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Ava Lynch

Senior Analyst

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  • Licensed Insurance Agent — Property and Casualty

Ava joined The Zebra as a writer and licensed insurance agent in 2016. She now works as a senior analyst, providing insights and data analysis as one…

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Jean Lucey, CPCU

Faculty, IIAA Virtual University

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  • CPCU, Chartered Property Casualty Underwriter

Jean Lucey has researched and written about insurance matters for well over 30 years. A current member of The Zebra's Insurance Expert Review Bo…

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Ross Martin

Manager, Content Quality

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  • Licensed Insurance Agent — Property and Casualty

Ross joined The Zebra as a writer and researcher in 2019. As a licensed insurance agent, he specializes in writing insurance content to help shoppers…

Car insurance for 19-year-old drivers

The average 19-year-old in the US pays an average of $3,319 per year for auto insurance, according to The Zebra's State of Insurance analysis. This is more than twice as much as the national average auto insurance rate. Despite the expensive coverage, drivers do receive a significant decrease in car insurance rates after turning 19. The difference in monthly auto insurance payments for an 18-year-old versus a 19-year-old is more than $110.

Let's explore the cheapest car insurance policies for 19-year-old drivers and a few other important considerations to keep in mind.


Average car insurance rates for 19-year-olds

The Zebra's analysis of eight major insurance companies found that USAA provided the lowest rates for 19-year-old drivers, with all other metrics constant. State Farm placed second. The important thing to keep in mind with our data is that is reflective of a single driver profile.

Average Car Insurance Rates for 19-Year-Olds
Company Avg. 6 Mo. Premium Avg. Monthly Premium
Allstate $2,623 $437
Farmers $2,159 $360
GEICO $2,003 $334
Liberty Mutual $3,756 $626
Nationwide $2,427 $405
Progressive $2,141 $357
State Farm $1,736 $289
USAA $1,290 $215
Updated: 09/28/23.

Dynamic auto insurance data methodology

Methodology: The auto insurance rates displayed above and throughout this page are dynamic, meaning the data will refresh when the most recent information is made available. Rates are based on a sample driver profile — a 30-year-old single male driver with a Honda Accord and full coverage. This profile was adjusted based on common pricing factors used by major car insurance companies, like age, coverage level, driving record and others.

Rates for 19-year-olds compared to other ages

On average, teen drivers pay $289 more per month than the average rate for all ages. This has to do with the elevated risk presented by young drivers. New drivers have less experience behind the wheel and may take greater risks while driving. This is reflected below in our average car insurance premiums for teens on a family plan.

CAR INSURANCE PREMIUMS BY AGE
Age 6-month Insurance premium with family Monthly premium
16 $1,308 $218
17 $1,242 $207
18 $1,157 $193
19 $1,018 $170
20 $953 $159
21 $860 $143
22 $821 $137
23 $785 $131
24 $764 $127
25 $726 $121

Get auto insurance for a 19-year-old today!

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Car insurance rates by gender for 19-year-olds

Gender is only a substantive rating factor for young drivers. Car insurance companies see young male drivers as statistically more likely to take risks while driving than young female drivers. As such, the average cost of car insurance for a 19-year-old female driver is approximately $200 less expensive per six-month policy. However, Hawaii, Massachusetts, Michigan, Montana, North Carolina and California  now ban the use of gender as a rating factor.

Average Auto Insurance Rates for 19-Year-Old Male Drivers
Company Avg. 6 Mo. Premium Avg. Monthly Premium
Allstate $2,873 $479
Farmers $2,400 $400
GEICO $2,146 $358
Liberty Mutual $4,661 $777
Nationwide $2,700 $450
Progressive $2,298 $383
State Farm $1,897 $316
USAA $1,368 $228
Updated: 09/28/23.

What's the cheapest company for 19-year-old females?

For 19-year-old female drivers, we found that USAA and State Farm were the most affordable companies, with average monthly costs of less than $265. 

Average Car Insurance Rates for 19-Year-Old Female Drivers
Company Avg. 6 Mo. Premium Avg. Monthly Premium
Liberty Mutual $2,852 $475
Allstate $2,374 $396
Nationwide $2,155 $359
Progressive $1,984 $331
Farmers $1,919 $320
GEICO $1,860 $310
State Farm $1,575 $263
USAA $1,212 $202
Updated: 09/28/23.

How does location impact auto insurance rates for 19-year-old drivers?

Location plays a major part in how much a young driver pays for insurance. The state-regulated nature of auto insurance creates discrepancies in premiums from state-to-state. Most states require mandatory minimum liability coverage to cover damages suffered by other drivers and their property, but the monetary amount of this coverage varies. If you live in a state with high insurance minimums, such as Michigan, expect to pay quite a bit for car insurance as a 19-year-old. States with a lower population density and less-stringent laws, such as Michigan's neighbor Ohio, have more affordable premiums.

State Avg. 6 Mo. Premium Avg. Monthly Premium
Alabama $2,209 $368
Alaska $1,995 $332
Arizona $1,973 $329
Arkansas $2,305 $384
California $1,908 $318
Colorado $2,110 $352
Connecticut $2,145 $358
Delaware $2,595 $432
Florida $2,116 $353
Georgia $2,629 $438
Hawaii $777 $129
Idaho $1,404 $234
Illinois $1,980 $330
Indiana $1,487 $248
Iowa $1,570 $262
Kansas $1,895 $316
Kentucky $3,221 $537
Louisiana $2,825 $471
Maine $1,422 $237
Maryland $2,743 $457
Massachusetts $1,954 $326
Michigan $3,057 $510
Minnesota $2,010 $335
Mississippi $2,033 $339
Missouri $1,965 $327
Montana $2,160 $360
Nebraska $1,792 $299
Nevada $2,048 $341
New Hampshire $1,844 $307
New Jersey $2,310 $385
New Mexico $1,691 $282
New York $2,698 $450
North Carolina $964 $161
North Dakota $2,127 $354
Ohio $1,344 $224
Oklahoma $1,775 $296
Oregon $2,215 $369
Pennsylvania $2,202 $367
Rhode Island $2,860 $477
South Carolina $1,915 $319
South Dakota $1,642 $274
Tennessee $1,819 $303
Texas $1,881 $313
Utah $1,779 $296
Vermont $1,726 $288
Virginia $1,574 $262
Washington $1,522 $254
Washington, D.C. $2,278 $380
West Virginia $2,156 $359
Wisconsin $1,360 $227
Wyoming $2,093 $349
Updated: 09/28/23.

Tips: car insurance savings for 19-year-olds

 

Compare auto insurance rates

Your rate can change every six months for any number of reasons, so it's important to see insurance quotes from as many companies as possible. Your rate can vary significantly depending on the company you choose. Enter your ZIP code below to find an affordable option for you.

Good student discount

If you have a 3.0 GPA or better (a B average), you might be eligible for a good student discount. Your insurance company will require proof of this, usually in the form of a report card or transcript. Pairing a good student discount with the defensive driver discount mentioned below can lead to some legitimate savings.

Defensive driver discount

The defensive driver discount encourages young drivers to pass a professional driving course. The logic behind this is that drivers who have completed this course could be less likely to receive a citation or get into an accident. Not every insurance company offers this discount, so inquire with your company or agent.

Student away from home discount

Commonly available to college students, the student away from home discount rewards teenage drivers who will study more than 100 miles from the address listed on their parents' policy. Insurance companies will adjust for the teen's less frequent driving by discounting rates on the auto insurance policy.

Keep your record spotless

Insurance is a double-edged sword: it's great to have, but using it can have expensive consequences. Keep your auto insurance costs down by avoiding citations or at-fault accidents, which will drastically raise your already-high rates. Citations for violations such as DUI or racing — two of the most expensive citations — raise insurance premiums at least 40%. Many insurance companies offer a good driver discount, which depends on maintaining a clean driving record.

Telematics

Telematics, also known as usage-based insurance, uses in-car devices that monitor your driving habits to help determine your premium. Insurance companies use rating factors that are and aren't directly related to your driving record, such as credit score and age. So, if you're a safe teenage driver, consider telematics insurance as a way to show your true self to your insurance company.

Find an affordable auto insurance policy today.

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About The Zebra

The Zebra is not an insurance company. We publish data-backed, expert-reviewed resources to help consumers make more informed insurance decisions.

  • The Zebra’s insurance content is written and reviewed for accuracy by licensed insurance agents.
  • The Zebra’s insurance content is not subject to review or alteration by insurance companies or partners.
  • The Zebra’s editorial team operates independently of the company’s partnerships and commercialization interests, publishing unbiased information for consumer benefit.
  • The auto insurance rates published on The Zebra’s pages are based on a comprehensive analysis of car insurance pricing data, evaluating more than 83 million insurance rates from across the United States.