Car insurance for teen drivers
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Coverage.com, LLC is a licensed insurance producer (NPN: 19966249). Coverage.com services are only available in states where it is licensed. Coverage.com may not offer insurance coverage in all states or scenarios. All insurance products are governed by the terms in the applicable insurance policy, and all related decisions (such as approval for coverage, premiums, commissions and fees) and policy obligations are the sole responsibility of the underwriting insurer. The information on this site does not modify any insurance policy terms in any way.
Key takeaways
- Geico, Nationwide, Progressive, State Farm and Travelers are some of the best car insurance companies for teens, according to our research.
- Parents adding a 16-year-old to their policy experience the highest average rates, with an average annual full coverage premium of $5,970 for a male teen and $5,565 for a female teen.
- Hawaii generally has the lowest average rates for teen drivers, likely because they don’t allow insurance companies to base rates on age. Louisiana, Florida and New York tend to have the highest average rates.
Best car insurance for teen drivers
We chose the best car insurance companies for teens by analyzing factors that matter most to families with teen drivers: price, discounts, safe driving programs and overall customer satisfaction. These are among the factors that go into each company's Bankrate Score, our proprietary 5.0-point scale that captures how well each carrier meets customer needs overall.
The companies below all earned high Bankrate Scores and offer competitive premiums for families with teen drivers, along with teen-specific discounts and safe driving programs that could help mitigate expensive premiums.
|
|
|
|
|
|---|---|---|---|
|
4.4
|
$1,532
|
$4,547
|
|
|
4.3
|
$1,165
|
$4,069
|
|
|
4.3
|
$1,864
|
$5,274
|
|
|
4.1
|
$1,179
|
$4,187
|
|
|
4.0
|
$1,218
|
$3,325
|
Why we picked this carrier:
Drivers of all ages can participate in Progressive's Snapshot program to potentially earn cheaper premiums. This program tracks your driving habits and rewards you for safe practices, with an average discount of $169 just for signing up. If your teen is a safe driver, this program may be a great way to lower your family’s car insurance rates. Progressive also offers teen driver, good student and distant student discounts and tends to have affordable premiums for drivers with certain violations.
Pros
- Several options for digital policy management
- Numerous discounts available
Cons
- Telematics programs can actually raise rates for unsafe driving
- Below-average score for J.D. Power claims satisfaction
Why we picked this carrier:
Geico is consistently among the cheapest car insurance companies for young drivers. It's also the 2025 Bankrate Awards winner for Best Auto Insurance Company for High-Risk Drivers, meaning that teens with tickets or accidents on their record may still be able to find affordable coverage with Geico. The company offers a range of discounts geared toward teens, including savings for good students and young drivers who complete an approved driver education course.
Pros
- Comprehensive website and mobile app with easy access to a customer service representative
- Lower average premium for high-risk drivers
Cons
- Other insurance lines may be written by third parties
- Coverage add-on options limited
Why we picked this carrier:
State Farm has one of the highest Bankrate Scores on our list. Like many other car insurance companies, the company offers a good student discount in certain states, but requirements vary by location. State Farm's unique Steer Clear program is another way for young adults under 25 to save as much as 20 percent on car insurance premiums by completing training modules and logging practice trips. For young drivers who prefer to manage their policies digitally, it's worth noting that State Farm scores above average for service in J.D. Power's 2024 U.S. Insurance Digital Experience Study.
Pros
- High customer satisfaction and financial strength scores
- Savings options tailored for younger drivers
Cons
- Certain discounts may not be available in all states
- No live chat option
Why we picked this carrier:
Travelers offers car insurance in 42 states plus Washington, D.C. It could be worth considering if you'd prefer to tailor coverage to your specific needs. They also have a handful of discounts that may lower your premium, including safe driver, good student and student away from school discounts. Young drivers who complete an approved driver education course might also earn a discount. However, Travelers received a below-average score in the J.D. Power 2024 U.S. Auto Claims Satisfaction Study.
Pros
- Robust coverage options allow for customization
- Generous discount options
Cons
- Not available in all 50 states
- Below average claims satisfaction ranking
Why we picked this carrier:
Nationwide has a presence in 46 states and Washington, D.C., with diverse coverage options and unusual features, such as a vanishing deductible, which gives you a $100 credit toward your deductible for every year you are accident-free. Nationwide offers several discounts with excellent savings for families with teens, like good student discounts and accident-free discounts. The company also has two telematics programs: SmartRide, which offers potential premium discounts for drivers who avoid unsafe habits like hard braking, and SmartMiles, which allows households that don't drive often to potentially save on coverage based on their mileage.
Pros
- 10 advertised discounts
- SmartMiles program available for low-mileage drivers
Cons
- Below average rating from J.D. Power for auto claims satisfaction
- Not available in all 50 states
Average cost of car insurance for teen drivers
Depending on age, premiums for teen drivers added to their parents' policy range from $5,970 to $4,176. On a standalone policy, teens can pay as much as $7,715. Keep in mind that these numbers are national averages for teens driving a conservative family car.
You may see higher rates for teen car insurance if:
- Your teen is male: Statistically, young male drivers carry a higher level of driving risk than their female peers. California, Hawaii, Massachusetts, Michigan, North Carolina and Pennsylvania ban insurers from using gender to price insurance, but most states will assign higher premiums to young men.
- Your teen drives a high-risk car: Small SUVs with high safety ratings are typically the cheapest vehicles for teen car insurance. Any car with a high value, a reputation for risky driving like speeding or rapid acceleration or shaky safety ratings can drive up the cost of car insurance for teens.
- Your teen has their own car insurance policy: Once a teen driver turns 18, they may have the option to purchase their own auto insurance, but this typically comes with significantly higher premiums compared to teens who stay on their parents' car insurance.
Cost of car insurance for teens on their parents’ policy
One factor that can bring the overall cost of car insurance for teens down is to remain on their parents' policy until they leave home and establish their own residence. Here is the average annual premium for full coverage car insurance for teen drivers added to their parents’ policy:
| Age | Male* | Female* |
|---|---|---|
| 16 | $5,970 | $5,565 |
| 17 | $5,559 | $5,141 |
| 18 | $5,158 | $4,778 |
| 19 | $4,552 | $4,176 |
Cost of car insurance for teens on their own policy
If you compare the rates for teens with their own policy against the rates of teens on their parents' policy in the table above, it becomes clear that savings generally lie in remaining on the parents' policy even after the teen turns 18, when possible. On a standalone policy, the risk associated with teen drivers can't be diffused by an older driver's record of safe driving.
| Age | Male* | Female* |
|---|---|---|
| 18 | $7,715 | $7,050 |
| 19 | $6,296 | $5,659 |
Car insurance rates generally decrease as drivers get older and gain more experience behind the wheel. By maintaining a clean driving record and taking advantage of discounts, teenage drivers can typically expect lower car insurance costs over time.
Average car insurance costs for teen drivers by state
The state where you live also affects how much car insurance costs for teens. New York, Louisiana, Florida, Michigan and Nevada have the most expensive average rates for car insurance when adding a young driver to their parents’ policy. Hawaii, on the other hand, doesn't permit insurers to take age and driving experience into account when setting rates, so they offer the cheapest rates for families with teens.
The rates below are for full coverage car insurance when teens are added to their parents’ policy.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
Age 16*
$4,596
|
Age 17*
$4,195
|
Age 18*
$3,772
|
Age 19*
$3,249
|
|
|
Age 16*
$4,914
|
Age 17*
$4,593
|
Age 18*
$4,373
|
Age 19*
$4,124
|
|
|
Age 16*
$6,013
|
Age 17*
$5,504
|
Age 18*
$5,027
|
Age 19*
$4,667
|
|
|
Age 16*
$4,857
|
Age 17*
$4,529
|
Age 18*
$4,191
|
Age 19*
$3,844
|
|
|
Age 16*
$6,967
|
Age 17*
$6,476
|
Age 18*
$6,120
|
Age 19*
$4,659
|
|
|
Age 16*
$6,633
|
Age 17*
$6,153
|
Age 18*
$5,738
|
Age 19*
$5,449
|
|
|
Age 16*
$5,612
|
Age 17*
$5,087
|
Age 18*
$4,643
|
Age 19*
$4,073
|
|
|
Age 16*
$5,734
|
Age 17*
$5,407
|
Age 18*
$4,948
|
Age 19*
$4,577
|
|
|
Age 16*
$8,182
|
Age 17*
$7,607
|
Age 18*
$7,193
|
Age 19*
$6,272
|
|
|
Age 16*
$6,369
|
Age 17*
$5,927
|
Age 18*
$5,441
|
Age 19*
$4,938
|
|
|
Age 16*
$1,744
|
Age 17*
$1,745
|
Age 18*
$1,744
|
Age 19*
$1,745
|
|
|
Age 16*
$3,107
|
Age 17*
$2,772
|
Age 18*
$2,598
|
Age 19*
$2,366
|
|
|
Age 16*
$5,261
|
Age 17*
$4,711
|
Age 18*
$4,371
|
Age 19*
$4,249
|
|
|
Age 16*
$3,681
|
Age 17*
$3,302
|
Age 18*
$3,070
|
Age 19*
$2,817
|
|
|
Age 16*
$3,530
|
Age 17*
$3,277
|
Age 18*
$3,045
|
Age 19*
$2,851
|
|
|
Age 16*
$5,297
|
Age 17*
$4,886
|
Age 18*
$4,483
|
Age 19*
$4,043
|
|
|
Age 16*
$5,596
|
Age 17*
$5,306
|
Age 18*
$4,854
|
Age 19*
$4,438
|
|
|
Age 16*
$8,768
|
Age 17*
$8,080
|
Age 18*
$7,199
|
Age 19*
$6,314
|
|
|
Age 16*
$3,619
|
Age 17*
$3,345
|
Age 18*
$3,079
|
Age 19*
$2,818
|
|
|
Age 16*
$6,280
|
Age 17*
$5,911
|
Age 18*
$5,564
|
Age 19*
$4,891
|
|
|
Age 16*
$4,547
|
Age 17*
$4,216
|
Age 18*
$4,000
|
Age 19*
$3,263
|
|
|
Age 16*
$6,782
|
Age 17*
$6,407
|
Age 18*
$6,058
|
Age 19*
$5,804
|
|
|
Age 16*
$5,423
|
Age 17*
$4,909
|
Age 18*
$4,499
|
Age 19*
$3,961
|
|
|
Age 16*
$4,407
|
Age 17*
$4,052
|
Age 18*
$3,745
|
Age 19*
$3,328
|
|
|
Age 16*
$5,750
|
Age 17*
$5,296
|
Age 18*
$4,862
|
Age 19*
$4,434
|
|
|
Age 16*
$5,019
|
Age 17*
$4,711
|
Age 18*
$4,435
|
Age 19*
$3,947
|
|
|
Age 16*
$4,682
|
Age 17*
$4,347
|
Age 18*
$4,011
|
Age 19*
$3,628
|
|
|
Age 16*
$7,605
|
Age 17*
$6,941
|
Age 18*
$6,477
|
Age 19*
$5,977
|
|
|
Age 16*
$3,774
|
Age 17*
$3,472
|
Age 18*
$3,145
|
Age 19*
$2,722
|
|
|
Age 16*
$6,152
|
Age 17*
$5,874
|
Age 18*
$5,631
|
Age 19*
$5,180
|
|
|
Age 16*
$4,439
|
Age 17*
$4,019
|
Age 18*
$3,655
|
Age 19*
$3,276
|
|
|
Age 16*
$7,630
|
Age 17*
$7,471
|
Age 18*
$7,059
|
Age 19*
$6,278
|
|
|
Age 16*
$4,545
|
Age 17*
$3,572
|
Age 18*
$3,283
|
Age 19*
$2,543
|
|
|
Age 16*
$3,643
|
Age 17*
$3,332
|
Age 18*
$3,021
|
Age 19*
$2,740
|
|
|
Age 16*
$4,147
|
Age 17*
$3,808
|
Age 18*
$3,521
|
Age 19*
$3,144
|
|
|
Age 16*
$5,510
|
Age 17*
$5,085
|
Age 18*
$4,781
|
Age 19*
$4,374
|
|
|
Age 16*
$4,858
|
Age 17*
$4,322
|
Age 18*
$3,931
|
Age 19*
$3,839
|
|
|
Age 16*
$5,497
|
Age 17*
$5,111
|
Age 18*
$4,616
|
Age 19*
$4,074
|
|
|
Age 16*
$6,853
|
Age 17*
$6,331
|
Age 18*
$5,788
|
Age 19*
$4,953
|
|
|
Age 16*
$4,373
|
Age 17*
$3,937
|
Age 18*
$3,608
|
Age 19*
$3,203
|
|
|
Age 16*
$3,798
|
Age 17*
$3,574
|
Age 18*
$3,331
|
Age 19*
$3,147
|
|
|
Age 16*
$4,889
|
Age 17*
$4,551
|
Age 18*
$4,061
|
Age 19*
$3,509
|
|
|
Age 16*
$5,441
|
Age 17*
$5,120
|
Age 18*
$4,728
|
Age 19*
$4,262
|
|
|
Age 16*
$5,312
|
Age 17*
$4,746
|
Age 18*
$4,301
|
Age 19*
$3,770
|
|
|
Age 16*
$3,693
|
Age 17*
$3,403
|
Age 18*
$3,054
|
Age 19*
$2,708
|
|
|
Age 16*
$5,242
|
Age 17*
$4,788
|
Age 18*
$4,400
|
Age 19*
$3,879
|
|
|
Age 16*
$4,327
|
Age 17*
$4,088
|
Age 18*
$3,745
|
Age 19*
$3,086
|
|
|
Age 16*
$4,576
|
Age 17*
$4,253
|
Age 18*
$3,929
|
Age 19*
$3,442
|
|
|
Age 16*
$4,052
|
Age 17*
$3,766
|
Age 18*
$3,438
|
Age 19*
$3,069
|
|
|
Age 16*
$3,683
|
Age 17*
$3,496
|
Age 18*
$3,262
|
Age 19*
$2,795
|
|
|
Age 16*
$6,069
|
Age 17*
$5,531
|
Age 18*
$5,180
|
Age 19*
$4,783
|
How rates are determined for teen drivers
Car insurance companies consider a wide range of factors when determining teen car insurance rates. A few of the main considerations include:
- Car make and model: Your vehicle's make and model is likely to impact your rate for several reasons. High-tech features may be expensive to repair and thus tend to increase rates — but by helping teens avoid accidents, they can also help you dodge additional rate hikes once your teen is on your policy. Crash statistics for your vehicle may also indicate to your insurer how likely it is that you'll be involved in an accident. Safer cars tend to earn lower rates.
- Age: Statistics show that drivers with less experience on the road are more likely to be involved in a car accident or engage in risky driving behaviors like speeding. As young drivers become more experienced, they are considered less of a risk in most states and typically see lower premiums as long as they maintain a clean driving record.
- Driving history: If a teen has a history of car accidents and moving violations, the car insurance company may see them as riskier to insure and increase their premium.
- Types of car insurance coverage: Minimum coverage policies allow you to drive legally but provide less financial protection than full coverage. Because teens have a higher risk of driving incidents, it's typically worth carrying the highest level of coverage you can afford as long as you have an inexperienced driver on your policy. Experts recommend opting for higher liability limits and adding collision and comprehensive coverage (more commonly called full coverage) to your policy.
Powered by Coverage.com (NPN: 19966249)
Coverage.com, LLC is a licensed insurance producer (NPN: 19966249). Coverage.com services are only available in states where it is licensed. Coverage.com may not offer insurance coverage in all states or scenarios. All insurance products are governed by the terms in the applicable insurance policy, and all related decisions (such as approval for coverage, premiums, commissions and fees) and policy obligations are the sole responsibility of the underwriting insurer. The information on this site does not modify any insurance policy terms in any way.
Compare auto insurance rates
Powered by Coverage.com (NPN: 19966249)
Coverage.com, LLC is a licensed insurance producer (NPN: 19966249). Coverage.com services are only available in states where it is licensed. Coverage.com may not offer insurance coverage in all states or scenarios. All insurance products are governed by the terms in the applicable insurance policy, and all related decisions (such as approval for coverage, premiums, commissions and fees) and policy obligations are the sole responsibility of the underwriting insurer. The information on this site does not modify any insurance policy terms in any way.
Discounts for teen drivers
Teen drivers and young adults may lower their car insurance premiums by benefiting from some of the best car insurance discounts for students and various other discounts.
- Good student discounts: Unmarried, full-time students may get a good student discount by maintaining a certain letter grade or grade point average (often a "B" average, 3.0 GPA or better). The savings amount and eligibility criteria vary by company.
- Distant student discounts: A distant student discount, also called student away at school, is a potential way to save for college-aged drivers. This discount typically applies to students who go to college at least 100 miles from home and do not take a car with them.
- Driver training discounts: Driver training programs help teenage drivers develop safer and more responsible driving habits and may also translate to lower car insurance premiums. The requirements and savings differ by carrier.
- Usage-based program discounts: Many insurance companies offer a way for all family members to save on car insurance with a usage-based program, also known as a telematics program. Telematics programs require a smartphone or plug-in device installed into the car to monitor driving habits and miles driven. Maintaining safe driving habits can earn you cheap car insurance rates.
What coverage type does my teen need?
In almost every state, you are required to carry a minimum amount of insurance coverage to drive legally on public roads. This generally consists of liability insurance to cover damage and injuries to the other driver, their vehicle and any other damaged property in an at-fault accident. Depending on the state, other requirements may include uninsured motorist coverage or personal injury protection.
If you have a car loan or lease on your teen's vehicle, it's likely that you'll also need to purchase collision and comprehensive insurance, which together with liability are often referred to as full coverage. This insurance helps pay for damage to your teen's car if they are in an at-fault accident or have a mishap like hitting an animal.
Just meeting your state and lender's requirements, though, might not give you all the coverage you need with a teen on your policy. Higher liability limits and additional coverage options like roadside assistance or rental car coverage may be worthwhile investments with a risky driver on your policy. If you're not sure how much coverage to add when your teen starts driving, you may want to speak with an insurance agent or broker.
Frequently asked questions
Methodology
Rates
Bankrate utilizes Quadrant Information Services to analyze April 2025 rates for all ZIP codes and carriers in all 50 states and Washington, D.C. Rates are weighted based on the population density in each geographic region. Quoted rates for our base profile are based on the following characteristics and full coverage limits with bundling and paperless billing discounts applied:
Bodily injury liability
$100,000 per person$300,000 per accident
Property damage liability
$50,000 per accidentPersonal injury protection
$100,000 per accidentUninsured motorist bodily injury
$100,000 per person$300,000 per accident
Collision deductible
$500Comprehensive deductible
$500To determine minimum coverage limits, Bankrate used minimum coverage that meets each state’s requirements. These are sample rates and should only be used for comparative purposes. Your quotes will differ.
If otherwise specified, the base profile has been modified with the following driver characteristics:
Other profiles
Bankrate Score
Our 2025 Bankrate Score for auto insurance considers key variables that our insurance editorial team determined impact policyholders’ experiences with an insurance company. These factors include a robust assessment of each company’s cost of coverage, product availability, financial strength ratings, online capabilities and customer and claims support accessibility. We grouped these factors into three essential categories — cost and ratings, coverage and savings, and support — which we then weighted in a tiered approach.
Each category was assigned a metric to determine performance, and the weighted sum adds up to a company’s total Bankrate Score — out of 5 points. Our scoring model provides a comprehensive view, indicating when companies excel across several key areas and highlighting where they fall short.
- Tier 1 (Cost & ratings): To determine how well auto insurance companies satisfy these priorities, our team analyzed quoted premiums from Quadrant Information Services (if available), as well as any of the latest third-party agency ratings from J.D. Power, AM Best, Demotech and the National Association of Insurance Commissioners (NAIC).
- Tier 2 (Coverage & savings): We assessed companies’ coverage options and availability to help policyholders find a provider that balances cost with coverage. Additionally, we evaluated the discount options listed on each company’s website.
- Tier 3 (Support): To encompass the many ways an auto insurance company can support policyholders, we analyzed avenues of customer accessibility along with community support. This analysis incorporated additional financial strength ratings from S&P and Moody’s and factored in a company’s corporate sustainability efforts.
Tier scores are unweighted to show the company's true score in each category out of a possible five points.
