Insurance
Car Insurance Costs and Coverage Options
Published September 24, 2026 · Last updated October 1, 2026
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The short answer
Drivers spent about $1,282 a year on car insurance on average in 2023. Where you live, how you drive and the coverage you pick matter most.
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- Real price ranges, with sourcesWe name where every number comes from and when it was published.
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We never ask for a Social Security number, date of birth or documents.
Auto Insurance snapshot
- National average
- $1,282 a year in 2023
- Change from the year before
- Up 14%
- Most expensive state
- Louisiana, about $1,495
- Least expensive state
- North Dakota, about $692
These are averages, not a price for you. Sources are listed at the bottom of this page.
Not a quote, offer or approval. Your price comes from the provider. Last updated October 2026.
What affects your auto insurance price
Price range
The national average was $1,282 a year in 2023, up 14% from the year before. Louisiana was the most expensive state at about $1,495. North Dakota was the least at about $692. Not a quote or an offer. Your price comes from the insurance company. Source: NAIC, via the Insurance Information Institute.
What moves the number
- Where you live. Busy cities with more crashes and theft cost more.
- Your driving record. Tickets and crashes raise your price for years.
- Your car. Pricey cars and cars that cost a lot to fix cost more to cover.
- How much you drive. Fewer miles can mean a lower price.
- Your coverage and deductible. More coverage costs more. A higher deductible lowers your price. Your deductible is the part of a claim you pay yourself.
- Your credit. In most states, insurers can use a credit-based score to set your price.
What to ask before you choose
Compare quotes with the same coverage amounts. Otherwise a low price might just mean less protection.
- "How much liability coverage do I have?" Liability pays for damage and injuries you cause to others. Many state minimums are low. One bad crash can cost far more.
- "Do I have uninsured motorist coverage?" It pays you if a driver with no insurance, or not enough, hits you.
- "Do I need gap insurance?" If you owe more on your car loan than the car is worth, gap coverage pays the difference after a total loss.
- "Is a rental car and roadside help included?"
- "What discounts do I get?" Ask about safe driving, low miles, bundling with home or renters, and paying in full.
The catch: your state's minimum coverage is the least you can legally carry. It's not what most people need. If you cause a crash that costs more than your limits, you could owe the rest yourself.
Related pages
People comparing this often look at Boat Insurance, Motorcycle Insurance, RV Insurance. If a court or your state told you to file proof of insurance, see SR-22 insurance.
More car insurance guides: SR-22 insurance · High-risk car insurance · Liability-only car insurance · Car insurance for teens · How to lower car insurance · What affects your auto insurance price · What comprehensive covers · Car insurance without a car · Umbrella insurance
Car insurance in more states: Michigan · Arizona · North Carolina · Pennsylvania · Illinois · Massachusetts · New Jersey · Indiana · Colorado · Alabama · Louisiana · South Carolina · Virginia · Maryland · Oklahoma · Washington · Nevada · Tennessee · New York · Wisconsin · Utah · Maine · Minnesota · Arkansas · Delaware · Idaho · Kentucky · Mississippi · Iowa · Vermont · New Hampshire · Nebraska · New Mexico · Rhode Island
Car insurance by city: Houston · Dallas · Chicago · Atlanta · Miami · Philadelphia · Phoenix · Charlotte · San Antonio · Austin · Fort Worth · Seattle · Las Vegas · San Diego · Denver · Memphis
Insurance for your other vehicles: Motorcycle insurance · RV insurance · Boat insurance · All insurance
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Guides
Can You Get Car Insurance Without a Car? Yes, Here's How
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Read the guideHow to Get Cheaper Car Insurance: 10 Ways That Actually Work
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Read the guideWhat Actually Affects Your Car Insurance Price
The average driver spent $1,282 a year on car insurance. See what raises and lowers your price, and the parts you can actually change.
Read the guideWhat Is Comprehensive Car Insurance? What It Covers (and Doesn't)
Comprehensive covers damage to your car that isn't from a crash, like theft, hail, flood, fire, or hitting a deer. See how it compares to collision and when you need it.
Read the guide