Home Car insurance Teenage car insurance rates Cheapest car insurance for 18-year-olds Cheapest car insurance for 18-year-olds At 18, male drivers pay $662 on average per month, while female drivers pay $587. Teens generally pay more for coverage because insurers consider them higher-risk drivers. View Carriers Please enter valid zip Compare top carriers in your area Written by Alisha AmbreAlisha AmbreAlisha Ambre holds a Bachelor of Arts with honours in English Literature and Media Studies. She focuses on crafting clear, engaging content that makes complex information feel practical and approachable for everyday readers. When she’s not writing, she’s likely on the volleyball court or immersed in a good video game.VIEW FULL PROFILE | Reviewed by Nupur GambhirNupur GambhirEditor-in-ChiefNupur Gambhir is the editor-in-chief of Insure.com and a licensed life, health and disability insurance agent in New York with seven years of experience covering insurance. Her expertise has been featured in Bloomberg News, Forbes Advisor, CNET, Fortune, Slate, Real Simple, Lifehacker, The Balance, The Financial Gym and MSN. She holds a BA in Economics from The Ohio State University.VIEW FULL PROFILE | Expert insight from Mark FriedlanderMark FriedlanderDirector of corporate communications for the Insurance Information Institute."Adding a teen to a family’s auto insurance policy can be very expensive due to their inexperience behind the wheel and higher propensity to be involved in an at-fault accident than other demographic groups.”Go to commentSee moreSee less | Updated onApril 7, 2026 Why you can trust Insure.com Quality Verified At Insure.com, we are committed to providing the timely, accurate and expert information consumers need to make smart insurance decisions. All our content is written and reviewed by industry professionals and insurance experts. Our team carefully vets our rate data to ensure we only provide reliable and up-to-date insurance pricing. We follow the highest editorial standards. Our content is based solely on objective research and data gathering. We maintain strict editorial independence to ensure unbiased coverage of the insurance industry. Teenagers face some of the highest car insurance costs of any age group — and for good reason. Because teen drivers have less experience behind the wheel and are statistically more likely to be involved in accidents, insurers charge them significantly higher premiums. On average, 18-year-olds pay about $7,498 a year for coverage, though rates can vary widely depending on where they live and the type of car they drive.The data backs this up: drivers ages 16 to 19 have the highest crash risk on the road. According to the CDC, 16-year-olds have a crash rate per mile driven roughly 1.5 times higher than drivers ages 18 and 19. Insurers closely track this kind of accident data when setting rates, which is why teen drivers consistently pay the most for coverage. The good news is that there are ways to offset these costs. Comparing quotes from multiple insurers, staying on a parent’s policy, and taking advantage of discounts for good students or driver training programs can all help 18-year-olds find more affordable coverage.What 18-year-olds typically payWhat you’ll pay: $7,498 a year, or $662/month for males and $587/month for femalesBest deal we found: Travelers offers the lowest rates for 18-year-oldsHow to pay less: Look into good student, driver training and telematics discountsOur recommendation for cheap car insurance for 18-year-olds Most 18-year-olds can legally purchase their own car insurance policy. However, staying on a parent’s or guardian’s policy is often the more affordable option. Because young drivers still have limited experience behind the wheel and a statistically higher accident risk, insurers tend to charge higher premiums for this age group. That said, there are several ways to lower the cost. Comparing quotes from multiple insurers is one of the most effective steps, since prices can vary significantly between companies for the same coverage. 18-year-olds should also look into discounts specifically designed for teen drivers, including good student discounts, driver training program discounts, and safe driving or telematics discounts that reward low-risk behavior behind the wheel. Heading to college? It could lower your rateIf you’re moving away for school and leaving your car at home, you may qualify for a distant student discount. Many insurers offer reduced rates for college students who only drive during breaks and holidays — it’s worth asking your insurer about. What is the cheapest car insurance for an 18-year-olds?Our data shows Travelers offers the lowest car insurance rates for 18-year-olds. The average cost is $5,566 per year, or $464 per month.In the table below, you can see which insurance companies offer the cheapest car insurance for 18-year-olds. CompanyAverage annual premiumAverage monthly premiumTravelers$5,566 $464 GEICO$5,972 $498 State Farm$7,537 $628 Nationwide$8,531 $711 Allstate$8,737 $728 Progressive$9,626 $802 Farmers$12,109 $1,009 USAA*$4,581 $382 *USAA is only available to military community members and their families.Powered by: Best companies for cheap car insurance for 18-year-olds Car insurance rates vary widely between companies, especially for teen drivers — so shopping around can lead to real savings. The companies below come from our 2026 Best Auto Insurance Companies ranking, evaluated on what matters most to young drivers: cost, discounts and coverage options. CompanySurvey star scoreAM best ratingAverage annual premiumTravelers4.37A++$5,566 GEICO4.27A++$5,972 State Farm4.38A+$7,537 Nationwide4.41A$8,531 Allstate4.35A+$8,737 Amica4.19A+$8,778 Progressive4.15A+$9,626 Farmers4.3A$12,109 USAA*4.55A++$4,581 *USAA is only available to military community members and their families.Powered by: Our agents make it hassle-free to get the right quote. Call (844) 814-8854 Ethan Available Now Jack Available Now Robbie Available Now Ellie Available Now How much is car insurance for 18-year-olds males vs. 18-year-olds females? Car insurance for 18-year-olds males typically costs more than for females of the same age. On average, a full coverage policy costs $662 per month for males and $587 for females, though actual rates vary by insurer and location.Insurance companies often charge higher premiums for young male drivers because crash statistics show they are more likely to take risks behind the wheel and be involved in accidents. The table below shows the average monthly car insurance costs for 18-year-olds drivers added to a parent’s policy, broken down by gender. CompanyAverage annual premium for male driversAverage annual premium for female driversAllstate$9,217$8,257Farmers$12,576$11,607GEICO$6,259$5,688Nationwide$9,119$7,943Progressive$10,122$9,126State Farm$8,164$6,912Travelers$5,965$5,168USAA*$4,706$4,456*USAA is only available to military community members and their families.Powered by: Is car insurance expensive for 18-year-olds? Car insurance for 18-year-olds is generally more expensive than it is for young adult drivers. Insurers charge higher premiums for teen drivers because they have less driving experience and higher accident rates than people in their 20’s and 30’s.Some of the factors that make insurance more expensive for teen drivers include:Less driving experienceHigher accident rates for teensProbability of risk-taking behind the wheelLimited insurance history to rely onPremiums usually decrease as drivers gain experience on the road and maintain a clean driving record.“Adding a teen to a family’s auto insurance policy can be very expensive due to their inexperience behind the wheel and higher propensity to be involved in an at-fault accident than other demographic groups,” says Mark Friedlander, director of corporate communications for the Insurance Information Institute. Which states are the most expensive for 18-year-olds? Car insurance rates for 18-year-olds vary widely by state. Our data shows that Louisiana has the highest average premiums for drivers this age.Location plays a big role in what you pay — states with higher accident rates, costlier repairs, more vehicle theft or stricter insurance requirements tend to have higher premiums across the board.The table below shows the 10 most expensive states for full coverage car insurance for 18-year-olds. StateAverage annual premiumLouisiana$13,128Nevada$12,237Michigan$11,169Rhode Island$11,127Florida$10,838Delaware$10,491Connecticut$10,232Oklahoma$9,598Georgia$9,522Colorado$9,385Powered by: Which states have the cheapest car insurance for 18-year-olds?On the other end of the spectrum, drivers in some states pay significantly less for coverage. The table below shows the 10 most affordable states for full coverage car insurance for 18-year-olds. StateAverage annual premiumHawaii$1,885Vermont$4,355Ohio$4,636Pennsylvania$5,066Indiana$5,182Illinois$5,192New Hampshire$5,442Virginia$5,548Maryland$5,595Wyoming$5,645Powered by: Looking for rates for a different age?Guide to the cheapest car insurance for 16-year-oldsGuide to the cheapest car insurance for 17-year-oldsGuide to the cheapest car insurance for 19-year-olds How can 18-year-olds lower car insurance costs?18-year-olds can lower car insurance costs by using discounts, comparing quotes and choosing the right coverage options. While young drivers usually pay higher premiums, several steps can help reduce the cost of coverage.Here are some of the best ways to save on car insurance for 18-year-olds:Look for discounts. Car insurance discounts can help you get a cheaper premium. Some insurers offer discounts aimed specifically at teen drivers.Choose higher deductibles. For car insurance policies that require a deductible, such as collision insurance and comprehensive insurance, selecting a higher deductible will result in a lower monthly premium. Ensure you can afford a higher deductible. Compare quotes from multiple providers. The cost of car insurance can vary between insurance companies, even for the same type and amount of coverage. Compare personalized rate quotes from several insurers to find the most affordable policy.Drive safely. Keeping a clean driving record can lower your car insurance rates. When insurers see you’ve avoided accidents and tickets, they view you as a lower-risk driver — which often means more affordable coverage. Review your coverage regularly. Checking your policy each year helps make sure you’re not paying for coverage you don’t need — and that you still have the right protection for your situation. What discounts are available for 18-year-olds?18-year-olds can often qualify for car insurance discounts, which can reduce their premium. Here are some of the most common discounts car insurance companies offer to 18-year-olds drivers:Good student discount. If you’re looking for affordable car insurance for 18-year-olds college students, consider a good student discount. Full-time high school and college students can qualify for a good student discount if they maintain a good GPA.Telematics program discount. Most car insurance companies offer a telematics-based driver rewards program. Your smartphone or device in your car tracks your driving habits, like brake force and speed. Drivers who demonstrate safe habits behind the wheel can earn a discount on their premiums. Student away at school discount. Students who go to school at least 100 miles away from home and don’t take their vehicle can usually save money with a student away at school discount. However, this discount usually only applies to collision and/or comprehensive insurance Frequently asked questions What discounts can 18-year-olds get on car insurance? For 18-year-olds, car insurance is expensive, but there are plenty of ways to cut costs. Many insurers reward good students, so keeping a B average or higher could earn you a discount. Completing a driver training course is another way to lower your rate. You may also save if you don’t drive many miles each year or if your car has safety features like anti-lock brakes or airbags. Does the type of car affect insurance costs for 18-year-olds? Yes. Cars that are cheaper to repair, have solid safety ratings, and aren’t frequent theft targets usually come with lower insurance costs. In contrast, sports cars and high-performance vehicles tend to have higher premiums because their parts are expensive and repairs can be costly. How much does car insurance cost for an 18-year-olds per month? Car insurance for 18-year-olds males costs $662 per month — the same full coverage policy costs $587 per month for females. This difference reflects national crash data showing that young men are more likely to take risks behind the wheel, leading insurers to charge them higher premiums. Still, actual rates can vary widely depending on the insurance company, location, driving record, and discounts available. What our expert says Q. Why is teen car insurance so high? Mark FriedlanderDirector of corporate communications for the Insurance Information Institute. “Adding a teen to a family’s auto insurance policy can be very expensive due to their inexperience behind the wheel and higher propensity to be involved in an at-fault accident than other demographic groups.” Resources & MethodologySourcesSources: CDC. Teen Drivers and Passengers: Get the Facts. Accessed April 2026.MethodologyInsure.com editors collected rates from Quadrant Information Services for 18-year-olds drivers with a full coverage insurance policy with limits 100/300/100 and a $500 comprehensive and collision deductible on a Honda Accord LX. We analyzed 65,756,440 quotes, 34,595 ZIP codes, and 195 insurance companies nationwide. In case you missed it The most expensive and cheapest cars to insure in 2026 Do you have to add a teenage driver to your car insurance policy? Teenage car insurance rates: How much is car insurance for teens? Most and least expensive trucks to insure in 2026 How much does car insurance cost for seniors in 2026? Non-owner car insurance: How to get car insurance if you don’t own a car i... The most and least expensive states for car insurance Do your car insurance and registration have to be under the same name? Car insurance mileage brackets: How your annual mileage affects your premiums What to do after a car accident that’s not your fault How to keep your totaled car Most expensive and cheapest SUVs to insure in 2026 Average cost of gap insurance in 2026 Is $200 a month high for car insurance? Blood alcohol content (BAC) calculator Can I insure a car that isn’t in my name? What to know about six-month car insurance How much does car insurance cost a month in 2026? How much does used car insurance cost? Most and least expensive models to insure Average car insurance rates by age and gender 1/1 Alisha Ambre . .Alisha Ambre holds a Bachelor of Arts with honours in English Literature and Media Studies. She focuses on crafting clear, engaging content that makes complex information feel practical and approachable for everyday readers. When she’s not writing, she’s likely on the volleyball court or immersed in a good video game. On this page Our recommendation for cheap car insurance for 18-year-oldsWhat is the cheapest car insurance for an 18-year-olds?Best companies for cheap car insurance for 18-year-olds How much is car insurance for 18-year-olds males vs. 18-year-olds females? Is car insurance expensive for 18-year-olds? Which states are the most expensive for 18-year-olds? Which states have the cheapest car insurance for 18-year-olds?How can 18-year-olds lower car insurance costs?What discounts are available for 18-year-olds?Frequently asked questionsWhat our expert saysResources & Methodology ZIP Code Please enter valid ZIP See rates (844) 645-3330