The true cost of auto insurance in 2021 [SECTION 1]

A majority of Americans allocate a portion of their monthly paycheck to car insurance premiums, but what is the true cost of car insurance over time? Understanding your monthly car insurance output could impact other areas of your life. When life happens, like getting a ticket or a credit score decrease, these costs can increase thousands of dollars more.

The national average for full coverage auto insurance is $1,674 per year, but Americans can pay significantly different rates depending on their location. Scroll over the interactive U.S. map above to see average rates in your state or metro area and how these common life events affect them. Each state is ranked between one and 50, and each city is ranked between one and 25. The lower the ranking, the less impact your auto insurance premiums have on your annual income, based on average percentages.

Knowing how much other drivers pay for auto insurance in your area can help you understand how your premiums stack up against the average. The factors that determine your premium are ever-changing and may increase or decrease your premium over time. States vary by degree of impact as well. Drivers in California may be surprised to learn that although they pay nearly $400 more than the national average for full coverage insurance, at $2,065 per year, events such as coverage lapses negatively impact their rates the least compared to other states. See how common life events may impact rates in your area above.