National car insurance trends show slight fluctuations across various states

The national average cost of liability-only car insurance edged down in August, while full-coverage rates rose slightly, according to Insurify data.

While liability-only car insurance rates have been fairly stable over the past several months, full-coverage rates continue to increase. As of Aug. 31, the national average cost of full-coverage auto insurance rose by $1, to $197 per month. The national monthly average for liability-only coverage dropped by $1, to $104.

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

In August, most U.S. states saw some upward movement in average monthly rates, with some experiencing significant increases. Maryland and Michigan have the highest overall average car insurance rates, according to Insurify’s database of millions of car insurance quotes.

All rates displayed in the table are averages of Insurify price data through the end of August 2024. 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. New York is excluded due to insufficient data.

In August, Maryland had the highest overall average insurance costs at $258 per month — a $10 increase from the July average. Its monthly averages for liability only and full coverage also climbed in August to $195 and $321 respectively. Maryland’s full-coverage average was also the highest in the country during July. Connecticut had the highest average cost for liability-only insurance at $215 per month.

Some states experienced significant rate volatility in August. For example, in Maryland, the overall average monthly rate rose by $12. In Nevada, the average dropped by $8.

North Carolina’s overall average rate continued to be the lowest in the nation falling $2 in August to land at $84 per month. However, North Carolina may face increases in 2025 as its minimum-liability car insurance requirements are set to increase on Jan. 1.

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; age; gender; location; credit history; vehicle make and model; vehicle usage; vehicle equipment; coverage type; coverage limits; and deductible amounts.

Every U.S. state except New Hampshire requires drivers to carry at least a minimum amount of liability coverage. Insurance professionals recommend buying more coverage for greater financial protection in at-fault accidents. Drivers can take steps to reduce the cost of car insurance including driving safely; looking for discounts; increasing deductibles; adjusting coverages appropriately; and comparison shopping.

Insurify data scientists analyzed more than 97 million rates from car insurance applications in Insurify’s proprietary database to calculate premium averages displayed on this page. These premiums are real quotes that come directly from Insurify’s 50+ partner insurance companies across all 50 states and Washington D.C., reflecting costs for drivers between ages 20 and 70 with clean driving records and average or better credit.

For most states full-coverage premium prices represent two-year rolling medians managing extreme market volatility seen over recent years as insurers sought substantial rate increase approvals while deprioritizing new policies amid rising costs.

Liability-only premium prices — as well as full-coverage prices in specific states like Maine and Massachusetts — represent one-year rolling medians with specified bodily injury limits between state-minimums up to certain thresholds without additional coverage beyond standard parameters.