Top Auto Insurance Providers for Teens [2023]
The best auto insurance for teens will depend on the kind of coverage you need. Erie and Geico are the top providers for full coverage, but Progressive has the best roadside assistance.
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UPDATED: Jan 31, 2023
It’s all about you. We want to help you make the right coverage choices.
Advertiser Disclosure: We strive to help you make confident insurance decisions. Comparison shopping should be easy. We are not affiliated with any one insurance provider and cannot guarantee quotes from any single provider.
Our insurance industry partnerships don’t influence our content. Our opinions are our own. To compare quotes from many different insurance providers please enter your ZIP code above to use the free quote tool. The more quotes you compare, the more chances to save.
Editorial Guidelines: We are a free online resource for anyone interested in learning more about auto insurance. Our goal is to be an objective, third-party resource for everything auto insurance related. We update our site regularly, and all content is reviewed by auto insurance experts.
UPDATED: Jan 31, 2023
It’s all about you. We want to help you make the right coverage choices.
Advertiser Disclosure: We strive to help you make confident insurance decisions. Comparison shopping should be easy. We are not affiliated with any one insurance provider and cannot guarantee quotes from any single provider.
Our insurance industry partnerships don’t influence our content. Our opinions are our own. To compare quotes from many different insurance providers please enter your ZIP code above to use the free quote tool. The more quotes you compare, the more chances to save.
On This Page
- The cheapest insurance for teens is with Erie, which is available in 12 states, and Geico, which is available in 50 states
- State Farm Steer Clear program helps young drivers develop better habits behind the wheel while offering discount auto insurance for teenagers
- We recommend buying full coverage auto insurance for teens to ensure they’re completely protected while on the road
What is the cheapest way to get auto insurance for a teenager? Shopping around and comparing multiple companies before you buy is the easiest way to get cheap insurance for teens. You can also add a teen driver to an existing policy, although your rates will still increase.
Do you have to add a teenage driver to your insurance? No, but teens and young drivers historically pay the most for auto insurance, especially male drivers under 18. You can save a lot of money by adding a young driver instead of buying a separate policy.
If you’re wondering who has the cheapest auto insurance for a teenager, look for policies with Erie, Geico, or State Farm. Are you looking for additional accident forgiveness or roadside assistance for a teen driver? Try shopping with Allstate or Progressive.
We compare rates from these and other top providers in our teen auto insurance guide below. You’ll find everything you need to know about insuring teen drivers, including insurance quotes for new drivers and where to find the best auto insurance rates in your state.
Top Auto Insurance Providers for Teens
From accident forgiveness to student discounts, no insurance policy is the same. Finding the cheapest auto insurance for teens means understanding your unique coverage needs and options.
Some companies offer teen auto insurance programs, while others provide discount rates to students and young drivers. Consider what you need from an insurance provider and compare the companies below to find the best car insurance for teenagers.
State Farm – Top Teen Auto Insurance Provider Overall
State Farm takes the top spot as the best auto insurance for teens overall. It’s among the top three cheapest auto insurance providers for young drivers, with monthly full coverage rates of around $317 for teen males and $270 for females.
It also performs well in terms of claims handling and customer satisfaction and offers a variety of discounts to help teens save money. With State Farm Steer Clear, a telematics program designed to improve teen driving habits, teens save the most on auto insurance.
Young drivers must complete all the program requirements and remain accident-free for three years, but rates are competitively lower than most providers. Read our State Farm auto insurance review to compare costs.
Erie – Top Teen Auto Insurance Rates
Although it is a smaller regional provider, Erie Insurance offers the lowest rates to teen drivers.
Sixteen-year-old drivers pay an average of $225 per month for full coverage with Erie, while 18-year-old drivers pay $175, which is almost $400 less than the national monthly average.
Rate Lock with Erie guarantees your rates, meaning teen drivers can lock in cheaper rates and avoid an increase after minor traffic violations. Young single drivers or those who still live with policy-holding parents or guardians are also eligible for discounts.
Unfortunately, Erie is only available in 12 states, predominantly in the Mid-Atlantic region and along the East Coast. However, according to J.D. Power, it is the highest-ranking provider of customer service in the Mid-Atlantic and North Central regions.
If Erie isn’t available where you live, Geico and State Farm offer the next cheapest rates with coverage in all 50 states. Learn more by reading our Erie auto insurance review.
Farmers – Top Teen and Student Auto Insurance Discounts
Farmers Insurance offers the longest list of auto insurance discounts, and teens qualify for more than half of them.
Along with the common good student and defensive driving discounts, teens will get additional savings if they are listed on a policy with a shared family vehicle. When they age out and buy their own policy, young drivers earn an On Your Own discount for being previously listed on a family member’s policy.
Moreover, Farmers is one of the few providers that offers discounts on auto insurance for LoJack and other anti-theft devices, such as tracking and location systems. Discounts like these can help teens with new vehicles get better rates. Check out our Farmers auto insurance review for more information.
USAA – Top Teen Auto Insurance Quotes for Military Families
USAA auto insurance offers very competitive rates for teen drivers. Young drivers under 20 pay an average of $220 per month for full coverage. Only Erie offers lower rates to 18-year-old drivers, but coverage with USAA is available in all 50 states.
Teens can earn legacy discounts on auto insurance if their parents have a policy, and USAA offers additional discounts to young drivers who store their vehicles on base or garage vehicles while on deployment.
However, USAA auto insurance is only available to active and retired military members and their families. Read our USAA auto insurance review to learn more about the provider and available coverage.
Allstate – Best Teen Accident Forgiveness
Allstate offers the most customizable accident forgiveness programs. Its “Your Choice Auto” policies are packaged with different levels of coverage.
For example, the Gold package forgives one accident per year per policy. The Platinum package provides unlimited accident forgiveness. Drivers with Platinum coverage will also keep their safe driving discounts after an accident and earn a vanishing deductible for every year they go without an accident.
Buying “Your Choice Auto” comes with higher monthly rates on average, but it is an excellent way to keep your rates from increasing if an inexperienced young driver on your policy gets into an accident. To learn more, visit our Allstate auto insurance review.
Progressive – Best Teen Roadside Assistance
Roadside assistance can provide peace of mind when insuring a young driver because you know they’ll never be stranded on the side of the road.
Most auto insurance companies offer roadside assistance, but Progressive provides the most comprehensive coverage, including:
- Towing
- Locksmith services
- Winching
- Battery jumps
- Fuel delivery
- Battery charges for electric cars
- On-site labor and tire changes (up to one hour)
Progressive roadside assistance coverage also extends to motorcycles, RVs, and boats. Check our Progressive auto insurance review to learn more.
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How much is auto insurance for teens?
Teen auto insurance quotes are the most expensive on average. Insurance providers charge them more based on their inexperience behind the wheel and propensity for distracted driving.
In general, the teenage auto insurance average cost per month is over $500 for full coverage and around $220 for minimum coverage. You’ll see higher rates if you have speeding tickets or drive a newer vehicle, so shop around and compare quotes from multiple companies before you buy.
Learn more about how to find affordable auto insurance for high-risk drivers and compare teen auto insurance rates below.
How much is insurance for a 16-year-old driver?
Car insurance for a 16-year-old driver costs the most, especially 16-year-old males.
The table below compares teen auto insurance rates by gender from the providers discussed above with other top providers in the country:
| Insurance Company | 16-Year-Old Male With a Clean Record | 16-Year-Old Female With a Clean Record |
|---|---|---|
| Allstate | $637.83 | $608.25 |
| American Family | $480.08 | $390.17 |
| Farmers | $741.75 | $777.50 |
| Geico | $311.92 | $297.75 |
| Liberty Mutual | $778.25 | $716 |
| Nationwide | $476.17 | $410.50 |
| Progressive | $813.83 | $801.42 |
| State Farm | $349.25 | $310.83 |
| Travelers | $896.83 | $708.83 |
| National Average | $609.58 | $557.92 |
Rates with State Farm, Nationwide, Erie, and Geico teenage driver insurance are all cheaper than the national average. However, Geico and State Farm are the only providers with coverage in all 50 states.
How much is auto insurance for an 18-year-old driver?
Teens will see their insurance rates drop once they graduate high school. Eighteen-year-old drivers still pay more than adult drivers, but rates are between $100-$200 less per month than they paid two years prior.
Compare auto insurance rates for 18-year-old drivers from top companies below:
| Companies | 18-Year-Old Female | 18-Year-Old Male |
|---|---|---|
| Allstate | $448.45 | $518.62 |
| Farmers | $597.48 | $628.61 |
| Geico | $219.55 | $253.62 |
| Liberty Mutual | $521.90 | $625.59 |
| Nationwide | $302.66 | $387.17 |
| Progressive | $590.85 | $661.74 |
| State Farm | $229.17 | $283.98 |
| Travelers | $530.19 | $739.74 |
| USAA | $180.43 | $202.79 |
Again, Geico, State Farm, and Erie offer the lowest rates. However, 18-year-old drivers who are still students or starting college may be eligible for discounts and lower rates with other companies.
Compare quotes from at least three different providers before you buy teen auto insurance to get the best possible rates.
Why is auto insurance so expensive for young drivers?
According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), young drivers under 35 are more likely to cause and die in auto accidents than any other age group. Teen drivers are especially at-risk due to their inexperience behind the wheel, which can lead to speeding, slow reaction times, and distracted driving.
Because of these statistics, insurance providers consider teens high-risk. Providers believe teen drivers and those with teens on their policies are more likely to get into accidents and file a claim, which leads to higher-than-average rates.
Other variables can also explain why your auto insurance is so high with a teen driver. For example, traffic congestion and auto theft rates in your state will impact how much you pay for auto insurance.
This table shows auto insurance rates by state:
| States | Average Monthly Liability Rates | Average Monthly Collision Rates | Average Monthly Comprehensive Rates | Average Monthly Full Coverage Rates |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Alabama | $37 | $28 | $14 | $79 |
| Alaska | $47 | $31 | $12 | $90 |
| Arizona | $48 | $25 | $16 | $89 |
| Arkansas | $36 | $29 | $17 | $82 |
| California | $45 | $36 | $8 | $88 |
| Colorado | $49 | $25 | $17 | $91 |
| Connecticut | $59 | $32 | $11 | $102 |
| Delaware | $69 | $28 | $11 | $107 |
| District of Columbia | $58 | $41 | $19 | $118 |
| Florida | $76 | $26 | $11 | $113 |
| Georgia | $55 | $30 | $14 | $98 |
| Hawaii | $39 | $27 | $9 | $75 |
| Idaho | $32 | $20 | $10 | $62 |
| Illinois | $40 | $27 | $11 | $77 |
| Indiana | $34 | $22 | $11 | $67 |
| Iowa | $27 | $19 | $16 | $62 |
| Kansas | $32 | $23 | $21 | $76 |
| Kentucky | $47 | $24 | $12 | $83 |
| Louisiana | $73 | $37 | $19 | $128 |
| Maine | $30 | $23 | $9 | $62 |
| Maryland | $55 | $31 | $13 | $100 |
| Massachusetts | $52 | $34 | $12 | $98 |
| Michigan | $72 | $37 | $13 | $121 |
| Minnesota | $39 | $20 | $16 | $76 |
| Mississippi | $41 | $29 | $18 | $88 |
| Missouri | $38 | $24 | $16 | $79 |
| Montana | $34 | $23 | $21 | $77 |
| Nebraska | $33 | $21 | $20 | $74 |
| Nevada | $64 | $27 | $10 | $100 |
| New Hampshire | $35 | $26 | $9 | $70 |
| New Jersey | $76 | $33 | $11 | $119 |
| New Mexico | $44 | $24 | $15 | $84 |
| New York | $71 | $34 | $15 | $120 |
| North Carolina | $31 | $26 | $11 | $67 |
| North Dakota | $25 | $22 | $20 | $67 |
| Ohio | $35 | $24 | $10 | $69 |
| Oklahoma | $40 | $27 | $20 | $88 |
| Oregon | $53 | $20 | $8 | $81 |
| Pennsylvania | $43 | $29 | $13 | $85 |
| Rhode Island | $68 | $36 | $11 | $116 |
| South Carolina | $50 | $24 | $16 | $89 |
| South Dakota | $26 | $19 | $24 | $69 |
| Tennessee | $37 | $27 | $13 | $77 |
| Texas | $49 | $33 | $19 | $101 |
| Utah | $45 | $23 | $10 | $78 |
| Vermont | $30 | $26 | $11 | $68 |
| Virginia | $38 | $25 | $12 | $74 |
| Washington | $53 | $24 | $9 | $86 |
| West Virginia | $43 | $28 | $18 | $88 |
| Wisconsin | $33 | $20 | $12 | $65 |
| Wyoming | $29 | $24 | $23 | $75 |
| National Average | $48 | $29 | $13 | $90 |
Your rates will vary based on your driving record and the vehicle you drive, but these averages will give you an idea of how much teen drivers are paying for insurance in your neighborhood. Enter your ZIP code in our free comparison tool below to get more accurate teen auto insurance quotes.
Top Ways to Save on Teen Auto Insurance
Teens will pay higher insurance rates, but you can still save money on your auto insurance policy. Follow the tips below to find discounts on teen auto insurance and lower your overall monthly rates.
How to Get Discount Teen Auto Insurance
Teen drivers often qualify for the most auto insurance discounts. Some providers offer special programs exclusively for young drivers, including State Farm’s Steer Clear, while others give additional savings to students and military members.
Always ask a provider about discounts before buying a policy. Safe drivers always pay the lowest rates, and teens are eligible for safe driving discounts and more if they remain claim and accident-free.
Consider more discount opportunities below when looking for the best car insurance for teens:
- Keep your grades up. Maintaining a 3.0 GPA or B average can save you between 5% and 20% on auto insurance.
- Increase your deductible. Auto insurance deductibles are the amount you pay out of pocket for a claim. You’ll have lower monthly rates if you can afford to pay $500-$1,000 upfront for repairs.
- Drive an inexpensive vehicle. Sports cars and luxury vehicles have higher insurance rates, so assign your teen driver to the older or less expensive vehicle to lower your monthly costs.
- Limit your mileage. Teens who drive less than 10,000 miles per year can get discounted rates with auto insurance companies for people who don’t drive often.
- Monitor your driving. State Farm Steer Clear and other telematics programs can monitor teen driving habits through a mobile app. Safe driving earns discounts, but poor driving habits could raise your rates.
- Take a defensive driving class. Defensive driving discounts can save an average of 10% on monthly auto insurance rates.
Most auto insurance providers reserve defensive driving discounts for teen and senior drivers, so take advantage of these savings opportunities when possible to get the best rates.
How to Add a Teen to Auto Insurance
Call your current provider to add a new driver to your policy, or access your account online with your auto insurance login. Your provider may also have a mobile app where you can add drivers and update coverage.
When you add a teen driver to auto insurance, your rates will go up, so request a quote from your provider before officially adding anyone to your policy. Compare this quote to other teen auto insurance companies near you to see if you can find better rates elsewhere.
Remember, the best auto insurance provider for teens will give you the kind of coverage you need at a competitive price. If you like a provider with more expensive rates, ask about teen and student discounts before adding a young driver.
When Teens Should Get Their Own Policies
Teens should get their own auto insurance policy if they own their vehicle — rates will be significantly higher when adding a new vehicle and a new driver to an existing policy. Shop around for teen auto insurance quotes to find a provider that fits your budget.
18-year-old drivers who aren’t enrolled in school, are members of the military, or otherwise live on their own should also have their own policies. Teens can also consider non-owner auto insurance if they don’t own a car but borrow vehicles often.
Be aware that state laws determine who is liable for an accident when teen drivers are involved. For example, even if a teen has their own insurance policy, some states will still hold the parents liable if the driver is a minor.
If the minor isn’t listed on the parent’s or guardian’s policy, the guardian may be liable for damages out of pocket. In these cases, adding a teen to your policy is best to ensure you have the proper coverage limits in case of an accident.
What You Need to Know About the Top Auto Insurance Providers for Teens
The best auto insurance for teens will depend on your coverage needs. We recommend full coverage auto insurance for teenage drivers, and Erie and Geico have the best rates.
State Farm teen auto insurance rates are slightly more expensive, but the provider offers an exclusive teen monitoring program called Steer Clear. Steer Clear monitors safe driving habits and encourages teens to be better drivers and earn cheaper rates.
Teens can also earn cheaper rates with Farmers, which offers teens the longest list of auto insurance discounts.
No matter which provider you choose, teen auto insurance rates will be more expensive than average. You can still save money by shopping around, asking about discounts, and taking advantage of unique savings programs, including accident forgiveness and pay-per-mile insurance for teens who don’t drive often.
If you’re ready to buy teen auto insurance, enter your ZIP code below to get free quotes from the top auto insurance providers for teens near you.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why is auto insurance so expensive for teenage males?
Male drivers are statistically more likely to cause an auto accident and file a claim than female drivers at any age, but this risk increases for younger drivers. On average, 16-year-old males pay about $50 more per month than females, and 18-year-old males pay almost $100 more.
Do I have to buy auto insurance for teenage drivers with their learner’s permits?
Most providers allow your policy to automatically cover teenage drivers with their learner’s permits, but it depends on your insurance provider. Some may require you to list them as an insured driver and pay higher rates to cover the increased risk, so ask your insurer before buying teen auto insurance.
Is it cheaper to put my teen on their own auto insurance policy?
No. Even though your rates will go up when adding a teen driver, you will save more money than buying a teen their own auto insurance policy.
Compare Insurance Providers Rates to Save Up to 75%
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Editorial Guidelines: We are a free online resource for anyone interested in learning more about auto insurance. Our goal is to be an objective, third-party resource for everything auto insurance related. We update our site regularly, and all content is reviewed by auto insurance experts.
|
Written by
Daniel Walker |
|
Reviewed by
Daniel Walker
|