Jessica is a freelance writer, professional researcher, and mother of two rambunctious little boys. She specializes in personal finance, women and money, and financial literacy. Jessica is fascinated by the psychology of money and what drives people to make important financial decisions. She holds a Masters of Science degree in Cognitive Research Psychology.
10+ years in insurance and personal finance content
30+ years in media, PR, and content creation
Evelyn leads Insurify’s content team. She’s passionate about creating empowering content to help people transform their financial lives and make sound insurance-buying decisions.
Featured in
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 November 20, 2024
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.
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Table of contents
Nineteen-year-old drivers buying their own car insurance face average rates of $372 per month for full coverage and $184 for minimum-coverage policies, according to Insurify data. By comparison, the national average costs for all age groups combined are $104 for liability and $204 for full coverage.
Insurance costs for teenagers are high because teen drivers have crash rates nearly three times the rates of drivers 20 and older.[1] But there is good news: A 19-year-old driver is just a few years away from seeing their car insurance rates start to drop. And teen drivers and their families can take steps to reduce their premiums while their young drivers gain experience behind the wheel.
To find the lowest car insurance premiums for young drivers, take some time to compare multiple car insurance companies on rates, coverage options, and teen-driver discounts.
Young male drivers tend to pay higher rates than their female counterparts due to their higher rates of risky driving behaviors, like speeding.
It’s generally cheaper for teens to be covered under their parents’ policy than for teens to buy their own insurance policy.
Good student and defensive driving discounts can help reduce the cost of car insurance for teen drivers.
Cost of car insurance for 19-year-olds
Teen drivers, specifically male drivers, pay some of the highest insurance rates. The national average cost for teen-owned insurance is $372 per month for full coverage and $184 per month for liability only, according to Insurify data. But covering a teen on their parents’ policy adds an average of just $283 per month for full coverage and $140 for liability only to the total premium.
A combination of inexperience, risky behaviors, and distracted driving increases teens’ risk of getting into an accident and filing a claim.
Best car insurance companies for a 19-year-old
If you’re searching for the best car insurance for a 19-year-old, comparing multiple insurance companies can help you find the coverage that fits your individual budget and needs. Here are three of the best and cheapest companies for insuring a 19-year-old driver.
Best for military members and their 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 |
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.
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.
Gloria
November 15, 2024
Not Good for Claims
Martin
November 11, 2024
Price Shopping
Rena Sabine
November 8, 2024
Disappointing and inflexible service
USAA offers the lowest car insurance premiums for 19-year-old drivers. But to take advantage of these rates, you have to be a USAA member. Membership is available only to active-duty military personnel, veterans, and their qualifying family members.
To help cut costs for teen drivers, USAA offers a variety of teen discounts, including driver training discounts, good student discounts, and multi-vehicle discounts. You can also earn up to 30% off for safe driving through USAA’s SafePilot program if you live in an eligible state. When you’re ready to move on from your parents’ insurance and get your own policy, you may qualify for a 10% family discount.
Low premiums for 19-year-old drivers
Ability to save up to 30% with the SafePilot program
Not available to non-military members
No gap insurance
Best 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. | $119/mo |
Drivers appreciate the excellent customer service and initial low prices but dislike the frequent price increases.
Drivers appreciate the excellent customer service and initial low prices but dislike the frequent price increases.
James
November 19, 2024
Unsatisfactory Experience with Geico
Edward
November 18, 2024
Experience with Geico
Chris
November 18, 2024
Poor
GEICO also offers competitive insurance rates for 19-year-old drivers. In addition, it has a variety of discounts, including for being a good student, taking a driver’s education course, being a good driver, and having multiple vehicles on one policy. Vehicle equipment discounts for airbags, anti-lock brakes, an anti-theft system, or daytime running lights could help you save even more.
Superior financial strength rating of A++ from AM Best
Variety of teen driver discounts
No rideshare insurance
No gap insurance coverage
Best for customer satisfaction: 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 |
Drivers appreciate the helpful local agents and initial service but dislike the high prices and frequent rate increases.
Drivers appreciate the helpful local agents and initial service but dislike the high prices and frequent rate increases.
Ronald
November 19, 2024
State Farm Experience: 35 Years+
David
November 19, 2024
Too expensive
Ronald
November 18, 2024
Very Expensive Auto and Home
In addition to having some of the lowest insurance rates for 19-year-old drivers, State Farm also rates highly for customer satisfaction. In a 2023 study by J.D. Power, State Farm ranked No. 1 among large insurers for providing a satisfying purchase experience to customers.[2] It also had above-average ratings in all regions in the J.D. Power 2023 U.S. Auto Insurance Study.
State Farm offers several teen discounts, including a good student discount that’s available to high school and college students up to age 25. Driver training and student-away-at-school discounts are also available.
Competitive premiums for 19-year-old drivers
Strong customer satisfaction ratings from J.D. Power
No gap insurance
More expensive for drivers with violations
To choose the best car insurance companies for 19-year-old drivers, Insurify data scientists and editors analyzed more than 90 million quotes served to car insurance applicants in Insurify’s proprietary database. We considered premium costs, availability, discounts, consumer satisfaction ratings, and third-party industry ratings.
Cheapest car insurance for 19-year-olds
In addition to age, many factors determine the cost of car insurance, including gender, ZIP code, driving record, the car you drive, the type and amount of car insurance you want to purchase, and even your credit history in many states.
The following table highlights average monthly quotes from some of the cheapest car insurance companies for 19-year-olds.
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 ▲▼ | Full Coverage ▲▼ | Liability Only ▲▼ |
---|---|---|
COUNTRY Financial | $45 | $19 |
NJM | $65 | $36 |
Auto-Owners | $121 | $56 |
Root | $132 | $77 |
Erie | $154 | $83 |
USAA | $164 | $74 |
GEICO | $178 | $81 |
Metromile | $179 | $100 |
CSAA | $193 | $127 |
Mile Auto | $207 | $122 |
State Farm | $207 | $94 |
Allstate | $248 | $114 |
Progressive | $275 | $177 |
American Family | $283 | $128 |
Mercury | $298 | $151 |
Safeco | $308 | $177 |
Elephant | $309 | $191 |
Nationwide | $327 | $149 |
The General | $340 | $165 |
Shelter | $343 | $181 |
The Hartford | $356 | $198 |
Dairyland | $360 | $139 |
Clearcover | $362 | $202 |
Direct Auto | $366 | $190 |
Travelers | $367 | $171 |
State Auto | $367 | $172 |
Amica | $368 | $199 |
National General | $383 | $193 |
21st Century | $403 | $189 |
Bristol West | $426 | $197 |
Farmers | $433 | $198 |
Liberty Mutual | $447 | $276 |
Infinity | $483 | $342 |
GAINSCO | $489 | $219 |
Foremost | $493 | $217 |
Chubb | $494 | $234 |
Commonwealth Casualty | $515 | $193 |
AssuranceAmerica | $535 | $322 |
Why it’s cheaper to add a 19-year-old driver to a parent’s policy
If you’re a 19-year-old trying to find cheap car insurance, your best option is usually to join your parents’ insurance policy versus buying your own.[3] Buying your own policy could cost you $4,464 per year for full coverage, or $2,208 for liability-only insurance.
Adding a teen driver to a policy will increase the overall premium but less than it would cost for the teen to buy their own car insurance. The cost of adding a 19-year-old to a parent’s policy is approximately 27% cheaper for full-coverage and liability-only insurance.
For example, if your parents currently pay $316 per month for full coverage (the average cost for two drivers), adding you to their policy will bump their monthly cost to $599. That $283 per-month increase is still less than you’d pay for your own policy.
The main benefit of joining your parents’ insurance policy is cost savings. You might also have the opportunity to use a multiple-policy discount to further reduce the overall cost of coverage.
If you’re the parent of a 19-year-old driver, you can expect to see an increase in your overall premiums. Your insurance will go up even more if your teen gets in a car accident.
▲▼ | Liability Only ▲▼ | Full Coverage ▲▼ |
---|---|---|
Cost of a 19-year-old having their own policy | $184 | $372 |
Cost of adding a 19-year-old to parents policy | +$140 | +$283 |
Cheapest recent rates
Drivers have found policies from GEICO, Mile Auto, Kemper RSVP, and more, for rates as low as $37/mo. through Insurify
*Quotes generated for Insurify users within the last 10 days. Last updated on November 20, 2024
*Quotes generated for Insurify users within the last 10 days. Last updated on November 20, 2024
How 19-year-olds can save on car insurance
Teen drivers and their parents can take steps to reduce the cost of car insurance, including:
Look for discounts
Most car insurance companies offer discounts to help reduce premiums. For example, GEICO offers a good student discount to full-time students who maintain a B average or higher. With this discount, you can save up to 15% on certain coverage.
The following table shows just some of the discounts available and the companies that offer them. You’ll find these discounts from many other insurers as well.
Discount ▲▼ | Companies that Offer it ▲▼ | % Saved ▲▼ |
---|---|---|
Good grades | GEICO | Up to 15% |
Drivers education program | Allstate | Varies |
Multi-vehicle | Progressive | 7% |
Telematics | Travelers | Up to 30% |
Join your parents’ policy
If your parents are open to you joining their auto insurance policy, this is a good way to save on the overall cost. Age and credit history affect insurance costs, so being on your parents’ coverage can help you benefit from the savings they qualify for. You also might qualify for multi-vehicle discounts.
Compare car insurance quotes
Insurance rates can vary widely between insurance companies. By comparing car insurance quotes from multiple companies, you can find the one that best fits your needs and budget.
For a side-by-side comparison of various insurance companies, you can use online quote-comparison tools. Consider the type and amount of coverage you need and the cost.
Increase your deductible
Generally, the higher your collision and comprehensive deductibles, the lower your monthly premiums. For instance, you can save between 15% and 30% by raising your deductible from $200 to $500 on your collision and comprehensive coverage, according to the Insurance Information Institute.
Increasing your deductible to $1,000 can save you 40% or more. If you choose a higher deductible, make sure you can afford to pay it if you have to submit a claim.
Consider usage-based insurance
If you’re someone who doesn’t drive frequently, you might consider usage-based car insurance. Coverage is based on how many miles you drive per month.
For example, Nationwide’s SmartMiles car insurance offers a flexible monthly insurance rate that’s based on your mileage. Your monthly insurance premium includes two parts:
Base rate: Stays the same each month
Variable rate: Cost-per-mile charge that varies from month to month
Drive a safe vehicle
Both the value of your car and the safety features in your car can affect the cost of your premiums. Generally, a more expensive car is more expensive to insure because it costs more to repair. Cars with high-quality safety equipment might qualify for discounts with different insurers.
What determines your car insurance rate
Auto insurance companies use a variety of factors to determine the cost of your car insurance premiums, including:
Age: Younger drivers pay higher insurance premiums due to inexperience and other factors that make them a high risk to insurers.
Gender: Women tend to have fewer accidents, DUIs, and less severe accidents than men, leading to lower insurance premiums.
Driving record: A driving record free from speeding tickets, accidents, and other violations typically leads to lower insurance premiums.
Vehicle: Driving a vehicle that has high-quality safety equipment might help you qualify for discounts on your insurance premiums.
Location: Where you live and even where you park your car can affect your insurance rates. Generally, living in areas with low vehicle crime and low accident rates — and parking your car in a garage versus on the street — can help you secure a lower rate.
How gender affects car insurance rates for teen drivers
In general, men pay more for car insurance than women. Male drivers of any age are more likely to engage in driving behaviors that can lead to accidents and claims, like speeding or driving while impaired. Male drivers ages 16 to 19 have a car accident fatality rate nearly twice the rate for female drivers of the same age.[4]
These differences affect car insurance rates. The table below illustrates the percentage difference in insurance costs for teenagers.
Teen Driver ▲▼ | Male ▲▼ | Female ▲▼ | % Difference ▲▼ |
---|---|---|---|
16-year-olds | $444 | $401 | 11% |
17-year-olds | $418 | $380 | 10% |
18-year-olds | $395 | $360 | 10% |
19-year-olds | $387 | $353 | 9% |
Car insurance for 19-year-olds FAQs
Teen drivers pay more for insurance, but you can take steps to keep costs down — from choosing a safe car for them to enrolling them in a driver education program. Here are some answers to commonly asked questions to help you start saving.
What is the cheapest car insurance for 19-year-olds?
The cheapest car insurance for 19-year-olds is with USAA, with an average rate of $68 per month for liability-only insurance and $148 per month for full coverage. GEICO and State Farm also offer some of the lowest car insurance premiums for 19-year-olds.
Why is car insurance more expensive for teen drivers?
Teenagers pay higher insurance premiums due to inexperience and other factors that increase the risk to insurers. Teen drivers also have a crash rate nearly four times that of drivers age 20 and older, according to the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS).
Should 19-year-olds have their own insurance?
Parents and teens will need to decide for themselves if they should have separate insurance policies. But if you have the option to join your parents’ policy, this is typically cheaper than purchasing coverage on your own.
Does car insurance go down when you turn 19?
Your car insurance rates might go down when you turn 19 depending on factors such as your driving record, experience, and insurance company. But until the age of 25, insurers typically charge young drivers higher premiums.
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
- 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.
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Sources
- Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. "Teen Drivers and Passengers: Get the Facts."
- J.D. Power. "Auto Insurance Customer Satisfaction Plummets as Rates Continue to Surge, J.D. Power Finds."
- Insurance Information Institute. "Auto insurance for teen drivers."
- Insurance Institute for Highway Safety. "Fatality Facts 2021 Males and females."
Jessica is a freelance writer, professional researcher, and mother of two rambunctious little boys. She specializes in personal finance, women and money, and financial literacy. Jessica is fascinated by the psychology of money and what drives people to make important financial decisions. She holds a Masters of Science degree in Cognitive Research Psychology.
10+ years in insurance and personal finance content
30+ years in media, PR, and content creation
Evelyn leads Insurify’s content team. She’s passionate about creating empowering content to help people transform their financial lives and make sound insurance-buying decisions.
Featured in
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.