Average auto insurance premiums fell in most of the US’s most expensive markets in the first half of 2026, according to an analysis of customer policy data by agency Freeway Insurance. Rhode Island stood out with a sharp increase.
South Carolina had the highest average premium among Freeway customers, at $297.28 a month, down 2.5% on the first half of 2025. New York was second at $276.12, down 7.0%, followed by Rhode Island at $254.01, up 26.6%.
Of the 10 highest-cost locations, six saw average premiums fall. The District of Columbia had the largest decline, down 16.6% to $249.74. Maryland fell 1.9% to $250.47, Delaware 5.3% to $247.62, and Missouri 6.4% to $212.85.
Four locations saw increases. Alongside Rhode Island, Massachusetts rose 5.9% to $222.91, Nevada rose 4.0% to $211.12 and Connecticut rose 1.0% to $236.39.
Across the 10 highest-cost locations, the average monthly premium was about $245.85, more than double the $103.93 average among the 10 lowest-cost states.
Freeway said its analysis uses premiums from actual policies bought by its customers, rather than quoted or advertised rates. It covers single-driver, single-vehicle liability and full coverage policies issued through Freeway, comparing January to June 2025 with January to June 2026, with at least 100 qualifying policies in each period.
Freeway cautioned that the figures reflect its own customers and shouldn’t be read as the rate every driver in a state can expect. Driving history, the vehicle, coverage choices and other permitted rating factors all affect individual premiums.
The declines in most high-cost markets are consistent with other signs that personal auto pricing is easing after several years of steep increases. The Insurance Information Institute and Milliman forecast that personal auto net written premium will fall 0.6% nationally in 2026. In Connecticut, the state’s Insurance Department recently highlighted rate filings with decreases from several major carriers.
Rhode Island’s 26.6% rise goes against that trend. Freeway didn’t explain the increase, and it may reflect changes in the mix of its customers in the state as well as carrier rate changes.
For personal lines agents, falling premiums in expensive markets give them a reason to remarket clients who saw large increases in recent years. Shoppers are more price-sensitive than ever, and as recent research from LexisNexis Risk Solutions found, most drivers who switch insurers do so because of price.
The data also comes with caveats. Freeway serves many budget-conscious and nonstandard drivers, so its figures may not reflect the experience of preferred customers. Agents should use the data as a guide to direction rather than a benchmark for individual quotes.
