Car insurance tops $3,600 a year in 10 priciest US states

Maryland drivers pay $3,624 a year for full-coverage car insurance, the most of any US state, according to Insurify data.

The national average for full coverage runs $2,244 a year, while liability-only coverage averages $1,176, the insurance-comparison marketplace reported. Drivers in the costliest states pay roughly $1,300 more than that national figure to keep their cars insured.

Rhode Island ranks second at $3,600 for full coverage, followed by Delaware at $3,144, Georgia at $3,108 and Washington, D.C., at $3,096. New Jersey, Nevada and South Carolina each sit at $3,072, with Florida at $2,844, Michigan at $2,724, New York at $2,712 and Connecticut at $2,676.

The most expensive states cluster along the east coast, stretching from Connecticut down to Florida, where insurers expect more frequent or costlier claims. Knowing how a state compares with the average lets drivers focus on the rate factors they control, such as vehicle choice and available discounts.

Why premiums run higher in some states

Driving history and a car's make and model shape an individual premium, but the state itself matters to insurers for reasons that vary by location. Higher claims frequency and severity push up rates, as do population density, weather and catastrophe exposure, litigation costs and state minimum-coverage requirements.

Florida, for instance, carries heavy exposure to hurricane damage and a high share of uninsured drivers, while Michigan's no-fault system historically produced some of the highest medical-payout costs in the country. States with more generous minimum coverage or costlier repair and medical bills tend to price those expectations into premiums.

What drivers can do to trim premiums

The most reliable way to keep premiums in check is to shop around before each renewal and compare quotes from multiple carriers. Choosing a cheaper-to-insure model for the next vehicle and completing a defensive-driving course can also earn discounts that narrow the gap.

Average rates vary within states as well. Moving to a less populated area of a high-cost state such as Florida can bring premiums below the state average, and a driver weighing relocation can balance insurance costs against broader cost of living.

Rates shift over time, so the figures above reflect Insurify's August data and should be checked against the latest official announcements before any decision. This article is for informational reference only and does not constitute professional or investment advice.