Cheapest Car Insurance for 18-Year-Olds (2025)

USAA, GEICO, and State Farm have the cheapest liability-only car insurance rates for 18-year-old drivers.

Secure. Free. Easy-to-use.
Excellent
State farm LogoProgressive LogoAllstate LogoLiberty Mutual LogoFarmers LogoThe General Logo120+ more

Cheapest recent rates

Drivers have found policies from Progressive, Mile Auto, National General Custom360, and more, for rates as low as $40/mo. through Insurify

*Quotes generated for Insurify users within the last 10 days. Last updated on July 29, 2025. Actual quotes may vary based on the policy buyer’s unique driver profile.

Rates shown are real-time Insurify user quotes from 500+ insurance companies and Quadrant Information Services data. Insurify’s algorithm excludes anomalous quotes and anonymizes personal details, then displays refined quotes by price, date, and insurer popularity up to 10 days ago from July 29, 2025. Actual quotes may vary based on the policy buyer’s unique driver profile.

*Quotes generated for Insurify users within the last 10 days. Last updated on July 29, 2025. Actual quotes may vary based on the policy buyer’s unique driver profile.

Rates shown are real-time Insurify user quotes from 500+ insurance companies and Quadrant Information Services data. Insurify’s algorithm excludes anomalous quotes and anonymizes personal details, then displays refined quotes by price, date, and insurer popularity up to 10 days ago from July 29, 2025. Actual quotes may vary based on the policy buyer’s unique driver profile.
Michelle Lambright Black
Michelle Lambright Black

Michelle Lambright Black is a credit expert, freelance writer, and founder of CreditWriter.com. She has over 20 years of experience writing and speaking about credit and money, and focuses on helping families and small business owners make smart, informed decisions about their credit, money, and financial products (including insurance). Michelle's work has appeared in publications such as Yahoo! Finance, Reader's Digest, Parents, FICO, Forbes, Bankrate, The Seattle Times, MarketWatch, BuySide from Wall Street Journal, USA Today, and more. She's also a three-time finalist for the best personal finance freelancer award from the Plutus Foundation. When she isn't writing or speaking about credit and money, Michelle loves to travel with her family or read a good book. You can connect with Michelle on Instagram or Twitter

Michelle has been a contributor at Insurify since September 2023.

Courtney Mikulski
Courtney MikulskiSenior Editor, Auto
  • Over 3 years of experience producing content on insurance and personal finance.

  • Key architect of Insurify's quality score.

Courtney's deep knowledge of personal finance goes beyond insurance and includes credit cards, consumer loans, and banking. She loves creating practical content.

Featured in

media logomedia logo
Daniel Roccato
Reviewed byDaniel Roccato
Headshot of industry expert Daniel Roccato
Daniel RoccatoAdvisor
  • 30+ years in financial services

  • Clinical Professor of Finance, University of San Diego

Dan is a well-recognized and widely quoted financial services expert, regularly appearing in a variety of national and local media as a subject matter expert.

Konstantin Halachev
Data reviewed byKonstantin Halachev
Headshot of Konstantin Halachev, VP of Engineering at Insurify
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.

Updated

Why you can trust Insurify: Comparing accurate insurance quotes should never put you at risk of spam. We earn an agent commission only if you buy a policy based on our quotes. Our editorial team follows a rigorous set of editorial standards and operates independently from our insurance partners. Learn more.
Advertiser Disclosure

At Insurify, our goal is to help customers compare insurance products and find the best policy for them. We strive to provide open, honest, and unbiased information about the insurance products and services we review. Our hard-working team of data analysts, insurance experts, insurance agents, editors and writers, has put in thousands of hours of research to create the content found on our site.

We do receive compensation when a sale or referral occurs from many of the insurance providers and marketing partners on our site. That may impact which products we display and where they appear on our site. But it does not influence our meticulously researched editorial content, what we write about, or any reviews or recommendations we may make. We do not guarantee favorable reviews or any coverage at all in exchange for compensation.

It probably comes as no surprise that car insurance for 18-year-old drivers is more expensive compared to other age groups. Adding a young driver to your policy will raise your rate, even if you have a clean driving record. 

The national average cost of car insurance for an 18-year-old driver is $210 per month for liability car insurance and $377 per month for full-coverage car insurance.

Car insurance costs more for 18-year-olds than it does for older drivers because of teens’ higher risk. Teen drivers are almost three times as likely to be in fatal crashes as drivers age 20 and older. Teenage drivers are also more likely to speed and engage in other high-risk driving activities that could put them and others in danger.[1]

Quick Facts
  • GEICO, Allstate, Progressive, State Farm, and USAA offer good student discounts to lower car insurance premiums for 18-year-old drivers.

  • North Carolina is the cheapest state for 18-year-old drivers to buy liability-only car insurance, on average.

  • Average rates tend to decrease for drivers once they reach their mid-20s.

Compare Car Insurance Quotes

Get personalized quotes from top auto insurers in minutes

Secure. Free. Easy-to-use.
Based on 3,806+ reviews
4.8/5
Shopper Approved
ProgressiveLiberty MutualAllstate

How much does car insurance for 18-year-olds cost?

The average car insurance premium is $107 per month for liability coverage and $192 per month for full coverage. By comparison, an 18-year-old pays an average of $210 per month for liability car insurance and $377 per month for a full-coverage policy.

Here’s what different age groups pay for full-coverage car insurance.

Age
sort ascsort desc
Average Monthly Quote
sort ascsort desc
18$377
20$311
25$255
30$192
40$175
50$154
60$145
70$154
Disclaimer: Table data sourced from real-time quotes from Insurify's 500+ partner insurance providers. Actual quotes may vary based on the policy buyer's unique driver profile.

Cheapest car insurance for 18-year-olds

Finding cheap car insurance for an 18-year-old driver can be a challenge, but it’s not impossible. A good way to find a low-cost car insurance policy as a teenager is to compare car insurance quotes from multiple companies. Keeping a clean driving record, driving a safe vehicle, and building a good credit history also have the potential to save you money on car insurance, depending on your insurer and location.

Below are some of the cheapest car insurance companies for young adults. USAA tops the list, with rates averaging $91 for liability-only coverage.

The below rates are estimated rates current as of: Monday, July 21 at 12:00 PM PDT
Data reviewed by Konstantin Halachev
Headshot of Konstantin Halachev, VP of Engineering at Insurify
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
sort ascsort desc
Average Quote: Liability Only
sort ascsort desc
USAA$92
State Farm$111
Allstate$143
American Family$144
Dairyland$146
The General$164
Erie$179
Bristol West$188
Nationwide$188
GEICO$189
Safeco$203
Travelers$210
Direct Auto$210
Farmers$220
Liberty Mutual$320
Amica$654
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.

Best car insurance companies for 18-year-olds

There’s no such thing as a perfect car insurance company for 18-year-olds. But you can research different auto insurers to find the best fit for you. The auto insurance company that works for you will depend on your individual situation and coverage needs.

Insurance Company
sort ascsort desc
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.
sort ascsort desc
Full Coverage
sort ascsort desc
Liability Only
sort ascsort desc
Best For
sort ascsort desc
USAA9.1$179$91Military families
GEICO9.2$242$192Discounts
State Farm9.3$225$111Steer Clear program
Nationwide9.0$365$187Accident forgiveness
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.
  • Our editorial team spent more than 350 hours developing the Insurify Quality (IQ) Score and scoring insurance companies. The IQ Score objectively analyzes and calculates a score for insurers using more than 15 crucial criteria. The team weighted criteria by importance to the consumer — factors such as customer reviews and affordability influence the score more than availability and third-party ratings.

    We rate each company on a 1 to 10 scale based on five categories: financial ratings, customer satisfaction, affordability, customer support and transparency, and availability. Insurify updates ratings once a year or as more recent information becomes available.

    • Third-party financial ratings: Insurify uses data from AM Best, S&P, Moody’s, and more to compare insurance companies’ credit and ability to pay out future claims.
    • Customer satisfaction: To calculate this score, Insurify analyzed more than 55,000 customer reviews across 155 car insurance companies. We also consider third-party ratings from J.D. Power, the National Association of Insurance Commissioners, and Trustpilot.
    • Affordability: Our data scientists analyzed more than 90 million real-time auto insurance rates from our partners across the U.S., as well as available discounts, to calculate an affordability score.
    • Customer support and transparency: This measures coverage options, ease of claims filing, and the insurer's transparency surrounding discounts, coverages, and claims process.
    • Availability and reach: Insurify scores availability and reach by identifying the number of states in which insurers offer coverage and company size by market share.

Best insurer for military families: USAA

User Reviews
4.9
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.
$100/mo
4.9
Best choiceBased on 2,120 verified guest reviews and ratings
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.

AI-generated from the text of verified reviews collected by Insurify
Best For
Members of the military community
Outstanding customer service
Competitive rates
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.

AI-generated from the text of verified reviews collected by Insurify
Best For
Members of the military community
Outstanding customer service
Competitive rates
Reviews (1,202)
Judy
Verified Review
Thoughts on USAA
Reviewed in Texas on July 2025
They are good so far, although I've never had to contact them. I would like a lower monthly premium, but no one has given a lesser amount for insurance and a small renters policy.
Alvin
Verified Review
Top Notch Service!
Reviewed in Texas on July 2025
They're very customer-friendly. They offer the most bang for your bucks!
Kenneth
Verified Review
Too long with USAA, apparently.
Reviewed in Florida on July 2025
Thirty-plus year member. Love the distribution at the end of the year; not impressed with the steady increase in premiums, especially since I’ve had only two claims since I joined, neither very costly to USAA. I’m looking for less cost and much better customer appreciation.
See all USAA reviews
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

Overall, the most affordable car insurance company for teen drivers is USAA, with its below-average rates for teens drivers. Plus, USAA has high customer satisfaction ratings with J.D. Power, great financial stability ratings with AM Best, and plenty of coverage options and discounts.

But not all drivers are eligible for coverage. USAA car insurance is only available to active military members, veterans, and their eligible family members.

Pros
  • Competitive car insurance premiums

  • Coverage available in all 50 states and Washington, D.C.

Cons
  • Restrictive membership eligibility

  • No gap insurance

Best insurer for discounts: GEICO

User Reviews
4.0
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.
$109/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.
$139/mo
4.0
Best choiceBased on 12,043 verified guest reviews and ratings
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.

AI-generated from the text of verified reviews collected by Insurify
Best For
Teen drivers
Cheap rates
Accident forgiveness
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.

AI-generated from the text of verified reviews collected by Insurify
Best For
Teen drivers
Cheap rates
Accident forgiveness
Reviews (6,445)
Irene
Verified Review
My husband and I shared a policy. He got into multiple accidents, and I got into none. When I tried to switch insurance companies, the accidents he was involved in showed up under my name. Geico refused to correct it, and now I am paying higher insurance because of it.
Reviewed in New Jersey on July 2025
My husband and I shared a policy. He got into multiple accidents, and I got into none. When I tried to switch insurance companies, the accidents he was involved in showed up under my name. Geico refused to correct it, and now I am paying higher insurance because of it.
Jared
Verified Review
Geico: Slow Like Race Day
Reviewed in North Carolina on July 2025
Fast responsive call center for claims, but the claim associate took forever to get claim amounts back in full. She was always driving when you called to chat about your policy and issues. It took 1.5 years to complete and get a great body shop to repair my vehicle. The shop still left the hood ground unhooked and hurried the claim to get my money. Paint and body work are not satisfactory after a closer look. Geico is disappointing.
Valery
Verified Review
Geico constantly raises rates
Reviewed in Oregon on July 2025
Stay away from Geico. They do not lower rates for good drivers, drivers using dashcams, accident-free, ticket-free. They constantly raise rates, claiming that the state raised the insurance rates, which is misleading. They seem more interested in giving their shareholders bigger dividends and are not there for the consumer.
See all GEICO reviews
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 is another great option for 18-year-old and new drivers, as it also offers low rates and plenty of discounts. GEICO offers a good student discount to its customers. If you’re a full-time student with a B average or higher, you could save up to 15% off your monthly premium. Young drivers can also get discounts on their GEICO auto insurance by completing an approved driver’s education course.

Pros
  • Competitive prices for young drivers

  • Good student discount and other discounts available

Cons
  • No rideshare or gap insurance coverage

  • Limited availability of local agents

Best insurer for Steer Clear Program: State Farm

User Reviews
4.1
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.
9.3 /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.
$57/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.
$115/mo
4.1
Best choiceBased on 11,351 verified guest reviews and ratings
How drivers feel about State Farm

Customers appreciate the insurer’s excellent customer service and personal attention but dislike the high prices and frequent rate increases. They also express frustration with the claims process.

AI-generated from the text of verified reviews collected by Insurify
Best For
Customer service
Competitive rates
Discounts for safe drivers
How drivers feel about State Farm

Customers appreciate the insurer’s excellent customer service and personal attention but dislike the high prices and frequent rate increases. They also express frustration with the claims process.

AI-generated from the text of verified reviews collected by Insurify
Best For
Customer service
Competitive rates
Discounts for safe drivers
Reviews (6,071)
Ethline
Verified Review
Insurance Increase
Reviewed in Maryland on July 2025
My only problem with State Farm is the rising cost of my insurance. I've been with them for about 35 years, and my husband had one accident last year, causing the premiums to increase by 100%. What's that about? They've just increased mine as well.
Deidre
Verified Review
Florida Insurance Cost Woes
Reviewed in Florida on July 2025
It seems to be the best price here in Florida. Customer service is lacking. There's no agent to talk to. When we bought the policy, we had an agent who was okay, but he left, and now it is a house account. We would prefer a broker to find us the best rate, but alas, that is lacking in Florida. We feel frustrated and alone in trying to find the best rate. We had a better deal in Arizona.
Jim
Verified Review
Left wanting more for my money.
Reviewed in Ohio on July 2025
They and others are too expensive. I have one homeowner's claim in 37 years of home ownership and still pay too much.
See all State Farm reviews
JD Power
J.D. Power data measures overall customer satisfaction and claims satisfaction based on a 1,000-point scale.
657
NAIC Index
Average amount of customer complaints relative to competitors on a 0-5 scale. A lower score represents fewer complaints.
0.84
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

Another insurance company that offers lower rates for 18-year-olds is State Farm since it offers liability rates cheaper than the national average.

State Farm has several discount opportunities for young adults. For example, you could save up to 25% on insurance costs with a good student discount, and State Farm’s Steer Clear program teaches safe driving habits to 18-year-old drivers and can even lead to a discount.

Pros
  • Relatively cheap premiums

  • High J.D. Power customer satisfaction ratings

Cons
  • No good student discount available

  • No gap insurance available

Best insurer for accident forgiveness: Nationwide

User Reviews
4.3
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 /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.
$93/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.
$182/mo
4.3
Best choiceBased on 870 verified guest reviews and ratings
How drivers feel about Nationwide

Drivers appreciate the helpful and knowledgeable customer service but dislike the frequent and significant rate increases. Some also found the claims process to be slow and frustrating.

AI-generated from the text of verified reviews collected by Insurify
Best For
Usage-based savings
Accident forgiveness
Recreational vehicle coverage
How drivers feel about Nationwide

Drivers appreciate the helpful and knowledgeable customer service but dislike the frequent and significant rate increases. Some also found the claims process to be slow and frustrating.

AI-generated from the text of verified reviews collected by Insurify
Best For
Usage-based savings
Accident forgiveness
Recreational vehicle coverage
Reviews (487)
Donna
Verified Review
Nationwide Mostly on Your Side
Reviewed in South Carolina on July 2025
Nationwide has been very good for everything except my budget.
Phyllis
Verified Review
I've been with Nationwide for 30 years but I do think their home insurance is too high
Reviewed in Tennessee on July 2025
Home insurance is too high, check around.
David
Verified Review
Switching to Progressive
Reviewed in Washington on June 2025
Don't get Roadside Assistance. We were stuck 800 miles from home with a flat tire and were told they could not find anyone to assist us. Thank God there was a Les Schwab Tire Center in town.
See all Nationwide reviews
JD Power
J.D. Power data measures overall customer satisfaction and claims satisfaction based on a 1,000-point scale.
641
NAIC Index
Average amount of customer complaints relative to competitors on a 0-5 scale. A lower score represents fewer complaints.
0.7
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

Even though Nationwide has slightly higher average premiums than competing auto insurers, it can still be a good option for 18-year-old drivers. Nationwide offers a good student discount to young drivers who keep a B average or higher. And the insurer offers an optional accident forgiveness feature that can guarantee a young driver’s rates won’t increase after their first at-fault accident.

Pros
  • Good grades discount

  • Accident forgiveness available

Cons
  • Coverage not available in all 50 states

  • Below-average J.D. Power customer satisfaction ratings

How 18-year-old drivers can save on car insurance

One of the best ways to save as an 18-year-old driver is to qualify for a good student discount. Even so, you’ll likely still pay higher rates until you have more driving experience. But rates for drivers your age aren’t set in stone. Most insurance companies give you plenty of ways to save, even if you don’t qualify for a good student discount or other teen-specific incentives.

Compare insurance quotes

Comparing car insurance quotes from several companies is one of the best ways to keep your rate in check. Although companies weigh similar factors when they calculate rates, each factor’s weight and the calculations themselves vary by company.

Insurers are easy to compare with an online quote-comparison tool. These allow you to compare quotes side by side from multiple companies. Be sure to look at both the coverages and prices so you get a comprehensive comparison.

Maintain a clean driving record

Your driving record speaks volumes about how risky a driver you are. Your driving record, also called a motor vehicle record, contains information about traffic violations you’ve received and accidents you’ve been involved in.

Speeding, running red lights, failing to use a turn signal or yield right-of-way, and distracted driving are just a few of the moving violations that could appear on your driving record. While most don’t result in jail time, they can result in points on your driver’s license.[2]

Increase your deductible

Insurance policies come with a deductible, which is the amount you have to pay up front when you file a claim before your policy will cover the rest. For example, if you caused a fender bender and your repairs cost $2,000 with a deductible of $500, you’d pay $500 toward the repair, and the insurance company would cover the remaining $1,500.

Policies with higher deductibles usually have lower premiums because it means the insurance company pays less in the event of a claim. However, that means you’ll need to pay more out of pocket if you file a claim.

Build good credit

If you’re in a state that allows insurers to assign drivers credit-based insurance scores, establishing a good credit history could reduce your rates.

You can build and maintain good credit by paying your credit card and loan accounts on time, keeping your credit utilization ratio less than 30%, and using services like Experian Boost or UltraFICO.

Consider usage-based insurance

Some insurance companies, like Progressive and Allstate, offer usage-based insurance programs, which use in-car telematics devices or mobile apps to collect driving data.

If the data demonstrates safe driving habits, the insurer could reduce your premiums or discount your policy. The devices are typically easy to install — some can be plugged into the onboard diagnostic port beneath your steering wheel or dashboard, while others utilize a mobile app.

What Is Telematics Car Insurance? A Complete Guide to Smarter, Cheaper Coverage

What Is Telematics Car Insurance? A Complete Guide to Smarter, Cheaper Coverage

Best car insurance discounts for 18-year-olds

Insurers sometimes reward young drivers with special discounts. Liberty Mutual, for example, discounts rates for teens added to their parents’ account. Teens who maintain good grades or complete approved driving courses can also lower their rates.

Here are some young-driver discounts you should be aware of:

Discounts for 18-Year-Olds
sort ascsort desc
How to Get It
sort ascsort desc
Example Companies That Offer It
sort ascsort desc
Good student discountA GPA of 3.0 higher usually qualifies you for good student discounts.GEICO, Allstate, Progressive, State Farm, USAA
Distant student discountIf you’re starting college and leaving your car behind, you can qualify for cheaper rates since you won’t be driving every day.State Farm, Progressive, Allstate
Bundling with home insuranceIf your parents own a home, ask them to make sure they’re getting auto insurance and home insurance from the same company.GEICO, Allstate, Progressive, State Farm, USAA
Driver trainingAsk your auto insurance company for qualifying classes in your area.GEICO, Allstate, Progressive, State Farm, USAA

Cheapest recent rates

Drivers have found policies from Just Pay-Per-Mile, Direct Auto, Trexis, and more, for rates as low as $40/mo. through Insurify

*Quotes generated for Insurify users within the last 10 days. Last updated on July 29, 2025. Actual quotes may vary based on the policy buyer’s unique driver profile.

Rates shown are real-time Insurify user quotes from 500+ insurance companies and Quadrant Information Services data. Insurify’s algorithm excludes anomalous quotes and anonymizes personal details, then displays refined quotes by price, date, and insurer popularity up to 10 days ago from July 29, 2025. Actual quotes may vary based on the policy buyer’s unique driver profile.

*Quotes generated for Insurify users within the last 10 days. Last updated on July 29, 2025. Actual quotes may vary based on the policy buyer’s unique driver profile.

Rates shown are real-time Insurify user quotes from 500+ insurance companies and Quadrant Information Services data. Insurify’s algorithm excludes anomalous quotes and anonymizes personal details, then displays refined quotes by price, date, and insurer popularity up to 10 days ago from July 29, 2025. Actual quotes may vary based on the policy buyer’s unique driver profile.

How age and gender affect car insurance rates

Age and gender usually affect car insurance premiums, especially for teen drivers. In many states, insurance companies can consider gender when determining the risk that a driver will experience a loss and file a claim.

Teen drivers experience car accidents four times as often as drivers who are 20 and older. Meanwhile, men tend to drive more miles than women and are statistically more likely to engage in risky driving activities, such as not wearing a seat belt, speeding, and driving under the influence.[3]

Here’s how age and gender could affect car insurance rates for younger drivers.

Age
sort ascsort desc
Male Driver
sort ascsort desc
16$414
17$399
18$384
19$364
Disclaimer: Table data sourced from real-time quotes from Insurify's 500+ partner insurance providers. Actual quotes may vary based on the policy buyer's unique driver profile.
Age
sort ascsort desc
Female Driver
sort ascsort desc
16$382
17$369
18$354
19$336
Disclaimer: Table data sourced from real-time quotes from Insurify's 500+ partner insurance providers. Actual quotes may vary based on the policy buyer's unique driver profile.

Average cost of car insurance for 18-year-olds by state

The cost of car insurance rates for 18-year-olds can vary among states. If you live in a location where your insurance costs are more expensive as a new driver, you may be able to find discounts that can help make your auto insurance coverage more affordable.

Below is a look at the average cost of insurance for 18-year-old drivers in different states for liability insurance and full coverage.

State
sort ascsort desc
Average Quote: Liability Only
sort ascsort desc
Average Quote: Full Coverage
sort ascsort desc
Alabama$125$313
Arizona$185$383
Arkansas$182$398
California$155$263
Colorado$151$376
Connecticut$343$595
Delaware$256$402
Florida$334$472
Georgia$255$450
Hawaii$113$194
Idaho$123$245
Illinois$132$275
Indiana$124$238
Iowa$106$278
Kansas$141$305
Kentucky$304$433
Louisiana$312$623
Maine$157$321
Maryland$265$421
Massachusetts$167$335
Michigan$255$565
Minnesota$172$339
Mississippi$167$376
Missouri$173$429
Montana$149$309
Nebraska$150$361
Nevada$315$525
New Hampshire$95$200
New Jersey$192$288
New Mexico$137$340
New York$217$282
North Carolina$89$222
North Dakota$156$272
Ohio$118$246
Oklahoma$169$388
Oregon$180$326
Pennsylvania$151$305
Rhode Island$326$438
South Carolina$298$520
South Dakota$99$267
Tennessee$124$257
Texas$211$422
Utah$184$327
Vermont$108$273
Virginia$173$310
Washington$170$337
Washington, D.C.$297$499
West Virginia$151$385
Wisconsin$100$217
Wyoming$100$258
Disclaimer: Table data sourced from real-time quotes from Insurify's 500+ partner insurance providers. Actual quotes may vary based on the policy buyer's unique driver profile.

Car insurance for 18-year-olds FAQs

Understand how much car insurance you need before you shop for quotes, and check out the answers to common questions about coverage for 18-year-old drivers below.

  • Why is car insurance so expensive for 18-year-olds?

    Eighteen-year-olds pay more for car insurance because their limited driving experience and high incidence of losses make them riskier to insure.

  • How can you get cheap car insurance at age 18?

    Comparing rates and maintaining a good driving record are two of the best ways to qualify for cheap car insurance rates. Other ways to save include increasing your deductible, taking advantage of discounts, staying on your parents’ policy, and participating in a telematics program.

  • How much does it cost to add an 18-year-old to a car insurance policy?

    The precise cost to add an 18-year-old to their parents’ car insurance varies by company, coverage type, and other factors, but it could increase your premiums around 50% to 250%, according to Insurify data.

  • What are the best car insurance companies for 18-year-olds?

    Based on Insurify analysis, USAA, GEICO, State Farm, and Nationwide have the best car insurance for 18-year-olds. But the best car insurance company for a particular 18-year-old is the one that offers the coverage they need for the best possible price.

  • Why should you compare auto insurance quotes?

    Comparing quotes from various insurance companies could save you plenty of money. When you compare auto insurance quotes, you can see which company offers you the lowest rates for the coverage you want. Be sure to compare quotes every six months to a year to keep finding the best prices.

  • When does car insurance get cheaper?

    Car insurance gets cheaper once you turn 19, and it drops significantly once you turn 25. You’ll continue to save as you reach each subsequent decade up to age 70, when rates typically begin climbing again.

Methodology

Insurify data scientists analyzed more than 90 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:

  • Bodily injury limits between state-minimum rates and $50,000 per person, $100,000 per accident
  • Property damage limits between $10,000 and $50,000
  • No additional coverage
Full-coverage premium averages correspond to the same bodily injury and property damage limits in addition to:
  • Comprehensive coverage with a $1,000 deductible
  • Collision coverage with a $1,000 deductible

Quotes for Allstate, Farmers, GEICO, State Farm, and USAA are estimates based on Quadrant Information Services’ database of auto insurance rates.

Sources

  1. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. "Teen Drivers and Passengers: Get the Facts."
  2. Nolo. "How do Traffic Violation Points Affect my Driver's License?."
  3. Insurance Institute for Highway Safety. "Males and females."
Michelle Lambright Black
Michelle Lambright Black

Michelle Lambright Black is a credit expert, freelance writer, and founder of CreditWriter.com. She has over 20 years of experience writing and speaking about credit and money, and focuses on helping families and small business owners make smart, informed decisions about their credit, money, and financial products (including insurance). Michelle's work has appeared in publications such as Yahoo! Finance, Reader's Digest, Parents, FICO, Forbes, Bankrate, The Seattle Times, MarketWatch, BuySide from Wall Street Journal, USA Today, and more. She's also a three-time finalist for the best personal finance freelancer award from the Plutus Foundation. When she isn't writing or speaking about credit and money, Michelle loves to travel with her family or read a good book. You can connect with Michelle on Instagram or Twitter

Michelle has been a contributor at Insurify since September 2023.

Courtney Mikulski
Edited byCourtney MikulskiSenior Editor, Auto
Courtney Mikulski
Courtney MikulskiSenior Editor, Auto
  • Over 3 years of experience producing content on insurance and personal finance.

  • Key architect of Insurify's quality score.

Courtney's deep knowledge of personal finance goes beyond insurance and includes credit cards, consumer loans, and banking. She loves creating practical content.

Featured in

media logomedia logo
Daniel Roccato
Reviewed byDaniel RoccatoAdvisor
Headshot of industry expert Daniel Roccato
Daniel RoccatoAdvisor
  • 30+ years in financial services

  • Clinical Professor of Finance, University of San Diego

Dan is a well-recognized and widely quoted financial services expert, regularly appearing in a variety of national and local media as a subject matter expert.

Konstantin Halachev
Data reviewed byKonstantin HalachevVP of Engineering & Data Science
Headshot of Konstantin Halachev, VP of Engineering at Insurify
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.

Compare Car Insurance Quotes Instantly

Secure. Free. Easy-to-use.
Based on 3,806+ reviews
4.8/5
Shopper Approved
ProgressiveLiberty MutualAllstate