The Zebra, a digital platform that facilitates comparison of insurance policies, has reported a nationwide increase in car insurance premiums by an average of 5% in 2023. Authored by insurance analyst Ava Lynch, The Zebra's report suggests that insurance rates can surge even if a driver maintains a clean record devoid of accidents and violations.

The Zebra further details that the 5% hike in car insurance premiums, between 2022 and 2023, elevated the average American's premium cost to $1,851. This follows an upward trend in auto insurance premiums, which saw a rise of 15% between 2021 and 2022 and a 3% increase between 2020 and 2021. As per their data, drivers paid an average of $1,483 for their premiums in 2020.

According to The Zebra, drivers who did not commit any violation, or add a new vehicle or person to their insurance coverage, or upgrade their plan could still witness price increases. Factors such as extreme weather conditions, inflation, and higher costs for vehicle replacement parts are cited as potential reasons for these price hikes. Mark Friedlander from the Insurance Information Institute adds that other "miscellaneous" elements can also impact insurance costs. He says, "Other factors impacting the rising cost of auto insurance include more litigated claims due to increased accident severity, higher costs of medical care, a spike in uninsured motorists (14% national average at year-end 2022) and an escalation of vehicle thefts – more than 1 million cars were stolen in 2022, the highest volume since 2009."

The company's website reveals that The Zebra was established in 2012 with the objective of simplifying the process of selecting insurance policies for consumers. Utilizing customer information through its algorithm, The Zebra compares over one hundred insurance providers to suggest policies best suited to customer needs. Lynch became part of The Zebra in 2016.