How much is car insurance for a 19-year-old?
You will pay an average of $3,503 a year for car insurance if you are 19 years of age. That rate is for a policy with liability car insurance limits of 100/300/100 as shown below. Your specific rate depends on your residence, your driving record, type of car, the coverage limits and other factors. Look at the charts below for the average annual rates by state.
The rates for a separate teen policy are based on having the following coverage limits on a 2017 Honda Accord, along with any other state required coverages, and a deductible of $500. We also show how much the cost goes up for parents to add a 19-year-old driver to their policy:
- $100,000 for injury liability for one person
- $300,000 for all injuries in one accident
- $100,000 for property damage
Car insurance for a 19-year-old woman
| State | Teen policy | Parent policy | Parents' policy with teen |
|---|---|---|---|
| Alaska | $3,088 | $1,318 | $2,427 |
| Alabama | $3,918 | $1,479 | $2,373 |
| Arkansas | $3,656 | $1,550 | $2,609 |
| Arizona | $3,221 | $1,533 | $2,551 |
| California | $4,284 | $2,018 | $2,899 |
| Colorado | $3,627 | $1,733 | $2,772 |
| Connecticut | $4,562 | $1,914 | $3,571 |
| DC | $3,383 | $1,690 | $2,651 |
| Delaware | $3,829 | $1,736 | $2,696 |
| Florida | $4,931 | $2,502 | $3,844 |
| Georgia | $3,834 | $1,638 | $2,683 |
| Hawaii | $1,309 | $1,287 | $1,364 |
| Iowa | $2,295 | $1,054 | $1,762 |
| Idaho | $2,518 | $1,105 | $1,781 |
| Illinois | $2,760 | $1,208 | $2,104 |
| Indiana | $2,600 | $1,237 | $1,945 |
| Kansas | $2,910 | $1,408 | $2,098 |
| Kentucky | $3,927 | $1,682 | $2,778 |
| Louisiana | $5,122 | $2,547 | $4,026 |
| Massachusetts | $3,613 | $1,469 | $2,505 |
| Maryland | $3,570 | $1,615 | $2,477 |
| Maine | $2,095 | $879 | $1,433 |
| Michigan | $6,515 | $2,900 | $4,871 |
| Minnesota | $2,557 | $1,233 | $2,039 |
| Missouri | $2,915 | $1,350 | $1,938 |
| Mississippi | $3,117 | $1,400 | $2,093 |
| Montana | $3,470 | $1,530 | $1,991 |
| North Carolina | $1,336 | $1,150 | $1,346 |
| North Dakota | $2,478 | $1,155 | $1,758 |
| Nebraska | $2,544 | $1,230 | $1,783 |
| New Hampshire | $2,751 | $1,159 | $2,083 |
| New Jersey | $3,364 | $1,595 | $2,613 |
| New Mexico | $3,217 | $1,387 | $2,315 |
| Nevada | $4,055 | $1,905 | $3,264 |
| New York | $3,172 | $1,777 | $2,869 |
| Ohio | $2,348 | $997 | $1,549 |
| Oklahoma | $3,509 | $1,812 | $3,014 |
| Oregon | $3,446 | $1,504 | $2,430 |
| Pennsylvania | $3,446 | $1,503 | $2,608 |
| Rhode Island | $4,374 | $1,939 | $3,600 |
| South Carolina | $3,337 | $1,653 | $2,417 |
| South Dakota | $2,552 | $1,226 | $1,761 |
| Tennessee | $2,961 | $1,214 | $2,171 |
| Texas | $4,420 | $1,618 | $2,802 |
| Utah | $2,863 | $1,267 | $2,090 |
| Virginia | $2,353 | $929 | $1,504 |
| Vermont | $2,307 | $1,004 | $1,803 |
| Washington | $2,825 | $1,269 | $2,111 |
| Wisconsin | $2,496 | $1,148 | $1,761 |
| West Virginia | $3,319 | $1,351 | $2,094 |
| Wyoming | $2,596 | $1,384 | $1,951 |
Car insurance for a 19-year-old man
| State | Teen policy | Parent policy | Parents' policy with teen |
|---|---|---|---|
| Alaska | $3,800 | $1,318 | $2,723 |
| Alabama | $4,549 | $1,479 | $2,548 |
| Arkansas | $4,400 | $1,550 | $2,815 |
| Arizona | $3,814 | $1,533 | $2,817 |
| California | $5,156 | $2,018 | $3,415 |
| Colorado | $4,283 | $1,733 | $2,981 |
| Connecticut | $5,590 | $1,914 | $4,205 |
| DC | $4,309 | $1,690 | $3,074 |
| Delaware | $4,666 | $1,736 | $2,981 |
| Florida | $5,605 | $2,502 | $4,112 |
| Georgia | $4,822 | $1,638 | $3,149 |
| Hawaii | $1,309 | $1,287 | $1,364 |
| Iowa | $2,773 | $1,054 | $1,999 |
| Idaho | $3,136 | $1,105 | $2,052 |
| Illinois | $3,347 | $1,208 | $2,317 |
| Indiana | $3,230 | $1,237 | $2,163 |
| Kansas | $3,519 | $1,408 | $2,317 |
| Kentucky | $4,686 | $1,682 | $3,083 |
| Louisiana | $6,236 | $2,547 | $4,497 |
| Massachusetts | $3,613 | $1,469 | $2,505 |
| Maryland | $4,467 | $1,615 | $2,856 |
| Maine | $2,597 | $879 | $1,859 |
| Michigan | $6,598 | $2,900 | $4,941 |
| Minnesota | $3,260 | $1,233 | $2,249 |
| Missouri | $3,524 | $1,350 | $2,197 |
| Mississippi | $3,593 | $1,400 | $2,291 |
| Montana | $3,470 | $1,530 | $1,991 |
| North Carolina | $1,336 | $1,150 | $1,369 |
| North Dakota | $3,078 | $1,155 | $1,977 |
| Nebraska | $3,070 | $1,230 | $2,008 |
| New Hampshire | $3,320 | $1,159 | $2,377 |
| New Jersey | $3,785 | $1,595 | $2,908 |
| New Mexico | $3,911 | $1,387 | $2,621 |
| Nevada | $4,816 | $1,905 | $3,746 |
| New York | $4,221 | $1,777 | $3,591 |
| Ohio | $2,826 | $997 | $1,761 |
| Oklahoma | $4,269 | $1,812 | $3,490 |
| Oregon | $3,925 | $1,504 | $2,638 |
| Pennsylvania | $3,417 | $1,503 | $2,608 |
| Rhode Island | $5,333 | $1,939 | $4,227 |
| South Carolina | $4,157 | $1,653 | $2,760 |
| South Dakota | $3,291 | $1,226 | $2,036 |
| Tennessee | $3,609 | $1,214 | $2,496 |
| Texas | $5,259 | $1,618 | $3,150 |
| Utah | $3,473 | $1,267 | $2,381 |
| Virginia | $2,922 | $929 | $1,704 |
| Vermont | $2,931 | $1,004 | $2,121 |
| Washington | $3,281 | $1,269 | $2,274 |
| Wisconsin | $3,143 | $1,148 | $2,069 |
| West Virginia | $4,069 | $1,351 | $2,419 |
| Wyoming | $3,584 | $1,384 | $2,308 |
Cheap car insurance for a 19-year-old
If you are looking to pay the least amount you can to drive legally, you should buy a policy that satisfies just your state’s minimum car insurance requirements. You will pay less for minimum liability limits, but you will also have less protection. If you go this route, your insurance will pay for others’ injuries and car damage, but not for your own injuries or car repairs. You’ll see in the charts below how much minimum coverage costs, on average, per year in each state, for a teen buying his or her own policy. Included is also how much it costs to add a driver age 19 to a parents' policy.
Cheap car insurance for a 19-year-old woman
| State | Teen policy | Parent policy | Parents' policy with teen |
|---|---|---|---|
| Alaska | $841 | $353 | $710 |
| Alabama | $1,360 | $465 | $798 |
| Arkansas | $1,269 | $483 | $883 |
| Arizona | $1,139 | $489 | $875 |
| California | $1,174 | $557 | $788 |
| Colorado | $1,245 | $529 | $845 |
| Connecticut | $2,123 | $866 | $1,609 |
| DC | $1,370 | $676 | $1,071 |
| Delaware | $1,806 | $830 | $1,320 |
| Florida | $2,003 | $1,030 | $1,580 |
| Georgia | $1,306 | $578 | $1,008 |
| Hawaii | $426 | $420 | $440 |
| Iowa | $733 | $329 | $588 |
| Idaho | $952 | $389 | $669 |
| Illinois | $1,102 | $460 | $840 |
| Indiana | $942 | $442 | $715 |
| Kansas | $1,006 | $441 | $717 |
| Kentucky | $1,289 | $489 | $894 |
| Louisiana | $1,617 | $729 | $1,261 |
| Massachusetts | $1,295 | $556 | $918 |
| Maryland | $1,692 | $772 | $1,184 |
| Maine | $815 | $351 | $587 |
| Michigan | $2,833 | $1,557 | $2,334 |
| Minnesota | $1,144 | $555 | $930 |
| Missouri | $995 | $428 | $664 |
| Mississippi | $1,086 | $417 | $694 |
| Montana | $932 | $367 | $525 |
| North Carolina | $598 | $491 | $597 |
| North Dakota | $757 | $342 | $542 |
| Nebraska | $913 | $390 | $604 |
| New Hampshire | $1,164 | $497 | $889 |
| New Jersey | $1,501 | $791 | $1,225 |
| New Mexico | $1,129 | $443 | $778 |
| Nevada | $1,234 | $544 | $1,026 |
| New York | $1,328 | $764 | $1,232 |
| Ohio | $943 | $382 | $593 |
| Oklahoma | $1,065 | $462 | $845 |
| Oregon | $1,766 | $785 | $1,290 |
| Pennsylvania | $1,103 | $479 | $831 |
| Rhode Island | $1,789 | $745 | $1,461 |
| South Carolina | $1,132 | $491 | $796 |
| South Dakota | $649 | $279 | $442 |
| Tennessee | $1,074 | $436 | $810 |
| Texas | $1,526 | $563 | $1,023 |
| Utah | $1,226 | $518 | $879 |
| Virginia | $901 | $355 | $575 |
| Vermont | $732 | $325 | $574 |
| Washington | $1,092 | $448 | $819 |
| Wisconsin | $826 | $378 | $605 |
| West Virginia | $1,262 | $538 | $822 |
| Wyoming | $583 | $320 | $451 |
Cheap car insurance for a 19-year-old man
| State | Teen policy | Parent policy | Parents' policy with teen |
|---|---|---|---|
| Alaska | $978 | $353 | $780 |
| Alabama | $1,583 | $465 | $860 |
| Arkansas | $1,493 | $483 | $937 |
| Arizona | $1,348 | $489 | $961 |
| California | $1,371 | $557 | $906 |
| Colorado | $1,478 | $529 | $928 |
| Connecticut | $2,523 | $866 | $1,840 |
| DC | $1,674 | $676 | $1,230 |
| Delaware | $2,137 | $830 | $1,449 |
| Florida | $2,138 | $1,030 | $1,600 |
| Georgia | $1,588 | $578 | $1,170 |
| Hawaii | $426 | $420 | $440 |
| Iowa | $849 | $329 | $652 |
| Idaho | $1,142 | $389 | $746 |
| Illinois | $1,280 | $460 | $907 |
| Indiana | $1,124 | $442 | $777 |
| Kansas | $1,130 | $441 | $765 |
| Kentucky | $1,498 | $489 | $980 |
| Louisiana | $1,966 | $729 | $1,431 |
| Massachusetts | $1,295 | $556 | $918 |
| Maryland | $2,032 | $772 | $1,325 |
| Maine | $935 | $351 | $717 |
| Michigan | $2,832 | $1,557 | $2,333 |
| Minnesota | $1,315 | $555 | $963 |
| Missouri | $1,171 | $428 | $739 |
| Mississippi | $1,218 | $417 | $749 |
| Montana | $932 | $367 | $525 |
| North Carolina | $598 | $491 | $604 |
| North Dakota | $859 | $342 | $578 |
| Nebraska | $1,073 | $390 | $672 |
| New Hampshire | $1,363 | $497 | $988 |
| New Jersey | $1,577 | $791 | $1,333 |
| New Mexico | $1,323 | $443 | $866 |
| Nevada | $1,455 | $544 | $1,195 |
| New York | $1,665 | $764 | $1,455 |
| Ohio | $1,099 | $382 | $662 |
| Oklahoma | $1,288 | $462 | $1,011 |
| Oregon | $1,941 | $785 | $1,363 |
| Pennsylvania | $1,095 | $479 | $831 |
| Rhode Island | $2,126 | $745 | $1,687 |
| South Carolina | $1,348 | $491 | $864 |
| South Dakota | $795 | $279 | $500 |
| Tennessee | $1,274 | $436 | $922 |
| Texas | $1,791 | $563 | $1,119 |
| Utah | $1,461 | $518 | $993 |
| Virginia | $1,101 | $355 | $642 |
| Vermont | $893 | $325 | $656 |
| Washington | $1,263 | $448 | $892 |
| Wisconsin | $962 | $378 | $663 |
| West Virginia | $1,491 | $538 | $918 |
| Wyoming | $748 | $320 | $513 |
*CarInsurance.com commissioned Quadrant Information Services to run auto insurance rates for a 2017 Honda Accord LX for 10 ZIP codes in each state using six large carriers -- Allstate, Farmers, GEICO, Nationwide, Progressive and State Farm. (In cases where one of the insurers doesn't return a rate, another major carrier in that state is substituted.)
Teen driver safety
Teens pay the highest car insurance rates on average. That's because auto insurance companies view teens riskier. Teens have less driving experience and get into more accidents.
Teen drivers are safer motorists than their parents when they were young. Teen driver-related fatalities have dropped since the 1990s, but National Highway Traffic Safety Administration found the trend is heading back in the wrong direction. There were 2,082 teen-involved fatal accidents in 2016. That was an increase over 1,886 in 2015.
Despite teens being safer drivers than decades ago, car crashes remain the number one killer of U.S. teens.
A 2017 Governors Highway Safety Association report found that most fatal teen crashes don't involve younger teens. Older teens are actually more at risk of being involved in a deadly accident than 16- and 17-year-olds. One possible reason is that older teens face fewer Graduated Driving License (GDL) laws.
GDL laws
GDL laws are a way that states look to reduce crashes and fatalities involving teen drivers.
State GDL laws include learner's permit, minimum hours of supervised driving and restrictions on passengers and hours a teen can operate a vehicle. States additionally ban teens from texting and using cell phones while driving.
GDL laws are strictest for younger drivers. That means 16- and 17-year-olds have more restrictions than 18- and 19-year-olds. In fact, by the time you're 19, you likely have little restrictions on your driving. Check your state's GDL laws to find out what limitations (if any) that you have as a 19-year-old.
Adding a 19-year-old driver to parents' policy can save money
Most states consider a 19-year-old to be an adult, so drivers at this age can buy their own car insurance. However, mom and dad frequently take the easier -- and cheaper -- approach of putting the teenager on their policy, especially if he or she lives at home.
It's usually cheaper because insurance companies set premiums after they look at various factors, including the policy holder's experience and driving record.
Penny Gusner, the consumer analyst for CarInsurance.com, says that a 19-year-old probably won't get the same coverage savings as parents. Those discounts include multi-vehicle, multi-policy and loyalty. These price breaks will help, but adding a 19-year-old will still increase rates regardless.
When parents should add a teen to a policy (and when they shouldn't)
You may want to break away from your parents and get your own insurance policy. That may or may not be a good idea.
Here are a few situations to help you decide how to handle auto insurance:
The 19-year-old lives with parents and has a clean driving record
It's usually a good idea to have your parents add you to their policy.
"It's typically less expensive to stay on the parents' policy for as long as possible," Gusner says.
You may even help lower your parents' premiums by qualifying for a good driver's discount if you have been a licensed driver for at least three years and have a clean driving record.
The 19-year-old has a good record but doesn't live with parents
A separate policy may be smart if you own a car and live on your own. You should also have coverage when you don't own a car, but drive another vehicle regularly, such as your roommate's.
Gusner says these situations could call for 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.
"Or, if the 19-year-old has a roommate and uses that person's vehicle regularly, he could be added to the owner's car insurance policy," Gusner adds.
The 19-year-old lives with 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 or not depends on the number and severity of the accidents and moving violations.
Gusner says parents should compare car insurance and shop around to determine how much it would cost to keep you on the family policy versus a separate policy in your name.
"Normally, it's still cheaper for the 19-year-old to be on the parent's policy and take advantage of discounts the parents have that trickle down to the kid, such as multi-car, multi-policy and others," she says. "But again, it's all about the driving history."
The 19-year-old has a poor record and doesn't live with parents
Parents should take a teen with a poor driving record off the family policy if he or she no longer lives at home. That means you're on your own and you should get a policy in your name.
"The parents' rates should go down if (the teen) is taken off," she says. "Usually to take the teen off, parents must show that the teen driver has a new auto policy of his or her own and/or a driver's license with a different address on it."
What's the best insurance for teenage drivers?
Start with liability car insurance, which pays for others' injuries and damage you cause to their property in an accident. Gusner says thinking the state-minimum coverage is enough is a mistake. Medical costs can quickly escalate if there are major physical injuries. Bills can also skyrocket with property damages.
Just imagine the costs if the accident involves an expensive vehicle or other significant property. You'd have to pay out-of-pocket once those costs exceeded your liability limits.
Besides hiking your liability amount, Gusner suggests purchasing an umbrella policy, which raises liability protection after you reach those basic limits. An umbrella with $1 million or more of protection may be a reasonable option.
If you're financing your vehicle, states usually require comprehensive and collision coverage. If you paid off your car, you decide if you want these optional protections, which pay to fix your car if wrecked 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. Keep in mind that you'd then have to pay for minor repairs following an accident.
The average yearly rate for comprehensive is $139, and collision costs $297, for an annual total of $436, according to the Insurance Information Institute.
Car insurance discounts for 19-year-olds
Discounts can help offset the added costs of having a teen on a policy. They vary from state and company, but here are common car insurance discounts:
- Good driver: An insurer may offer a discount of 10 to 25 percent if a 19-year-old keeps a clean record for at least three years.
- Good student: A company could provide a discount of up to 15 percent for drivers who maintain a 3.0 or "B" average. Gusner says this applies to students in either high school or college.
- Driver's ed: You may be able to get a 5 percent discount if you completed a driver education course.
What are the best cars for a 19-year-old?
Sedans and small to midsize SUVs are usually cheaper to insure.
"Sports cars and expensive vehicles with lots of bells and whistles typically are more expensive as the insurer would need to pay out more if the car was damaged or totaled out," Gusner said.
It's important to think about safety. The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) has some valuable advice:
- Try to get Electronic Stability Control (ESC). This feature, which helps a driver maintain control on curves and slippery roads, is about as good at reducing risks as safety belts, says the IIHS.
- Avoid high horsepower. "Vehicles with more powerful engines can tempt (young drivers) to test the limits," says the IIHS.
- 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 under $15,000 with high safety ratings.
Compare car insurance rates to get the best deal
Whether you get your own policy or your parents add you to theirs, it's important to shop around for car insurance. Each insurer bases rates differently. You can save hundreds by shopping around and finding the lowest prices for the coverage you want.
Compare car insurance quotes from multiple insurance companies.
No matter what insurance company you choose, you'll likely pay much higher rates as a 19-year-old as older drivers. Car insurance gets cheaper as you age. Average car insurance rates by age show that premiums begin to decrease significantly when drivers turn 26.
Check out the other teen driver pages on CarInsurance.com:
Being 19 years old means you're a step closer to full adulthood. There are many benefits to being an adult. One is that you'll pay less for car insurance.
However, if you make sure you practice safe driving, compare car insurance rates and maximize discounts, you will find cheaper car insurance rates for a 19-year-old.