Why is insurance so high for 18 year olds?

Asked by: Ellie Lind  |  Last update: June 24, 2025
Score: 4.1/5 (62 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.

What is the cheapest car insurance for 18 year olds?

State Farm is the cheapest major car insurance company for 18-year-olds. Midsize companies — like Erie, NJM, Farm Bureau, Auto-Owners and Shelter — typically have even cheaper rates. However, they're not an option in many states.

Will car insurance go down at 18?

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.

What age is insurance the highest?

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.

What age is insurance cheapest?

Does car insurance become cheaper when you turn 25? On average, drivers will see their premiums begin to fall around age 25. This reflects the lower risk posed by drivers in their mid-20s as they gain driving experience and maturity, compared to a 17-year-old who has just passed their test.

How To Get Cheap Car Insurance - Questions To Answer

38 related questions found

Can I remove my 18 year old from my car insurance?

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. Doing so ensures that they can drive your vehicle during breaks.

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.

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.

Why do 16 18 year olds pay 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.

Can my 18 year old get her own insurance?

A parent can co-sign on the policy, and in some cases an emancipated minor can get their own auto insurance, but otherwise the person must be the age of majority in order to get their own car insurance.

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 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.

What is the cheapest car to insure at 18?

Cheapest cars to insure for new drivers in 2025
  • Volkswagen Polo.
  • Hyundai i10.
  • SEAT Arona.
  • SEAT Ibiza.
  • Skoda Fabia.
  • Toyota Yaris.
  • Ford Fiesta.
  • Volkswagen Up.

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.

At what age does your auto insurance go up?

Ages 70 to 80: Once drivers hit their mid-70s, car insurance rates typically go up, as this age bracket has an increased risk of being in an accident. Older individuals are also more prone to injuries if a car accident does occur, which can lead to costly medical expenses and other bills.

What age is car insurance most expensive?

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 do girls pay less for car insurance?

In most states, women pay less for car insurance than men because they statistically engage in fewer risky driving habits, including speeding and driving under the influence. But this isn't the case in all states, and some do not allow the use of gender in auto insurance rating.

Can I stay on my parents car insurance after 18?

According to Lynch, a child living at home or going away to college or graduate school will be allowed to remain on their parents auto policy with no additional fees until age 24, unless he or she has purchased a separate insurance policy.

Does auto insurance go down at 18?

Car insurance is most expensive for drivers 18 and under, but the price of your insurance is likely to decrease yearly once you reach 19.

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.

Can my parents take me off their insurance at 18?

Per federal law, you can remain on your parents' health insurance until your 26th birthday in most states. There are no restrictions before then, so you're eligible for coverage under your parents' plan even if you're: Married. Not in school.

Why is insurance expensive for 18 year olds?

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.