Why is car insurance so expensive for 18 year olds?

Asked by: Barry McCullough DVM  |  Last update: June 25, 2025
Score: 4.7/5 (26 votes)

Generally, an 18-year-old driver pays less for auto insurance than a 16-year-old driver. However, if you're newly licensed at 18, you'll have two years fewer driving experience than your peers who got their licenses at 16. As a result, companies will charge you slightly higher rates to insure your vehicle.

Does auto insurance go down at 18?

The biggest drop is typically from 18 to 19, when the average rate drops by around $1,595. 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.

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.

Can 18 year old be on parents car insurance?

The good news is that there is no age limit that will require you to get your own car insurance. As long as you live in your parents' home and drive a vehicle that is titled and registered in their name, you are able to stay on their car insurance. What happens when you go away to college? If you are lucky enough to t.

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.

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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.

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.

Who normally 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.

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.

Can I take my 18 year old off my car insurance?

Can you remove a driver from your car insurance policy? You can remove a listed driver from your car insurance policy if they no longer live with you and no longer drive your vehicle. If you have a child away at college or who moves out temporarily, it's a good idea to keep them on your policy.

Why do you think that 16-18-year-old drivers pay so much more for auto insurance?

As a result, drivers between age 16 and 19 have more vehicle crashes than drivers in any other age group. That's especially true for teenage boys. Until they turn 21, males generally pay 20% more than females for auto coverage—unless they live in a state like California which prohibits gender-based insurance rates.

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.

Why is my car insurance so high at 18?

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.

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.

Does an 18 year old need car insurance?

A teenage driver must have car insurance in almost every state, so they can either be added to your policy or insured with a separate policy.

What is the cheapest insurance for an 18 year old?

FAQs. What's the cheapest car insurance for 18-year-olds? Drivers who are 18 years old will get the cheapest rates from USAA ($316 per month), American Family ($317), and GEICO ($318).

Who is cheaper, GEICO or Progressive?

GEICO is cheaper and has better ratings than Progressive. Your experience with GEICO and Progressive will vary based on individual rating factors.

Who is the #1 insurance company in the USA?

State Farm is the largest auto insurance company in the U.S. based on written premium, or the total amount it bills customers. Progressive is the second-largest car insurance company, followed by Geico and Allstate.

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.

At what age car insurance goes 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.

Why is car insurance so expensive for 19 year olds?

Young drivers have less experience, which puts them in a higher class of risk for insurers. As a result, car insurance rates for a 20-year-old are higher than those for a more experienced driver, though a 20-year-old driver is still less expensive to insure than a teen.

Can I let my 18 year old grandson drive my car?

If you let a grandchild borrow your car, the car will most likely stay covered under the terms of "permissive use." Permissive use is meant to apply to occasional uses, so grandkids who borrow a car on a regular basis may have to be added as a driver on your insurance plan.

Is it cheaper to be on your parents car insurance or your own?

Staying on your parents' car insurance policy has significant financial advantages. It's typically more cost-effective, especially for drivers under 25. You can benefit from lower rates due to your parents' extensive driving record and potential discounts.

How long can a child stay on parents' car insurance?

But how long can you stay on your parent's policy? Unlike health insurance, which can have an age limit of 26, you can stay on your parent's car insurance policy indefinitely if you live in the same house. Now, if you move out, you'll probably need your own.