Average Cost of Car Insurance (April 2024)

The average cost of car insurance rose over 25% from 2021 to 2023, for a current average of $2,264 per year.
Written by R.E. Fulton
Edited by Kathleen Flear
Reviewed by Brice Regling
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Two years ago, car insurance cost drivers an average of $1,796 per year for a full coverage policy. Today, that average is $2,264—a 26% increase.
Find the average cost of car insurance in your state:
State
Minimum coverage
Full coverage
$64
$149
$61
$157
$66
$161
$66
$200
$60
$181
$98
$183
$77
$185
District of Columbia
$83
$164
$174
$312
$104
$213
$44
$114
$42
$102
$63
$138
$56
$114
$55
$135
$109
$199
$105
$260
$60
$129
$91
$192
$41
$75
$118
$197
$67
$133
$65
$162
$59
$147
$45
$124
$43
$109
$73
$152
$52
$121
$43
$82
$93
$181
$54
$159
$63
$150
$122
$211
$49
$106
$60
$137
$70
$149
$53
$133
$67
$152
$113
$218
$53
$124
$59
$155
$85
$198
$67
$132
$61
$130
$36
$80
$65
$145
$42
$103
$59
$134
$29
$89
Average coverage cost
$77
$165

What’s happening with auto insurance rates in 2023?

Car insurance rates are going up in 2023
as a result of rising repair costs, inflation, catastrophic weather events, and an increasing number of car accidents on the road. 
The average annual cost of auto insurance in 2021 was $1,796 for a full coverage policy. As of September 2023, a
full coverage car insurance policy
costs drivers an average of $2,264 per year. That’s an increase of 26% in just two years. 
While it’s normal to see a small increase in insurance prices each year, auto rates are growing faster than normal in 2023.
With the average cost of car insurance on the rise, finding savings is more important than ever. Compare quotes from at least three to five insurance providers to find the best rates. 
Inflation. While some of the growth in auto insurance rates can be explained by post-pandemic adjustments, inflation is driving up the cost of replacement pairs, mechanics’ labor charges, and other car-related costs. 

Drivers under 25 and over 70 have the highest average car insurance rates

Age is one of the biggest factors that auto insurance companies use to set premiums. The table below compares average rates for different age groups: 
Age
Average cost of full coverage
Average cost of minimum coverage
18
$4,680
$2,375
25
$2,566
$1,772
35
$2,274
$1,457
45
$2,016
$1,378
55
$1,875
$1,408
65
$1,572
$1,396
70
$1,721
$1,345
The two most expensive age groups to insure are
teen drivers
and
seniors over 70
. Here’s why:
  • Teens are still learning to drive: According to IIHS, the fatal crash rate for drivers aged 16 to 19 is almost three times higher than the average for other age groups. The result: higher rates than more experienced drivers. 
  • Older drivers are more susceptible to injuries: IIHS data shows that fatal crashes rise dramatically after age 70. It’s not that older drivers are less capable than young drivers—but they’re more likely to be seriously injured in a collision.  

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Car insurance is cheapest in the Midwest and rural areas

Average car insurance rates vary from state to state—and from region to region. The state with the cheapest average rates is Vermont, while New York takes the top spot as the most expensive state for car insurance. 

Cheapest car insurance by region 

The cheapest place to buy car insurance is the Midwest, where the average annual full coverage premium is $1,950. That’s $314 less than the national average!  
Region
Average cost of full coverage 
Average cost of state minimum coverage
Midwest
$1,950
$1,355 
West
$2,141
$1,425
South
$2,551
$1,643 
Northeast
$2,326
$1,670
Across all regions, car insurance costs most in urban areas, where a high rate of accidents and auto theft contribute to higher premiums. 
Take the rates in the table below as an example: we’ve paired the average cost of car insurance coverage in the nation’s 10 biggest cities with rates in rural areas in the same states. On average, we saw a 51.6% increase in major cities compared to rural towns. 
City
Average annual rate
Small town
Average annual rate
$5,166
$1,943
$2,236
$1,920
$2,432
$1,859
$2,831
$2,231
$2,093
$1,771
$3,491
$1,500
$2,605
$1,344
$2,411
$2,278
$2,676
$2,117
$2,597
$2,640
Three major factors affect the cost of insuring any vehicle type: 
  • Actual cash value: The price of collision and comprehensive insurance is based on the actual cash value (ACV) of the vehicle—the more you paid for your car, the more you’ll pay to insure it. 
  • Safety equipment and ratings: Safer vehicles, like
    modern crossover SUVs
    , have a lower likelihood of generating expensive insurance claims compared to risky rides like
    sports cars
  • Model year: Older cars typically cost less to insure than brand-new models. 
Model
Average cost of full coverage
$1,764
$1,776
$1,776
$1,824
$1,824
$1,944
$1,992
$2,196
$2,244
$2,640
Choose a car that keeps your insurance costs low: 
  • Vehicles equipped with all-wheel drive (AWD) see a lower rate of insurance claims and cheaper policies. 
  • Up-to-date safety features and high ratings from the
    National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA)
    and Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) generally lead to lower auto insurance costs. 
  • Small SUVs have the lowest average car insurance prices thanks to strong safety ratings and affordable replacement components. 

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Why your car insurance quotes are so high (and how to lower them)

Unfortunately, it’s normal to see high car insurance rates in 2023—but if you’re only able to find super-expensive quotes, it’s time to do some digging to uncover the reasons. 
When you purchase a car insurance policy—or when your existing policy is
up for renewal
—your insurance company analyzes a ton of information to determine how much to charge you. That information includes: 
app screenshot
  • Your personal information (name, age, marital status, and address)
  • Your driving history, including any past violations or at-fault accidents
  • Your insurance history, including any past claims or coverage lapses
  • Your coverage selections and deductibles
  • Your vehicle and its annual milage
  • Your eligibility for insurance discounts
  • Your credit score (in most states)
Start by comparing quotes from as many companies as possible. The Jerry app allows you to upload documents and enter your car’s exact VIN to get the most accurate quotes. You can also turn on discounts to make sure they’re applied to your quotes. 
If you have any violations from the last five years—from a speeding ticket to a DUI—be sure to enter that information accurately. Any inconsistencies between your answers and the official documents could result in a rate increase when you go to buy.

If you own your home

Once you’ve got quotes, review your coverage options and costs to determine which level of coverage is the best for your family.
app screenshot
Bundling car and homeowners insurance
is one of the most powerful ways to effectively lower your rates, it's like a two-for-one deal that can seriously shrink your costs.
Use the Jerry app to see if you could save by bundling your insurance.
Keep in mind: 
  • Full coverage auto insurance is required for all financed and leased vehicles. 
  • Adding collision insurance and comprehensive coverage to your policy costs more than raising your liability coverage limits to fit your assets.
  • You can’t buy less bodily injury and property damage liability than the minimum coverage requirements set by your state’s insurance laws. 
In most cases, a policy that includes comprehensive, collision, and $50k/$100k/$50k liability coverage offers the best mix of coverage and savings for drivers without significant assets, while $100k/$300k/$100k offers a higher level of liability protection. Avoid a liability-only policy unless you can’t afford anything else. 

Avoid unnecessary add-ons: Rental car reimbursement, paid accident forgiveness, and roadside assistance are all great things to have on a policy. But if it’s crunch time and you’re trying to save, you can usually afford to drop them for a while. 
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FAQs

Is $100 a month too much for car insurance? 

No. If you pay $100 a month for car insurance, you’re paying an annual rate of $1,200—well below the national average for most drivers. 

How much is car insurance on average?

Car insurance costs drivers in 2023 an average of $2,264 per year or $189 per month. 

What does car insurance cover?

A standard auto insurance policy protects you financially through liability insurance and will also cover damage to your vehicle if you buy collision coverage and comprehensive coverage. 

What percentage of Americans have car insurance?

About 12.6% of American drivers don’t carry any car insurance, according to a 2021 study by the Insurance Research Council. That’s one in eight motorists uninsured. 

Is it cheaper to pay car insurance annually or monthly?

Most car insurance companies offer a discount to policyholders who pay their annual premium in full. However, monthly costs may be more manageable and can reduce the up-front cost of buying a new policy. 

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