced writers, editors, insurance agents, and data analysts — has spent thousands of hours researching and creating the coverage overviews, side-by-side comparisons, and detailed reviews you see across our site.
While we make money through partnerships with some of the brands we discuss in our articles, our editorial team operates 100% independently, and these partners never influence or affect the topics, reviews, ratings, or recommendations we provide. We never guarantee favorable reviews or mentions in exchange for compensation from any brands or partners, and we uphold strict editorial standards to ensure our content is always independent, truthful, and unbiased.
Where you live plays a big role in how much you pay for car insurance. Thanks to factors like differences in weather patterns, the prevalence of insurance fraud, and whether you live in a no-fault or at-fault state, your average car insurance premiums can differ widely.
Let’s dig into some of the factors that cause average car insurance rates to vary between states and compare the minimum car insurance requirements across the nation.
Minimum car insurance requirements, weather patterns, traffic statistics, and the cost of car repairs cause premiums to vary between states.
Drivers in no-fault states like Florida, New York, and Michigan often pay higher car insurance premiums.
Every state except New Hampshire requires minimum car insurance.
Average auto insurance rates can vary widely from one state to another for a few different reasons.
For example, weather trends and the frequency of weather events like hurricanes, hailstorms, and wildfires can affect insurance rates. Other factors include the cost and frequency of accident lawsuits, population density, the prevalence of insurance fraud, and the cost of medical care and car repairs.
In addition to state differences, individual factors can also influence the cost of your premiums, including your age, gender, driving record, and credit history.
The following map shows the average insurance rates in each state, according to Compare.com data.
State  | Average Liability Premium | Average Full-Coverage Premium |
|---|---|---|
| Alabama | $65 | $131 |
| Alaska | $93 | $129 |
| Arizona | $95 | $159 |
| Arkansas | $95 | $176 |
| California | $95 | $202 |
| Colorado | $97 | $201 |
| Connecticut | $193 | $284 |
| Delaware | $170 | $243 |
| Florida | $153 | $207 |
| Georgia | $165 | $250 |
| Hawaii | $58 | $119 |
| Idaho | $66 | $108 |
| Illinois | $81 | $152 |
| Indiana | $72 | $133 |
| Iowa | $55 | $109 |
| Kansas | $79 | $151 |
| Kentucky | $123 | $194 |
| Louisiana | $118 | $210 |
| Maine | $84 | $149 |
| Maryland | $202 | $293 |
| Massachusetts | $94 | $141 |
| Michigan | $146 | $214 |
| Minnesota | $93 | $172 |
| Mississippi | $73 | $143 |
| Missouri | $92 | $175 |
| Montana | $70 | $150 |
| Nebraska | $76 | $146 |
| Nevada | $163 | $242 |
| New Hampshire | $56 | $93 |
| New Jersey | $163 | $225 |
| New Mexico | $69 | $142 |
| New York | $180 | $193 |
| North Carolina | $63 | $88 |
| North Dakota | $71 | $125 |
| Ohio | $72 | $122 |
| Oklahoma | $88 | $172 |
| Oregon | $94 | $145 |
| Pennsylvania | $95 | $157 |
| Rhode Island | $147 | $217 |
| South Carolina | $171 | $243 |
| South Dakota | $60 | $134 |
| Tennessee | $71 | $136 |
| Texas | $125 | $217 |
| Utah | $104 | $154 |
| Vermont | $66 | $154 |
| Virginia | $113 | $179 |
| Washington | $93 | $167 |
| District of Columbia | $224 | $303 |
| West Virginia | $84 | $149 |
| Wisconsin | $62 | $118 |
| Wyoming | $56 | $108 |
Compare personalized quotes and save in minutes.
Nearly every state requires drivers to purchase minimum car insurance coverage. But the requirements can vary between states — sometimes dramatically.
In general, states with higher minimum insurance requirements tend to have higher average premiums. States that require other forms of mandatory coverage, in addition to minimum liability insurance, may also be more expensive.
Whether you live in a no-fault or at-fault state can also affect your car insurance rates. In a no-fault state, you have to file a claim for bodily injuries with your own insurance company, no matter who’s at fault. This can lead to higher insurance premiums in no-fault states due to the increased risk to insurers.
Of course, the type and amount of insurance are just some of the factors that influence insurance premiums. If you live in a state with low minimum requirements but a greater chance of severe storms, this could lead to higher prices.
The table below outlines the minimum liability limits and other mandatory coverages for each state.
State | Minimum Liability Limits | Other Mandatory Coverages* |
|---|---|---|
| Alabama | BI: $25,000/$50,000 PD: $25,000 | — |
| Alaska | BI: $50,000/$100,000 PD: $25,000 | — |
| Arizona | BI: $25,000/$50,000 PD: $15,000 | — |
| Arkansas | BI: $25,000/$50,000 PD: $25,000 | — |
| California | BI: $30,000/$60,000 PD: $15,000 | — |
| Colorado | BI: $25,000/$50,000 PD: $15,000 | — |
| Connecticut | BI: $25,000/$50,000 PD: $25,000 | UM/UIM: $25,000/$50,000 |
| Delaware | BI: $25,000/$50,000 PD: $10,000 | PIP: $15,000/$30,000 |
| Florida | PD: $10,000 | PIP: $10,000 |
| Georgia | BI: $25,000/$50,000 PD: $25,000 | — |
| Hawaii | BI: $20,000/$40,000 PD: $10,000 | PIP: $10,000 |
| Idaho | BI: $25,000/$50,000 PD: $15,000 | — |
| Illinois | BI: $25,000/$50,000 PD: $20,000 | UM: $25,000/$50,000 |
| Indiana | BI: $25,000/$50,000 PD: $25,000 | — |
| Iowa | BI: $20,000/$40,000 PD: $15,000 | — |
| Kansas | BI: $25,000/$50,000 PD: $25,000 | UM/UIM: $25,000/$50,000 PIP: $4,500 per person for medical expenses, $900 per month for one year of disability, $25 per day for in-home services, $2,000 for final expenses, $4,500 for rehabilitation Survivor benefits: $900 per month for one year of lost income, plus $25 per day for in-home services |
| Kentucky | BI: $25,000/$50,000 PD: $25,000 | — |
| Louisiana | BI: $15,000/$30,000 PD: $25,000 | — |
| Maine | BI: $50,000/$100,000 PD: $25,000 | UM/UIM: $50,000/$100,000 MedPay: $2,000 |
| Maryland | BI: $30,000/$60,000 PD: $15,000 | UM/UIM: $30,000/$60,000 UM PD: $15,000 |
| Massachusetts | BI: $20,000/$40,000 PD: $5,000 | UM/UIM: $20,000/$40,000 PIP: $8,000 |
| Michigan | BI: $50,000/$100,000 PD (out-of-state): $10,000 PD (in-state): $1,000,000 | PIP: varies |
| Minnesota | BI: $30,000/$60,000 PD: $10,000 | UM/UIM: $25,000/$50,000 PIP: $40,000 |
| Mississippi | BI: $25,000/$50,000 PD: $25,000 | — |
| Missouri | BI: $25,000/$50,000 PD: $25,000 | UM: $25,000/$50,000 |
| Montana | BI: $25,000/$50,000 PD: $20,000 | — |
| Nebraska | BI: $25,000/$50,000 PD: $25,000 | UM/UIM: $25,000/$50,000 |
| Nevada | BI: $25,000/$50,000 PD: $20,000 | — |
| New Hampshire** | BI: $25,000/$50,000 PD: $25,000 | MedPay: $1,000 UM/UIM: $25,000/$50,000 |
| New Jersey | PD: $5,000 | PIP: $15,000 |
| New Mexico | BI: $25,000/$50,000 PD: $10,000 | — |
| New York | BI: $25,000/$50,000 BI (death): $50,000/$100,000 PD: $10,000 | UM/UIM: $25,000/$50,000 PIP: $50,000 |
| North Carolina | BI: $30,000/$60,000 PD: $25,000 | UM: $30,000/$60,000 UM PD: $25,000 |
| North Dakota | BI: $25,000/$50,000 PD: $25,000 | UM/UIM: $25,000/$50,000 PIP: $30,000 |
| Ohio | BI: $25,000/$50,000 PD: $25,000 | — |
| Oklahoma | BI: $25,000/$50,000 PD: $25,000 | — |
| Oregon | BI: $25,000/$50,000 PD: $20,000 | UM: $25,000/$50,000 PIP: $15,000 |
| Pennsylvania | BI: $15,000/$30,000 PD: $5,000 | MedPay: $5,000 |
| Rhode Island | BI: $25,000/$50,000 PD: $25,000 | — |
| South Carolina | BI: $25,000/$50,000 PD: $25,000 | — |
| South Dakota | BI: $25,000/$50,000 PD: $25,000 | UM: $25,000/$50,000 |
| Tennessee | BI: $25,000/$50,000 PD: $15,000 | — |
| Texas | BI: $30,000/$60,000 PD: $25,000 | — |
| Utah | BI: $30,000/$65,000 PD: $25,000 | PIP: $3,000 |
| Vermont | BI: $25,000/$50,000 PD: $10,000 | UM/UIM: $50,000/$100,000 UM PD: $10,000 |
| Virginia | BI: $50,000/$100,000 PD: $25,000 | UM/UIM: $50,000/$100,000 UM PD: $25,000 |
| Washington | BI: $25,000/$50,000 PD: $10,000 | — |
| Washington, D.C. | BI: $25,000/$50,000 PD: $10,000 | UM/UIM: $25,000/$50,000 UM PD: $5,000 |
| West Virginia | BI: $25,000/$50,000 PD: $25,000 | UM: $25,000/$50,000 UM PD: $25,000 |
| Wisconsin | BI: $25,000/$50,000 PD: $10,000 | UM: $25,000/$50,000 |
| Wyoming | BI: $25,000/$50,000 PD: $20,000 | — |
*Only mandatory coverages shown. Many states mandate that companies offer coverage like UM/UIM, MedPay, PIP, etc., but you can decline these in writing.
**New Hampshire doesn’t require car insurance if you can prove financial responsibility. The limits shown apply if you purchase a policy.
)
As we mentioned above, different states require different coverages, and each type pays for different things.
Here’s more detail on some of the main types of mandatory state coverages.
Bodily injury liability insurance covers costs associated with other people’s injuries and death if you cause an accident. This type of coverage can pay for medical expenses, lost income, pain and suffering, and even funeral expenses for the injured person. But it doesn’t cover your own medical expenses.
Property damage liability pays for damage to other people’s property that you cause if you’re in an accident. This includes damage to other vehicles or structures, like a fence or a wall, that you damage in an at-fault accident.
In addition to liability coverage, some states also require uninsured/underinsured motorist (UM/UIM) coverage.
Uninsured motorist coverage reimburses you if someone without insurance damages your vehicle or injures you or your passengers. It can also cover you in a hit-and-run scenario. Underinsured motorist coverage will help cover costs when the other driver doesn’t have enough insurance to cover all your expenses.
Personal injury protection reimburses medical expenses if you or your passengers are injured, regardless of who is at fault. It can also cover lost wages and other expenses, such as childcare.
For more information on car insurance in your state — including how to get cheaper rates — check out the following state auto insurance guides.
Comparing car insurance can save you up to $867.†
If you still have questions about how car insurance rates vary between states, check out the following answers to some of our most commonly asked questions.
Maryland has the highest average car insurance rates in the U.S., at $248 per month, according to Compare.com data. The average monthly cost of liability-only coverage is $202, and full coverage runs $293. Of course, individual rates vary depending on factors like your age and driving record and whether you’re eligible for any discounts.
North Carolina offers drivers the cheapest car insurance coverage in the U.S., with average liability premiums of $63 per month and average full coverage of $88 per month, according to Compare.com data.
Yes, car insurance rates can vary widely between states. Weather trends and the frequency of events like hurricanes, hailstorms, and wildfires can affect insurance rates. Other factors include the cost and frequency of lawsuits, the prevalence of insurance fraud, and the cost of medical care and car repairs.
Generally, yes. The average national rate for car insurance is $143 per month, according to Compare.com data. Paying $500 per month for car insurance is significantly higher than the average rates in every state.
Every state except New Hampshire requires car insurance. But even in New Hampshire, you need to prove you have the money to cover potential accident costs out of pocket.
Data scientists at Compare.com analyzed more than 50 million real-time auto insurance quotes from more than 75 partner insurers in order to compile the rates and statistics seen in this article. Compare.com’s auto insurance data includes coverage analysis and details on drivers’ vehicles, driving records, insurance histories, and demographic information.
All the rates listed in this article have been collected from a combination of real Compare.com quotes and external insurance rate data gathered in collaboration with Quadrant Information Services. Compare.com uses these observations to provide readers with insights into how auto insurance companies determine their premiums.
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
Jessica is a freelance writer, professional researcher, and mother of two rambunctious little boys. She specializes in personal finance, women and money, and financial literacy. Jessica is fascinated by the psychology of money and what drives people to make important financial decisions. She holds a Masters of Science degree in Cognitive Research Psychology.
Nick Versaw leads Compare.com's editorial department, where he and his team specialize in crafting helpful, easy-to-understand content about car insurance and other related topics. With nearly a decade of experience writing and editing insurance and personal finance articles, his work has helped readers discover substantial savings on necessary expenses, including insurance, transportation, health care, and more. As an award-winning writer, Nick has seen his work published in countless renowned publications, such as the Washington Post, Los Angeles Times, and U.S. News & World Report. He graduated with Latin honors from Virginia Commonwealth University, where he earned his Bachelor's Degree in Digital Journalism.
)
)
