Md., D.C. among worst in region, nation for auto insurance rates

Two states in the mid-Atlantic region had car insurance rates that were among the highest in a recent survey from BestQuotes, an online insurance seller.

Maryland’s rate was $942, while Washington, D.C.’s rate was $823, according to the annual analysis of median prices for six months of auto coverage.

By comparison, the highest median rate was in Louisiana, at $1,111; the lowest was Idaho, at $436.

North Carolina ranked fifth lowest, at $495. The state increased five, after ranking second lowest in 2010.

Virginia’s rate was seventh lowest, at $521. In 2010, it ranked 13th.

Several other mid-Atlantic states ranked in the middle of the rankings. Pennsylvania ranked 18th, at $574. It ranked 21st last year.

Delaware ranked 32nd, at $682, moving up one from its rank in 2010.

New Jersey ranked 34th, at $689, moving down two from its rank last year.

New York, at $819, ranked 45th, moving from second-worst last year to 45th this year.

California ranked 43rd, with an $809 median price, the same rank as last year.. Meanwhile, Florida netted a 37th rank, at $750, one worst than last year.

4u.com's 2011 Car Insurance Rate Report ranks all 50 states and Washington, D.C., based on the median household car insurance rate for a six-month policy. To determine the rates, InsWeb uses a proprietary system that tracks the filed rates of the largest car insurance carriers in each state as well as actual profiles of 4u.com customers.