The average cost of car insurance in the U.S. in 2026 is about $175 a month ($2,100 a year) for full coverage and about $98 a month ($1,176 a year) for liability-only cover. Your own price can be less than half or more than double that, mainly because of your state, age, driving record and credit.
To see your own number in under a minute, use our car insurance calculator. It needs no name, phone or ZIP code.
Average car insurance cost at a glance
| Coverage | Monthly | Every 6 months | Yearly |
|---|---|---|---|
| State minimum liability | $83 | $500 | $1,000 |
| Liability only (average) | $98 | $588 | $1,176 |
| Full coverage | $175 | $1,050 | $2,100 |
Full coverage means liability plus collision and comprehensive, with a $500 deductible. Figures are averages for drivers aged 20 to 70 with a clean record.
Average car insurance cost by state
State is the biggest single factor. Full coverage ranges from about $85 a month in New Hampshire to about $302 in Maryland. Rhode Island, Delaware, Nevada and Georgia are also among the most expensive; Wyoming, Idaho, Iowa and North Carolina among the cheapest. See all 50 states and D.C., ranked, on our car insurance calculator by state.
Average car insurance cost by age
Teens pay the most (about $455 a month for drivers aged 16 to 19), prices drop sharply by 25, are lowest in the 50s and early 60s (about $166) and rise a little after 70. See the cost at every age from 16 to 80 in car insurance cost by age.
What changes your price the most
- Driving record: one speeding ticket adds about 22%, an at-fault accident about 45%, and a DUI about 85%.
- Credit: poor credit can add about 60% in states that allow credit-based pricing.
- Car type: sports, luxury and electric cars cost more to repair, so collision and comprehensive cost more. Minivans and small SUVs are usually cheapest.
- Miles driven: under 7,500 miles a year can save about 8%.
- Deductible: going from $500 to $1,000 cuts the collision and comprehensive part of the bill by about 12%.
Why car insurance keeps getting more expensive
Prices rose sharply from 2022 to 2025 and are still high in 2026. The main reasons are:
- costlier repairs, as cars now carry cameras and sensors in bumpers and mirrors,
- higher prices for parts and labor,
- more severe crashes and larger medical bills,
- more storm and flood claims in many states,
- more theft of certain models.
Is your car insurance too expensive?
Compare your bill with the averages above for your state and age. If you pay more than about 20% above the average for a driver like you, it is worth shopping. Common reasons for a high price are a recent claim, a lapse in coverage, low credit, a young driver on the policy or a high-cost ZIP code.
How to pay less than average
- Compare at least three insurers every year.
- Raise your deductible to $1,000 if you have the savings.
- Bundle with home or renters insurance.
- Try a telematics program if you drive safely.
- Pay six or twelve months at once.
- Drop collision on a car worth less than about $4,000.
- Ask for every discount: good student, military, multi-car, paperless and autopay.
Shopping for a new car? Insurance costs differ a lot between models. Check our guides to the 2027 Toyota RAV4 and 2027 Honda HR-V, two of the cheaper SUVs to insure.
Average car insurance cost by coverage level and deductible
| Policy | Monthly | Yearly | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|
| State minimum liability | $83 | $1,000 | Old, low-value cars and tight budgets |
| 100/300/100 liability + uninsured motorist | $123 | $1,470 | Paid-off cars, drivers with savings to protect |
| Full coverage, $1,000 deductible | $166 | $1,990 | Most financed cars, drivers with an emergency fund |
| Full coverage, $500 deductible | $175 | $2,100 | Newer cars, drivers with small savings |
| Full coverage, $250 deductible | $184 | $2,210 | Drivers who want the smallest out-of-pocket cost |
Average cost by driving record and credit
| Driver profile | Est. full coverage (monthly) | vs. clean record |
|---|---|---|
| Clean record, good credit | $175 | — |
| 1 speeding ticket | $214 | about +22% |
| 1 at-fault accident | $254 | about +45% |
| Poor credit (where allowed) | $280 | about +60% |
| DUI | $324 | about +85% |
Read more: speeding tickets, accidents, DUI and credit.
Average cost by vehicle type
| Vehicle type | Est. full coverage (monthly) |
|---|---|
| Minivan | $164 |
| Compact pickup | $170 |
| Small SUV | $172 |
| Sedan | $175 |
| Electric car | $196 |
| Sports car | $212 |
| Luxury car | $218 |
See the cheapest cars to insure and electric car insurance costs.
Monthly vs. six-month vs. yearly payments
Most insurers sell six-month or twelve-month policies. Paying monthly is easiest on cash flow, but many insurers add an installment fee of a few dollars each month. Paying the full six or twelve months upfront usually saves 2% to 10%. On a $2,100 policy, that can be $40 to $200 a year.
How to compare your bill with the average
- Find your current premium and term (six or twelve months) on your declarations page.
- Divide by the number of months to get your monthly cost.
- Compare it with your state average on our state calculator, then adjust for your age and record.
- If you pay 20% or more above a similar driver, get at least three new quotes.
Frequently asked questions
How much is car insurance per month on average?
About $175 for full coverage and $98 for liability-only in 2026.
What is a good price for car insurance?
Anything at or below the average for your state and age group, for the coverage you need, is a good price.
Which state has the cheapest car insurance?
New Hampshire, at about $85 a month for full coverage.
Is $200 a month a lot for car insurance?
It is a little above the U.S. average for full coverage, but normal for drivers under 25 or in higher-cost states such as Florida, Georgia or New York.
About our numbers
Prices on this page are estimates for U.S. drivers, built from 2025–2026 published rate studies (including Insurify, CarInsurance.com, The Zebra and state insurance department rules) and our own pricing model. Percentages for age, tickets, accidents, DUI, credit and vehicle type are our model estimates, not quotes. Your insurer, ZIP code and history will change your price. Read how we estimate car insurance costs.
Written by the VehiclesInformation editorial team. Checked against state insurance rules and 2025–2026 rate data. Last updated October 2026. This is general information, not insurance or legal advice.
