The average cost of auto insurance per month is $55 for liability-only and $126 for full coverage. Age, gender, and driving record have the biggest impact on the cost of auto insurance. You’ll get
Things to Remember
→ A speeding ticket can increase minimum-coverage auto insurance rates by roughly 19%–22% in this comparison.
→ Choose deductibles that fit your budget so you can comfortably handle a claim if one occurs.
→ Compare quotes with the same coverage limits and deductibles to determine which insurer offers the best overall value.
Age is one of the strongest factors affecting the average monthly cost of auto insurance. Gender, marital status, driving history, location, credit history, vehicle type, and coverage choices can also influence your premium.
This guide breaks down average auto insurance costs by age, gender, state, driving record, credit tier, marital status, and vehicle type. It also explains practical ways to reduce your monthly premium and find more affordable coverage.
Average Monthly Auto Insurance Cost
How much does car insurance cost per month? In this comparison, minimum liability coverage averages about $55 per month, while full coverage averages approximately $126 per month.
Your actual premium can be significantly different depending on your insurer, driving record, location, vehicle, coverage limits, and other personal rating factors.
Choosing between liability-only and full coverage also has a major effect on your monthly payment. Liability coverage generally costs less because it primarily protects you against claims for injuries or property damage you cause to others. Full coverage adds protection for your own vehicle.
How Coverage Level Affects Your Monthly Premium
Minimum coverage is designed to satisfy the insurance requirements established by your state. Full coverage generally combines liability insurance with collision and comprehensive coverage.
Collision coverage can help pay for damage to your vehicle after a covered accident, while comprehensive coverage can help with losses caused by events such as theft, vandalism, severe weather, or falling objects.
Across the companies in this comparison, full coverage costs approximately $88 more per month than minimum coverage.
Average Auto Insurance Rates by Coverage Level
| Insurance Company | Minimum Coverage | Full Coverage |
|---|---|---|
| Allstate | $78 | $175 |
| American Family | $69 | $157 |
| Erie | $56 | $128 |
| Farmers | $74 | $172 |
| Geico | $55 | $126 |
| Liberty Mutual | $82 | $186 |
| Nationwide | $63 | $151 |
| Progressive | $71 | $166 |
| State Farm | $59 | $133 |
| Travelers | $70 | $160 |
Your monthly car insurance cost depends on both the coverage you purchase and the personal information insurers use to calculate risk.
Minimum liability insurance is usually the least expensive option and is required in almost every state. However, it does not pay to repair or replace your own vehicle after an accident you cause.
Some states also require additional medical coverage, such as personal injury protection (PIP) or medical payments coverage (MedPay). These coverages can increase the monthly cost of a minimum policy.
Average Monthly Cost by Coverage Type
→ Minimum liability: About $55 per month
→ Minimum coverage with PIP: About $80 per month
→ Minimum coverage with MedPay: About $60 per month
→ Full coverage: About $126 per month
PIP and MedPay requirements vary by state, so drivers should check their state’s insurance laws before selecting a policy.
Because rates vary significantly between insurers, comparing at least three quotes with identical coverage limits can make it easier to identify an affordable policy.
How Age and Gender Affect Auto Insurance Rates
Age has a major impact on auto insurance pricing. Teen drivers and newly licensed drivers generally pay the highest rates because they have less experience behind the wheel.
For example, an 18-year-old male driver in this comparison pays approximately $168 per month for minimum coverage, compared with about $158 per month for an 18-year-old female driver.
Insurance rates generally begin declining as drivers gain experience, with a noticeable improvement often occurring after age 25.
Young male drivers frequently pay more because insurers have historically associated younger drivers with higher accident and violation rates. The difference between male and female rates generally becomes smaller as drivers get older.
Maintaining a clean driving record can also help keep premiums lower over time. Depending on the insurer and state, accidents and violations may continue affecting rates for several years before they are removed from rating calculations.
Why New Drivers Usually Pay More
First-time drivers can face monthly premiums of roughly $200 to $300 or more, depending on age, location, vehicle, coverage level, and insurer.
Young drivers typically pay more because insurers have less driving history available to evaluate and statistically consider inexperienced drivers to present greater risk.
Adding a young driver to an existing household policy can sometimes cost less than purchasing a completely separate policy.
Average Monthly Rate When Adding a Teen Driver
| Company | Without Teen | With Teen | Increase |
|---|---|---|---|
| Allstate | $78 | $249 | +$171 |
| American Family | $69 | $205 | +$136 |
| Erie | $56 | $181 | +$125 |
| Farmers | $74 | $243 | +$169 |
| Geico | $55 | $187 | +$132 |
| Liberty Mutual | $82 | $280 | +$198 |
| Nationwide | $63 | $202 | +$139 |
| Progressive | $71 | $214 | +$143 |
| State Farm | $59 | $186 | +$127 |
| Travelers | $70 | $201 | +$131 |
Adding a teen generally increases the household premium because the insurer is taking on a higher-risk driver. However, keeping the teen on a parent or household policy may still be more affordable than purchasing a separate policy.
Families can also look for discounts based on good grades, driver education, safe driving, or other eligibility requirements.
How Marital Status Affects Auto Insurance Costs
Marital status can influence auto insurance rates with some insurers. Married drivers may receive slightly lower premiums because insurers may associate married households with lower claims risk.
However, the difference is usually modest, and some states restrict or prohibit insurers from using marital status when calculating premiums.
Average Monthly Auto Insurance Rates by Marital Status
| Insurance Company | Single Driver | Married Driver |
|---|---|---|
| Allstate | $78 | $74 |
| American Family | $69 | $66 |
| Erie | $56 | $54 |
| Farmers | $74 | $70 |
| Geico | $55 | $52 |
| Liberty Mutual | $82 | $78 |
| Nationwide | $63 | $60 |
| Progressive | $71 | $68 |
| State Farm | $59 | $57 |
| Travelers | $70 | $67 |
State regulations can affect whether marital status is considered when setting premiums. In states where it cannot be used, insurers generally rely on other factors such as driving history, location, vehicle characteristics, and selected coverage.
How Your Driving Record Affects Monthly Insurance Rates
Your driving history is another major factor in determining how much you pay for auto insurance. Tickets, accidents, claims, and serious violations can all result in higher premiums.
In this comparison, a speeding ticket increases minimum-coverage rates by approximately 19%–22% for most insurers.
Average Monthly Rates Before and After a Speeding Ticket
| Company | Clean Record | After Ticket | Increase |
|---|---|---|---|
| Allstate | $78 | $94 | +$16 |
| American Family | $69 | $84 | +$15 |
| Erie | $56 | $68 | +$12 |
| Farmers | $74 | $90 | +$16 |
| Geico | $55 | $66 | +$11 |
| Liberty Mutual | $82 | $100 | +$18 |
| Nationwide | $63 | $77 | +$14 |
| Progressive | $71 | $86 | +$15 |
| State Farm | $59 | $71 | +$12 |
| Travelers | $70 | $83 | +$13 |
For example, Geico’s rate in this comparison increases by about 20% after a speeding ticket, moving from $55 to $66 per month. Travelers increases from $70 to approximately $83.
The actual increase will depend on the seriousness of the violation, your state, insurer, previous driving history, and other rating factors.
How an Accident Can Increase Auto Insurance Costs
An at-fault accident can lead to a substantial increase in auto insurance premiums because insurers may consider drivers with recent claims more likely to file additional claims.
In this comparison, minimum-coverage rates after one accident range from approximately $74 to $112 per month.
Average Monthly Rates Before and After an Accident
| Company | Clean Record | After Accident | Increase |
|---|---|---|---|
| Allstate | $78 | $105 | +$27 |
| American Family | $69 | $93 | +$24 |
| Erie | $56 | $76 | +$20 |
| Farmers | $74 | $100 | +$26 |
| Geico | $55 | $74 | +$19 |
| Liberty Mutual | $82 | $112 | +$30 |
| Nationwide | $63 | $86 | +$23 |
| Progressive | $71 | $96 | +$25 |
| State Farm | $59 | $80 | +$21 |
| Travelers | $70 | $94 | +$24 |
Liberty Mutual has the largest increase in this comparison, rising from $82 to $112 per month after an accident. Geico has the smallest increase at $19 per month.
This demonstrates why comparing insurers after an accident can be worthwhile. Different companies may price the same driving incident very differently.
What a DUI Does to Your Auto Insurance Premium
A DUI is generally considered a serious driving violation and can cause a much larger insurance increase than a minor speeding ticket.
Insurers may significantly raise premiums after a DUI because impaired driving is associated with a higher likelihood of severe accidents and claims.
Average Monthly Rates Before and After a DUI
| Company | Clean Record | After DUI | Increase |
|---|---|---|---|
| Allstate | $78 | $133 | +$55 |
| American Family | $69 | $118 | +$49 |
| Erie | $56 | $96 | +$40 |
| Farmers | $74 | $127 | +$53 |
| Geico | $55 | $94 | +$39 |
| Liberty Mutual | $82 | $141 | +$59 |
| Nationwide | $63 | $108 | +$45 |
| Progressive | $71 | $122 | +$51 |
| State Farm | $59 | $100 | +$41 |
| Travelers | $70 | $119 | +$49 |
Geico has the lowest monthly rate in this comparison after a DUI at approximately $94, while Liberty Mutual has the highest at $141.
Because insurers evaluate serious violations differently, drivers with a DUI should compare several companies rather than assuming their current insurer will remain the cheapest.
Some states may also require an SR-22 filing or another form of financial responsibility after a DUI. This filing can create additional costs and requirements beyond the insurance premium itself.
How Credit History Can Affect Auto Insurance Pricing
In states where credit-based insurance scoring is permitted, your credit history may affect your auto insurance premium.
Drivers with stronger credit profiles may receive lower rates, while drivers with fair or poor credit can sometimes pay considerably more. However, insurers do not all weigh credit information in the same way.
Average Monthly Auto Insurance Rates by Credit Tier
| Company | Excellent (800+) | Good (670–799) | Fair (580–669) | Bad (<580) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Allstate | $78 | $85 | $107 | $169 |
| American Family | $69 | $80 | $98 | $131 |
| Erie | $56 | $65 | $79 | $103 |
| Farmers | $74 | $87 | $106 | $141 |
| Geico | $55 | $60 | $76 | $120 |
| Liberty Mutual | $82 | $96 | $118 | $157 |
| Nationwide | $63 | $73 | $90 | $117 |
| Progressive | $71 | $78 | $98 | $155 |
| State Farm | $59 | $64 | $81 | $128 |
| Travelers | $70 | $82 | $101 | $133 |
The table shows how rates can increase as credit moves from excellent to poor.
For example, Geico averages $55 per month for drivers with excellent credit in this comparison but approximately $120 for drivers with bad credit.
If your credit has improved since your current policy was issued, comparing new quotes may help determine whether you can qualify for a lower premium.
How Location Affects Auto Insurance Rates
Where you live can have a major effect on your monthly insurance cost. State laws, accident frequency, theft rates, repair costs, weather conditions, medical expenses, and claims activity can all influence premiums.
Washington averages approximately $52 per month for minimum coverage in this comparison, while states such as Nevada, Florida, and New Jersey have substantially higher average liability rates.
Even within the same state, premiums can differ significantly from one city or ZIP code to another.
Is $100 a Month Expensive for Auto Insurance?
Paying $100 per month is not necessarily expensive or inexpensive without considering your coverage and personal circumstances.
Minimum liability coverage often costs less than $100 per month, while full coverage averages around $126 per month in this comparison.
A $100 premium may be reasonable for one driver but expensive for another. The best way to evaluate your rate is to compare quotes using the same coverage limits, deductibles, vehicle, and driver information.
Examples of State-by-State Rate Differences
Drivers in Virginia pay approximately $61 per month on average in this comparison. Georgia averages around $95 per month, while Ohio averages approximately $38 per month for comparable liability limits.
These differences demonstrate how state regulations, claims frequency, local accident rates, repair costs, and other market conditions can influence auto insurance pricing.
California averages approximately $97 per month in this comparison, although individual insurers can quote significantly different amounts.
Texas can also have higher insurance costs than lower-priced states such as Iowa and Kansas. Accident severity, population density, weather, uninsured drivers, and claims costs can all contribute to differences between states.
How Your Vehicle Affects Your Insurance Cost
The vehicle you drive is another important factor in determining your auto insurance premium.
Insurers may consider:
→ Vehicle repair costs
→ Replacement value
→ Safety features and crash performance
→ Theft rates
→ Accident frequency
→ Engine and performance characteristics
→ Availability and cost of replacement parts
Sports cars and luxury vehicles are often more expensive to insure because they can cost more to repair or replace and may carry higher theft or performance-related risks.
Average Monthly Auto Insurance Rates by Vehicle Type
| Vehicle Type | Minimum Coverage | Full Coverage |
|---|---|---|
| EV/Hybrid | $85 | $175 |
| Luxury | $95 | $210 |
| Minivan | $60 | $135 |
| Pickup Truck | $65 | $140 |
| Sedan | $60 | $145 |
| Sports Car | $100 | $225 |
| SUV | $70 | $155 |
In this comparison, minivans and sedans have some of the lowest average minimum-coverage rates, while sports cars and luxury vehicles have the highest.
What Is the Hardest Vehicle to Insure?
Luxury, sports, high-performance, and specialty vehicles can be more expensive to insure because they may have higher repair bills, replacement costs, or theft risks.
Owners of valuable or unique vehicles may also need specialized insurance. Classic and collectible vehicles, for example, can require coverage designed specifically around their value and usage.
How Vehicle Usage Can Change Your Insurance Cost
How you use your vehicle can affect both your premium and the type of coverage you need.
Insurers may consider:
→ Annual mileage
→ Daily commuting distance
→ Business use
→ Personal use
→ Where the vehicle is parked
→ Whether multiple drivers use the vehicle
Drivers who travel fewer miles may qualify for certain low-mileage programs or discounts with some insurers. On the other hand, frequent commuting or business use can increase risk exposure and may require different coverage.
How Leasing or Financing a Vehicle Affects Insurance
Leasing or financing a vehicle can affect your insurance requirements because lenders and leasing companies generally want the vehicle adequately protected.
A financed or leased vehicle commonly requires collision and comprehensive coverage in addition to state-required liability insurance.
These additional coverages increase the monthly premium, but they also provide protection for the vehicle itself.
How to Lower Your Monthly Auto Insurance Cost
There are several ways to potentially reduce your monthly premium without sacrificing necessary protection.
→ Compare quotes from multiple insurers before purchasing or renewing a policy.
→ Ask about available safe-driver, good-student, multi-policy, multi-vehicle, and other discounts.
→ Consider raising your deductible if you can comfortably afford the higher out-of-pocket amount after a claim.
→ Maintain a clean driving record and avoid tickets and preventable accidents.
→ Review your annual mileage and make sure the information reported to your insurer is accurate.
→ Consider bundling auto insurance with homeowners, renters, or other eligible policies.
→ Review your coverage periodically to make sure your limits and deductibles still match your needs.
How to Find the Cheapest Monthly Auto Insurance
The cheapest insurer is different for every driver because insurance companies use different pricing models.
Start by collecting quotes from several companies and use the same liability limits, collision and comprehensive deductibles, vehicle information, and driver details for each quote.
Then compare both the price and the protection included in each policy.
A lower monthly premium is not always the best deal if it comes with significantly lower coverage limits or a deductible you cannot comfortably afford.
Final Thoughts on Average Monthly Auto Insurance Costs
The average cost of auto insurance depends on much more than the insurer you choose. Age, driving history, location, vehicle type, credit history, marital status, mileage, coverage level, and other factors can all influence your premium.
In this comparison, minimum coverage averages about $55 per month, while full coverage averages approximately $126 per month.
Young drivers, drivers with serious violations, and people with poor credit may pay considerably more than these averages. Meanwhile, experienced drivers with clean records may qualify for lower rates.
The most effective way to determine whether you are getting a competitive price is to compare multiple quotes using the same coverage and deductibles. Reviewing your policy regularly can also help you identify discounts and savings opportunities as your circumstances change.