Cheapest Car Insurance for 18-Year-Olds (2024)

USAA, GEICO, and State Farm have the cheapest liability-only car insurance rates for 18-year-old drivers.

Michelle Lambright Black is a credit expert, freelance writer, and founder of CreditWriter.com. She has over 20 years of experience writing and speaking about credit and money, and focuses on helping families and small business owners make smart, informed decisions about their credit, money, and financial products (including insurance). Michelle's work has appeared in publications such as Yahoo! Finance, Reader's Digest, Parents, FICO, Forbes, Bankrate, The Seattle Times, MarketWatch, BuySide from Wall Street Journal, USA Today, and more. She's also a three-time finalist for the best personal finance freelancer award from the Plutus Foundation. When she isn't writing or speaking about credit and money, Michelle loves to travel with her family or read a good book. You can connect with Michelle on Instagram or Twitter. 

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3+ years producing insurance and personal finance content

Main architect of the Insurify Quality Score

Courtney’s deep personal finance knowledge extends beyond insurance to credit cards, consumer lending, and banking. She thrives on creating actionable content.

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Licensed insurance agent for 25+ years

15 years as VP of Sales and Operations at Answer Financial

Licensed in more than 40 states, Shawn leverages his deep industry expertise to support the accuracy and trustworthiness of Insurify’s content.

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7+ years experience in data analysis

Ph.D. in Computational Biology

Konstantin has led data teams across multiple industries, including insurance, travel, and biology. He’s led Insurify’s engineering team for more than three years.

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Updated June 25, 2024

Save up to $717 by comparing quotes from the top 100+ insurance companies

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Cheapest recent rates

A Roseburg, Oregon driver just saved on coverage for their Ford Explorer with this quote from Liberty Mutual.

We just helped a driver in Abilene, Texas cover their GMC Sierra with this quote from Progressive.

State Farm's average rate for drivers with good credit and a clean driving record.

A Arlington Heights, Illinois driver just saved on coverage for their BMW 5-Series with this quote from Certainly.

We just helped a driver in Tucson, Arizona cover their Nissan Rogue with this quote from Sun Coast.

Orion Indemnity Company helped a Infiniti G37 driver in Oakland, California save on car insurance with this quote.

A Casa Grande, Arizona driver just saved on coverage for their Lexus LS with this quote from Mile Auto.

We just helped a driver in Glendale, Arizona cover their Buick Century with this quote from Just Insure.

Dairyland helped a Mercedes Benz C-Class driver in Charlotte, North Carolina save on car insurance with this quote.

*Quotes generated for Insurify users within the last 10 days. Last updated on June 25, 2024

Progressive helped a Honda CR-V driver in Yuma, Arizona save on car insurance with this quote.

We just helped a driver in Phoenix, Arizona cover their Nissan Rogue with this quote from Liberty Mutual.

GEICO's average rate for drivers with good credit and a clean driving record.

Certainly helped a Nissan Sentra driver in Antioch, Tennessee save on car insurance with this quote.

We just helped a driver in Temple, Texas cover their Toyota Tundra with this quote from Mile Auto.

A Nogales, Arizona driver just saved on coverage for their Ford Mustang with this quote from Just Insure.

Elephant helped a Chevrolet Impala driver in Indianapolis, Indiana save on car insurance with this quote.

We just helped a driver in Kingman, Arizona cover their Ford Escape with this quote from HiRoad.

A Huntington, West Virginia driver just saved on coverage for their Honda Odyssey with this quote from National General.

*Quotes generated for Insurify users within the last 10 days. Last updated on June 25, 2024

It probably comes as no surprise that car insurance for 18-year-old drivers tends to be expensive compared to other age groups. Adding a young driver to your policy will raise your rate, even if you have a clean driving record. 

The national average cost of car insurance for an 18-year-old driver is $184 per month for liability car insurance and $376 per month for full-coverage car insurance.

Car insurance costs more for 18-year-olds than it does for older drivers because of teens’ higher risk. Teen drivers are almost three times as likely to be in fatal crashes as drivers age 20 and older. Teenage drivers are also more likely to speed and engage in other high-risk driving activities that could put them and others in danger.[1]

GEICO, Allstate, Progressive, State Farm, and USAA offer good student discounts to lower car insurance premiums for 18-year-old drivers.

North Carolina is the cheapest state for 18-year-old drivers to buy liability-only car insurance, on average.

Average rates tend to decrease for drivers once they reach their mid-20s.

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How much does car insurance for 18-year-olds cost?

The average car insurance premium is $105 per month for liability coverage and $214 per month for full coverage. By comparison, an 18-year-old pays an average of $184 per month for liability car insurance and $376 per month for a full-coverage policy.

Here’s what different age groups pay for full-coverage car insurance.

Cheapest car insurance for 18-year-olds

Finding cheap car insurance for an 18-year-old driver can be a challenge, but it’s not impossible. A good way to find a low-cost car insurance policy as a teenager is to compare car insurance quotes from multiple companies. Keeping a clean driving record and building a good credit history also have the potential to save you money on car insurance, depending on your insurer and location.

Below are some of the cheapest car insurance companies for young adults. USAA tops the list, with rates averaging $70 for liability-only coverage.

7+ years experience in data analysis

Ph.D. in Computational Biology

Konstantin has led data teams across multiple industries, including insurance, travel, and biology. He’s led Insurify’s engineering team for more than three years.

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Best car insurance companies for 18-year-olds

There’s no such thing as a perfect car insurance company for 18-year-olds. But you can research different auto insurers to find the best fit for you. The auto insurance company that works for you will depend on your individual situation and coverage needs.

Our editorial team spent more than 350 hours developing the Insurify Quality (IQ) Score and scoring insurance companies. The IQ Score objectively analyzes and calculates a score for insurers using more than 15 crucial criteria. The team weighted criteria by importance to the consumer — factors such as customer reviews and affordability influence the score more than availability and third-party ratings.

We rate each company on a 1-to-5 scale based on five categories: financial ratings, customer satisfaction, affordability, customer support and transparency, and availability. Insurify updates ratings once a year or as more recent information becomes available.

Best insurer for military families: USAA

military familiesUSAA

Overall, the most affordable car insurance company for teen drivers is USAA, with its below-average rates for teens drivers. Plus, USAA has high customer satisfaction ratings with J.D. Power, great financial stability ratings with AM Best, and plenty of coverage options and discounts.

But not all drivers are eligible for coverage. USAA car insurance is only available to active military members, veterans, and their eligible family members.

Competitive car insurance premiums

Coverage available in all 50 states and Washington, D.C.

Restrictive membership eligibility

No gap insurance

Excellent

Excellent

Above the Rest

Best insurer for discounts: GEICO

discountsGEICO

GEICO is another great option for 18-year-old and new drivers, as it also offers low rates and plenty of discounts. GEICO offers a good student discount to its customers. If you’re a full-time student with a B average or higher, you could save up to 15% off your monthly premium. Young drivers can also get discounts on their GEICO auto insurance by completing an approved driver’s education course.

Competitive prices for young drivers

Good student discount and other discounts available

No rideshare or gap insurance coverage

Limited availability of local agents

Average

This is a rip-off. I started at $120 per month and after 10 years, it's up to $300 per month. I have had no accidents. The only claims I've made are for windshield replacements twice. Be careful with their customer service. We wanted a quote for adding a vehicle, just a quote over the phone, but the representative added the auto to our policy without our permission.

Terrible

Best insurer for Steer Clear Program: State Farm

Steer Clear programState Farm

Another insurance company that offers lower rates for 18-year-olds is State Farm since it offers liability rates cheaper than the national average.

State Farm has several discount opportunities for young adults. For example, you could save up to 25% on insurance costs with a good student discount, and State Farm’s Steer Clear program teaches safe driving habits to 18-year-old drivers and can even lead to a discount.

Relatively cheap premiums

High J.D. Power customer satisfaction ratings

No good student discount available

No gap insurance available

No Problems

Average

They Answer My Questions

Best insurer for accident forgiveness: Nationwide

Accident forgivenessNationwide

Even though Nationwide has slightly higher average premiums than competing auto insurers, it can still be a good option for 18-year-old drivers. Nationwide offers a good student discount to young drivers who keep a B average or higher. And the insurer offers an optional accident forgiveness feature that can guarantee a young driver’s rates won’t increase after their first at-fault accident.

Good grades discount

Accident forgiveness available

Coverage not available in all 50 states

Below-average J.D. Power customer satisfaction ratings

Not sure about others

Expensive

More than Twice the Price!

How 18-year-old drivers can save on car insurance

One of the best ways to save as an 18-year-old driver is to qualify for a good student discount. Even so, you’ll likely still pay higher rates until you have more driving experience. But rates for drivers your age aren’t set in stone. Most insurance companies give you plenty of ways to save, even if you don’t qualify for a good student discount or other teen-specific incentives.

Compare insurance quotes

Comparing car insurance quotes from several companies is one of the best ways to keep your rate in check. Although companies weigh similar factors when they calculate rates, each factor’s weight and the calculations themselves vary by company.

Insurers are easy to compare with an online quote-comparison tool. These allow you to compare quotes side by side from multiple companies. Be sure to look at both the coverages and prices so you get a comprehensive comparison.

Maintain a clean driving record

Your driving record speaks volumes about how risky a driver you are. Your driving record, also called a motor vehicle record, contains information about traffic violations you’ve received and accidents you’ve been involved in.

Speeding, running red lights, failing to use a turn signal or yield right-of-way, and distracted driving are just a few of the moving violations that could appear on your driving record. While most don’t result in jail time, they can result in points on your driver’s license.[2]

Increase your deductible

Insurance policies come with a deductible, which is the amount you have to pay up front when you file a claim before your policy will cover the rest. For example, if you caused a fender bender and your repairs cost $2,000 with a deductible of $500, you’d pay $500 toward the repair, and the insurance company would cover the remaining $1,500.

Policies with higher deductibles usually have lower premiums because it means the insurance company pays less in the event of a claim. However, that means you’ll need to pay more out of pocket if you file a claim.

Build good credit

If you’re in a state that allows insurers to assign drivers credit-based insurance scores, establishing a good credit history could reduce your rates.

You can build and maintain good credit by paying your credit card and loan accounts on time, keeping your credit utilization ratio less than 30%, and using services like Experian Boost or UltraFICO.

Consider usage-based insurance

Some insurance companies, like Progressive and Allstate, offer usage-based insurance programs, which use in-car telematics devices or mobile apps to collect driving data.

If the data demonstrates safe driving habits, the insurer could reduce your premiums or discount your policy. The devices are typically easy to install — some can be plugged into the onboard diagnostic port beneath your steering wheel or dashboard, while others utilize a mobile app.

Telematics Car Insurance: What to Know

Best car insurance discounts for 18-year-olds

Insurers sometimes reward young drivers with special discounts. Liberty Mutual, for example, discounts rates for teens added to their parents’ account. Teens who get good grades or take approved driving courses can also lower their rates.

Here are some young-driver discounts you should be aware of:

Cheapest recent rates

A Hayward, Wisconsin driver just saved on coverage for their GMC Terrain with this quote from Liberty Mutual.

We just helped a driver in Abilene, Texas cover their GMC Sierra with this quote from Progressive.

GEICO's average rate for drivers with good credit and a clean driving record.

A Arlington Heights, Illinois driver just saved on coverage for their BMW 5-Series with this quote from Certainly.

We just helped a driver in Racine, Wisconsin cover their KIA Soul with this quote from First Chicago.

Dairyland helped a Hyundai Elantra driver in Evansville, Indiana save on car insurance with this quote.

*Quotes generated for Insurify users within the last 10 days. Last updated on June 25, 2024

A Phoenix, Arizona driver just saved on coverage for their Nissan Rogue with this quote from Liberty Mutual.

We just helped a driver in Yuma, Arizona cover their Honda CR-V with this quote from Progressive.

State Farm's average rate for drivers with good credit and a clean driving record.

A Antioch, Tennessee driver just saved on coverage for their Nissan Sentra with this quote from Certainly.

We just helped a driver in Holyoke, Massachusetts cover their Honda Odyssey with this quote from MAPFRE.

Direct Auto helped a Acura TL driver in Woodridge, Illinois save on car insurance with this quote.

*Quotes generated for Insurify users within the last 10 days. Last updated on June 25, 2024

How age and gender affect car insurance rates

Age and gender usually affect car insurance premiums, especially for teen drivers. In many states, insurance companies can consider gender when determining the risk that a driver will experience a loss and file a claim.

Teen drivers experience car accidents four times as often as drivers who are 20 and older. Meanwhile, men tend to drive more miles than women and are statistically more likely to engage in risky driving activities, such as not wearing a seat belt, speeding, and driving under the influence.[3]

Here’s how age and gender could affect car insurance rates for younger drivers.

Best Car Insurance for 17-Year-Old-Drivers

Average cost of car insurance for 18-year-olds by state

The cost of car insurance rates for 18-year-olds can vary among states. If you live in a location where your insurance costs are more expensive as a new driver, you may be able to find discounts that can help make your auto insurance coverage more affordable.

Below is a look at the average cost of insurance for 18-year-old drivers in different states for liability insurance and full coverage.

Car insurance for 18-year-olds FAQs

Understand how much car insurance you need before you shop for quotes, and check out the answers to common questions about coverage for 18-year-old drivers below.

Why is car insurance so expensive for 18-year-olds?

Eighteen-year-olds pay more for car insurance because their limited driving experience and high incidence of losses make them riskier to insure.

How can you get cheap car insurance at age 18?

Comparing rates and maintaining a good driving record are two of the best ways to qualify for cheap car insurance rates. Other ways to save include increasing your deductible, taking advantage of discounts, staying on your parents’ policy, and participating in a telematics program.

How much does it cost to add an 18-year-old to a car insurance policy?

The precise cost to add an 18-year-old to their parents’ car insurance varies by company, coverage type, and other factors, but it could increase your premiums around 50% to 250%, according to Insurify data.

What are the best car insurance companies for 18-year-olds?

Based on Insurify analysis, USAA, GEICO, State Farm, and Nationwide have the best car insurance for 18-year-olds. But the best car insurance company for a particular 18-year-old is the one that offers the coverage they need for the best possible price.

Why should you compare auto insurance quotes?

Comparing quotes from various insurance companies could save you plenty of money. When you compare auto insurance quotes, you can see which company offers you the lowest rates for the coverage you want. Be sure to compare quotes every six months to a year to keep finding the best prices.

When does car insurance get cheaper?

Car insurance gets cheaper once you turn 19, and it drops significantly once you turn 25. You’ll continue to save as you reach each subsequent decade up to age 70, when rates typically begin climbing again.

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:

Quotes for Allstate, Farmers, GEICO, State Farm, and USAA are estimates based on Quadrant Information Services’ database of auto insurance rates.

Sources

Michelle Lambright Black is a credit expert, freelance writer, and founder of CreditWriter.com. She has over 20 years of experience writing and speaking about credit and money, and focuses on helping families and small business owners make smart, informed decisions about their credit, money, and financial products (including insurance). Michelle's work has appeared in publications such as Yahoo! Finance, Reader's Digest, Parents, FICO, Forbes, Bankrate, The Seattle Times, MarketWatch, BuySide from Wall Street Journal, USA Today, and more. She's also a three-time finalist for the best personal finance freelancer award from the Plutus Foundation. When she isn't writing or speaking about credit and money, Michelle loves to travel with her family or read a good book. You can connect with Michelle on Instagram or Twitter. 

3+ years producing insurance and personal finance content

Main architect of the Insurify Quality Score

Courtney’s deep personal finance knowledge extends beyond insurance to credit cards, consumer lending, and banking. She thrives on creating actionable content.

Read Editorial Guidelines

Featured in

Licensed insurance agent for 25+ years

15 years as VP of Sales and Operations at Answer Financial

Licensed in more than 40 states, Shawn leverages his deep industry expertise to support the accuracy and trustworthiness of Insurify’s content.

Read Editorial Guidelines

Featured in

7+ years experience in data analysis

Ph.D. in Computational Biology

Konstantin has led data teams across multiple industries, including insurance, travel, and biology. He’s led Insurify’s engineering team for more than three years.

Read Editorial Guidelines

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