Are you wondering how much will your car insurance cost? You’ve probably wondered why your best friend Joe can get such great rates when he has 5 tickets and has had two accidents, lives in the same place you do, and is the same age. That surely means there’s no such thing as an average car insurance price for a specific demographic.
Truth be told, there are many factors that can affect the price of your car insurance. Among these are your age, your driving history, your marital status, your credit record as well as whether you own a home or not. Although you may find your rates aren’t the exact same price down to the cent as other average car insurance data may show, and it may not be the case when you start getting more and more specific. However, a jumping off point is looking at what average car insurance prices are in a state you live in, one of the biggest factors in determining premiums.
Factors that Can Affect Car Insurance Rates
It is normal to pay less than $50 to more
than a hundred dollars for your auto insurance premiums. The amount you can expect to pay for your auto insurance every month usually depends on your location, age, driving history, number of cars owned, number of drivers in the family, and the type of vehicle that you are currently driving.
Regional Differences on Estimates for Car Insurance
The average auto insurance rates typically vary depending on the region. For example, regions where there are more risks tend to have higher insurance premiums. Among the factors that can affect the rates of auto insurance are listed below.
- The Road Less-or More-Traveled – The road that you often travel to and from your home can also affect your auto insurance rates. Insurance companies can factor the number of accidents that occur on the road that you often travel, including whether you are driving in a rural or urban zone.
- Location – The cost of your auto insurance can also be affected by location which includes the place where you work, where you live, and where you often drive to. If the area that you are currently
located has a high number of theft and accidents, chances are your premium rates will be high as well because you are
at a high risk of getting into a car accident or vandalism. The cost of medical treatment is also considered by auto insurance companies when determining the value of your insurance policy.
- Natural Disasters and Climate – There is a high risk of damage to property for those who are living in areas where natural disasters often occur like hurricanes and blizzards. Slick roads caused by ice on the road as well as severe thunderstorm can affect your driving. Even though you are careful with your driving in these conditions, there are those who don’t really care.
State Car Insurance Rates
The cost of car insurance rates varies depending on the state’s minimum requirements for its car insurance including the regional differences that have been stated above. The table found below will show you the average rates for auto insurance based on the state.
Disclaimer: since there are dozens of factors that can affect how the cost of auto insurance is calculated, the numbers found in the table shouldn’t be seen as standard estimates for auto insurance. However, you can use the table as some sort of guide on getting an estimate for car insurance in these states.
Car Insurance Costs by State, 2012
- Louisiana $2,536
- Oklahoma $2,047
- Michigan $2,013
- West Virginia $2,002
- Wash. D.C. $1,866
- Montana
$1,856
- Rhode Island $1,830
- Wyoming $1,732
- California $1,709
- Georgia $1,694
- Connecticut $1,665
- Texas $1,661
- Florida $1,654
- Delaware $1,652
- New Jersey $1,608
- Pennsylvania $1,598
- Hawaii $1,594
- Kentucky $1,572
- Mississippi $1,502
- Missouri $1,455
[National average $1,438]
- Alaska $1,431
- North Dakota $1,426
- New York $1,413
- Kansas $1,410
- Mass. $1,378
- Maryland $1,372
- Alabama $1,345
- Arkansas $1,334
- Colorado $1,322
- Utah $1,315
- Washington $1,305
- South Dakota $1,303
- Indiana $1,301
- Virginia $1,297
- New Mexico $1,274
- Minnesota $1,264
- Nebraska $1,244
- Oregon $1,241
- Tennessee $1,228
- Nevada $1,223
- Illinois $1,192
- Arizona $1,176
- N. Hampshire $1,133
- S. Carolina $1,108
- Ohio $1,099
- Vermont $1,063
- N. Carolina $1,022
- Idaho $1,011
- Wisconsin $987
- Iowa $985
- Maine $889
Car Insurance Rates Based on Experience and Age
Young drivers are often saddled with high auto insurance premiums because of their age and lack of driving experience. Statistics aren’t helping either as they show that there is a high chance for young drivers to get involved in car accidents. However, this doesn’t mean that teenagers can’t do anything to lower their auto insurance premiums.
Among the things that young drivers can do to lower their premiums is to maintain high grades at school, get a driver’s license early, and keep driving history clean.
Many auto insurance companies make it a point to review your driving history to determine whether you are a safe driver or a high risk one. The more accidents or tickets you have, the higher your insurance premiums will be.
Car Insurance Rates
Aside from your age and driving experience, the type of car that you own can be factored in as well. Regardless of whether you will be buying a second hand car, a cheap one or the more expensive types like muscle cars, it will still affect the price of your auto insurance. If you will compare a muscle car with a used minivan, for example, the muscle car will cost more in terms of repairs.
There are many factors that can contribute to the cost of your auto insurance rates. If you are determined to get your premiums lowered, you should know the steps on how to get them reduced like keeping your driving history clean as well as maintaining your credit rating.
