Car insurance for 19-year-olds

How much is car insurance for a 19-year-old?

Bankrate's insurance editorial team gathered data from Quadrant Information Services to compare quotes from dozens of auto insurers. The average cost of car insurance for a 19-year-old on their own policy is $5,939 a year for full coverage and $1,866 a year for minimum coverage. This means 19-year-old drivers pay 120 percent more for full coverage than the national average cost of car insurance for adult drivers. However, average costs are a little less when 19-year-olds are added to their parents' policy, at $4,304 annually for full coverage and $1,380 annually for minimum coverage.

Lacking a lengthy driving history, car insurance companies typically consider young drivers — those under the age of 25 — risky to insure. Teen drivers have a crash rate about four times higher than other age groups. Although age is not allowed to be used as an insurance rating factor in some states, historically, age is a strong indicator of driver risk.

Average car insurance cost for 19-year-olds by state

How much you pay for car insurance is based on several factors beyond age, and location is one of the most significant. This means that if you move to a different ZIP code, city or state, your car insurance rate could be affected. For example, if you move to a neighborhood with higher rates of car theft, your premium may increase. Conversely, if you move out of the city to an area with less traffic, your premium could go down. Two exceptions are Michigan, which does not allow the use of ZIP codes in determining car insurance premiums, and California, which has limitations on how ZIP codes can be used.

Best car insurance companies for 19-year-olds

Most auto insurance companies will write policies for 19-year-olds, but they generally charge higher rates to compensate for the risk that these drivers pose. This is especially true if you purchase your own car insurance policy instead of being added to your parents’. But shopping around can help you find the carrier with the lowest rates for your circumstances. 

Based on average premium data and our proprietary Bankrate Scores, we identified some of the best car insurance companies for 19-year-olds. Bankrate Scores are calculated on a five-point scale, evaluating factors like pricing, coverage options, discounts, state availability, financial strength, customer satisfaction and digital accessibility.

Cheapest car insurance for 19-year-olds

Because price is often a top consideration when choosing coverage — especially for younger drivers who tend to pay more for car insurance — many 19-year-olds may be looking for the cheapest auto insurance available. We compared rates from providers across the country and found five that stand out.

Price may be an important factor when seeking coverage, but it’s not the only thing to consider. You may also want to take into account any discounts or optional coverage types you might benefit from, as well as how easy it will be to get customer assistance and manage your policy.

Below are some top-rated car insurance companies that also offer some of the most affordable average rates for 19-year-old drivers both on their own policy and on their parents’ policy.

How can 19-year-olds save on car insurance?

Finding cheap car insurance for 19-year-olds may be challenging, but it is often possible to lower your car insurance premiums with the right strategy. If you’re a young driver looking to save, try these tips.

• Shop around: Experts recommend comparing quotes from several carriers. In addition to looking for the cheapest car insurance companies, it’s wise to compare  key perks  and coverage options. Third-party metrics, like those from the annual J.D. Power U.S. Auto Insurance Study, can provide insight on customer satisfaction to differentiate your options further.
• Maintain a clean driving record: Your driving record is one of the most significant variables when it comes to determining your auto insurance premium. Considering that young drivers are already seen as highly risky, being deemed a high-risk driver on top of that could lead to untenable rates. Not only does keeping a clean driving record prevent drastic rate increases, but it can also lead to discounts for good driving with many insurers.
• Drive an older or safer car: The costlier a car is to replace or repair, the higher premiums will be. Likewise, vehicles that score poorly on crash tests are likely to cost more to insure due to the risk of injury in the event of a crash. Safety devices and vehicle features that reduce the risk of injury, collision or theft may contribute to lower rates.
• Choose usage-based car insurance: If you are a full-time student who doesn’t drive much, a usage-based car insurance policy may be worth considering (however not all providers offer it). With a usage-based policy, premiums depend on:
• How far you drive
• How long you drive
• The type of car you drive
• How fast you drive
• How well you drive
• Take advantage of discounts: There are a variety of discounts 19-year-old drivers may be able to take advantage of. Ask an agent what’s available and whether you qualify. Some of the most common offered by many carriers include:
• Good student
• Defensive driving course
• Accident-free
• Autopay
• Paperless
• Pay in full
• Opt for a higher deductible: If you select for a high deductible, you will pay less each month for insurance. However, choosing an appropriate deductible is a balancing act. A higher deductible means you’ll face higher out-of-pocket expenses in the event of a collision or comprehensive claim, so it’s imperative to choose a deductible that you can comfortably afford.

Frequently asked questions

Methodology