Photo via Wikipedia.

Photo via Wikipedia.

Michigan is the most expensive state for car insurance, while Maine, Ohio and Idaho with their large swatches of rural areas are the least expensive, according to Insure.com.

The average annual premium in Michigan has reached $2,394, and the state has been at the top of this list for four consecutive years. The premium is 82% higher than the national average of $1,076.

"Michigan residents can blame their unique no-fault system for their high cost of auto insurance," said Penny Gusner, consumer analyst for Insure.com. "It allows for unlimited medical benefits for injuries sustained in auto accidents and a lot of fraud arises — the result is exorbitant car insurance premiums for car owners."

Other highest-cost insurance states include Louisiana ($1,921), Connecticut ($1,897), Rhode Island ($1,848), and Florida ($1,840).

Louisiana’s high rates are due in large part to the litigious culture of the state, according to Insure.com. When large claims are continually paid out, insurance companies raise all policyholders’ premiums to cover these settlements.

At the other end of the spectrum, the average annual premium in Maine has reached $864. That state has offered the cheapest insurance for three consecutive years. The Michigan rate is 177% higher than the Maine average.

While insuring a 2017 Toyota Camry LE in Michigan would cost $2,711 on average, that same car would draw an average rate of $845 in Maine.

Other lower cost states include Ohio ($919), Idaho ($942), Vermont ($948), and North Carolina ($1,010).

Car insurance requirements vary by state, and that’s one reason for the differences in rates, according to the survey. Other reasons include state legal systems, how the state is affected by natural disasters, crime rates and the frequency and severity of claims.

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