TRENTON, N.J., September 26 – New Jersey still has the highest auto insurance costs in the country, a ranking it wishes would go to some other state.

According to the latest finding, it cost an average $1,183.54 to insure one car in New Jersey in 2005, edging out New York and the District of Columbia for the top spot.

It has been the most expensive auto insurance state for 18 of the past 20 years.

The findings and the rankings are included in the latest report of auto premium comparisons by the National Association of Insurance Commissioners (NAIC).

The report found that the average cost of car insurance premiums in the nation is $829.17, a one percent drop from a year ago.

The figures for New Jersey showed there has been a modest decline of the premium costs in the past three years.

For the region, the report showed New York with an average premium at $1,122, and Connecticut at $990.

Officials in the state Insurance Department said that insurance costs will remain high because of high coverage levels, dense traffic conditions, and the high number of expensive cars in the state.