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Full coverage car insurance averages $187 a month nationally in 2026, and liability-only averages $98, according to Insurify’s August 2026 rate data. But the national average is almost useless for budgeting, because where you live swings the number more than anything else. A driver in New Hampshire pays about $83 a month for full coverage. A driver in Maryland pays about $302.
Average car insurance cost by state in 2026
Monthly averages for full coverage, from Insurify’s August 2026 data:
| State | Full coverage | Liability only |
|---|---|---|
| National average | $187 | $98 |
| New Hampshire | $83 | $52 |
| Wyoming | $94 | $50 |
| Alaska | $101 | $61 |
| Idaho | $108 | $64 |
| Iowa | $111 | $56 |
| Ohio | $117 | $64 |
| California | $201 | $97 |
| Texas | $205 | $110 |
| Florida | $237 | $141 |
| Georgia | $259 | $156 |
| Nevada | $256 | $162 |
| New Jersey | $256 | $182 |
| South Carolina | $256 | $160 |
| Delaware | $262 | $166 |
| Rhode Island | $300 | $177 |
| Maryland | $302 | $192 |
One note on sources: Experian’s 2026 analysis puts the national full-coverage average higher, at about $243 a month ($2,922 a year). Different datasets use different driver profiles and methodologies, so treat any single national number as a rough benchmark and your state’s figure as the one that matters.
Why your state matters so much
Insurers price on local risk. States with dense traffic, high repair costs, frequent severe weather, and lots of uninsured drivers cost more to insure. State rules matter too: minimum coverage requirements, no-fault provisions, and how litigious the courts tend to be all get baked into the rate. That is why two drivers with identical records and identical cars can pay wildly different premiums a few hundred miles apart.
Age moves the price almost as much as location
A 16-year-old with full coverage pays about $870 a month nationally. Rates fall steeply through the 20s, settle near or below the national average in the 30s and 40s, then creep back up after 70. If you are shopping for a teen driver, putting them on a parent’s policy is almost always cheaper than a standalone policy.
Full coverage vs. liability-only
Liability-only covers damage you cause to other people and their property. It does not cover your own car. Full coverage adds collision and comprehensive, which pay for damage to your own vehicle from crashes, theft, hail, and similar events. Liability-only averages $98 a month nationally versus $187 for full coverage, but dropping to liability-only on a car you still owe money on is usually not allowed by the lender, and on a paid-off car it is a gamble worth doing only if you could replace the car out of pocket.
How to pay less than your state’s average
Compare at least three insurers with identical liability limits and deductibles. Raise your deductible if you have the savings to cover it. Ask about every discount: good driver, low mileage, good student, bundling with renters or home insurance, and telematics programs that track your driving. And re-shop at every renewal, because insurers reprice constantly and loyalty is rarely rewarded with lower rates.
Once you know your state’s average, the next question is which company to buy from. Our ranking of the cheapest car insurance companies in 2026 breaks down who is actually cheapest and the catches behind the low prices.
