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National averages
| Coverage level | Average per year | Average per month |
|---|---|---|
| Full coverage (100/300/100, collision and comprehensive) | $2,578 | about $215 |
| Liability only (50/100/50) | $829 | about $69 |
| State minimum | $738 | about $62 |
Source: CarInsurance.com, August 2026. Insurify’s October 2026 averages, using a different driver mix, are $187 a month for full coverage and $99 for liability only.
The gap between full coverage and minimum cover is about $1,840 a year. Most of that pays for collision and comprehensive, which protect your own car. Whether that’s worth it depends mainly on what your car is worth; see full coverage vs. liability.
Cheapest and most expensive states
| Cheapest states | Full coverage / yr | Most expensive states | Full coverage / yr |
|---|---|---|---|
| Vermont | $1,660 | Louisiana | $3,999 |
| New Hampshire | $1,689 | Michigan | $3,964 |
| Hawaii | $1,757 | Nevada | $3,963 |
| Ohio | $1,783 | Florida | $3,916 |
| Maine | $1,808 | Washington, D.C. | $3,465 |
Source: CarInsurance.com, August 2026.
States are expensive for different reasons. Michigan and Florida are no-fault states with personal injury protection requirements; Louisiana has high claim and litigation costs; Nevada and Florida have many uninsured drivers and heavy traffic around big cities. Even within a state, urban ZIP codes usually cost more than rural ones because of theft, crash frequency and repair prices.
How age changes the price
| Driver age | Female, full coverage / yr | Male, full coverage / yr |
|---|---|---|
| 18 | $7,047 | $7,946 |
| 20 | $4,893 | $5,454 |
| 25 | $2,997 | $3,091 |
| 40 | $2,585 | $2,570 |
| 65 | $2,333 | $2,373 |
Source: CarInsurance.com, August 2026. Some states, including California, Hawaii, Massachusetts and Pennsylvania, don’t allow gender to be used in pricing.
An 18-year-old pays roughly three times what a 40-year-old does, because inexperienced drivers crash far more often. Prices fall quickly through the early 20s. Families can usually save by adding a teen to an existing policy; our new drivers guide explains how.
What violations and credit add
| Driver profile | Average full coverage / yr | Increase vs. clean record |
|---|---|---|
| Clean record, good credit | $2,578 | – |
| One speeding ticket | $3,568 | +38% |
| Two speeding tickets | $4,196 | +63% |
| One at-fault accident | $4,129 | +60% |
| First DUI | $4,959 | +92% |
| Second DUI | $8,307 | +222% |
| Poor credit | $5,478 | +113% |
Source: CarInsurance.com, August 2026.
Speeding tickets typically affect your price for about three years; DUIs and reckless driving for longer. Credit is not allowed as a rating factor for car insurance in California, Hawaii or Massachusetts, and is restricted in Maryland, Michigan, Oregon and Utah. If you have a serious violation, see our guide to high-risk auto insurance.
Why prices are falling now
Car insurance was one of the fastest-rising household costs from 2022 to 2024, as repair bills, parts prices, medical costs and accident severity climbed after the pandemic. Prices rose about 54% between 2020 and 2024. Insurers have since caught up: the BLS motor vehicle insurance index fell 5.1% in the 12 months to August 2026, the biggest annual drop since 2020. Insurify reported national average premiums falling about 6% in 2025 and broadly flat in the first half of 2026.
That doesn’t mean every driver gets a cut. Vehicle repair costs were still up 5.2% over the same 12 months, some states (Connecticut and Kentucky among them) saw rises in early 2026, and your own renewal reflects your claims and record. A falling market is a good time to shop: insurers competing for new customers often price below what they offer existing ones.
How to get a lower rate
- Compare insurers. The median gap between the cheapest and most expensive insurer for the same driver in a state was $1,894 a year. Our best auto insurance comparison lists average prices by company.
- Raise your deductible. Going from $250 to $1,000 saves about $511 a year on average.
- Claim every discount you qualify for; see our discounts guide.
- Consider telematics if you drive safely; see usage-based insurance.
Frequently asked questions
What is the average cost of car insurance in 2026?
About $2,578 a year for full coverage and $738 for a state-minimum policy, for a 40-year-old with a clean record (CarInsurance.com, August 2026).
Which state has the cheapest car insurance?
Vermont, at about $1,660 a year for full coverage, followed by New Hampshire, Hawaii, Ohio and Maine.
Are car insurance rates going down in 2026?
On average, yes. The BLS motor vehicle insurance price index was down 5.1% over the 12 months to August 2026. Individual renewals can still rise because of claims, tickets or local conditions.
How much does one accident raise car insurance?
About 60% on average for an at-fault accident, from $2,578 to $4,129 a year for full coverage. The surcharge usually lasts three to five years.
At what age does car insurance get cheaper?
Prices fall steeply from 18 to 25, when an average driver pays less than half what an 18-year-old pays, and continue to drift down into the 60s.
Sources
- CarInsurance.com – How much is car insurance? (Aug 2026)
- CarInsurance.com – Cheapest car insurance (Sept 2026)
- Insurify – Average car insurance rates, October 2026
- Insurify – 2026 mid-year auto insurance report
- U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics – Consumer Price Index, August 2026
- USAFacts – Why are car insurance rates increasing?
- Experian – States that restrict credit-based insurance scores
- CarInsurance.com – Standard vs. nonstandard car insurance
Insurance prices, discounts and rules change often and vary by state. Figures were checked in October 2026; confirm details with the insurer or your state insurance department.