Cheapest Car Insurance for 18-Year-Olds


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Key Takeaways

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Concord Group, Auto-Owners, State Farm, Travelers and Nationwide are the top five cheapest car insurance companies for 18-year-olds.

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Nationally, the cheapest car insurance rates for 18-year-olds start at $67 per month for minimum coverage and $122 monthly for full coverage, but some state rates are as low as $50 per month.

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Car insurance for 18-year-olds costs an average of $148 per month for minimum coverage and $300 for full coverage.

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Cheapest Minimum Liability Car Insurance for 18-Year-Olds

Among national providers, State Farm offers the cheapest minimum liability car insurance for 18-year-olds at around $1,356 per year, 24% cheaper than average on family policies. Concord Group and Auto-Owners are more affordable options if you are in their service area.

Concord Group$67$81
Auto-Owners Insurance Co$88$60
State Farm$113$35
Encompass$132$17
Travelers$134$14
GEICO$138$10

*Rates are for a family policy for male and female drivers with clean records and good credit who insure a 2012 Toyota Camry.

Cheapest Full Coverage Car Insurance for 18-Year-Olds

Concord Group is the cheapest full coverage auto insurance provider for 18-year-old drivers, which costs $1,464 per year when added to a family policy. However, the company has limited availability. Nationally, the most affordable companies are State Farm, Travelers and Nationwide.

Concord Group$122$178
Auto-Owners Insurance Co$195$105
State Farm$228$72
Travelers$280$20
Nationwide$290$10
GEICO$291$9

*Rates are for a family policy for male and female drivers with clean records and good credit who insure a 2012 Toyota Camry.

Cheapest Car Insurance for 18-Year-Olds by State

Depending on your state, the cheapest car insurance rates range from $50 to $288 per month for an 18-year-old on a family policy. We've broken down the most affordable companies for this age group by state below.

South DakotaAllstate$50
ConnecticutGEICO$50
WisconsinAllstate$52
Hawaii21st Century$57
AlabamaGEICO$60
IowaAllstate$61
North DakotaAllstate$62
OhioAllstate$67
MississippiProgressive$67
MaineConcord Group$70
MassachusettsProgressive$71
ColoradoKemper$72
IndianaGEICO$73
NebraskaAllstate$74
New HampshireConcord Group$75
MontanaProgressive$78
MissouriGEICO$78
KansasNationwide$80
IllinoisTravelers$81
PennsylvaniaNationwide$83
WyomingAllstate$83
IdahoState Farm$84
ArkansasAllstate$88
New YorkKemper$92
VermontConcord Group$93
OregonGEICO$95
District of ColumbiaGEICO$95
North CarolinaState Farm$95
VirginiaNationwide$96
GeorgiaAllstate$96
UtahGEICO$96
ArizonaGEICO$97
TennesseeAllstate$98
Rhode IslandTravelers$100
MarylandProgressive$101
West VirginiaAllstate$102
KentuckyAllstate$104
WashingtonAllstate$109
New MexicoAllstate$110
OklahomaAllstate$118
AlaskaGEICO$120
DelawareGEICO$121
MichiganGEICO$125
MinnesotaAllstate$130
New JerseyTravelers$135
South CarolinaAuto-Owners Insurance Co$147
TexasState Farm$154
NevadaNationwide$175
CaliforniaState Farm$207
FloridaAllstate$230
LouisianaGEICO$288

*Rates are for male and female drivers with clean driving records and good credit insuring a 2012 Toyota Camry with minimum coverage.

Cheapest Car Insurance for 18-Year-Olds by Gender

Due to increased accident risks, 18-year-old male drivers typically pay higher insurance rates than female drivers of the same age. Below are the cheapest national providers for men and women in this age group.

Cheapest Car Insurance for 18-Year-Old Female Drivers

State Farm offers the most affordable national car insurance for 18-year-old women, with annual savings of about 27% compared to the average. Female drivers tend to have lower insurance rates than their male counterparts at 18. This is due to statistical data showing that young women are involved in fewer accidents.

Concord Group$64$76$117$165
Auto-Owners Insurance Co$80$60$177$105
State Farm$102$38$205$77
Travelers$118$22$252$30

*Rates are for female drivers with clean driving records and good credit insuring a 2012 Toyota Camry.

Cheapest Car Insurance for 18-Year-Old Male Drivers

For 18-year-old male drivers, State Farm offers the lowest monthly rate at $124 when added to a family policy. However, Concord Group and Auto-Owners have more affordable rates for eligible drivers. Men face higher premiums than women due to their statistically higher likelihood of being involved in accidents.

Concord Group$70$86$128$190
Auto-Owners Insurance Co$96$60$214$104
State Farm$124$33$251$67
Encompass$132$25$303$15
GEICO$140$16$300$19
Travelers$150$7$308$11

*Rates are for male drivers with clean driving records and good credit insuring a 2012 Toyota Camry.

Average Cost of Car Insurance for 18-Year-Olds

Annual car insurance costs for 18-year-olds are around $1,776 for minimum coverage and $3,606 for full coverage. However, this average represents only drivers with clean driving records and good credit. Your rate may vary based on your driver profile.

Car Insurance Cost for 18-Year-Olds by Coverage and Gender

Below, we've collected the average costs to add male and female 18-year-olds to a family policy based on coverage level.

State Min - No comp_coll$157$140
State Min - 500 comp_coll$314$277
State Min - 1500 comp_coll$270$240
State Min - 1000 comp_coll$282$250
300/500/300,000 - No comp_coll$230$206
300/500/300,000 - 500 comp_coll$383$338
300/500/300,000 - 1500 comp_coll$339$301
300/500/300,000 - 1000 comp_coll$141$125
100/300/100,000 - No comp_coll$195$174
100/300/100,000 - 500 comp_coll$339$318
100/300/100,000 - 1500 comp_coll$339$301
100/300/100,000 - 1000 comp_coll$319$282

*Liability limits (e.g., 100/300/100) refer to bodily injury liability per person, bodily injury liability per accident and property damage liability per accident, respectively. Numbers expressed after these limits are deductible amounts for collision and comprehensive coverage.

Average Cost of Car Insurance for 18-Year-Olds by State

Average car insurance costs by state range from $83  to $552 per month. This is due to several location-specific factors, such as crime, weather patterns and population density. To give you a general idea of the cost in your area, we've provided average costs by state in the table below.

Oklahoma$39$174$90$399
North Carolina$44$172$47$182
Colorado$54$212$105$406
Mississippi$42$180$76$336
Florida$91$404$147$660
Vermont$26$130$45$213
Delaware$58$215$135$508
Nevada$76$293$137$521
Louisiana$104$552$162$871
New York$72$246$109$379
West Virginia$47$190$82$334
South Carolina$77$278$109$397
New Jersey$89$339$127$487
New Mexico$42$184$74$322
Hawaii$19$83$22$98
Arkansas$40$175$75$337
Missouri$55$240$97$417
Connecticut$52$184$110$393
South Dakota$31$167$58$304
District of Columbia$54$214$117$457
Iowa$29$135$48$226
Indiana$35$143$62$241
Massachusetts$48$191$72$286
Rhode Island$65$233$139$499
Ohio$68$235$101$349
Michigan$94$377$131$520
Minnesota$41$178$66$273
Pennsylvania$37$180$60$277
Washington$59$201$100$334
Wisconsin$36$156$68$295
Montana$38$190$63$316
Kentucky$50$198$86$339
Arizona$55$218$93$365
Illinois$37$156$60$250
Virginia$61$227$86$318
Maryland$58$198$110$375
Georgia$49$196$91$365
Wyoming$26$177$37$247
Utah$65$242$111$410
New Hampshire$38$136$68$243
North Dakota$28$132$59$275
Nebraska$39$198$72$344
Maine$38$144$58$223
California$65$295$72$327
Tennessee$37$164$76$333
Kansas$38$177$66$310
Texas$62$258$106$444
Oregon$43$159$95$341
Idaho$29$114$60$231
Alaska$49$214$72$302
Alabama$47$202$86$366

Car Insurance for 18-Year-Olds: Buying Guide

Car insurance for 18-year-old drivers represents one of the largest expenses young adults and their families face. While costs remain high at this age, understanding the factors that influence premiums and implementing strategic approaches can result in substantial savings while maintaining adequate protection.

Why Car Insurance Is Expensive for 18-Year-Olds

Research from the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety shows that car insurance for 18-year-olds is expensive due to higher crash rates than drivers over 20. Although premiums are lower than for younger teens, 18-year-olds are still classified as high-risk drivers because:

    Fatality Rates

    Fatal crashes occur nearly three times more frequently than with older drivers.

    Accidents and Violations

    Drivers aged 16 to 19 experience higher rates of accidents and violations.

    New Driver Status

    New drivers face their highest risk period during the first six months behind the wheel, regardless of age.

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Factors That Affect the Cost of Car Insurance for 18-Year-Olds

Understanding these risk factors helps 18-year-olds and their families make informed coverage decisions and qualify for available discounts:

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    Inexperience

    Newly licensed drivers often struggle with hazard recognition while overestimating their driving abilities, contributing to many accidents.

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    Speeding

    A considerable number of fatal crashes among young drivers involve speeding, with 18-year-olds being particularly susceptible to speed-related incidents.

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    Gender Differences

    Male 18-year-olds typically face higher premiums due to their statistically higher likelihood of speeding and aggressive driving compared to females.

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    Distracted Driving

    This remains a leading cause of accidents among young drivers, often involving cellphone use and passenger distractions.

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    Other Risky Behaviors

    Risky behaviors such as nighttime driving, failure to wear seat belts and general inexperience contribute to increased accident and fatality rates, particularly among young male drivers.

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KEY CONSIDERATIONS WHEN SHOPPING: EXPERT TIP

Getting quotes from multiple insurance companies helps you determine the best and cheapest for your profile. You also want to ensure the company has optional coverages for teen drivers or any driver on its policy. These include roadside assistance and rental car coverage.

— Mark Friedlander, Director, Corporate Communications, Insurance Information Institute

Car Insurance Quotes for 18-Year Olds

To find affordable car insurance for your 18-year-old, compare quotes from multiple insurers using the MoneyGeek calculator. Enter your teen's gender, GPA, driving experience and ZIP code for quick rate comparisons. Explore the costs of different vehicles, assess potential savings from family policies versus separate coverage and adjust deductibles to discover the best rates.

Calculate Car Insurance for 18-Year Olds

MoneyGeek's car insurance calculator will give you a customized estimate of your auto insurance cost. It's free to use, requires no personal information and we won't send you any spam.

$157
High
$109
Average
$68
Low

Rates updated:

Jun 09, 2025

Insurance Carrier
MoneyGeek Score
Average Monthly
Payment
1
96
/of 100
$68
2
Nationwide

Nationwide

92
/of 100
$83
3
75
/of 100
$92
4
GEICO

GEICO

75
/of 100
$110
5
76
/of 100
$143
6
63
/of 100
$157
Your Next Step:

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How 18-Year Olds Can Get Cheap Car Insurance

Teens pay more for car insurance than any other age group. Teens and their families can take these steps to lower the cost of their coverage:

  1. 1

    Stay on a parent's policy

    Adding an 18-year-old to an existing family insurance policy can provide significant savings through multi-car discounts and an established insurance history. Families may save thousands of dollars annually compared to independent policies.

  2. 2

    Shop around as much as possible

    Substantial price differences between insurers for 18-year-olds can exist. Compare quotes from various companies to find the best rates for your situation.

  3. 3

    Find discounts you qualify for

    Most insurers offer large discounts for maintaining good grades, usually requiring a GPA of 3.0 or higher. You can enjoy these savings each semester with strong academic performance.

  4. 4

    Choose a safe, older car

    Your vehicle choice affects your insurance costs. To reduce premiums, go for safe, reliable models with excellent crash ratings instead of high-performance sports cars or luxury cars.

  5. 5

    Adjust your coverage amount

    To balance protection with your budget, consider higher comprehensive and collision coverage deductibles. For older cars, drop these coverages while keeping adequate liability limits.

  6. 6

    Enroll in usage-based insurance programs

    These programs monitor driving behavior through smartphone apps and reward safe driving with discounts. They track factors like braking patterns, acceleration, night driving and overall habits for potential savings.

  7. 7

    Complete professional driving training

    Professional driver training beyond basic requirements can earn insurance discounts while improving safety skills. Defensive driving courses and advanced programs offer premium reductions and enhanced driving abilities.

  8. 8

    Bundle multiple policies

    Combining auto insurance with renters or homeowners coverage can lead to multi-policy discounts. This bundling approach can generate substantial savings, especially if you have multiple coverage types with one provider.

  9. 9

    Qualify for low-mileage discounts

    Driving fewer miles annually can qualify you for low-mileage discounts. This is especially beneficial for students with limited driving needs or those using their vehicles primarily for local transportation instead of commuting.

  10. 10

    Leverage modern vehicle safety features

    Vehicles equipped with advanced safety features may qualify for additional discounts. Anti-theft systems, multiple airbags, ABS brakes, and collision avoidance technology can all contribute to lower insurance premiums.

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WHY CAR INSURANCE RATES DROP WHEN 18-YEAR-OLDS GET OLDER
  1. Fewer accidents: Older drivers generally develop safer driving habits and better judgment.
  2. Extended insurance history: Insurers view long-term policyholders as lower risk.
  3. Improved credit: Better credit histories often qualify drivers for additional discounts.

When Do Car Insurance Rates Go Down for 18-Year-Olds?

Fortunately, car insurance rates for 18-year-olds decrease as they gain driving experience and demonstrate maturity. The timeline for rate reductions typically follows this pattern:

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    After One Year

    Many insurers offer moderate discounts after the first claim-free year. This demonstrates responsible driving, which lowers perceived risk. Keep a clean record during this time to maximize savings.

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    Age 19

    Rates often see a noticeable drop at age 19, as drivers typically have more experience and better judgment. This reduction can lead to big annual savings.

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    Age 21

    At 21, many drivers experience additional reductions. Insurance companies see this age as transitioning from high to moderate risk, often resulting in substantial savings.

Cheapest Cars to Insure for 18-Year-Olds

If you're buying a new car for a teen driver, consider adding them to your policy with the safest, cheapest car to insure. Below are the most affordable models by vehicle type for 18-year-old drivers.

Data filtered by:Results filtered by:
Select
Coverage:State Minimum
Chevrolet CorvetteSports CarTravelers$1,065
Honda PassportSUVState Farm$1,118
Subaru ForesterCompact SUVState Farm$1,119
Volvo XC40Luxury SUVState Farm$1,121
MINI ElectricCompactTravelers$1,155
Subaru OutbackSedanState Farm$1,170
Nissan FrontierPickup TruckState Farm$1,175
BMW X3Luxury Compact SUVState Farm$1,180
Audi R8Luxury Sports CarTravelers$1,196
Mercedes C-ClassLuxury SedanState Farm$1,224
Honda OdysseyMinivanState Farm$1,227
Tesla Model XLuxury ElectricState Farm$1,230
Nissan LEAFElectricState Farm$1,278
BMW 1 SeriesLuxury CompactState Farm$1,280

Cheap Car Insurance for 18-Year-Olds: Bottom Line

While car insurance for 18-year-old drivers is a major financial commitment, understanding the factors affecting premiums and implementing cost-reduction strategies can save you money. Combine multiple approaches, from maintaining family policy coverage and achieving good grades to selecting appropriate vehicles and completing driver training programs.

By taking a comprehensive approach to insurance shopping and risk management, 18-year-old drivers and their families can get adequate financial protection while minimizing costs. These high costs are temporary, with rates decreasing substantially as young drivers gain experience and show responsible driving habits over time.

Car Insurance for 18-Year-Olds: FAQ

Finding the best affordable car insurance for 18-year-olds can be daunting due to the risk factors that drive up premiums for this age group. We've answered frequently asked questions on the topic to assist you:

What is the cheapest car insurance for an 18-year-old?

How much is car insurance for an 18-year-old per month?

Why is car insurance expensive for 18-year-old drivers?

Is car insurance more expensive for 18-year-old males?

Auto Insurance for 18-Year-Olds: Our Methodology

MoneyGeek used a sample driver profile to determine national and state averages for vehicle insurance for 18-year-old drivers. Using this information, we help readers select the best policy at the lowest price possible.

Data Sources and Depth

We collected data from each state's insurance department and Quadrant Information Services. The data comprises 4,284 price estimates from 100 ZIP codes and six auto insurance providers.

Sample Driver Profile

MoneyGeek calculates yearly car insurance policy estimates based on a policyholder with the following characteristics:

  • Toyota Camry LE
  • Clean driving record
  • 12,000 miles driven every year

MoneyGeek compared rates for 18-year-old drivers across different states to determine which companies provide the most affordable policies. We adjusted this profile to reflect the differences in age, location and driving behavior.

Coverage Levels and Deductibles Explained

A deductible is the money you must pay out of your pocket before your insurance company will pay for your claim. Most drivers would benefit from purchasing full coverage vehicle insurance, which includes collision and comprehensive coverage.

When researching the cheapest providers, we used state-required minimum coverage limits to assess which provider was most affordable. For full coverage, we used 100/300/100 liability limits with a $1,000 deductible for comprehensive and collision coverage. 

Liability limits of 100/300/100 stand for:

  • $100,000 bodily injury liability per person
  • $300,000 bodily injury liability per accident
  • $100,000 property damage liability per accident

Learn more about MoneyGeek's car insurance methodology.

About Mark Fitzpatrick


Mark Fitzpatrick headshot

Mark Fitzpatrick, a Licensed Property and Casualty Insurance Producer, is MoneyGeek's resident Personal Finance Expert. With over five years of experience analyzing the insurance market, he conducts original research and creates tailored content for all types of buyers. His insights have been featured in publications like CNBC, NBC News and Mashable.

Fitzpatrick holds a master’s degree in economics and international relations from Johns Hopkins University and a bachelor’s degree from Boston College. He's also a five-time Jeopardy champion!

Passionate about economics and insurance, he aims to promote transparency in financial topics and empower others to make confident money decisions.


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