If you’ve felt the pinch of rising car insurance premiums over the past few years, you’re not alone — and you’re definitely not staying quiet about it. According to a new report from LexisNexis, nearly half of all personal auto policies were shopped at least once in the past year. That’s a record high, and it tells us something important: drivers everywhere are asking the same question you might be asking right now — am I really getting the best deal on my auto insurance?
At Haven Insurance Partners, we think that’s a great question to ask. Here’s what’s driving this nationwide trend, and what it means for you.
Car Insurance Has Become a Major Budget Item
It used to be that people compared gas prices and monthly car payments when budgeting for a vehicle. Not anymore. Insurance now ranks as the second-highest consideration when purchasing a new vehicle — right behind the monthly car payment, and ahead of fuel costs, maintenance, and repairs.
That shift is significant. It means car insurance isn’t just a box you check — it’s a real line item that deserves real attention.
Drivers Are Taking Control With Higher Deductibles
One of the clearest signs that consumers are feeling the pressure? More people are choosing higher deductibles to keep their monthly premiums manageable. Policies with a deductible of $1,000 or higher jumped from 23% in 2022 to 33% in 2025.
That’s a significant shift in just three years. While a higher deductible can lower your premium, it also means more out-of-pocket costs if you file a claim. It’s a trade-off worth understanding — and one of our agents at Haven can help you think through based on your specific situation.
Shopping Is Up, But Switching Isn’t Always the Answer
Here’s something interesting from the data: even though shopping hit record highs, retention actually stabilized in 2025, suggesting that while consumers compared options, fewer ultimately switched.
What does that mean for you? Shopping around is smart — but the lowest price isn’t always the right price. Coverage gaps, poor claims service, and inadequate limits can cost you far more in the long run than a few dollars saved on your monthly premium. The goal isn’t just a cheaper policy; it’s the right policy.
Think it might be time to compare your options? Start your free quote with Haven Insurance Partners here — it only takes a few minutes.
The Roads Are Getting Riskier
Here’s something that might surprise you: distracted driving violations are up 57% from 2022 to 2025. And it’s not just younger drivers — drivers ages 36–45 saw a 70% increase in distracted driving violations, and drivers 66 and older saw a 73% increase.
Part of the culprit? Modern vehicles themselves. Adjusting touchscreen controls requires 5.5 seconds of attention — more than three times what analog interfaces demand.
Riskier roads mean more claims, and more claims mean insurers are paying closer attention to driving behavior when pricing policies. If you have a clean driving record, that’s leverage — and you should be using it.
What This Means for You
The auto insurance market is more competitive than ever, which is actually good news for consumers who are willing to explore their options. Here’s what we recommend:
- Review your coverage annually. Your life changes — your policy should keep up.
- Don’t adjust your deductible without a plan. Make sure you have savings to cover it if you need to file a claim.
- Consider your driving habits. A clean record is valuable — make sure your insurer is recognizing it.
- Work with an independent agent. Unlike captive agents who only represent one carrier, Haven works with multiple insurance companies to find you the coverage that fits your life and your budget.
Haven Insurance Partners Is Here to Help You Shop Smarter
You deserve more than just a price quote. You deserve someone who takes the time to understand your situation and finds coverage that genuinely protects you.
If you haven’t reviewed your auto policy recently, now is the perfect time. Haven’s team will do the shopping so you don’t have to — comparing options across multiple carriers to find the right fit for you.
Get started with your free quote today →
It takes just a few minutes to find out if you could be better covered — or better priced. Click here to begin.