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Car Insurance Rates Continue to Rise in the Midwest and Northeast

Consumers in 23 states saw rate increases greater than 1% in 4th quarter, 2008. In addition to the top 5 states shown, rates continued to increase steadily in Connecticut, Pennsylvania, Vermont, West Virginia and Wisconsin. States with lower rates or smaller increases were concentrated in the West and Southeast. There are 12 states with rate decreases of more than 1%. Show All States

Rate Changes by State

State	4th Quarter 2008 Premium	$$ Changes	% Changes
AL	$1646	($79)	-4.6%
AR	$1936	$45	2.4%
AZ	$1828	($56)	-3.0%
CA	$1860	($37)	-1.9%
CO	$1591	$92	6.1%
CT	$2171	$102	4.9%
DC	$2952	$280	10.5%
DE	$2508	$134	5.6%
FL	$2097	($5)	-0.2%
GA	$1693	$12	0.7%
IA	$1287	($19)	-1.5%
ID	$1347	($24)	-1.8%
IL	$1526	$5	0.3%
IN	$1522	$39	2.6%
KS	$1646	$34	2.1%
KY	$2010	$62	3.2%
LA	$2647	$6	0.2%
MD	$2223	($62)	-2.7%
ME	$1312	$6	0.5%
MI	$2026	$8	0.4%
MN	$1623	$31	2.0%
MO	$1671	$50	3.1%
MS	$1985	($51)	-2.5%
MT	$1624	($27)	-1.6%
NC	$1600	$40	2.5%
ND	$1527	$6	0.4%
NE	$1578	($48)	-2.9%
NH	$1488	$53	3.7%
NJ	$2567	($7)	-0.3%
NM	$1886	($51)	-2.6%
NV	$2146	($19)	-0.9%
OH	$1309	($15)	-1.1%
OK	$1771	$34	2.0%
OR	$1577	($8)	-0.5%
PA	$2264	$107	5.0%
RI	$2508	$54	2.2%
SC	$1631	($5)	-0.3%
SD	$1508	$24	1.6%
TN	$1571	$42	2.7%
TX	$1912	($12)	-0.6%
UT	$1861	$172	10.2%
VA	$1664	$34	2.1%
VT	$1422	$53	3.9%
WA	$1869	($34)	-1.8%
WI	$1369	$71	5.4%
WV	$2086	$76	3.8%
WY	$1899	$98	5.5%

Largest Rate Increases

Wyoming5.5%
Delaware5.6%
Colorado6.1%
Utah10.2%
District of Columbia10.5%

Largest Rate Decreases

Alabama-4.6%
Arizona-3%
Nebraska-2.9%
Maryland-2.7%
New Mexico-2.6%

Small 4th Quarter Increase in Car Insurance Caps Year of Record Hikes

Car insurance rates increased less than 1% nationally in 4th quarter 2008. This quarter, the lowest annual car insurance quotes, on average, were up only $5—rising from $1,949 to $1,954 per year, an increase of .3% over the prior quarter. This marks the fourth consecutive quarter of rate increases, but finally the pace of increases is slowing. Rates were up 8% in total last year.

"In 2008, annual car insurance rates increased a record 8% over 2007, as insurance companies responded to higher medical expenses and repair costs. With people driving less, we expect rates to stabilize in 2009."

-Sam Belden VP, Strategic Alliances

RateWatch reports the lowest average annual car insurance rates quoted to consumers who compared rates at Insurance.com.
The rate quotes in this study came from more than a dozen leading auto insurers in 47 states and the District of Columbia. Alaska, Hawaii, and Massachusetts are not included.
More than 1 million drivers get comparison quotes from Insurance.com each year.

Save Money With These Tips

Protect your credit . Late payments will hurt your credit rating and may lead to higher rates for home and auto insurance.
Cut back - but don't cancel your policy . Higher deductibles and fewer options will help you save, but keep Liability or PIP and Uninsured Motorists coverage.
Shop early . Look for a company that offers an early shopping discount and compare quotes online to save time.
Drive slower . Reduce your highway speed from 70 to 60 mph and save about 20% on fuel costs.

New Customer Savings Snapshot: December 2008

Our study of 3,152 drivers who reported savings after switching car insurers with Insurance.com showed annual savings ranging from hundreds to thousands of dollars. Savings vary by state. Savings reported by new customers in December, 2008.

Insurance.com