Florida ranks as third most expensive state to own a car

A one-two punch of higher insurance and repair bills are behind Florida ranking as the third most expensive state — at $2,516 a year — in the country for car owners.

A survey by financial web site Bankrate.com found that Florida ranked 10th nationally in car repair costs, paying about 10 percent more for parts than the typical U.S. vehicle owner. And Florida drivers in the state paid an average of $1,124 for their policies between 2007 and 2011, according to data from the National Association of Insurance Commissioners. That's 27 percent more than the average U.S. vehicle owner paid over the same span of time.

The cheapest state for car owners? Iowa, at $1,942 or 13 percent below the national average.

Bankrate ranked all 50 states and the District of Columbia based on the cost of repairs, insurance and gasoline.