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According to a recent study commissioned by Insure.com, Louisiana has the highest average car insurance rates in the nation. Maine, however, has the lowest.

The study’s findings are based on the average auto insurance rates for more than 2,400 vehicles in 10 zip codes per state from six of the nation’s largest auto insurance providers.

Featuring an average insurance premium of $2,510.87, Louisiana takes the cake for being the most expensive state in which to insure a car. The reason, Insure.com explains, is a combination of the state’s court system and bad roads.

Insure.com writes: “In Louisiana, only cases with claims in excess of $50,000 receive a jury trial. … That sweetens the pot for seeking a claim against an at-fault driver – and insurance companies pay the tab.” Richard Clements, a past president of the Independent Insurance Agents of Greater New Orleans, tells Insure.com that in such cases state judges tend to favor people’s claims rather than case facts because they’re elected, not appointed.

Duane Dimattia, a director of the Professional Insurance Agents of Louisiana, adds that insurance rates are greater in Louisiana because the state has higher bodily injury rates and lawsuits per capita than many others. He blames Louisiana’s bad roads.

Not far behind Louisiana is the state that can’t catch a break, Michigan. Its average auto insurance premium is $2,098.29. According to Insure.com, Michigan’s high rates are due to a state medical law, as well as a catastrophic unemployment rate.

“Unlike any other state, it offers unlimited medical benefits for the life of accident victims — no matter what policy they buy,” says Insure.com. “Under the system, an individual’s insurance carrier covers the first $460,000 in benefits. Above that amount, a statewide pool (called the Michigan Catastrophic Claims Assessment) kicks in, which affects the rates of everyone in the state.”

With nearly 15 percent of Michigan’s workforce unemployed, many folks are also driving uninsured — which increases the burden on insured motorists and jacks up premiums for everyone.

Maine, however, doesn’t face such dilemmas. It boasts the lowest average car insurance premium in the country, a mere $902.85.

Insure.com attributes the state’s low insurance rates to a number of factors. Among them is the state’s relatively small population. Because there aren’t many people driving, roads are less congested and the number of accident claims is low. What’s more, at least 30 insurance providers compete in Maine — increasing competition and driving insurance rates down.

However, Chris Condon, incoming president of the Maine Insurance Agents Association, tells Insure.com that the reason insurance premiums are so low in Maine is because its people are nice and fair. Condon says: “It’s a real proud culture… People are less likely to sue than they might be elsewhere. I think that impacts those rates over time.”

Below is Insure.com’s list of “The Most and Least Expensive States for Car Insurance,” with average annual premiums for each.

Top Ten Most Expensive:

1. Louisiana $2,510.87
2. Michigan $2,098.29
3. Oklahoma $1,869.39
4. Montana $1,857.96
5. California $1,774.41
6. South Dakota $1,772.83
7. Washington, D.C. $1,753.19
8. Georgia $1,751.42
9. Illinois $1,679.15
10. Connecticut $1,678.90

Top Ten Least Expensive:

1. Maine $902.85
2. Vermont $968.58
3. Ohio $999.86
4. Wisconsin $1,010.93
5. New Hampshire $1,011.23
6. Iowa $1,039.04
7. Massachusetts $1,043.80
8. North Carolina $1,130.45
9. Arizona $1,152.50
10. Tennessee $1,170.12

To see where your state ranks, visit Insure.com.

If you’re in need of an insurance price quote or a new car, check out the U.S. News rankings of this year’s best cars as well as this month’s best car deals.