FOSTER CITY, Calif., April 14, 2015 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Drivers in Maine, Ohio and Idaho pay a third less than the national average to insure a new car, according to a new data analysis from Insure.com.
Motorists in Michigan pay by far the most, nearly 90 percent more than the national average.
The car insurance comparison website surveyed rates from six major carriers across multiple ZIP codes in all 50 states and Washington, D.C., averaging rates for the 20 best-selling vehicles nationwide. Those models, led by the Ford F-series pickup, represented 40 percent of the U.S. new-car market in 2014.
"The car you drive matters, of course," said Insure.com consumer analyst Penny Gusner. "But where you live usually matters more."
Last year's best-selling car, the Toyota Camry LE, costs an average of $1,363 nationwide to insure for Insure.com's sample driver, a 40-year-old homeowner with a clean record. But that same driver would pay as little as $843 in Maine and as much as $2,662 in Michigan.
Here are five least-expensive states, ranked on the average cost to insure 2015 editions of the 20 best-selling vehicles, and how they compare with the national average.
1. Maine: $805, 39% less than the national average of $1,311
2. Ohio: $843, 36% less
3. Idaho: $877, 33% less
4. Iowa: $886, 32% less
5. New Hampshire: $905, 31% less
Here are the five most-expensive states and how they compare with the national average:
47. Florida: $1,742, 33% more than the national average
48. Louisiana: $1,774, 35% more
49. District of Columbia: $1,799, 37% more
50. Montana: $1,886, 44% more
51. Michigan: $2,476, 89% more
You can see how all states compare at Insure.com's Car Insurance Comparison page.
What accounts for dramatic differences from state to state, even for the same driver in the same car?
"Laws make a big difference. Each state makes its own rules, and some of them result in bigger or more frequent insurance claims," Gusner said.
Other factors that influence rates can include high theft rates, widespread fraud and a higher concentration of drivers in urban areas, Gusner said. Those also mean rates change not just from state to state but from ZIP code to ZIP code.
"Your driving record and your car are the same no matter where you live," she noted, "but change your ZIP code just a couple of towns the wrong way and your rates can double."
Methodology
Insure.com commissioned Quadrant Information Services to calculate auto insurance rates from six large carriers (Allstate, Farmers, GEICO, Nationwide, Progressive and State Farm) in 10 ZIP codes per state. Rates were compiled in January 2015.
We averaged rates in each state for the cheapest-to-insure 2015 model-year versions of America's 20 best-selling vehicles and ranked each state by that average. Rates are for comparative purposes only within the same model year.
Rates are based on full coverage for a single, 40-year-old male who commutes 12 miles to work each day, with policy limits of 100/300/50 ($100,000 for injury liability for one person, $300,000 for all injuries and $50,000 for property damage in an accident) and a $500 deductible on collision and comprehensive coverage. The hypothetical driver has a clean record and good credit. The rate includes uninsured motorist coverage. Actual rates will depend on individual driver factors.
About Insure.com
Insure.com provides a comprehensive array of information on auto insurance, home insurance, health insurance, and life insurance. The site offers an extensive library of originally authored insurance articles and decision-making tools that are not available from any other single source, including its extensive car insurance discounts tool. Insure.com is owned and operated by QuinStreet, Inc. (NASDAQ: QNST), one of the largest Internet marketing and media companies in the world. QuinStreet is committed to providing consumers and businesses with the information they need to research, find and select the products, services and brands that best meet their needs. The company is a leader in visitor-friendly marketing practices. For more information, please visit QuinStreet.com.
Penny Gusner Consumer Analyst, Insure.com (805) 492-2589
