Driving has changed a lot over the last decade – heck, the last year – and so have insurance rates. The Zebra looked at 73 million (!!!) insurance rates to learn what drivers across the U.S. are paying, as well as the many factors that contribute to these prices, in our 2021 State of Auto Insurance Report. Check out some of our top takeaways.
- It probably won’t come as a huge surprise that car insurance is more expensive than it’s ever been, with the average yearly rate coming in at a record $1,548. That’s a 30% increase from 2011, and 1.8% since just last year.
- But what you pay depends on where you live – and the risk factors that your location brings. The most expensive region of the country? Far West FTW. Washington, Oregon, Nevada, California, Alaska, and Hawaii’s aggregate rate takes the top “prize” at $1,665.
- New England, not normally known for its affordable price tag, is the least expensive region in the country, with an average rate of $1,305.
- Consider yourself “average” if you paid more for car insurance this year, and lucky if you didn’t. Rates went up from 2019 for 144 million American drivers – that’s 63%.
- Thinking about relocating based only on how much you’ll pay for car insurance? Then go northeast: Maine residents pay the lowest rates in the U.S. And if you’re moving from Michigan, home of the country’s costliest insurance, you’ll save $2,161 a year. (Mainers’ average annual rate: $935; Michiganders top the charts at $3,096.)
- If you’re a big spender on your vehicle and your policy, the Maserati Quattroporte is for you. It’s the most expensive vehicle to insure, at $4,742 – but if you’re spending $107k on a car, maybe that’s just peanuts.
- The least expensive ride to insure? The Fiat 500X’s rate is as tiny-but-efficient as the car itself is, at $1,467.
- One thing everyone knows is that violations can have a big hit on your rates. And the biggest of all is of the “-and-run” variety: A hit and run will cause a three-year rate increase of $3,636.
- Getting caught speeding will cost you, too – $1,137 over three years, to be exact – but it’s best to not be too cautious: A citation for driving too slowly will cost $1,008.
- Teens are by far the most expensive to insure – whether they’re on their own policies or sharing one with a parent or guardian. The average rate for drivers in their teens: $5,023.
And that’s just the tip of the iceberg. To learn more about why you pay what you pay – and how it stacks up to the rest of the country – check out the 2021 State of Auto Insurance Report. You’ll see historical trends for your state over the past decade, insights about how to lower rates, and much more.
Safe driving!
