Average Car Insurance Rates as of August 2026 | Insurify

The overall national average cost of car insurance held steady at $143 per month in July.

Chris Schafer
Written byChris Schafer
Chris Schafer
Chris SchaferDeputy Managing Editor, News and Marketing Content
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Evelyn PimplaskarEditor-in-Chief, Director of Content
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John Leach
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John LeachLicensed P&C Agent, Chief Copy Editor
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John is Insurify’s Chief Copy Editor, helping ensure the accuracy and readability of Insurify’s content. He’s a licensed agent specializing in home and car insurance topics.

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Car insurance rates have largely remained stable throughout the summer, and that trend continued in July. The national average rate for full-coverage car insurance held steady at $187 per month through July, according to Insurify data. The national average liability rate was idle as well, remaining at $98.

Average cost of car insurance by state as of August 2026

Insurance rates can vary greatly by location, which influences factors like exposure to extreme weather, repair costs, traffic congestion, and vehicle crime rates.

Here are the monthly averages for full and liability coverage across the country.

State
Full
Liability
National$187$98
Alabama$141$66
Alaska$101$61
Arizona$163$90
Arkansas$152$74
California$201$97
Colorado$217$96
Connecticut$223$162
Delaware$262$166
Florida$237$141
Georgia$259$156
Hawaii$125$62
Idaho$108$64
Illinois$162$83
Indiana$129$65
Iowa$111$56
Kansas$154$78
Kentucky$193$120
Louisiana$209$106
Maine$139$75
Maryland$302$192
Massachusetts$138$103
Michigan$227$129
Minnesota$183$93
Mississippi$185$89
Missouri$180$92
Montana$137$62
Nebraska$134$68
Nevada$256$162
New Hampshire$83$52
New Jersey$256$182
New Mexico$135$65
New York$226$148
North Carolina$114$69
North Dakota$113$65
Ohio$117$64
Oklahoma$169$83
Oregon$156$91
Pennsylvania$161$90
Rhode Island$300$177
South Carolina$256$160
South Dakota$153$62
Tennessee$132$60
Texas$205$110
Utah$147$93
Vermont$145$58
Virginia$206$117
Washington$183$95
Washington, D.C.$258$149
West Virginia$154$82
Wisconsin$126$57
Wyoming$94$50
All rates displayed in the table are averages of Insurify price data through the end of July 2026. Full-coverage rates represent two-year rolling medians for most states. Liability-only rates — and full-coverage prices for Maine, Massachusetts, Michigan, Montana, North Dakota, Nebraska, New Hampshire, New Jersey, and Vermont — represent one-year rolling averages.

5 states with the highest car insurance rates as of August 2026

Maryland and Rhode Island remain the most expensive locations for car insurance in the nation. Nevada jumps into the top five, replacing Washington, D.C.

State
Overall Average
Average Quote: Liability Only
Average Quote: Full Coverage
Maryland$247$192$302
Rhode Island$238$177$300
New Jersey$219$182$256
Delaware$214$166$262
Nevada$209$162$256
All rates displayed in the table are averages of Insurify price data through the end of July 2026. Full-coverage rates represent two-year rolling medians for most states. Liability-only rates — and full-coverage prices for Maine, Massachusetts, Michigan, Montana, North Dakota, Nebraska, New Hampshire, New Jersey, and Vermont — represent one-year rolling medians.

5 states with the lowest car insurance rates as of August 2026

New Hampshire retains the top spot for the most affordable car insurance, with rates well below the national averages of $98 per month for liability and $187 for full coverage. All five states remain in the same position as the previous month.

State
Overall Average
Average Quote: Liability Only
Average Quote: Full Coverage
New Hampshire$67$52$83
Wyoming$72$50$94
Alaska$81$61$101
Iowa$84$56$111
Idaho$86$64$108
All rates displayed in the table are averages of Insurify price data through the end of July 2026. Full-coverage rates represent two-year rolling medians for most states. Liability-only rates — and full-coverage prices for Maine, Massachusetts, Michigan, Montana, North Dakota, Nebraska, New Hampshire, New Jersey, and Vermont — represent one-year rolling medians.

Rate increases on the way?

While car insurance rates have held steady or even slightly decreased in the first half of 2026, that trend may not continue through the rest of the year, according to Insurify’s Mid-Year Car Insurance Report.

Insurify’s data scientists project 32 states will see rate increases in the final months of 2026, led by Connecticut with a 4% projected increase, West Virginia (3%), and Delaware, Virginia, Washington, D.C., Kentucky, Nevada, Wyoming, and Illinois all with a 2% projected increase.

Some states already experienced rate increases in early 2026. Connecticut, for example, has seen a 10% increase in statewide car insurance rates already this year, and Kentucky has seen a 7% increase so far. For other states, like West Virginia, the forecasted rate increases are the latest projection for a turbulent insurance market.

But not all states face rate increases in the final months of 2026. Insurify projects that car insurance rates in New Mexico will decrease by 3% by the end of the year and that rates in Arkansas, Minnesota, and Colorado will all decrease by 2% by the end of the year.

Factors that affect car insurance rates

Car insurance rates can vary significantly among drivers based on many factors that insurers use to estimate risk. Some common rating factors include:

  • Driving history: Insurers consider whether a driver has a clean record or infractions such as speeding, driving under the influence (DUI), or causing an accident.

  • Age: Driving experience and accident risk closely correlate with age, actuarial data shows.

  • Gender: Statistically, women are less likely than men to cause accidents and engage in risky behaviors like aggressive driving.

  • Location: Where a policyholder lives and drives affects their exposure to risk factors such as extreme weather, vehicle crime rates, and accident rates.

  • Credit history: Data indicates that drivers with better credit are less likely to file car insurance claims than those with poor credit.

  • Vehicle make and model: Vehicles that are less expensive or have multiple safety features cost less to insure.

  • Vehicle usage: Driving fewer miles per year reduces a vehicle’s exposure to the day-to-day risks of driving.

  • Vehicle equipment: Safety features like lane-keeping assist and blind-spot warning can help reduce the risk of accidents.

  • Coverage type: Generally, liability-only coverage costs less than full-coverage car insurance.

  • Coverage limits: The amount of coverage you buy affects annual premiums. Minimum coverage is typically the cheapest, but it doesn’t offer enough financial protection for most drivers.

  • Deductible: A higher collision and comprehensive coverage deductible (liability coverage has no deductible) reduces rates, as the insurer assumes less risk for the cost of repairs.

How to save on car insurance

Every state except New Hampshire requires drivers to carry a minimum amount of liability coverage. Insurance professionals recommend buying more coverage to provide greater financial protection in the event of an at-fault accident. And if a driver leases or finances a vehicle, the leasing company or lender will require them to buy full-coverage car insurance.

Drivers can take the following steps to reduce the cost of car insurance:

  • Drive safely. Avoid speeding, hard braking, distracted driving, and other risky driving behaviors that could cause a claim.

  • Look for discounts. Most insurers offer discounts, such as good student or multi-car discounts, that can help reduce premiums.

  • Increase the deductible. A higher collision and comprehensive deductible typically leads to lower rates.

  • Adjust coverages. Liability-only coverage is the cheapest insurance available, and minimum coverage is the cheapest liability option. But drivers should be careful and buy enough coverage to adequately protect themselves financially.

  • Comparison shop. Drivers should compare rates from multiple companies every time their policy comes up for renewal.

Chris Schafer
Written byChris SchaferDeputy Managing Editor, News and Marketing Content
Chris Schafer
Chris SchaferDeputy Managing Editor, News and Marketing Content
  • 15+ years in content creation

  • 7+ years in business and financial services content

Chris is a seasoned writer/editor with past experience across myriad industries, including insurance, SAS, finance, Medicare, logistics, marketing/advertising, and many more.

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Chris is a seasoned writer/editor with past experience across myriad industries, including insurance, SAS, finance, Medicare, logistics, marketing/advertising, and many more.

Evelyn Pimplaskar
Edited byEvelyn PimplaskarEditor-in-Chief, Director of Content
Evelyn Pimplaskar
Evelyn PimplaskarEditor-in-Chief, Director of Content
  • 10+ years in insurance and personal finance content

  • 30+ years in media, PR, and content creation

Evelyn leads Insurify’s content team. She’s passionate about creating empowering content to help people transform their financial lives and make sound insurance-buying decisions.

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John Leach
Reviewed byJohn LeachLicensed P&C Agent, Chief Copy Editor
Photo of an Insurify author
John LeachLicensed P&C Agent, Chief Copy Editor
  • Licensed property and casualty insurance agent

  • 10+ years editing experience

  • NPN: 20461358

John is Insurify’s Chief Copy Editor, helping ensure the accuracy and readability of Insurify’s content. He’s a licensed agent specializing in home and car insurance topics.

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