Average Cost of Auto Insurance in 2024 (+How to Save)

The average cost of auto insurance is $45/month for minimum and $119/month for full coverage insurance. Rates depend on age, the kind of car you drive, and where you live.

Online car insurance cost calculators make it easy, but understanding how much you should pay for auto insurance can still be confusing.

There are several ways to lower auto insurance costs, but the most important step is to compare quotes online from as many companies as possible.

Various factors affect auto insurance rates, and learning what they are can help you save. Read on to learn more about the average cost of car insurance, then enter your ZIP code to find free quotes from providers near you.

Factors That Affect The Average Cost of Auto Insurance

Many factors affect car insurance rates, but the average American pays about $45/month for minimum and $119 monthly for full coverage auto insurance. Since full coverage includes more insurance than your state’s minimum requirements, it costs more.

Insurance Company	Minimum Coverage	Full Coverage
	$386	$429
	$281	$295
	$327	$375
	$250	$286
	$484	$530
	$283	$292
	$311	$363
	$255	$288
	$352	$385
	$200	$222

Most drivers buy either minimum insurance or full coverage policies, depending on their needs. While other types of coverage are available, minimum or full coverage insurance usually covers most needs.

Minimum insurance refers to the minimum auto insurance you need in your state to legally drive. It’s your cheapest option for coverage, but minimum insurance doesn’t protect your vehicle. You need full coverage for that.

State law never requires full coverage, but drivers with a car loan or lease usually need it. Most states require liability insurance, and uninsured motorist coverage or personal injury protection is also common.

Regardless of your state, it’s usually a good idea to buy more coverage than the minimum requirements. Since minimum insurance only pays for damage you cause to other drivers, you’ll be responsible for paying for anything that happens to your car out-of-pocket.

Average Auto Insurance Rates by State

Some states have much higher average rates, while others enjoy much lower quotes. For instance, the average cost of car insurance in Nebraska is a low $74/month for full coverage, while Louisiana averages $128 monthly. Check below to compare the average auto insurance premium by state:

As you can see, there’s a significant variation in auto insurance quotes by state. The average cost of car insurance in Arkansas is $88 monthly, compared to the cheapest Montana auto insurance at $77/month. Idaho, Iowa, and Main have the most affordable car insurance.

This price difference is why it’s important to compare quotes from as many companies as possible. Companies use unique formulas to set rates, and you’ll likely overpay if you don’t get an average quote for car insurance from multiple providers.

Average Auto Insurance Rates by Age and Gender

Auto insurance companies carefully track claims by age and gender. Read how age affects your auto insurance to compare average car insurance rates by age and state.

Insurance Company	Age: 16 Female	Age: 16 Male	Age: 25 Female	Age: 25 Male	Age: 30 Female	Age: 30 Male	Age: 60 Female	Age: 60 Male
	$608	$638	$181	$190	$168	$176	$150	$154
	$750	$800	$240	$260	$210	$220	$170	$180
	$810	$773	$172	$180	$160	$167	$120	$128
	$298	$312	$97	$93	$90	$87	$73	$74
	$723	$785	$187	$215	$174	$200	$148	$159
	$411	$476	$136	$150	$124	$136	$99	$104
	$801	$814	$141	$146	$131	$136	$92	$95
	$311	$349	$101	$111	$94	$103	$76	$76
	$719	$910	$107	$116	$99	$108	$89	$90
	$245	$249	$80	$85	$74	$79	$53	$53

Statistics show that young, inexperienced drivers are more likely to practice unsafe driving habits, such as driving distracted. Men also pay more for insurance for similar reasons — male drivers are more likely to receive traffic citations and cause accidents. Geico is often the cheapest company for teens and young drivers.

Additionally, teens are less likely to know how to handle dangerous situations and get into more accidents, which is why auto insurance for teenagers is generally more expensive. To help teens afford car insurance, a parent or guardian can add them to an existing policy. Teen car insurance is usually half as expensive when being added to an adult’s policy.

Average Auto Insurance Rates by Driving History

When considering how auto insurance rates are calculated, all factors come down to the likelihood of you filing a claim. One of the clearest examples of your riskiness as a driver is to look at your driving history. From at-fault accidents to DUIs, traffic violations will significantly increase your rates.

Insurance Company	Clean Record	One Accident	One DUI	One Ticket
	$318	$416	$522	$374
	$318	$310	$361	$252
	$318	$377	$393	$340
	$318	$266	$406	$220
	$318	$517	$634	$475
	$318	$283	$379	$259
	$318	$398	$331	$334
	$318	$283	$303	$266
	$318	$357	$478	$355
	$318	$210	$292	$183

Some infractions have a relatively small impact on your insurance rates. For example, speeding tickets usually only increase your rates by about 23%.

Severe violations will have a more significant impact. Too many infractions might mean you’ll need to find high-risk car insurance.

Average Auto Insurance Rates by Credit Score

While it’s easy to understand why your location, age, and driving history affect your auto insurance rates, many drivers are surprised to learn their credit score and auto insurance are also related.

Insurance Company	Good Credit	Fair Credit	Bad Credit
	$95	$115	$160
	$90	$110	$150
	$92	$112	$155
	$65	$85	$130
	$100	$120	$165
	$85	$105	$145
	$65	$85	$130
	$50	$70	$115
	$80	$100	$140
	$60	$80	$125

Finding affordable car insurance with a low credit score can be difficult. Companies like Geico, which usually offer low rates, can have much higher prices for people with low scores regardless of driving history.

Although drivers with low credit scores usually pay higher rates, that’s not the case in every state. California, Massachusetts, Hawaii, and California don’t allow insurance companies to use your credit score when determining your rates.

Read More: Cheap Hawaii Auto Insurance

Auto Insurance Rates by Vehicle

Luxury and sports cars tend to have the most expensive average insurance rates because they cost more to repair. Average sports car insurance is more expensive than standard vehicle insurance. The table below compares approximate insurance rates for cars by make and model:

Companies offer the lowest rates for cars with solid reliability, good safety ratings, and low repair costs. Toyota Camry and Honda Civic have the most affordable auto insurance, while luxury cars like Porsche have the highest rates. Even Acura Integra insurance costs less than other vehicles on this list.

If you’re in the market for a new car, check how much you might pay for insurance before you buy. Learn more about how vehicle make and model affect auto insurance rates, and research SUVs and sedans with good safety ratings. Regular-sized pickup trucks usually have the lowest average car insurance quotes.

Other Factors That Affect Auto Insurance Costs

Aside from the factors listed above, there are several other things insurance companies look at when crafting rates, including:

• Marital Status: Married people tend to file fewer claims than single drivers, so insurance companies offer discounts for people who have tied the knot.
• Annual Mileage: If you drive fewer than 10,000 miles per year, consider a usage-based program to get a low-mileage auto insurance discount.
• Education and Career: Teachers, doctors, first responders, and college graduates have cheaper car insurance on average. Certain university and professional affiliations also qualify drivers for discounts.

Since so many factors affect the average auto insurance quote, there are many opportunities for drivers to find affordable coverage. Shop around with multiple companies to see which provider offers the best rates to your unique driving profile.

How to Get Cheap Auto Insurance

With the price of just about everything increasing, finding cheap monthly auto insurance is more important than ever. Read our affordable auto insurance reviews to find the cheapest car insurance companies, and use the following tips to maximize your savings:

• Find Discounts: The number of available auto insurance discounts should be one of the things you look at when shopping for a new policy.
• Lower Coverage: While paying more after an accident comes with a financial risk, lowering your coverage also lowers your rates. A representative can help you determine the least amount of coverage you need.
• Raise Deductibles: Your deductible is the portion you pay before your insurance kicks in — if you choose a higher auto insurance deductible, you’ll pay less per month.
• Drive Safely: Having accidents and claims on your record will increase your rates. You can keep your average auto insurance cost low by avoiding traffic violations.
• Compare Rates: Of all the things you can do to find cheap insurance rates, comparing online auto insurance quotes is one of the most important.

Finding affordable car insurance doesn’t have to be complicated, no matter your situation. You’ll find the lowest rates possible by comparing quotes, taking advantage of discounts, and choosing the right coverage amount.

Find Affordable Auto Insurance Online Today

The average cost of auto insurance starts at $45/month for state minimum coverage. Who has the cheapest auto insurance? Geico, State Farm, and Erie typically have the cheapest average car insurance rates.

Insurance companies look at various factors when setting your rates. Whether you have a low credit score, lack driving experience, or have a DUI on your record, finding a policy that fits your budget requires a little research. Start with our expert guide on how to budget for auto insurance.

Companies offer plenty of ways for drivers to save on their insurance, but the easiest way is to compare as many quotes as possible. Enter your ZIP code below to start comparing free quotes from local companies today.