Average Car Insurance Cost

Car insurance costs $60 per month or $716 per year for a minimum coverage policy, on average. Full coverage car insurance is more expensive because it also pays to repair or replace your car after it is damaged by a crash or something other than an accident, like vandalism.

Average Price of Car Insurance per Month 

Note: Premiums reflect minimum coverage.

The cost of car insurance varies by person, since insurers take individual risk factors into account when calculating premiums. For instance, insurance companies consider factors like the policyholder's age and driving record, as well as their ZIP code and the covered vehicle's make and model. As a result, the average monthly cost of car insurance will depend on the driver, the car, the location, and the amount of coverage purchased.

For more information, check out WalletHub's guide to the average cost of car insurance.

Car insurance in California costs $70 per month, on average, or $844 per year. The average cost of car insurance in California is 17% higher than the national average auto insurance premium, and California ranks 38 out of 50 for the most affordable car insurance rates in the U.S.

Average Cost of Car Insurance in California by Category 

• Clean driving record: $833 per year
• After an at-fault accident: $1,369 per year
• Teen driver: $2,339 per year
• After a DUI: $2,006 per year

There are several factors that affect how much you'll pay for car insurance in California, including your driving record, age, location, the amount of coverage that you purchase, and the insurance company you buy it from. On average, the cheapest insurance companies in California are Geico, AAA, and Grange Insurance. But every insurer has their own way of calculating premiums, so it's a good idea to get quotes from at least three different companies to make sure you find the best deal.

Finally, it's worth noting that car insurance premiums in California are high, compared to the cost of coverage in neighboring states like Oregon and Texas. You can find more details in the table below. 

Cost of Car Insurance in California vs. Neighboring States

Car insurance in Florida costs $68 per month for minimum coverage and $267 per month for full coverage. The cheapest car insurance companies in Florida are USAA, Geico, and Liberty Mutual, but insurers calculate premiums differently, so it's a good idea to get quotes from more companies to find the best deal.

Average Cost of Car Insurance in Florida by Category 

• Clean driving record: $68 per month
• After an at-fault accident: $100 per month
• Driver with poor credit: $133 per month
• Teen driver: $215 per month
• After a DUI: $106 per month

The average cost of car insurance in Florida is 13% higher than the national average auto insurance premium, and Florida ranks 36 out of 50 for the most affordable car insurance rates in the U.S. There are several factors that affect how much you'll pay for car insurance in Florida, including your driving record, age, location, the amount of coverage that you purchase, and the insurance company you buy it from.

Finally, it's worth noting that car insurance premiums in Florida are average, compared to the cost of coverage in neighboring states like South Carolina and Georgia. You can find more details in the table below. 

Cost of Car Insurance in Florida vs. Neighboring States

Full coverage insurance costs $1,997 per year or $166 per month, on average. Full coverage car insurance is more expensive than the legal minimum auto insurance coverage because full coverage usually includes collision and comprehensive insurance as well as the minimum coverage required by a state.

The cost of full coverage car insurance varies based on the state, the driver's chosen coverage limits, the driver's risk factors, and the vehicle's value. Additionally, comprehensive and collision insurance are subject to a deductible, and drivers can select a higher deductible in return for a lower premium. Drivers can also minimize the cost of full coverage car insurance by comparing rates and checking for discounts.

Cheapest Full Coverage Insurance Companies

1. Esurance - $1,548 per year
2. Geico - $1,675 per year
3. Mercury - $1,919 per year
4. USAA - $2,002 per year
5. Progressive - $2,016 per year

For customers with a personal auto policy, the additional costs quoted by companies like Farmers and Erie for rideshare insurance are usually from $6 to $25 per month. Allstate offers its rideshare coverage for only $15 to $20 per year.

Rideshare insurance costs less than many drivers would think, making it well worth the price. However, prices vary and it's important to look carefully at what each company covers. Costs often vary because companies structure this relatively new type of policy in very different ways.

How Rideshare Insurance Works

Rideshare coverage is based on four periods of activity. In Period 0, you are driving your car for personal use. In Period 1, you have turned on your ridesharing app and are waiting for a ride request. Period 2 covers your drive to the location where you will pick up your passengers. Period 3 covers the time when passengers are in your car. The major rideshare companies like Uber and Lyft provide their drivers with coverage whenever their app is on (Periods 1-3). However, the coverage is minimal in Period 1.

Insurance companies are developing rideshare policies to fill in the gaps between your personal coverage and your rideshare company's coverage. They fill the gaps differently.

Rideshare Insurance Coverage by Company & Situation

Most other companies that offer rideshare insurance cover Period 1 only. State Farm is one of the few that enables you to increase your coverage for all three ridesharing periods. Their policy also allows you to bypass the insurance company hired by your rideshare company if you have a claim. There have been many complaints about the customer claims service from these insurers.

Allstate's Period 2 and 3 coverage doesn't increase your coverage types or limits, but it does help with the high deductibles in your Uber or Lyft coverage. Uber's insurance comes with a $1,000 deductible. Lyft's is even higher—$2,500. If you get into an accident during periods 2 or 3, Allstate pays you the difference between these deductibles and those on your personal auto policy. So, if your personal deductible is $500, Allstate will give you $500 if you drive for Uber or $2,000 if you drive for Lyft to help pay your bills.

You must have your personal auto and rideshare insurance with the same insurer. Rideshare is add-on coverage, not a stand-alone policy. If you like your current auto insurance company and their rideshare insurance seems reasonable and gives you a comfortable level of coverage, buy from them. If you're not satisfied with what you're offered, consider switching companies. Comparison shop for the best overall deal—personal and ridesharing—that you can get.

Yes, men pay an average of 6% more for car insurance than women. For example, a policy that fulfills state minimum coverage requirements for a 45-year-old woman costs $669 per year, while the same policy for a 45-year-old man costs $716. However, rates vary by individual driver and by age group. Male teen drivers typically pay over 10% more than female teens, while some older female drivers will pay more than their male counterparts.

In general, men pay more for car insurance than women in states where it is permitted because they are more likely to cost insurers money. Hawaii, California, Massachusetts, Michigan, Montana, Pennsylvania, and North Carolina have banned the use of gender in determining car insurance premiums.

Why Men Pay More for Car Insurance than Women

• Men drive more than women, on average, and are also more likely to die in a car accident.
• Speeding is more commonly a factor in fatal accidents where men were driving.
• Men are more likely to die in a car accident while driving drunk.

For more information, check out WalletHub's data on average car insurance rates by age and gender.

Geico car insurance costs an average of $42 per month for a minimum-coverage policy, which is less than the national average. Exactly how much you'll pay for auto insurance from Geico depends on factors such as your history on the road, age, state, and coverage limits.

Average Cost of Geico Car Insurance by Category 

• Minimum Coverage: $42
• Full Coverage: $140
• After a Speeding Ticket: $63
• Recent At-Fault Accident: $75
• Young Driver: $289
• Senior Driver: $42

Geico determines car insurance rates by considering the likelihood of the driver filing a claim in the future. Some drivers, like teens or drivers who recently caused an accident, are considered to be especially high-risk, so they're charged higher rates than the average policyholder. The good news is that Geico offers several discounts that drivers can use to save on their rate, including a multi-vehicle and multi-policy discount.

Geico Car Insurance vs. Popular Insurers

To see how much a Geico policy will cost you, you can go online or call (800) 207-7847. You can also learn more by checking out WalletHub's Geico car insurance review.

Car insurance for a 16-year-old costs $3,343 per year, on average, or $278 per month. Sixteen-year-old drivers pay more for car insurance than older, more experienced drivers because insurers consider them to be high-risk, meaning they're more likely to file a claim.

Because the cost of coverage for 16-year-olds is so high, it's important to shop around for multiple quotes before buying a policy. Some of the best car insurance companies for 16-year-old drivers are Travelers, USAA and Progressive.

Cost of Car Insurance for a 16-Year-Old by Company 

The exact cost of car insurance for a 16-year-old depends on a few factors, including their driving record, gender, and vehicle type. Additionally, whether a 16-year-old is buying their own policy or being added to their parents' policy makes a difference.

Adding a 16-year-old to an existing policy will raise the premium by an average of 140% to 160%. But even with the added cost, it's still a more cost-effective option than having the driver purchase their own policy.

To learn more, check out WalletHub's guide to the best car insurance for teens and young drivers.

The average cost of car insurance for a 21-year-old is $104 per month, which is much higher than average compared to other age groups. Drivers who are 21 pay more for car insurance than older, more experienced drivers because insurers consider them to be high-risk, meaning they're more likely to file a claim.

Because the cost of coverage for 21-year-olds is so high, it's important to shop around for multiple quotes before buying a policy. Some of the best car insurance companies for 21-year-old drivers are USAA, Travelers and Geico.

Cost of Car Insurance for a 21-Year-Old by Company 

The exact cost of car insurance for a 21-year-old depends on a few factors, including their driving record, gender, and vehicle type. Additionally, whether a 21-year-old is buying their own policy or being added to their parents' policy makes a difference.

Adding a 21-year-old to an existing policy will raise the premium by an average of 140% to 160%. But even with the added cost, it's still a more cost-effective option than having the driver purchase their own policy.

To learn more, check out WalletHub's guide to the best car insurance for teens and young drivers.

It costs an average of $1,461 per year to add a teenager to your car insurance policy - an increase of 173% compared to the average driver's premium. The exact amount your insurance will go up depends on many factors, including where you live, your driving history, and your credit score.

The most affordable way to cover a teen is to add them to your policy sharing the family car. Adding both a teen driver and a new vehicle to your policy would be more expensive than just adding your child as a listed driver on cars you're already paying to cover. Adding a new car creates the need for more coverage, which costs more. It's also way more expensive to get your teenager an individual policy, separate from your own, because sharing a policy with a more experienced driver brings rates down.

Below you can see how adding a 16-year-old driver to an existing policy compares to paying for a separate policy. Quotes assume Geico coverage and a 2014 Hyundai Sonata that is shared between the primary policyholder and the teen driver.

Cost of Adding a Teenager to Car Insurance

Note: Sample quotes are based on a 16-year-old driver.

Having a young driver on the policy can have drawbacks for the primary policyholder. Because your policy will pay for their claims, your teen's driving habits become part of your insurance history. If your child gets into an accident, you will see premiums go up for everyone listed on the policy. Teens are risky drivers and four times more likely to crash, so your rates could definitely be affected. Premiums increase for about three to five years after a claim.

On the bright side, you'll be eligible for discounts your teen might not be, like bundling with homeowner's coverage. Plus, you may be eligible for additional discounts if your child has good grades, attends driver education courses, or takes a defensive driving class.

Most car insurance companies will require teenagers who live with parents to be listed on the parents' policy. If you're a parent of a teen with a learner's permit, your teen should be typically covered by your policy with no action necessary on your part. But as soon as a teen driver is licensed, you'll need to add them to your policy or prove that they are either insured or permanently residing elsewhere.