Report: Austin Area Car Insurance Rate Hikes Far Above National 5-Year Average

A recently released report by Austin, Texas-based car insurance comparison firm, The Zebra, shows that car insurance rate hikes in the Austin area over the past five years have far exceeded the national average.

Austin car insurance rates have increased 41.4 percent over the past five years, far higher than the national increase of 11 percent over 2011 rates, the company said. The state of Texas has seen an increase of 40.5 percent during that time period.

Texas’ average annual car insurance premium is $1,762, making it the 5th most expensive state for car insurance. In Austin, average rates are 2 percent lower at $1,726.

And even with premiums in Austin far higher than they were five years ago, they’re heading in the right direction. Rates are down 7 percent from 2015. Texas rates are 6.6 percent lower than they were last year and national rates are 3.3 percent higher.

Within the city of Austin, the 78733 zip code saw the largest increase in rates, up 49.25 percent (a $595/year increase) and the 78729 zip code saw the smallest increase in rates, up 22.8 percent ($304/year increase) over this time period.

Austin data comprises 88 zip codes across the metro area and includes: Austin, Bartlett, Bastrop, Buda, Cedar Creek, Cedar Park, Coupland, Dale, Del Valle, Driftwood, Dripping Springs, Elgin, Fentress, Florence, Georgetown, Granger, Hutto, Jarrell, Kyle, Leander, Liberty Hill, Lockhart, Luling, Manchaca, Manor, Martingale, Maxwell, Mc Dade, Paige, Pflugerville, Red Rock, Rosanky, Round Rock, San Marcos, Schwertner, Smithville, Spicewood, Taylor, Thrall, and Wimberley.

According to The Zebra, the national average annual insurance premium in 2016 is $1,323. Ohio has the lowest rates nationally ($764/annual premium) and Michigan has the highest ($2,087/annual premium).

Source: The Zebra