This year, auto insurance in some states has grown by more than 15%.
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Like many other items in your household budget, your auto insurance will likely cost more this year than it did in 2022.
How much more?
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It depends on many factors, including where you live. The national average for full coverage, commonly defined as liability, collision, and comprehensive, is $2,014 in 2023, up about 2.6% from 2022. new research from Bankrate.
But in some states the jump is over 15%. This includes 16.7% in Illinois – up to $258 to $1,806, as well as 15.4% in Alaska (up to $260 to $1946) and 15.2% in Florida, up to $421 to $3,183.
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Sunshine State is also one of only two places where median premiums have crossed the $3,000 mark, with New York City second at $3,139.
This year, the median is down in two states: New Jersey, where it is down 7.2% to $1,754, and Massachusetts, where it is down 2.6% to $1,262.
Of course, the exact amount you pay also depends on things like the make and model of your vehicle, as well as your specific choice of coverage, as well as your age and driving experience.
While auto insurance tends to eat into a small fraction of a person’s income — about 3% for the average person, according to research from Bankrate — you can cut it even further.
Here are some expert tips to help keep costs down.
Try to improve your credit score
If your state allows it — and most do — insurers can use your credit information for pricing, said Mark Friedlander, a spokesman for the Insurance Information Institute. Industry research shows that drivers who manage their credit history well have fewer claims, he says.
The average annual premium for a person with very good or excellent credit history is usually above 740, on a scale of 300 to 850 is $1,764, according to research by Bankrate. In contrast, a bad credit score—below 580—has an average annual premium of $3,479. That’s an additional $1,715.
Ask about all discounts
Some insurers offer discounts on everything from having an anti-theft device in your car to having more than one car in a policy or “package”—car and homeowner (or renter) insurance from the same provider.
Bundling can save you 8% per year, according to Insurify. Or, if you are in the military, you can save 2.2%. And if you take a driver safety training course as an older American, you can save up to 15.2%.
In addition, low mileage may give a discount. Some insurers offer discounts for driving less than the average number of miles per year.
“If you are currently working from home, I will be sure to let your insurance company know that you are not commuting,” said Brian Moody, executive editor of Kelley Blue Book.
Consider increasing your franchise
The deductible is the amount you pay out of your own pocket when you file a claim. The higher the franchise, the lower the premium.
If you increase your deductible to $500 from $250, Friedlander says it can reduce the cost of coverage by 15-30%.
However, he says, “make sure you have enough money to pay the difference in cost out of your own pocket if you file a claim.”
Shop around
It is advisable to compare your costs with other insurance options once a year.
While cost isn’t the only consideration – you also need a company with salable finance and good service – it’s worth checking to see if another insurance company has a less expensive policy.
“Auto insurance is extremely competitive and companies want your business to increase their market share,” Friedländer said. “Prices can vary significantly from company to company, so it’s worth looking at prices.”
Learn more about usage-based insurance
Many insurance companies offer usage-based insurance policies.
These programs can generate premium discounts by “allowing the insurance company to track how you drive and your driving habits — speed, acceleration patterns, braking patterns — via a mobile app or a connected device in your vehicle,” Friedländer said.
Consider less coverage on older cars
While states require you to have a minimum auto insurance amount that differs from place to place, you can opt out of full coverage or accident insurance if your car is paid for and may not be worth much.
Collision covers what you would expect – crashes with another vehicle or an object like a telephone pole – and comprehensively covers non-collision events such as theft or a tree falling on your car.
“If your car is worth less than 10 times as much, buying these additional insurances may not be cost effective,” Friedländer said.
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