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Auto Insurance Rates Decline or Hold Steady in 37 States

Insurance.com RateWatch reports trends in car insurance rates, based on more than a million comparison quotes a year. In October, rates quoted were higher than September's rates in 9 states and the District of Columbia, essentially unchanged in 6 states and lower in 31 states . See all states for a full list.

Show All States

Rate Changes by State

State Oct 2009 Premium $$ Changes % Changes
AL $1542 ($62) -3.8%
AR $1781 ($56) -3.0%
AZ $1538 ($89) -5.4%
CA $1729 ($61) -3.4%
CO $1478 ($96) -6.1%
CT $2042 $33 1.6%
DE $2391 $22 0.9%
FL $2074 ($36) -1.7%
GA $1632 ($57) -3.4%
IA $1276 ($25) -1.9%
ID $1328 $52 4.1%
IL $1438 ($33) -2.2%
IN $1476 ($27) -1.8%
KS $1629 $14 0.9%
KY $2102 $37 1.8%
LA $2423 ($52) -2.1%
MD $2328 ($18) -0.8%
ME $1331 $24 1.8%
MI $1998 ($70) -3.4%
MN $1646 $19 1.2%
MO $1523 ($33) -2.1%
MS $1900 ($18) -0.9%
MT $1559 $19 1.2%
NC $1567 ($108) -6.5%
ND $1581 ($76) -4.6%
NE $1562 $70 4.7%
NH $1341 ($86) -6.0%
NJ $2749 ($8) -0.3%
NM $1731 $12 0.7%
NV $1946 ($110) -5.4%
OH $1251 ($74) -5.6%
OK $1716 ($134) -7.2%
OR $1511 ($24) -1.5%
PA $2071 ($114) -5.2%
RI $2249 ($170) -7.0%
SC $1581 ($29) -1.8%
SD $1467 ($84) -5.4%
TN $1437 ($76) -5.0%
TX $1869 ($100) -5.1%
UT $1639 ($89) -5.2%
VA $1535 ($139) -8.3%
VT $1306 ($132) -9.2%
WA $1726 ($41) -2.3%
WI $1330 ($15) -1.1%
WV $2076 $66 3.3%
WY $1505 ($309) -17.0%

Largest Rate Increases

  • Maine1.8%
  • Kentucky1.8%
  • West Virginia3.3%
  • Idaho4.1%
  • Nebraska4.7%

Largest Rate Decreases

  • Wyoming-17%
  • Vermont-9.2%
  • Virginia-8.3%
  • Oklahoma-7.2%
  • Rhode Island-7%

U.S. Auto Insurance Rates Averaged $1,804 Annually in October

Auto insurance rates decreased less than 3% nationally in October. The lowest average annual car insurance quotes declined from $1,855 per year to $1,804 annually. Car insurance rates increased 8% in total in 2008, but dropped dramatically in December 2008 and have remained relatively level throughout 2009.

Give Thanks for the Right Auto Policy

"Thanksgiving is possibly the busiest travel time of the year. With more drivers spending more time on the road, the potential for accidents is greater. Since you don't know who is on the road, or what they may be doing behind the wheel - texting, eating, not paying attention - it’s important for drivers to take the proper safety precautions and also make sure they have the right auto insurance policy for any incidents that could occur.”"

-Sam Belden VP, Strategic Alliances

  • RateWatch reports the lowest average annual car insurance rates quoted to consumers who compared rates at Insurance.com.
  • The rates in this study came from more than a dozen leading auto insurance companies in 46 states and the District of Columbia.
  • More than 1 million drivers get comparison quotes from Insurance.com each year.
More Information

RateWatch for Car Insurance compares the lowest average annual car insurance rates quoted to consumers by Insurance.com in October 2009 to the rates quoted in September 2009. The rates consumers viewed, but didn't necessarily purchase, came from auto insurance quotes consumers received from over a dozen of the nation's leading auto insurers. Insurance.com provides car insurance quotes to more than 1 million people visiting the website or calling for a quote each year. While RateWatch is a broad indicator of pricing activity in the personal auto insurance marketplace, it is not a comprehensive index as it reflects only the quotes of companies Insurance.com represents in the 46 states where it quotes (all states except Alaska, Hawaii, Massachusetts and New York).

Holiday Travel: Don't Leave Home Without the Right Coverage

  • Be Sure You Have Uninsured Motorist Coverage - Insurance.com estimates that 15 to 25 percent of drivers go without insurance today, so uninsured motorist coverage is more important than ever. And it costs very little to increase your limit
  • Stay Alert When Behind the Wheel - Many accidents occur when a driver is distracted or overtired. Talking on your cell phone and eating while driving take your attention away from the road, which could lead to an accident.
  • Determine Whether Your Policy Will Cover Your Rental Car - Most companies will extend the coverage on your personal auto policy to a rental car. The important fact is whether you have purchased comprehensive and collision coverage on your own car. That's the coverage that pays for scratches, dents and thefts, among other things. Call your insurance company to check before you head out
  • Don’t Drink and Drive - Not only is drinking while driving deadly, it’s very expensive. According to Insurance.com data, the average lowest rate quote to drivers with a Driving While Intoxicated violation was $435 more than a driver with no violations
  • Upgrade or Change Your Auto Insurance -  If you have a policy with minimal coverage, visit Insurance.com. Here, you can compare multiple competing rates from best-in-class insurance providers - helping you find the best auto insurance coverage for your needs

$536 New Customer Savings: Oct. 2009

Drivers who reported savings after switching car insurance companies at Insurance.com showed annual savings of $536. Savings vary by state.

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