Automobile insurance rates are at an all-time high nationwide. In the Tri-Cities (Johnson City, Kingsport, Bristol) metro area, rates are up 34% since 2011.
A recent study by the website The Zebra revealed current average annual auto insurance premiums for:
• Tri cities metro: $1,150
• Virginia: $901 (2nd least expensive state in the U.S.)
• Tennessee: $1,315 (29th most expensive state)
• U.S.: $1,427
Even more granular, the following Tri Cities metro area zip codes pay the most for car insurance:
1. Mooresburg 37811 $1,201
2. Bulls Gap 37711 $1,200
3. Eidson 37731 $1,199
4. Roan Mountain 37687 $1,192
5. Church Hill 37642 $1,184
6. Hampton 37658 $1,184
7. Surgoinsville 37873 $1,183
8. Rogersville 37857 $1,175
9. Mount Carmel 37645 $1,172
10. Limestone 37681 $1,159
And these pay the least:
1. Johnson City 37614 $1,111
2. Bristol 37620 $1,112
3. Johnson City 37601 $1,113
4. Colonial Heights 37663 $1,114
5. Johnson City 37604 $1,115
6. Blountville 37617 $1,121
7. Johnson City 37615 $1,127
8. Unicoi 37692 $1,130
9. Kingsport 37660 $1,133
10. Telford 37690 $1,134
What’s the reason for the rates?
“Tennessee gets a little bit of almost every type of weather, which is not great for comprehensive claims. Particularly damaging high winds and hail from various storms – summer and winter, tornadoes, and significant flooding – even wildfires. Virginia experiences year-round storms ranging from powerful snow and ice to wind, hail, and flooding, even tropical storms and hurricanes. These factors combined lead to higher likelihood of filing a claim, and higher insurance premiums for all.”
