How does car insurance work for 18 year olds?
Asked by: Araceli O'Hara | Last update: July 21, 2025Score: 4.5/5 (18 votes)
Should an 18 year old have their own car insurance?
Honestly, if you're above 18, there's nothing stopping you from starting your own policy and covering your own vehicle. Then you could just drive without worrying. This will likely be a pricier option than being added to your parents' policy, but at some point you're going to want your own policy anyway.
How much is car insurance for an 18 year old per month?
Even if you have a clean driving record, you'll pay more for auto insurance than a middle-aged driver because you're more likely to cause an accident than someone with more driving experience. According to Forbes Advisor, the average cost of car insurance for an 18-year-old is $6,147 per year or $513 per month.
Can I stay on my parents car insurance after 18?
In the United States, you can typically stay on your parents' car insurance policy until you turn 26. This aligns with the age limit set by the Affordable Care Act for health insurance, but many insurers also apply this guideline to car insurance. However, specific rules can vary by state and insurance company.
When should I add my child to my car insurance?
In most cases, you will need to add your teen to your auto policy when they receive their driver's license. If they receive a learner's permit first, this might also be the time to do so. Most states require all licensed drivers to carry insurance. So, once your teen gets an ID, add them to coverage.
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Should I put my 18 year old's car in my name?
Register the car in your child's name.
If your son or daughter is legally an adult (18 years or older), he or she is able to register a car in his or her own name. Without you as the owner of the car, the laws imposing vicarious liability (such as New York Vehicle and Traffic Law Section 388) will not apply to you.
Can my son drive my car if he is not insured?
Most insurers cover someone else driving the policyholder's car with their permission once in a while. But, if you're going to start driving one of your parent's cars regularly, you'll need to be added or named on their auto insurance. You can't legally drive your parents' car without any insurance at all, either.
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 long can you stay on your parents insurance after you turn 18?
Once you're on a parent's job-based plan, in most cases you can stay on it until you turn 26. Generally, you can join a parent's plan and stay on until you turn 26 even if you: Get married. Have or adopt a child.
Should I put my adult child on my car insurance?
Do my parents have to put me on their car insurance? Only if you live with them. Insurers typically require all licensed drivers who live at the same address to be listed on a policy, especially if they frequently borrow each other's cars.
Does turning 18 lower car insurance?
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.
Why is insurance so high for 18 year olds?
Insurance companies often see young drivers as a greater risk because they are more prone to accidents and poor decision-making — both of which raise the potential cost of claims that need to be paid out by insurers. As a result, these added risks lead to higher premiums when insuring teen drivers.
How do grades affect your insurance?
Yes, grades affect car insurance, since every major car insurance company offers a good student discount. Most insurers provide a discount of up to 25% for good grades if a named driver on the policy is unmarried, in high school or college, and between 16 and 25 years old, as long as they maintain a B GPA.
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.
Does insurance go up if you add a driver?
Typically, adding drivers to your policy can increase your premium. For example, there is a reason adding a teenage or newly licensed driver to an auto policy can result in an increase in insurance premiums.
What insurance do I need when I turn 18?
A parent's plan: If you're under 26, you may be able to join a parent's health insurance plan. The Marketplace: You can enroll during Open Enrollment November 1 – January 15 or at other times of the year if you have certain life events (like a move) or if your income is within a certain range.
Do you get kicked off insurance at 18?
The Affordable Care Act requires plans and issuers that offer dependent child coverage to make the coverage available until the adult child reaches the age of 26. Many parents and their children who worried about losing health coverage after they graduated from college no longer have to worry.
Do you have to live with your parents to be on their car insurance?
Depending on your insurer, you can remain listed as a driver on your parents' policy as long as their home is your permanent address or you're a full-time student. Once you've permanently moved out, you'll likely need to obtain your own car insurance policy.
Can I stay on my parents' insurance if I file taxes independently?
Do my parents have to claim me as a tax dependent for me to be on their health plan to age 26? No. You do not need to be a tax dependent of your parents to continue to be covered on their health plan.
Can an 18 year old get their own car insurance?
However, car insurance for 18-year-olds on their own is generally pretty expensive. If your teen lives with you and if your name is also on their vehicle, they'll likely save money by staying on your policy. Qualifying for new discounts: There are plenty of car insurance discounts available for teen drivers.
Does your insurance go up if your child gets their license?
Once your child gets a license, you have 60 days by law to inform your insurance carrier. In most cases, because an insurance carrier will see a new driver as a greater risk, your insurance premium will increase, sometimes significantly (up to 60% for a two-car family).
Can someone drive my car if they are not on my insurance in Georgia?
Many people wonder whether car insurance covers the car or the driver. Car insurance in Georgia typically follows the vehicle, not the driver. This means your auto insurance policy is usually the first line of defense if someone else gets into an accident while driving your car, regardless of who was behind the wheel.
What happens if I don't add my child to my auto insurance?
One of the biggest risks of not adding your teenager to your car insurance is what happens if they get into an accident. Even if it's a minor fender bender with no injuries or property damage, it can open up a can of worms with your insurer.
What happens if someone borrows your car and gets in an accident?
Vehicle Owners Are Liable Under California Law
This law holds a vehicle's owner responsible for collisions caused by the driver of the vehicle – even if the driver is not the owner. Liability is determined by identifying the actual owner of the vehicle.
What happens if you crash your parents' car?
As a general rule, car insurance follows the vehicle, not the driver. That means the owner of the vehicle would file a claim with their insurance to cover any damages.