On average, it costs about $275 per month to add a 16-year-old driver to your family’s auto insurance policy. But a separate policy with full coverage for a 16-year-old will cost you around $470 per month.
How much is car insurance for a 16-year-old?
The average cost of car insurance for a 16-year-old driver added to a parent’s policy is about $275 per month or $3,300 per year.
Due to teens’ lack of driving experience, their risk of being involved in a car accident is much greater than that of other age groups. That means you can expect to pay higher insurance premiums for the young driver in your life.
On average, 16-year-old drivers pay:
- 6% more than 17-year-olds
- 21% more than 18-year-olds
- 31% more than 19-year-olds
- 43% more than 21-year-olds
- 67% more than 25-year-olds
Learn more: Find the best cheap car insurance for teens
Gender plays a significant role in car insurance rates for 16-year-olds
On average, 16-year-old male drivers pay about 15% more for the same coverage than 16-year-old female drivers. Statistics play a big role in this. Male drivers tend to have a higher rate of car accidents, unsafe driving, and traffic violations—particularly in their early years.
Per the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS), deadly car crash rates for male drivers between the ages of 16-19 are about twice the rate for female drivers in the same age bracket.1
But while gender can impact your car insurance in most states, that’s not the case everywhere. These seven states ban insurance companies from using gender to rate drivers: California, Hawaii, Massachusetts, Michigan, Montana, North Carolina, and Pennsylvania.
When do insurance rates go down?
Compared to more experienced drivers, inexperienced teen drivers pay higher rates for car insurance. As long as you maintain a clean driving record, you can expect your premium to slowly decrease after the age of 16. But many drivers will see their car insurance rates go down dramatically after they turn 25 years old.
Our experts analyzed thousands of car insurance policies purchased by real Jerry users to learn more about how age affects average monthly car insurance rates. Here’s what they found:
| Age group | Minimum liability | Full coverage |
|---|---|---|
| Under 18 | $275 | $681 |
| 18–21 | $248 | $542 |
| 22–25 | $163 | $369 |
| 26–34 | $122 | $274 |
| 35–44 | $109 | $242 |
Learn more: Why is my car insurance so high?
The best car insurance companies for 16-year-old drivers
So what are the best options for parents adding a 16-year-old driver to their existing policy? Here’s what we found after our experts analyzed insurance rates from some of the nation’s top insurance providers:
| Insurance company | Average cost to add a 16 year old |
|---|---|
| Nationwide | $2,603 |
| GEICO | $2,818 |
| Progressive | $2,986 |
| USAA | $3,012 |
| State Farm | $3,012 |
| Allstate | $3,146 |
Keep in mind that car insurance quotes vary greatly among carriers based on factors like your driving record, location, and previous insurance claims. When adding a new driver to your insurance policy—especially a teenage driver—it’s always smart to shop around to make sure you’re getting the best deal.
When you shop with Jerry, we’ll compare real quotes from dozens of insurance companies, so you can feel confident you’re getting the best rate for yourself and your teen.
Learn more: The best car insurance companies of 2024
Who has the lowest rates when adding a 16-year-old to an existing policy?
Based on our findings, Nationwide policyholders only see a slight increase in their rates, around $217 per month or $2,603 per year, after adding a 16-year-old driver to the family policy. Furthermore, Nationwide offers some great car insurance discounts for teenage drivers.
Additionally, families with teen drivers can take advantage of Nationwide’s SmartRide®. This usage-based insurance program tracks and rewards safe driving habits (i.e. following the speed limit or gentle braking) with up to 25% off your premium. You’ll even receive a 10% discount just for signing up!
And if SmartRide detects that you’re practicing unsafe driving habits, your car insurance rates won’t go up like other telematics programs.
Families can also save based on the miles their teen drives everyday with Nationwide’s SmartMiles®, a low-mileage program for policyholders who drive less often
State Farm’s safe driving program can help teens build their driving skills (and win discounts)
Although you’ll usually see higher auto insurance rates when adding a 16-year-old driver to a State Farm policy, they also have a safe driving program that may help alleviate insurance costs.
Steer Clear® encourages safe driving practices for young drivers under 25 years. Participants must complete five course training lessons, along with five hours of driving practice in at least 10 trips to receive a certificate of completion. Once your teen driver receives their certificate, just send it to your insurance agent for a 15 to 20% discount on your existing policy.
Do I have to add my 16-year-old to my insurance?
You have to add your 16-year-old to your car insurance policy, unless they own their own vehicle and live at a different address from you. But adding your teen driver is much easier and cheaper compared to purchasing a separate policy for them. Why?
- Considering that minors can’t sign legal contracts on their own, most 16-year-old drivers can’t purchase their own car insurance policy.
- Compared to having them purchase their own policy, you’ll save about 42% when adding your 16-year-old to your family policy.
- When you have a clean driving record, it’s usually cheaper to add a teen driver to your insurance policy compared to those with a reckless driving history.
It might go without saying, but don’t allow your teen to drive without car insurance as this could result in hefty fines and severe legal repercussions.
Consider increasing your coverage if you have a teen driver
If you’re looking for the cheapest car insurance, it might be tempting to just opt for the state minimum coverage. But this move could create even more financial hardship—especially with a teen driver on your policy.
State minimum liability coverage provides some protection, but if your teen causes an accident that results in significant property damage or serious injuries to another driver, it might not be enough. To better protect yourself from lawsuits, consider increasing your liability limits—our experts recommend at least $50,000 of bodily injury liability per person, $100,000 of bodily injury liability per accident, and $50,000 of property damage liability per accident.
But liability insurance only covers repairs and medical expenses for other drivers. If you want coverage for your own vehicle, you’ll need to invest in full coverage car insurance.
Full coverage, which includes both collision and comprehensive coverage, helps pay to repair or replace your car if it’s damaged due to an accident, theft, severe weather, or more. Because teens are more likely to get into a car accident, if you drop full coverage, you could end up paying thousands in repair costs.
Research by the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) shows that the crash-per-mile rate for 16-year-olds is over 1.5 times higher than that of 18- and 19-year-old drivers.
Don’t take the risk of paying for a totaled car out of pocket. A full coverage policy can help you protect your finances with a 16-year-old driver.
How to save on car insurance with a 16-year-old
While adding a young driver to your car insurance can be expensive, there are many strategies you can follow to help keep your car insurance premium affordable.
1. Invest in a used vehicle with strong safety ratings
All 16-year-olds pay extra for car insurance—but teens with sports cars, luxury rides, huge pickups, and other expensive or unsafe vehicles can expect to see astronomical quotes for coverage. Instead, shop around for a safe and affordable used compact car or SUV for your teen driver.
Our experts analyzed the average monthly cost of minimum liability and full coverage for several vehicles on Consumer Reports and IIHS’s list of Safe Vehicles for Teens. Here’s what they found:
| Vehicle | Minimum liability | Full coverage |
|---|---|---|
| Subaru Outback | $149 | $290 |
| Subaru Forester | $173 | $337 |
| Toyota Tacoma | $173 | $346 |
| Subaru Legacy | $156 | $349 |
| Toyota RAV4 | $173 | $374 |
| Toyota Prius | $187 | $462 |
| Mazda 3 | $237 | $488 |
| BMW 3 Series | $188 | $516 |
| Toyota Sienna | $248 | $523 |
| Lexus UX | $295 | $598 |
Note that these are average rates for drivers 18–25 who purchased their own policy.
2. Teach your teen safe driving habits
Nearly all top car insurance companies offer telematics or usage-based discounts to policyholders to encourage safe driving. Providers track drivers’ habits via a mobile app or plug-in device, then reward safe behaviors with a discount.
But even if your insurance isn’t tracking your driving, safe habits behind the wheel will eventually lead to lower insurance premiums as your teen establishes a good driving history. When you start teaching your teen how to drive, always prioritize the following:
- Gentle acceleration and braking: Aggressive braking and harsh acceleration raise the risk of an accident and put unnecessary wear on your vehicle.
- Daytime driving: In most states, nighttime driving is restricted for teen drivers due to the dangers of low visibility and motorist fatigue.
- Limit phone usage: Using a cell phone while driving is a major distraction for all drivers, not just teens. In 2021, distracted driving killed an estimated 3,522 people.2
3. Take advantage of good grades
When your teen maintains a B average or better, many insurance providers will reward your teen driver with a “good student discount”. You can usually receive up to 20% off your annual insurance premium.
Here are some of the top insurance carriers with good student discounts:
| Insurance company | Average discount offered |
|---|---|
| AAA | Up to 14% |
| Allstate | Up to 20% |
| Amica | Up to 15% |
| Country Financial | Up to 25% |
| Farm Bureau | Varies by state |
| Farmers Insurance | Varies by state |
| GEICO | Up to 15% |
| Nationwide | 15% |
| Progressive | Up to 10% |
| Safeco | Up to 20% |
| State Farm | Up to 25% |
| USAA | 3% |
4. Be ready to adjust your coverage
As long as you have a teen on your policy, you should have collision coverage and comprehensive insurance—but you may still be able to make adjustments to your insurance coverage for a better rate.
For example, you might be able to reduce your bodily injury and property damage liability coverage limits, drop add-ons like rental car reimbursement insurance, or raise your full coverage deductibles for a slight reduction in your rate.
Keep in mind: While protection should be your priority, small changes to your coverage can help balance your budget while you’re dealing with steep teen insurance rates.
5. Look into driver education and defensive driving courses
Expert training can improve your 16-year-old’s driving skills—and may help you earn discounts on your policy.
Many insurance companies offer car insurance discounts for teens who complete a driver education or defensive driving course. If your teen has a violation or car accident on their driving record, they may be able to get a rate reduction by enrolling in an approved course.
In many cases, all teenagers in your household will need to complete the course in order to qualify for a discount.
6. Don’t panic if things go wrong
Accidents, hefty fines, and rate increases happen. And for a new 16-year-old licensed driver, it’s all part of the normal learning process.
But if you’re having trouble finding cheap car insurance after your teen driver gets into a car accident or receives their first speeding ticket, download the Jerry app.
You’ll be able to compare the best rates for your household in the app and speak to a team of licensed insurance agents who can help you navigate the treacherous waters of teen insurance. No matter what happens, Jerry has your back.
Resources for 16 year old drivers and families
- IIHS-HLDI/Consumer Reports: Safe vehicles for teens 2023
- CDC : Parent-teen driving agreement
- NHTSA: Teen safe driving guide
- American Safety Council: 6 apps that help prevent texting while driving
- National Safety Council: Pointers for Parents: Roadmap to Teen Driver Safety
FAQ
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How much would insurance be for a 16 year old with a Mustang?
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Can a 16 year old get their own car insurance in Florida?
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Which age group pays most for car insurance?
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What is the most affordable car insurance for a 16 year old?
Sources
- https://www.google.com/url?q=https://www.iihs.org/topics/fatality-statistics/detail/teenagers&sa=D&source=docs&ust=1713358971883240&usg=AOvVaw03SwV3d0bBXkADmhldeW9O ↩︎
- https://www.google.com/url?q=https://www.nhtsa.gov/risky-driving/distracted-driving&sa=D&source=docs&ust=1713358971882246&usg=AOvVaw0ZUKUb2c5ZtvJe7tvRJUy4 ↩︎
Mariza Morin is an insurance writer with over 10 years of experience in the writing and research industry. Mariza specializes in car insurance, car maintenance, and home insurance content at Jerry, and has over 600+ published articles that help readers handle everything from scheduling regular car maintenance to saving money. Before joining Jerry’s editorial team, Mariza earned her Masters in Library and Information Studies from the University of Wisconsin-Madison and a B.A. in Art History and Photography from the University of Texas at Arlington.
Expert insurance writer and editor Amy Bobinger specializes in car repair, car maintenance, and car insurance. Amy is passionate about creating content that helps consumers navigate challenges related to car ownership and achieve financial success in areas relating to cars. Amy has over 10 years of writing and editing experience. After several years as a freelance writer, Amy spent four years as an editing fellow at WikiHow, where she co-authored over 600 articles on topics including car maintenance and home ownership. Since joining Jerry’s editorial team in 2022, Amy has edited over 2,500 articles on car insurance, state driving laws, and car repair and maintenance.
