• The average cost of full coverage car insurance in the U.S. was $2,237 in the first half of 2026.
• Insurance rates are rising alongside the average price of a new car, which reached nearly $50,000 in July 2026.
• Drivers in seven states and Washington, DC, are paying over $3,000 annually for full auto insurance.

Car shoppers are paying more than ever for new models, and the cost of insuring them has also been going up in recent years.

The average annual cost of full coverage car insurance in the United States in the first half of 2026 was $2,237, according to a study that released by Insurify. The group found that insurance rates rose in 27 states in the first half of 2026, with drivers in seven states plus Washington, DC, paying more than $3,000 annual for full auto insurance.

The finding comes as the average price of a new car rose to $49,855 in July, according to Cox Automotive’s Kelley Blue Book. The average June price for new cars was up 0.2% from June’s average of $49,757, and it was also a 1.9% increase over July 2025’s average, according to the group.

Insurify said drivers can’t expect to get any breaks on insurance right now, either.

“In 2025, car insurance prices did something they don’t normally do: fall,” the group said. “But 2026 trends suggest that this decline is ending.”

With that in mind, the USA TODAY Cars team took a look at the 10 most expensive states, plus the District of Columbia, to insure a car.

1. Washington, DC

• Average annual cost (June 2026): $3,880
• Cost change, first half of 2026: -7%
• End of 2026 projected cost: $3,955

2. Maryland

• Average annual cost (June 2026): $3,646
• Cost change, first half of 2026: +1% (+$46)
• End of 2026 projected cost: $3,664

3. Rhode Island

• Average annual cost (June 2026): $3,611
• Cost change, first half of 2026: +2%
• End of 2026 projected cost: $3,600

4. Michigan

• Average annual cost (June 2026): $3,229
• Cost change, first half of 2026: +2%
• End of 2026 projected cost: $3,217

5. Georgia

• Average annual cost (June 2026): $3,109
• Cost change, first half of 2026: -1%
• End of 2026 projected cost: $3,101

6. Delaware

• Average annual cost (June 2026): $3,100
• Projected change, second half of 2026: +2%
• End of 2026 projected cost: $3,163

7. South Carolina

• Average annual cost (June 2026): $3,075
• Cost change, first half of 2026: 0%
• End of 2026 projected cost: $3,075

8. Nevada

• Average annual cost (June 2026): $3,039
• Cost change, first half of 2026: +4%
• End of 2026 projected cost: $3,090

9. New Jersey

• Average annual cost (June 2026): $2,923
• Cost change, first half of 2026: -5%
• End of 2026 projected cost: $2,966

10. New York

• Average annual cost (June 2026): $2,840
• Cost change, first half of 2026: -5%
• End of 2026 projected cost: $2,880

Keith Laing is an automotive reporter on the National Trending Desk at USA TODAY. Contact Keith at klaing@usatodayco.com.