How Much Car Insurance Costs: Averages by Coverage, Age and State
The average cost of car insurance is $2,508 a year for full coverage, or about $209 a month, according to a September 2026 U.S. News analysis. State-minimum coverage costs roughly $648 a year, about $54 a month, in 2026 national estimates. Your own premium depends on your age, record, state and insurer.
Covr is a quote app, not an insurer: you share your ZIP code and phone number, and partner insurance companies contact you with offers. The figures below help you judge whether those offers are high or low.
Last reviewed: October 9, 2026 · Covr editorial team
At a glance
- National average: $2,508 a year for full coverage car insurance in the September 2026 U.S. News analysis, about $209 a month.
- Range of 2026 studies: full-coverage estimates run from about $2,300 to $2,510 a year, depending on the driver profile each study uses.
- State minimum: roughly $648 a year, about $54 a month, in 2026 national estimates for minimum auto insurance.
- Age: 17-year-old drivers averaged $8,494 to $9,755 a year in the U.S. News analysis, nearly 4 times the rate of a 40-year-old driver.
- Driving record: one at-fault accident raised the U.S. News average premium to $3,711 a year, and a DUI raised NerdWallet's October 2026 average to $4,437.
- Cheapest insurers on average: USAA at $1,491 a year (military families only) and Travelers at $1,843, per U.S. News.
The National Average Cost of Car Insurance
The average cost of car insurance in the U.S. is $2,508 a year for a full-coverage policy, according to the September 2026 U.S. News analysis, updated October 1, 2026.
Average Car Insurance Cost per Year
Car insurance for a full-coverage policy runs from about $2,300 to $2,510 a year in 2026 national estimates, with the U.S. News figure of $2,508 at the top of that range. State-minimum auto insurance, which carries only the liability limits a state requires, is estimated at about $648 a year in the same 2026 estimates. Covr uses those two numbers as the national baseline for car insurance prices on every page of this site.
Average Auto, Automobile and Motor Insurance Cost
The average automobile insurance cost is the same $2,508 a year for full coverage, because auto insurance, automobile insurance, vehicle insurance and motor insurance all name the same product in the U.S., per the September 2026 U.S. News analysis. The average cost of motor insurance or driving insurance for state-minimum limits is about $648 a year in 2026 national estimates.
Why Studies Report Different Averages
Auto insurance studies publish different national averages because each one prices a different driver, coverage level and period. U.S. News and NerdWallet both use rates from Quadrant Information Services, which draws on the rate filings insurers make with each state's department of insurance. Covr compiled the table below on October 9, 2026 from the methodology sections of 3 national car insurance studies published in 2026.
| Study (date) | National average | Driver and policy priced | Method |
|---|---|---|---|
| U.S. News (September 2026) | $2,508 a year, full coverage | 40-year-old drivers, 14,000 miles a year, 100/300/100 limits, $500 deductible, good credit, clean record | Mean of Quadrant rates built from insurer data and department of insurance filings |
| NerdWallet (October 2026) | $2,361 full / $648 minimum | 35-year-old driver, 2023 Toyota Camry, 100/300/50 limits, $1,000 deductible, good credit, clean record | Median of Quadrant rates for every ZIP code |
| Experian (data as of August 2026) | $2,262 all policies; $2,922 full / $1,580 minimum | Real buyers of all ages on its marketplace | Average of policies sold in the previous 12 months |
How to Read the Differences
Insurance premium averages that differ by a few hundred dollars do not contradict each other. NerdWallet's $2,361 is a median for a 35-year-old with a higher $1,000 deductible. It lands below the U.S. News mean. Experian's minimum-coverage figure of $1,580 is much higher than $648 because Experian counts every sold policy without collision and comprehensive coverage, including drivers of all ages and records, rather than one clean-record profile.
Average Cost by Coverage Level
The average cost of car insurance depends first on coverage level: full coverage averaged $2,361 a year and minimum coverage $648 in NerdWallet's October 2026 analysis, so full coverage cost about 3.6 times as much by Covr's arithmetic.
| Coverage level | Annual average | Monthly average | Source |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full coverage (liability + collision + comprehensive) | $2,508 | about $209 | U.S. News, September 2026 |
| Full coverage, median | $2,361 | about $197 | NerdWallet, October 2026 |
| State minimum (liability only) | about $648 | about $54 | 2026 national estimates |
| Liability-only, six-month policy at one insurer | not published | $87.56 to $165.02 | Progressive, 2024–2025 policies |
Average Full Coverage Car Insurance Cost
The average full coverage car insurance cost is $2,508 a year, or about $209 a month, in the September 2026 U.S. News analysis, and NerdWallet's October 2026 median for full coverage is $2,361 a year, about $197 a month. Full coverage here means liability plus collision and comprehensive with 100/300 bodily injury limits.
Full Coverage vs State Minimum
Full coverage car insurance adds collision and comprehensive coverage to the liability insurance a state requires, so the policy also pays to repair or replace your own vehicle. A state-minimum auto insurance policy pays only for injuries and damage you cause to others, up to the limits set by state law. Lenders and lessors usually require full coverage on a financed or leased vehicle. Until the loan is paid off, the cheaper option is often off the table.
Average Cost of Liability Insurance
Liability insurance alone averages about $648 a year, or about $54 a month, as state-minimum coverage in 2026 national estimates. Progressive reports average six-month liability-only prices of $87.56 a month in low-cost states, $112.80 in medium-cost states and $165.02 in high-cost states, based on 2024–2025 policies with one vehicle and one driver. Progressive's figures cover only Progressive customers. They are not a national average.
Average Car Insurance Cost per Month
Car insurance averages about $209 a month for full coverage, based on the $2,508 annual average in the September 2026 U.S. News analysis, and about $54 a month for state-minimum coverage.
Average Monthly Car Insurance Payment
A typical car insurance payment is about $209 a month for full coverage, based on the $2,508 U.S. News average for September 2026, but the average monthly car insurance payment depends on the study: NerdWallet's October 2026 analysis works out to about $197 a month for full coverage, and Experian's August 2026 marketplace data to about $188 a month across all insurance policies sold. Insurers usually write 6- or 12-month policies, and a monthly payment is the term premium split into installments; Progressive notes that paying the full term up front is often cheaper. By Covr's arithmetic, a 6-month term at the $2,508 national average comes to about $1,254, paid at once or in 6 installments of about $209.
Is $100, $200 or $300 a Month a Lot?
A monthly car insurance price of $200 is close to the $209 national full-coverage average from U.S. News, so it is typical for a full-coverage policy and high for a state-minimum policy, which averages about $54 a month. A price of $100 a month for full coverage is well below the national average. A price of $300 a month equals $3,600 a year, above the national average but common for drivers under 25, drivers with a recent accident and drivers in high-cost states.
Average Cost by Age
The average cost of car insurance changes with age more than with any other personal factor: 17-year-old drivers averaged $8,494 (female) and $9,755 (male) a year in the September 2026 U.S. News analysis, against $2,496 and $2,520 for 40-year-old drivers.
Average Car Insurance Rates by Age
Car insurance rates by age fall steadily from the teen years through the 60s and rise slightly again for older drivers, as NerdWallet's October 2026 analysis shows.
| Driver age | Full coverage, annual | Minimum coverage, annual |
|---|---|---|
| 20 | $4,722 | $1,333 |
| 30 | $2,435 | $664 |
| 40 | $2,289 | $632 |
| 50 | $2,118 | $594 |
| 60 | $2,029 | $588 |
| 70 | $2,160 | $658 |
Source: NerdWallet October 2026 analysis, median insurance rates for drivers with good credit and a clean record.
Average Cost of Car Insurance for New Drivers
Car insurance for new and teen drivers costs the most because insurers price their lack of experience: the U.S. News figures for 17-year-olds, $8,494 to $9,755 a year, are 3 to 4 times the national average. Premiums for new drivers drop as they build a clean record, and our guide for first-time drivers covers teen and new-driver pricing in more detail.
How Much Car Insurance Goes Down at 25
Car insurance does not drop on a birthday, but by age 25 the gap with older drivers is much smaller. In the U.S. News analysis, 25-year-old drivers averaged $3,079 (female) and $3,187 (male) a year, about a third of the 17-year-old rate and roughly $600 above the 40-year-old rate.
Average Cost by Driving Record and Credit
Car insurance prices also follow your driving record: one speeding ticket raised the U.S. News national average to $3,130 a year and one at-fault accident to $3,711, compared with $2,508 for a clean record, in the September 2026 analysis; by Covr's arithmetic, the accident adds about $1,203 a year.
| Driver profile | Full coverage, annual | Minimum coverage, annual |
|---|---|---|
| Clean record, good credit | $2,361 | $648 |
| One speeding ticket | $3,028 | $840 |
| One at-fault accident | $3,524 | $952 |
| One DUI | $4,437 | $1,231 |
| Clean record, poor credit | $3,954 | $1,030 |
Source: NerdWallet October 2026 analysis, 35-year-old driver.
How Much Insurance Goes Up After a DUI
A DUI raised full-coverage insurance premiums by about 88%, or about $2,076 a year, in NerdWallet's October 2026 analysis, from $2,361 to $4,437. An at-fault accident with $10,000 of property damage raised the same driver's premium by about 49%. Our guides on why rates go up cover increases after a ticket or an accident in more detail.
Credit-Based Insurance Scores
Car insurance buyers with poor credit paid about 67% more for full coverage, $3,954 a year, in NerdWallet's October 2026 analysis. Insurers in most states may use a credit-based insurance score, but state law in California, Hawaii and Massachusetts does not allow credit to set car insurance rates, according to NerdWallet.
Average Cost by State: Examples
The average cost of car insurance by state differs by thousands of dollars: NerdWallet's October 2026 analysis puts full coverage at $1,148 a year in Wyoming and $4,296 in Louisiana, the cheapest and most expensive states in that study.
| Study | Cheapest states (full coverage, annual) | Most expensive states (full coverage, annual) |
|---|---|---|
| NerdWallet, October 2026 | Wyoming $1,148, Vermont $1,556, New Hampshire $1,578 | Louisiana $4,296, New Jersey $3,687, Texas $3,652 |
| Experian, August 2026 data | Vermont $1,557 (Experian's stated low) | Maryland $4,181, Connecticut $3,874 |
Average Car Insurance Cost by State Ranges
Average car insurance rates by state run from about $1,100 to $4,300 a year for full coverage: $1,148 in Wyoming and $4,296 in Louisiana in NerdWallet's October 2026 analysis, or $1,557 in Vermont and $4,181 in Maryland in Experian's August 2026 data. Louisiana's figure is 82% above NerdWallet's own $2,361 national median, and Wyoming's is 51% below it, by Covr's arithmetic.
State Examples: Florida and California
Car insurance in Florida averages $3,594 a year for full coverage and $1,111 for minimum coverage, according to Bankrate data cited by Mercury Insurance. Auto insurance in California averages approximately $3,100 a year for full coverage and $911 for minimum coverage, per the same Bankrate data cited by Mercury. Each study uses its own profile. Compare a state figure with the national figure from the same study.
Why State Prices Differ
Car insurance is regulated at the state level, U.S. News notes: every state sets its own laws on required limits, and state regulators can impose rate caps and other rules. Weather, theft, traffic density and repair costs also differ, and U.S. News points out that California carriers pay more wildfire claims, while Florida carriers pay more flood and wind claims. Within a state, prices also change by ZIP code.
Average Cost by Insurance Company
Car insurance companies charge very different prices for the same driver: the U.S. News September 2026 analysis found average annual rates from $1,491 at USAA to $3,572 at Allstate across 10 carriers, a gap of $2,081 a year by Covr's arithmetic.
| Company | Average annual rate |
|---|---|
| USAA (military families only) | $1,491 |
| Travelers | $1,843 |
| Progressive | $1,911 |
| Geico | $1,925 |
| Erie | $1,950 |
| Auto-Owners | $2,030 |
| Nationwide | $2,316 |
| State Farm | $2,408 |
| Farmers | $3,435 |
| Allstate | $3,572 |
Source: U.S. News September 2026 analysis, 40-year-old drivers with high limits.
Cheap on Average Is Not Cheap for Everyone
Car insurance company averages describe one sample profile, and each company weighs age, record, credit and ZIP code its own way. A company that is cheapest on average can be one of the most expensive for a driver with a recent accident, which is why the only reliable test is a set of quotes with the same limits and deductibles. Before you buy, check the company's complaint record with the National Association of Insurance Commissioners (NAIC) and its license with your state department of insurance.
What Drives the Price
Car insurance prices rest on about 10 rating factors, and U.S. News, NerdWallet and Progressive list the same core group.
- Age and experience: car insurance for younger drivers costs much more, as the age tables show.
- Location: your state and ZIP code, because claim costs, theft and weather differ.
- Driving record: tickets, at-fault accidents and DUIs raise the price for several years.
- Limits and deductible: higher limits and a lower deductible cost more.
- Vehicle: repair cost, theft rate and safety equipment change the collision and comprehensive part.
- Credit-based score: used in most states, but not in California, Hawaii or Massachusetts.
- Annual mileage and vehicle use: more miles and business use usually cost more.
- Continuous history: a lapse can raise your price.
- Marital status and gender: used by some companies, but state law bans gender rating in 7 states, according to NerdWallet.
Limits Assumed in the Studies
Car insurance averages in the national studies assume more protection than the legal minimum. U.S. News prices 100/300/100 liability limits with a $500 deductible, and NerdWallet prices 100/300/50 limits with a $1,000 deductible. If your plan uses state-minimum limits or a different deductible, your price will not match those averages.
Why Prices Keep Rising
Car insurance prices have risen for several years: U.S. News points to inflation in repair costs, tariffs on parts, more frequent accidents and more weather disasters, and NerdWallet notes that Bureau of Labor Statistics data show rates climbing since December 2021. Our guide on why rates go up covers renewal increases.
Covr Calculation: What the Averages Mean per Month
Car insurance for a 17-year-old male averages $9,755 a year in the U.S. News analysis, which equals about $813 a month and 289% above the $2,508 national average, according to Covr's calculation on October 9, 2026.
| U.S. News profile (September 2026) | Annual average | Monthly (annual ÷ 12) | Versus $2,508 |
|---|---|---|---|
| National average, 40-year-old driver | $2,508 | $209 | baseline |
| 17-year-old male | $9,755 | $813 | +289% |
| 17-year-old female | $8,494 | $708 | +239% |
| 25-year-old male | $3,187 | $266 | +27% |
| 25-year-old female | $3,079 | $257 | +23% |
| One speeding ticket | $3,130 | $261 | +25% |
| One at-fault accident | $3,711 | $309 | +48% |
| Average at Allstate | $3,572 | $298 | +42% |
| Average at Travelers | $1,843 | $154 | −27% |
| Average at USAA | $1,491 | $124 | −41% |
How Covr Calculated the Table
Car insurance figures in the table come from one method: each monthly figure is the U.S. News annual average divided by 12 and rounded to the nearest dollar, and each gap is the profile's average divided by $2,508, minus 1, rounded to a whole percent. The figures are arithmetic on published averages, not Covr quotes. Actual monthly installments can include fees. On a 6-month term, the same national averages equal about $1,254 for the full plan and $324 for the state minimum.
Why Your Quote Differs From the Average
The average cost of car insurance rarely equals your quote, because every study prices one sample driver and your quote prices you, your vehicle and your ZIP code.
Averages Use a Fixed Profile
Car insurance averages assume one age, one vehicle, one set of limits and a clean record; U.S. News, for example, uses 40-year-old drivers with good credit, and its 25-year-old male profile pays $679 a year more than that $2,508 baseline, by Covr's arithmetic. A quote also reflects your claims history, your credit where allowed, the exact limits and deductible you choose and the discounts you qualify for. Progressive notes that an actual quote is the most accurate way to estimate your rate. Covr's guide to auto insurance quotes shows how to request and read one.
Average Cost of Car Insurance for 2 Vehicles
Car insurance for 2 vehicles has no separate national average in the 2026 studies cited on this page, because each study prices one driver and one vehicle. A second vehicle adds its own price, and many companies offer a multi-vehicle discount when both cars are on one plan. Request quotes for the whole household together.
How to Get Your Own Price Through Covr
Car insurance quotes are the only way to turn a national average into your price, and Covr lets you request them in 3 steps.
- Enter your ZIP code and phone number in the Covr app.
- Partner companies in all 50 states contact you, usually by phone, with their offers.
- Compare the offers with the same limits, deductibles and drivers, and choose the one that fits.
Car insurance company averages for the same driver are far apart, so compare more than one offer: the U.S. News September 2026 averages of $1,843 at Travelers and $3,572 at Allstate differ by $1,729 a year, or about $144 a month, by Covr's arithmetic.
Covr does not issue policies or set prices, so the final price always comes from the company you choose. Read how Covr works before you share your details, or start with our guide to car insurance if you need the basics first. The app is free on Google Play. To begin, visit Covr and follow the 3 steps above.
Sources and Methodology
Our methodology: every price on this page was last reviewed by Covr on October 9, 2026 against the source named in the same sentence: the U.S. News September 2026 cost analysis (Quadrant Information Services data), NerdWallet's October 2026 rate analysis, Experian's 2026 cost report with data as of August 2026, Progressive's 2024–2025 liability-only averages, Bankrate data cited by Mercury, and 2026 national estimates for the state minimum. The Covr calculation table is our own arithmetic on the U.S. News figures. Written and fact-checked by the Covr Editorial Team under our editorial policy. This page is general information, not legal or financial advice; your price depends on your state, your driving profile and the company you choose. Read our editorial policy or contact us with a correction.
Questions About Average Car Insurance Costs
How much should car insurance cost?
Car insurance should cost close to $2,508 a year, about $209 a month, for a full plan if you resemble the 40-year-old, clean-record driver in the September 2026 U.S. News analysis. The state minimum costs about $648 a year in 2026 national estimates.
What is the average cost of liability insurance?
Liability insurance at state-minimum limits averages about $648 a year, or about $54 a month, in 2026 national estimates. Higher liability limits cost more.
How much does insurance go up after a DUI?
Car insurance after a DUI cost about 88% more for a full plan, $4,437 a year, in NerdWallet's October 2026 analysis. Many drivers also need an SR-22 filing with the state after a DUI.
How much will car insurance go down at 25?
Car insurance for 25-year-olds averaged $3,079 to $3,187 a year in the September 2026 U.S. News analysis, about a third of the 17-year-old average. Prices keep falling gradually into your 40s if your record stays clean.
What is the average cost of car insurance per year?
The average cost of car insurance per year is $2,508 for full coverage in the September 2026 U.S. News analysis, and 2026 national estimates range from about $2,300 to $2,510.