It’s no secret that young drivers pay a high price for car insurance. Still, some companies offer relatively low rates, competitive young-driver discounts and top-notch service. After careful analysis, Bankrate’s insurance editorial team found that Geico, Nationwide and State Farm offer the best car insurance for young adults in the U.S.
We broke down why these three companies are best for young adults, the average premiums you can expect to pay and what discounts might apply.
- When seeking coverage for young adults, you may want to start by generating quotes from major auto insurers Geico, Nationwide and State Farm – which we found to offer low average premiums, wide coverage options and the most competitive potential discounts to young adults.
- Of young adult drivers ages 20 to 25, 25-year-olds pay the least for their auto insurance on average across the U.S.
- Since auto insurance can be pricey when you’re young, you may want to choose a carrier that offers niche discounts. For instance, Geico offers discounted rates to more than 800 professional and alumni groups.
Looking to save money on auto insurance?
Best car insurance for young adult drivers
Bankrate’s insurance editorial team chose the best car insurance companies for young drivers by searching for the companies that offer the best discounts for young adults. Our top picks for helping them save on premiums are Geico, Nationwide and State Farm.
To help you see how much you might spend on auto insurance, Bankrate assessed the most recent premium data from Quadrant Information Services. However, keep in mind that your actual rate may depend on factors such as if you are on a parent’s plan, are married or own a home or condo. For the purposes of determining average costs across the U.S., the rates cited here are based on single young adults who rent their residence and have their own insurance plan.
Geico
Geico is known for offering low average rates and that holds true for young adults. The company also offers a long list of discounts that could help you lower your premium.
| Age | Average annual premium for minimum coverage | Average annual premium for full coverage |
|---|---|---|
| Age 20 | $1,294 | $2,724 |
| Age 21 | $573 | $2,234 |
| Age 22 | $535 | $2,083 |
| Age 23 | $492 | $1,926 |
| Age 24 | $467 | $1,826 |
| Age 25 | $428 | $1,676 |
Recent college grads might also earn discounts for alumni association membership and fraternity or sorority affiliation. Young adults who are active-duty members of the U.S. Armed Forces could earn up to a 15% discount, along with additional savings when deployed.
Learn more: Geico Insurance review
Nationwide
If you are looking for an auto insurer with plenty of options for customization, Nationwide might be a good fit. The company offers numerous coverage add-ons, like roadside assistance and gap insurance, to help you create a policy that fits your needs.
| Age | Average annual premium for minimum coverage | Average annual premium for full coverage |
|---|---|---|
| Age 20 | $1,201 | $3,265 |
| Age 21 | $892 | $2,383 |
| Age 22 | $807 | $2,202 |
| Age 23 | $740 | $2,060 |
| Age 24 | $689 | $1,932 |
| Age 25 | $605 | $1,669 |
Young adults may be able to save money on auto insurance when they enroll in Nationwide’s SmartRide program. The usage-based insurance rating program uses an app to track acceleration, braking, idle time, mileage and nighttime driving. Because most college students who live on campus spend less time behind the wheel, limited driving and good driving habits may lead to great savings. Drivers get a 10% discount just for signing up for this telematics program and can earn up to a 40% discount depending on their driving habits.
Learn more: Nationwide Insurance review
State Farm
If you like working with a local agent, State Farm might be a good choice for auto insurance for young adults. The company has a network of 19,000 agents throughout the U.S. who can help you with your auto insurance needs.
| Age | Average annual premium for minimum coverage | Average annual premium for full coverage |
|---|---|---|
| Age 20 | $1,014 | $2,908 |
| Age 21 | $861 | $2,503 |
| Age 22 | $779 | $2,298 |
| Age 23 | $694 | $2,085 |
| Age 24 | $629 | $1,932 |
| Age 25 | $558 | $1,695 |
Young people often need help navigating the challenges of university life or leaving the nest to live on their own or start a family. State Farm makes life a little easier for young adults with an exceptional roadside assistance program. This covers battery jump starts, fuel delivery, locksmith service, towing and up to one hour of roadside mechanic’s labor.
Learn more: State Farm Insurance review
Average cost of car insurance for young drivers
Knowing the national average cost of car insurance for young drivers may help you to know if the quote you have received is competitive or if you need to consider switching carriers to get a better rate.
The national average cost of full coverage car insurance is $1,674 per year – however, young drivers will likely pay significantly more for their auto insurance. The premiums below are the average annual full coverage premiums for young adult males and females, by age.
| Age | Male | Female | % Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Age 20 | $4,098 | $3,492 | 14% |
| Age 21 | $3,166 | $2,769 | 14% |
| Age 22 | $2,913 | $2,578 | 12% |
| Age 23 | $2,733 | $2,446 | 11% |
| Age 24 | $2,590 | $2,332 | 10% |
| Age 25 | $2,183 | $2,038 | 7% |
Age and gender are major factors insurers use to determine auto insurance rates at any age. On average, a 20-year-old male pays around $4,098 per year for a full coverage annual premium. By the time they reach 25 years of age, males pay an average of around $2,183 per year for the same coverage. Younger drivers are less experienced and may be at a higher risk for getting in accidents.
Several factors make up your car insurance rates, and age and gender and just two of them, although some states do not allow rates based on gender. Your driving history, the type of car you drive, the coverage options you choose and the discounts you qualify for will all have an impact on what you will pay. Your premium will likely be different than the averages listed above.
Average car insurance costs for young drivers by state
Location is another critical factor in determining auto insurance rates. Every state has different insurance laws, which can impact premiums. Additionally, the risk of getting into an accident may vary by location.
The table below illustrates the average annual full coverage premium for young adults, analyzed by state.
| Car insurance company | Average annual 20-year-old full coverage premium | Average annual 21-year-old full coverage premium | Average annual 22-year-old full coverage premium | Average annual 23-year-old full coverage premium | Average annual 24-year-old full coverage premium | Average annual 25-year-old full coverage premium |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Alabama | $4,247 | $3,103 | $2,899 | $2,742 | $2,583 | $2,189 |
| Alaska | $3,534 | $2,810 | $2,627 | $2,457 | $2,350 | $2,050 |
| Arizona | $3,391 | $2,750 | $2,570 | $2,399 | $2,284 | $1,953 |
| Arkansas | $4,357 | $3,370 | $3,092 | $2,947 | $2,824 | $2,470 |
| California | $3,980 | $3,459 | $3,228 | $3,064 | $2,870 | $2,671 |
| Colorado | $4,494 | $3,411 | $3,161 | $3,016 | $2,891 | $2,443 |
| Connecticut | $4,420 | $3,079 | $2,769 | $2,546 | $2,406 | $2,075 |
| Delaware | $4,352 | $3,045 | $2,831 | $2,687 | $2,568 | $2,176 |
| Florida | $5,726 | $4,580 | $4,148 | $3,955 | $3,828 | $3,357 |
| Georgia | $4,763 | $3,589 | $3,426 | $3,209 | $3,071 | $2,562 |
| Hawaii* | $1,294 | $1,272 | $1,273 | $1,272 | $1,272 | $1,272 |
| Idaho | $2,648 | $2,034 | $1,882 | $1,795 | $1,729 | $1,460 |
| Illinois | $3,634 | $2,807 | $2,556 | $2,387 | $2,267 | $1,913 |
| Indiana | $2,945 | $2,421 | $2,207 | $2,129 | $1,979 | $1,682 |
| Iowa | $2,657 | $2,150 | $1,996 | $1,907 | $1,823 | $1,550 |
| Kansas | $3,838 | $2,998 | $2,758 | $2,675 | $2,597 | $2,150 |
| Kentucky | $5,444 | $4,071 | $3,788 | $3,649 | $3,479 | $2,863 |
| Louisiana | $5,911 | $4,847 | $4,390 | $4,176 | $3,979 | $3,426 |
| Maine | $2,372 | $1,566 | $1,476 | $1,420 | $1,366 | $1,107 |
| Maryland | $4,473 | $3,208 | $2,966 | $2,732 | $2,538 | $2,208 |
| Massachusetts | $3,124 | $2,665 | $1,719 | $1,627 | $1,512 | $1,451 |
| Michigan | $5,743 | $4,495 | $4,165 | $3,825 | $3,625 | $3,038 |
| Minnesota | $3,333 | $2,856 | $2,643 | $2,444 | $2,329 | $2,011 |
| Mississippi | $3,840 | $2,959 | $2,763 | $2,614 | $2,494 | $2,144 |
| Missouri | $3,923 | $2,984 | $2,788 | $2,670 | $2,562 | $2,111 |
| Montana | $4,238 | $3,183 | $3,001 | $2,760 | $2,639 | $2,094 |
| Nebraska | $3,414 | $2,584 | $2,368 | $2,262 | $2,187 | $1,839 |
| Nevada | $4,928 | $3,903 | $3,656 | $3,358 | $3,250 | $2,836 |
| New Hampshire | $2,806 | $2,199 | $2,000 | $1,906 | $1,806 | $1,512 |
| New Jersey | $4,232 | $3,346 | $3,045 | $2,818 | $2,670 | $2,294 |
| New Mexico | $3,033 | $2,511 | $2,348 | $2,243 | $2,148 | $1,862 |
| New York | $4,861 | $3,754 | $3,542 | $3,354 | $3,207 | $2,798 |
| North Carolina | $1,653 | $1,576 | $1,559 | $1,542 | $1,512 | $1,482 |
| North Dakota | $2,648 | $2,158 | $1,995 | $1,852 | $1,777 | $1,576 |
| Ohio | $2,679 | $2,097 | $1,967 | $1,832 | $1,722 | $1,462 |
| Oklahoma | $3,791 | $3,154 | $2,903 | $2,739 | $2,615 | $2,299 |
| Oregon | $2,945 | $2,395 | $2,173 | $2,062 | $1,972 | $1,721 |
| Pennsylvania | $3,806 | $2,913 | $2,735 | $2,586 | $2,437 | $1,964 |
| Rhode Island | $4,238 | $3,314 | $3,060 | $2,824 | $2,707 | $2,324 |
| South Carolina | $3,733 | $2,661 | $2,506 | $2,347 | $2,250 | $1,921 |
| South Dakota | $3,232 | $2,645 | $2,522 | $2,379 | $2,300 | $2,029 |
| Tennessee | $3,241 | $2,561 | $2,358 | $2,201 | $2,033 | $1,789 |
| Texas | $4,455 | $3,346 | $3,126 | $2,960 | $2,817 | $2,353 |
| Utah | $3,215 | $2,416 | $2,221 | $2,080 | $1,958 | $1,651 |
| Vermont | $3,539 | $2,133 | $2,021 | $1,911 | $1,853 | $1,413 |
| Virginia | $3,246 | $2,409 | $2,226 | $2,098 | $1,996 | $1,770 |
| Washington | $3,034 | $2,235 | $2,023 | $1,887 | $1,794 | $1,545 |
| Washington, D.C. | $3,863 | $3,224 | $2,989 | $2,766 | $2,602 | $2,246 |
| West Virginia | $3,520 | $2,773 | $2,530 | $2,370 | $2,216 | $1,912 |
| Wisconsin | $2,609 | $2,096 | $1,922 | $1,813 | $1,726 | $1,505 |
| Wyoming | $3,035 | $2,616 | $2,397 | $2,232 | $2,142 | $1,720 |
*Hawaii prohibits using age as a rating factor
Looking to save money on auto insurance?
How are rates determined for young drivers?
Auto insurance rates for young adults are determined in the same way as they are for older drives. There are several rating factors that determine insurance premiums, including:
- Age: Typically, drivers who are 25 and younger pay more for car insurance, because their lack of driving experience may put them at a greater risk for causing accidents than older drivers.
- Automobile make and model: Some cars are more expensive to insure than others. Before buying a vehicle, it may be a good idea to get a quote from your insurance carrier to make sure you can afford the coverage.
- Credit: Most states allow insurance carriers to use your credit-based insurance score when calculating your policy rate. People with poor credit typically pay much higher rates than consumers with good credit scores. Regulations in California, Hawaii, Massachusetts, Michigan and Washington do not permit the use of credit as a factor in determining auto insurance rates.
- Gender: Males usually pay higher rates than females pay for car insurance, even if they have clean driving records. Men are statistically more likely to get into accidents than women, and those accidents tend to be more severe, according to research by the Insurance Information Institute (Triple-I).
- Location: Car owners who live in areas prone to car theft and vandalism may pay more for auto insurance. Additionally, every state has different insurance laws, which can affect premiums.
- Mileage: The more you drive, the more likely it is that you will have an accident. People who only use their cars occasionally usually pay lower rates than people who are on the road more often.
- Types and amount of coverages: Drivers who only purchase minimum required coverages, such as bodily injury and property damage liability, generally pay less for auto insurance than motorists who also buy collision and comprehensive coverage. If you own your vehicle outright, you can buy state-required coverages, but if you finance a vehicle, the lender will typically require you to buy collision and comprehensive insurance as well. However, the less coverage you purchase, the less financial protection you have.
Because these variables will change your rate from carrier to carrier, it can be helpful to get several quotes before settling on an auto insurer.
Discounts for young drivers
Almost every auto insurance company offers discounts to drivers, and some even offer discounts specifically for young drivers. Finding a company that offers the right discounts for your driving habits may be the best way to get cheap car insurance.
Multi-car discounts
Most auto insurers give you a discount when you add multiple vehicles to a single policy. However, the discount likely will not offset the cost of adding an additional vehicle. It may make each vehicle cheaper to insure, but your entire policy will likely be more expensive with two or more vehicles. Buying an additional car just to get the multi-car discount is not an effective way to lower your car insurance premium.
Good student discount
Most companies offer discounts for full-time high school and college students who maintain a certain GPA or letter grade average. These discounts may save you hundreds of dollars per year.
Young driver safety training
Many companies offer discounts to students who have taken a driver education class or an approved driver training course. Most courses go over the rules of the road and teach young drivers to drive defensively.
Usage-based rating discounts
Usage-based rating is a relatively new way to reduce your auto insurance rate, but many national and regional insurers are offering these types of discounts. Carriers that offer these telematics programs require policyholders to use a mobile app or plugin device which monitors driving habits such as acceleration, braking, speed and trip distance each time they drive. Drivers who maintain good driving habits may earn substantial discounts.
Distant student discount
Many auto insurers offer discounts for students who attend school away from home if they do not take a vehicle with them. You must be listed on your parents’ policy to take advantage of this discount. During the school term, many students may be able to save on auto insurance by using a distant student discount.
| Age | Without distant student discount | With distant student discount | Percent savings |
|---|---|---|---|
| Age 20 | $3,795 | $1,284 | 66% |
| Age 21 | $2,967 | $909 | 69% |
| Age 22 | $2,745 | $761 | 72% |
Frequently asked questions
Can I save money if I add a young driver to my auto insurance policy, or should I purchase a standalone policy?
It is typically less expensive to add a young driver to your existing auto insurance policy rather than purchasing a standalone policy for them. In addition, your teen will be unable to hold their own auto insurance policy until they turn 18.
Should I buy my teenager a new or used car?
There are a lot of factors that go into the price of insurance for various car models, including the value of the vehicle, the statistical likelihood that it will be in an accident and the cost of repairs. Generally, an older vehicle is going to be cheaper to insure with a teen driver than a newer vehicle. If you feel comfortable insuring a vehicle with liability only rather than full coverage, meaning that the insurer will not cover damage to the vehicle, that can help keep your auto insurance cost lower.
How much will my car insurance increase when I add a teenager to my policy?
On average, you will spend an average of $1,200 to $1,900 more per year after adding a teenager to your existing auto insurance policy.
Which is the best auto insurance discount for a teenager?
The best discount for your teen is whichever one applies to them. For instance, if your teen is a safe driver, they may benefit from enrolling in a telematics program that tracks their driving in real time. If they are away at college, they may want to benefit from a distant student deal.
Methodology
Bankrate utilizes Quadrant Information Services to analyze 2021 rates for all ZIP codes and carriers in all 50 states and Washington, D.C. Quoted rates are based on 18-year-old through 25-year-old male and female drivers 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 coverages that meet each state’s requirements. Our base profile drivers own a 2019 Toyota Camry, commute five days a week and drive 12,000 miles annually. The drivers are renters on their own insurance plans except for distant student discount rates, in which case the drivers are on their parents’ plan.
These are sample rates and should only be used for comparative purposes.
Age: Rates were calculated by evaluating our base profile with the ages 18-60 (base: 40 years) applied. Depending on age, drivers may be a renter or homeowner. Hawaii rates indicate age is not a contributing factor.
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