Where you live can have a major effect on what you pay to insure a vehicle. Current car insurance rates by state show significant differences across the country, with average full-coverage prices ranging from under $100 per month in some states to about $300 in the costliest markets.
According to Insurify's August 2026 data, the national average for full-coverage car insurance is $187 per month. Maryland currently has the highest state average at $302 per month, followed closely by Rhode Island at $300. Washington, D.C., which is included separately because it is not a state, averages $258.
These figures provide a useful benchmark, yet they cannot predict what an individual driver will pay. Your address, driving record, vehicle, coverage selections, mileage, claims history, deductible, and other rating factors permitted under state law can change your actual price.
Car Insurance Rates by State in 2026
Insurify's August 2026 data shows wide differences in the average car insurance cost across the country.
The table below lists current monthly averages for full coverage in all 50 states. Washington, D.C. is included separately.
| State | Average Monthly Full-Coverage Rate |
|---|---|
| Alabama | $141 |
| Alaska | $101 |
| Arizona | $163 |
| Arkansas | $152 |
| California | $201 |
| Colorado | $217 |
| Connecticut | $223 |
| Delaware | $262 |
| Florida | $237 |
| Georgia | $259 |
| Hawaii | $125 |
| Idaho | $108 |
| Illinois | $162 |
| Indiana | $129 |
| Iowa | $111 |
| Kansas | $154 |
| Kentucky | $193 |
| Louisiana | $209 |
| Maine | $139 |
| Maryland | $302 |
| Massachusetts | $138 |
| Michigan | $227 |
| Minnesota | $183 |
| Mississippi | $185 |
| Missouri | $180 |
| Montana | $137 |
| Nebraska | $134 |
| Nevada | $256 |
| New Hampshire | $83 |
| New Jersey | $256 |
| New Mexico | $135 |
| New York | $226 |
| North Carolina | $114 |
| North Dakota | $113 |
| Ohio | $117 |
| Oklahoma | $169 |
| Oregon | $156 |
| Pennsylvania | $161 |
| Rhode Island | $300 |
| South Carolina | $256 |
| South Dakota | $153 |
| Tennessee | $132 |
| Texas | $205 |
| Utah | $147 |
| Vermont | $145 |
| Virginia | $206 |
| Washington | $183 |
| West Virginia | $154 |
| Wisconsin | $126 |
| Wyoming | $94 |
| Washington, D.C. | $258 |
| National Average | $187 |
The figures are averages of Insurify price data through the end of July 2026. Insurify reports that full-coverage figures use two-year rolling medians for most states. Certain states use one-year rolling figures.
That methodology is important when interpreting the numbers. A statewide average provides a benchmark, not a guaranteed price for every driver.
Where Is Full-Coverage Car Insurance Most Expensive?
Based on the latest Insurify data, these are the 10 states with the highest average monthly prices for full coverage car insurance:
| Rank | State | Monthly Average |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Maryland | $302 |
| 2 | Rhode Island | $300 |
| 3 | Delaware | $262 |
| 4 | Georgia | $259 |
| 5 | Nevada | $256 |
| 5 | New Jersey | $256 |
| 5 | South Carolina | $256 |
| 8 | Florida | $237 |
| 9 | Michigan | $227 |
| 10 | New York | $226 |
Washington, D.C. averages $258 per month, which would place it near the top of the ranking if jurisdictions outside the 50 states were included.
This puts Maryland and Rhode Island at the top of the most expensive states for car insurance based on Insurify's current full-coverage figures.
The ranking can change as insurers adjust rates and new pricing data becomes available. For that reason, drivers comparing state costs should pay attention to the publication date and methodology behind any ranking they use.
Which States Have the Lowest Car Insurance Rates?
The other end of the table shows how large the geographic difference can be.
New Hampshire currently has the lowest full-coverage average in Insurify's data at $83 per month. Wyoming follows at $94, and Alaska averages $101.
Here are the five lowest state averages:
| Rank | State | Monthly Average |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | New Hampshire | $83 |
| 2 | Wyoming | $94 |
| 3 | Alaska | $101 |
| 4 | Idaho | $108 |
| 5 | Iowa | $111 |
Drivers searching for cheap car insurance should not assume these statewide figures represent the price they would personally receive. Individual quotes can fall above or below the state average based on the driver, vehicle, insurer, and selected coverage.
Why Do Car Insurance Rates Differ by State?
Location is one of several factors insurers may use to calculate auto insurance rates.
The National Association of Insurance Commissioners says insurers set premiums according to expected claim costs and risk. State laws can determine which factors insurers are permitted to use.
Common rating factors identified by the NAIC include:
- Location
- Age
- Driving experience
- Driving record
- Claims history
- Previous insurance coverage
- Vehicle type
- Vehicle use
- Annual mileage
- Selected coverage
- Deductibles
- Credit history where permitted
Insurers can therefore arrive at different prices for drivers who appear similar at first glance.
Geographic conditions can affect expected insurance losses as well. Local traffic conditions, accident patterns, vehicle theft, weather exposure, and other claim-related factors may contribute to geographic pricing differences.
State Coverage Laws Can Affect Insurance Costs
Every state sets its own auto insurance laws, which means drivers across the country are not necessarily purchasing identical protection.
Required liability limits and other mandatory coverages can differ. Some jurisdictions require forms of protection that others do not.
New York, for example, requires minimum bodily injury liability coverage of $25,000 per person and $50,000 per accident, along with $10,000 in property damage liability. It also requires $50,000 in no-fault personal injury protection and uninsured motorist coverage.
South Carolina requires liability and uninsured motorist coverage with minimum limits of $25,000 for bodily injury to one person, $50,000 for bodily injury per accident, and $25,000 for property damage.
These differences are one reason state averages should be interpreted carefully. The insurance package required in one state can differ from what drivers must carry elsewhere.
Michigan Has Several PIP Medical Choices
Michigan illustrates how state-specific insurance rules can affect the type of coverage drivers purchase.
Michigan's Department of Insurance and Financial Services currently lists six personal injury protection medical coverage choices:
- Unlimited coverage
- Up to $500,000 per person per accident
- Up to $250,000 per person per accident
- Up to $250,000 with qualifying PIP medical exclusions
- Up to $50,000 for eligible Medicaid participants
- A PIP medical opt-out for qualifying people with Medicare Parts A and B
Some choices have additional household health coverage requirements.
Michigan's current Insurify full-coverage average is $227 per month, placing it among the higher-cost states in the August 2026 data.
Why Your Quote May Differ From the State Average
Seeing that your state averages $180 per month does not mean your own car insurance premiums should be close to $180.
State averages combine data from numerous drivers. Your insurer evaluates information tied to your own risk profile and policy.
Your rate may be affected by:
Your Driving Record
Tickets, crashes, and claims may influence the rate an insurer assigns to your policy.
Your ZIP Code
Insurance pricing can account for the area where your vehicle is kept. Local claim patterns can therefore contribute to different prices within the same state.
Your Vehicle
Vehicle type and use are among the rating factors identified by the NAIC. Repair and replacement expenses and claims experience can affect how insurers assess a particular vehicle.
Your Annual Mileage
Driving a greater number of miles can increase exposure to potential accidents. Insurers may account for annual mileage when calculating premiums.
Your Coverage and Deductibles
Buying higher coverage limits or additional protection can affect your premium. Your deductible matters too. Accepting a higher deductible generally shifts a larger portion of a covered loss to you and may reduce the applicable premium.
What Does Full-Coverage Car Insurance Mean?
"Full coverage" is an informal term rather than the name of a single standardized insurance policy.
It generally refers to a policy that combines liability insurance with collision and comprehensive coverage. The exact limits, deductibles, and additional protections can differ from one policy to another.
This distinction matters when comparing rate studies.
Two sources can report different average full-coverage prices because they may use different driver profiles, policy limits, deductibles, data periods, or statistical methods.
For the same reason, comparing two personal quotes solely by their monthly price can be misleading. Check the coverage limits and deductibles to make sure you are evaluating comparable policies.
Can You Reduce Your Car Insurance Rate in an Expensive State?
Living in a state with a high average does not necessarily mean every insurer will charge you the same amount.
Insurance companies use their own underwriting and rating methods within applicable state regulations. Shopping among insurers may therefore produce different quotes for similar coverage.
The NAIC recommends checking several areas when shopping for auto insurance, including available discounts and deductibles.
Possible discounts can vary by insurer and state. Examples may include:
- Multiple vehicles
- Driver education
- Good-student eligibility
- Vehicle safety equipment
- Anti-theft equipment
- Low mileage
- Good-driver eligibility
- Bundling auto and home policies
When comparing insurers, use similar coverage limits and deductibles. A lower quote may reflect reduced protection rather than a lower price for equivalent insurance.
You can also check that your insurer has accurate information about your vehicle, address, drivers, mileage, and applicable discounts.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which State Has the Highest Car Insurance Rate in 2026?
Maryland has the highest average full-coverage rate among the 50 states in Insurify's August 2026 data, at $302 per month. Rhode Island follows at $300 per month.
These are statewide averages rather than guaranteed individual rates.
Which State Has the Lowest Average Full-Coverage Rate?
New Hampshire has the lowest average in Insurify's August 2026 table at $83 per month. Wyoming is next at $94 per month.
What Is the National Average for Full-Coverage Car Insurance?
Insurify reports a national average of $187 per month for full coverage based on its August 2026 update, using price data through the end of July.
Actual premiums can differ substantially based on individual rating factors and coverage selections.
Does Moving to Another State Change Your Car Insurance Rate?
It can. Location is a recognized auto insurance rating factor, and state coverage requirements differ. Moving can therefore change the rate available to a driver.
Your new price will still depend on other factors used by the insurer and permitted under applicable state law.
What State Insurance Averages Can Tell You
Current car insurance rates by state show that location can be associated with substantial differences in average premiums. Insurify's August 2026 figures range from $83 per month for full coverage in New Hampshire to $302 in Maryland.
Those numbers work best as comparison benchmarks. They should not be treated as predictions of an individual driver's insurance bill.
When reviewing your own rate, compare equivalent policies from several insurers and look closely at coverage limits, deductibles, discounts, and policy details. Your personal quote is ultimately a better measure of what insurance will cost you than a statewide average.
