Does car insurance lower at 18?

Asked by: Dr. Jamison Schulist III  |  Last update: November 17, 2025
Score: 4.2/5 (53 votes)

On average, 18-year-old drivers pay 13% less for car insurance than 17-year-olds. At 18 years old, you have more driving experience than newly licensed 16- and 17-year-olds. Your rates reflect that.

Does my car insurance go down when I turn 18?

Key takeaways. Car insurance rates decrease with age because older drivers are less likely to file claims. Male and female drivers see the largest drop in car insurance between ages 18 and 19.

Is car insurance cheaper for an 18 year old?

Car insurance at age 18 might be cheaper than at 16, but you won't see a significant drop until you're in your mid-twenties. Generally, your rates will decrease as you get more experience behind the wheel and have a longer record of good driving.

What age does insurance drop the most?

As a general rule of thumb, you can expect to pay the most for your car insurance when you're under 25. Once people are over 25, they tend to find that the cost of their car insurance starts to fall. The price usually declines gradually between the ages of 25 and 60.

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.

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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.

How long do accidents stay on your record?

In the state of California, most vehicle accidents will stay on your record for around 3 years. However, more serious traffic violations will follow you for longer. For example, a DUI conviction will stay on your record for 10 years.

Why is my insurance so high at 18?

According to data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), teen drivers between the ages of 16-19 are three times more likely to cause a fatal car crash than drivers aged 20 and older. Because young drivers are risky to insure, insurance companies often charge the highest rates for teen drivers.

Will my insurance go down when I turn 21?

States Where Age Does Not Affect Rates

In the following states, insurance companies cannot take age into account when calculating insurance premiums: California.

Can my 18 year old stay on my car insurance?

There is no age limit that prevents you from staying on your parents' car insurance policy as a listed driver, as long as you live at home or if you're a full-time college student. That means you're still covered when you drive your parents' vehicles.

Should I add my 18 year old son to my car insurance?

Getting car insurance for a young driver can be pricey due to their lack of driving experience, so a separate policy may not be the best option. In most cases, it's more affordable to add your licensed or permitted teenage driver to your existing auto insurance policy.

Can parents kick you off insurance at 18?

The Affordable Care Act requires plans and issuers that offer coverage to children on their parents' plan to make the coverage available until the adult child reaches the age of 26.

How do I remove my 18 year old from my car insurance?

Depending on the company, you may be able to remove someone from your car insurance policy online or through an app. Some insurers may require you to contact a representative to remove a driver, and provide proof that the driver no longer lives with you.

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

The cheapest major car insurance company for 18-year-old drivers is State Farm, at $381 per month for full coverage. Regional companies like Erie, NJM, Farm Bureau and Auto-Owners tend to offer very affordable rates for 18-year-olds. But they're not available in every state.

At what age is car insurance the cheapest?

Experienced drivers are less likely to have accident claims, which means they cost less to insure. At Progressive, the average premium per driver tends to decrease significantly from 19-34 and then stabilize or decrease slightly from 34-75. At age 75, the average premium begins trending upward.

At what age do car insurance rates drop?

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.

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 happens if I don't add my teenager to my car insurance?

Failing to add your teenager to your auto insurance can lead to coverage denial, legal penalties and policy cancellation. Lack of driving experience and perceived higher risk contribute to higher car premiums for teen drivers.

How can I get my insurance to go down?

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.

How do I remove an accident from my insurance record?

While some insurance companies will offer a promotional program called "accident forgiveness" in situations where drivers are not found at fault, you cannot remove an accident occurred from a driving record. Your driving abstract is not like a criminal record that can be sealed or expunged.

Does AAA have accident forgiveness?

Accident forgiveness is an add-on that protects you from insurance rate hikes the first time you're responsible for causing an accident. New car replacement coverage is optional insurance that will replace your late model car with the most recent model if your vehicle is damaged beyond repair in an accident.

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.