Do insurance rates go down over time?

Asked by: Finn Waelchi  |  Last update: January 16, 2026
Score: 4.9/5 (11 votes)

Car insurance typically drops as you grow older, when you drive safely for three to five years following an accident or citation, and when you switch to a cheaper company. Both men and women see the steepest drop in car insurance costs between ages 18 and 19.

Do insurance premiums decrease over time?

Usually, yes. At Progressive, rates drop by 8% on average at age 25. But there are other cost factors impacting your car insurance, such as your claims history. So if you're in an accident right before you turn 25, your rate may not drop.

At what age do insurance rates typically go down?

On average, auto insurance rates for 25-year-olds are cheaper than rates for younger drivers. Auto insurance premiums tend to decrease as you get older, until about age 75.

At what point will car insurance drop you?

Insurers may not drop a customer after their first one or two incidents. The first step is often to increase your car insurance rate. From there, if a customer has another accident or files more claims, the insurer may send a notice that they won't be renewing the policy at the end of its term.

At what age is car insurance most expensive?

The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety reports that teen drivers are four times more likely to get into a car crash than drivers 20 and older. As a result, car insurance companies view young drivers as the most risky to insure. Drivers ages 16 to 24 tend to face the highest premiums compared to other age groups.

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44 related questions found

Does credit score affect car insurance?

How credit-based insurance scores work. Most U.S. insurance companies use credit-based insurance scores along with your driving history, claims history and many other factors to establish eligibility for payment plans and to help determine insurance rates. Again, except in California, Hawaii, and Massachusetts.

What age is insurance the cheapest?

The most substantial reductions in auto insurance rates typically come as teen drivers get older, usually when they hit 18 or 19 years old. Rates continue to decline as you age, particularly once drivers pass the age of 25.

How to get car insurance to go down?

If you're wondering how to get a lower car insurance rate, use these methods for lowering your premium:
  1. Qualify for insurance discounts. ...
  2. Increase your deductible. ...
  3. Reduce your coverage. ...
  4. Compare rates. ...
  5. Try usage-based insurance. ...
  6. Take a defensive driving course. ...
  7. Get a car that's cheaper to insure.

At what point is car insurance not worth it?

If your vehicle is paid off, there are only a few instances that justify dropping collision coverage: Your vehicle's value is less than a few thousand dollars: If your car holds minimal value, collision coverage may not be worth carrying. This is especially true when a large car insurance deductible is involved.

Why does Progressive keep raising my rates?

Car accidents and traffic violations are common explanations for an insurance rate increase, but other reasons why your car insurance rate can go up include changing your address, adding a new vehicle or driver, increases to claims in your ZIP code, and increases to car repair/replacement cost.

Which gender pays more for car insurance?

On average, young men pay much more for car insurance than young women. This is because car insurance providers find men to be riskier drivers than women, especially when they are younger. When they are older, women start to pay slightly higher rates.

How much does car insurance go down after 1 year no claims?

In many cases, your insurance will go down by 5-20% in the first year of no claim, depending on your insurer. After the first year, this discount increases each year, usually by 5%, if you don't make a claim. But it only increases up to a maximum discount, usually 50-60%, and a number of years — usually 5-6 years.

Do single or married pay more for car insurance?

Does being married get me better car insurance rates? Yes, married couples typically pay lower premiums than single people. In general, insurance companies view married people as financially stable and safer drivers.

At what age does your car insurance go down?

At what age car insurance goes down depends on several factors, but you should see your insurance premium start to decline by the time you reach 19, with the decrease becoming less noticeable after you reach 35. In your senior years, you may see your rate begin to increase again.

Why does my car insurance keep going up with no accidents?

Car insurance rates can sometimes increase unexpectedly, even without being involved in an accident. This can be due to different factors, such as changes in the insurance company's rates, adjustments to your policy, or even external factors like inflation or rising repair costs.

Why is my insurance so high for an old car?

Although they may have a lower value, older cars may also have expensive parts that could make repairs expensive. The older a car gets, the harder it may be to source these parts for repair, which can also drive up the cost of car insurance for older cars.

How long should you keep full coverage insurance?

For example, if you financed your vehicle and still have money left on the loan, you probably have to keep comprehensive and collision coverage until you finish paying the balance and own the car outright. If you have a new model car, you probably want to keep full coverage even if you bought it without a loan.

Does your car insurance go down every 6 months?

Does car insurance go down after 6 months? It might. Most car insurance policies renew every six months. If something has changed in that time period to improve your rates, you might see a reduction.

Is it better to pay out of pocket or use car insurance?

If you can afford to pay out of pocket for the damages, it can be cheaper in the long run than having your insurance rates impacted for the next five years. However, the person you hit might not want you to pay out of pocket and would prefer to handle it through the insurance company.

Who typically has the cheapest car insurance?

Geico, Nationwide and Travelers are among the least expensive for car insurance. Americans are paying a lot for car insurance these days: Average annual rates for a full coverage policy are up to $2,638 per year, while minimum coverage averages $767 per year.

Can you ask car insurance to lower the price?

Can you negotiate car insurance rates? In short, no. Insurance pricing factors are myriad, with car insurance companies factoring in a driver's history of infractions and collisions, their credit score, age, gender, location, the type of vehicle insured.

What do I do if my insurance is too high?

Here are some ways to save on car insurance1
  1. Increase your deductible.
  2. Check for discounts you qualify for.
  3. Compare auto insurance quotes.
  4. Maintain a good driving record.
  5. Participate in a safe driving program.
  6. Take a defensive driving course.
  7. Explore payment options.
  8. Improve your credit score.

What age is the most expensive car insurance?

Key takeaways. 18-year-old drivers on their own policy pay the highest car insurance premiums out of the age groups Bankrate analyzed. The most significant difference in premiums by gender occurs at age 18. On average, 18-year-old males cost 9 percent less to insure than their female counterparts.

Why is my car insurance so high Progressive?

If you have a history of car insurance claims or moving violations, or if you live in an area more prone to car theft and accidents, your rate may be higher.

Does car insurance go down when you get married?

Your personal relationship status does have an impact on what you pay for car insurance. Because married drivers are seen as more financially stable and safer drivers, they typically pay less for car insurance.