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.
Car insurance for teen drivers
The Bankrate promise
At Bankrate, we strive to help you make smarter financial decisions. To help readers understand how insurance affects their finances, we have licensed insurance professionals on staff who have spent a combined 47 years in the auto, home and life insurance industries. While we adhere to strict , this post may contain references to products from our partners. Here's an explanation of . Our content is backed by Coverage.com, LLC, a licensed entity (NPN: 19966249). For more information, please see our .
Teens are charged some of the highest auto insurance premiums of any age. This is mostly due to their lack of experience behind the wheel, which can lead to a higher likelihood of accidents. If you have a teen driver to add to your car insurance policy, you may be concerned about finding the best coverage at the best price so that you can protect your finances and your budget.
Bankrate’s insurance editorial team analyzed average rates for the largest carriers in the nation, along with teen-specific coverage options and discount programs to help you find the best car insurance for your teen driver.
Compare auto insurance rates
Save on auto insurance with quotes from trusted providers like
Drivers switch & save an average of $750+/year
Are you overpaying for auto insurance?
Safe drivers choose Allstate®
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, State Farm, Progressive and Allstate 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 $4,584 for a male teen and $4,201 for a female teen.
- Massachusetts and Hawaii generally have the lowest rates for teen drivers, as they don’t factor age into rates, whereas New York and Louisiana have the highest rates.
Best car insurance for teen drivers
We chose the best car insurance companies for teens by analyzing factors specific to teen drivers. First, we researched average auto insurance rates pulled from Quadrant Information Services. Price is far from the only factor to consider when insuring a teen, though, especially when you know teens are more likely than any other age group to get into accidents. To that end, we also looked into coverage options, teen-specific discounts, safe driving programs and third-party scores for each insurer.
We compiled these factors to create a Bankrate Score for each company, calculated on a scale of 0.0 to 5.0. The higher a company scored, the higher that carrier ranked in the individual categories. Our Bankrate Score can help you understand a company’s overall profile when shopping for teen car insurance.
It is helpful to know that, while your age factors into your car insurance premium in most states, Hawaii and Massachusetts prohibit this practice. Similarly, in California, Hawaii, Massachusetts, Michigan, North Carolina and Pennsylvania, car insurance companies are prohibited from using gender as a rating factor.
| Car insurance company | Bankrate Score |
|---|---|
| Geico | 4.4 |
| State Farm | 4.2 |
| Progressive | 4.2 |
| Allstate | 3.8 |
Geico
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
State Farm
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
Progressive
PROS
-
Several options for digital policy management
Several discounts available
CONS
-
Telematics programs can actually raise rates for unsafe driving
-
Below-average score for J.D. Power claims satisfaction
Allstate
PROS
-
Other insurance products available including home, life, and business
Student discounts available for young drivers
CONS
-
Average rates in some states may be more expensive than the national average
-
Lowest Bankrate Score on the list
Average cost of car insurance for teen drivers
The average cost of car insurance varies for male and female young drivers, with female teen drivers generally paying less than males. Keep in mind, however, that Hawaii and Massachusetts ban the use of age to calculate car insurance premiums. Additionally, California, Hawaii, Massachusetts, Michigan, North Carolina and Pennsylvania prohibit using gender as a rating factor.
Female drivers typically pay less than their male peers since male drivers are seen as riskier to insure. Studies show that males speed more and generally exhibit more risky behavior behind the wheel than female drivers. Teenage drivers and young adults also have the highest cell phone usage of all age groups, which may increase the risk of causing an accident or getting a ticket due to distracted driving.
Here is the average annual premium for full coverage car insurance for teen males and females added to their parents’ policy:
| Age | Male* | Female* | Difference* |
|---|---|---|---|
| 16 | $4,584 | $4,201 | $383 |
| 17 | $4,285 | $3,919 | $366 |
| 18 | $4,013 | $3,661 | $352 |
| 19 | $3,503 | $3,186 | $317 |
*Rates reflect the total cost for two adult drivers, one teen and one vehicle
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 your auto insurance premium, as illustrated in the table below. Hawaii and Massachusetts prohibit age in determining car insurance rates, which means that rates in those states will generally be lower than the national average.
Massachusetts and Hawaii are the cheapest states for teen drivers of all four ages, which makes sense due these states not permitting age as a rating factor. 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.
These rates are based on the top insurers in the country and are for full coverage car insurance for teens added to their parents’ policy and thus reflect added cost and not the total cost.
| State | Age 16* | Age 17* | Age 18* | Age 19* |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Alabama | $3,986 | $3,753 | $3,477 | $3,108 |
| Alaska | $4,096 | $3,790 | $3,481 | $3,262 |
| Arizona | $4,214 | $3,940 | $3,643 | $3,388 |
| Arkansas | $4,006 | $3,749 | $3,501 | $3,124 |
| California | $5,360 | $5,001 | $4,768 | $3,758 |
| Colorado | $4,594 | $4,491 | $4,219 | $3,817 |
| Connecticut | $3,313 | $3,008 | $2,760 | $2,446 |
| Delaware | $4,239 | $3,972 | $3,742 | $3,440 |
| Florida | $6,738 | $6,405 | $6,117 | $5,247 |
| Georgia | $4,428 | $4,192 | $3,909 | $3,692 |
| Hawaii** | $1,275 | $1,275 | $1,275 | $1,275 |
| Idaho | $2,409 | $2,124 | $1,999 | $1,819 |
| Illinois | $4,148 | $3,782 | $3,496 | $3,315 |
| Indiana | $2,783 | $2,547 | $2,363 | $2,076 |
| Iowa | $2,482 | $2,343 | $2,206 | $2,033 |
| Kansas | $3,861 | $3,545 | $3,272 | $2,974 |
| Kentucky | $4,602 | $4,385 | $3,996 | $3,462 |
| Louisiana | $6,486 | $6,044 | $5,409 | $4,759 |
| Maine | $2,140 | $1,983 | $1,828 | $1,638 |
| Maryland | $4,273 | $4,076 | $3,910 | $3,431 |
| Massachusetts** | $1,262 | $1,262 | $1,262 | $1,262 |
| Michigan | $6,200 | $5,937 | $5,504 | $4,953 |
| Minnesota | $3,507 | $3,236 | $2,980 | $2,746 |
| Mississippi | $3,488 | $3,268 | $3,011 | $2,715 |
| Missouri | $4,186 | $3,832 | $3,572 | $3,221 |
| Montana | $3,714 | $3,491 | $3,347 | $3,008 |
| Nebraska | $2,920 | $2,779 | $2,639 | $2,417 |
| Nevada | $6,296 | $5,753 | $5,437 | $4,902 |
| New Hampshire | $2,682 | $2,528 | $2,329 | $2,086 |
| New Jersey | $3,722 | $3,461 | $3,271 | $2,940 |
| New Mexico | $3,172 | $2,971 | $2,740 | $2,454 |
| New York | $6,808 | $6,336 | $5,882 | $4,902 |
| North Carolina | $3,270 | $2,543 | $2,337 | $1,694 |
| North Dakota | $2,495 | $2,310 | $2,125 | $1,903 |
| Ohio | $2,630 | $2,483 | $2,340 | $2,084 |
| Oklahoma | $4,167 | $3,845 | $3,591 | $3,227 |
| Oregon | $2,993 | $2,758 | $2,537 | $2,417 |
| Pennsylvania | $4,684 | $4,444 | $4,044 | $3,610 |
| Rhode Island | $4,186 | $3,922 | $3,644 | $3,107 |
| South Carolina | $3,184 | $2,945 | $2,725 | $2,425 |
| South Dakota | $2,688 | $2,591 | $2,435 | $2,247 |
| Tennessee | $3,234 | $3,048 | $2,804 | $2,500 |
| Texas | $4,355 | $4,098 | $3,844 | $3,563 |
| Utah | $3,722 | $3,361 | $3,104 | $2,752 |
| Vermont | $2,773 | $2,602 | $2,350 | $2,135 |
| Virginia | $3,219 | $2,991 | $2,781 | $2,487 |
| Washington | $3,317 | $3,088 | $2,886 | $2,416 |
| Washington, D.C. | $4,287 | $3,920 | $3,692 | $3,403 |
| West Virginia | $3,312 | $3,114 | $2,880 | $2,510 |
| Wisconsin | $2,814 | $2,658 | $2,392 | $2,089 |
| Wyoming | $3,248 | $3,070 | $2,868 | $2,477 |
*Rates reflect the total cost for two adult drivers, one teen and one vehicle
**Age is not a contributing rating factor in Hawaii and Massachusetts due to state regulations.
How rates are determined for teen drivers
Car insurance companies consider several factors when determining teen car insurance rates. A few of the main considerations include:
- Car make and model: Your vehicle’s make and model affect car insurance rates for several reasons. Certain cars are made with more expensive parts and are costlier to repair, which increases insurance costs. Certain vehicles come with more sophisticated safety features, which may lessen a car insurance company’s risk, and as a result, decrease your premium. However, some sophisticated safety features might increase your costs as they can be expensive to repair if damaged in a covered claim. In addition, vehicles have different crash statistics. If your vehicle make and model has a high rate of collisions, your car insurance company may charge you a higher price.
- 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. Hawaii and Massachusetts, however, do not allow using age as an insurance rating factor.
- 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 car insurance is cheaper than full coverage car insurance. However, most insurance experts recommend purchasing more than the minimum coverage insurance required to better protect your finances. There may be some additional coverage options, however, that you may not need. For instance, if you drive an older vehicle that you own outright, you would not be required to have comprehensive coverage or collision coverage.
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. 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 save money on car insurance. 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.
Frequently asked questions
Methodology
Bankrate utilizes Quadrant Information Services to analyze 2023 rates for 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 are based on a 40-year-old male and female driver with a clean driving record, good credit and the following full coverage limits:
- $100,000 bodily injury liability per person
- $300,000 bodily injury liability per accident
- $50,000 property damage liability per accident
- $100,000 uninsured motorist bodily injury per person
- $300,000 uninsured motorist bodily injury per accident
- $500 collision deductible
- $500 comprehensive deductible
To determine minimum coverage limits, Bankrate used minimum coverage that meets each state’s requirements. Our base profile drivers own a 2021 Toyota Camry, commute five days a week and drive 12,000 miles annually.
These are sample rates and should only be used for comparative purposes.
Age: Rates were calculated by evaluating our base profile with the ages 16-19 (base: 40 years) applied. Age is not a contributing rating factor in Hawaii and Massachusetts due to state regulations.
Gender: The following states do not use gender as a determining factor in calculating premiums: California, Hawaii, Massachusetts, Michigan, North Carolina and Pennsylvania.