Jul. 25--Consumers have enjoyed lower auto insurance rates for a few years, but now they're heading back up.

Rates in Missouri and Illinois increased 3.8 percent from April through June, according to Insurance.com, an online auto insurance agency.

A Missouri car owner who was paying $1,569 a year now pays $1,629. An Illinois owner who was paying $1,512 now pays $1,570.

Missouri and Illinois were among the 10 states with the largest percentage increase in premiums, the study says.

Nationwide, this was the second consecutive quarter for rate increases, reversing a trend of steady or falling auto rates.

Eric Gerst, a lawyer, insurance industry critic and author of the book "Vulture Culture," expects insurance rates to go up as gas prices continue to rise.

He writes that the companies have fixed costs to pay (just like us). So when some consumers can't afford to renew their policies, insurers keep profits up by:

-- Increasing rates to existing customers.

-- Decreasing benefits.

-- Increasing deductibles.

-- Or all of the above.

Let us know what's happening to your rates and coverage. Use the e-mail address at the end of this column.

SMALLER CAR, LOWER INSURANCE COSTS?

Don't think that switching to a smaller car to save money on gas will keep your insurance rates down. Online broker Insure.com says downsizing can actually increase your car insurance bill.

The owner of a new Toyota Camry pays an average annual premium of $1,302. The owner of a Ford F-series pickup pays even less: $1,194.

Step down to the smaller Honda Civic, and rates shoot up to $1,670 per year.

The insurance industry blames small cars -- and those who drive them.

Small cars are involved in more crashes and are less safe than large cars, according to the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety, a research group funded entirely by insurers.

Insurers also maintain that small cars tend to be driven by younger drivers who are more likely to get into crashes.

Drivers of small, lightweight cars are twice as likely to die in a crash as drivers of big heavy cars.

Institute spokesman Russ Rader points to safety consequences when moving from a bigger vehicle to a smaller one.

"You could put all the safety state-of-the-art equipment that we have today into a small, light car, and it won't be as safe as a bigger, heavier vehicle with the same equipment," Rader says.

Some small cars won't increase your insurance rates.

Insurers say the Mini Cooper, Volkswagen New Beetle and Volkswagen Golf are three of the small cars that stay at "average" or better for insurance losses.

Insure.com says that's not because of the design of these cars "but the fact that they tend to be driven by more experienced drivers."

We asked Jeff Bartlett, deputy editor online for autos at Consumer Reports, about higher insurance costs for small cars. He ran the numbers and says the higher rates make sense.

Even though smaller cars are less expensive, he says, injury risks are greater. And it's more expensive to repair a person than a car.

"I hope, in the end, consumers are not driven away from small cars," Bartlett says.

In shopping for a small car, he advises paying extra attention to the safety features and performance. He suggests a smallish car that could satisfy your growing needs instead of the smallest cars on the road.

"Think Prius/Corolla, rather than Yaris," he says of the Toyota lineup.

Fortunately, he adds, cars tend to be safer with each successive generation. The newest small cars often are fitted with side airbags, electronic safety controls and active headrests.

And then there's the savings from gas prices.

Switching from a Ford F-150 pickup (13 miles per gallon city/17 mpg highway) to a Honda Civic (25/36) can save nearly $2,000 annually at the gas pump.

msorkin@post-dispatch.com -- 314-340-8347