Quite a bit begins to change in a young adult’s life when they turn 22. They may be graduating or close to graduating college, starting their careers and perhaps considering using their own money for a first car.
All these things add up to creating a complete profile for you, says Jana Foster, owner of Nevada Insurance Agency Co., a full-service brokerage with offices in Carson City and Reno.
“Even if you don’t have a college degree, some carriers will offer you a discount just for having some courses under your belt,” Foster says.
Unless you have a poor driving record or a bad credit score, drivers who turn 22 can expect a reduction in their insurance premiums from how much they pay as a 21-year-old.
The average national car insurance rate for a 22-year-old driver is about $2,404 per year or $200 per month, for their own full coverage policy. It represents a $636 drop from what a driver would expect to pay at age 20 and less than half of what they would have paid at age 18.
Read on to learn more about car insurance for 22-year-olds.
- For a full coverage policy, a 22-year-old driver pays an average of $2,404 per year – or $200 monthly for car insurance.
- Male drivers are still assessed at higher rates than females at this age, but the difference is getting smaller.
- Males pay an average of $2,533 annually for a full coverage policy, while females pay $2,274 annually.
Car insurance for young adults: What’s the average cost for a 22-year-old?
Average car insurance rates for 22-year-oldsThe average annual car insurance rate for a 22-year-old who has their own policy :
- State minimum liability coverage: $720
- Liability coverage with limits of 50/100/50: $875
- 100/300/100 liability with a $500 comprehensive and collision deductible: $2,404
Your exact rate varies depending on many factors, ranging from the insurance company you choose to where you live, the coverage limits you want, and the deductible you select.
See the table below to see how much car insurance costs for males vs. females at various coverage levels in each state.
| State | State Minimum Female | State Minimum Male | Liability Only Female | Liability Only Male | Full Coverage Female | Full Coverage Male |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Alaska | $481 | $516 | $567 | $598 | $1,892 | $2,160 |
| Alabama | $559 | $601 | $731 | $771 | $2,001 | $2,234 |
| Arkansas | $510 | $556 | $602 | $650 | $1,976 | $2,259 |
| Arizona | $728 | $797 | $974 | $1,041 | $2,280 | $2,550 |
| California | $842 | $842 | $1,233 | $1,233 | $3,070 | $3,070 |
| Colorado | $661 | $703 | $950 | $994 | $2,443 | $2,689 |
| Connecticut | $1,161 | $1,267 | $1,287 | $1,408 | $2,655 | $3,017 |
| Washington D.C. | $786 | $913 | $901 | $1,046 | $2,493 | $3,125 |
| Delaware | $1,231 | $1,249 | $1,485 | $1,494 | $3,051 | $3,279 |
| Florida | $1,261 | $1,282 | $2,156 | $2,185 | $3,600 | $3,840 |
| Georgia | $849 | $931 | $1,008 | $1,097 | $2,436 | $2,763 |
| Hawaii | $389 | $389 | $519 | $519 | $1,306 | $1,306 |
| Iowa | $389 | $414 | $463 | $489 | $1,808 | $1,992 |
| Idaho | $437 | $473 | $514 | $552 | $1,537 | $1,737 |
| Illinois | $668 | $743 | $743 | $825 | $2,140 | $2,501 |
| Indiana | $515 | $539 | $584 | $607 | $1,676 | $1,809 |
| Kansas | $557 | $570 | $589 | $604 | $2,076 | $2,301 |
| Kentucky | $889 | $901 | $1,106 | $1,121 | $2,729 | $2,990 |
| Louisiana | $1,064 | $1,176 | $1,741 | $1,857 | $3,750 | $4,233 |
| Massachusetts | $663 | $663 | $817 | $817 | $1,977 | $1,977 |
| Maryland | $894 | $1,011 | $953 | $1,076 | $2,299 | $2,760 |
| Maine | $490 | $526 | $496 | $533 | $1,625 | $1,852 |
| Michigan | $1,010 | $1,010 | $1,060 | $1,060 | $3,298 | $3,298 |
| Minnesota | $671 | $696 | $721 | $751 | $2,030 | $2,355 |
| Missouri | $713 | $778 | $796 | $870 | $2,818 | $3,212 |
| Mississippi | $623 | $676 | $791 | $846 | $2,175 | $2,431 |
| Montana | $496 | $496 | $654 | $654 | $2,670 | $2,670 |
| North Carolina | $449 | $449 | $493 | $493 | $1,549 | $1,549 |
| North Dakota | $464 | $483 | $484 | $505 | $1,758 | $2,013 |
| Nebraska | $471 | $512 | $517 | $562 | $2,567 | $2,903 |
| New Hampshire | $630 | $686 | $692 | $752 | $2,085 | $2,379 |
| New Jersey | $1,275 | $1,321 | $1,484 | $1,558 | $2,647 | $3,001 |
| New Mexico | $591 | $625 | $814 | $849 | $2,160 | $2,355 |
| Nevada | $1,090 | $1,166 | $1,524 | $1,601 | $3,032 | $3,311 |
| New York | $1,218 | $1,337 | $1,342 | $1,483 | $2,812 | $3,273 |
| Ohio | $433 | $466 | $509 | $542 | $1,466 | $1,618 |
| Oklahoma | $500 | $584 | $722 | $807 | $2,384 | $2,777 |
| Oregon | $779 | $785 | $843 | $853 | $1,812 | $1,910 |
| Pennsylvania | $491 | $491 | $624 | $624 | $2,188 | $2,188 |
| Rhode Island | $925 | $985 | $1,098 | $1,159 | $2,621 | $2,957 |
| South Carolina | $984 | $1,048 | $1,215 | $1,279 | $2,775 | $3,034 |
| South Dakota | $388 | $427 | $415 | $456 | $2,042 | $2,407 |
| Tennessee | $472 | $519 | $568 | $618 | $1,846 | $2,126 |
| Texas | $779 | $871 | $948 | $1,039 | $2,660 | $3,041 |
| Utah | $728 | $777 | $872 | $925 | $2,020 | $2,260 |
| Virginia | $690 | $751 | $687 | $755 | $1,847 | $2,115 |
| Vermont | $419 | $457 | $471 | $514 | $1,612 | $1,826 |
| Washington | $741 | $794 | $924 | $977 | $1,812 | $1,997 |
| Wisconsin | $471 | $515 | $530 | $582 | $1,893 | $2,167 |
| West Virginia | $641 | $699 | $726 | $791 | $2,388 | $2,780 |
| Wyoming | $376 | $450 | $426 | $508 | $2,200 | $2,796 |
Note:
- State Minimum: State Minimum Liability Only
- Liability Only: 50/100/50 Liability Only
- Full Coverage: 100/300/100 is liability with comp/collision and $500 deductible.
Check out our detailed guide on the average car insurance rates by age
How much is car insurance for a 22-year-old each month?
The table below shows how much car insurance costs for a 22-year-old per month, on average.
| 22-year-old policy | National average cost per month |
|---|---|
| Liability-only coverage | $60 |
| 50/100/50 coverage | $73 |
| Full 100/300/100 coverage | $200 |
How much is car insurance for a 22-year-old male?
At 22, drivers – particularly males – are still in the higher risk category. The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety reports that 20 to 24-year-old males were involved in 2,038 fatal accidents in 2020 or a rate of about 18.5 per 100,000 male drivers.
That’s even more than the fatal accident rate of 14.8 for 16 to 19-year-old male drivers.
But at this stage carriers are beginning to recognize that drivers are becoming more stable and with each step towards full adulthood – a home, a career, and perhaps marriage – the profile looks less risky.
The average national full coverage insurance policy cost for a 22-year-old male with a $500 comprehensive/collision deductible is $2,533. That’s a savings of $257 from the $2,790 they would have paid at age 21. Carriers may assess males differently at this age, so it pays to shop around.
| Coverage level | Average annual rate for a 22-year-old male |
|---|---|
| Liability-only coverage | $743 |
| 50/100/50 coverage | $901 |
| Full 100/300/100 coverage | $2,533 |
How much is car insurance for a 22-year-old female?
Females are still deemed higher risk at 22, but most carriers recognize they are increasingly becoming less risky. The amount their premiums decline will depend highly on their driving record and credit score. Yes, credit score.
“It’s not immediately clear why having a good credit rating leads to lower rates, but it is a big factor,” says Kevin Lynch, an assistant professor of insurance at The American College of Financial Services in Bryn Mawr, Penn.
“Carriers have been able to show, to the satisfaction of various courts, that a person’s credit rating is indicative of their driving tendencies.”
So having a good credit rating will lead to lower insurance costs, for both females and males. Remember that some states don’t allow credit scores in rate development.
The average national cost of a full coverage insurance policy for a 22-year-old female with a $500 comprehensive/collision deductible is $2,274, a savings of about $186 from what they would have paid at age 21.
| Coverage level | Average annual rate 22-year-old female |
|---|---|
| Liability-only coverage | $697 |
| 50/100/50 coverage | $850 |
| Full 100/300/100 coverage | $2,274 |
What’s the best car insurance for 22-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, your lender might 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 be responsible for the deductible.
Car insurance discounts for 22-year-olds
Lynch says the three biggest favors any young adult can do for themselves in terms of getting the lowest insurance rates, is to stay accident-free, have a clean driving record and maintain a good credit score.
After that, there are several other good strategies to employ.
If still in school, some car insurance companies offer discounts to 22-year-olds with good grades in college, generally a 3.0 or better grade point average.
Other discounts also might be available, such as student-away discounts and special rates for students and alumni.
Even if you’re not attending school, see what other discounts the carrier might offer, such as a discount for paperless billing or paying your premium upfront. If you have rental insurance on an apartment or condo, you will likely get a discount if you bundle your rental and car insurance with the same carrier.
If you’re working in a trade, or have started a career at a new company, check to see if your trade association has a discount arranged with an insurance carrier or if your company has a partnership.
Foster notes that many professional associations, from doctors to lawyers, accountants, dentists and others, may be eligible for discounts from certain carriers.
Beyond discounts, be mindful of the type of car you buy. Perhaps, with your first substantial paychecks coming in, you’re considering splurging on a new set of wheels.
Be aware that a practical, safe and reliable car will carry a much lower insurance rate than a high-end European sports car.
An excellent resource to compare rates on various car models is CarInsurance.com, which provides guidance, including a rundown of the top teen and young adult-ready cars that cost less than $15,000 with high safety ratings.
Guide: How to lower car insurance in 2023
Final thoughts on car insurance for 22-year-olds
As you gain more experience driving, your auto insurance rates should fall. The even better news? It will continue to get cheaper as you advance toward age 30.
The average full coverage insurance rate for a 30-year-old is $1,673, about $731 less than you can expect to pay at 22.
Also, shop around and compare rates with several different insurers. This should help you get an excellent policy at the best price. You can easily do that with an online calculator.
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 a 18-year-old?
- How much is car insurance for a 19-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 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
Insurance Institute for Highway Safety, Highway Loss Data Institute. “Fatality Facts 2020, Males and Females.” Accessed April 2023.
Methodology
Insurance Institute for Highway Safety, Highway Loss Data Institute. “Fatality Facts 2020, Males and Females.” Accessed April 2023.
Ask the Insurance Expert
Laura Longero
Executive Editor
Laura is an award-winning editor with experience in content and communications covering auto insurance and personal finance. She has written for several media outlets, including the USA Today Network. She most recently worked in the public sector for the Nevada Department of Transportation.
Ask the Insurance Expert
John McCormick
Editorial Director
John is the editorial director for CarInsurance.com, Insurance.com and Insure.com. Before joining QuinStreet, John was a deputy editor at The Wall Street Journal and had been an editor and reporter at a number of other media outlets where he covered insurance, personal finance, and technology.
Ask the Insurance Expert
Leslie Kasperowicz
Managing Editor
Leslie Kasperowicz is an insurance educator and content creation professional with nearly two decades of experience first directly in the insurance industry at Farmers Insurance and then as a writer, researcher, and educator for insurance shoppers writing for sites like ExpertInsuranceReviews.com and InsuranceHotline.com and managing content, now at CarInsurance.com.
Ask the Insurance Expert
Nupur Gambhir
Managing Editor
Nupur Gambhir is a content editor and licensed life, health, and disability insurance expert. She has extensive experience bringing brands to life and has built award-nominated campaigns for travel and tech. Her insurance expertise has been featured in Bloomberg News, Forbes Advisor, CNET, Fortune, Slate, Real Simple, Lifehacker, The Financial Gym, and the end-of-life planning service.