We’re #12!
The average cost of auto insurance in New Jersey has fallen to #12 when compared to rates in the rest of the country.
At one time New Jersey used to be at the top of the list. But after reforms spearheaded by former Governor James McGreevey and the introduction of competition into the market, rates have tumbled.
Acecording to the survey by the website insure.com, the most expensive auto insurance in the country is found in Louisiana. "Louisiana drivers who get in accidents file more bodily injury claims than drivers in other states," explained ays R. Parke Ellis, president-elect of the Independent Insurance Agents & Brokers of Louisiana and chairman of Gillis, Ellis & Baker Inc. in New Orleans."Louisiana also has a high rate of comprehensive claims, which include damage from natural disasters."
Maine is ranked at the bottom of the list with an average of $934 per year thanks to the rural nature of the state. "Maine's tight restrictions on young drivers and its graduated licensing program for new drivers also likely help keep accidents (and rates) down, says Sheila Sawyer, president of the Maine Insurance Agents Association.
2013 state rankings of car insurance rates (insure.com) | ||
| Rank | State | Avg. annual premium* |
| 1 | Louisiana | $ 2,699 |
| 2 | Michigan | $ 2,520 |
| 3 | Georgia | $ 2,155 |
| 4 | Oklahoma | $ 2,074 |
| 5 | Washington, D.C. | $ 2,006 |
| 6 | Montana | $ 1,914 |
| 7 | California | $ 1,819 |
| 8 | West Virginia | $ 1,816 |
| 9 | Rhode Island | $ 1,735 |
| 10 | Kentucky | $ 1,725 |
| 11 | Connecticut | $ 1,723 |
| 12 | New Jersey | $ 1,697 |
| 13 | Alabama | $ 1,667 |
| 14 | Missouri | $ 1,638 |
| 15 | Massachusetts | $ 1,625 |
| 16 | Pennsylvania | $ 1,604 |
| 17 | Delaware | $ 1,586 |
| 18 | Hawaii | $ 1,583 |
| 19 | Texas | $ 1,545 |
| 20 | Arkansas | $ 1,545 |
| 21 | Maryland | $ 1,528 |
| National average | $ 1,510 | |
| 22 | North Dakota | $ 1,501 |
| 23 | Wyoming | $ 1,496 |
| 24 | Alaska | $ 1,455 |
| 25 | Utah | $ 1,438 |
| 26 | Kansas | $ 1,435 |
| 27 | Minnesota | $ 1,432 |
| 28 | New Mexico | $ 1,431 |
| 29 | Tennessee | $ 1,408 |
| 30 | South Dakota | $ 1,397 |
| 31 | Oregon | $ 1,387 |
| 32 | Nebraska | $ 1,384 |
| 33 | New York | $ 1,369 |
| 34 | Florida | $ 1,364 |
| 35 | Mississippi | $ 1,345 |
| 36 | Nevada | $ 1,341 |
| 37 | Virginia | $ 1,322 |
| 38 | Illinois | $ 1,322 |
| 39 | South Carolina | $ 1,288 |
| 40 | Colorado | $ 1,271 |
| 41 | Wisconsin | $ 1,228 |
| 42 | Arizona | $ 1,227 |
| 43 | Washington | $ 1,226 |
| 44 | Indiana | $ 1,183 |
| 45 | Vermont | $ 1,176 |
| 46 | Idaho | $ 1,133 |
| 47 | New Hampshire | $ 1,112 |
| 48 | Ohio | $ 1,106 |
| 49 | North Carolina | $ 1,085 |
| 50 | Iowa | $ 1,028 |
| 51 | Maine | $ 934 |
| Source: Insure.com. * Dollar figures shown are an average of insurance rates for more than 750 vehicles in the 2013 model year. | ||
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