Compare 18-Year-Old Driver Car Insurance Rates [2023]
18-year-old car insurance rates are $143.02/mo for boys and $130.10/mo for girls. Discounts for completing drivers education and maintaining good grades can help lower 18-year-old car insurance rates.
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Joel Ohman
Founder & CFP®
Joel Ohman is the CEO of a private equity backed digital media company. He is a CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER™, author, angel investor, and serial entrepreneur who loves creating new things, whether books or businesses. He has also previously served as the founder and resident CFP® of a national insurance agency, Real Time Health Quotes. He has an MBA from the University of South Florida. Jo...
Founder & CFP®
UPDATED: Jun 10, 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 car insurance decisions. Comparison shopping should be easy. We are not affiliated with any one car insurance company and cannot guarantee quotes from any single company.
Our partnerships don’t influence our content. Our opinions are our own. To compare quotes from top car companies 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: Jun 10, 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 car insurance decisions. Comparison shopping should be easy. We are not affiliated with any one car insurance company and cannot guarantee quotes from any single company.
Our partnerships don’t influence our content. Our opinions are our own. To compare quotes from top car companies 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
- Parents can help their 18-year-olds find discounts by teaching them the keys to safe driving
- Insurance rates for 18-year-olds are $143.02/mo for boys and $130.10/mo for girls
- There are ways to prepare for insurance discounts before you’re ever behind the wheel
- Your credit score is one thing insurance companies monitor when considering coverage rates
- You can start your search for car insurance online today
Turning 18 comes with a lot of new responsibilities. In the eyes of the law you’re an adult and are expected to act like one; in many areas you are still treated like a child.
As an 18-year-old, car insurance is one of the many areas in which you are penalized just for being young.
Though it is difficult for teens to get cheap car insurance, it’s not impossible.
If you’re in need of insurance, car insurance quotes are just seconds away! Enter your ZIP code and compare quotes from multiple companies right now!
Cheap 18-year-old car insurance might be hard to come by, but if you follow the tips below, you’ll be ahead of the game.
Do you need to have auto insurance?
In most states, you must provide proof of auto liability insurance when applying for a license or permit. This includes having at least $25,000 per person/$50,000 per occurrence for bodily injury liability coverage and no less than $10,000 in property damage liability. You may wish to purchase higher coverage limits than these. If you already hold a valid license or permit, check with your state department of motor vehicles to see whether they require additional proof of insurance.
Also, remember that liability insurance is just the minimum. If you want to have your own injuries and repairs to your vehicle covered, you should add collision coverage and comprehensive coverage to your policy. Adding these additional coverages to your policy will increase your auto insurance rates, but you’ll be covered for just about every eventuality.
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What is the average price of auto insurance for an 18-year-old?
How much you pay for auto insurance coverage depends on a variety of factors, including your age, gender, credit history, driving record, and location.
However, the average cost of auto insurance for an 18-year-old in the U.S. is an annual premium of around $7,000. An 18-year-old male driver will pay a little more than an 18-year-old female driver, as young women are statistically less likely to be in an accident than young men.
How can parents prepare their 18-year-old children to get discounts on car insurance?
It’s very difficult for young adults to get cheap car insurance. Insurance companies see them as risks, and so their policies can be much more expensive than older adults. But there are ways parents can help their children receive discounts on car insurance when they’re old enough to buy it themselves.
Before your children are 18, you can help them prepare to ask for more reasonable insurance rates by teaching them how to drive safely. Tell them all the stupid things you did when you first started to drive and let them learn from your mistakes. (I know, it doesn’t seem like they are listening, but they really do hear you from time to time.)
Talk to your children about why insurance companies have high rates for teen drivers.
Ask them what common distractions cause teens to get in more accidents than older, more experienced drivers. Have them write a list similar to this:
- Cell phones
- Friends in the car
- Music
- Looking in the mirror/grooming
- Eating
By talking to teens about driving safely, you could be saving them money on car insurance when they become of age. Don’t just focus on driving, though. Teach your children the value of having car insurance and of shopping around for it. Tell them what to do in case there is an accident.
Explain how claims work and how to file one. This, too, will make your children more responsible drivers.
Start young. Pre-teens and younger teens are just waiting for the day when they’ll be holding the keys in their hands. Talking about car safety and the impact it has on insurance will better prepare them for when that day comes.
Also, you might be able to save right now if your insurance provider offers good student discounts.
What can you do before you’re 18 to get cheap car insurance?
Insurance companies offer many discounts to young adults based on their driving records and other less obvious aspects of their lives. A teen driver can put themselves in a better position to receive lower insurance rates by:
- Keeping a clean driving record (safe driving discount)
- Being in good academic standing
- Having a defensive driving course on record
- Proving membership to a club in the community
- Installing safety devices, such as air bags and alarms, in their cars
All these show maturity and might persuade insurers to give an 18-year-old car insurance for a cheaper rate.
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How do you save money on car insurance as an 18-year-old driver?
Once you turn 18, there are more ways you can prepare to save on car insurance. Many factors affect how insurers will calculate your premiums. Some are specific to you as a young adult while others are common to all drivers.
- One of the other perks to coming of age is you can apply for and receive your own credit card. This can be beneficial when asking for discounts from your insurance company. Maintaining a good credit score shows insurers you are responsible with your money and pay bills on time.
- Before you buy a car, check how much insurance will cost for it. Insurance companies will set prices based on a variety of factors like the car’s worth, potential repairs, and what types of safety devices are installed. If you want to save on car insurance, it is better to buy based on these factors than on how the car looks.
- Car insurance companies give discounts if clients have multiple plans with them. If you are willing to relinquish some of that independence you probably crave, consider staying on your parents’ insurance policy. It will probably save you money.
How do you find car insurance quotes online for an 18-year-old driver?
Comparing quotes for car insurance can be a long and tedious task, especially if it’s your first time doing something like it on your own. But this is the best way to find the cheapest car insurance policy. And because you’ve grown up in the age of the Internet, requesting quotes from insurance companies is easier than ever.
Insurers offer free quotes online. By filling out forms on their websites, you can get quotes sent to your email and then compare them. Just make sure you enter exactly the same information on each site to get an accurate comparison.
When you’re looking for quotes, be sure to compare coverage as well as price. Getting cheap car insurance may be your goal, but you don’t want to waste your money on something that won’t help you. Also, be careful about which insurer you choose.
There are many great insurance companies out there, but there are also many others that will charge you a lot for bad service.
Another thing you have to consider is how much you can afford and what payment method is best for you. It’s always better to have the highest deductible that you can because this will lower your monthly premiums. However, you should only get a high deductible if you believe you will have the funds to pay it in the case of an accident.
This is basic information you need to start your search for car insurance as an 18-year-old.
Remember, you can stay on your parents’ policy as long as you want to and they will allow you to. This is generally going to be cheaper than getting your own separate policy.
After you buy a car insurance policy, continue to research discounts and ask your insurance agent about ones that apply to you. Insurers are always developing new discounts and incentives to get more clients, and these can usually be applied to existing policies as well.
You’re an adult and want to be treated as one by receiving car insurance rates that older adults do. Unfortunately, insurance companies won’t give you that luxury until you earn it. But there are ways to save on car insurance policies if you take the time to find them.
Enter your ZIP code on below to receive FREE car insurance quotes from multiple companies today!
Frequently Asked Questions
How much does car insurance cost for an 18-year-old driver?
The cost of car insurance for an 18-year-old driver can vary significantly based on several factors, including the individual’s location, driving record, the type of car they drive, and the insurance company they choose. On average, however, insurance rates for 18-year-old drivers tend to be higher compared to older, more experienced drivers.
Why are car insurance rates higher for 18-year-old drivers?
Insurance rates are higher for 18-year-old drivers due to the perception of increased risk. Statistically, younger drivers are more likely to engage in risky behaviors on the road, leading to a higher likelihood of accidents. Insurance companies factor in this risk when determining rates.
What are some ways to lower car insurance rates for an 18-year-old driver?
While car insurance rates for 18-year-olds are generally higher, there are a few strategies to help lower them:
- Maintain a clean driving record: Avoid accidents and traffic violations.
- Take a defensive driving course: Completing a recognized defensive driving course may result in a discount.
- Choose a safe and reliable car: Opt for a vehicle with good safety features and a lower risk of theft.
- Consider adding additional security measures: Installing anti-theft devices can potentially reduce insurance premiums.
- Shop around for insurance: Compare rates from different insurance providers to find the best deal.
Can an 18-year-old driver stay on their parents’ insurance policy?
In many cases, an 18-year-old driver can stay on their parents’ insurance policy if they are living in the same household. However, this can vary depending on the insurance company’s policies and state regulations. It’s best to check with the insurance provider to determine if this is an option.
Are there any pros and cons of getting car insurance as an 18-year-old driver?
Pros:
- Provides financial protection: Car insurance can help cover the cost of repairs or medical expenses in case of an accident.
- Builds a driving record: Consistently maintaining insurance coverage and a clean driving record can help establish a positive driving history.
- Legal requirement: In most states, having car insurance is mandatory for drivers.
Cons:
- Higher cost: Car insurance rates for 18-year-olds tend to be more expensive than for older drivers.
- Limited options: Some insurance companies may be reluctant to offer coverage to young drivers or may charge significantly higher premiums.
- Potential financial burden: The cost of insurance premiums can strain the budget of an 18-year-old driver who may already have limited financial resources.
Free Car Insurance Comparison
Enter your ZIP code below to view companies that have cheap car insurance rates.
Secured with SHA-256 Encryption
Joel Ohman
Founder & CFP®
Joel Ohman is the CEO of a private equity backed digital media company. He is a CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER™, author, angel investor, and serial entrepreneur who loves creating new things, whether books or businesses. He has also previously served as the founder and resident CFP® of a national insurance agency, Real Time Health Quotes. He has an MBA from the University of South Florida. Jo...
Founder & CFP®
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.