Louisiana most expensive state for car insurance
If you’re looking to save money on car insurance, you might want to consider moving north. Maine has the lowest average car insurance rates in the nation at $902.85, according to a new survey from Insure.com. Vermont comes in second at $968.58. Low commuter miles and uncrowded highways were credited with keeping rates low in Maine.
At the other end of the spectrum, residents of Louisiana paid more to insure their vehicles on average than drivers in any other state, at $2,510.87. Insure.com says the reason for this is that in Louisiana, only accident cases with claims in excess of $50,000 receive a jury trial. The Web site said this leads to many cases being settled out of court for near that amount, leading to expensive settlements and high insurance costs. Michigan ranks second highest, with an annual average cost of $2,098.29. Insure.com attributes Michigan’s high rates to a state law that gives accident victims unlimited medical benefits for life. The study found the national average for an automotive policy was $1,429.26.
See how your state compares:
| RANK | STATE | AVERAGE PREMIUM |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Louisiana | $2,510.87 |
| 2 | Michigan | $2,098.29 |
| 3 | Oklahoma | $1,869.39 |
| 4 | Montana | $1,857.96 |
| 5 | California | $1,774.41 |
| 6 | South Dakota | $1,772.83 |
| 7 | Washington, D.C. | $1,753.19 |
| 8 | Georgia | $1,751.42 |
| 9 | Illinois | $1,679.15 |
| 10 | Connecticut | $1,678.90 |
| 11 | Arkansas | $1,648.80 |
| 12 | New Mexico | $1,603.65 |
| 13 | Rhode Island | $1,595.97 |
| 14 | West Virginia | $1,589.69 |
| 15 | Alaska | $1,572.21 |
| 16 | Wyoming | $1,552.98 |
| 17 | Maryland | $1,550.13 |
| 18 | Kansas | $1,524.51 |
| 19 | Kentucky | $1,515.30 |
| 20 | Colorado | $1,480.97 |
| 21 | Mississippi | $1,474.94 |
| 22 | New Jersey | $1,473.73 |
| 23 | New York | $1,463.21 |
| 24 | Texas | $1,462.65 |
| 25 | Florida | $1,453.20 |
| 26 | Pennsylvania | $1,420.78 |
| 27 | Delaware | $1,405.80 |
| 28 | Missouri | $1,390.59 |
| 29 | Minnesota | $1,381.09 |
| 30 | Alabama | $1,380.38 |
| 31 | North Dakota | $1,365.22 |
| 32 | Hawaii | $1,306.97 |
| 33 | Indiana | $1,302.51 |
| 34 | Nevada | $1,282.50 |
| 35 | Washington | $1,279.84 |
| 36 | Utah | $1,234.30 |
| 37 | Virginia | $1,233.36 |
| 38 | Nebraska | $1,210.74 |
| 39 | Oregon | $1,194.69 |
| 40 | Idaho | $1,183.47 |
| 41 | South Carolina | $1,182.18 |
| 42 | Tennessee | $1,170.12 |
| 43 | Arizona | $1,152.50 |
| 44 | North Carolina | $1,130.45 |
| 45 | Massachusetts | $1,043.80 |
| 46 | Iowa | $1,039.04 |
| 47 | New Hampshire | $1,011.23 |
| 48 | Wisconsin | $1,010.93 |
| 49 | Ohio | $999.86 |
| 50 | Vermont | $968.58 |
| 51 | Maine | $902.85 |
In the survey, average rates were calculated for more than 2,400 vehicles in 2010. Rates were based on a 40-year old male driver who commutes 12 miles to work, has a $500 deductible on collision and comprehensive coverage, and carries limits of 100/300/50, meaning a $100,000 maximum injury liability for one person, $300,000 for all injuries, and $50,000 property damage per collision.
Copyright © 2006-2010 Consumers Union of U.S., Inc. No reproduction, in whole or in part, without written permission.
