Best Car Insurance Companies for Teenagers (2024)

Auto-Owners and GEICO are the best national insurers for teen drivers, while COUNTRY Financial and NJM are top regional insurers.

Jacqueline DeMarco
Jacqueline DeMarco
  • 13+ years writing insurance and personal finance content

  • Insurance, lending, and retirement expert

Jacqueline has contributed content, and her personal finance passion, to dozens of noteworthy financial brands, including Credit Karma, Bankrate, and MagnifyMoney.

Featured in

media logomedia logo
Evelyn Pimplaskar
Evelyn PimplaskarEditor-in-Chief, Director of Content
  • 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

media logomedia logomedia logo
Mark Friedlander
Reviewed byMark Friedlander
Mark Friedlander
Mark FriedlanderDirector, Corporate Communications, Triple-I
  • Corporate communications director for Insurance Information Institute

  • 20+ years in insurance and communications

As Director, Corporate Communications for Triple-I, Mark serves as the non-profit’s national spokesperson, sharing information and education on a wide array of insurance issues.

Updated July 25, 2024

Save up to $852 by comparing quotes from the top 100+ insurance companies

Excellent
Secure. Free. Easy-to-use.
ProgressiveLiberty MutualAllstate
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.

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.

Cheapest recent rates

Drivers have found policies from Dairyland, GEICO, Allstate, and more, for rates as low as $19/mo. through Insurify

*Quotes generated for Insurify users within the last 10 days. Last updated on July 25, 2024

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 July 25, 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 July 25, 2024

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 July 25, 2024. Actual quotes may vary based on the policy buyer’s unique driver profile.

Car insurance for teen drivers costs more than coverage for any other age group. Nationally, teen car insurance averages $377 per month for full coverage and $105 monthly for liability-only insurance, Insurify data shows. By comparison, the national monthly averages for drivers of all ages are $214 and $105, respectively.

Insurers charge more to cover teenagers because young drivers have a greater risk of getting into an accident.[1] But teen drivers can lower their rates by taking approved driver safety courses, choosing a lower-value car with safety features, and staying on their parents’ insurance policy. It’s also important for teen drivers and their parents to compare rates from multiple auto insurance companies.

Quick Facts
  • On average, teen drivers pay $377 per month for full coverage and $185 for liability-only car insurance.

  • It’s generally cheaper for teen drivers to stay on their parents’ auto insurance rather than buy their own policies.

  • Discounts for taking driver’s education courses and for students away at college can help families reduce the cost of insuring a teen driver.

Cheapest car insurance for teenagers

Overall, COUNTRY Financial offers the cheapest rates for teen drivers, with full-coverage rates as low as $47 per month and $22 per month for minimum-coverage policies. But the insurer offers auto coverage in just 19 states, so it won’t work for everyone. National insurers Auto-Owners and GEICO offer the best combination of wide availability and the cheapest rates for teens.

The following table illustrates average monthly rates from top insurers for teen drivers buying their own insurance policies.

The below rates are estimated rates current as of: Monday, July 1 at 12:00 PM PDT
Insurance CompanyFull CoverageLiability Only
COUNTRY Financial$47$22
NJM$63$39
Hugo$101$88
Auto-Owners$129$61
Erie$147$84
USAA$154$71
Root$162$109
GEICO$167$76
Metromile$183$112
State Farm$192$88
CSAA$193$125
Mile Auto$230$123
Allstate$237$108
Progressive$243$140
Elephant$284$155
American Family$292$131
Mercury$294$153
Clearcover$301$186
Nationwide$305$139
Safeco$317$179
Shelter$332$174
National General$333$161
State Auto$334$165
The General$346$164
Dairyland$352$130
Amica$355$207
Travelers$355$163
Direct Auto$357$181
The Hartford$363$224
21st Century$399$184
AssuranceAmerica$424$244
Farmers$434$195
Liberty Mutual$435$211
Bristol West$447$203
Chubb$466$219
Infinity$467$334
GAINSCO$497$221
Foremost$502$243
Commonwealth Casualty$545$209
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.

Cheapest recent rates

Drivers have found policies from Progressive, GEICO, COUNTRY Financial, and more, for rates as low as $19/mo. through Insurify

*Quotes generated for Insurify users within the last 10 days. Last updated on July 25, 2024

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 July 25, 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 July 25, 2024

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 July 25, 2024. Actual quotes may vary based on the policy buyer’s unique driver profile.

Best car insurance companies for teenagers

To determine which car insurance companies are the best for teens, Insurify’s data team considered three main factors: cost, safety, and availability. To start, we looked at which insurance companies charge the least for teen drivers. All these insurers offer discounts for teens or young adult drivers, and many discounts encourage good grades and driving behavior.

We also included auto insurance companies that provide resources to help teens develop better driving habits and offer discounts to teens who pursue driving education. Finally, we considered the number of states an insurer operates in. Regional insurers typically offer the same coverages and discounts as national companies and may have lower rates. But their limited availability means they won’t be a good fit for every family.

Here’s a closer look at some of the best car insurance companies for teenagers and what parents need to know about each option.

Insurance CompanyBest forAverage Quote: Full CoverageIQ 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.
GEICOLow rates, national coverage$1679.0
COUNTRY FinancialLowest rates overall$478.8
HugoOn-demand coverageN/A7.0
USAAMilitary families$1549.4
MetromileLow-mileage teens$1837.0
State FarmBuilding better driving skills$1929.3
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.
  • 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 28,000 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.

GEICO: Best for low rates and national availability

Compare personalized, real-time quotes
User Reviews
3.1
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.
9.0/10
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.
$56/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.
$122/mo

Among the nationally available companies Insurify reviewed, GEICO offers the lowest rates for teen drivers.

If you’re not able to find lower rates from a regional insurer in your area, GEICO is a solid choice for its low rates, strong AM Best financial strength rating, and lower-than-average number of complaints on the National Association of Insurance Commissioners (NAIC) complaint index. Owned by Berkshire Hathaway, GEICO is the third-largest U.S. auto insurer by market share.[2]

Pros
  • National availability and competitive rates for teens

  • Good student and good driver discounts

  • Robust mobile app

Cons
  • Gap insurance not available

  • Few local agents

  • Rates can be high for drivers with traffic violations

Read more driver reviews of GEICO
Judy - July 25, 2024
Verified

The employees are not adequately trained for their job. That's why I recently stopped using their services. I regret having to say this.

The employees are not adequately trained for their job. That's why I recently stopped using their services. I regret having to say this.

Judy - July 25, 2024
Verified

Poor Mobile App

The mobile app was disappointing. After multiple attempts, we decided to cancel.

Matthew - July 25, 2024
Verified

Geico is Expensive but Offers Great Service

It's expensive, but the service is awesome.

COUNTRY Financial: Best for lowest rates overall

Compare personalized, real-time quotes
User Reviews
3.2
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.
8.8/10
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.
$19/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.
$41/mo

COUNTRY Financial consistently offers some of the lowest rates for all types of drivers, including teenagers. It’s a good option if you live in one of the 19 states where it sells auto coverage: Alabama, Alaska, Arizona, Colorado, Georgia, Idaho, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Minnesota, Missouri, Nevada, North Dakota, Oklahoma, Oregon, Tennessee, Washington, and Wisconsin. COUNTRY Financial has an A+ financial strength rating from AM Best, indicating it’s well-positioned to pay claims. And it scored 894 (out of 1,000) for overall customer satisfaction in J.D. Power’s 2023 U.S. Auto Claims Satisfaction Study.

Pros
  • Lowest overall rates for teen drivers

  • High customer satisfaction

Cons
  • Available in only 19 states

  • No gap insurance available

Read more driver reviews of Country Financial
Katlyn - July 15, 2024
Verified

Way too expensive

The rate was increased to $950 every three months. I called twice about getting a lower rate and was told they would call me back. They never did.

Linda - July 15, 2024
Verified

Great Customer Service

I have loved Country Financial, but my rates keep going up. I can get better prices elsewhere.

Brian - July 15, 2024
Verified

Great until complications arose...

Country's coverage was initially satisfactory, but they made it a full-time job to account for what I was covered for. I understand they needed a list of my losses after a home fire. I took 3 days off work to provide them with a list, which totaled over 50k. Then, they required receipts to replace those losses! I had to start buying replacements for the things I lost out of my own pocket. I only managed to purchase 18.6k worth of items and provide the receipts from my own resources. Then I was told, 'Oh, you need to match those receipts to our itemized list of your losses that you paid for?' I don't own a computer anymore and where I'm living now has no internet. How am I supposed to do this? I gave Country a 3-day report of my losses and they had me spending my OWN money to replace my losses! They initially covered me well, which is what I thought I paid for, but this deteriorated from there. Now, I'm not only dealing with over 50k in losses, but I'm also caught up in their replacement receipt scheme for over 15.6k out of my own pocket! Something is wrong and needs to be corrected!

Hugo: Best for on-demand coverage

Compare personalized, real-time quotes
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.
7.0/10
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.
$52/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.
$60/mo

If your teen doesn’t drive often, and your insurance situation is flexible, Hugo may be an option. Hugo sells car insurance in increments as short as three days up to six full months. To secure coverage, you'll need to open an account and deposit funds, then select your policy term. Keep in mind, though, that Hugo only sells liability coverage policies at state-minimum levels, so you can't use it if you need full coverage or want higher liability limits.

Pros
  • Short-term policies available for most drivers

  • No down payment required

  • Micro-payments available

Cons
  • Available in only 13 states

  • Only offers state-minimum liability policies

  • No available discounts

Read more driver reviews of Hugo
Camero - July 22, 2024
Verified

Poor Customer Support and Too Expensive

It's too expensive and I never get a response from them until days later. It's hard to modify your policy. They don’t cover all cars and when you try to talk with someone, they never answer. Very poor insurance company.

Kimberly - July 14, 2024
Verified

I disliked the fact that there's no app. I'm uncertain about its legitimacy. I was also disappointed that my coverage was not reported to my state as requested. I'm not fond of the idea that the price might change if it's turned off for a day.

I disliked the fact that there's no app. I'm uncertain about its legitimacy. I was also disappointed that my coverage was not reported to my state as requested. I'm not fond of the idea that the price might change if it's turned off for a day.

Jennifer - July 13, 2024
Verified

Rate Increase If You Turn Off and On

I can't say much except that I don't like the rate hike because I didn't use it.

USAA: Best for military families

Compare personalized, real-time quotes
User Reviews
3.7
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.
$46/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

Teen drivers with one or both parents in the military may find low rates, good customer service, and teen-friendly discounts with USAA. In addition to savings for being a good student discount and covering multiple cars, USAA offers the MyUSAA legacy discount for first-time policy buyers whose parents also have a policy with USAA.[3]

Pros
  • Highly rated for customer service

  • Competitive rates

  • Teen-friendly discounts

Cons
  • Only available to active-duty military members, veterans, and their immediate family

  • No 24/7 customer phone support

  • Gap coverage not available

Read more driver reviews of USAA
Charles - July 23, 2024
Verified

Average

The rates are way too high.

Ralph - July 22, 2024
Verified

No Answer

There is no senior discount available.

Wilfred - July 22, 2024
Verified

Issues Encountered with USAA

A few years ago, a minor male bicyclist collided with my car, which my wife was driving at the time. She was leaving a large intersection with a green light when the bicyclist, who was riding in a pedestrian lane, appeared from behind a stopped box truck that obscured his approach. The local police department in Belmont, MA, was called and the Traffic Control Officer wrote up the accident report, clearing my wife of any responsibility. I forwarded this report to USAA. However, when I applied for increased motor vehicle insurance coverage about a year later, I was denied. USAA cited the accident with the bicyclist as a chargeable accident against my wife, despite the police report, and they had never informed us about this. I was never able to resolve this issue. Another incident occurred on December 14, 2023. I wired $60,000 to USAA for a 7-month CD and received a receipt acknowledgment. However, on the same day, the deposit was withdrawn without any direct notice to me, except for a normal monthly bank statement reflecting the withdrawal without any explanation in mid-January. It took about 9 days for USAA to resolve the issue and return the $60,000. This was a very stressful 9 days for me, and I never received an apology or explanation. Trying to reach someone with authority through numerous phone calls was literally impossible. It took a two-page business letter with 7 enclosures to get the CEO's right-hand woman to take action and return the $60,000 to my credit union. As for insurance rates, we own, register, and insure two cars that are driven about 10 miles per week on average, sometimes 100 miles on a Saturday to visit our daughter. However, it seems that we do not receive any discount for this.

Metromile: Best for low-mileage teen drivers

Compare personalized, real-time quotes
User Reviews
3.6
IQ Score
The Insurify Quality (IQ) Score uses more than 15 criteria to objectively rate insurance companies on a one-to-ten scale. The Insurify editorial team researches insurer data to determine the final scores.
7.0/10
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.
$72/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.
$117/mo

Metromile’s pay-per-mile car insurance uses a telematics device to track actual miles driven and base premiums on monthly mileage. Low-mileage drivers can realize significant savings by only paying for the miles they actually drive each month.

Just like standard insurance companies, Metromile offers liability-only coverage, full coverage, and optional coverages like roadside assistance and glass repair.

Pros
  • Pay-per-mile cost could help low-mileage drivers save

  • Robust mobile app for tracking insurance costs

  • Pet injury protection included in most full-coverage policies

Cons
  • Available in only eight states

  • Much higher-than-average number of complaints with the NAIC

  • Trustpilot rating of just 1.7 stars (out of 5)

Read more driver reviews of Metromile
Victoria - July 16, 2024
Verified

Keep an Eye on Your Mileage

It started out okay, but the price increased quickly. They don't offer a senior discount. Talking to a person is not an easy task. You need a printer to get an insurance card.

Susan - June 25, 2024
Verified

Bad Customer Service

There was no opportunity to rectify a denied bank notice, leading to a total policy suspension.

Michael - June 24, 2024
Verified

Difficulty in Communication

There are no humans available to talk to.

State Farm: Best for building better driving skills

Compare personalized, real-time quotes
User Reviews
3.2
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.
$55/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.
$120/mo

Teen drivers using State Farm’s Drive Safe & Save mobile app can potentially save up to 30% while learning how to drive more safely. If those good driving habits stick, drivers younger than 25 who haven’t been involved in any at-fault accidents or incurred any moving violations within the past three years can save as much as 15% with State Farm’s Steer Clear program.[2]

Another convenient and cost-saving feature State Farm offers drivers is a student-away-at-school discount. If your child is away at college and only drives their car during school vacations and holidays, you can save on your policy.

Pros
  • High customer satisfaction rates

  • Potential rewards for good driving

  • Competitive rates with national availability

Cons
  • Gap insurance not available

  • Can’t buy a policy online — must go through a local agent

  • Mixed online customer reviews

Read more driver reviews of State Farm
Robert - July 25, 2024
Verified

Upsetting

The initial representative lied to me about the price of the policy. I'm paying $30 more a month than was quoted.

Matthew - July 25, 2024
Verified

Abandoned by State Farm

It was a negative experience. After 15 years with the company, I was dismissed due to two car accidents on my record, both of which had been previously reported as not my fault. They refused to communicate with me afterwards. I would advise others to consider this before choosing State Farm.

Janet - July 25, 2024
Verified

Too High

I have had State Farm for 5 years and have been very happy until this last renewal. My full coverage insurance jumped up by $400. This is why I keep looking for cheaper insurance.

Find Cheap Car Insurance for Teen Drivers

Save up to $852 annually when you compare car insurance rates with Insurify

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

How much coverage do teen drivers need?

All states except New Hampshire require drivers to have a minimum amount of liability car insurance — so you’ll definitely need to buy at least that much. Liability car insurance pays for injuries and property damage to other parties in an accident you cause.

You can check with an insurance agent or your state’s motor vehicles department to find out your state’s minimum requirements.

If you lease or finance your vehicle, you’ll also need to buy full-coverage car insurance, which includes liability, comprehensive coverage, and collision coverage. Lenders and leasing companies require full coverage because it protects their investment in your vehicle. For example, if you cause an accident that totals your car, your insurance company will pay your lender the actual cash value of your vehicle.

And, because the actual cash value of your vehicle might be less than what you still owe on your auto loan, gap insurance can be a good idea. Gap insurance can pay any difference between what your auto insurer pays and your loan or lease balance.

Adding a teen to a parent’s policy vs. their own policy

Most teens start out driving on their parents’ car insurance policies. It’s illegal for anyone younger than 18 to buy an insurance policy without the written consent of a parent or guardian, so it’s typically easier to add a teen to an existing policy. And it’s generally cheaper for a teenager to stay on a parent’s policy than to buy their own.

Adding a teen to an adult’s policy will increase the premium, but not as much as the teen would pay for a policy of their own. Teen drivers on their parents’ policies can benefit from the adults’ good driving history, good credit, and lower risk profile.

The following table illustrates the cost differences for teen drivers on their own policy vs. being added to a parent’s policy. Adults with no teen on their policy pay the least in the table, and their rates increase when they add a teen. But the difference between their policy costs with a teen driver and without one is just $139 — $45 less per month than the teen would pay for their own, independent policy.

DriversLiability OnlyFull Coverage
Two parents + a teen driver$296$599
Two parents$157$316
Teen driver on their own policy$184$372
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.

Editor Insights

Evelyn Pimplaskar

Evelyn Pimplaskar

Linkedin

Editor-in-Chief, Director of Content, Insurify

Adding my 17-year-old son to my car insurance more than doubled my annual premium. After he had an at-fault accident that totaled the car, our premium quadrupled. 

I shopped around for a better rate and found it with an insurance company that specializes in covering high-risk drivers. My husband’s and my excellent credit, clean driving records, and great payment history offset the negative effect of having a teenage driver on our policy.

View less

How to get cheaper car insurance for teenagers

Teen drivers and their parents can take steps to reduce their car insurance costs, including:

  • Compare rates from multiple insurers. Insurance rates can vary between companies. Comparing multiple quotes is the best way to find the coverage you need at a price you can afford.

  • Learn to drive safely. Many insurers offer discounts for teen (and adult) drivers who complete approved driver-safety courses.

  • Lean into discounts. Most insurance companies offer multiple discounts that can help families with teen drivers save, such as good student discounts, multi-vehicle discounts, bundling (home and auto) discounts, and more.

  • Choose the right vehicle. The year, make, model, and safety features of your vehicle affect car insurance rates. Pick a lower-value, reliable, and safe vehicle for your teen driver. Be sure your insurer assigns your teen to the least expensive car on your policy.

  • Consider adjusting your deductibles. If you have full-coverage car insurance, raising your collision and comprehensive deductibles will reduce your monthly premium. Just be sure you can afford to cover the deductible amount out of pocket in case of an at-fault accident.

First-Time Car Insurance: Cheap Car Insurance for First-Time Drivers

First-Time Car Insurance: Cheap Car Insurance for First-Time Drivers

Car insurance discounts for teenagers

Many different auto insurance discounts are available for teenagers and their families. The following table shows some examples of discounts popular auto insurers offer.

DiscountHow to Be EligibleSavingsCompanies That Offer It
Good studentEarn a certain GPA or meet other academic standards20%–25%SafeAuto, USAA, Auto-Owners
Multi-vehicleInsure multiple vehicles on one policy7%–25%USAA, State Farm, COUNTRY Financial
New-carDrive a vehicle no more than 3 years old10%–15%GEICO, USAA, Allstate
Defensive driving courseComplete an approved driver education course5%GEICO, State Farm, COUNTRY Financial

How age affects car insurance rates

Age is a significant factor in determining auto insurance premiums. Companies consider younger drivers riskier to insure due to their lack of experience on the road, tendency to be easily distracted, and higher accident frequency — all factors that increase their likelihood of filing a claim.

As young drivers mature and gain experience, their car insurance rates tend to fall. Rates start to climb again around age 70, when age-related issues like vision and mobility challenges can put drivers at higher risk of accidents.

Rates by Age

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 teens FAQs

Insuring a teenage driver can be expensive, so it’s a smart idea to learn as much as you can about the best and cheapest car insurance for teen drivers. Here are some answers to commonly asked questions about teenagers and car insurance.

  • Why is car insurance for teens so expensive?

    Car insurance companies charge more for teenage drivers due to the higher risk that teens will get into an accident that results in a claim. Young drivers are more likely to drive without a seat belt, text while driving, speed, and be involved in a fatal crash.

  • What car insurance company is the cheapest for teenagers?

    COUNTRY Financial offers the lowest car insurance rates for teen drivers, with full coverage as low as $47 per month. GEICO is the national insurer with the cheapest rates for teen drivers.

  • Does adding a teenage boy cost more than adding a teenage girl?

    While adding a teen driver to a parent’s policy is the cheapest way to insure them, it does cost more to insure a teenage boy. Teen boys are much more likely to be involved in fatal accidents than girls, more likely to speed, and more likely to drive under the influence of alcohol or drugs, according to CDC data.

  • How much does it cost to add a teen to your car insurance?

    To better understand how much it can cost to add a teen to your car insurance policy, let’s look at the monthly cost of auto insurance for different family structures.

    The following data is sourced from Insurify’s proprietary database:

    • Monthly cost of two parents plus a teen driver: $599 per month for full coverage, $296 for liability only

    • Monthly cost of two parents: $316 for full coverage, $157 for liability only

    • Monthly cost of teen driver on their own policy: $372 for full coverage, $184 for liability only

  • What are the cheapest cars to insure for first-time drivers?

    The best cars for teen drivers have safety features that protect the vehicle’s occupants in case of a crash, and that can help lower car insurance costs. Putting teen drivers in lower-value vehicles, rather than high-value luxury models, can also help hold down premiums. Examples of good cars for teens include Honda Civic, Subaru Outback, and Nissan Pathfinder.

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. Insurance Information Institute. "Auto insurance for teen drivers."
  2. National Association of Insurance Commissioners. "PROPERTY AND CASUALTY INSURANCE INDUSTRY 2022 TOP 25 GROUPS AND COMPANIES BY COUNTRYWIDE PREMIUM."
  3. USAA. "You may qualify for discounts and savings.."
Jacqueline DeMarco
Jacqueline DeMarco

During college, Jacqueline DeMarco interned at a retirement plan advisory firm and was tasked with creating a presentation on the importance of financial wellness. During her research into how money can affect our health, relationships and career, Jacqueline realized just how important financial education is. Jacqueline is a contributor for Insurify and has worked with more than a dozen financial brands, including LendingTree, Capital One, Credit Karma, Fundera, Chime, Bankrate, Student Loan Hero, ValuePenguin, SoFi, and Northwestern Mutual, providing thoughtful content to give readers insight into complex topics that they likely didn’t learn in school.

Evelyn Pimplaskar
Edited byEvelyn PimplaskarEditor-in-Chief, Director of Content
Evelyn Pimplaskar
Evelyn PimplaskarEditor-in-Chief, Director of Content
  • 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

media logomedia logomedia logo
Mark Friedlander
Reviewed byMark FriedlanderDirector, Corporate Communications, Triple-I
Mark Friedlander
Mark FriedlanderDirector, Corporate Communications, Triple-I
  • Corporate communications director for Insurance Information Institute

  • 20+ years in insurance and communications

As Director, Corporate Communications for Triple-I, Mark serves as the non-profit’s national spokesperson, sharing information and education on a wide array of insurance issues.

Compare Car Insurance Quotes Instantly

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

Latest Articles

View all