{"id":12921,"date":"2026-04-08T20:26:15","date_gmt":"2026-04-08T20:26:15","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.freeway.com\/knowledge-center\/?p=12921"},"modified":"2026-04-24T01:33:43","modified_gmt":"2026-04-24T01:33:43","slug":"not-all-car-insurance-rates-increased-in-2026","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.freeway.com\/knowledge-center\/data-articles\/not-all-car-insurance-rates-increased-in-2026\/","title":{"rendered":"Not All Car Insurance Rates Increased in 2026"},"content":{"rendered":"\n
If you\u2019ve opened your renewal notice recently and wondered why your car insurance went up, you\u2019re not alone. Millions of drivers across the country saw higher premiums in early 2026, and the reasons go beyond any single insurance company\u2019s decision. Some Freeway Insurance customers actually are seeing a downward trend, however.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
To maximize your potential savings, it’s important to compare car insurance quotes from at least three different insurers annually. When you compare car insurance<\/a> quotes, make sure you’re evaluating the same value across policies\u2014consider coverage options, deductibles, and policy details to ensure an accurate comparison. This approach can help you find significant savings on your premiums, though actual savings may vary depending on your individual circumstances.<\/p>\n\n\n\n The short answer: claim costs surged. More accidents, higher repair bills, and rising medical expenses combined to push auto insurance coverage costs higher throughout 2025 and into 2026.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Several factors drove this increase:<\/p>\n\n\n\n However, not all drivers will see higher rates in 2026. The national average increase is just 0.67%\u2014the smallest jump since 2022\u2014and that average masks significant regional variation.<\/p>\n\n\n\n For example, New Jersey drivers face a projected 10.46% increase, while Iowa drivers may see rates drop by over 6%. These numbers in large part are based on quotes given to those seeking insurance policies.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Auto coverage requirements and available auto insurance coverages vary by state. Drivers should carefully review their auto insurance options to ensure they meet state minimums and have adequate protection for their needs.<\/p>\n\n\n\n According to the Freeway Insurance Auto Insurance Pricing Report<\/a>, which gets its data from more than 1.57 million actual policy purchases – average monthly auto insurance costs showed a modest but consistent downward trend from 2024 to 2025 in some states.<\/p>\n\n\n\n While some drivers benefited from lower costs, others continued to see increases depending on location, risk profile, and coverage. The table below highlights how pricing varied across select states, reinforcing that rate changes in 2026 are not uniform across the country.<\/p>\n\n\n\nWhy Prices Changed\u2014And Why Not Everyone Will Pay More in 2026<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n
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