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The average cost of auto insurance for a 17-year-old driver in California is $189 per month for liability-only coverage and $397 for full coverage.
At age 17, you can get your provisional permit, which restricts when you can drive and who you can drive with.
On average, it costs an extra $103 per month to purchase a stand-alone full-coverage policy versus adding your 17-year-old driver to your policy.
The average cost of auto insurance for a 17-year-old driver in California is $189 per month for liability-only coverage and $397 for full coverage, according to Insurify data.
This is significantly more expensive than the average cost of coverage for older age groups.
For example, 20-year-old drivers in California pay $129 per month for liability insurance and $266 for full coverage. For drivers in their 30s, the average cost of coverage drops to $97 per month for liability coverage and $201 for full coverage.
In California, Proposition 103 requires that insurers base premiums most heavily on the driver’s safety record, the number of miles driven each year, and the number of years of experience. Here are some additional rating factors California insurers can use to determine car insurance rates for younger drivers:
Where you live: If you live in a ZIP code that has high rates of car theft, vandalism, or accidents, you’ll likely pay higher rates.
If your teen stays on your policy: Buying your teen a separate policy is generally more expensive than adding them to your insurance coverage.
The vehicle you drive: Insurers typically charge more to insure cars that thieves frequently steal, that are expensive to repair, and that lack safety features.
Coverage type: The type and amount of insurance you choose will also affect your rates. Adding collision, comprehensive, or other insurance options will increase your premiums.
Monthly rates start at $119 for teen drivers
The following table shows rates for teens in California who purchase a separate auto policy. Since a 17-year-old driver is a minor, they’ll typically need written consent from their parent or guardian to get their own insurance policy.
Here are the cheapest full-coverage and liability insurance quotes for 17-year-old drivers in California.
Insurance Company  | Average Monthly Quote: Full Coverage | Average Monthly Quote: Liability Only |
|---|---|---|
| Root | $203 | $131 |
| Aspire General | $219 | $123 |
| Mercury | $255 | $133 |
| GEICO | $257 | $128 |
| USAA | $265 | $119 |
| Kemper Special | $288 | $186 |
| Kemper Rsvp | $293 | $206 |
| Sun Coast | $300 | $130 |
| Dairyland | $330 | $139 |
| Anchor | $341 | $181 |
| Bristol West | $376 | $176 |
| National General | $385 | $143 |
| Allstate | $391 | $177 |
| Farmers | $408 | $183 |
| Direct Auto | $419 | $171 |
| State Farm | $427 | $193 |
| 21st Century | $452 | $204 |
| Travelers | $482 | $217 |
| Nationwide | $605 | $273 |
| Chubb | $809 | $364 |
It’s usually cheaper to add a teen driver to your existing policy rather than buying a separate policy in California. This is because insurers consider your age and driving experience in addition to your teens when determining your premiums. You might also qualify for car insurance discounts, such as multi-car or bundling discounts, which can help lower the cost.
The main downside of adding a teen to your car insurance policy is that it’ll raise your rates. If your teen gets a speeding ticket or causes an accident, this can increase your premiums even more.
Data in the following table show average liability and full-coverage rates for 17-year-old drivers in California who stay on their parents’ policy, for parents without a teen on their policy, and for 17-year-old drivers with separate auto insurance policies.
Drivers | Liability Only | Full Coverage |
|---|---|---|
| Two parents and a 17-year-old driver | $342 | $692 |
| Two parents | $181 | $365 |
| 17-year-old driver on their own policy | $213 | $430 |
Check quotes from 120+ top insurance companies
All drivers in California, including 17-year-olds, must carry minimum car insurance, which includes:[1]
$30,000 for bodily injury liability per person
$60,000 for bodily injury liability per accident
$15,000 for property damage liability
Insurance experts typically recommend purchasing additional liability coverage because a serious accident can exceed these minimums, potentially leaving your family responsible for out-of-pocket costs. Teen drivers are more likely to engage in risky behavior, and less experience can result in more accidents, so it may be worth getting more coverage.
In California, the law requires insurance companies to electronically report vehicle insurance to the Department of Motor Vehicles. If the DMV doesn’t receive proof of auto insurance, it’ll suspend your registration.[2] If you get in an accident and don’t have coverage, it can suspend your driving privileges for up to four years, regardless of whether or not the accident was your fault.[3]
Teens can’t get their full driver’s license until they turn 18. This requires completing 50 total practice hours and getting at least an 80% on the driver’s test. At 17, you can get your provisional permit, which comes with restrictions on when you can drive and with whom you can drive. For example, 17-year-olds can’t drive between 11 p.m. and 5 a.m. unless a parent or someone 25 or older is also in the car.[4]
In California, your insurer may require that anyone in the house who’s of legal driving age be on the family policy. Insurers can start charging you higher premiums once your teen gets their driving permit, or they might wait until they get their driver’s license. It’s up to the company. If your teen has separate coverage and you can provide proof, you can remove them from your coverage.[5]
To add your teenage driver to your insurance in California, follow these steps:
Notify your insurer. When your teen gets their learner’s permit, reach out to your insurer. Your insurer might start charging you extra immediately, while others might wait until your teen has their full license.
Choose a vehicle. If you have more than one vehicle, decide which car your teen will drive. Choosing a lower-value car instead of a sports car can reduce the cost.
Review your coverage. Now that you have a teen driving, you may want to consider increasing your liability coverage or adding additional coverage options.
Score the best car insurance rates for your 17-year-old
Purchasing insurance for a 17-year-old driver is expensive in California, but you still have ways to get lower rates, including:
Add your teen to your policy. If possible, add your teen to your insurance policy instead of purchasing a separate policy, which tends to be more expensive.
Look for student discounts. Many insurers offer good student discounts to teens who can maintain good grades or a certain GPA.
Assign your teen to the right vehicle. Cars that are safe and cheaper to repair typically result in lower insurance premiums.
Complete a defensive driving course. Some insurance companies offer discounts to teens who complete an approved driver’s education course.
Increase your deductible. Consider raising your deductible to lower your insurance premiums. But make sure you can afford the deductible if you have to file a claim.
Comparison shop. Different insurers offer different rates, so getting car insurance quotes from multiple companies can help you find the best car insurance coverage and rates.
If you’re still looking for more information about car insurance for 17-year-old drivers in California, check out the information below about cheap car insurance for teens.
Aspire General offers the cheapest full-coverage car insurance for 17-year-old drivers in California, at an average cost of $244 per month, while USAA offers the cheapest liability-only insurance, at an average of $131.
The average cost of coverage for a 17-year-old driver in California is $189 per month for a liability-only policy and $397 for a full-coverage policy, according to Insurify data.
Car insurance is expensive for 17-year-old drivers in California because they lack experience and are more likely to be in a car accident. Since California insurers place a lot of weight on years of driving experience and safe driving when determining premiums, young drivers often pay significantly higher auto insurance rates than more experienced drivers.
Possibly. Teens typically need to wait until they turn 18 to get car insurance in their own name. But with written consent from a parent or guardian, it may be possible for a 17-year-old to get car insurance in their name. It’s best to speak with an insurance agent for more information.
The average cost of car insurance in California is $199 per month for full coverage and $95 for liability-only insurance. Factors including the driver’s age, driving history, location, and the type of car you drive can influence premiums.
Insurify data scientists analyzed more than 190 million quotes served to car insurance applicants in Insurify’s proprietary database to calculate the premium averages displayed on this page. These premiums are real quotes that come directly from Insurify’s 500+ partner insurance companies in all 50 states and Washington, D.C. Quote averages represent the median price for a quote across the given coverage level, driver subset, and geographic area.
Unless otherwise specified, quoted rates reflect the average cost for drivers between 20 and 70 years old with a clean driving record and average or better credit (a credit score of 600 or higher).
Liability-only premium averages correspond to policies with the following coverage limits:
Quotes for Allstate, Farmers, GEICO, State Farm, and USAA are estimates based on Quadrant Information Services’ database of auto insurance rates.
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7+ years in personal finance writing
Certified Financial Education Instructor
Licensed auto and home insurance agent
4+ years experience in insurance and personal finance editing
NPN: 20564519
Featured in
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