Car Insurance Costs by Age, Record, and Credit (2026)

How much should car insurance cost? The answer depends on your age, driving record, credit score, and where you live. But there are solid benchmarks.

Based on QuoteFii's analysis of NAIC and BLS data (2026), the average driver pays about $1,803 per year for full coverage car insurance, or roughly $150 per month [1][2]. Minimum coverage (liability only) averages about $866 per year ($72 per month) [1][2].

Those are national averages. Your actual rate could be significantly higher or lower depending on the factors below. This page breaks down what drivers pay based on the variables that matter most, so you can benchmark your own rate.

Want to skip the research and see your actual rate? Compare quotes from top carriers in about 2 minutes. It's free and there's no obligation.

Full Coverage vs. Minimum Coverage

Full coverage car insurance is a combination of liability, collision, and comprehensive coverage that protects both you and your vehicle. It averages $1,803 per year ($150/month), compared to $866 per year ($72/month) for minimum liability-only coverage, based on NAIC data analyzed by QuoteFii [1][2]. That's roughly a 2.1x price difference.

Coverage Type	Monthly Average	Annual Average
Full Coverage	$150	$1,803
Minimum (Liability Only)	$72	$866

Last updated: March 2026 [1][2] | View interactive table

If you're financing or leasing your car, your lender almost certainly requires full coverage. If you own your car outright, consider whether you could afford to replace it out of pocket. A common rule of thumb: if your car's value is less than 10 times your annual collision and comprehensive premium, those coverages may not be worth the cost [3].

Average Car Insurance Cost by Age

Younger drivers pay significantly more for car insurance. Drivers under 25 pay an average of $297 per month for full coverage, 98% more than the $150 per month baseline for drivers aged 25 to 64, based on rate data from 11 state Departments of Insurance [1][2]. Age ranks among the strongest rating factors because younger drivers statistically file more claims.

Age Group	Monthly Avg. (Full Coverage)	Annual Avg. (Full Coverage)
Under 25	$297	$3,564
25 to 64	$150	$1,803
65+	$143	$1,716

Last updated: April 2026 [1][2] | View interactive table

Insurance pricing treats age in three broad tiers. The biggest rate drop happens around age 25, when drivers move from the young driver tier to the baseline. The 25 to 64 range is relatively flat. Seniors 65 and older receive a modest discount (about 5%) in most states, reflecting lower annual mileage and decades of driving experience.

If you're paying significantly more than the average for your age bracket and have a clean driving record, that's a signal worth investigating. Drivers who compare quotes when they notice this kind of gap save a median of $461 per year [4].

How Your Driving Record Affects Your Rate

A single speeding ticket raises the average premium by about 30%, from $150 to roughly $195 per month [5]. One at-fault accident raises it by approximately 44%, to about $216 per month [5]. A DUI increases it by roughly 74%, to about $261 per month [6]. Your driving history is the single biggest rate factor you can control, and violations typically affect your premium for three to five years.

Driving Record	Monthly Avg. (Full Coverage)	Annual Avg. (Full Coverage)
Clean record	$150	$1,803
One speeding ticket	~$195	~$2,340
One at-fault accident	~$216	~$2,592
DUI	~$261	~$3,137

Last updated: March 2026 [5][6] | View interactive table

That's roughly a 30% increase for a speeding ticket, 44% for one at-fault accident, and 74% for a DUI. The impact stays on your record for three to five years in most states, though some states look back further for serious violations.

If you had a violation in the past but your record has been clean for three or more years, comparing quotes could reveal carriers that weigh older violations less heavily. See also: are you paying too much?

How Your Credit Score Affects Your Rate

In 46 states plus D.C., insurers use credit-based insurance scores as a rating factor. Only California, Hawaii, Massachusetts, and Michigan ban this practice [7].

The gap is significant:

Credit Level	Monthly Avg. (Full Coverage)	Annual Avg. (Full Coverage)
Excellent credit	$120	$1,440
Poor credit	$212	$2,544

Last updated: March 2026 [6] | View interactive table

That's a $92/month difference for the same coverage on the same car. If your credit has improved since you last shopped for insurance, comparing quotes could result in a meaningfully lower rate.

How Your Vehicle Affects Your Rate

Insuring a luxury sports car costs an average of $3,006 per year, while a minivan averages just $1,291 per year [6]. Insurers look at your car's value, repair costs, safety ratings, and theft rates, and these factors can shift your premium by thousands per year.

Vehicle Type	Annual Avg. (Full Coverage)
Luxury sports car	$3,006
Minivan	$1,291

Last updated: March 2026 [6]

If you're shopping for a new car, it's worth checking insurance costs before you commit. The purchase price is just the starting point; the ongoing insurance cost can vary dramatically between models.

How Much Can You Save by Comparing?

Drivers who compare quotes and switch carriers save a median of $461 per year, according to a Consumer Reports survey of more than 40,000 drivers [4]. That's not the maximum; that's the typical result for someone who takes a few minutes to check.

The range is wide. Some drivers save $200 per year, while others save $900 or more [4]. A couple profiled by AARP cut their annual premium from $6,374 to $3,694, saving $2,680 per year by comparing quotes for identical coverage [8].

The reason savings are so common: carriers price risk differently. Two companies can look at the same driver, the same car, and the same zip code and come up with rates that differ by hundreds of dollars.

Compare quotes from top carriers in about 2 minutes to see what you'd actually pay. It's 100% free, and there's no obligation.

What Should You Pay? (By State)

Drivers in the most expensive states pay roughly twice as much as those in the cheapest states. Florida leads at $208 per month for full coverage, while Maine is the most affordable at just $97 per month, according to QuoteFii's analysis of NAIC data [1].

For the full 50-state breakdown, see our Average Car Insurance Cost by State in 2026 guide. That page has every state's average, rankings, and tips for lowering your rate based on where you live. You can also explore our interactive state rates table and state minimum requirements.

Quick reference:

Most expensive: Florida ($208/mo), Louisiana ($207/mo), New York ($198/mo), Washington, D.C. ($190/mo), Georgia ($182/mo) [1]

Least expensive: Maine ($97/mo), Vermont ($100/mo), North Dakota ($100/mo), Idaho ($103/mo), Hawaii ($104/mo) [1]

Frequently Asked Questions

Is $200 a month a lot for car insurance?

For drivers aged 25 to 64 with a clean record, $200 per month is above the national average for full coverage ($150/month) [1][2]. If you're under 25, $200 would be a very competitive rate since younger drivers typically pay $297 or more per month [1].

How much should a 25-year-old pay for car insurance?

At 25, you enter the baseline age tier, where the national average is about $150 per month for full coverage [1][2]. Your actual rate depends on your state, driving record, and credit score. A 25-year-old with a clean record in Ohio might pay less than $120, while the same driver in Florida could pay $250 or more.

Does car insurance get cheaper as you get older?

Yes. The biggest drop happens around age 25, when you move from the young driver tier ($297/month average) to the baseline tier ($150/month) [1]. Rates stay relatively flat from 25 through 64, then drop slightly for seniors 65 and older ($143/month) [1].

How much does a speeding ticket raise car insurance?

A single speeding ticket raises the average premium by about 30%, based on rate comparison data from state Departments of Insurance [5]. An at-fault accident has a larger impact, increasing the average premium by about 44% [5]. Both typically affect your rate for three to five years.

Does credit really affect car insurance rates?

Yes, in most states. Drivers with excellent credit pay an average of $120 per month, while those with poor credit pay $212 per month for the same coverage [6]. That's a $1,104 per year difference. Only California, Hawaii, Massachusetts, and Michigan prohibit using credit in insurance pricing [7].

The Bottom Line

What you pay for car insurance depends on your specific combination of age, driving record, credit score, vehicle, and state. But now you have the benchmarks to judge whether your rate is in line or above average.

If your rate is significantly above the average for your profile and you haven't compared quotes recently, there's a strong chance you're paying more than you need to. Enter your zip code to compare rates from top carriers. It takes about 2 minutes, it's 100% free, and there's no obligation.

Figures labeled "QuoteFii analysis" are composite averages derived from NAIC and BLS government data. This methodology produces more representative benchmarks than any single source. Individual sources are listed below.

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