Nineteen-year-old drivers buying their own car insurance face average rates of $372 per month for full coverage and $184 for minimum-coverage policies, according to Insurify data. By comparison, the national average costs for all age groups combined are $100 for liability and $177 for full coverage.
Insurance costs for teenagers are high because teen drivers have crash rates nearly three times the rates of drivers 20 and older.[?] But there is good news: A 19-year-old driver is just a few years away from seeing their car insurance rates start to drop. And teen drivers and their families can take steps to reduce their premiums while their young drivers gain experience behind the wheel.
To find the lowest car insurance premiums for young drivers, take some time to compare multiple car insurance companies on rates, coverage options, and teen-driver discounts.
Young male drivers tend to pay higher premiums than their female counterparts due to their higher rates of risky driving behaviors, like speeding.
It’s generally cheaper for teens to be covered under their parents’ policy than for teens to buy their own insurance policy.
Good student and defensive driving discounts can help reduce the cost of car insurance for teen drivers.
Average cost of car insurance for 19-year-olds
If you’re a 19-year-old trying to find cheap car insurance, your best option is usually to join your parents’ insurance policy versus buying a separate policy.[?] Getting your own policy could cost you $4,464 per year for full coverage or $2,208 for liability-only coverage.
Teen drivers, specifically male drivers, pay some of the highest insurance rates. A combination of inexperience, risky behaviors, and distracted driving increases teens’ risk of getting into an accident and filing a claim.
Adding a teen driver to a policy will increase the overall premium but less than it would cost for the teen to buy their own car insurance. The cost of adding a 19-year-old to a parent’s policy is approximately 27% cheaper for full-coverage and liability-only insurance. Plus, adding another driver can help parents secure a multi-policy discount.
Here’s how rates compare for individual policies versus joined policies.
Coverage | Teen on Their Own Policy | Teen on Their Parents’ Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Liability only | $184 | $140 |
| Full coverage | $372 | $283 |
Best car insurance companies for a 19-year-old
If you’re searching for the best car insurance for a 19-year-old, comparing multiple insurance companies can help you find the coverage that fits your budget and needs. Here are three of the best and cheapest companies for insuring a 19-year-old driver.
Best for military members and their families: USAA
Best for discounts: GEICO
Best for customer satisfaction: State Farm
To choose the best car insurance companies for 19-year-old drivers, Insurify data scientists and editors analyzed more than 90 million quotes served to car insurance applicants in Insurify’s proprietary database. We considered premium costs, availability, discounts, consumer satisfaction ratings, and third-party industry ratings.
Cheapest car insurance for 19-year-olds
In addition to age, many factors determine the cost of car insurance, including gender, ZIP code, driving record, the car you drive, the type and amount of car insurance you want to purchase, and even your credit history in many states.
The following table highlights average monthly quotes from some of the cheapest car insurance companies for 19-year-olds.
Insurance Company | Full Coverage | Liability Only |
|---|---|---|
| COUNTRY Financial | $97 | $54 |
| Auto-Owners | $164 | $94 |
| USAA | $185 | $97 |
| State Farm | $222 | $114 |
| NJM | $226 | $151 |
| Erie | $229 | $152 |
| CSAA | $247 | $198 |
| GEICO | $250 | $164 |
| Root | $252 | $150 |
| Mile Auto | $252 | $156 |
| Anchor | $279 | $185 |
| Elephant | $283 | $194 |
| American Family | $288 | $154 |
| Allstate | $296 | $158 |
| The General | $299 | $156 |
| Clearcover | $306 | $223 |
| Mercury | $310 | $181 |
| Safeco | $310 | $192 |
| Direct Auto | $342 | $200 |
| Bristol West | $363 | $177 |
| Liberty Mutual | $374 | $276 |
| Nationwide | $375 | $200 |
| Commonwealth Casualty | $388 | $160 |
| National General | $395 | $212 |
| Dairyland | $408 | $136 |
| GAINSCO | $420 | $199 |
| 21st Century | $422 | $237 |
| Travelers | $422 | $225 |
| Farmers | $447 | $231 |
| Shelter | $502 | $325 |
| Chubb | $507 | $281 |
| AssuranceAmerica | $525 | $280 |
| The Hartford | $660 | $437 |
| State Auto | $772 | $452 |
| Amica | $828 | $550 |
How 19-year-olds can save on car insurance
Teen drivers and their parents can take steps to reduce the cost of car insurance:
1. Look for discounts
Most car insurance companies offer discounts to help reduce premiums. For example, GEICO offers a good student discount to full-time students who maintain a B average or higher. With this discount, you can save up to 15% on certain coverage.
The following table shows just some of the discounts available and the companies that offer them. You’ll find these discounts from many other insurers as well.
Discount | % Saved |
|---|---|
| Good grades | Up to 15% |
| Drivers education program | Varies |
| Multi-vehicle | 7% |
| Telematics | Up to 30% |
2. Join your parents’ policy
If your parents are open to you joining their auto insurance policy, this is a good way to save on the overall cost. Age and credit history affect insurance costs, so being on your parents’ coverage can help you benefit from the savings they qualify for. You also might qualify for multi-vehicle discounts.
3. Compare car insurance quotes
Insurance rates can vary widely between insurance companies. By comparing car insurance quotes from multiple companies, you can find the one that best fits your needs and budget.
For a side-by-side comparison of various insurance companies, you can use online quote-comparison tools. Consider the type and amount of coverage you need and the cost.
4. Increase your deductible
Generally, the higher your collision and comprehensive deductibles, the lower your monthly premiums. For instance, you can save between 15% and 30% by raising your deductible from $200 to $500 on your collision and comprehensive coverage, according to the Insurance Information Institute.
Increasing your deductible to $1,000 can save you 40% or more. If you choose a higher deductible, make sure you can afford to pay it if you have to submit a claim.
5. Consider usage-based insurance
If you’re someone who doesn’t drive frequently, you might consider usage-based car insurance. Coverage is based on how many miles you drive per month.
For example, Nationwide’s SmartMiles car insurance offers a flexible monthly insurance rate that’s based on your mileage. Your monthly insurance premium includes two parts:
Base rate: Stays the same each month
Variable rate: Cost-per-mile charge that varies from month to month
6. Drive a safe vehicle
Both the value of your car and the safety features in your car can affect the cost of your premiums. Generally, a more expensive car costs more to insure because it costs more to repair. Cars with high-quality safety equipment might qualify for discounts with different insurers.
What determines your car insurance rate?
Auto insurance companies use a variety of factors to determine the cost of your car insurance premiums, including:
How gender affects car insurance rates for teen drivers
In general, men pay more for car insurance than women. Male drivers of any age are more likely to engage in driving behaviors that can lead to accidents and claims, like speeding or driving while impaired. Male drivers ages 16 to 19 have a car accident fatality rate nearly twice the rate for female drivers of the same age.[?]
These differences affect car insurance rates. The table below illustrates the percentage difference in insurance costs for teenagers.
Teen Driver | Male | Female | % Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| 16-year-olds | $444 | $401 | 11% |
| 17-year-olds | $418 | $380 | 10% |
| 18-year-olds | $395 | $360 | 10% |
| 19-year-olds | $387 | $353 | 9% |
Car insurance for 19-year-olds FAQs
Teen drivers pay more for insurance, but you can take steps to keep costs down — from choosing a safe car for them to enrolling them in a driver education program. Here are some answers to commonly asked questions to help you start saving.
What is the cheapest car insurance for 19-year-olds?
The cheapest car insurance for 19-year-olds is with USAA, with an average rate of $68 per month for liability-only insurance and $148 per month for full coverage. GEICO and State Farm also offer some of the lowest car insurance premiums for 19-year-olds.
Why is car insurance more expensive for teen drivers?
Teenagers pay higher insurance premiums due to inexperience and other factors that increase the risk to insurers. Teen drivers also have a crash rate nearly four times that of drivers age 20 and older, according to the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS).
Should 19-year-olds have their own insurance?
Parents and teens need to decide for themselves if they should have separate insurance policies. But if you have the option to join your parents’ policy, this is typically cheaper than purchasing coverage on your own.
Does car insurance go down when you turn 19?
Your car insurance rates might go down when you turn 19 depending on factors such as your driving record, experience, and insurance company. But until the age of 25, insurers typically charge young drivers higher premiums.
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