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- A 17-year-old driver pays an average of $8,162 per year for car insurance. That’s considerably more than the national average for all drivers, which is $2,513 annually.
- 17-year-olds pay less for insurance if their parents’ policy covers them. Females pay an average of $7,109 per year, while males pay $7,748 annually.
- Teenagers can save even more by maintaining a clean driving record and taking advantage of discounts, such as for good grades.
The youngest and least experienced drivers typically pay the most for car insurance because they are considered the riskiest age group to insure. For 17-year-olds, the cost of coverage could be out of reach for some drivers. But there are steps you can take to make insuring your teen driver a little more affordable.
For nearly all 17-year-old drivers, the cheapest way to get insurance is to be added to a parent’s policy. On average, parents pay $7,109 per year for coverage when they add their 17-year-old female teenager to their policy, and $7,748 when they add their 17-year-old male teenager.
In rare cases, however, a teen may want or need to obtain their own coverage, which means paying more. A 17-year-old female driver with her own policy pays $7,704 annually for full coverage, while a male the same age pays $8,616 per year.
Either way, 17-year-olds pay considerably more per year for car insurance ($8,162) than adults do ($2,513).
Carole Walker, executive director of the Rocky Mountain Insurance Information Association, says auto insurance companies charge 17-year-olds higher rates because teens pose a higher risk to insurers than more experienced drivers.
“It’s not just that teen drivers are inexperienced behind the wheel, but they’re also more likely to engage in high-risk behaviors, such as distracted and impaired driving, speeding and not wearing seatbelts,” she says.
Car insurance for teens: How much is car insurance for a 17-year-old?
The average annual cost of car insurance for a 17-year-old on their own policy is $8,162 for full coverage or $680 per month. That rate is $5,649 higher than the national average of $2,513 for 40-year-old drivers.
Average car insurance rates for teens: 17-year-oldsThe average yearly cost of car insurance for 17-year-olds on their own policy is as follows:
- State minimum coverage: $2,223
- Liability limits of 50/100/50: $2,755
- Full coverage with liability limits of 100/300/100, with $500 comprehensive and collision deductibles: $8,162
What you pay to insure your teen driver will vary, of course. The insurer you choose can make a big difference in what you pay. Other factors – ranging from the state where you live to the car you drive – play a big role in what you will pay.
To give you an idea of what to expect to pay for car insurance for young drivers, we provide average annual rates by state in the charts below. You will notice that adding a teen to your own policy is much less expensive than having your teen purchase their own policy, which teens can only do if they’re emancipated adults or have reached the age of majority in your state.
Check out our detailed guide on car insurance rates by age
Cost of car insurance for a 17-year-old female, by state
The nationwide average cost of car insurance for a 17-year-old female is $7,704. Teen female drivers aged 17 pay $912 less than males their age. Below, you’ll see average insurance costs in each state for a 17-year-old female and how that compares to the price of a parent’s policy with the child added.
| State | Teen female policy | Parent’s policy | Parent’s policy with a 17-year-old female |
|---|---|---|---|
| Alaska | $6,194 | $2,407 | $5,855 |
| Alabama | $7,348 | $2,385 | $5,249 |
| Arkansas | $9,023 | $3,008 | $6,006 |
| Arizona | $8,883 | $3,454 | $7,566 |
| California | $7,616 | $3,129 | $8,945 |
| Colorado | $10,758 | $3,417 | $7,323 |
| Connecticut | $9,976 | $3,527 | $7,747 |
| Washington, D.C. | $9,382 | $3,023 | $5,862 |
| Delaware | $10,465 | $3,304 | $7,284 |
| Florida | $12,267 | $4,618 | $10,471 |
| Georgia | $9,666 | $2,936 | $6,901 |
| Hawaii | $1,858 | $1,333 | $1,482 |
| Iowa | $5,578 | $2,383 | $4,459 |
| Idaho | $5,558 | $1,739 | $3,465 |
| Illinois | $5,374 | $2,775 | $6,418 |
| Indiana | $5,439 | $2,354 | $4,998 |
| Kansas | $7,405 | $2,658 | $5,152 |
| Kentucky | $10,161 | $2,948 | $5,738 |
| Louisiana | $13,811 | $4,441 | $10,913 |
| Massachusetts | $8,346 | $2,684 | $6,951 |
| Maryland | $7,291 | $2,806 | $6,366 |
| Maine | $5,541 | $1,618 | $3,732 |
| Michigan | $9,485 | $5,564 | $10,816 |
| Minnesota | $6,287 | $3,160 | $6,465 |
| Missouri | $7,222 | $2,955 | $5,804 |
| Mississippi | $9,057 | $2,472 | $5,620 |
| Montana | $7,822 | $2,660 | $5,745 |
| North Carolina | $6,494 | $2,747 | $6,829 |
| North Dakota | $5,603 | $2,469 | $4,978 |
| Nebraska | $7,040 | $2,503 | $5,017 |
| New Hampshire | $5,574 | $1,711 | $3,934 |
| New Jersey | $11,426 | $3,139 | $8,071 |
| New Mexico | $7,738 | $2,989 | $5,725 |
| Nevada | $12,324 | $4,232 | $9,548 |
| New York | $7,886 | $5,788 | $11,292 |
| Ohio | $4,831 | $1,967 | $4,370 |
| Oklahoma | $8,896 | $3,667 | $7,274 |
| Oregon | $6,823 | $2,702 | $6,144 |
| Pennsylvania | $7,507 | $3,575 | $8,717 |
| Rhode Island | $10,933 | $3,256 | $8,315 |
| South Carolina | $6,983 | $2,289 | $5,247 |
| South Dakota | $7,164 | $3,159 | $5,144 |
| Tennessee | $7,877 | $2,455 | $5,361 |
| Texas | $7,315 | $3,897 | $9,136 |
| Utah | $8,689 | $2,672 | $5,858 |
| Virginia | $4,919 | $2,215 | $6,195 |
| Vermont | $4,229 | $1,586 | $3,762 |
| Washington | $7,561 | $2,514 | $4,808 |
| Wisconsin | $7,782 | $2,225 | $4,932 |
| West Virginia | $7,651 | $2,315 | $5,218 |
| Wyoming | $5,184 | $1,919 | $4,459 |
Car insurance costs for a 17-year-old male, by state
A 17-year-old male teen driver pays an average of $8,616 a year for their own full coverage policy. That’s about $912 more than their female counterparts. You can compare rates for a 17-year-old male with his own policy to the cost when added to a parent’s policy in the table below in every state.
| State | 17-year-old male policy | Parent’s policy | Parent’s policy with a teen male |
|---|---|---|---|
| Alaska | $7,288 | $2,407 | $6,800 |
| Alabama | $8,144 | $2,385 | $5,856 |
| Arkansas | $10,214 | $3,008 | $6,626 |
| Arizona | $10,308 | $3,454 | $8,716 |
| California | $7,616 | $3,129 | $8,945 |
| Colorado | $11,975 | $3,417 | $7,958 |
| Connecticut | $11,455 | $3,527 | $8,473 |
| Washington, D.C. | $12,047 | $3,023 | $6,979 |
| Delaware | $11,764 | $3,304 | $8,339 |
| Florida | $13,987 | $4,618 | $11,327 |
| Georgia | $10,942 | $2,936 | $7,783 |
| Hawaii | $1,858 | $1,333 | $1,482 |
| Iowa | $6,474 | $2,383 | $5,144 |
| Idaho | $6,626 | $1,739 | $3,979 |
| Illinois | $6,184 | $2,775 | $7,060 |
| Indiana | $6,265 | $2,354 | $5,642 |
| Kansas | $8,716 | $2,658 | $5,775 |
| Kentucky | $11,605 | $2,948 | $6,453 |
| Louisiana | $16,406 | $4,441 | $12,374 |
| Massachusetts | $8,346 | $2,684 | $6,951 |
| Maryland | $8,199 | $2,806 | $7,513 |
| Maine | $6,538 | $1,618 | $4,242 |
| Michigan | $9,485 | $5,564 | $10,816 |
| Minnesota | $7,697 | $3,160 | $7,202 |
| Missouri | $8,682 | $2,955 | $6,786 |
| Mississippi | $9,477 | $2,472 | $6,287 |
| Montana | $8,192 | $2,660 | $5,906 |
| North Carolina | $6,494 | $2,747 | $6,829 |
| North Dakota | $6,798 | $2,469 | $5,681 |
| Nebraska | $8,256 | $2,503 | $5,649 |
| New Hampshire | $6,289 | $1,711 | $4,401 |
| New Jersey | $12,828 | $3,139 | $9,189 |
| New Mexico | $8,568 | $2,989 | $6,241 |
| Nevada | $13,709 | $4,232 | $10,746 |
| New York | $9,481 | $5,788 | $11,955 |
| Ohio | $5,787 | $1,967 | $4,769 |
| Oklahoma | $10,330 | $3,667 | $8,702 |
| Oregon | $7,179 | $2,702 | $6,831 |
| Pennsylvania | $7,507 | $3,575 | $8,717 |
| Rhode Island | $12,899 | $3,256 | $9,527 |
| South Carolina | $8,573 | $2,289 | $5,857 |
| South Dakota | $8,784 | $3,159 | $5,797 |
| Tennessee | $9,346 | $2,455 | $6,080 |
| Texas | $7,972 | $3,897 | $9,620 |
| Utah | $10,057 | $2,672 | $6,590 |
| Virginia | $6,249 | $2,215 | $7,110 |
| Vermont | $4,925 | $1,586 | $4,335 |
| Washington | $8,539 | $2,512 | $5,269 |
| Wisconsin | $8,420 | $2,225 | $5,352 |
| West Virginia | $8,698 | $2,315 | $5,895 |
| Wyoming | $6,927 | $1,919 | $5,495 |
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How much is car insurance for a 17-year-old solo vs. on a parent’s policy?
Teens can save a great deal by being added to a parent’s policy rather than having their own policy. In the chart below, you can see how much it costs annually to add a teen driver to a parent’s policy and how much you can save by adding the 17-year-old to your policy vs. a solo policy.
| Gender | Teen policy | Parent’s policy with a 17-year-old | Savings |
|---|---|---|---|
| Female | $7,704 | $7,109 | $595 |
| Male | $8,616 | $7,748 | $868 |
Cheapest car insurance for 17-year-olds, by company
Car insurance rates for teens vary significantly depending on the insurance company, as each uses different factors to assess risk. Some providers may offer more discounts for teens, such as good student or safe driving programs, which can lower premiums. It’s important to shop around and compare rates from multiple companies to find the best deal.
Parent’s car insurance policy with a 17-year-old female
Travelers offers the cheapest car insurance rates for 17-year-old female drivers at an average cost of $5,077 a year, based on CarInsurance.com’s data study. Below, see how major carriers compare when it comes to car insurance for 17-year-olds.
| Company | Parent’s policy with a 17-year-old female |
|---|---|
| Allstate | $8,644 |
| Farmers | $9,034 |
| GEICO | $5,863 |
| Nationwide | $5,451 |
| Progressive | $6,379 |
| State Farm | $6,650 |
| Travelers | $5,077 |
| USAA* | $4,984 |
*USAA offers its services to military members and their families.
Parent’s car insurance policy with a 17-year-old male
If you add a 17-year-old male driver to your car insurance policy, Travelers offers the most affordable car insurance rates among all the companies analyzed. Its average annual cost is $5,761, according to our research. The table below shows how much a parent’s policy with a 17-year-old male costs.
| Company | Parent’s policy with a 17-year-old male |
|---|---|
| Allstate | $9,253 |
| Farmers | $9,574 |
| GEICO | $6,452 |
| Nationwide | $5,907 |
| Progressive | $6,826 |
| State Farm | $8,136 |
| Travelers | $5,761 |
| USAA* | $5,297 |
*USAA offers its services to military members and their families.
What’s the average annual car insurance rate for a 17-year-old driver with their own policy?
Teens pay much higher rates on their own policy than on a parent’s policy. And teens younger than the age of majority in their state must have a parent or guardian co-sign the policy.
Average annual car insurance rates for a 17-year-old female, by company
If your teen is buying their own policy, GEICO has the cheapest rates for a 17-year-old for a full coverage policy, which averages $6,112 annually. See more rates in the table below.
| Company | Teen policy |
|---|---|
| GEICO | $6,112 |
| Travelers | $6,428 |
| State Farm | $7,627 |
| Nationwide | $7,634 |
| Allstate | $10,228 |
| Progressive | $11,009 |
| Farmers | $12,164 |
| USAA* | $5,226 |
*USAA offers its services to military members and their families.
Average annual car insurance rates for a 17-year-old male, by company
Among the national carriers offering affordable premiums, GEICO has the most affordable car insurance for 17-year-old male drivers purchasing their own policy, at $6,855 per year for a full coverage policy. See more rates in the table below.
| Company | Teen policy |
|---|---|
| GEICO | $6,855 |
| Travelers | $7,365 |
| State Farm | $9,124 |
| Nationwide | $8,911 |
| Allstate | $11,077 |
| Progressive | $12,001 |
| Farmers | $12,932 |
| USAA* | $5,600 |
*USAA offers its services to military members and their families.
Key car insurance terms- Full coverage: A type of auto insurance policy that typically includes liability, all coverage required by law in your state and collision and comprehensive coverage, protecting against accidents and non-accident-related damages (like theft or weather).
- Collision insurance: Coverage that pays for repairs or replacement of your vehicle if it is damaged in a collision, regardless of who is at fault.
- Comprehensive coverage: Insurance that covers non-collision-related damages to your vehicle, such as theft, vandalism, fire or natural disasters.
- State minimum liability: The minimum amount of auto insurance coverage required by law in a given state, typically covering bodily injury and property damage for accidents you cause.
- Liability-only policy: An insurance policy that only covers the damages and injuries you cause to others in an accident, but not damage to your own vehicle.
- Personal injury protection (PIP): A type of coverage that helps pay for medical expenses and lost wages for you and your passengers after an accident, regardless of who is at fault.
- Emancipated adults: Minors who have been legally freed from parental control and are treated as adults for legal purposes, including financial decisions and contracts.
What’s the best car insurance for teen drivers?
To find the best car insurance company for your teen driver, begin by comparing quotes from various insurers, paying attention to those that offer discounts for good grades, safe driving and bundling policies.
Focus on companies that provide affordable rates and flexible coverage for young drivers. Additionally, review customer feedback and financial strength ratings to ensure dependable service and support. The table below highlights the top insurers for teen drivers.
| Company | Market share | J.D. Power rating | NAIC rating | AM Best rating |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Allstate | 10.19% | 693 | 1.20 | A+ |
| American Family | 1.72% | 702 | 0.669 | A |
| Amica | 0.44% | 718 | 0.588 | A+ |
| Auto Club Enterprises (AAA SoCal) | 1.80% | 726 | 1.293 | A+ |
| Auto Club Group (AAA Midwest/South) | 0.73% | 697 | 0.684 | A |
| Auto-Owners | 1.44% | 711 | 0.443 | A+ |
| CSAA Insurance Group (AAA NorCal/NV/UT) | 1.33% | 720 | 1.021 | A |
| Erie | 1.39% | 743 | 0.772 | A |
| Farmers | 3.76% | 690 | 1.239 | A |
| Geico | 11.63% | 697 | 0.603 | A++ |
| Hartford | 0.65% | 716 | 1.370 | A+ |
| Liberty Mutual | 3.27% | 730 | 1.280 | A |
| Mercury | 0.94% | 701 | 1.072 | A |
| Nationwide | 1.34% | 729 | 0.636 | A |
| Progressive | 16.72% | 673 | 0.604 | A+ |
| Safeco | See Liberty Mutual | 672 | 1.208 | A |
| State Farm | 18.87% | 716 | 0.869 | A+ |
| Travelers | 2.00% | 691 | 0.625 | A++ |
| USAA | 6.16% | 741 | 1.164 | A++ |
*USAA offers its services to military members and their families.
What are the rules for a 17-year-old driver?
Most states have laws restricting where and when 17-year-olds can drive. These stipulations are usually called Graduated Driver License (GDL) laws and apply to drivers younger than 18.
GDL laws vary by state with some states having stringent laws and others having lenient ones. Over time, you “graduate” from a provisional or restricted license to a standard license with no restrictions.
GDL laws typically include provisions for the following:
- Limiting drive time to daytime hours.
- Requiring a passenger older than a certain age to be in the car.
- Not allowing passengers under a certain age to be in the car.
- Banning the use of cellphones for both calls and texting.
- Limiting destinations to work and school.
When a driver turns 17, he or she will age out of some GDL laws. However, many states still restrict drivers until they’re 18 or 21. For 17-year-olds, restrictions include passenger and nighttime limits for unsupervised driving. GDL laws vary by state, so it’s best to check your state’s GDL laws.
Car insurance for 17-year-olds is cheapest with a parent
Parents frequently take the less costly approach of putting a teen on their existing policy. It’s usually cheaper than getting a separate policy because the cost of a policy takes into account the experience and driving record of the policyholder.
A 17-year-old doesn’t have a proven track record on the highway, which means higher rates when an insurer crunches the numbers.
Beyond that, a 17-year-old won’t get the same car insurance discounts as a parent, including multi-vehicle, multi-policy and loyalty discounts. However, even with those discounts, adding a 17-year-old driver to a policy still results in a significant rate hike.
Another benefit of sharing a policy is that the teen is covered if they occasionally borrow your car, and the parents are covered if they drive the teen’s car.
Check out our detailed parents’ guide on the best and cheapest way to insure teenage drivers
Best ways 17-year-olds can lower car insurance costs
Even though 17-year-olds pay considerably more for car insurance than older drivers, there are ways to reduce the cost.
- Obtain coverage through a parent or guardian. Adding a child to the family car insurance policy can cost hundreds or thousands of dollars less than if a teen purchases their own coverage.
- Choose an affordable make and model. Popular models like the Toyota RAV-4, Kia Soul, and Mazda CX-5 are among the cheapest vehicles for teens to insure.
- Raise your deductible: If you can afford to do so, choosing a higher deductible for comprehensive and collision insurance can lead to a lower premium.
- Drop unnecessary coverage: If your teen drives an older vehicle that has depreciated significantly in value and is paid off, it may no longer be worth carrying comprehensive and collision insurance. Liability insurance is still a must.
- Look for car insurance discounts for teens. Two of the most common are:
- Good student discount: A savings of up to 12% may be available for drivers who maintain a 3.0 or “B” average in the classroom.
- Student-away discount: College students who live away from home could qualify for this discount.
Other ways to save on car insurance for your teen
Keep a clean driving record to lower car insurance costs. Insurance companies tend to reward drivers of all ages who avoid speeding, accidents, reckless driving and distracted driving.
And, if your teen is in a minor at-fault accident, filing a claim might not make sense. Before you call your insurance company, clearly understand how much your insurance rates might increase if you file a claim for an at-fault accident. Sometimes, paying out of pocket makes more financial sense over the long haul.
Used cars that cost the least to insure for 17-year-olds
The cost of auto insurance depends on many factors, including age, gender, and place of residence. However, the type of vehicle you drive is also a factor, regardless of age. And used vehicles are cheaper than new models, both to purchase and to insure.
The following are some of the cheapest used cars that cost the least to insure for a teen driver:
| Make and model | Full coverage cost | State minimum liability cost |
|---|---|---|
| 2014 Smart Fortwo | $5,565 | $2,259 |
| 2014 Subaru Outback | $5,598 | $2,281 |
| 2014 Fiat 500 | $5,615 | $2,279 |
| 2014 Mazda MX-5 Miata | $5,655 | $2,028 |
| 2014 Mini Cooper Roadster | $5,691 | $2,147 |
| 2015 Smart Fortwo | $5,702 | $2,201 |
| 2014 Honda CR-V | $5,714 | $2,474 |
| 2015 Subaru Outback | $5,730 | $2,255 |
| 2015 Scion iQ | $5,751 | $2,365 |
| 2015 Fiat 500 | $5,753 | $2,267 |
What happens to car insurance premiums if a 17-year-old is involved in an accident?
If a 17-year-old is involved in an accident, their car insurance premiums are likely to increase significantly. This is because insurance companies see teenage drivers as high-risk due to their lack of experience, and an accident reinforces that risk. The increase in premiums will vary depending on the severity of the accident, the amount of damage, and whether the accident was the teen’s fault. In some cases, the insurance provider may also remove discounts, such as safe driver discounts, if applicable.
Key mistakes families make when insuring a 17-year-old driver
Before you add a 17-year-old driver to your family’s car insurance policy, make sure to avoid these common mistakes:
- Overlooking potential discounts. Many insurers offer savings that can partially offset the high cost of adding a teen driver to your policy. By maintaining a high grade point average (usually a B or greater, depending on the carrier), you may qualify for a discount of up to 14% on your premium. And if your teen driver heads off to college but leaves their car at home, that may also qualify for a discount.
- Purchasing the cheapest coverage. Nearly every state requires drivers to carry a minimum amount of liability insurance, which kicks in if you injure someone or damage their property in an at-fault accident. On average, such a policy costs about $574 per year, slightly less than one-third of the cost of full coverage car insurance. But state-minimum coverage doesn’t protect you or your vehicle if you’re in an accident, just other parties. And coverage limits are so low that a minimum-liability policy may be inadequate if you’re in a major accident and held liable for another driver’s repair bill or medical costs.
- Failing to review your policy regularly. Insurance needs change over time. Major life events, such as moving, changing jobs, or marrying or divorcing all can affect the amount you pay for car insurance. The same applies if you’ve purchased a new car or have received a ticket for speeding or a DUI, or been cited in an at-fault accident. Insurance agents recommend shopping around for quotes every six to 12 months, or before your current policy expires. Use an online car insurance calculator to get a ballpark estimate of what you could be paying, then contact an independent agent or carrier representative for a more precise quote. Experts recommend getting quotes from at least three different insurers.
Final thoughts
While adding a teen to your auto insurance policy is expensive, you can cut costs by shopping around and comparing quotes to find the best auto insurance rates.
Car insurance rates should drop once a teen gains a few years of driving experience and keeps a clean driving record. By age 26, costs should decline significantly.
CarInsurance.com has guides for car insurance for 16-year-olds, 18-year-olds and 19-year-olds that break down rates for car insurance for teens.
FAQs: How much is car insurance for a 17-year-old?
Can a 17-year-old have a car in their own name and insure it?
In most states, a 17-year-old can own and insure a car, but only if a parent or legal guardian co-signs for the vehicle’s title and insurance coverages.
Are the state minimum requirements enough for my teen driver?
Liability protection is the first step when you insure a 17-year-old, but state minimums are insufficient. Medical bills and property damage costs can be high from the start—and may rise quickly depending on the severity of the injuries involved. If you’re financing your vehicle, comprehensive and collision coverage are required.
Is a 17-year-old required to have full coverage car insurance?
There is no law requiring teen drivers to have full coverage. However, if the car being driven is leased or financed, the lender will mandate that you have full coverage, including comprehensive and collision insurance.
To drive legally, you only need state-minimum liability insurance, which pays for damage and injuries to others in accidents you cause. Since teens are inexperienced, it’s wise to have full coverage for the car your teen drives.
Do you need car insurance to drive with a learner’s permit?
Most states require that you have at least minimum liability insurance to drive. Liability insurance covers damages a driver may cause to people or property in an accident. This also applies to a 17-year-old, who must show that their owner’s policy covers the vehicle.
Resources & Methodology
Sources
- Centers for Disease Control & Prevention. “Teen Drivers: Get the Facts.” Accessed December 2025.
- Governors Highway Safety Association. “Teen and Novice Drivers.” Accessed December 2025.
- Insurance Institute for Highway Safety, Highway Loss Data Institute. “Teenagers.” Accessed December 2025.
Methodology
CarInsurance.com commissioned Quadrant Information Services to get car insurance rates for 17-year-old male and female drivers. The rates are based on a full coverage policy with limits of 100/300/100 and $500 collision and comprehensive deductibles.
The car insurance rate for the teen added to the parent’s policy includes coverage for one family car owned and insured by the parents. This data provides a comprehensive comparison of car insurance costs for teenage drivers as independent policyholders and when added to a parent’s existing policy. Read the detailed methodology for more information.
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