Car insurance prices soared in 2024 — these states saw the largest spikes

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Auto insurance rates have been soaring for years, and 2024 was no different.

Insurify reported this week that the price of car insurance premiums climbed 15% last year, with American drivers now shelling out an average of $2,313 annually for full coverage.

Traffic light at an intersection

Auto insurance rates continue to soar across the U.S. (Sunny Tsai / Fox News)

Here’s where drivers paid the most for full coverage in 2024:

Maryland – $4,060, up 53%

Traffic on I-95 in Baltimore

Traffic on Interstate 95 (I-95) in Baltimore, Maryland, on Thursday, April 4, 2024.  (Photographer: Nathan Howard/Bloomberg via Getty Images / Getty Images)

« Maryland’s auto insurance rates tend to be influenced by its large population centers, such as Baltimore, and its proximity to Washington, D.C., » Insurify VP of Carrier Management and Operations Betsy Stella told FOX Business. « With urban areas often experiencing higher claim frequencies due to congestion and traffic-related incidents, insurers in the state adjust their rates accordingly to reflect the increased risk. »

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New York – $3,804, up 53%

The New York City skyline at sunrise

New York drivers saw their car insurance jump 53% last year, on average. (Gary Hershorn/Getty Images / Getty Images)

« New York has seen slower regulatory approval for rate increases, which has made it more challenging for insurers to keep pace with rising loss costs, » Stella explained. « As a result, the state’s rate adjustments are more heavily influenced by inflationary pressures that have impacted the insurance industry in recent years, rather than immediate changes in claims frequency. »

District of Columbia – $3,399, up 24%

Washington DC Capitol Street Traffic

Traffic on North Capitol street in Washington, DC. (Photo by Bill O’Leary/The Washington Post via Getty Images / Getty Images)

« Similar to Maryland, Washington, D.C.’s urban setting contributes to higher auto insurance rates due to the frequency of claims in densely populated areas, » said Stella. « Insurers must account for the increased risk of traffic-related accidents in this region, which leads to adjustments in premiums for local drivers. »

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South Carolina – $3,393, up 29%

Myrtle Beach South Carolina

Myrtle Beach, South Carolina (Photo by Sean Rayford/Getty Images / Getty Images)

Stella said that in South Carolina, the most significant factors driving auto insurance rate increases are inflationary pressures and rising repair costs. 

« As the cost of parts and labor continues to climb, insurers must adjust their rates to maintain profitability while ensuring adequate coverage for policyholders, » she said.

Florida – $3,166, up 9% 

Apartments

Miami, Florida ( Joe Raedle/Getty Images) / Getty Images)

« Florida’s auto insurance market is affected by several factors, including a growing population and a higher frequency of severe claims, » Stella noted, adding that inflationary pressures, along with the increasing costs of repairs, have further pushed rates upward in the state.

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« Additionally, » she said, « the state’s vulnerability to weather events—such as hurricanes—also plays a role in the rising cost of auto insurance. »