Best Car Insurance for 17-Year-Old Drivers (June 2026)

At 17, you’re probably getting more comfortable behind the wheel — yet car insurance prices can still be a shock. Because young drivers pose a higher risk, insurance companies usually charge higher rates for teen drivers.^[1]

It comes down to statistics: Teenagers are about four times more likely to be in an accident than drivers 20 and older, according to the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS).^[2]

If you’re deciding between staying on a parent’s policy or getting your own, comparing car insurance quotes can help. Here’s what you should know about getting coverage as a 17-year-old driver.

Best car insurance for 17-year-old drivers

A teenage driver can bump your family into a higher risk category for car insurance, making rates jump. But some companies offer discounts and flexible options that help keep car insurance costs down. Here’s a look at three of the best car insurance companies for young drivers.

USAA: Best for drivers on their parents’ policy

drivers on their parents’ policy

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User Reviews	4.9 3,843 reviews
IQ Score The Insurify Quality (IQ) Score uses more than 15 criteria to objectively rate insurance companies on a one-to-ten scale. The Insurify editorial team researches insurer data to determine the final scores.	9.1 /10
Liability Only Liability-only insurance, sometimes called minimum-coverage insurance, pays for bodily injury and property damage to others in an accident the policyholder causes. It does not pay for the insured’s own damages.	$51/mo
Full Coverage Full-coverage car insurance generally includes liability, collision, and comprehensive coverage, and may include other optional coverages such as uninsured motorist coverage. Collision covers a policyholder’s repair or replacement costs in case of an accident. Comprehensive covers damages caused by non-accident events. The average quote displayed here reflects policies with the following coverage limits: $50,000 bodily injury liability per person; $100,000 bodily injury liability per accident; $50,00 property damage liability per accident; $1,000 collision deductible; and a $1,000 comprehensive deductible.	$102/mo

Details

Driver Reviews

4.9

Best choiceBased on 3,843 verified driver reviews and ratings

	USAA's score	Industry average
Coverage options	4.9	3.2
Customer service	4.9	3.6
Discounts	4.9	2.9
Policy transparency	4.9	3.1
Value	4.9	2.9

How drivers feel about USAA

Customers appreciate the insurer’s reliable customer service and claim handling but express concerns about high rates and frequent price increases. Some also find the insurer’s security protocols and communication methods frustrating.

Based on analysis of verified reviews collected by Insurify

---

Best For

Members of the military community

Outstanding customer service

Competitive rates

Showing recent national reviewsSee all 1,600 USAA reviews

James

Verified Review

Usually disappointing

Reviewed in Colorado on June 21, 2026

They claim to support veterans, but their prices are steep. I've experienced rate increases without explanation, despite having no tickets or moving violations.

Marilyn

Verified Review

USAA Not What It Used to Be

Reviewed in Florida on June 21, 2026

Subpar coverage and twice as much as others.

Robert

Verified Review

Expensive for a 76-year-old retired military person who drives less than 3,000 miles per year. No DUIs or tickets.

Reviewed in North Carolina on June 20, 2026

Expensive for a 76-year-old retired military person who drives less than 3,000 miles per year. No DUIs or tickets.

Our Advice

JD Power

J.D. Power data measures overall customer satisfaction and claims satisfaction based on a 1,000-point scale.

739

NAIC Index

Average amount of customer complaints relative to competitors on a 0-5 scale. A lower score represents fewer complaints.

1.31

A.M. Best

A.M. Best analyzes an insurer’s financials, operating performance, business profile, and other factors to generate an opinion-based rating of a company’s financial and credit strength. Ratings range from A++ (exceptional) to D (poor).

A++

Why we picked this company

USAA is a top choice for families with military connections. It offers cheap car insurance and discounts for young drivers. Adding a teen to the family’s USAA policy is often cheaper than other options, thanks to perks like a good student discount, a multi-vehicle discount, and up to 10% off for bundling home and auto insurance. USAA also earns high marks for customer service.

Pros

• Available in all 50 U.S. states

• Accident forgiveness available

• Competitive rates for teen drivers

Cons

• Available only to military members and families

• Limited options for extra coverage

• Gap insurance not available

Root: Best for teens on their own

teens on their own

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User Reviews	3.4 1,427 reviews
IQ Score The Insurify Quality (IQ) Score uses more than 15 criteria to objectively rate insurance companies on a one-to-ten scale. The Insurify editorial team researches insurer data to determine the final scores.	7.9 /10
Liability Only Liability-only insurance, sometimes called minimum-coverage insurance, pays for bodily injury and property damage to others in an accident the policyholder causes. It does not pay for the insured’s own damages.	$108/mo
Full Coverage Full-coverage car insurance generally includes liability, collision, and comprehensive coverage, and may include other optional coverages such as uninsured motorist coverage. Collision covers a policyholder’s repair or replacement costs in case of an accident. Comprehensive covers damages caused by non-accident events. The average quote displayed here reflects policies with the following coverage limits: $50,000 bodily injury liability per person; $100,000 bodily injury liability per accident; $50,00 property damage liability per accident; $1,000 collision deductible; and a $1,000 comprehensive deductible.	$178/mo

Details

Driver Reviews

3.4

A solid optionBased on 1,427 verified driver reviews and ratings

	Root's score	Industry average
Coverage options	3.2	3.2
Customer service	2.4	3.6
Discounts	2.8	2.9
Policy transparency	3.1	3.1
Value	2.8	2.9

How drivers feel about Root

Drivers appreciate the easy sign-up process and initial affordability but dislike the significant rate increases over time and difficulty reaching customer service.

Based on analysis of verified reviews collected by Insurify

---

Best For

Usage-based insurance

Safe drivers

Cheap rates

Showing recent national reviewsSee all 547 Root reviews

Susan

Verified Review

Fly by Night

Reviewed in Indiana on June 22, 2026

Cheap coverage just to have something. Claims are slow to process. The company will hold no-fault accidents against you. Claim repairs do not get paid in full. You really do get what you pay for.

Kristin

Verified Review

Good but not great

Reviewed in New Mexico on June 19, 2026

They are pretty good but have no grace period and can quote lower than what you are offered when you go to buy.

Charles

Verified Review

Root was great when I had them in Georgia. Please come to New York soon!

Reviewed in New York on June 18, 2026

I changed addresses and Root isn't available. Now I'm stuck with a much more expensive major company. Boo, I miss Root!

Our Advice

JD Power

J.D. Power data measures overall customer satisfaction and claims satisfaction based on a 1,000-point scale.

Not rated

NAIC Index

Average amount of customer complaints relative to competitors on a 0-5 scale. A lower score represents fewer complaints.

1.93

A.M. Best

A.M. Best analyzes an insurer’s financials, operating performance, business profile, and other factors to generate an opinion-based rating of a company’s financial and credit strength. Ratings range from A++ (exceptional) to D (poor).

NR

Why we picked this company

Root is a solid choice for teens looking to get their own policy. The company takes a different approach by basing rates more on driving habits instead of age and ZIP code. If you’re a careful driver, you can lower your costs by maintaining safe driving habits. This can make Root a cheaper car insurance company — especially compared to a traditional insurer.

Pros

• Roadside assistance comes with every policy

• Mobile app allows for easy policy management

• Focuses on safe driving, not just age

Cons

• Requires a test-drive to get a quote

• Not available in every state

• Changes in driving habits can increase the price

GEICO: Best for quick claims processing

quick claims processing

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User Reviews	4.0 18,942 reviews
IQ Score The Insurify Quality (IQ) Score uses more than 15 criteria to objectively rate insurance companies on a one-to-ten scale. The Insurify editorial team researches insurer data to determine the final scores.	9.2 /10
Liability Only Liability-only insurance, sometimes called minimum-coverage insurance, pays for bodily injury and property damage to others in an accident the policyholder causes. It does not pay for the insured’s own damages.	$80/mo
Full Coverage Full-coverage car insurance generally includes liability, collision, and comprehensive coverage, and may include other optional coverages such as uninsured motorist coverage. Collision covers a policyholder’s repair or replacement costs in case of an accident. Comprehensive covers damages caused by non-accident events. The average quote displayed here reflects policies with the following coverage limits: $50,000 bodily injury liability per person; $100,000 bodily injury liability per accident; $50,00 property damage liability per accident; $1,000 collision deductible; and a $1,000 comprehensive deductible.	$147/mo

Details

Driver Reviews

4.0

Best choiceBased on 18,942 verified driver reviews and ratings

	GEICO's score	Industry average
Coverage options	4.0	3.2
Customer service	4.1	3.6
Discounts	3.9	2.9
Policy transparency	4.0	3.1
Value	3.8	2.9

How drivers feel about GEICO

Customers appreciate the reliability and customer service but find the rates to be high and increase frequently, even without claims or accidents. The app has improved, but some find the claims process lacking.

Based on analysis of verified reviews collected by Insurify

---

Best For

Teen drivers

Cheap rates

Accident forgiveness

Showing recent national reviewsSee all 7,842 GEICO reviews

Katie

Verified Review

Too Expensive

Reviewed in Texas on June 22, 2026

I have basic liability and it's expensive! Why did my rates go higher?

Patti

Verified Review

Don't move to Connecticut

Reviewed in Connecticut on June 22, 2026

Lousy. I used to reside in New Hampshire. Now that I have moved to Connecticut, they tripled my rate. Considering I have no accidents or traffic violations against me, I find this insane.

Shaun

Verified Review

When you restart your insurance after a payment, they want $2,000. I don't have $2,000 to give them.

Reviewed in Kentucky on June 21, 2026

When you restart your insurance after a payment, they want $2,000. I don't have $2,000 to give them.

Our Advice

JD Power

J.D. Power data measures overall customer satisfaction and claims satisfaction based on a 1,000-point scale.

637

NAIC Index

Average amount of customer complaints relative to competitors on a 0-5 scale. A lower score represents fewer complaints.

0.59

A.M. Best

A.M. Best analyzes an insurer’s financials, operating performance, business profile, and other factors to generate an opinion-based rating of a company’s financial and credit strength. Ratings range from A++ (exceptional) to D (poor).

A++

Why we picked this company

GEICO has a lightning-fast claims process that’s usually completed in just 48 hours. The company also has competitive prices for 17-year-old drivers and various discounts to save you even more. Good grades can drop your car insurance rates by 15%, and insuring more than one vehicle can knock off another 25%.

Pros

• Available in all 50 states

• Many discounts for young drivers

• Accident forgiveness available

Cons

• Gap insurance not available

• Customer service could be better

• Fewer optional coverages than some other companies

Getting your own policy vs. staying on your parents’ car insurance

Getting your own policy or staying on your parents’ car insurance is a choice that comes with a few pros and cons, especially at 17. For most families, keeping a teen driver on a parent’s policy is cheaper. Your parents likely have years of driving experience, and clean driving records can help bring the cost down.

Plus, insurers often offer discounts for having more than one vehicle on an auto insurance policy and sometimes have bundle discounts. Both can help you avoid the higher premium of adding a young driver.

But getting coverage in your own name as a teen driver makes sense in a few situations. For example, if the car is in your name and you don’t live with your parents anymore, some insurers might require you to have your own coverage. And for some teenagers, getting insurance in their own name feels like an important step toward independence.

It really depends on your goal and situation. Just keep in mind that as a 17-year-old, you’ll need written consent from a parent or guardian to set up your policy.

Here’s a closer look at average insurance rates for policies with parents and a teen driver, just two parents, and a teen only for comparison:

Drivers	Monthly Liability-Only Cost	Monthly Full-Coverage Cost
Two parents + a teen driver	$296	$599
Two parents	$157	$316
Teen driver on their own policy	$184	$372

Disclaimer: Table data is based on real-time quotes from Insurify’s network of 500+ insurance partners. Actual rates may vary depending on the policyholder’s individual profile and coverage needs.

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Liability rates average $180 per month

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Cheapest car insurance for 17-year-old drivers

While car insurance for 17-year-olds isn’t cheap, how much car insurance costs hinges on a few factors — including the company you choose. Use the table below to compare prices for liability-only and full-coverage policies from top insurers to find the best option that fits your budget.

The below national rates are estimated rates current as of: Sunday, June 7 at 5:00 PM PDT. 

Data reviewed by Konstantin Halachev

Konstantin HalachevVP of Engineering & Data Science

• 7+ years experience in data analysis

• Ph.D. in Computational Biology

Konstantin has led data teams across multiple industries, including insurance, travel, and biology. He’s led Insurify’s engineering team for more than three years.

Insurance Company	Liability Only	Full Coverage
Country Financial	$59	$125
USAA	$96	$191
Auto-Owners	$101	$195
State Farm	$109	$219
Erie	$126	$233
Root	$130	$214
GEICO	$143	$264
The General	$152	$378
Allstate	$154	$314
Commonwealth Casualty	$157	$344
American Family	$157	$314
Dairyland	$158	$402
GAINSCO	$166	$364
Mercury	$169	$303
Mile Auto	$169	$309
Clearcover	$179	$314
Bristol West	$179	$355
Safeco	$186	$305
National General	$187	$371
Elephant	$187	$304
Direct Auto	$188	$344
Nationwide	$193	$389
Liberty Mutual	$217	$348
Travelers	$225	$450
Anchor	$228	$463
Farmers	$229	$465
21st Century	$230	$448
Plymouth Rock	$241	$368
AssuranceAmerica	$255	$446
Chubb	$266	$511
Shelter	$281	$517
The Hartford	$368	$672
CSAA	$394	$598
State Auto	$451	$879
Amica	$457	$831

Disclaimer: Table data sourced from real-time quotes from Insurify's 500+ partner insurance providers and quote estimates from Quadrant Information Services. Actual quotes may vary based on the policy buyer's unique driver profile.

Why is car insurance so expensive for 17-year-old drivers?

Car insurance is typically pricey for 17-year-old drivers because teenagers are statistically more likely to get into car accidents. Though teens make up only 3.6% of licensed drivers, teenagers between the ages of 16 and 19 are involved in 9.1% of all accidents and 6.1% of fatal crashes, according to data from the National Safety Council.^[3]

The higher accident rate isn’t only because of a lack of driving experience — teens are also more likely to speed and get distracted, particularly when friends are along for the ride, National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) data shows.^[4] 

Tragically, car accidents are the top cause of death for 15- to 18-year-olds in the U.S., notes the NHTSA.

How to get car insurance

Getting car insurance as a new driver is pretty straightforward. Follow these steps to make sure you get the right coverage:

1. Gather your info

To start, you’ll need details like your driver’s license number, the car’s make and model, and your driving history (if you have one). Insurers often ask about tickets and accidents when getting a quote.



2. Choose your coverage

Every state except New Hampshire requires a minimum amount of liability insurance, but it only covers damage you cause to others. If your car is newer or more valuable, consider full coverage to protect your car from accidents or damage.



3. Compare quotes

You’ll notice price differences between insurers, so shop around. Use comparison tools or reach out to a few companies to see which one can offer the best price. Look for discounts, too. Many insurers offer savings for things like good grades, safe driving habits, or taking a defensive driving course.



4. Reach out for guidance

Car insurance has a lot of moving parts, and it’s totally normal to ask for help. Your parents or an insurance agent can answer questions to make sure you get the coverage that makes the most sense.

How to avoid common mistakes young drivers make when buying car insurance

When buying car insurance, whether it’s your first time or your 15th, it’s easy to make a few common mistakes. Keep these tips in mind to avoid costly missteps:

• Going for the cheapest coverage: Picking the lowest-priced option might seem like a good idea, but basic coverage might not be enough if you’re in an accident. Look for a balance between affordability and peace of mind to make sure you’re covered when it counts.

• Choosing the wrong deductible: A high deductible helps you avoid high rates, but it also means more out-of-pocket expenses if you need to make a claim. Find a deductible that keeps your premium reasonable but doesn’t leave you stretched if you have an accident.

• Using the same car insurer as your parents: Loyalty doesn’t always pay off in insurance. Even if your parents have a long history with their insurer, shopping around could get you a better rate. An insurance-comparison site lets you quickly check quotes from different companies.

• Skipping rideshare coverage: If you’re driving for Uber, Lyft, or a delivery service like DoorDash, your personal auto insurance won’t usually cover you while you’re on the job. Ask about adding rideshare insurance for protection while you’re working.

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5 ways young drivers can save on car insurance

Young drivers have plenty of ways to save on car insurance. Here are a few smart ways to keep your bill in check:

• Cash in on discounts. Discounts are available for young drivers who maintain good grades in high school or as a college student, complete a defensive driving course, or attend college far from home.

• Drive a “boring” car. Stick with a reliable sedan or an older, used car since these usually cost less to insure than sports cars or big trucks.

• Lean into telematics. Some insurers have telematics programs that track your driving habits through a mobile app or device that plugs into your car. If you’re a safe driver, this can lead to lower rates by proving your skills on the road.

• Adjust coverage during college. If you’re away at school or don’t drive much, consider reducing your coverage temporarily or taking advantage of a “student away” discount.

• Consider a higher deductible. Higher deductibles can reduce your monthly premium. Just make sure you have enough cash set aside to cover it if you need to file a claim.

Car insurance for 17-year-olds FAQs