The cost of car insurance for a 16-year-old, varies. Your location, driving history, and policy type can make a big difference. You should try to add your teen to a parent's policy for the lowest rates. Expect to be spending roughly $1,000-$14,000 annually.
The average car insurance cost for a 16-Year-old driver
To keep it simple, we've compiled a list of each of the 10 most populated states in the US. These states make up roughly 54% of the population in the country. This gives you a good jumping-off point when researching insurance. Don't see your state? Fill out our online form to get an exact quote here.
These numbers are an annual average. Below we show a parent policy with a 16-year-old (male and female) vs a separate policy.
Is it better to insure your teen on your existing policy or a separate policy?
Usually, it is cheaper to add a teen to your existing policy than to get separate insurance for the young driver. Some insurance companies will raise everyone's rate in the policy when trying to add a teen. So it may still be cheaper to have the whole family on the same policy, just a different one from what you have. By keeping your teen on your policy, you can take advantage of certain discounts (i.e a multi-vehicle discount).
What affects car insurance prices for 16-year-old drivers?
- Driver’s Education- A lot of insurers offer a discount for par-taking in a safe drivers course.
- Separate Insurance Versus Parents’ Insurance- If your teen still lives at home, you can save hundreds of dollars by adding them to your policy.
- State Laws- States vary in their pricing. For instance, someone in North Carolina pays significantly less than someone in Florida.
Money-saving tips for teen insurance
Below are some easy discounts most people can qualify for. Be sure to take advantage of any discounts you can to lower your rates as much as possible.
- Good Student Discounts- By having good grades, your teen demonstrates understanding responsibility. This qualifies them for a discount with most insurance companies
- Defensive Driving Class- Look into discounts offered to teens who take part in "Driver's Ed" or similar courses
- Occasional Operator- Does your teen only drive limited hours such as to and from school? You can add them to your vehicle insurance as an "Occasional Operator" to receive a discount
- Student Away- For students who are "away at school", some companies will lower your rates when they are not home
- Low-Mileage- If you know your teen won't be driving often, ask your insurer about a low-mileage discount. This is something almost anyone can take advantage of, not just teens
- Anti-Theft Devices- Some insurers offer a discount when you install an anti-theft device in your vehicle. The discount will vary on your state and the type of anti-theft device
- Bundling Home and Auto Insurance- A lot of insurers will offer discounted insurance bundles. Consider insuring your home and auto together for a lower rate
- Safe Driving- With today's technology, you can download apps that monitor your teen’s driving habits. Some insurers give discounts for good driving while using these apps
- Type of Car- Buying a cheaper, older car for your teen will cost you less with insurance than buying them a new sports car. Since the car is worth less, your insurance is less. You can save further by dropping comprehensive and collision coverage
How to begin your search
Finding the best and cheapest car insurance for a 16-year-old driver, can be a challenge. It requires research, shopping around, and asking for applicable discounts. Everyone is different. What might work well for your friend could be an awful deal for you. Don't be afraid to reach out to insurers over the phone and ask questions.
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