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The cost of adding a teen driver to your car insurance may be surprising, even if your driver is 19 years old. Insurance rates for teen drivers gradually decline as they gain experience behind the wheel, but typically there’s not a significant decrease until they’re in their early 20s.
We’ve examined car insurance costs to help you find the best cheap car insurance for 19-year-olds.
What Is the Cheapest Car Insurance for 19-Year-Old Drivers?
USAA is the cheapest car insurance company for adding a 19-year-old driver to a parent’s policy. USAA is only available to military members, veterans and military family members. Those not eligible for USAA membership may want to consider American Family or Geico.
Cheapest car insurance companies for adding 19-year-old drivers
Here are the costs for adding a 19-year-old to an existing parent car insurance policy.
| Insurance company | Average annual cost to add a 19-year-old to a parent’s policy | |
|---|---|---|
| USAA* | $789 | |
| American Family | $1,194 | |
| Geico | $1,201 | |
| Erie | $1,316 | |
| Travelers | $1,348 | |
| State Farm | $1,518 | |
| Auto-Owners | $1,588 | |
| Nationwide | $1,603 | |
| Progressive | $1,702 | |
| Overall average | $1,733 | |
| *USAA is available only to members of the military, veterans and their immediate families. | ||
Cheapest car insurance companies for parents plus a 19-year-old driver
If you’re shopping for insurance for both parents and a 19-year-old, USAA has the cheapest car insurance. Travelers is the second cheapest, narrowly beating out Geico. Travelers and Geico are both over $900 cheaper than the national average.
| Insurance company | Average annual car insurance cost of a parent policy with a 19-year-old driver included | |
|---|---|---|
| USAA* | $2,930 | |
| Travelers | $3,704 | |
| Geico | $3,721 | |
| Erie | $3,780 | |
| Nationwide | $4,401 | |
| State Farm | $4,428 | |
| Progressive | $4,566 | |
| Auto-Owners | $4,623 | |
| Overall average | $4,695 | |
| *USAA is available only to members of the military, veterans and their immediate families. | ||
Cheap car insurance for 19-year-olds on their own policy
USAA, Geico and Auto-Owners were the cheapest companies for 19-year-olds who are buying their own insurance, based on the companies in our analysis.
| Insurance company | Average annual car insurance cost for a 19-year-old with their own policy | |
|---|---|---|
| USAA* | $2,971 | |
| Geico | $3,702 | |
| Auto-Owners | $3,830 | |
| State Farm | $3,980 | |
| American Family | $4,093 | |
| Erie | $4,511 | |
| Overall average | $4,649 | |
| *USAA is available only to members of the military, veterans and their immediate families. | ||
Average Car Insurance Cost for a 19-year-old
It costs an average of $1,733 a year to add a 19-year-old to a car insurance policy, according to Forbes Advisor’s analysis. That’s about $144 a month extra parents will pay for adding their 19-year-old driver to their policy.
That’s a hefty expense but much cheaper than the average car insurance cost for a 19-year-old on their own policy ($4,649 per year). That comes to $387 a month, a substantial amount for a teen to afford.
And let’s look at the new overall auto insurance cost for the whole family: The average cost of a parent’s policy with a 19-year-old driver included is $4,695 a year.
Car insurance costs for 19-year-old drivers are high because they are still considered inexperienced and more likely to have accidents and file claims than older, more seasoned drivers. Insurers charge higher prices because 19-year-old drivers are a high risk for them to take on.
Finding the best car insurance at a good price is important, but it’s no time to reduce coverage in order to save money. With a young adult behind the wheel, you need decent coverage levels.
Average Car Insurance Cost by State for 19-Year-Olds
| State | Average annual cost to add a 19-year-old to a parent policy | Average annual car insurance cost for a 19-year-old on their own policy |
|---|---|---|
| Alabama | $2,091 | $3,907 |
| Alaska | $2,254 | $3,375 |
| Arizona | $2,139 | $3,601 |
| Arkansas | $1,721 | $3,770 |
| California | $1,614 | $4,094 |
| Colorado | $2,028 | $4,541 |
| Connecticut | $1,932 | $3,720 |
| Delaware | $2,098 | $5,416 |
| Florida | $2,693 | $7,001 |
| Georgia | $2,156 | $4,602 |
| Hawaii | $641 | $1,357 |
| Idaho | $1,230 | $2,383 |
| Illinois | $1,731 | $5,237 |
| Indiana | $1,289 | $3,436 |
| Iowa | $1,173 | $2,684 |
| Kansas | $1,521 | $3,992 |
| Kentucky | $2,073 | $3,635 |
| Louisiana | $3,003 | $6,040 |
| Maine | $1,382 | $3,073 |
| Maryland | $2,033 | $5,941 |
| Massachusetts | $1,170 | $5,202 |
| Michigan | $1,666 | $5,111 |
| Minnesota | $2,074 | $5,123 |
| Mississippi | $1,670 | $3,581 |
| Missouri | $1,877 | $4,053 |
| Montana | $1,148 | $3,000 |
| Nebraska | $1,662 | $3,130 |
| Nevada | $2,431 | $5,203 |
| New Hampshire | $1,177 | $2,887 |
| New Jersey | $1,837 | $4,536 |
| New Mexico | $1,741 | $3,498 |
| New York | $2,368 | $6,398 |
| North Carolina | $385 | $1,497 |
| North Dakota | $1,097 | $2,521 |
| Ohio | $1,368 | $2,559 |
| Oklahoma | $1,677 | $4,507 |
| Oregon | $1,629 | $3,156 |
| Pennsylvania | $2,087 | $6,526 |
| Rhode Island | $2,061 | $4,457 |
| South Carolina | $1,982 | $4,422 |
| South Dakota | $1,126 | $3,329 |
| Tennessee | $1,639 | $3,722 |
| Texas | $2,203 | $4,442 |
| Utah | $2,074 | $3,964 |
| Vermont | $982 | $2,725 |
| Virginia | $1,572 | $2,954 |
| Washington | $1,629 | $3,649 |
| West Virginia | $1,605 | $3,600 |
| Wisconsin | $1,212 | $3,710 |
| Wyoming | $1,036 | $2,283 |
Average Car Insurance Cost by Gender for 19-Year-Old drivers
Male drivers at age 19 pay 31% more than females of the same age when added to a parent policy. Male teen drivers pay more for car insurance than female drivers in their teens because males are more likely to be in accidents and make claims.
Average car insurance cost by gender for parent policy with 19-year-old
| Average cost to add a 19-year-old female to a parent policy | Average cost to add a 19-year-old male to a parent policy | Extra $ paid for males | Extra % paid for males |
|---|---|---|---|
| $1,503 | $1,962 | $459 | 31% |
Male drivers also pay more than female drivers when buying their own car insurance policy at age 19.
Average car insurance cost by gender for 19-year-old drivers on own policy
| Average cost to add a 19-year-old female to a parent policy | Average cost to add a 19-year-old male to a parent policy | Extra $ paid for males | Extra % paid for males |
|---|---|---|---|
| $4,266 | $5,033 | $767 | 18% |
What Factors Influence Auto Insurance Costs for 19-Year-Old Drivers?
Here are the main factors that will influence car insurance costs for a 19-year-old.
Age
Car insurance companies view young, inexperienced drivers as a high risk. That is why adding a teen to a parent’s auto insurance policy or a teen buying their own policy is so expensive. You won’t be able to avoid a considerable increase, but you can take steps to reduce the impact.
Gender
Car insurance companies determine rates in part based on previous claims paid. Because teenage males are the source of more accident claims than female teens, males cost more to insure. Both males and females will see a rate hike at their next renewal if they are in an accident or get a traffic ticket.
Related: Car Insurance Rates by Age and Gender
Location
The amount and cost of claims made in your area will impact the cost of car insurance. Factors associated with your location that often affect car insurance cost include:
- Weather and disaster claims such as hail and floods.
- The frequency of claims related to auto theft and vandalism.
- The frequency of auto accidents.
- The cost of vehicle repairs, including parts and labor.
- The cost of medical care, which affects how much insurers must pay for injury claims.
Type of car
If you include collision and comprehensive insurance as part of your policy, your auto insurance will pay for claims related to damage to your vehicle from crashes, backing into poles, trees falling on your car, car theft and more. If your car costs more to repair or replace than other vehicles, the extra cost will be reflected in the price you pay for collision and comprehensive coverage.
What Discounts Are Available for 19-Year-Olds?
You may not find tons of car insurance discounts for 19-year-olds because teenagers have a long reputation as risky drivers. But it’s beneficial to your bottom line to see what your teen may be eligible for.
Good student discount
A “good student discount” is helpful if your 19-year-old driver is eligible. Your car insurance company may not know to add it unless you let it know.
Forbes Advisor’s analysis of good student discounts found an average of 4% savings.
The eligibility rules for this student car insurance discount can vary by company, but generally, the student needs to go to high school or college full-time, receive good grades and be within a specific age range.
Usually “good student” can mean any one of these to car insurance companies:
- Average of 3.0 or better.
- Grade average of B for better.
- In the upper 20% of their class.
- On the Dean’s List, Honor Roll or comparable listing.
- In the upper 20% of a national standardized test within the past 12 months, such as the SAT or ACT.
Student away from home discount
If your 19-year-old is going to college away from home, you may be able to pick up another discount. “Student away from home discounts” have an average savings of 8%, according to our analysis.
To be eligible for a student away discount, your 19-year-old must meet certain requirements, which can vary by auto insurance company. Basic qualifications for the discount typically include:
- The student resides at a school more than 100 miles from home; and
- The car stays at home while the student is away at school; and
- The student only drives the car when home during holidays and vacations.
Discount for a driver training class
This discount isn’t all that common but is beneficial if your insurance company offers it. If your 19-year-old completes an approved driver training program, it could earn them a training discount. Before your teen driver embarks on a course, make sure your insurer approves it for the discount.
Related: Car Insurance for students in college
Can a 19-Year-Old Get Their Own Policy?
Yes, a 19-year-old driver can get their own car insurance policy. This might make sense if the 19-year-old has a car registered in their name or if they have their own car and are living on their own. If the teen is still living at home and driving household vehicles, it’s typically much cheaper for the teen to be on a parent policy instead.
How to Get the Cheapest Insurance Policy at 19
Here are some tips for getting the cheapest car insurance for a 19-year-old.
Compare multiple quotes
The car insurance company that was cheap for parents may no longer have competitive rates once a 19-year-old driver is added. It’s a good time to compare car insurance quotes and look for better deals when adding a new driver.
Look for discount opportunities
Explore student discounts, such as good student for getting good grades and student away discounts plus any price breaks for completing a driver’s education class. Also, ask your car insurance agent what other car insurance discounts might apply to families with a 19-year-old driver.
Drive an affordable car
Collision and comprehensive insurance are less expensive to have as part of your policy if your car is cheaper to repair or replace. You want a reliable and safe vehicle for your teen driver, but avoid luxury cars, and definitely avoid a high-powered sports car if you want to keep insurance rates low.
Coverage amount
You may be mulling over the idea of cutting coverage to save money on car insurance, but when you have a 19-year-old driver, it’s not time to reduce your auto insurance coverage. Teen drivers are more likely to be involved in car accidents, so your chances of needing good auto insurance due to claims are higher. Consider buying more than the minimum liability car insurance required by your state and opting to purchase comprehensive and collision coverage to protect your own car. You can find cheap full coverage car insurance by comparison shopping.
Increase your deductibles
If you buy collision and comprehensive insurance, you’ll choose a deductible. You can normally reduce costs by having a higher deductible—such as $1,000 instead of $500.
To determine if the savings are worth going with a higher deductible, ask your car insurance agent to give you quotes for various levels of deductibles. Keep in mind that a 19-year-old driver is more likely than older adults to crash into something.
Methodology
We used data from Quadrant Information Services, a provider of insurance data and analytics. Rates are based on parents and a 19-year-old driver with good driving records insuring a Toyota RAV4. Policy limits are $100,000 in bodily injury liability coverage per person, $300,000 per accident and $100,000 in property damage liability (known as 100/300/100), uninsured motorist coverage and collision and comprehensive with a $500 deductible.
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Cheap Car Insurance for 19-Year-Olds FAQs
Why is car insurance cheaper at 19 than 18?
Car insurance is slightly cheaper at 19 than at 18 because as teen drivers gain experience, their likelihood of being in an auto accident decreases. Car insurance costs for 19-year-olds will be cheaper for those who have been driving since they were 16 and have a clean driving record.
Some car insurance companies offer car insurance discounts to safe drivers who maintain clean driving records for three years, so 19-year-old drivers may be able to start taking advantage of that discount.
Related: Cheapest car insurance for 18-year-old
Can a 19-year-old be on their parent’s car insurance policy?
Yes, a 19-year-old can be on their parent’s car insurance policy if still at home driving their parent’s vehicles or away at school with or without a car. When children buy and register a car in their own name, they typically need to get their own car insurance policy.
Start by asking if your car insurance company offers a generational discount. Whether you get a price break for having your child buy a policy from your insurance company, it’s always smart to compare car insurance quotes to see who offers the most affordable rates.
Will safe driving influence the cost of car insurance for a 19-year-old driver?
Safe driving will influence the cost of car insurance for a 19-year-old in a good way. Demonstrating safe driving behavior can help lower car insurance costs because insurance companies will consider you less of a risk to insure. Typically, car insurance rates go up after a ticket or accident, while safe driving keeps costs down.
