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Kat Tretina is a personal finance writer for Compare.com, specializing in insurance and debt management. For the past seven years, she’s been writing for several notable personal finance publications, including U.S News & World Report, NerdWallet, Forbes, Yahoo! Finance, Fortune, and more. She’s passionate about using her expertise to help people understand their financial options.
Kat earned her bachelor’s degree in English and Communications from Elizabethtown College and her master’s from West Chester University. She also holds certifications in financial education and student loan counseling.
Kat has been writing for Compare.com since 2025.
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Matthew Gross is an editor at Compare.com. With a background in editing and SEO, he’s passionate about creating content that helps readers get the information they need to make more informed decisions. Prior to Compare.com, Matthew brought his user-centered approach to his work with global brands like Apple and Adobe.
Matthew graduated from Illinois State University, where he earned his bachelor’s degree in Journalism.
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Senior Director, Media Relations, with Triple-I
30+ years of industry experience
Leadership positions at several trade organizations
Mark Friedlander is Senior Director, Media Relations, at the Insurance Information Institute (Triple-I), where he serves as a national spokesperson, handling a wide array of insurance industry media issues. His responsibilities also include spearheading the association’s hurricane season communications strategy and its member company support and media outreach.
Throughout his 30+ years in the insurance industry, Mark has held leadership positions across multiple trade groups, including serving as Board Chair and President of the Insurance Marketing & Communications Association (IMCA). He has also advised editorial teams at organizations such as U.S. News & World Report, Insurify, Bankrate, and more.
Updated
At Compare.com, it’s our mission to give you the tools to find the best (and most affordable) insurance for your unique needs and budget. We strive to provide information that’s helpful, clear, and unbiased, and we believe that comparing insurance companies should never put you at risk of spam. Our editorial team — which is made up of experienced writers, editors, insurance agents, and data analysts — has spent thousands of hours researching and creating the coverage overviews, side-by-side comparisons, and detailed reviews you see across our site.
While we make money through partnerships with some of the brands we discuss in our articles, our editorial team operates 100% independently, and these partners never influence or affect the topics, reviews, ratings, or recommendations we provide. We never guarantee favorable reviews or mentions in exchange for compensation from any brands or partners, and we uphold strict editorial standards to ensure our content is always independent, truthful, and unbiased.
Car insurance in the U.S. costs an average of $137 per month. But what you pay largely depends on the type of policy you choose. For example, the average cost of liability-only car insurance is $100 per month, while full coverage averages $173.
Average rates are useful benchmarks when shopping for insurance. If you find lower-than-usual rates, that’s a sign you found a bargain. But how much you pay for car insurance depends on several factors. Everything from where you live to the type of car you drive can affect your premiums.[1]
This guide breaks down how factors like your age, location, driving record, and credit history affect your car insurance rates.
On average, drivers pay $100 per month for liability-only coverage. Full coverage costs an average of $173 per month.
Drivers with DUI convictions pay the highest rates, with an average premium of $203 per month.
Teens pay the highest rate of any age group, averaging $262 per month.
As you research your options, knowing what drivers like you pay for coverage can help you find the right policy for your needs and budget. Compare quotes using your age, location, credit history, and driving record to get an idea of how much you’ll pay for car insurance.
The table below shows average rates for different drivers and coverage types, according to Compare.com data.
Coverage or Driver Type  | Average Monthly Premium |
|---|---|
| Overall average | $137 |
| Teen drivers | $262 |
| Middle-aged drivers | $140 |
| Senior drivers | $117 |
| Male drivers | $138 |
| Female drivers | $135 |
| Drivers with clean records | $137 |
| Drivers with a recent ticket | $177 |
| Drivers with a recent accident | $183 |
| Drivers with a DUI conviction | $203 |
| Drivers with excellent credit | $120 |
| Drivers with poor credit | $166 |
Compare quotes starting at $45 per month.
Car insurance rates vary by company, and the difference can be substantial. Every insurer has its own formula for assessing risk and setting car insurance premiums, which is why rates differ. You could save hundreds of dollars without sacrificing coverage by switching insurers.
The table below shows how rates compare from some of the major insurance companies, according to Compare.com data.
 |  |  |  |  |
|---|---|---|---|---|
Average Premium Prices based on average across state-minimum and full coverage car insurance $82/mo* | Average Premium Prices based on average across state-minimum and full coverage car insurance $115/mo* | Average Premium Prices based on average across state-minimum and full coverage car insurance $130/mo* | Average Premium Prices based on average across state-minimum and full coverage car insurance $110/mo* | Average Premium Prices based on average across state-minimum and full coverage car insurance $77/mo* |
Overall Rating 3.9 | Overall Rating 4.1 | Overall Rating 3.2 | Overall Rating 3.6 | Overall Rating 4.3 |
Value 4.1/5 | Value 4.4/5 | Value 3.5/5 | Value 3.8/5 | Value 4.9/5 |
Customer Service 4.4/5 | Customer Service 4.4/5 | Customer Service 3.6/5 | Customer Service 4.1/5 | Customer Service 4.4/5 |
Claims Handling 4.0/5 | Claims Handling 4.0/5 | Claims Handling 3.3/5 | Claims Handling 3.5/5 | Claims Handling 4.2/5 |
Special Highlight N/AAI-generated from 310 user reviews | Special Highlight N/AAI-generated from 259 user reviews | Special Highlight N/AAI-generated from 283 user reviews | Special Highlight N/AAI-generated from 172 user reviews | Special Highlight N/AAI-generated from 66 user reviews |
How much you pay for car insurance depends on the amount of coverage you need.
In nearly every state (except New Hampshire) and Washington D.C., you must have a policy that meets the state’s minimum coverage requirements. Minimum-coverage insurance covers only damages you cause to someone else in an accident. But you can purchase higher liability coverage limits for added protection.[2]
Full-coverage policies combine liability insurance with collision and comprehensive insurance, protecting you and your vehicle, too.
Because full-coverage car insurance offers more protection, it’s usually more expensive than liability-only policies. In the table below, you’ll find the average auto insurance rates for liability and full-coverage car insurance, according to Compare.com data.
Average Liability-Only Premium | Average Full-Coverage Premium |
|---|---|
| $100 | $173 |
Car insurance costs vary by state, and even by ZIP code (except in California and Michigan). Areas with higher costs of living, crime rates, or congestion typically have higher average premiums. Each state sets its own minimum liability limits, so where you live plays an important role in how much you pay for coverage.
Washington, D.C., and Maryland have some of the highest average rates in the U.S. That’s not surprising, considering those areas have high costs of living and vehicle accident and theft rates.[3]
At the other end, less populous states like Idaho typically have some of the cheapest average premiums due to their lower cost of living, moderate traffic congestion, and relatively low accident and vehicle crime rates.
Check out the map below for the average car insurance premiums across the country, according to Compare.com data.
State | Average Liability-Only Premium | Average Full-Coverage Premium |
|---|---|---|
| Alabama | $69 | $129 |
| Alaska | $74 | $115 |
| Arizona | $96 | $158 |
| Arkansas | $79 | $145 |
| California | $93 | $189 |
| Colorado | $91 | $189 |
| Connecticut | $161 | $228 |
| Delaware | $152 | $216 |
| Florida | $162 | $201 |
| Georgia | $161 | $241 |
| Hawaii | $58 | $107 |
| Idaho | $63 | $98 |
| Illinois | $82 | $148 |
| Indiana | $68 | $124 |
| Iowa | $53 | $93 |
| Kansas | $75 | $138 |
| Kentucky | $118 | $184 |
| Louisiana | $103 | $182 |
| Maine | $80 | $132 |
| Maryland | $179 | $262 |
| Massachusetts | $107 | $151 |
| Michigan | $135 | $209 |
| Minnesota | $88 | $153 |
| Mississippi | $70 | $133 |
| Missouri | $91 | $169 |
| Montana | $63 | $121 |
| Nebraska | $69 | $129 |
| Nevada | $156 | $235 |
| New Hampshire | $53 | $80 |
| New Jersey | $184 | $257 |
| New Mexico | $66 | $125 |
| New York | $156 | $177 |
| North Carolina | $66 | $92 |
| North Dakota | $66 | $106 |
| Ohio | $70 | $118 |
| Oklahoma | $82 | $157 |
| Oregon | $91 | $139 |
| Pennsylvania | $94 | $145 |
| Rhode Island | $152 | $207 |
| South Carolina | $160 | $228 |
| South Dakota | $60 | $137 |
| Tennessee | $67 | $130 |
| Texas | $120 | $208 |
| Utah | $95 | $139 |
| Vermont | $63 | $125 |
| Virginia | $110 | $174 |
| Washington | $95 | $162 |
| Washington D.C. | $211 | $300 |
| West Virginia | $81 | $136 |
| Wisconsin | $58 | $110 |
| Wyoming | $56 | $98 |
Your age also affects your premiums. Teens have less experience behind the wheel and riskier driving habits, so they’re more likely to cause more accidents than other age groups, according to the Centers for Disease Control (CDC).[4]
Because of the increased risk, younger drivers typically pay more for car insurance than other age groups.
The table below shows the average rates for different age groups, according to our data.
Age | Average Liability-Only Premium | Average Full-Coverage Premium |
|---|---|---|
| Teen drivers | $192 | $331 |
| Middle-aged drivers | $102 | $177 |
| Senior drivers | $86 | $148 |
In general, men pay more for car insurance than women. Men typically drive more frequently, are involved in more severe crashes, and have riskier driving habits, according to the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS).[5]
Some states prohibit insurers from charging different rates based on gender. California, Delaware, Hawaii, Massachusetts, Michigan, North Carolina, and Pennsylvania have banned gender-based pricing.
The table below shows the average car insurance rates for men and women, according to Compare.com research.
Gender | Average Liability-Only Premium | Average Full-Coverage Premium |
|---|---|---|
| Males | $101 | $175 |
| Females | $99 | $171 |
Your driving record plays a significant role in how much you pay for coverage. Insurers consider past traffic violations or at-fault accidents as an indication that you’ll file more claims in the future. Drivers with less-than-perfect records typically pay more for coverage than someone with a clean record.
Typically, insurance companies classify drivers with driving under the influence (DUI) convictions and recent at-fault accidents as high-risk and will charge them the highest premiums. But even a single speeding ticket can increase your rates.
The table below shows the average rates for different driving records, according to Compare.com data.
Driving Record | Average Liability-Only Premium | Average Full-Coverage Premium |
|---|---|---|
| Clean record | $100 | $173 |
| Recent ticket | $129 | $223 |
| Recent accident | $133 | $231 |
| DUI conviction | $148 | $256 |
In most states, insurance companies can use your credit history when setting your premiums. Companies create a credit-based insurance score to determine the likelihood that you’ll file a claim.[6] Typically, drivers with good credit pay less for car insurance than people with poor credit.
A few states — California, Hawaii, Michigan, and Massachusetts — restrict how insurance companies can use your credit history to set rates.
Check out the table below to learn how average premiums differ by credit history, according to Compare.com data.
Credit Tier | Average Liability-Only Premium | Average Full-Coverage Premium |
|---|---|---|
| Excellent | $87 | $151 |
| Poor | $121 | $210 |
Vehicle type, make, and model also affect your insurance premiums. Expensive cars and cars with higher repair costs are usually more expensive to insure.
We found that the Tesla Model Y was the most expensive vehicle to insure due to its complex electrical systems and expensive replacement parts. Compact SUVs, like the Toyota RAV4 and the Honda CR-V, tend to cost less to insure due to their excellent safety ratings and more affordable parts.
The table below shows the average rates for some popular makes and models, according to Compare.com data.
Vehicle | Average Liability-Only Premium | Average Full-Coverage Premium |
|---|---|---|
| Ford F-150 | $95 | $175 |
| Chevrolet Silverado | $101 | $186 |
| Toyota RAV4 | $98 | $180 |
| Honda CR-V | $89 | $164 |
| Ram 1500 | $112 | $207 |
| GMC Sierra | $101 | $185 |
| Toyota Camry | $113 | $209 |
| Tesla Model Y | $166 | $306 |
| Toyota Tacoma | $97 | $180 |
| Chevrolet Equinox | $93 | $171 |
Get personalized rates and save money in seconds.
As you shop for auto coverage, use these answers to some common questions to help you find the right coverage for your budget.
Car insurance costs an average of $137 per month, according to Compare.com data. Liability coverage averages $100 per month, and full coverage averages $173.
It depends. Various factors determine how much you pay for car insurance, like your age, your driving history, and the make and model of your vehicle. In general, car insurance costs an average of $137 per month, according to Compare.com data. But you should compare quotes to find the best price for your driving profile.
Car insurance prices have risen recently for a few reasons. The increased cost of repairs and more insurance claims have pushed rates higher.[7] The number of uninsured and underinsured drivers across the U.S. also continues to rise, according to the Insurance Research Council.[8]
Yes. The U.S. average for car insurance is $137 per month, according to Compare.com data. So you’re getting a good deal if you qualify for a policy that costs only $100 per month.
Depending on your vehicle’s year, make, and model, $200 per month for car insurance may be expensive. That’s higher than the national average for full coverage of $173 per month, according to Compare.com data. Full coverage is usually the most expensive car insurance policy you can buy, but it provides a much higher level of financial protection for at-fault accidents and non-collision incidents, like theft, vandalism, and severe weather hazards.
Yes. Age is one of several factors insurance companies consider when setting rates. Teens and young adults have less experience behind the wheel, so they tend to pay higher premiums than older drivers.
Yes. In most states, car insurance companies can use your credit history to set your policy premiums. In general, drivers with good credit pay less for auto coverage than people with poor credit.
Data scientists at Compare.com analyzed more than 50 million real-time auto insurance quotes from more than 75 partner insurers in order to compile the rates and statistics seen in this article. Compare.com’s auto insurance data includes coverage analysis and details on drivers’ vehicles, driving records, insurance histories, and demographic information.
All the rates listed in this article have been collected from a combination of real Compare.com quotes and external insurance rate data gathered in collaboration with Quadrant Information Services. Compare.com uses these observations to provide readers with insights into how auto insurance companies determine their premiums.
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Compare.com's #1 goal is to save you money. We publish resources that are based on hard-hitting data and years of industry experience to help you make more informed decisions with your wallet.
Learn more about us, our team, and what makes us tick.
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Kat Tretina is a personal finance writer for Compare.com, specializing in insurance and debt management. For the past seven years, she’s been writing for several notable personal finance publications, including U.S News & World Report, NerdWallet, Forbes, Yahoo! Finance, Fortune, and more. She’s passionate about using her expertise to help people understand their financial options.
Kat earned her bachelor’s degree in English and Communications from Elizabethtown College and her master’s from West Chester University. She also holds certifications in financial education and student loan counseling.
Kat has been writing for Compare.com since 2025.
Matthew Gross is an editor at Compare.com. With a background in editing and SEO, he’s passionate about creating content that helps readers get the information they need to make more informed decisions. Prior to Compare.com, Matthew brought his user-centered approach to his work with global brands like Apple and Adobe.
Matthew graduated from Illinois State University, where he earned his bachelor’s degree in Journalism.
Senior Director, Media Relations, with Triple-I
30+ years of industry experience
Leadership positions at several trade organizations
Mark Friedlander is Senior Director, Media Relations, at the Insurance Information Institute (Triple-I), where he serves as a national spokesperson, handling a wide array of insurance industry media issues. His responsibilities also include spearheading the association’s hurricane season communications strategy and its member company support and media outreach.
Throughout his 30+ years in the insurance industry, Mark has held leadership positions across multiple trade groups, including serving as Board Chair and President of the Insurance Marketing & Communications Association (IMCA). He has also advised editorial teams at organizations such as U.S. News & World Report, Insurify, Bankrate, and more.
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