Auto Insurance Cost Reprieve
2025 brought consumers relief after years of rate hikes, but 2026 could bring renewed policy pain, depending on how U.S. trade policy affects prices.

If U.S. trade tariffs on imports push up the cost of automotive parts, that could in turn drive up the cost of auto insurance claims that insurers could pass on to consumers.
Pexels/Pixabay
Automotive insurance rates fell last year after several years of increases, according to data compiled by insurance comparison shopping website Insurify.
The average 2025 annual insurance cost in the U.S. fell 6% to $2,144 after a more than 40% average annual insurance cost increase from 2022 to 2024.
Insurers, back in profits last year after increasing policy rates since the pandemic, focused on adding customers, pricing policies competitively in many corners of the country, Insurify said.
Some states saw even bigger drops than the national average, including two of the biggest, California and Texas, whose average fell 8%. There were fewer accidents in those two states last year, and Texas also saw fewer vehicle thefts, trends likely helping to tamp down insurance rates for policy holders there.
This year could be a different story across the U.S., though. Insurify projects more than a half percentage point increase in average annual U.S. auto insurance cost, and federal trade policy presents a wild card.
If U.S. trade tariffs on imports push up the cost of automotive parts, that could in turn drive up the cost of auto insurance claims, increased costs insurers could transfer to policy holders in higher rates, the company said.
“If that happens, companies will likely pass those higher expenses on to policyholders — and a 1% increase could turn into 4% in 2026,” said Insurify Senior Economic Analyst Matt Brannon.
Originally posted on F&I and Showroom
More Industry

World EV Adoption Set to Grow
A new report says the segment, despite recent setbacks in some regions, is poised for acceleration as many countries look to reduce pollution.
Read More →
Black Book: Weekly Market Update
Wholesale automotive auction business stayed steady last week as bidders encountered lower prices, analysts observed.
Read More →
Pricing Transparency Drives Purchase Consideration
An annual study by JD Power found that clear pricing matters to consumers on automaker websites, so much so that it increases their purchase consideration.
Read More →
Black Book: Weekly Market Update
Used-vehicle market depreciation was the prevailing story in the wholesale market last week.
Read More →
Smaller Is Looking Better
A growing number of Americans in the market for a new vehicle are opting for more affordable options, not waiting for market stability to bite the bullet.
Read More →
U.S. EV Market Slowly Stabilizes
U.S. electric-vehicle interest is slowly stabilizing since a major dip in sales after last year's end of the federal EV tax credit, and hybrids remain the leading electrified power train.
Read More →
Global EV Market Entering New Phase
Automakers are making investments to lower battery costs and optimize production to meet changing consumer needs.
Read More →
Black Book Weekly Market Update
The holiday weekend, not surprisingly, put a drag on wholesale automotive activity last week, analysts observed.
Read More →
Auto Affordability in Context
Cox Automotive points out the complex circumstances that have led to eye-popping vehicle prices.
Read More →
Black Book: Weekly Market Update
Automotive auction inventory increased last week, giving choosy bidders even more leeway.
Read More →