The Cheapest Car Insurance for 16-Year-Olds

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How much is car insurance for a 16-year-old?

A policy for a 16-year-old driver on their own with full coverage costs an average of $714 per month.

State Farm also has the cheapest rates for minimum coverage, at an average of $226 per month. Travelers and Geico are other affordable options for new teen drivers.

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Farmers has the most expensive insurance policies for 16-year-olds, at an average of $1,235 per month. That's $751 more per month than State Farm, which has the cheapest rates. This is why it's so important to compare insurance quotes every time you shop. Finding the best rate may save you hundreds of dollars per month.

Cheap full coverage car insurance for 16-year-old drivers

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How do car insurance rates for 16-year-olds compare to other ages?

That's because 16-year-olds are all but guaranteed to be the least experienced drivers on the road. Less experienced drivers tend to get in more accidents, which makes them more expensive for companies to cover.

The good news is that as you get older, rates typically drop, so by the time you're in your 20s, you may be paying half of what car insurance cost you as a 16-year-old.

Average car insurance cost for 16-year-old male vs. female drivers

That's an average rate of $742 per month for boys at age 16 and $685 per month for girls the same age.

Car insurance tends to cost more for men than women, especially for young drivers. That's because younger men are much more likely to be in a fatal car crash than younger women.

Not all states allow companies to use your gender as part of setting your car insurance rates.

In these states, you shouldn't pay any more or less for a policy because of your gender.

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Car insurance rates for 16-year-olds by state

For example, 16-year-olds in New York pay an average of $278 more per month than those in Pennsylvania for full coverage.

Monthly car insurance quotes for 16-year-olds

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How to get cheap auto insurance as a 16-year-old

Being added to a parent's plan and shopping around for rates are the two best ways for a 16-year-old to get cheap car insurance.

Parents who put their 16-year-olds on their policy can expect a big jump in their monthly rate. But that generally is still much cheaper than buying separate coverage.

Whether you add a teen driver to your policy or get a separate one for them, it's always a good idea to shop around. Rates can differ by hundreds of dollars per month, so be sure to look around whenever your coverage needs to be renewed or your life situation changes.

Other ways you might be able to save on car insurance for a 16-year-old:

Ask about discounts. Your car insurance company likely offers a wide range of discounts that can help you save money.

As a high school student, you can save with a good student discount. Companies often give you a break on rates if you have a 3.0 GPA (B average) or better.

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You can enroll in a safe driving discount program. Companies offer safe driving discount programs that track your driving habits and reward you with lower rates. If you drive less, you can also save with a low-mileage discount.

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Drive a cheap car. If you have an expensive car, it costs more to repair or replace, which means higher rates. Cheaper cars cost less to cover, as do safer cars like SUVs and sedans.

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Increase your deductible. If you select a higher deductible, you'll pay less for insurance. But after an accident, you'll have to pay more. The key is to pick a deductible you can afford to pay in an emergency.

Purchase less coverage. It's usually the safest route financially to get full coverage insurance, which protects your car if you cause an accident. But you can save money if you get less protection.

Minimum coverage might not pay the full bill if you cause an accident, but you could save money by dropping your comprehensive and collision coverage. That can be a good idea if your car is more than 8 years old or worth less than $5,000.

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Can a 16-year-old get their own car insurance?

Yes, a 16-year-old can get their own car insurance policy. However, unless you are legally emancipated, you will need to have a parent or guardian cosign the agreement, as minors can't sign legally binding contracts.

Frequently asked questions

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Methodology

ValuePenguin collected quotes from four of the most populated states in the U.S. to find the average cost of car insurance for a 16-year-old. Quotes are for male and female 16-year-olds with clean driving records, good credit and a 2015 Honda Civic EX.

Minimum coverage policies match the minimum coverage limits in each state. Full coverage includes comprehensive and collision coverage, as well as higher liability limits than the state requirements.

Rates were collected from seven car insurance companies. Not every company is in every state.

This analysis compiled insurance rate data using Quadrant Information Services. Rates used are sourced publicly from insurer filings. They should only be used for comparative purposes. Your own quotes may be different.