How Much is Car Insurance for 19-Year-Olds?
Fact-checked with HomeInsurance.com
19-year-olds are often driven by independence and excited for adulthood, but car insurance is enough to put a damper on enthusiasm.
While the national average cost of car insurance is priced at $1555 per year, younger drivers are known to fall subject to significantly higher rates due to their inexperience. Simply put, it is expensive to be a new driver on the road. That’s why it’s so crucial to shop your options and find affordable auto insurance, especially for 19-year-old drivers.
Car insurance for 19-year-olds
While the average auto policy hovers around $1,500 a year, 19-year-old drivers face policies priced more than double that amount. The average 19-year-old driver pays $3,996 each year for car insurance. Which, although steep, is much less than the average $5,335 price tag affixed to an 18-year-old’s personal policy, and is also more affordable than the average cost of adding a teenage driver to a parent’s policy. Adding a male teenage driver to an adult’s policy can add as much as $4,048.
As a teen driver grows older and gains more experience on the road, you will see these prices slowly decrease. However, accidents or points on your record can do just the opposite and instead cause your car insurance rates to skyrocket, so safe driving is the best way to ensure your rate goes down.
19-year-old car insurance rates: male vs female
There is a marked difference in the genders when it comes to male and female drivers, especially for 19-year-old drivers. There is a difference of more than $540 between the two genders at this age, as indicated in the table below. This changes over time, however. Adult, male drivers tend to actually pay an average of $11 less on minimum liability policies, as the difference between the genders evens out with age and maturity.
| Female | $3,725 |
| Male | $4,266 |
Quadrant information services, 2020
How much is car insurance for 19-year-olds in my state?
Where you live can also have a huge impact on how much you pay as a 19-year-old driver. The table below includes Quadrant data used to analyze the average car insurance for 19-year-olds across all states, comparing both female 19-year-old drivers and male 19-year-old drivers to provide a more comprehensive portrait of average rates.
Average cost of insurance by state (19-year-olds)
| State | Female | Male | Average cost |
|---|---|---|---|
| Alaska | $3,331 | $4,145 | $3,738 |
| Alabama | $3,147 | $3,814 | $3,480 |
| Arkansas | $3,064 | $3,651 | $3,358 |
| Arizona | $3,335 | $3,882 | $3,609 |
| California | $3,798 | $3,993 | $3,896 |
| Colorado | $3,283 | $3,861 | $3,572 |
| Connecticut | $4,209 | $4,884 | $4,547 |
| District of Columbia | $3,704 | $4,587 | $4,145 |
| Delaware | $4,057 | $4,928 | $4,492 |
| Florida | $4,696 | $5,443 | $5,070 |
| Georgia | $3,467 | $4,135 | $3,801 |
| Hawaii | $1,170 | $1,179 | $1,175 |
| Iowa | $2,033 | $2,414 | $2,224 |
| Idaho | $2,160 | $2,563 | $2,361 |
| Illinois | $3,657 | $4,468 | $4,063 |
| Indiana | $2,333 | $2,836 | $2,584 |
| Kansas | $3,003 | $3,501 | $3,252 |
| Kentucky | $3,547 | $4,263 | $3,905 |
| Louisiana | $4,982 | $5,710 | $5,346 |
| Massachusetts | $3,702 | $3,703 | $3,703 |
| Maryland | $4,122 | $5,080 | $4,601 |
| Maine | $1,572 | $1,904 | $1,738 |
| Michigan | $7,254 | $7,287 | $7,270 |
| Minnesota | $3,026 | $3,585 | $3,305 |
| Missouri | $3,403 | $4,106 | $3,755 |
| Mississippi | $2,917 | $3,502 | $3,210 |
| Montana | $3,015 | $3,013 | $3,014 |
| North Carolina | $1,512 | $1,512 | $1,512 |
| North Dakota | $2,590 | $3,093 | $2,842 |
| Nebraska | $2,506 | $2,880 | $2,693 |
| New Hampshire | $2,621 | $3,125 | $2,873 |
| New Jersey | $5,052 | $6,032 | $5,542 |
| New Mexico | $2,758 | $3,244 | $3,001 |
| Nevada | $4,883 | $5,637 | $5,260 |
| New York | $5,462 | $6,458 | $5,960 |
| Ohio | $2,026 | $2,375 | $2,200 |
| Oklahoma | $3,044 | $3,551 | $3,297 |
| Oregon | $2,963 | $3,344 | $3,154 |
| Pennsylvania | $3,781 | $3,782 | $3,782 |
| Rhode Island | $4,454 | $5,326 | $4,890 |
| South Carolina | $2,789 | $3,300 | $3,045 |
| South Dakota | $2,669 | $3,113 | $2,891 |
| Tennessee | $2,699 | $3,044 | $2,872 |
| Texas | $4,354 | $5,453 | $4,904 |
| Utah | $2,846 | $3,344 | $3,095 |
| Virginia | $2,305 | $2,745 | $2,525 |
| Vermont | $2,210 | $2,708 | $2,459 |
| Washington | $2,348 | $2,840 | $2,594 |
| Wisconsin | $2,619 | $3,077 | $2,848 |
| West Virginia | $3,375 | $4,113 | $3,744 |
| Wyoming | $2,688 | $3,695 | $3,191 |
Quadrant information services, 2020
Most expensive states for car insurance for 19-year-olds
Based on the data findings, these are the top five most expensive states for car insurance for 19-year-olds.
- Louisiana: $5,346
- Michigan: $7,270
- Nevada: $5,260
- New Jersey: $5,542
- New York: $5,960
Louisiana has a high number of uninsured drivers, while Michigan has a special way of handling auto insurance in the state, requiring all drivers to carry personal injury protection (PIP) coverage. Both New York and New Jersey are no-fault states, and while New Jersey has the highest population density in the country, New York drivers often fall victim to insurance fraud. All of these factors can contribute to higher insurance costs overall for these states.
Least expensive states for car insurance for 19-year-olds
On the contrary, these are the five most affordable states for 19-year-old car insurance.
- Hawaii: $1,175
- Iowa: $2,224
- Maine: $1,738
- North Carolina: $1,512
- Ohio: $2,200
Hawaii is the cheapest state for auto insurance simply because not as many residents drive there. Made up of islands, it is not as navigable as other states. Other states like Iowa and Maine are more densely populated states with fewer uninsured drivers on the road to drive up auto insurance premiums.
Car insurance rates by insurance carrier for 19-year-olds
With so many insurance companies to choose from, finding the most affordable car insurance carrier for 19-year-olds isn’t always so easy. Quadrant data indicates these companies offer the cheapest auto insurance carriers for 19-year-olds.
- Erie: $2,106
- USAA: $2,712
- GEICO: $3,383
With Erie’s personalized service, USAA’s military-specific support and GEICO’s discounts, you can find the most affordable auto insurance rates for 19-year-olds.
Not all insurance providers are so affordable, however. These are the most expensive providers for average 19-year-old auto insurance.
- The Hanover: $11,298
- Farmers: $5,284
- MetLife: $5,081
By a large margin, The Hanover charges the highest amount for the average 19-year-old auto policy, making it a last-choice recommendation for most 19-year-old drivers.
| By Carrier | Female | Male | Overall average |
|---|---|---|---|
| Erie | $1,937 | $2,275 | $2,106 |
| USAA | $2,561 | $2,862 | $2,712 |
| GEICO | $3,171 | $3,596 | $3,383 |
| AAA | $3,817 | $3,899 | $3,858 |
| Travelers | $3,572 | $4,182 | $3,877 |
| Progressive | $3,809 | $4,301 | $4,055 |
| State Farm | $3,858 | $4,645 | $4,251 |
| Nationwide | $3,805 | $4,735 | $4,270 |
| Allstate | $4,590 | $5,292 | $4,941 |
| MetLife | $4,626 | $5,537 | $5,081 |
| Farmers | $4,926 | $5,642 | $5,284 |
| The Hanover | $10,888 | $11,707 | $11,298 |
How to get cheap car insurance for 19-year-olds
Keep in mind with the figures quoted here, your auto insurance policy will differ, as rates are highly customized based on each driver’s profile. In addition, there are many things you can do to lower the price of your auto premiums to make your car insurance more affordable. Here are a few suggestions:
Discounts
Car insurance companies offer many ways to save with the help of additional discounts. Good grades are one way to save extra money on your policy. If you spend your semesters away from home, your insurance company could discount your policy to account for less driving time as well.
Your car
The kind of car you drive can affect how much you pay in auto insurance. If your car is newer, it is less likely to break down or become a hazard on the road. It is also more likely to feature newer safety technologies that can protect you and keep your policy claims-free.
Credit score
Many 19-year-olds do not have an extensive credit report to prove to an auto insurance provider that they are financially responsible. There are still ways to build your credit even when you have new credit, and your auto insurance policy will be better for it.
Claims-free record
The fewer accidents on your record, the more likely a car insurance company is to reward you with lower insurance premiums. By driving safely and limiting points on your record, you can enjoy more affordable car insurance.
Car insurance rates for 19-year-olds with good student discount
Good grades can make a pretty significant difference in how much you pay for car insurance for a 19-year-old. When an auto insurance provider sees that you are earning high marks in school, it shows them that you are responsible and are more likely to be a safer, low-risk driver.
When you receive good grades in school, 19-year-olds can save up to 9% off their total policy for an average savings of $335.
Rate with discount: $3,661
Rate without discount: $3,996
Savings: 9%
In what states does the good student discount save you the most?
19-year-olds that live in Wyoming, Montana or Vermont can save the most on an auto insurance policy just by earning good grades. A good student discount in Wyoming can mean as much as 20% off a policy, while Minnesota averages 18% and Vermont follows at 16%.
This can translate into several hundred dollars in savings, making your insurance more affordable and giving you greater choices when it comes to your provider.
Good student discount savings
| State | Rate with discount | Rate without discount | Savings |
|---|---|---|---|
| Wyoming | $2,667 | $3,191 | 20% |
| Minnesota | $2,811 | $3,305 | 18% |
| Vermont | $1,494 | $1,738 | 16% |
| Maine | $2,142 | $2,459 | 15% |
| Vermont | $3,561 | $4,063 | 14% |
| Illinois | $2,572 | $2,891 | 12% |
| South Dakota | $3,348 | $3,755 | 12% |
| Missouri | $4,067 | $4,547 | 12% |
| Connecticut | $3,009 | $3,358 | 12% |
| Arkansas | $3,727 | $4,145 | 11% |
The takeaway
- Car insurance for 19-year-olds is more expensive than it is for the average driver, but is far less than that of 18-year-old drivers on their own policy.
- The cost of car insurance for a 19-year-old male is significantly more than the cost of car insurance for a female of the same age.
- Where you live, the kind of car you drive and what grades you earn in school can potentially save you money on your car insurance.
- To find more affordable car insurance for 19-year-olds, consider what discounts your insurance provider offers and keep a clean driving record with a good credit score.
Methodology
Coverage utilizes Quadrant Information Services to analyze quoted rates from thousands of zip codes across all 50 states including Washington D.C. Quoted rates are based on the profiles of a 19-year-old male and female, each with a clean record driving a 2016 Honda Civic. The drivers had the following coverage details:
- $50k bodily injury liability per person
- $100k bodily injury liability coverage per crash
- $50k property damage liability coverage per crash
- $500 collision coverage deductible
- $500 comprehensive coverage deductible
To look at the effect of a good driver discount, we analyzed rates for the profile both with and without the discount applied. These rates should be used to inform your car insurance shopping process, but note that your actual rates may differ.
