Cheapest Car Insurance for 18-Year-Olds (2024)

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

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
  • Más de 3 años produciendo contenidos sobre seguros y finanzas personales

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Shawn Powers
Reviewed byShawn Powers
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Shawn PowersVP of Insurance Sales at Insurify
  • Licensed insurance agent for 25+ years

  • 15 years as VP of Sales and Operations at Answer Financial

Licensed in more than 40 states, Shawn leverages his deep industry expertise to support the accuracy and trustworthiness of Insurify’s content.

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Konstantin Halachev
Data reviewed byKonstantin Halachev
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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 December 19, 2024

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Cheapest recent rates

Drivers have found policies from Progressive, Anchor, Certainly, and more, for rates as low as $35/mo. through Insurify

*Quotes generated for Insurify users within the last 10 days. Last updated on December 19, 2024. Actual quotes may vary based on the policy buyer’s unique driver profile.

Rates shown are real-time Insurify user quotes from 100+ 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 December 19, 2024. 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 December 19, 2024. Actual quotes may vary based on the policy buyer’s unique driver profile.

Rates shown are real-time Insurify user quotes from 100+ 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 December 19, 2024. Actual quotes may vary based on the policy buyer’s unique driver profile.

It probably comes as no surprise that car insurance for 18-year-old drivers tends to be 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 $196 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.

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

The average car insurance premium is $105 per month for liability coverage and $202 per month for full coverage. By comparison, an 18-year-old pays an average of $196 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
Average Monthly Quote
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 50-plus 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 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 $75 for liability-only coverage.

The below rates are estimated rates current as of: Sunday, December 1 at 11:00 AM PST
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
Average Quote: Liability Only
USAA$75
GEICO$82
Erie$82
State Farm$95
Allstate$115
American Family$127
Dairyland$140
Nationwide$153
The General$164
Travelers$172
Progressive$176
Safeco$177
Direct Auto$191
Bristol West$196
Farmers$197
Amica$197
Liberty Mutual$279
Disclaimer: Table data sourced from real-time quotes from Insurify's 50-plus 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
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.
Full Coverage
Liability Only
Best For
USAA9.4$165$75Military families
GEICO9.0$179$82Discounts
State Farm9.3$209$95Steer Clear program
Nationwide8.7$329$153Accident forgiveness
Disclaimer: Table data sourced from real-time quotes from Insurify's 50-plus 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.
9.4 /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.
$45/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.
$99/mo
4.9
Best choiceBased on 1,646 verified guest reviews and ratings
How drivers feel about USAA

Drivers appreciate the ease of working with the carrier, competitive rates, and responsive service but dislike the price increases and lack of rideshare add-ons in some areas.

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

Drivers appreciate the ease of working with the carrier, competitive rates, and responsive service but dislike the price increases and lack of rideshare add-ons in some areas.

AI-generated from the text of verified reviews collected by Insurify
Best For
Members of the military community
Outstanding customer service
Competitive rates
Reviews (940)

Arlington

December 18, 2024

Verified Review

Mediocre

It's too hard to get past all the checks and balances to verify you're a member. There are too many questions and memory items to get past their firewall. Lastly, everyone is working remotely, and you can hear the family activities in the background.

Peter

December 18, 2024

Verified Review

Not Happy with USAA

They increase premium rates without notifying you well in advance. They even raise the premium for a minor fender bender, like pulling out of a driveway into an illegally parked vehicle.

Donna

December 17, 2024

Verified Review

I was in an accident which was not my fault, and my insurance increased to $118 a month. I don't drive my car much, less than 50 miles a day. Additionally, I have home insurance with USAA and my payment increased by $100. As a veteran, I find this totally wrong.

I was in an accident which was not my fault, and my insurance increased to $118 a month. I don't drive my car much, less than 50 miles a day. Additionally, I have home insurance with USAA and my payment increased by $100. As a veteran, I find this totally wrong.
See all USAA reviews
JD Power
J.D. Power data measures overall customer satisfaction and claims satisfaction based on a 1,000-point scale.
880
NAIC Index
Average amount of customer complaints relative to competitors on a 0-5 scale. A lower score represents fewer complaints.
1.35
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.
9.0 /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.
$54/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.
$118/mo
4.0
Best choiceBased on 10,464 verified guest reviews and ratings
How drivers feel about GEICO

Drivers appreciate the excellent customer service and initial low prices but dislike the frequent price increases.

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

Drivers appreciate the excellent customer service and initial low prices but dislike the frequent price increases.

AI-generated from the text of verified reviews collected by Insurify
Best For
Teen drivers
Cheap rates
Accident forgiveness
Reviews (5,755)

Dianna

December 19, 2024

Verified Review

Roadside Assistance

When I needed emergency services on the road, they wanted me to go online. That was not possible at the time and they were not helpful.

Alan

December 18, 2024

Verified Review

Satisfied but too expensive

My experience with GEICO was good. They offer great coverage for the price and I'd recommend them to a friend. However, they are a bit more pricey but provide great services all the way around.

Samol

December 18, 2024

Verified Review

Geico is Good Insurance

It's excellent, but after a few accidents, the rates are creeping upwards.
See all GEICO reviews
JD Power
J.D. Power data measures overall customer satisfaction and claims satisfaction based on a 1,000-point scale.
835
NAIC Index
Average amount of customer complaints relative to competitors on a 0-5 scale. A lower score represents fewer complaints.
0.74
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
4.2
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.
$54/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.
$119/mo
4.2
Best choiceBased on 9,243 verified guest reviews and ratings
How drivers feel about State Farm

Drivers appreciate the helpful local agents and initial service but dislike the high prices and frequent rate increases.

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

Drivers appreciate the helpful local agents and initial service but dislike the high prices and frequent rate increases.

AI-generated from the text of verified reviews collected by Insurify
Best For
Customer service
Competitive rates
Discounts for safe drivers
Reviews (5,080)

Al

December 19, 2024

Verified Review

My Opinion

Way too high premium.

Agnes

December 19, 2024

Verified Review

Best Insurance Company

I have been with them for a long time. Claims are handled quickly. I never had a problem, even when I had three teenagers driving.

Gabriel

December 18, 2024

Verified Review

My Experience with State Farm

Beware, some companies are more interested in making money than meeting the customers' needs. My wife had a medical issue while driving, and they covered it. A year later, there was a fender bender involving two moving vehicles. To me, it was no fault, but they considered it a second incident. We also had hail damage to our roof. They said there wasn't enough damage, yet my next-door neighbors received a new one. Now, they're canceling me for 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.
842
NAIC Index
Average amount of customer complaints relative to competitors on a 0-5 scale. A lower score represents fewer complaints.
0.78
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
4.4
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.
8.7 /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.
$84/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.
$181/mo
4.4
Best choiceBased on 793 verified guest reviews and ratings
How drivers feel about Nationwide

Drivers appreciate the excellent coverage, reliable claims process, and good initial rates but dislike the frequent price increases.

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 excellent coverage, reliable claims process, and good initial rates but dislike the frequent price increases.

AI-generated from the text of verified reviews collected by Insurify
Best For
Usage-based savings
Accident forgiveness
Recreational vehicle coverage
Reviews (446)

Mark

December 14, 2024

Verified Review

Average

The price kept rising too high with every renewal.

Cheryl

December 9, 2024

Verified Review

Communication was minimal. The owner could not answer my questions and told me to wait until the secretary returned.

Communication was minimal. The owner could not answer my questions and told me to wait until the secretary returned.

Rchard

December 9, 2024

Verified Review

Changes are Good Every Few Years

Comparatively expensive.
See all Nationwide reviews
JD Power
J.D. Power data measures overall customer satisfaction and claims satisfaction based on a 1,000-point scale.
815
NAIC Index
Average amount of customer complaints relative to competitors on a 0-5 scale. A lower score represents fewer complaints.
0.64
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 get good grades or take approved driving courses can also lower their rates.

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

Discounts for 18-Year-Olds
How to Get It
Example Companies That Offer It
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 Certainly, Mile Auto, GEICO, and more, for rates as low as $35/mo. through Insurify

*Quotes generated for Insurify users within the last 10 days. Last updated on December 19, 2024. Actual quotes may vary based on the policy buyer’s unique driver profile.

Rates shown are real-time Insurify user quotes from 100+ 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 December 19, 2024. 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 December 19, 2024. Actual quotes may vary based on the policy buyer’s unique driver profile.

Rates shown are real-time Insurify user quotes from 100+ 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 December 19, 2024. 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
Male Driver
16$414
17$399
18$384
19$364
Disclaimer: Table data sourced from real-time quotes from Insurify's 50-plus partner insurance providers. Actual quotes may vary based on the policy buyer's unique driver profile.
Age
Female Driver
16$382
17$369
18$354
19$336
Disclaimer: Table data sourced from real-time quotes from Insurify's 50-plus 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
Average Quote: Liability Only
Average Quote: Full Coverage
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 50-plus 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 50+ 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
  • Más de 3 años produciendo contenidos sobre seguros y finanzas personales

  • Principal artífice de la puntuación de calidad de Insurify

Los profundos conocimientos de Courtney sobre finanzas personales van más allá de los seguros y abarcan las tarjetas de crédito, los préstamos al consumidor y la banca. Le encanta crear contenidos prácticos.

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Shawn Powers
Reviewed byShawn PowersVP of Insurance Sales at Insurify
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Shawn PowersVP of Insurance Sales at Insurify
  • Licensed insurance agent for 25+ years

  • 15 years as VP of Sales and Operations at Answer Financial

Licensed in more than 40 states, Shawn leverages his deep industry expertise to support the accuracy and trustworthiness of Insurify’s content.

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Konstantin Halachev
Data reviewed byKonstantin HalachevVP of Engineering & Data Science
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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.

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