MINNEAPOLIS (FOX 9) – Car insurance rates in Minnesota jumped 55 percent over the last year, a dramatic hike higher than those in every other state, according to a report by insurance website Insurify.

The rise is nearly twice the national average, which was 28 percent, according to the report. The average annual cost of full coverage is $2,315, up from $1,492. The report measured a period between June 2023 and June 2024.

The report blamed severe weather for the surge in rates, pointing out the hailstorms in August 2023 that dropped golf- and baseball-size hail on the Twin Cities. Those storms caused 1.8 billion worth of damage, the report said. The uptick in claims cost the insurance companies, which then pass the cost to consumers.

But Andrew Whitman, a former deputy insurance commissioner and professor at the University of Minnesota, said drivers also share the blame.

“People are driving way over the speed limit, and when they crash it totals the car,” he said.

Only one other state, Missouri, saw a spike of more than 50 percent.

Whitman said consumers have more options than in years past if they want to switch carriers. He also noted that insurers don’t raise rates higher than necessary to avoid losing business.

“They can go to the market on the web in a way that they couldn’t do a few years ago, and that creates competition,” he said. “The insurance companies are not going to increase their premiums any more than they have to because they want to keep their market.”

Another way to save money, he said, is to keep your car, since insuring a new one is always more expensive.

A Minneapolis man has shared a heartbreaking video of him and his wife finding out the gender of their unborn baby, just weeks before the soon-to-be mom and child were killed by a drunk driver.

Christopher Yang posted footage online showing him and his late wife Melinda Thao express joy as they discovered the gender of their baby daughter Leona. 

The clip shows Yang going through results on his phone inside their car before happily revealing to his wife that they would be having a baby girl. 

Thao can be seen in the clip laughing and smiling as she gleefully says: ‘It’s a girl! Oh my god crazy.’

On Sunday, just five weeks after the touching moment, Thao was killed along with her unborn daughter after being involved in a car collision with a drunk driver. Yang survived with minor injuries.

On Sunday, just five weeks after the touching moment, Thao and her daughter were killed after being involved in a car collision, with Yang surviving

Authorities have said that Makayla April Sua Richardson, 20, blew through a red light while under the influence of alcohol and crashed into the family. 

Authorities have said that Makayla April Sua Richardson, 20, blew through a red light while drunk and crashed into the family

Richardson was charged on Tuesday with vehicular homicide, two counts of criminal vehicular operation and one count of driving under the influence. 

If convicted, Richardson faces up to 10 years in prison for her part in their deaths, she was released on bond on Wednesday according to the Star Tribune. 

Richardson told cops that she had one drink before driving, and admitted to speeding and not having a valid license, according to court documents seen by KSTP.

Responding officers reported that they saw an empty can inside her vehicle that contained alcohol. Richardson also failed a field sobriety test.

According to the Tribune, in a later interview with cops, she said she had two shots of alcohol and half an alcoholic seltzer. 

Since the incident, Yang has started an online fundraiser to help him with expenses related to the death of his wife and daughter. 

In his GoFundMe, he also detailed their difficulties that they had in trying to be parents for the first time. 

According to Yang their baby daughter, who they had already named, was due to be born on his wife’s birthday, January 19

He wrote: ‘Melinda was so excited, she waited until I went on lunch break so we can look at the results together. To our surprise, it was a GIRL!’

According to Yang their daughter, who they had already named, was due to be born on his wife’s birthday, January 19. 

He added: ‘It pains me to be reminded that we bought baby clothes that morning [of the crash], and now I don’t have Melinda or Leona.  

‘I place myself in a vulnerable situation to everyone to also help me with the injuries I sustained, on-going recovery (physically, emotionally, and mentally), and future court proceedings.

‘Everything is happening too fast, but I am trying to think ahead to get justice and closure for Melinda and Leona in the court.

‘If you find it in your heart and financial means to help, I thank you very much from the bottom of my heart. I pray that everyone stays safe, love your loved ones dearly, and continue to cherish every moment in your life.’

With a target set of $150,000, Yang has already raised over $36,000 as of Thursday evening. 

Gov. Tim Walz made a surprise appearance at the DNC Minnesota delegation breakfast the morning after accepting the vice presidential nominee to thank the delegates for their support. In a true Minnesota fashion, Walz brought Sweet Martha Cookies in honor of the first day of the Minnesota State Fair.