Updated April 2026
Methodology and Data Sources 2026
Primary Data Sources
NerdWallet 2026 State of Auto Insurance
Annual state-by-state average premium survey, cross-referenced with carrier rate filings. Published March 2026. Provides state full-coverage and minimum-coverage averages for a 35-year-old driver.
ValuePenguin 2026 Auto Insurance Survey
Deepest published age-stratified dataset: rates by age (16-75) across all 50 states. Published February 2026. Also provides vehicle-level and carrier-level data.
Bankrate 2026 State Auto Insurance Data
Uses Quadrant Information Services carrier-level data -- the most granular published dataset. Published January 2026. Provides carrier-level averages within each state.
NAIC Q1 2026 Market Filings
National Association of Insurance Commissioners quarterly market-share data. Provides top-3 carrier market share by direct written premium per state. Primary source for NAIC market structure data.
Insure.com 2026 Annual Report by Model
Per-model average premium data across thousands of vehicle makes and models. Published January 2026. Primary source for model-level cost comparisons on /by-vehicle and /vehicle/[type] pages.
MoneyGeek 2026 by-vehicle and by-age
Vehicle-type multiplier data and age-band premium estimates. Provides cross-reference for Insurify and Insure.com model data.
State DOI Rate-Comparison Reports
Per-state Department of Insurance annual rate-comparison publications. Primary source for state minimum liability requirements, PIP requirements, UM/UIM mandates, and 2025-2026 law changes. Verified per state.
Insurance.com and CarInsurance.com New-Driver Guides
New-driver surcharge unwind curves and per-year premium reduction estimates. Primary sources for /new-driver-progression data.
Calculation Formula
Monthly Estimate =
(State Base Full-Coverage Avg) × Age Multiplier × Vehicle Multiplier × Coverage Tier Multiplier
State base:The state's published full-coverage average for a 35-year-old driving a sedan, per NerdWallet / Bankrate / ValuePenguin 2026 cross-reference. Ranges from $128 (Vermont) to $335 (Nevada).
Age multiplier: The ratio of average premiums at a given age vs the 35-year-old baseline, per ValuePenguin 2026 age data and CarInsurance.com 2026. Age 16: 3.4x. Age 17: 3.1x. Age 18: 2.7x. Age 25: 1.0x. Age 35: 0.85x. Age 65: 0.95x.
Vehicle multiplier: The ratio of average premiums for a given vehicle type vs the sedan baseline, per Insurify 2026 and MoneyGeek 2026. Sedan: 1.0x (baseline). SUV: 0.79x. Truck: 1.05x. Sports: 1.55x. EV: 1.30x.
Coverage tier multiplier: State minimum: 1.0x (baseline). Standard 50/100/50: 1.30x. Full coverage 100/300/100 + collision + comp: 1.75x.
Limitations and Assumptions
- We estimate from published public averages. We do not have access to individual carrier rate filings, which contain the actual formula each carrier uses (often proprietary and filed under trade-secret exemption with state DOIs).
- We do not model your individual credit-based insurance score, which can add 20-100% to your premium in states where it is legal. Our estimates assume an average credit profile.
- We do not model driving record violations (speeding tickets, at-fault accidents, DUI). Our estimates assume a clean driving record.
- We do not model your specific ZIP code within a state. Premium variation within a state can be significant: NYC is 3-4x rural upstate New York.
- We do not model multi-policy bundles, good-student discounts, telematics discounts, or other individual discounts. These can reduce your actual premium by 5-30%.
- The new-driver progression chart approximates surcharge unwind curves based on Insurance.com and NerdWallet guidance. Individual carrier schedules differ. The chart is illustrative, not a carrier-specific rate table.
- All figures are estimates. Get a real quote from a licensed agent or aggregator before buying or switching coverage.
2025-2026 State Law Changes Verified
California -- SB 1107, effective January 1, 2025: Raised minimum liability limits from 15/30/5 to 30/60/15. Source: California DOI, California Legislative Information.
North Carolina -- effective July 2025: Clarified UM/UIM stacking rules. Minimum limits remain 30/60/25. Source: NC DOI.
Utah -- effective January 1, 2025: Raised minimum bodily injury to 30/65/15. Source: Utah DOI.
Virginia -- effective January 1, 2025: Raised minimum limits from 25/50/20 to 30/60/20. Source: Virginia DOI, NJSA 39:6B-1.
New Jersey -- effective January 1, 2026: Raised minimum limits from 15/30/5 to 35/70/25. Source: NJ DOI, NJSA 39:6B-1 amendment.
Texas -- effective 2025: Minimum limits raised to 30/60/25. Source: Texas TDI.
Full disclaimer:Independent calculator. Not affiliated with any insurance carrier, broker, or government agency. Estimates are based on publicly published 2026 state averages, age-stratified premium data, and vehicle-type premium data sourced from NAIC market filings, state DOI rate-comparison reports, and aggregator-published averages. Numbers are estimates only and do not constitute insurance advice or a binding quote. Your actual premium will vary based on your driving record, credit-based insurance score (where legal), claims history, coverage selections, deductible choices, discounts, and the specific carrier's underwriting. Always get a real quote before buying or switching coverage.