Why is car insurance so expensive for a 19 year old?

Asked by: Cristina Ziemann  |  Last update: November 30, 2025
Score: 4.7/5 (46 votes)

Because younger drivers have little experience, they lack a clean driving record to provide to an insurance company when getting insurance quotes. Young drivers are statistically more likely to be in an accident, so insurance companies charge them higher rates for auto coverage.

Why is my car insurance so high at 19?

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.

Can you get cheap car insurance at 19?

On average, 19-year-old drivers with their own policies pay $365 per month for full-coverage car insurance. The cheapest rates for 19-year-olds come from Farm Bureau, where a full-coverage policy costs $205 per month.

When should you take your child off your car insurance?

Many parents generally opt to retain teens on the family's automobile insurance policy until they graduate from college, assuming they find employment and live away from home. At this point they should be paying for their own housing, food and credit card bills, building up a positive credit rating.

Can a 19 year old get their own car insurance?

Yes, as a young driver you can get affordable car insurance, even if you're under the age of 25. Age alone doesn't determine car insurance premiums. There are ways to keep costs down, too, regardless of whether you're a young or new driver.

Why is car insurance so expensive for young drivers?

32 related questions found

At what age does your auto insurance go down?

Both male and female drivers see the biggest drop in average annual car insurance premiums between the ages of 18 and 19. This is because younger drivers are seen by most auto insurance companies as riskier to insure due to their overall inexperience behind the wheel.

At what age is car insurance 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.

What is the best insurance for a new driver?

Black Box Insurance can help young drivers save money as it allows them to prove they are safe behind the wheel when they have little to no driving history. The technology tracks driving behaviours which means that insurers can better judge the level of risk and price the premium more accurately.

Why is my car insurance so high Progressive?

If your car insurance goes up for seemingly no reason when you renew your policy, it's likely due to an increase in risk that's outside of your control. This could include reasons like increased claims in your area (due to more extreme weather damage, more accidents, etc.) and higher car repair and replacement costs.

What is a good 6 month premium car insurance?

The average 6-month car insurance premium is $947 per year, but some insurers offer lower rates; Nationwide offers 6-month car insurance at $774.

How to afford car insurance at 20?

Often, the way to get the cheapest car insurance for drivers under 25 is to add the new driver to an existing policy of a parent or guardian. This will likely cause the existing policy rates to increase, but it's usually the most cost-efficient option.

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.

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 is the cheapest insurance for a 19 year old?

Travelers and State Farm have the cheapest car insurance quotes for most young drivers. This includes teens on a parent's policy and teens on their own. USAA has the cheapest rates overall, but it's only available to teens in military families.

What's the cheapest car to insure for a new driver?

Cheapest cars to insure 2024: the shortlist
  • Volkswagen Polo.
  • Hyundai i10.
  • Skoda Fabia.
  • Kia Picanto.
  • Toyota Aygo X.
  • VW Caddy.
  • Fiat 500.
  • Dacia Sandero.

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.

How much is car insurance for a 19 year old?

Car insurance costs 19-year-old drivers $319 per month on average (or $3,822 per year). Teens generally have the highest car insurance rates, and coverage for 19-year-olds is $2,170 more expensive per year than for typical drivers.

Does car insurance go down at 19?

States Where Age Does Not Affect Rates

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

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.

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.

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.

What age are you kicked off car insurance?

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.