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Average Car Insurance Rates as of March 2026 | Insurify

The overall national average cost of car insurance fell slightly to $138 per month in March.

Chris Schafer
Written byChris Schafer
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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Evelyn Pimplaskar
Evelyn PimplaskarEditor-in-Chief, Director of Content
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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 Leach
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John LeachLicensed P&C Agent, Chief Copy Editor
  • Licensed property and casualty insurance agent

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  • 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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Car insurance rates have continued declining throughout 2026. In February, the national average rate for full-coverage car insurance fell from $178 per month to $177, according to Insurify data. The national average liability rate fell from $100 to $99.

Average cost of car insurance by state as of March 2026

Insurance rates can vary greatly based on 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
sort ascsort desc
Full
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Liability
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National$177$99
Alabama$134$67
Alaska$113$71
Arizona$152$87
Arkansas$144$77
California$191$93
Colorado$212$98
Connecticut$203$149
Delaware$240$163
Florida$224$132
Georgia$243$156
Hawaii$143$61
Idaho$102$65
Illinois$148$79
Indiana$122$65
Iowa$101$56
Kansas$139$77
Kentucky$181$119
Louisiana$194$107
Maine$131$79
Maryland$294$193
Massachusetts$153$108
Michigan$211$135
Minnesota$172$92
Mississippi$171$90
Missouri$171$90
Montana$120$62
Nebraska$127$68
Nevada$241$155
New Hampshire$78$52
New Jersey$254$183
New Mexico$129$65
New York$234$156
North Carolina$104$69
North Dakota$103$65
Ohio$112$64
Oklahoma$161$83
Oregon$140$91
Pennsylvania$153$89
Rhode Island$280$176
South Carolina$243$161
South Dakota$142$64
Tennessee$123$59
Texas$202$111
Utah$136$92
Vermont$127$62
Virginia$190$114
Washington$167$94
Washington, D.C.$299$205
West Virginia$142$79
Wisconsin$116$56
Wyoming$84$50
All rates displayed in the table are averages of Insurify price data through the end of February 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 March 2026

Washington, D.C., remains the most expensive location for car insurance in the nation.

Maryland, Rhode Island, and New Jersey also show that rates remain high in the Northeast. South Carolina returns to the top five, replacing New York.

State
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Overall Average
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Average Quote: Liability Only
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Average Quote: Full Coverage
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Washington, D.C.$252$205$299
Maryland$244$193$294
Rhode Island$228$176$280
New Jersey$219$183$254
South Carolina$202$161$243
All rates displayed in the table are averages of Insurify price data through the end of February 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 March 2026

New Hampshire retains the top spot for the most affordable car insurance, with rates well below the national averages of $99 per month for liability and $177 per month for full coverage. North Dakota appears on the list for the first time, replacing North Carolina.

State
sort ascsort desc
Overall Average
sort ascsort desc
Average Quote: Liability Only
sort ascsort desc
Average Quote: Full Coverage
sort ascsort desc
New Hampshire$65$52$78
Wyoming$67$50$84
Iowa$79$56$101
Idaho$84$65$102
North Dakota$84$65$103
All rates displayed in the table are averages of Insurify price data through the end of February 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.

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 risks 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 decrease 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 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 for 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.

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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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