Among the ten states DriveLower serves, Florida is by far the most expensive for car insurance, averaging about $264 a month for full coverage and $87 for state-minimum coverage. Ohio and North Carolina are the cheapest at about $124 a month for full coverage, with Ohio's minimum coverage averaging just $48. The national average for full coverage is about $177 a month (LendingTree, Quadrant Information Services data, December 2025).
- Florida full coverage ($264/mo) costs more than twice Ohio or North Carolina ($124/mo).
- Georgia, Alabama, South Carolina, Tennessee and Illinois cluster between $150 and $155 a month for full coverage, below the national average.
- Kentucky ($176) and Arkansas ($197) are the surprise expensive states in the group.
- Minimum coverage runs $48 to $87 a month depending on state, but the gap to full coverage is $70 to $180 a month.
- These are averages for one driver profile. Your ZIP code, record, vehicle and credit can move your rate by hundreds of dollars.
Minimum coverage, rate factors and discounts differ by state. See the rules and rates where you drive:
Average car insurance cost by state (2026)
The figures below are from LendingTree's analysis of Quadrant Information Services rate data, updated December 2025 for 2026. The full-coverage profile is a 30-year-old driver with good credit, a clean record and a 2018 Honda CR-V, carrying 50/100/50 liability, matching uninsured motorist coverage and $500 deductibles. Minimum coverage uses each state's required limits.
| State | Full coverage / month | Full coverage / year | Minimum coverage / month | vs. national average (full) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Florida | $264 | $3,168 | $87 | +49% |
| Arkansas | $197 | $2,364 | $59 | +11% |
| Kentucky | $176 | $2,112 | $84 | −1% |
| Georgia | $155 | $1,860 | $68 | −12% |
| Illinois | $154 | $1,848 | $61 | −13% |
| Alabama | $153 | $1,836 | $59 | −14% |
| South Carolina | $152 | $1,824 | $66 | −14% |
| Tennessee | $150 | $1,800 | $53 | −15% |
| North Carolina | $124 | $1,488 | $60 | −30% |
| Ohio | $124 | $1,488 | $48 | −30% |
| U.S. average | $177 | $2,124 | — | — |
Source: LendingTree, Car Insurance Rates by State for 2026, using Quadrant Information Services data. Annual figures are monthly rates multiplied by 12. Averages are for comparison only; individual quotes vary.
Florida vs. Georgia: why the border costs $109 a month
Drive from Valdosta, Georgia to Lake City, Florida and the average full-coverage premium jumps from about $155 to $264 a month, roughly $1,300 a year, for the same driver and car. Four things explain most of it:
- No-fault PIP. Florida requires every policy to carry $10,000 in personal injury protection that pays regardless of fault, which adds cost and invites fraud. Georgia is a traditional at-fault state.
- Uninsured drivers. Florida consistently ranks among the states with the highest share of uninsured motorists, which pushes up uninsured motorist premiums for everyone else.
- Litigation and claims costs. Florida's legal environment for auto claims has historically been one of the most expensive in the country, though 2023 tort reform is starting to show in some carriers' rates.
- Weather and density. Hurricanes, flooding and the traffic density of Miami, Tampa and Orlando all raise comprehensive and collision losses.
Why Ohio and North Carolina are so cheap
Ohio has low population density outside its three big metros, relatively few uninsured drivers, mild weather losses and a competitive insurance market. North Carolina adds a rate bureau system that caps how much insurers can charge standard-risk drivers, and its 2025 move to 50/100/50 minimums has not changed its position as one of the cheapest states. Both average about $1,488 a year for full coverage, 30% under the national figure.
Kentucky and Arkansas: the surprise expensive states
Kentucky's choice no-fault system requires $10,000 PIP, and the state has above-average claim frequency and high uninsured rates, which is why its minimum-coverage average ($84) is nearly as high as Florida's. Arkansas has the second-highest full-coverage average in the group ($197) driven by high rates of uninsured motorists, severe weather (hail and tornadoes) and rural roads with higher fatality rates.
What moves your rate inside a state
State averages set the baseline, but these factors can swing your own quote by 30% or more in any direction:
- ZIP code: urban cores like Miami, Atlanta, Memphis and Chicago run well above their state average; rural counties run below.
- Driving record: one at-fault accident typically raises rates 40% to 50% for three years.
- Credit-based insurance score: used in all ten of our states; poor credit can double a premium.
- Vehicle: repair cost, theft rate and safety ratings all feed the price.
- Coverage choices: deductibles, limits and optional coverages like rental reimbursement.
See the ten factors that affect your rate and twelve ways to lower it.
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Frequently asked questions
Which state has the most expensive car insurance in the Southeast?
Florida. Full coverage averages about $264 a month ($3,168 a year) in 2026, roughly 49% above the national average and more than double Ohio or North Carolina, according to LendingTree's analysis of Quadrant Information Services data.
Which state has the cheapest car insurance: Ohio, North Carolina or Tennessee?
Ohio and North Carolina tie at about $124 a month for full coverage. Ohio has the cheapest minimum coverage of the three at about $48 a month, with Tennessee at $53 and North Carolina at $60.
How much more is car insurance in Florida than Georgia?
About $109 a month more for full coverage ($264 vs. $155) and about $19 a month more for minimum coverage ($87 vs. $68), based on 2026 averages. The difference comes mainly from Florida's no-fault PIP requirement, its high share of uninsured drivers, claims litigation costs and weather exposure.
Will my rate go up if I move to Florida?
Usually, yes, often substantially. Florida's full-coverage average is 49% above the national figure. Quoting with your new ZIP code before you move is the only way to see your actual number; see our moving states checklist for the steps.
Are these the rates I would get?
No. They are averages for one driver profile and one vehicle, published for comparison. Your rate depends on your ZIP code, driving record, credit history, vehicle and coverage choices. A GEICO quote with your ZIP code takes about two minutes and shows your real price.