Car liability insurance costs an average of $180 a month. The rate quoted to you by an auto insurance company will change depending on things such as your driving history, where you live, and more. There are ways to decrease your premium as well, such as discounts.
This article will cover
How much is liability car insurance?
The average rate for liability car insurance is $2,160 a year, or $180 a month. This average will vary, depending on what state you live in and other factors.
The following table shows both the average annual and monthly rates of all 50 states, as well as each state's minimum-coverage car insurance limits. The state requirements are listed in the format of bodily injury per person/bodily injury coverage per accident/property damage coverage. For example, Maryland's minimum-coverage requirements are 30/60/15. This means that Maryland drivers are required to carry at least:
- $30,000 bodily injury coverage per person
- $60,000 bodily injury coverage per accident
- $15,000 property damage coverage
| State | Annual rate | Monthly rate | Liability requirements |
|---|---|---|---|
| Alabama | $2,110 | $176 | 25/50/25 |
| Alaska | $1,339 | $112 | 50/100/25 |
| Arizona | $3,123 | $260 | 25/50/15 |
| Arkansas | $1,541 | $128 | 25/50/25 |
| California | $1,891 | $158 | 15/30/5 |
| Colorado | $2,208 | $184 | 25/50/15 |
| Connecticut | $2,772 | $231 | 25/50/25 |
| Delaware | $2,514 | $209 | 25/50/10 |
| Florida | $4,162 | $347 | 10 PIP/10 PDL |
| Georgia | $1,947 | $162 | 25/50/25 |
| Hawaii | $1,576 | $131 | 20/40/10 |
| Idaho | $1,200 | $100 | 25/50/15 |
| Illinois | $2,368 | $197 | 25/50/20 |
| Indiana | $1,560 | $130 | 25/50/25 |
| Iowa | $1,580 | $132 | 20/40/15 |
| Kansas | $1,582 | $132 | 25/50/25 |
| Kentucky | $3,430 | $286 | 25/50/25 |
| Louisiana | $3,423 | $285 | 15/30/25 |
| Maine | $1,048 | $87 | 50/100/25 |
| Maryland | $2,211 | $184 | 30/60/15 |
| Massachusetts | $2,456 | $205 | 20/40/5 |
| Michigan | $4,278 | $357 | 250/500/10 |
| Minnesota | $2,580 | $215 | 30/60/10 |
| Mississippi | $2,120 | $177 | 25/50/25 |
| Missouri | $1,881 | $157 | 25/50/10 |
| Montana | $1,447 | $121 | 25/50/20 |
| Nebraska | $1,734 | $145 | 25/50/25 |
| Nevada | $2,623 | $219 | 25/50/20 |
| New Hampshire | $1,711 | $143 | 25/50/25* |
| New Jersey | $3,304 | $275 | 15/30/5 |
| New Mexico | $1,548 | $129 | 25/50/10 |
| New York | $3,712 | $309 | 25/50/10 |
| North Carolina | $1,028 | $86 | 30/60/25 |
| North Dakota | $1,907 | $159 | 25/50/25 |
| Ohio | $1,441 | $120 | 25/50/25 |
| Oklahoma | $1,992 | $166 | 25/50/25 |
| Oregon | $2,123 | $177 | 25/50/20 |
| Pennsylvania | $2,212 | $184 | 15/30/5 |
| Rhode Island | $3,683 | $307 | 25/50/25 |
| South Carolina | $2,705 | $225 | 25/50/25 |
| South Dakota | $1,866 | $155 | 25/50/25 |
| Tennessee | $1,492 | $124 | 25/50/15 |
| Texas | $2,454 | $204 | 30/60/25 |
| Utah | $2,017 | $168 | 25/65/15 |
| Vermont | $1,370 | $114 | 25/50/10 |
| Virginia | $1,617 | $135 | 25/50/20 |
| Washington | $2,387 | $199 | 25/50/10 |
| West Virginia | $1,596 | $133 | 25/50/25 |
| Wisconsin | $1,521 | $127 | 25/50/10 |
| Wyoming | $1,616 | $135 | 25/50/20 |
| Average rates are based on non-binding estimates provided by Quadrant Information Services. Your rates may vary. | |||
It's important to note that a state's average cost of auto liability insurance does not reflect its minimum coverage limits. For example, Vermont and New York require drivers to carry the exact same minimum-coverage limits, but Vermont's average car insurance rate is less than half that of New York's.
Find the cheapest liability car insurance where you live
Cheapest liability car insurance
What is liability auto insurance?
Liability car insurance helps cover repair costs, court fees and medical expenses that can occur after an accident you cause. There are two key parts to liability car insurance:
- Bodily injury coverage: This portion of your liability car insurance pays for the medical costs of others you injure in an accident. It also covers legal fees if you're sued as a result of the accident. Bodily injury coverage has limits for both a person injured in an accident, and the total number of people injured in an accident.
- Property damage coverage: This coverage helps to pay for damage you cause to another's car or personal property.
It's important to reiterate that liability auto insurance does nothing for your own damages after an accident. In order for your damages and injuries to be covered, you need collision insurance.
What factors affect liability car insurance cost?
Your final rate for liability car insurance is based on many different factors, some of them more under your control than others. These include:
Your insurance history
If you have auto accidents, speeding tickets or DUIs on your insurance record, this increases your risk level for filing a claim. Auto insurers will raise your rates in order to compensate for their potential costs of covering you.
The car you drive
The make and model of your car, as well as its age, will factor into the cost of your liability car insurance. You can expect to pay more if you've had custom work done on the car as well.
Your chosen coverage limits
If you raise your auto liability limits, you will see an increase in your rate. Despite the increase in cost, we highly recommend raising the limits of your minimum-coverage insurance. States do not frequently increase their car liability coverage requirements, which can lead to insufficient coverage for you. If you wind up being responsible for an accident resulting in a long court case or hospital stay, your coverage limits can easily be surpassed. Any costs associated with the accident beyond your limits will have to be paid out of your own pocket.
In order to avoid this, we recommend raising your auto liability limits to 100/300/100. Despite the higher coverage levels, the cost difference in premiums isn't that expensive.
How to find cheap liability car insurance coverage
Comparing quotes, choosing the right deductible and taking advantage of your insurer's discount offers can significantly reduce your current car insurance rates. Taking a careful hand when choosing the policy you want can yield lower insurance costs.
Compare car liability insurance quotes
Car insurance companies offer different prices for the same liability coverage. Providers put different weights on different risk factors when calculating your quote. For example, one company may put a heavier weight on how old your car is than another company does. In order to make sure you're getting the best liability coverage at your best cost, compare car insurance quotes from multiple insurers.
Be careful with your deductible
When you raise your car insurance deductible, you lower your premium. Look at your auto insurance claim history. If you don't have many, or preferably any, claims on your record, consider taking a higher deductible. While you would have to pay more should you have to file a claim, the premium savings over time can be worth it.
Look at discounts available
In order to stay competitive, car insurers offer various discounts to attract policyholders. For example, many providers offer a bundling discount where, if you bundle your car insurance policy with a life, renters or homeowners insurance policy, you can get big savings on both policies. When looking at an insurer, make sure to ask them about all the discounts available to you.
Methodology
The rates shown in this article are based on an analysis of hundreds of thousands of quotes obtained from Quadrant Information Services for sample drivers in every U.S. state and the District of Columbia.
Unless otherwise noted, a typical sample driver is a 35-year-old male with a clean driving record and good credit. All rates are based on prices quoted for customers who drive a 2012 Honda LX for an average of 13,500 miles per year.
Minimum-coverage policies meet the minimum insurance requirements for the state reflected in each quote.
References:
QuoteWizard.com LLC has made every effort to ensure that the information on this site is correct, but we cannot guarantee that it is free of inaccuracies, errors, or omissions. All content and services provided on or through this site are provided "as is" and "as available" for use. QuoteWizard.com LLC makes no representations or warranties of any kind, express or implied, as to the operation of this site or to the information, content, materials, or products included on this site. You expressly agree that your use of this site is at your sole risk.