According to an Insure.com study, Louisiana is number one -- in a very bad way. The Pelican State has the highest average insurance rates in the nation, beating out Michigan and Georgia to take the not-so-illustrious title for 2013.
On the flip side, Maine turned out to be the least expensive state for insurance rates, followed by Iowa and North Carolina.
Insure.com says a number of factors go into making rates more painful in some states. These factors include "the number of insurers competing for business, driving conditions, the portion of drivers who are uninsured, and the way state insurance systems are set up," according to the site.
Louisiana was the number one most expensive state because drivers that get into accidents file more bodily harm claims than in any other state. Additionally, Louisiana experiences a lot of comprehensive claims, which come as a result of natural disasters. The state's judicial system doesn't help either, because lawsuits involving claims under $50,000 go before judges instead of juries. Experts say elected judges are more likely to side with local people than insurance companies.
Conversely, Maine was the least expensive state because most people drive on uncrowded rural roads and have become accustomed to driving in bad weather conditions. Maine is also very strict when it comes to teenage drivers. Young drivers have to complete a state-approved driver education course before they can apply for a learner's permit and then must complete a three-step graduated licensing system which lets them get driving experience under lower-risk conditions.
See below for the 5 most and 5 least expensive states for car insurance. For the full list, head over to Insure.com.
Most Expensive States (Average annual premium)
1. Louisiana - $2,699
2. Michigan - $2,520
3. Georgia - $2,155
4. Oklahoma $2,074
5. Washington, D.C. - $2,006
Least Expensive States (Average annual premium)
1. Maine - $934
2. Iowa - $1,028
3. North Carolina - $1,085
4. Ohio - $1,106
5. New Hampshire - $1,112
Are you shopping for a new car this month? Check out a special tool provided by Kia, here, that allows you to compare two to five cars to see how they compare on on price, features and performance.
On the flip side, Maine turned out to be the least expensive state for insurance rates, followed by Iowa and North Carolina.
Insure.com says a number of factors go into making rates more painful in some states. These factors include "the number of insurers competing for business, driving conditions, the portion of drivers who are uninsured, and the way state insurance systems are set up," according to the site.
Louisiana was the number one most expensive state because drivers that get into accidents file more bodily harm claims than in any other state. Additionally, Louisiana experiences a lot of comprehensive claims, which come as a result of natural disasters. The state's judicial system doesn't help either, because lawsuits involving claims under $50,000 go before judges instead of juries. Experts say elected judges are more likely to side with local people than insurance companies.
Conversely, Maine was the least expensive state because most people drive on uncrowded rural roads and have become accustomed to driving in bad weather conditions. Maine is also very strict when it comes to teenage drivers. Young drivers have to complete a state-approved driver education course before they can apply for a learner's permit and then must complete a three-step graduated licensing system which lets them get driving experience under lower-risk conditions.
See below for the 5 most and 5 least expensive states for car insurance. For the full list, head over to Insure.com.
Most Expensive States (Average annual premium)
1. Louisiana - $2,699
2. Michigan - $2,520
3. Georgia - $2,155
4. Oklahoma $2,074
5. Washington, D.C. - $2,006
Least Expensive States (Average annual premium)
1. Maine - $934
2. Iowa - $1,028
3. North Carolina - $1,085
4. Ohio - $1,106
5. New Hampshire - $1,112
Are you shopping for a new car this month? Check out a special tool provided by Kia, here, that allows you to compare two to five cars to see how they compare on on price, features and performance.
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