HUNTINGTON BEACH, Calif., Oct. 29, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — Freeway Insurance today released new findings identifying the states with the highest car insurance rates in 2026, based on an analysis of actual customer policy data rather than quoted or estimated rates.
South Carolina had the highest average car insurance rate in the analysis, at $297.28 per month, followed by New York at $276.12 and Rhode Island at $254.01. Rhode Island also posted the sharpest year-over-year increase in the group, with its average premium rising approximately 26.6% compared with the first half of 2025.
Unlike many industry reports that rely on advertised rates or hypothetical driver profiles, Freeway’s analysis is based on actual policy purchase transactions, providing a view of what Freeway customers in the analysis actually paid for coverage.
The 10 locations with the highest average car insurance rates in the first half of 2026 were:
- South Carolina: $297.28 (-2.5%)
- New York: $276.12 (-7.0%)
- Rhode Island: $254.01 (+26.6%)
- Maryland: $250.47 (-1.9%)
- District of Columbia: $249.74 (-16.6%)
- Delaware: $247.62 (-5.3%)
- Connecticut: $236.39 (+1.0%)
- Massachusetts: $222.91 (+5.9%)
- Missouri: $212.85 (-6.4%)
- Nevada: $211.12 (+4.0%)
Across these 10 locations, the average monthly premium was approximately $245.85, more than double the $103.93 average among the 10 lowest-cost states.
Freeway cautions that these figures reflect aggregated Freeway customer data and shouldn’t be read as the rate every driver in a state can expect to pay. Where someone lives can meaningfully affect their premium, but individual rates also depend on driving history, vehicle, coverage selections, and other rating factors permitted by the state.
The complete findings, including the full rankings, methodology, and additional analysis, are available in Freeway’s 2026 Auto Insurance Rates Report.
Methodology: The analysis is based on aggregated, anonymized premium data from eligible single-driver, single-vehicle liability and full-coverage policies issued through Freeway Insurance, comparing January through June 2025 with January through June 2026, with at least 100 qualifying policies in each comparison period.
About Freeway Insurance
Established in 1987, Freeway Insurance is one of the largest and fastest-growing personal lines insurance brokers in the United States, offering coverage through a “click, call, or come in” approach that connects customers nationwide. The company continually researches, grows, and diversifies its product offerings to stay responsive to the evolving insurance market. Freeway provides a wide range of options—from basic to premium coverage—in auto, truck, commercial vehicle, homeowners, renters, small business, motorcycle, recreational vehicle, fire, and flood insurance. In 2008, Freeway Insurance became part of Confie, the nation’s leading personal lines insurance distribution company. Customers can access Freeway Insurance through neighborhood offices, online at www.freeway.com, or by calling (800) 300-0227.
Media Contact:
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SOURCE Freeway Insurance
