{"id":13031,"date":"2026-05-18T21:01:59","date_gmt":"2026-05-18T21:01:59","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.freeway.com\/knowledge-center\/?p=13031"},"modified":"2026-05-19T19:48:07","modified_gmt":"2026-05-19T19:48:07","slug":"top-ten-states-with-fastest-rising-insurance","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.freeway.com\/knowledge-center\/data-articles\/top-ten-states-with-fastest-rising-insurance\/","title":{"rendered":"The 10 States Where Auto Insurance Is Rising the Fastest"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

States with severe weather, higher repair costs, increased vehicle theft and rising litigation tend to see the highest car insurance rates in the country.  But which states are experiencing the fastest increases right now?<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Using actual customer policy data from Freeway Insurance customers, this article highlights the 10 states where auto insurance rates are rising the fastest and explores the factors contributing to higher costs for drivers.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Car insurance<\/a> remains essential financial protection helping drivers cover vehicle damage, medical expenses, liability claims, and other unexpected costs after an accident. However, rising premiums are creating additional financial pressure for many households across the country.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The findings are based on written premium included in the Freeway Insurance 2026 Auto Insurance Rates Report<\/a>, which analyzes trends using actual policies purchased under real underwriting conditions rather than quoted estimates.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Despite rising costs across the industry, Freeway Insurance continues to help drivers compare coverage options from multiple carriers, including solutions for non-standard drivers, SR-22<\/a> insurance needs, and customers with accidents or violations on their records.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Table: States Where Freeway Customers are Experiencing the Highest Rate Rise in 2026<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

This table, which contains data from actual Freeway Insurance written policies, shows year-over-year increases for the 10 states with the fastest-rising car insurance prices.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

States<\/strong><\/td>2025Q1<\/strong><\/td>2025Q2<\/strong><\/td>2025Q3<\/strong><\/td>2025Q4<\/strong><\/td>2026Q1<\/strong><\/td>2026vs2025<\/strong><\/td>Avg<\/strong><\/td><\/tr>
Vermont<\/td> $87.51<\/td> $117.02<\/td> $90.68<\/td> $130.02<\/td> $96.68<\/td>10%<\/td>27%<\/td><\/tr>
Hawaii<\/td> $84.44<\/td> $106.61<\/td> $101.99<\/td> $101.52<\/td> $111.35<\/td>32%<\/td>14%<\/td><\/tr>
New Jersey<\/a><\/td> $172.28<\/td> $170.57<\/td> $172.71<\/td> $173.24<\/td> $184.92<\/td>7%<\/td>9%<\/td><\/tr>
Kansas<\/a><\/td> $118.53<\/td> $116.38<\/td> $119.15<\/td> $121.71<\/td> $123.02<\/td>4%<\/td>8%<\/td><\/tr>
Montana<\/td> $139.53<\/td> $111.03<\/td> $107.52<\/td> $123.46<\/td> $127.99<\/td>-8%<\/td>8%<\/td><\/tr>
Georgia<\/a><\/td> $236.39<\/td> $230.85<\/td> $228.67<\/td> $220.38<\/td> $219.99<\/td>-7%<\/td>8%<\/td><\/tr>
Nevada<\/td> $213.77<\/td> $217.93<\/td> $215.13<\/td> $212.03<\/td> $218.97<\/td>2%<\/td>6%<\/td><\/tr>
Washington<\/td> $186.08<\/td> $179.48<\/td> $182.08<\/td> $182.79<\/td> $183.03<\/td>-2%<\/td>6%<\/td><\/tr>
Maine<\/td> $123.10<\/td> $129.26<\/td> $123.46<\/td> $124.42<\/td> $133.09<\/td>8%<\/td>6%<\/td><\/tr>
Idaho<\/td> $129.88<\/td> $125.37<\/td> $123.35<\/td> $122.00<\/td> $121.45<\/td>-6%<\/td>5%<\/td><\/tr><\/tbody><\/table><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

*States ranked based on the <\/em>average year-over-year change in first-quarter premiums<\/em><\/a>, comparing 2025 vs 2024 and 2026 vs 2025. Fastest rising reflects the highest average year-over-year growth, with additional context on whether increases were consistent across both years.<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

When costs rise due to factors like severe weather, litigation, or medical expenses, an insurance company typically passes those increases on to policyholders through higher premiums.<\/p>\n\n\n

\n
\"Symbolic<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n

State-by-State Look at the Fastest-Rising Auto Insurance Costs<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Understanding local factors\u2014laws, claim patterns, and weather\u2014helps explain the sticker shock where you live.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

1. Vermont: Harsh Winter Weather<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Vermont car insurance rates are climbing due to a combination of harsh winter driving conditions, costly weather-related claims, rising repair expenses for high-tech vehicles, and a high rate of deer collisions. Inflation and increasing labor and medical costs are also contributing to higher premiums statewide.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

From the first quarter of 2024 to the first quarter of 2026, rates rose by an average of 27%.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

2. Hawaii: High COLA and No-Fault PIP<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Hawaii car insurance rates are rising due to expensive vehicle repair and shipping costs, limited insurer competition, growing weather-related risks, and higher claims tied to advanced vehicle technology. Honolulu\u2019s traffic congestion and theft rates, along with Hawaii\u2019s mandatory no-fault insurance requirements, also contribute to higher premiums statewide.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

From the first quarter of 2024 to the first quarter of 2026, rates rose by an average of 14%.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

3. New Jersey: Dense Traffic and High Medical Costs<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

New Jersey car insurance rates<\/a> are rising due to heavy traffic congestion, costly no-fault insurance requirements, increasing vehicle repair expenses, and growing medical and legal claim costs. Litigation, insurance fraud, inflation, and weather-related claims are also putting upward pressure on premiums statewide.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

From the first quarter of 2024 to the first quarter of 2026, rates rose by an average of 9%.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

4. Kansas: Weather and Theft<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Kansas car insurance rates are rising largely due to costly severe weather claims from hail, tornadoes, and flooding, along with increasing vehicle repair and medical costs. Rural highway risks, inflation, and growing theft-related claims are also contributing to higher premiums statewide.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

From the first quarter of 2024 to the first quarter of 2026, rates rose by an average of 8%.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

5. Montana: Weather and Wildlife Collisions<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Montana car insurance rates are rising due to severe winter driving conditions, frequent wildlife collisions, and costly weather-related claims. Higher repair, medical, and labor costs, along with the risks associated with rural high-speed driving, are also driving premiums upward statewide.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

From the first quarter of 2024 to the first quarter of 2026, rates rose by an average of 8%.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

6. Georgia: Traffic Congestion and Weather<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Georgia car insurance rates<\/a> are rising due to heavy traffic congestion, high uninsured driver rates, increasing vehicle theft, and costly weather-related claims. Higher repair, medical, and legal expenses \u2014 especially in the Atlanta metro area \u2014 are also pushing premiums upward statewide.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

From the first quarter of 2024 to the first quarter of 2026, rates rose by an average of 8%.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

7. Nevada: Rapid Population Growth and Tourists<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Nevada car insurance rates<\/a> are rising due to growing traffic congestion, high uninsured driver and vehicle theft rates, and increased accident risk tied to tourism and urban growth. Rising repair, medical, and legal costs \u2014 especially in Las Vegas \u2014 are also contributing to higher premiums statewide.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

From the first quarter of 2024 to the first quarter of 2026, rates rose by an average of 6%.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

8. Washington: Traffic Congestion and Theft<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Washington car insurance rates are rising due to traffic congestion, increasing vehicle theft, and costly weather-related claims. Higher repair, medical, and labor costs \u2014 especially in the Seattle metro area \u2014 are also contributing to higher premiums statewide.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

From the first quarter of 2024 to the first quarter of 2026, rates rose by an average of 6%.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

9. Maine: Harsh Winters and Wildlife Collisions<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Maine car insurance rates are rising due to harsh winter driving conditions, frequent deer collisions, and increasing weather-related claims. Higher repair, medical, and labor costs, along with the risks associated with rural driving, are also contributing to higher premiums statewide.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

From the first quarter of 2024 to the first quarter of 2026, rates rose by an average of 6%.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

10. Idaho: Wildfire and Uninsured Drivers<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Idaho car insurance rates are rising due to rapid population growth, worsening traffic congestion, and severe winter driving conditions. Increasing wildfire and weather-related claims, along with higher repair, medical, and labor costs, are also contributing to higher premiums statewide.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

From the first quarter of 2024 to the first quarter of 2026, rates rose by an average of 5%.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Why Auto Insurance Is Rising So Fast in These States<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

While every state differs, several factors push costs higher everywhere:<\/p>\n\n\n\n