Cheap Car Insurance for 18-Year-Olds

How much is car insurance for an 18-year-old?

The typical 18-year-old driver's insurance rate for car insurance is $356 per month — equating to $2,136 per six-month policy.

Affordable car insurance can be difficult to find as an 18-year-old young driver. Even though many 18-year-olds are leaving high school and entering the real world, car insurance companies still see them as "high-risk," due to their relative lack of experience behind the wheel — they are more prone to getting in a car accident or receiving citations on their driving record. Therefore, their average car insurance rate will be much higher than that of an older driver.

We've outlined the best cheap car insurance companies for 18-year-old drivers — as well as some easy ways to save — in our comprehensive guide.

The cheapest car insurance companies for an 18-year-old driver

In The Zebra's survey of hundreds of top insurance companies, USAA and GEICO had the cheapest auto insurance rates for 18-year-old drivers.

The above table illustrates just how much variance exists from company to company. One of the best ways to find a cheap car insurance rate as an 18-year-old is to compare car insurance quotes often.

Consider this data as a starting point and continue to research your specific profile across multiple companies.

Car insurance rates for 18-year-olds: by gender

Your gender can affect your premium just like your age. When evaluating risk, insurance companies see young males as statistically more likely to take unsafe driving risks than young female drivers — and therefore, are higher-risk clients. Because of this, they are more expensive to insure. Still, it's worth considering that as you age, the difference between men and women becomes less significant. In fact, some states don't use gender as a metric for determining car insurance rates at all.

AVERAGE PREMIUMS FOR 18-YEAR-OLD DRIVERS: MALES AND FEMALES

What's the cheapest company for an 18-year-old male?

We gathered rates from some of the top car insurance companies in the U.S. to help young drivers start their search for auto insurance in the right place. 

USAA and GEICO again came out on top, offering much lower rates than other insurance companies for 18-year-old male drivers.

What's the cheapest company for an 18-year-old female?

Auto insurance for young female drivers is pricey but less expensive than the rates paid by their male counterparts. See below for average costs by insurance company in our survey of rates for 18-year-old female drivers.

Start your search with GEICO if you don't qualify for USAA. These auto insurance providers offer relatively affordable rates for an 18-year-old female driver.

18-year-old car insurance rates by location

Your car insurance premium depends on state laws and regulations, so the amount you pay varies based on where you live. By law, most states require mandatory minimum insurance coverage for your bodily injury and property liability coverages, but the amount of required coverage differs by state. Have a look at average premiums below.

How to find cheap car insurance as an 18-year-old

Look into the following options if you're looking for ways to save money on your auto insurance rate.

Good student discount

If you excel at school by maintaining a grade point average of 3.0 ("B") or better, insurance companies will return some savings to you. When combined with the defensive driver discount mentioned below, a good student insurance discount can help you save some serious money on auto insurance.

GOOD STUDENT + GOOD DRIVER DISCOUNTS — AVERAGE ANNUAL SAVINGS

Defensive driver discount

Younger drivers who have taken a defensive driving course are less likely to receive a citation or get into an accident. Like the good student discount, your insurance company will usually require proof of this such as a receipt. Not every insurance provider offers this discount, so ask your insurer about this option.

Student away from home discount

If you attend school more than 100 miles from the residence listed on your car insurance policy, you can receive a student away from home discount. This discount lists the 18-year-old driver as an "infrequent driver."

Compare insurance rates

Although it is exceedingly expensive to insure a teen driver, it isn't impossible. By shopping around with as many insurance companies as possible, you are able to see all of your options and make the best and cheapest choice for you.

Drive a cheaper or older vehicle

One way to lower rates for teen drivers is to put them behind the wheel of a less expensive vehicle. Cars that are a few years old still feature many of the same safety benefits featured by newer cars, but their overall cost to insure tends to be much cheaper. In general, to keep rates down for teens, it's always a good idea to avoid sports cars of any kind.