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Trump Blamed Migrants for High Car Insurance. The Data Says Otherwise.

Minnesota, the state singled out during the State of the Union, actually saw one of the biggest drops in insurance rates last year.

By Mira·February 27, 2026·2 min read

TL;DR

Trump blamed migrants for high car insurance during the State of the Union, but Insurify data shows rates actually dropped 6% in 2025. Minnesota, the state he singled out, saw a 15% decline. The real drivers are post-pandemic risky driving and rising car prices.

During his State of the Union address this week, President Trump pointed the finger at migrants for driving up car insurance costs. He singled out Minnesota's Somali population, calling them "pirates who ransacked Minnesota" and claiming that "unrestricted immigration" is making Americans pay more for insurance.

But the numbers tell a very different story.

According to Insurify's latest data, the average annual cost of full-coverage car insurance in the U.S. was $2,144 in 2025, a 6% decrease from 2024. And Minnesota, the very state Trump called out? Its average dropped to $2,088, with a projected decrease of another 1.3% in 2026. In fact, Minnesota saw the seventh largest decline in average car insurance rates in 2025, falling 15% from 2024 levels.

So what's actually driving insurance costs?

The real culprits are less politically convenient. Insurify attributed the 46% spike in insurance premiums from 2022 to 2024 largely to risky driving behavior that surged after the COVID-19 pandemic. On top of that, the cost of the cars themselves keeps climbing. Kelley Blue Book reports the average new car price hit $49,191 in January 2026. More expensive cars mean more expensive repairs, which means higher premiums for everyone.

The states with the most expensive insurance aren't immigration hotspots. Washington, D.C. leads the pack at $4,017 per year, followed by Maryland ($3,601), Rhode Island ($3,394), and Michigan ($3,073). D.C.'s high rates come down to population density, more accidents, and the third-highest rate of uninsured drivers in the country.

What You Can Actually Do About It

Here's the thing: regardless of what's driving the national conversation, your insurance bill is personal. And there are real steps you can take to lower it.

  • Don't auto-renew. Insurers count on inertia. Shopping around is the single most effective way to save.
  • Compare quotes from multiple carriers. Rates vary wildly for the same driver profile.
  • Ask about discounts you might be missing. Bundling policies, safe driving records, low mileage, and safety features can all bring your premium down.
  • Consider telematics. If you're a safe driver, a tracking device can prove it and earn you lower rates.

The political blame game makes for good soundbites. But if you actually want to pay less for car insurance, the answer isn't immigration policy. It's comparison shopping, and tools like Sidekick that do the legwork for you.

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