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Average cost of car insurance for 16-year-olds (2024)

The average cost of car insurance for a 16-year-old is $342 per month, but a few companies have much cheaper rates.

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By

Andrew HurstSenior Editor & Licensed Auto Insurance ExpertAndrew Hurst is a senior editor at Policygenius who has spent his entire career writing about life, disability, home, auto, and health insurance. His work has been featured in The New York Times, The Wall Street Journal, the Washington Post, Forbes, USA Today, NPR, Mic, Insurance Business Magazine, and Property Casualty 360.

Updated|7 min read

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We found that car insurance for 16-year-olds costs an average of $342 per month ($4,105 per year) if you add a 16-year-old to an existing full-coverage policy, or $565 per month ($6,779 per year) for standalone coverage.

Car insurance costs 16-year-olds much more than most older drivers, and costs male drivers who join an existing policy $49 per month more than female drivers. But 16-year-olds of any gender (and their parents) can find cheaper car insurance by shopping around and getting quotes from multiple companies.

Geico Logo

Best for adding a driver

Rating: 4.6/5 ★

Monthly cost: $231

What we like: Cheap rates and national availability

COUNTRY Financial logo

Best for a standalone policy

Rating: 3.9/5 ★

Monthly cost: $262

What we like: Cheap rates and discounts for 16-year-olds

See rates for 16-year-old drivers and find coverage today

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Best cheap car insurance for 16-year-olds: GEICO and COUNTRY

The two best car insurance companies for a 16-year-old driver are GEICO and COUNTRY. Both have cheap rates, along with great customer service, useful add-ons for customizing your coverage, and discounts for younger drivers.

GEICO

4.6

Policygenius rating

How we score: Policygenius’ ratings are determined by our editorial team. Our methodology takes multiple factors into account, including pricing, financial ratings, quality of customer service, and other product-specific features.

GEICO logo

Cost

$231 per month, $2,773 per year

GEICO is the best insurance company for newly licensed 16-year-olds who can join an existing family policy. GEICO has cheap rates for 16-year-olds (and their parents), plus discounts that can make coverage even more affordable.

GEICO is the best car insurance for families with a newly licensed 16-year-old in the house. GEICO isn’t the absolute cheapest company when it comes to adding a teenage driver, but it’s the most affordable company that’s also available in every state.

We found that it costs drivers about $231 per month ($2,773 per year) to add a 16-year-old to a GEICO policy. That’s $111 cheaper per month than average — a drop of about 32%.

GEICO also offers 16-year-olds a few ways to save on car insurance, including discounts for maintaining a “B” grade-point average or higher, joining an honor society, and being active in student organizations.

COUNTRY

4.3

Policygenius rating

How we score: Policygenius’ ratings are determined by our editorial team. Our methodology takes multiple factors into account, including pricing, financial ratings, quality of customer service, and other product-specific features.

COUNTRY logo

Cost

$262 per month, $3,145 per year

COUNTRY is one of two companies that has the cheapest average car insurance for 16-year-olds who get their own car policy, but its age-tailored discounts sets it apart as our best pick.

COUNTRY has the lowest car insurance rates for 16-year-old drivers who don’t join an existing policy and opt to get their own coverage instead. We found that a full-coverage policy from COUNTRY costs $262 per month. While that’s expensive, it’s actually 54% less than average for that age.

COUNTRY also offers discounts that are specifically targeted at teenage drivers, including:

  • Simply Drive discount: For 16- and 17-year-olds with clean driving records who complete COUNTRY’s eight question online test. 

  • Good student discount: For young drivers who maintain at least a B average in school. You can receive another discount after graduating college, too.

  • Driver training discount: For drivers who have completed an accredited defensive driving course.

Cost of car insurance for 16-year-olds by company

We found that the average cost of car insurance for a 16-year-old driver who joins an existing policy can vary by as much as $6,447 per year depending on the company. If you’re adding a newly licensed 16-year-old to a policy, the overall cheapest company is NJM, a regional insurance company only available in five states.

But 16-year-old drivers who get their own car insurance policies will pay more than families who add a teen to an existing policy, and the gap between the cheapest and most expensive company for standalone 16-year-old car insurance is much larger, up to $12,682 per year depending on the company. 

COUNTRY and Erie are the cheapest car insurance companies for 16-year-olds —  both cost $252 per month on average.

Depending on whether they want to get their own insurance or join an existing policy, 16-olds can also find low rates with larger companies like GEICO and State Farm.

Average insurance cost for a 16-year-old vs. other teen drivers

Adding a 16-year-old to an existing insurance policy costs $4,105 per year on average. That makes 16-year-olds the most expensive age group to add to a car insurance policy. But as drivers get older and gain experience behind the wheel, their insurance gets cheaper over time.

While adding a teen to your car insurance is pricey, it’s even more expensive for a newly licensed teen to get their own policy. Standalone car insurance for 16-year-olds costs $185 more per month than average for a driver younger than 25 years old — and $5,127 more per year than average for most drivers.

Sixteen-year-olds pay more for car insurance because of their lack of driving experience. They’re more likely to get into crashes and file claims than older drivers. [1] As the following table shows, rates for older drivers and seniors are far cheaper than for teens.

Age

Monthly cost

Yearly cost

16

$565

$6,779

17

$489

$5,868

18

$411

$4,931

19

$319

$3,822

20

$273

$3,265

21

$226

$2,708

25

$161

$1,929

30

$142

$1,706

35

$138

$1,654

45

$132

$1,583

55

$122

$1,463

60

$121

$1,449

65

$125

$1,494

70

$132

$1,585

Collapse table

Source: Cost of full-coverage insurance for 16-year-olds, from Policygenius analysis of public rate data (via Quadrant Information Services).

Cost of car insurance for 16-year-old male and female drivers

On average, car insurance costs more for a 16-year-old male driver than a female driver of the same age. We found that car insurance for a 16-year-old boy is $49 more per month (or $588 more per year) than for a 16-year-old girl who joins their parents’ policy. 

However, seven states have made it illegal for insurance companies to use gender or sex to determine car insurance costs.

Policy

Add a male driver

Add a female driver

Difference

Monthly cost

$364

$315

$49

Annual cost

$4,364

$3,776

$588

Source: Cost of full-coverage insurance for 16-year-olds, from Policygenius analysis of public rate data (via Quadrant Information Services).

Why is insurance for 16-year-old boys more expensive?

It all comes down to risk. Insurance companies base rates off of data and statistics — and research shows that teenage male drivers are more than two times as likely to die in a car crash than their female counterparts.

What is the cheapest car insurance for a 16-year-old in every state?

The company with the cheapest rates for 16-year-olds varies by state. The national average cost of car insurance for 16-year-olds is $342 each month, but the cheapest company in your state could cost half that, depending on where you live.

USAA or GEICO are the cheapest companies for 16-year-olds in the most states.

State

Company

Monthly cost

Alabama

USAA

$159

Alaska

USAA

$193

Arizona

GEICO

$146

Arkansas

Farm Bureau

$183

California

Wawanesa

$179

Colorado

National General

$146

Connecticut

General Electric

$132

Delaware

USAA

$253

District of Columbia

GEICO

$216

Florida

USAA

$281

Georgia

USAA

$186

Hawaii

USAA

$85

Idaho

State Farm

$136

Illinois

Pekin

$132

Indiana

Allstate

$151

Iowa

IMT

$123

Kansas

USAA

$168

Kentucky

GEICO

$219

Louisiana

Farm Bureau

$239

Maine

Auto-Owners

$121

Maryland

USAA

$157

Massachusetts

USAA

$230

Michigan

Farm Bureau

$110

Minnesota

Farm Bureau

$102

Mississippi

USAA

$181

Missouri

USAA

$129

Montana

USAA

$166

Nebraska

Farm Bureau

$163

Nevada

GEICO

$232

New Hampshire

MMG

$156

New Jersey

GEICO

$135

New Mexico

USAA

$159

New York

Progressive

$216

North Carolina

State Farm

$145

North Dakota

North Star

$146

Ohio

GEICO

$154

Oklahoma

American Famers and Ranchers

$157

Oregon

COUNTRY

$195

Pennsylvania

Nationwide

$170

Rhode Island

GEICO

$302

South Carolina

State Auto

$127

South Dakota

Farm Bureau

$213

Tennessee

USAA

$191

Texas

Redpoint

$113

Utah

Farm Bureau

$177

Vermont

Auto-Owners

$142

Virginia

USAA

$172

Washington

PEMCO

$178

West Virginia

GEICO

$205

Wisconsin

GEICO

$126

Wyoming

USAA

$201

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Source: Cost of full-coverage insurance for 16-year-olds, from Policygenius analysis of public rate data (via Quadrant Information Services).

Average cost of car insurance for 16-year-olds by state

The average cost of adding a 16-year-old driver to your car insurance is $331 per month, which is $2,805 less per year than the cost of getting standalone insurance for a newly licensed driver.

We compared the average cost to add a driver with the cost of independent car insurance for a 16-year-old and found that older Louisianians can save the most from adding a teen to their car insurance.

If your state’s average rates for 16-year-olds are high, you can still find cheaper rates by comparing quotes from different companies.

See rates for 16-year-old drivers and find coverage today

We don't sell your information to third parties.

State

Monthly cost

Annual cost

Alaska

$346

$4,151

Alabama

$423

$5,074

Arkansas

$343

$4,116

Arizona

$367

$4,405

California

$363

$4,361

Colorado

$349

$4,184

Connecticut

$374

$4,491

District of Columbia

$428

$5,130

Delaware

$447

$5,364

Florida

$514

$6,171

Georgia

$383

$4,593

Hawaii

$144

$1,726

Iowa

$202

$2,426

Idaho

$234

$2,810

Illinois

$317

$3,808

Indiana

$244

$2,924

Kansas

$273

$3,275

Kentucky

$481

$5,775

Louisiana

$548

$6,575

Massachusetts

$373

$4,482

Maryland

$375

$4,495

Maine

$270

$3,244

Michigan

$404

$4,847

Minnesota

$256

$3,067

Missouri

$335

$4,020

Mississippi

$363

$4,359

Montana

$368

$4,421

North Carolina

$227

$2,726

North Dakota

$264

$3,164

Nebraska

$280

$3,361

New Hampshire

$266

$3,186

New Jersey

$436

$5,228

New Mexico

$282

$3,388

Nevada

$481

$5,776

New York

$452

$5,419

Ohio

$215

$2,576

Oklahoma

$355

$4,256

Oregon

$279

$3,344

Pennsylvania

$370

$4,435

Rhode Island

$456

$5,470

South Carolina

$362

$4,342

South Dakota

$263

$3,153

Tennessee

$319

$3,831

Texas

$348

$4,172

Utah

$372

$4,464

Virginia

$362

$4,340

Vermont

$243

$2,912

Washington

$413

$4,951

Wisconsin

$221

$2,652

West Virginia

$401

$4,813

Wyoming

$327

$3,922

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Source: Cost of full-coverage insurance for 16-year-olds, from Policygenius analysis of public rate data (via Quadrant Information Services).

What is the cost of standalone 16-year-old car insurance?

On average, Hawaii has the cheapest car insurance for 16-year-old drivers who want their own policy. That’s because companies in Hawaii can’t use your age to determine what you’ll pay, which keeps rates lower for younger drivers.

Louisiana, on the other hand, has the most expensive insurance for 16-year-olds. The average cost of car insurance for newly licensed drivers in Louisiana is $13,666 per year. Luckily, insurance for many 16-year-olds in the Bayou State will cost much less.

State

Monthly cost

Annual cost

Alabama

$634

$7,606

Alaska

$427

$5,128

Arizona

$597

$7,158

Arkansas

$599

$7,182

California

$461

$5,530

Colorado

$612

$7,345

Connecticut

$810

$9,721

Delaware

$854

$10,247

District of Columbia

$668

$8,021

Florida

$880

$10,564

Georgia

$597

$7,168

Hawaii

$123

$1,472

Idaho

$437

$5,241

Illinois

$517

$6,202

Indiana

$376

$4,512

Iowa

$355

$4,265

Kansas

$480

$5,756

Kentucky

$745

$8,937

Louisiana

$1,139

$13,666

Maine

$369

$4,431

Maryland

$605

$7,255

Massachusetts

$571

$6,855

Michigan

$692

$8,300

Minnesota

$400

$4,794

Mississippi

$563

$6,759

Missouri

$531

$6,376

Montana

$657

$7,878

Nebraska

$505

$6,063

Nevada

$765

$9,174

New Hampshire

$437

$5,245

New Jersey

$929

$11,148

New Mexico

$483

$5,795

New York

$560

$6,723

North Carolina

$265

$3,185

North Dakota

$535

$6,415

Ohio

$370

$4,434

Oklahoma

$652

$7,819

Oregon

$498

$5,973

Pennsylvania

$596

$7,154

Rhode Island

$877

$10,524

South Carolina

$586

$7,031

South Dakota

$464

$5,567

Tennessee

$515

$6,178

Texas

$614

$7,371

Utah

$649

$7,789

Vermont

$353

$4,231

Virginia

$479

$5,742

Washington

$575

$6,899

West Virginia

$574

$6,889

Wisconsin

$426

$5,108

Wyoming

$471

$5,649

Collapse table

Source: Cost of full-coverage insurance for 16-year-olds, from Policygenius analysis of public rate data (via Quadrant Information Services).

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

A 16-year-old can get their own car insurance policy, but it’s usually easier and cheaper to add them to your policy once they’re licensed.

Insurance companies already require you to include every driver in your household on your policy. You can exclude your 16-year-old from your policy to avoid the rate increase by filing a form with your insurance company, but then they won’t be able to drive your car.

If they’re not yet licensed, a 16-year-old may not need to get their own insurance or join yours. Companies sometimes cover student drivers if they’re not fully licensed. Just contact your provider when your 16-year-old gets their permit to make sure you follow the rules of your insurance agreement — and be sure to officially add them to your policy once they’re licensed.

How to get car insurance for a 16-year-old

Getting covered as a 16-year-old is more difficult than it is for an adult driver. This is because minors aren’t legally allowed to enter into an insurance agreement by themselves. 

Before a 16-year-old gets their own car insurance, they will have to get approval from a guardian. But, once they have permission, a 16-year-old’s car insurance works the same as it would for an adult driver.

How to get cheaper car insurance for 16-year-olds

While the average 16-year-old’s car insurance rates can be thousands of dollars more expensive per year than an older driver, there are still ways that teens can get affordable coverage.

One of the best ways to keep the cost of car insurance for 16-year-olds low is by adding your teen driver to your family policy. It will make your own car insurance more expensive, but thousands of dollars cheaper per year than buying separate coverage.

You can also lower the cost of insurance for a 16-year-old by:

  • Search for driver-specific discounts: Most companies, including Erie and COUNTRY, offer discounts catered to young drivers, like savings for keeping grades high, completing driving classes, and, sometimes, for being a part of certain clubs.

  • Sign up for usage-based insurance programs: Most major car insurance companies offer discounts for using their usage-based or telematics programs. After monitoring your 16-year-old’s driving habits, the company may lower your rates (assuming they drive safely).

  • Consider a pay-per-mile policy: You can pay by the mile for your car insurance with Root, Allstate, Nationwide, and Liberty Mutual. These policies may be cheaper for 16-year-olds who don’t drive frequently and own their own cars.

  • Increase your deductible amounts: Some types of coverage, like comprehensive and collision, require a per-claim deductible that you set when you buy your policy. A higher deductible means a cheaper premium, but it means you’ll pay more out of pocket when you file a claim.

  • Drop coverage for an older car: You should keep as much liability insurance as you can afford, but if your teen drives an older car that isn’t worth much, you can pay less for car insurance by dropping comprehensive and collision coverage for that vehicle.

Since a 16-year-old driver’s average car insurance rates depend heavily on location and vary by company, the easiest way to find the cheapest car insurance for a 16-year-old is to compare the cost of coverage from multiple providers in your area.

See rates for 16-year-old drivers and find coverage today

We don't sell your information to third parties.

Frequently Asked Questions

What does car insurance cost for a 16 year old?

While everyone’s rates depend on their location, driving history, credit score, and other factors, the average cost of car insurance for a 16-year-old that's added to an existing policy is $342 per month. It costs $565 per month for a standalone policy.

How much is insurance for a 16-year-old boy compared to a 16-year-old girl?

Car insurance is more expensive for 16-year-old male drivers than it is for female drivers. Newly licensed 16-year-old boys who are added to an existing policy pay an average of $49 per month more for car insurance, or $588 per year.

When can you take a 16-year-old off of your insurance?

Most of the time, you won’t be able to remove a 16-year-old who lives at your house from your policy until they move out and buy their own car. Insurance companies require all licensed drivers in a household who have access to the insured vehicle to be licensed. You can exclude a 16-year-old from your insurance, but that means they won’t be able to drive your car at all.

Methodology

Policygenius found the cost of car insurance for adding a 16-year-olds driver to an existing policy using rates provided by Quadrant Information Services. Our rates were from every ZIP code in all 50 states plus Washington, D.C., and were for a 2017 Toyota Camry LE driven 10,000 miles per year.

Our sample fully covered our vehicle with these coverage limits:

  • Bodily injury liability: 50/100

  • Property damage liability: $50,000

  • Uninsured/underinsured motorist: 50/100

  • Comprehensive: $500 deductible

  • Collision: $500 deductible

Some carriers may be represented by affiliates or subsidiaries. Rates provided are a sample of costs. Your actual quotes may differ.

References

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Policygenius uses external sources, including government data, industry studies, and reputable news organizations to supplement proprietary marketplace data and internal expertise. Learn more about how we use and vet external sources as part of oureditorial standards.

  1. Transportation Research Record: Journal of the Transportation Research Board

    . "

    Detection of Road Hazards by Novice Teen and Experienced Adult Drivers

    ." Accessed August 05, 2022.

Author

Andrew Hurst is a senior editor at Policygenius who has spent his entire career writing about life, disability, home, auto, and health insurance. His work has been featured in The New York Times, The Wall Street Journal, the Washington Post, Forbes, USA Today, NPR, Mic, Insurance Business Magazine, and Property Casualty 360.

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