Average car insurance rates by age in 2026

Car insurance rates are based on various factors, with age being among the most critical. Teen drivers between the ages of 16 and 19 are nearly three times as likely as drivers who are 20 or older to be in a fatal crash, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).

Car insurance for drivers younger than 25 is expensive. Teens and young drivers are largely inexperienced behind the wheel and are more prone to accidents, making them a high risk for auto insurance providers. Seniors also pay higher car insurance rates.

Discover how your age and gender can affect what you pay for car insurance, how much you pay at different ages and how to save at any age.

Average car insurance rates by age

The data clearly show that car insurance rates decrease sharply from the teenage years through early adulthood, then gradually rise again around age 70. Sixteen-year-old drivers face the highest premiums, paying about $10,387 a year for full coverage — over three times more than a 30-year-old and nearly four times more than a 50-year-old driver.

Rates begin to stabilize in the mid-20s as drivers gain experience and insurers see them as lower risk. By age 25, full coverage averages $3,044, dropping to just over $2,312 by age 60.

However, rates start to inch back up for older drivers — around $2,742 at age 75 — reflecting increased accident risk among seniors.

Non-owner and state-minimum policies follow the same pattern but remain significantly cheaper across all ages. The gap between liability-only and full coverage narrows with age, showing that older drivers pay proportionally less for comprehensive protection compared to younger, higher-risk drivers.

In the charts below, you’ll see the average car insurance rates by age for the different coverage sets:

• State minimum: The state-mandated minimum insurance requirement to drive a car legally.
• Liability car insurance: $50,000 per person limit to cover bodily injury you cause to others in an accident, up to $100,000 per accident, with $50,000 to pay for damage you cause to another car or property.
• Full coverage: Liability with a $100,000 limit per person to cover bodily injury you cause to others in an accident, up to $300,000 per accident, with $100,000 to pay for damage you cause to another car or property, plus comprehensive and collision insurance, with $500 deductibles.

Refer to the chart below to see average car insurance costs by age and by state for full coverage.

How age and gender affect car insurance rates

Gender can impact car insurance rates, as insurers often use statistical data to assess risk. Statistically, women tend to get into fewer accidents – especially serious accidents – and have fewer DUI convictions, according to the Insurance Information Institute. Consequently, young men tend to pay higher premiums.

As drivers age, the gender gap in rates typically diminishes, with insurance costs becoming similar for men and women. Some states, such as California, Hawaii, Massachusetts, Michigan, North Carolina and Pennsylvania, don’t allow gender to be used as a factor for calculating rates.

While gender can influence car insurance premiums, its impact varies by age and the regulatory environment.

Teens and seniors pay more for car insurance

Teen drivers have crash rates almost four times those of drivers 20 and older per mile driven, according to the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety. Conversely, drivers in their mid-30s to mid-50s usually enjoy lower rates as they are considered more experienced and responsible. However, rates rise again for senior drivers as insurers associate advanced age with slower reaction times and a higher probability of accidents.

“Teens and seniors pay more for car insurance because insurance companies see them as driving wildcards,” says Dr. James Brau, Joel C. Peterson Professor of Finance at Brigham Young University. “It’s all about the risk – teens and seniors are riskier drivers on average, so companies charge higher premiums to cover the risk.”

Interestingly, this trend can reverse as drivers become seniors, “an age range when factors like slower reaction times may increase perceived risk,” says Dennis Shirshikov, a professor of economics and finance at City University of New York/Queens College.

“Insurance companies analyze accident statistics and claims data, which show that younger and older drivers are more likely to be involved in accidents,” says Ofir Sahar, owner/CEO of Barter Insurance. “Teen drivers face the highest premiums due to their lack of driving experience and a higher likelihood of risky behaviors, such as speeding or distracted driving. As drivers gain experience, particularly after age 25, their premiums generally decrease because they are statistically less likely to cause accidents.”

State regulations for age and car insurance

Age is a factor insurers use in most states to help determine premium costs. But Massachusetts, California and Hawaii are states where age is not allowed to be a factor in calculating car insurance rates.

The impact of gender on car insurance rates

Your gender can also affect the cost of your coverage.

“Gender can affect car insurance rates because statistical data show differences in driving patterns between males and females. Young male drivers often face higher premiums due to a higher incidence of accidents and risk-taking behaviors compared to their female counterparts,” Shirshikov says. “However, it’s important to note that some states have regulations that prohibit insurers from using gender as a factor in determining rates.”

As you advance in age and gain more driving experience, rating factors between males and females become less significant, particularly after the age of 40, according to Jonathan Shaw, a Farmers Insurance agency owner in Lubbock, Texas.

“Older females will still likely see a slightly better rate than older males because, throughout their lives, they will statistically be safer drivers than males,” Shaw says.

State regulations for gender and car insurance

Insurance rules can vary from state to state. Knowing your state’s laws can help you understand the rating factors carriers use.

“For instance, in California, it is illegal for carriers to let gender be a rating factor, while many other states have gender as an important factor in the rate,” Shaw says.

Similarly, Hawaii doesn’t allow age or length of driving experience to determine premiums.

“These different regulations aim to create a more equitable system, but they also mean insurers place more emphasis on other factors like driving record or credit history,” Shirshikov says.

How can different age groups save on car insurance?

Let’s look at savings strategies by car insurance age bracket.

Teen drivers (16 to 19 years old)

Young drivers can save money by maintaining good grades, as many carriers offer discounts to students with a high GPA. Completing a driver’s education or defensive driving course can also decrease premiums.

“Joining a parent’s policy is often cheaper than getting individual coverage, too,” personal finance expert David Kindness says.

Also, participating in telematics programs that monitor your driving habits could lead to discounts for safe driving.

“I know everyone loves to drive the cool older sports car for a first vehicle, but that’s a great way to shoot up your rate quickly. The best thing at this age is to start with an older car – think Toyota Camry or Buick Century,” Shaw says.

Calculate now:How much can you save on car insurance for teens? 

Young adult drivers (age 20-25)

When you hit your 20s, your rates start to drop from your teens, but you’ll still pay more than most drivers until you reach age 25.

“College students may still be able to take advantage of the good student discount that many carriers will continue to offer in this age range,” Shaw says.

As is true of any age group, Kindness advises maintaining a clean driving record and exploring usage-based (telematics) insurance that rewards safe driving.

“Shopping around for rate quotes regularly can also help,” he adds.

Pay-per-mile insurance could save you money if you don’t drive frequently.

Additionally, once you embark on a first or second job within your chosen career, check with your carrier to learn if they offer an occupational discount.

See the average car insurance cost by age for standard coverage sets in the following tables.

Car insurance cost for 20-year-olds

For a 20-year-old male, the annual cost of a full-coverage policy is $5,454; for a female driver, the same policy costs $4,893 annually. For a 50/100/50 liability-only policy, premiums for a 20-year-old male are $1,791 per year, and for a female, $1,654.

See the table below for a breakdown of insurance rates by coverage level at age 20.

Car insurance cost for 21-year-olds

For a 21-year-old male, the average annual cost of a full coverage policy is $4,411, while females of the same age pay $4,020 for the same policy. Liability-only policies with limits of 50/100/50 cost $1,334 annually for females and $1,422 for males.

See the chart below for a breakdown of insurance rates for 21-year-olds at various coverage levels.

Car insurance cost for 22-year-olds

For a 22-year-old male, the average annual rate for full coverage is $4,011, and for a female driver, the same policy costs $3,723 per year. For a liability-only policy with limits of 50/100/50, annual rates for females are $1,225 and $1,275 for males.

See the chart below for a breakdown of insurance rates for 22-year-olds at various coverage levels.

Car insurance cost for 23-year-olds

For a 23-year-old male, the average full coverage rate is $3,713 per year, and for a female driver, it is $3,479 per year. For a liability-only policy with 50/100/50 limits, an annual policy costs $1,130 for a female driver and $1,169 for a male driver.

See the chart below for a breakdown of insurance rates for 23-year-olds at various coverage levels.

Car insurance cost for 24-year-olds

For a 24-year-old female, the average annual rate for full coverage is $3,303; for a male driver, the rate is $3,490. For a liability-only policy with limits of 50/100/50, a male driver pays $1,092 annually, while a female driver pays $1,066.

See a breakdown of insurance rates for various coverage levels in the table below.

Car insurance cost for 25-year-olds

Car insurance rates for male and female drivers are the same at age 25, with $965 per year for a liability-only policy with limits of 50/100/50.  For a full-coverage policy, 25-year-old males pay $3,091 per year and 25-year-old females pay $2,997.

See a breakdown of insurance rates for various coverage levels in the table below.

Car insurance cost for average adult drivers (26-59 years old)

You can expect average rates to decrease once you hit the sweet spot demographic of 26 to 59.

“Mid-age drivers use bundling policies, such as combining auto and home insurance with the same provider for discounts. Also, regularly review your coverage to adjust deductibles or remove unnecessary extras. And life changes – including marriage or moving – can affect rates, so updating your insurer accordingly can be beneficial,” Shirshikov says.

This is also the age group where occupational discounts are most likely to be available, so be sure to inquire with your carrier.

Car insurance cost for senior drivers (drivers 60 and older)

As you head toward retirement, there’s mixed news. On the positive side, you’ll have garnered much more experience behind the wheel and will likely be a relatively safe driver averse to taking risks. Unfortunately, rates can increase for many older drivers, even if they maintain a clean driving record.

“Fortunately, in many instances, you can still qualify for an occupational discount if you are a retiree from a field that is eligible,” Shaw says. “Additionally, this age range will start to see policyholders who drive fewer miles per year, so it could be a great time to look at pay-per-mile types of policies.”

Seniors may also benefit from mature driver discounts by completing refresher courses for older adults.

“And memberships in organizations like AARP also often come with insurance benefits,” Shirshikov says.

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What additional factors influence auto insurance rates?

Age is just one factor that car insurance companies assess when deciding how much you pay. Each rating factor – along with the type of coverage you choose, deductibles and discounts – influences the rate you’ll pay for your car insurance policy.

Other factors that affect car insurance rates include:

• Address and ZIP code
• Vehicle make/model
• Marital status
• Driving record
• Credit score
• Annual mileage

Maximize your savings: Tips to lower your car insurance rates at any age

Shopping around for car insurance before your policy renews, either biannually or annually, is the best way to save money on car insurance. Shopping for a new policy after a life event, such as adding a teen driver to your policy, getting into an at-fault accident or getting a DUI, is wise.

Get quotes from at least three different insurers, comparing the same coverages to ensure you clearly understand what you’re getting for your money. Drop coverage you don’t need and increase your deductible if you have money in savings to cover it in case of a claim.

Car insurance discounts by age

Regardless of age, you can trim costs by qualifying for car insurance discounts matching your driver profile. Here are a few different types of discounts for teens and senior drivers:

Frequently Asked Questions: Car insurance rates by age

Final thoughts

Understanding how age and gender affect your car insurance can help you make a more informed decision about coverage when shopping for a policy or before renewing your existing policy. Ask your carrier how to lower your costs and qualify for discounts.

Resources & Methodology

Sources

Centers for Disease Control & Prevention. “Teen Drivers.” Accessed April 2026.
Insurance Institute for Highway Safety. “Teenagers.” Accessed April 2026.

Methodology

CarInsurance.com commissioned Quadrant Information Services to get car insurance rates. The rates are based on sample profiles of male and female drivers aged 16-75 carrying full coverage policies with limits of $100,000/$300,000/$100,000 and $500 collision and comprehensive deductibles. Read the detailed methodology for more information.