Guide to the cheapest car insurance for 19-year-olds

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Teenagers usually pay the most expensive rates for car insurance. In fact, a 19-year-old driver could pay more than $5,000 a year for coverage. But there are cheaper rates available. USAA for instance, offers coverage at $3,017 a year.

The cost of car insurance for 19-year-old drivers depends on various factors. Your location, gender, and vehicle type are just a few of the criteria insurance companies use to calculate personalized rates. 

Since drivers between 16 and 19 have higher accident rates than any other age group, they often pay much higher car insurance rates than adults.

Our recommendations for cheap insurance for 19-year-olds

By 19, car insurance rates start to drop, but 19-year-olds still pay much higher rates than adults. Because 19-year-old drivers still have limited experience behind the wheel, insurance companies consider them high-risk and charge higher rates.

Although teens can’t avoid expensive car insurance premiums, we suggest insurance shoppers look into various ways to lower insurance costs. Most insurance providers offer discounts for young drivers, including savings for being a good student or taking a driver’s education course. Shopping around and comparing quotes from several insurance companies can help teens find the most affordable policy. 

What is the cheapest insurance for a 19-year-old?

Based on our analysis of recent rate data, USAA offers the cheapest car insurance for 19-year-olds. USAA’s average car insurance rate for 19-year-olds is $3,017 per year or $251 per month. However, USAA only sells auto insurance to active duty, retired military service members and their immediate family members. 

Travelers offers the second-cheapest rates if you can’t get insurance through USAA. Review the table below to find out how much car insurance is for a 19-year-old:

Best companies for cheap car insurance for 19-year-olds

When choosing an insurance company, the average car insurance cost for 19-year-olds is only one factor to consider. You should also evaluate providers based on criteria like coverage options, discounts and third-party ratings for customer satisfaction and financial strength.

Insure’s best companies for teens are based upon the 2023 Best Auto Insurance Companies ranking. Below are some of the best cheap car insurance companies for 19-year-old drivers.

How much is car insurance for 19-year-old males vs. 19-year-old females?

Gender is one of the rating factors that insurance companies use to determine the cost of car insurance for individual drivers. Male drivers generally pay slightly higher rates for car insurance than female drivers. However, the rate difference between males and females will depend on the insurance company.

See the average rate for 19-year-old males and females in the tables below.

The average car insurance rates for a 19-year-old female are shown in the table below.

How much does car insurance cost for a 19-year-old per month?

Car insurance for 19-year-old males costs $363 per month; the same full coverage policy costs $323 per month for females.

Average car insurance rates for 19-year-olds on a parent’s policy

Although 19-year-olds can purchase their own car insurance policy in most states, they can save money by staying insured on a parent’s policy. In the table below, you can see the average annual cost of car insurance for a 19-year-old on their own policy and a parent’s policy.

Is car insurance for 19-year-olds expensive?

Because 19-year-old drivers are riskier to insure, insurance companies charge higher rates.

“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. 

According to the CDC, drivers between the ages of 16 and 19 have a higher crash rate than any other age group. Additionally, drivers in this age group have a fatal crash rate that is nearly three times as high as drivers 20 and older. 

Which states are the most expensive for 19-year-olds?

Your location can significantly impact the cost of your car insurance policy. Factors like the number of uninsured drivers, the vehicle theft rate, and the cost of auto repairs in the area can all affect premiums. Below are the 10 most expensive states for full coverage car insurance for 19-year-olds on a parent’s policy.

Which states have the cheapest car insurance for 19-year-olds?

The average cost of car insurance for 19-year-olds is cheaper in some states than in others. However, remember that rates can differ depending on your city and ZIP code. Here are the 10 cheapest states for full coverage car insurance for 19-year-olds.

How to get cheap car insurance rates for 19-year-old drivers

While 19-year-old drivers often pay expensive car insurance rates, there are ways to reduce the cost. Here are several ways to save money on auto insurance for 19-year-olds:

• Look for discounts: Car insurance discounts can help you get a cheaper premium. Some insurers offer discounts aimed specifically at teen drivers.
• Bundle multiple policies: When you purchase two or more insurance products from the same company, such as auto insurance and homeowners insurance, you can often qualify for a discount. This is a good option for parents adding a 19-year-old to their car insurance policy and wanting to lower their premium.
• Choose higher deductibles: Higher deductibles will reduce your monthly car insurance premium. However, it’s important to ensure you can afford a higher deductible in case of a claim. 
• Shop around and compare quotes: To find the most affordable auto insurance policy for your situation, it’s a good idea to shop around and compare quotes from several different providers. 

Which discounts are available for 19-year-olds?

Most car insurance companies offer discounts for 19-year-old drivers. Here are some of the discounts commonly available from the largest car insurance providers:

• Good student discount: If you want cheap car insurance for 19-year-old college students, you might qualify for a good student discount. This discount, available to full-time high school and college students, is available to students who maintain a minimum grade-point average GPA — usually a “B” average or better.
• Driver training course discount: If you complete an approved defensive driver training course or driver’s education program, some insurance providers will discount your premium. 
• 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.  
• Telematics program discount: If your car insurance company offers a telematics program, you could save money by demonstrating safe driving habits. You’ll use a smartphone or device installed in your car to track your driving habits, like speed and phone use. Drivers who show safe habits can get a discount on their premiums. 

How much does car insurance cost for 19-year-olds vs. other ages?

On average, 19-year-olds pay less for car insurance than younger teens. Below, you can see the average cost of car insurance for 19-year-old male drivers compared to the average rates for other young drivers.

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 & Methodology

Sources

Methodology

Insure.com editors in 2024 collected rates from Quadrant Information Services for 19-year-old drivers with a full coverage insurance policy with limits 100/300/100 and $500 comprehensive and collision deductible on a Honda Accord LX. We analyzed 53,409,632 quotes, 34,588 ZIP codes and 170 insurance companies nationwide.

Elizabeth Rivelli

Contributing Researcher

 

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Elizabeth Rivelli is a freelance writer who covers various insurance topics. Her areas of expertise are life insurance, car insurance, property insurance and health insurance. Elizabeth’s byline has appeared in dozens of online publications, including Investopedia, CNET and Bankrate. She has also written for several insurance carriers.