As drivers turn 19, they are becoming better at navigating the rules of the road. Insurance companies reward those few years of driving experience with lower auto insurance rates.
Teen drivers pay much more for insurance than most other policyholders because their inexperience on the road makes them a bigger risk for insurers, says Carole Walker, executive director of the Rocky Mountain Insurance Information Association.
“Teen drivers pose a higher risk of crashes than any other age group and often don’t have the maturity and experience to respond to real-world road conditions and situations,” Walker says.
- For full coverage, a 19-year-old teen driver pays about $344 monthly for their car insurance policy.
- Female drivers who are 19 pay an average annual rate of $3,615 for their own policies, which is $517 per year less than males their age. 19-year-old male drivers pay $4,132 per year for car insurance.
- Island, North Carolina Farm Bureau, New Jersey Manufacturers, USAA and Erie were among those with the cheapest car insurance for 19-year-olds among carriers surveyed by CarInsurance.com.
- Car insurance for teens: What’s the average cost for a 19-year-old?
- How much is car insurance for a 19-year-old female?
- How much is car insurance for a 19-year-old male?
- Cheapest car insurance for 19-year-olds
- How much is car insurance for 19-year-olds on their own policies?
- What’s the best car insurance for 19-year-old drivers?
- When should a parent add a 19-year-old to their car insurance?
- Car insurance discounts for 19-year-olds
- Shopping around can lower the insurance cost for teens
- Other ways to save on car insurance for teens
- What are the best cars for 19-year-olds?
- Resources & Methodology
Car insurance for teens: What’s the average cost for a 19-year-old?
The average car insurance rate for 19-year-olds on their own policy is $4,132 yearly for full coverage. That rate is about $2,500 higher than the national average of $1,682 for 40-year-old drivers.
However, the rate for 19-year-olds is significantly lower than the cost for 16-year-olds ($7,625), 17-year-olds ($6,272) and 18-year-olds ($5,565).
Average car insurance rates for teens: 19-year-oldsThe average car insurance rate for a 19-year-old who has their own policy is as follows per year:
- State minimum liability coverage: $1,295
- Liability coverage with limits of 50/100/50: $1,550
- 100/300/100 liability with a $500 comprehensive and collision deductible: $4,132
What you pay to insure a teen driver will vary, depending on many factors, ranging from the insurance company you choose to where you live and the coverage limits you want.
How much is car insurance for a 19-year-old each month?
For 19-year-olds with their own car insurance policies, the cost is higher for males than females, and full coverage costs more than liability-only coverage. The table below shows how much car insurance costs for a 19-year-old per month, on average.
| 19-year-old teen policy | National average cost per month |
| Male with liability-only coverage | $120 |
| Male with full coverage | $324 |
| Female with liability-only coverage | $109 |
| Female with full coverage | $283 |
Check out our detailed guide: What are the average car insurance rates by age?
How much is car insurance for a 19-year-old female?
The nationwide average cost for insurance for a 19-year-old female is $3,615 per year on their own policy. Teen female drivers aged 19 pay $517 less than males their age.
Below, you’ll see the average insurance costs for a 19-year-old female in each state and how that compares to the price of a parent policy with the child added on.
| State | Teen Policy | Parent Policy | Parent’s Policy with a 19-year-old Female |
|---|---|---|---|
| Alaska | $2,861 | $1,236 | $2,078 |
| Alabama | $3,330 | $1,522 | $2,390 |
| Arkansas | $3,456 | $1,587 | $2,601 |
| Arizona | $3,665 | $1,649 | $2,866 |
| California | $4,002 | $2,043 | $3,508 |
| Colorado | $3,963 | $2,166 | $3,253 |
| Connecticut | $4,366 | $1,436 | $2,221 |
| Washington, D.C. | $3,646 | $1,877 | $2,817 |
| Delaware | $4,951 | $1,707 | $2,657 |
| Florida | $5,621 | $3,015 | $4,884 |
| Georgia | $3,772 | $1,638 | $2,677 |
| Hawaii | $1,330 | $1,282 | $1,338 |
| Iowa | $2,627 | $1,156 | $1,797 |
| Idaho | $2,578 | $1,012 | $1,671 |
| Illinois | $3,673 | $1,474 | $2,521 |
| Indiana | $2,634 | $1,283 | $1,978 |
| Kansas | $3,175 | $1,477 | $2,289 |
| Kentucky | $4,606 | $1,944 | $3,114 |
| Louisiana | $5,538 | $2,969 | $5,210 |
| Massachusetts | $3,888 | $1,741 | $2,785 |
| Maryland | $3,908 | $2,076 | $3,330 |
| Maine | $2,586 | $988 | $1,772 |
| Michigan | $4,874 | $3,945 | $6,338 |
| Minnesota | $2,898 | $1,667 | $2,592 |
| Missouri | $4,594 | $2,374 | $3,789 |
| Mississippi | $3,544 | $1,448 | $2,322 |
| Montana | $3,978 | $1,670 | $2,701 |
| North Carolina | $1,743 | $1,417 | $1,831 |
| North Dakota | $2,839 | $1,258 | $1,919 |
| Nebraska | $3,828 | $1,845 | $2,839 |
| New Hampshire | $3,109 | $982 | $1,716 |
| New Jersey | $3,970 | $2,199 | $3,481 |
| New Mexico | $2,968 | $1,649 | $2,613 |
| Nevada | $4,407 | $2,327 | $3,728 |
| New York | $3,650 | $1,832 | $2,754 |
| Ohio | $2,335 | $1,082 | $1,804 |
| Oklahoma | $3,654 | $1,954 | $3,147 |
| Oregon | $2,831 | $1,440 | $2,306 |
| Pennsylvania | $3,904 | $1,418 | $2,499 |
| Rhode Island | $4,357 | $1,786 | $3,219 |
| South Carolina | $4,157 | $1,671 | $3,009 |
| South Dakota | $2,891 | $1,523 | $2,162 |
| Tennessee | $3,034 | $1,250 | $2,131 |
| Texas | $4,260 | $1,880 | $3,324 |
| Utah | $3,363 | $1,824 | $3,045 |
| Virginia | $2,933 | $1,210 | $2,264 |
| Vermont | $2,604 | $1,074 | $1,864 |
| Washington | $3,320 | $1,462 | $2,440 |
| Wisconsin | $3,189 | $1,712 | $3,056 |
| West Virginia | $3,791 | $1,417 | $2,420 |
| Wyoming | $3,177 | $1,730 | $2,504 |
How much is car insurance for a 19-year-old male?
Nineteen-year-old males pay, on average, $4,132 for their own full coverage policy. That’s about $516 more than their female counterparts. You can compare rates for a male 19-year-old with his own policy to that of being added to a parent’s policy.
| State | Teen Policy | Parent Policy | Parent’s Policy with a 19-year-old Male |
|---|---|---|---|
| Alaska | $3,413 | $1,236 | $2,288 |
| Alabama | $3,840 | $1,522 | $2,610 |
| Arkansas | $4,076 | $1,587 | $2,881 |
| Arizona | $4,248 | $1,649 | $3,191 |
| California | $4,002 | $2,043 | $3,508 |
| Colorado | $4,560 | $2,166 | $3,476 |
| Connecticut | $5,107 | $1,436 | $2,444 |
| Washington, D.C. | $4,868 | $1,877 | $3,278 |
| Delaware | $6,249 | $1,707 | $2,885 |
| Florida | $6,201 | $3,015 | $5,150 |
| Georgia | $4,667 | $1,638 | $2,986 |
| Hawaii | $1,330 | $1,282 | $1,338 |
| Iowa | $2,982 | $1,156 | $1,933 |
| Idaho | $3,054 | $1,012 | $1,849 |
| Illinois | $4,482 | $1,474 | $2,913 |
| Indiana | $2,960 | $1,283 | $2,113 |
| Kansas | $3,662 | $1,477 | $2,487 |
| Kentucky | $5,379 | $1,944 | $3,395 |
| Louisiana | $6,474 | $2,969 | $5,916 |
| Massachusetts | $3,888 | $1,741 | $2,785 |
| Maryland | $4,958 | $2,076 | $3,949 |
| Maine | $3,197 | $988 | $2,151 |
| Michigan | $4,874 | $3,945 | $6,338 |
| Minnesota | $3,506 | $1,667 | $2,691 |
| Missouri | $5,461 | $2,374 | $4,405 |
| Mississippi | $4,182 | $1,448 | $2,553 |
| Montana | $3,978 | $1,670 | $2,701 |
| North Carolina | $1,743 | $1,417 | $1,831 |
| North Dakota | $3,393 | $1,258 | $2,129 |
| Nebraska | $4,539 | $1,845 | $3,077 |
| New Hampshire | $3,679 | $982 | $1,875 |
| New Jersey | $4,626 | $2,199 | $3,943 |
| New Mexico | $3,369 | $1,649 | $2,850 |
| Nevada | $4,939 | $2,327 | $4,017 |
| New York | $4,513 | $1,832 | $3,237 |
| Ohio | $2,687 | $1,082 | $1,982 |
| Oklahoma | $4,412 | $1,954 | $3,695 |
| Oregon | $3,093 | $1,440 | $2,454 |
| Pennsylvania | $3,904 | $1,418 | $2,499 |
| Rhode Island | $5,246 | $1,786 | $3,551 |
| South Carolina | $4,635 | $1,671 | $3,161 |
| South Dakota | $3,518 | $1,523 | $2,415 |
| Tennessee | $3,577 | $1,250 | $2,379 |
| Texas | $5,108 | $1,880 | $3,761 |
| Utah | $3,912 | $1,824 | $3,309 |
| Virginia | $3,479 | $1,210 | $2,558 |
| Vermont | $3,121 | $1,074 | $2,069 |
| Washington | $3,723 | $1,462 | $2,557 |
| Wisconsin | $3,754 | $1,712 | $3,456 |
| West Virginia | $4,600 | $1,417 | $2,845 |
| Wyoming | $4,213 | $1,730 | $2,980 |
Cheapest car insurance for 19-year-olds
Below, you’ll see how significant carriers compare when you add a teen driver age 19-year-old driver to your policy. In this scenario, North Carolina Farm Bureau, Island, New Jersey Manufacturers and USAA were the cheapest among insurance companies we surveyed for adding a female.
Parent’s car insurance policy with a 19-year-old female
| Company | Parent’s Policy with a 19-year-old Female |
|---|---|
| Allstate | $3,418 |
| American Family | $2,499 |
| Auto Club | $3,550 |
| Auto-Owners | $2,790 |
| Automobile Club MI | $4,410 |
| Geico | $2,105 |
| Chubb Ltd | $2,950 |
| CSAA Insurance | $5,074 |
| Erie Insurance | $2,224 |
| Farmers Insurance | $4,473 |
| The Hartford | $3,128 |
| Iowa Farm Bureau | $3,510 |
| Island Insurance | $1,713 |
| Kemper Insurance | $4,469 |
| Kentucky Farm Bureau | $4,385 |
| Mapfre Insurance | $2,496 |
| Mercury Insurance | $3,632 |
| National General Insurance | $5,142 |
| Nationwide | $2,144 |
| New Jersey Manufacturers | $1,786 |
| North Carolina Farm Bureau | $1,551 |
| Oklahoma Farm Bureau | $5,259 |
| Palisades | $3,065 |
| Progressive | $3,273 |
| Shelter Insurance | $3,253 |
| State Farm | $2,588 |
| Travelers | $2,821 |
| USAA | $1,835 |
Parent’s car insurance policy with a 19-year-old male
North Carolina Farm Bureau, Island, New Jersey Manufacturers and USAA were the cheapest for adding 19-year-old male drivers.
| Company | Parent’s Policy with a 19-year-old Male |
|---|---|
| Allstate | $3,702 |
| American Family | $2,655 |
| Auto Club | $3,648 |
| Auto-Owners | $2,756 |
| Automobile Club MI | $4,747 |
| Geico | $2,218 |
| Chubb Ltd | $3,364 |
| CSAA Insurance | $5,160 |
| Erie Insurance | $2,647 |
| Farmers Insurance | $4,787 |
| The Hartford | $3,203 |
| Iowa Farm Bureau | $3,575 |
| Island Insurance | $1,713 |
| Kemper Insurance | $4,911 |
| Kentucky Farm Bureau | $4,252 |
| Mapfre Insurance | $2,744 |
| Mercury Insurance | $4,396 |
| National General Insurance | $5,303 |
| Nationwide | $2,255 |
| New Jersey Manufacturers | $1,941 |
| North Carolina Farm Bureau | $1,551 |
| Oklahoma Farm Bureau | $7,490 |
| Palisades | $3,232 |
| Progressive | $3,556 |
| Shelter Insurance | $3,965 |
| State Farm | $2,895 |
| Travelers | $3,075 |
| USAA | $1,950 |
How much is car insurance for 19-year-olds on their own policies?
If your teen buys their own policy, North Carolina Farm Bureau, Island, Erie and USAA have the lowest female rates for full coverage.
Average annual car insurance rates for a 19-year-old female
See the cost of car insurance for 19-year-old females on their own policies below.
| Company | 19-year-old Female Policy |
|---|---|
| Allstate | $4,106 |
| American Family | $2,866 |
| Auto Club | $4,706 |
| Auto-Owners | $2,833 |
| Automobile Club MI | $5,041 |
| Geico | $2,589 |
| Chubb Ltd | $3,489 |
| CSAA Insurance | $5,058 |
| Erie Insurance | $2,430 |
| Farmers Insurance | $5,356 |
| The Hartford | $3,915 |
| Iowa Farm Bureau | $3,423 |
| Island Insurance | $1,668 |
| Kemper Insurance | $5,073 |
| Kentucky Farm Bureau | $4,978 |
| Mapfre Insurance | $3,407 |
| Mercury Insurance | $5,045 |
| National General Insurance | $4,006 |
| Nationwide | $3,056 |
| New Jersey Manufacturers | $2,651 |
| North Carolina Farm Bureau | $1,273 |
| Oklahoma Farm Bureau | $4,728 |
| Palisades | $2,946 |
| Progressive | $3,884 |
| Shelter Insurance | $3,881 |
| State Farm | $2,842 |
| Travelers | $2,874 |
| USAA | $2,455 |
Average annual car insurance rates for a 19-year-old male
For 19-year-old male drivers on their own policies, North Carolina Farm Bureau, Island, USAA and New Jersey Manufacturers are among the national carriers with the cheapest car insurance rates.
| Company | 19-year-old Male Policy |
|---|---|
| Allstate | $4,685 |
| American Family | $3,068 |
| Auto Club | $5,730 |
| Auto-Owners | $3,274 |
| Automobile Club MI | $6,543 |
| Geico | $2,849 |
| Chubb Ltd | $6,624 |
| CSAA Insurance | $5,188 |
| Erie Insurance | $3,113 |
| Farmers Insurance | $5,949 |
| The Hartford | $4,038 |
| Iowa Farm Bureau | $3,597 |
| Island Insurance | $1,668 |
| Kemper Insurance | $5,851 |
| Kentucky Farm Bureau | $6,270 |
| Mapfre Insurance | $4,035 |
| Mercury Insurance | $6,223 |
| National General Insurance | $4,127 |
| Nationwide | $3,605 |
| New Jersey Manufacturers | $2,886 |
| North Carolina Farm Bureau | $1,273 |
| Oklahoma Farm Bureau | $6,706 |
| Palisades | $3,241 |
| Progressive | $4,366 |
| Shelter Insurance | $4,826 |
| State Farm | $3,403 |
| Travelers | $3,233 |
| USAA | $2,652 |
What’s the best car insurance for 19-year-old drivers?
Start with liability car insurance, which pays for others’ injuries and damage you cause to their property in an accident. Typically, the state minimum coverage isn’t enough – medical costs can quickly escalate if there are significant injuries following an accident and property damages.
If you’re financing a vehicle, states usually require comprehensive and collision coverage. If you paid off your car, you decide if you want these coverages, which cover your car following a crash and for damage due to fire, hail, vandalism and animal strikes.
If you opt for comprehensive insurance and collision coverage, consider higher deductibles to lower your rate, and remember that you’ll have to pay for minor repairs following an accident.
When should a parent add a 19-year-old to their car insurance?
You may want to become independent from your parents and get your own insurance policy. Here are a few situations to help you decide how to handle auto insurance:
The 19-year-old lives with their parents and has a clean driving record
See if your parents add you to their policy if that’s an option as it’s less expensive than getting your own.
The 19-year-old has a good record but doesn’t live with their parents
A separate policy may be smart if you own a car and live independently. You should also have coverage when you don’t own a car but drive another vehicle regularly, such as your roommate’s, through a non-owner car insurance policy.
That coverage provides protection, meets minimum state insurance requirements and offers continual coverage, resulting in lower premiums over time.
The 19-year-old lives with their parents but has a poor driving record
If you live at home and have multiple accidents and tickets, whether or not it makes more sense to get your own policy depends on the number and severity of the accidents and moving violations.
The 19-year-old has a poor record and doesn’t live with their parents
Parents should remove a teen with a poor driving record from the family policy if they no longer live at home. That means you’re on your own and should get a policy in your name.
Car insurance discounts for 19-year-olds
Some car insurance discounts may help 19-year-olds lower their rates, especially if they are still students. For example, if they remain good students, holding on to a 3.0 or “B” average might get a teen a discount of up to 16%.
“Many companies also offer teen driver safety courses that can qualify for discounts,” Walker says.
Other discounts also might be available, such as student-away discounts if a teen attends school away from their parents. Check with your insurer to see which discounts are offered and whether you are eligible.
Shopping around can lower the insurance cost for teens
As you gain more experience driving, your auto insurance rates should fall. Also, shop around and compare rates with several different insurers. This should help you get an excellent policy at the best price.
Average car insurance rates usually significantly decline when drivers hit age 26. But car insurance for 19-year-olds is still cheaper than that for 16-year-olds, 17-year-olds or 18-year-olds.
Other ways to save on car insurance for teens
If you maintain a clean driving record, your rates should fall. Other ways to lower car insurance costs include driving the speed limit and putting your phone away while driving.
If you are at fault in a minor accident, avoiding filing a claim and paying for the damage out of pocket can prevent your rates from rising.
What are the best cars for 19-year-olds?
Sedans and small to midsize SUVs are usually cheaper to insure and are the best cars for teens. The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) has some advice about choosing safe vehicles for teens:
- Try to get Electronic Stability Control (ESC). This feature, which helps a driver control curves and slippery roads, is about as good at reducing risks as safety belts.
- Avoid high horsepower: Vehicles with more powerful engines can tempt (young drivers) to test the limits.
- Look for cars with the best safety reviews from the IIHS and National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.
Another resource is CarInsurance.com, which provides guidance, including a rundown of the top teen-ready cars that cost less than $15,000 with high safety ratings.
You might also be interested inCar insurance for teens:
- How much is car insurance for a 16-year-old?
- How much is car insurance for a 17-year-old?
- How much is car insurance for an 18-year-old?
Car insurance for young adults:
- How much is car insurance for a 20-year-old?
- How much is car insurance for a 21-year-old?
- How much is car insurance for a 22-year-old?
- How much is car insurance for a 23-year-old?
- How much is car insurance for a 24-year-old?
- How much is car insurance for a 25-year-old?
Car insurance for adults:
- How much is car insurance for a 30-year-old?
- How much is car insurance for a 40-year-old?
- How much is car insurance for a 50-year-old?
Car insurance for seniors:
Resources & Methodology
Sources
Centers for Disease Control & Prevention. “Teen Drivers: Get the Facts.” Accessed June 2022.
Governors Highway Safety Association. “Teen and Novice Drivers.” Accessed June 2022.
Insurance Institute for Highway Safety, Highway Loss Data Institute. “Teenagers.” Accessed June 2022.
Methodology
CarInsurance.com commissioned Quadrant Information Services in 2022 to field rates for full coverage auto coverage data by ZIP code for 19-year-old and 40-year-old drivers.
– Mark Chalon Smith contributed to this story.
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