Best and Cheapest Car Insurance for Teenagers (2023)

State Farm, Erie, and SafeAuto offer some of the cheapest car insurance rates for teenage drivers.

Jacqueline DeMarco
Jacqueline DeMarco
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  • 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.

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Tanveen Vohra
Edited byTanveen Vohra
Tanveen Vohra
Tanveen VohraManager of Content and Communications
  • Property and casualty insurance specialist

  • 4+ years creating insurance content

Tanveen manages Insurify's data insights, annual home and auto insurance reports, and media communications. She’s regularly featured in media interviews on insurance topics.

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Mark Friedlander
Reviewed byMark Friedlander
Mark Friedlander
Mark FriedlanderDirector, Corporate Communications
  • 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 November 30, 2023 at 11:00 AM PST

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Almost every teenager dreams of the day they get their driver’s license so they can finally have that extra bit of freedom. However, teenage drivers tend to be much more expensive to insure than other drivers.

Data indicates that teen drivers are more likely to be involved in car accidents. They also have unproven driving records and can be easily distracted while on the road. Some may be more reckless than older drivers.[1]

To help your teen spend less on insurance and more on filling up their gas tank, we’ve put together some resources on how you can find the cheapest deals on car insurance for teenagers. Keep in mind the rates in this article are for teens obtaining their own car insurance policies, rather than joining their parents' policies.

Quick Facts
  • Nine states allow teens between the ages of 14 and 15 to get a learner's permit, according to the Governors Highway Safety Association.

  • Per mile driven, drivers between 16 and 19 have a fatal crash rate nearly three times as high as drivers 20 and older, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

  • 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

Car insurance quotes for teens can vary widely from company to company. Check out this list of the cheapest car insurance companies for teenagers, along with the average monthly quote each one offers for liability-only and full-coverage policies. The three most affordable auto insurance companies for teens, on average, are State Farm, Erie, and SafeAuto.

Insurance CompanyAverage Monthly Quote for Teens
State Farm$307
Erie$310
SafeAuto$318
USAA$325
Travelers$329
Nationwide$369
State Auto$380
GEICO$383
American Family$411
Clearcover$421
Farmers$441
National General$446
Progressive$466
Allstate$517
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.

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Average cost of car insurance for teen drivers

Other factors besides age can affect the cost of car insurance for teenagers, including where they live, the type of vehicle they drive, their driving record, and their gender.

The following table illustrates how different factors affect the cost of car insurance for teens. For example, while the average monthly cost of liability-only insurance for girls is $346, the average for teenage boys is $379 — about 10% more.

GenderAverage Quote: Liability OnlyAverage Quote: Full Coverage
Female$346$539
Male$379$612
Overall average$362$578
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.

Hear from the experts:

Laura Adams

Laura Adams

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Personal Finance Expert

Families with new drivers know that car insurance for teens can be costly. Inexperienced drivers are some of the riskiest customers for insurers because they're more likely to get into accidents that result in expensive claims. However, teens' rates should decrease as they age if they have clean driving records. Additionally, those maintaining a "B" grade average in high school or college typically qualify for a good student discount, making auto coverage more affordable.

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How age affects car insurance rates

Auto insurers often use age as a factor when setting rates, especially when insuring a younger driver.

Companies consider younger drivers, typically anyone younger than 25, riskier to insure due to their lack of experience on the road, their tendency to be distracted easily, and higher accident frequency. This means they can cost insurers more money in claims than other drivers do.[2]

The good news is, insurance rates typically go down as drivers age. The following table examines how much auto insurance quotes drop, on average, as drivers get older.

Age GroupAverage Monthly Quote
Teenagers$574
Under 25$387
25–29$289
30s$263
40s$251
50s$234
60s$216
70s$230
80+$254
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.

Data methodology

The data in the table above was sourced through Insurify’s proprietary database of more than 70 million quotes. Data scientists refined and analyzed the information by clustering quotes by age group to reveal the difference in average quotes based on driver age.

Do I Have to Add My Teenager to My Car Insurance?

Do I Have to Add My Teenager to My Car Insurance?

Best car insurance companies for teenagers

When determining which car insurance companies are the best for teens, we considered two main factors — cost and safety. To start, we looked at which insurance providers charge teen drivers the least. All these providers offer discounts for teens or young adult drivers, and many of those discounts encourage good grades and driving behavior. We also included auto insurance providers that provide resources to help teens develop better driving habits and that offer discounts to teens who pursue driving education.

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

State Farm: Good for building safer driving skills

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4.4
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J.D. Power data measures overall customer satisfaction and claims satisfaction based on a 1,000-point scale.
842
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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++

State Farm is a great option for families looking to save on their teen’s auto insurance while helping them improve their driving skills.

When a teen driver uses the State Farm Drive Safe & Save mobile app, they 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 rates of customer satisfaction

  • Rideshare insurance available

Cons
  • No gap insurance offering

  • May not be the cheapest choice for drivers with violations

I feel like I am being way overcharged for my insurance since I have had no accidents or tickets in the last 10 years.

Theresa - September 14, 2023
Verified

I really enjoyed working with them, I just couldn't keep up with the expensive rates.

Becki - September 13, 2023
Verified

I was 5 stars until the recent increase, without any explanation.

Norman - September 13, 2023
Verified
Read our State Farm review

Erie: Good for young driver discounts

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IQ Score
The Insurify Quality (IQ) Score uses more than 15 criteria to objectively rate insurance companies on a one-to-five scale. The Insurify editorial team researches insurer data to determine the final scores.
4.4
JD Power
J.D. Power data measures overall customer satisfaction and claims satisfaction based on a 1,000-point scale.
870
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+

If you’re looking to save on a teen auto insurance policy, regional insurer Erie might have the price for you, thanks to the many discounts that can apply to young drivers. Teens and young adults (who meet certain standards) may be able to qualify for Erie’s youthful driver discount or its driving training discount. You can also potentially get a discount if your child is away at college and doesn’t have access to their car during that time. However, Erie is only available in 12 states and Washington, D.C.

Pros
  • Excellent BBB, J.D. Power, and A.M. Best ratings

  • Competitive rates for teenagers and drivers with speeding tickets

Cons
  • Available in only 12 states

  • Customers can’t buy a policy or file a claim online

Over the years, they have always gone over and above what I would have expected. They are fair and prompt in customer service issues. They have always tailored my policy to meet my needs at a very fair price.

linda - August 9, 2023
Verified

I have been with Erie for 73 years. No problems!.

William - July 17, 2023
Verified

My agent was always there for me.

Dinah - December 4, 2022
Verified
Read our Erie Insurance review

SafeAuto: Good for big families

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3.6
JD Power
J.D. Power data measures overall customer satisfaction and claims satisfaction based on a 1,000-point scale.
Not rated
A.M. Best
A.M. Best analyzes an insurer’s financials, operating performance, business profile, and other factors to generate an opinion-based rating of a company’s financial and credit strength. Ratings range from A++ (exceptional) to D (poor).
NR

Car insurance costs — as well as car payments, vehicle registration, gas, and maintenance costs — can add up quickly for families with multiple adult or teenage drivers. Multiple auto insurance policies can be a hard expense to manage.

If you have a lot of drivers in your home, it’s worth looking into SafeAuto’s multi-vehicle discount. Good students can also qualify for a discount.

Easy to pay the way you need.

JaVontez - August 26, 2023
Verified
Read our SafeAuto review

USAA: Good for roadside assistance

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IQ Score
The Insurify Quality (IQ) Score uses more than 15 criteria to objectively rate insurance companies on a one-to-five scale. The Insurify editorial team researches insurer data to determine the final scores.
4.3
JD Power
J.D. Power data measures overall customer satisfaction and claims satisfaction based on a 1,000-point scale.
880
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++

All parents worry when their teens hit the open road by themselves for the first time. USAA’s roadside assistance program can give parents peace of mind by providing handy services like towing and lock-out assistance if their teen is stranded.

USAA also makes it easy to eventually transition your teenager off your policy and onto their own when the time comes, while helping them save money with a 10% family discount. Your kids can also qualify for a driver training discount when they complete an approved basic driver training course. And in select states, they can save up to 3% on their policy with USAA’s SafePilot program.

Similar to other auto insurance companies, USAA also offers a good student discount for students who get good grades. If you have multiple vehicles in your household, you can also lower your premium with USAA’s multi-vehicle discount.[3]

Pros
  • Low premiums

  • SafePilot program rewards good driving with up to 30% discount

Cons
  • Only available to active-duty military, veterans, military spouses, or children of service members or veterans

  • No 24/7 customer phone support

They are the best in customer service.

Brenda - September 13, 2023
Verified

Overall poor service, took a safe driving discount away because I wasn’t driving enough.

Kenneth - September 9, 2023
Verified

Great operation since I was a Lt.

raymond - September 7, 2023
Verified
Read our USAA review

Travelers: Good for rewards for good grades and driving

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IQ Score
The Insurify Quality (IQ) Score uses more than 15 criteria to objectively rate insurance companies on a one-to-five scale. The Insurify editorial team researches insurer data to determine the final scores.
4.3
JD Power
J.D. Power data measures overall customer satisfaction and claims satisfaction based on a 1,000-point scale.
829
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++

Parents whose children perform well in school may benefit from the discounts Travelers offers on its auto insurance policies. To start, Travelers offers a good student discount to full-time students who maintain a B average (or better) or who are in the upper 20% of their class scholastically.

To apply for this discount, you can share your teen’s latest report card, honor roll certificate, or a newspaper clipping that confirms their honor roll status. For homeschooled students, a certification signed by a parent and cosigned by a homeschool-certifying body is required.

You can also benefit if your child passes an approved driver education course. If your teen doesn’t drive most of the year because they’re away at school, you can also qualify for a discount.[4]

Pros
  • Accident forgiveness available

  • Robust coverage selections and discount offerings

Cons
  • Rideshare coverage only available in Colorado and Illinois

  • High number of negative customer reviews with the Better Business Bureau

They have the lowest rates I could find.

Elise - September 11, 2023
Verified

They are one of the few companies writing policies for a full year. All these "discount companies " miss lead you by quoting 6 month policies.

Albert - September 6, 2023
Verified

Good service.

Jorge - September 4, 2023
Verified
Read our Travelers review
Cheapest Car Insurance for 17-Year-Olds (2022)

Cheapest Car Insurance for 17-Year-Olds (2022)

How to get cheaper car insurance for teenagers

Parents and teens can take steps to save on car insurance. Here are some tips that can make saving easier.

Comparison shop among different insurers

You never know which insurance company will have the best deal for you. That’s why you should always shop around and compare quotes from multiple insurers before buying a policy.[5]

You can do this within a matter of minutes by using a comparison site like Insurify, where you fill out just one form to view multiple quotes, as opposed to filling out a form on each company’s website. This way, you can compare quotes, discounts, and coverages all in one place.

Use the same insurance company

Adding your teen drivers to your existing auto insurance policy usually costs less than having them purchase their own individual policies. As an added bonus, families may be able to qualify for a multi-vehicle discount if you insure multiple vehicles through the same company. You’ll still want to crunch the numbers here and should shop around to see if any other insurers will offer you a better rate than your current company would.[1] Keep in mind, minors are not legally allowed to buy their own insurance policy, so if your child is younger than 18, you'll have to add them to your policy.

Teach your teen how to qualify for discounts

Your teen can help you secure lower insurance rates, but only if they know what they need to do to qualify for special discounts.

For example, many insurance companies offer discounts for students with at least a B average in school or for teens who successfully complete a recognized driver training course.[1] Having honest conversations with your teens about what they need to do to lower their insurance rates can help motivate them.

Assign your teen driver to the least valuable car

Double-check which driver your insurance company assigned to which car. Your car insurers might have assigned the most expensive driver (usually the youngest driver in the family) to the most expensive car to insure. But you can save money by having the teen driver assigned to the least valuable car. For this arrangement to work though, your teen needs to drive only the car they’re insured to drive.[1]

Raise your deductible

While having a higher deductible can expose you to higher out-of-pocket costs after an accident, if your teen practices safe driving habits, you may want to consider this move.

When you increase your deductible for collision and comprehensive coverage, you lower your monthly premium — which can make it a lot easier to fit a new driver’s policy into your monthly budget. You may want to set aside some of those savings in case you do ever have to pay that deductible amount.

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 EligibleCompanies That Offer It
Good studentEarn a certain GPA or meet other academic standardsSafeAuto, USAA, Travelers
Multi-vehicleInsure multiple carsSafeAuto, USAA
Driver educationTeen driver has to complete driver education trainingSafeAuto, USAA, Travelers
Away at schoolTeen must be a student driver who isn’t driving while away at college that's a specified distance from home (typically 100 miles)State Farm, Erie, Travelers
Cheapest Car Insurance for 19-Year-Olds

Cheapest Car Insurance for 19-Year-Olds

States with the cheapest car insurance for teenagers

Where you live can also greatly affect your car insurance rates. Your location can influence the likelihood that your car will fall prey to theft or vandalism and how likely your teen driver is to get in an accident.[6]

For example, drivers in urban areas, which typically have more accidents and higher rates of car theft and vandalism, tend to pay more for their auto insurance than those who live in rural areas or small towns. How much it costs to repair a car, the frequency of litigation (and average costs), and medical care costs in a state can also affect auto insurance rates since they affect how much a claim can cost the insurer. The weather in your area can also play a role in pricing since severe weather can damage cars and make it more likely you’ll get into an accident.

Here are the top 10 states with the cheapest car insurance rates for teens to give you an idea of how costs can vary by location.

StateAverage Monthly Quote for Teenagers
Hawaii$118
North Dakota$223
North Carolina$243
Montana$302
Wyoming$335
Idaho$340
South Dakota$354
Indiana$354
Maine$363
Wisconsin$365
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.

Find Cheap Car Insurance for Teen Drivers

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Car insurance for teens FAQs

Insuring a teenager 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?

    Teenagers tend to have less experience behind the wheel, which could lead to mistakes that cause them to file an insurance claim. Insurers want to offset these potential claims. Out of all the age groups, teens also have the highest risk of getting into a fatal crash, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Young drivers are also more likely to drive without a seat belt, text or email while driving, and engage in risky behaviors like speeding, the CDC says. These factors cause car insurance to be more expensive for teenagers.

  • What car insurance company is the cheapest for teenagers?

    Some of the cheapest car insurance companies for teenagers also happen to be the best for teen drivers due to the discounts they offer and the resources they provide.

    For example, State Farm ($307 average monthly quote for teens) rewards good driving behavior with discounts and gives you a discount when you’re away at college and not driving your car.[2] Erie ($310 average monthly quote for teens) also provides teen-friendly discounts, like helping them save when they’re away at school.[7] SafeAuto ($318 average monthly quote for teens) helps big families with multiple drivers save when they insure multiple cars.[8] If you get good grades, it’s also a good idea to inquire about good student discounts.

  • 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.

  • What are some ways teenagers can lower car insurance premiums?

    One of the best ways to save is by comparing quotes from different insurance companies to see which can offer the best rates for the amount of coverage you need.[5]

    If your teen driver doesn’t drive all that far or often, you can also consider buying pay-per-mile car insurance, which only charges for the miles they drive. Another good rule of thumb for saving on auto insurance is not to buy your teenager an expensive car. It costs more to insure expensive cars, and you can generally save by choosing a moderately priced and smaller vehicle that doesn’t have a high theft rate.

  • 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:

    • Multiple people, added teenager: $599 per month

    • No teenagers: $369 per month

    • Single teenager applicant: $448 per month

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. III. "Auto insurance for teen drivers." Accessed November 30, 2022
  2. State Farm. "Car insurance for teens and new drivers." Accessed November 30, 2022
  3. USAA. "Car Insurance for Young Drivers and Teens." Accessed November 30, 2022
  4. Travelers Insurance. "Car Insurance Good Student Discount." Accessed November 30, 2022
  5. III. "How to find the right auto insurance." Accessed November 30, 2022
  6. III. "What determines the price of an auto insurance policy?." Accessed November 30, 2022
  7. Erie Insurance. "Auto Insurance Discounts and Customer Incentives." Accessed November 30, 2022
  8. SafeAuto. "Discounts." Accessed November 30, 2022
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.

Tanveen Vohra
Edited byTanveen VohraManager of Content and Communications
Tanveen Vohra
Tanveen VohraManager of Content and Communications
  • Property and casualty insurance specialist

  • 4+ years creating insurance content

Tanveen manages Insurify's data insights, annual home and auto insurance reports, and media communications. She’s regularly featured in media interviews on insurance topics.

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Mark Friedlander
Reviewed byMark FriedlanderDirector, Corporate Communications
Mark Friedlander
Mark FriedlanderDirector, Corporate Communications
  • 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.

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