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Car insurance requirements are governed by each state. Nearly all states require registered drivers to carry specified minimum liability insurance, but how much coverage you need and how much it will cost vary widely by location, down to your state, city, ZIP code and even neighborhood. Compare car insurance costs and requirements by state to make sure you’re getting the best deal.
Get rates, requirements and driving tips with car insurance guides by city.
While the average price of car insurance in the US is about $1,200, that number changes drastically based on your location. This is due to a number of factors, including the differences in each state’s coverage minimums.
State | Average annual car insurance rate |
---|---|
Alabama | $1,400 |
Alaska | $1,560 |
Arizona | $1,300 |
Arkansas | $1,400 |
California | $1,698 |
Colorado | $1,450 |
Connecticut | $1,100 |
Delaware | $1,100 |
Florida | $1,800 |
Georgia | $1,450 |
Hawaii | $1,350 |
Idaho | $1,410 |
Illinois | $1,250 |
Indiana | $1,112 |
Iowa | $1,100 |
Kansas | $1,250 |
Kentucky | $1,400 |
Louisiana | $1,300 |
Maine | $1,300 |
Maryland | $1,500 |
Massachusetts | $1,300 |
Michigan | $2,200 |
Minnesota | $1,300 |
Mississippi | $1,200 |
Missouri | $1,300 |
Montana | $1,200 |
Nebraska | $1,100 |
Nevada | $1,400 |
New Hampshire | $1,200 |
New Jersey | $1,400 |
New Mexico | $1,200 |
New York | $1,300 |
North Carolina | $1,300 |
North Dakota | $1,350 |
Ohio | $1,000 |
Oklahoma | $1,500 |
Oregon | $1,300 |
Pennsylvania | $1,300 |
Rhode Island | $1,800 |
South Carolina | $1,300 |
South Dakota | $1,050 |
Tennessee | $1,300 |
Texas | $1,500 |
Utah | $1,300 |
Vermont | $1,300 |
Virginia | $1,250 |
Washington | $1,200 |
Washington, DC | $1,300 |
West Virginia | $1,350 |
Wisconsin | $1,300 |
Wyoming | $1,500 |
Midwestern states often have the cheapest rates, including Ohio, South Dakota, Iowa and Nebraska. Expect annual rates close to $1,000, depending on other driver factors. These states don’t have a lot of big cities, which means lower rates of car accidents.
Michigan consistently tops the list for priciest auto insurance at over $2,000 a year on average. That’s because the state’s no-fault laws are unique, and each driver’s policy pays for their damages, regardless of fault in an accident.
Other pricey states include Florida and California, which have high populations and, as a result, high risks for car accidents.
Besides location, your coverage is another big factor for how much you’ll pay for car insurance.
Liability only is the cheapest type of policy, covering your state’s bare minimums required. These include bodily injury and property damage liability. Full coverage policies include liability plus collision and comprehensive coverage, costing twice as much as liability-only policies. But you’ll only have to pay your deductible if your car gets damaged — the insurance company covers the rest of the repair costs.
State | Liability only | Full coverage |
---|---|---|
Arkansas | $48 | $120 |
California | $52 | $137 |
Florida | $104 | $196 |
Georgia | $60 | $127 |
Iowa | $26 | $80 |
Louisiana | $83 | $232 |
Maine | $36 | $80 |
Michigan | $224 | $332 |
New Hampshire | $41 | $87 |
New Jersey | $91 | $172 |
North Carolina | $44 | $85 |
Rhode Island | $81 | $168 |
Texas | $69 | $204 |
You’ll have to take financial responsibility if you’re on the road one way or another. But if you don’t want car insurance, 32 states offer a legal alternative to car insurance. You can get self-insured auto insurance by depositing cash or posting a bond with your state, typically to the tune of several thousands of dollars. You might also have to be able to pay for the treatment and property damage of the other driver upfront.
Your policy requirements will vary depending on where you live and how you purchased your vehicle. Compare car insurance prices, policy requirements and laws by state to find the best car insurance for you.
Compare car insurance companies near you.
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