Why is insurance so high for a 20-year-old?

Asked by: Lisette Hamill  |  Last update: December 7, 2025
Score: 4.5/5 (36 votes)

Insurance is about assessing risk. 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.

Will car insurance go down at 20?

Insurers typically charge higher premiums for drivers younger than 25, according to the Insurance Information Institute (III). But, as teen drivers get older, rates typically drop — as long as they maintain a good driving record, the III says.

At what age is insurance most expensive?

Key takeaways. 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 is insurance so high for 20 year old?

Insurance is about assessing risk. 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.

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.

I was wrong about Whole Life Insurance...

31 related questions found

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.

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.

Is $200 a month good for health insurance?

Health insurance that costs $200 per month is a good deal in California. Silver plans typically cost $513 per month for a 21-year-old or $656 per month for a 40-year-old. The best way to get cheap rates is to use health insurance subsidies, which lower the cost of an insurance plan based on your income.

Is it smart to get life insurance at 20?

Benefits of getting life insurance as a young adult

Young adults who are healthier and have a lower risk of medical conditions are more likely to secure lower premiums. And once you've obtained a policy, you can typically continue paying the same premium for decades.

Can you get full coverage on a 20 year old car?

Yes. Full coverage is available for older cars. However, if your older car has a low market value, you won't get much from the insurance company if it's totaled or stolen. This is the main reason to drop full coverage for an older car with a low resale value.

What is the cheapest insurance for a 21 year old?

State Farm, Geico and USAA have the cheapest car insurance for 21-year-olds among large companies. Depending on where you live, though, you may find cheaper rates from a regional company like the Farm Bureau or Mercury.

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.

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.

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.

What age does insurance go down?

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 car insurance so high at 20?

Age is one of the most important factors in determining your car insurance rate. This may seem unfair because there are good drivers in every age group, but younger drivers are generally more likely to have accidents or take risks on the road.

Can a 20 year old be on parents car insurance?

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.

Why is car insurance so expensive for 22 year olds?

Drivers under age 25 are generally considered to be relatively inexperienced by most insurance companies and are often charged a higher premium to compensate for the greater risks they present. Usually, the older you get — assuming you are able to maintain a clean driving record — the lower your premium will be.

Why is my insurance so high at 28?

Age. Young, inexperienced drivers are more likely than older drivers to get in a fatal accident. As a result, insurance companies generally charge higher rates for drivers in their 20s, according to NerdWallet's most recent rate analysis.

Is you driving a black box?

Telematics Insurance (also known as black box) offers an incentive to drive more safely, as you could be rewarded with reductions on your insurance premiums. Our telematics car insurance policy is called YouDrive.

What age are you cut off insurance?

You lose your parents' health insurance in California when you turn 26. If you've aged off your parents' health plan, you may wonder what options you have.