Advertiser disclosure: No link on this page pays us today. Quote links go to each company's own quote page. If a quote company pays us later, it will cost you nothing, and we will update this notice. We never rank or pick data based on pay. See Methods and disclosure and Disclosures.
Are car insurance rates going up or down in 2026?
Across the US, car insurance prices in September 2026 were 5.0% lower than in September 2025.
This is the newest government price count (BLS) with a 12-month change. It is for the whole country, not one state. BLS published no 12-month change for October 2026 because it did not publish an October 2025 index, so September 2026 is the latest month with one.
Short answer: Down from a year ago. The government tracks car insurance prices each month (BLS price index). From September 2025 to September 2026, prices changed -5.0%. September 2026 is the latest month with a yearly change.
BLS published no 12-month change for October 2026 because it did not publish an October 2025 index, so September 2026 is the latest month with one. In October 2026 the index was 854.597, +0.7% from the month before (seasonally adjusted).
Compare car insurance quotes
Averages do not tell you what you will pay. To know your price, get quotes for your own car, driving record and coverage. These links open each company's quote page. We list them A to Z, not by pay. There is no form here. We do not collect your details.
EverQuote Quote comparison marketplace
Root App-based insurer, quotes from Root only
The Zebra Quote comparison site
See the monthly numbers and charts
In 2026 so far, the seasonally adjusted index fell in 6 of 10 months. The largest monthly drops were in May (-1.7%) and June (-2.0%). The latest month, October 2026, was +0.7% seasonally adjusted.
For context, December to December, the index rose +14.2% in 2022, +20.3% in 2023, +11.3% in 2024 and +2.8% in 2025 (our calculation from BLS index values). Prices in September 2026 are lower than a year ago but remain far above where they were before those increases.
Monthly change, seasonally adjusted
BLS series CUSR0000SETE, percent change from the previous month as published in each CPI release. Red bars are increases, green bars are decreases. BLS did not publish an October 2025 CPI, and the November 2025 motor vehicle insurance index was shown as unavailable, because of the 2025 federal funding lapse.
Index level, not seasonally adjusted
Month by month
| Month | Index (NSA) | Change vs year earlier | Monthly change (SA) |
|---|---|---|---|
| October 2026 | 854.597 | not published | +0.7% |
| September 2026 | 846.102 | -5.0% | +0.1% |
| August 2026 | 848.231 | -5.1% | -0.8% |
| July 2026 | 856.080 | -4.5% | -0.3% |
| June 2026 | 858.481 | -4.1% | -2.0% |
| May 2026 | 877.278 | -2.0% | -1.7% |
| April 2026 | 894.315 | +0.2% | +0.1% |
| March 2026 | 897.145 | +0.8% | 0.0% |
| February 2026 | 897.406 | +0.2% | -0.3% |
| January 2026 | 892.491 | +0.5% | -0.4% |
| December 2025 | 892.879 | +2.8% | not published |
| September 2025 | 890.473 | +3.1% | -0.4% |
| August 2025 | 894.075 | +4.7% | 0.0% |
| July 2025 | 896.018 | +5.3% | +0.1% |
| June 2025 | 895.281 | +6.1% | +0.1% |
| May 2025 | 895.262 | +7.0% | +0.7% |
| April 2025 | 892.553 | +6.4% | +0.6% |
| March 2025 | 890.353 | +7.5% | -0.8% |
| February 2025 | 895.970 | +11.1% | +0.3% |
| January 2025 | 887.651 | +11.8%* | +2.0% |
* Our calculation from unadjusted index values where the release did not state it. Index base 1982-84=100.
December to December change by year
| Year | December vs December |
|---|---|
| 2025 | +2.8% |
| 2024 | +11.3% |
| 2023 | +20.3% |
| 2022 | +14.2% |
| 2021 | +4.1% |
| 2020 | -4.8% |
| 2019 | 0.0% |
| 2018 | +4.6% |
| 2017 | +7.9% |
| 2016 | +7.0% |
What this means for your bill
The CPI tracks the overall change in what US urban consumers pay for motor vehicle insurance. It does not predict your own renewal, which depends on your insurer, state, car and record. If your renewal went up while the index is falling, it may be worth getting new quotes. Average costs by state for 2024 are on our state comparison.