Average annual auto insurance rates were at their lowest point in more than a year in May, according to Insurance.com’s RateWatch.

The Cleveland-based independent online auto insurance agency said the average rate nationally dropped to $1,871 in May.

The average annual premium had been as high as $1,950 in September 2008, according to its analysis.

The lower premium comes as some industry experts say new car sales will increase as much as 9% this month over May, as dealers seek to relieve their lots of excess inventory of 2009 models before deliveries of the 2010 models. So far this year, new car sales have lagged behind last year, as consumers avoid big purchases in the midst of an economic slowdown.