Best Car Insurance for New Drivers
How to find the best cheap car insurance for new drivers
Key takeaways
- New teen drivers on their parents' policy pay nearly $2,664 per year for coverage, nearly twice the national average
- Nationwide provides the cheapest rates on average for newer drivers (at $290 per month)
- Insurance companies consider drivers "new" until three years of US driving experience
- Around 40% of new drivers shopping at The Zebra get "basic" coverage, a full coverage policy with liability limits of 50/100/50
What is the cheapest car insurance for new drivers
Our research indicates Nationwide, USAA and GEICO provide the cheapest insurance rates for new and young drivers. See below for a few examples of insurance features and discounts these companies offer new drivers.
1. NationwideÂ
While $1,142 is not exactly a cheap premium, it's still among the cheapest available for a 16-year-old male. Similarly, the company is on the lower end for drivers with no insurance history, coming in at $661 for a six-month policy. Nationwide also provides some specific policy features designed to help young or new drivers.
What makes it good for new drivers?
- A good student discount for young drivers who maintain at least a B average.Â
- Accident forgiveness prevents a driver's insurance rate from going up after their first at-fault accident.
- Roadside assistance in case a driver finds themselves stranded or otherwise experiencing car troubles.Â
- The Nationwide SmartRide usage-based insurance program measures a driver's safety habits in order to provide a more accurate (and oftentimes cheaper) rate.
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2. GEICO
GEICO has long been one of the more affordable major car insurance companies, and that holds true for newer and younger drivers as well. A policy costs $257 per month for a 16-year-old male, dramatically cheaper than most competitors' rates for a 16-year-old. The average car insurance rate for a new driver at age 30 comes in at a more reasonable $105 — still much lower than many other insurers. GEICO also provides some specific features designed to help younger or newer drivers.
What makes it good for new drivers?
- Discounts for good grades or membership in certain student organizations.Â
- Company-designed driver education and safety programs.Â
- Discounts for drivers who complete driver training programs.
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3. USAA
USAA is known as one of the cheapest major insurance companies for drivers of any age or background. For a male 16-year-old driver, USAA premiums average $1,105 for a six-month policy, while those for a driver with no previous insurance history come in at an average of $664. USAA offers cheaper rates in general due to its stringent eligibility guidelines, as drivers must be active military, veterans, or in a military family in order to be eligible. For those who are eligible, USAA has many features that newer drivers may want to consider.
What makes it good for new drivers?
- The USAA SafePilot program is USAA's entry into telematics, offering drivers the chance to save money by practicing safe driving habits.Â
- A discount for drivers under 21 who complete a driver training program.
- A good student discountÂ
Read on to see other cheap insurance companies for new drivers, or enter your ZIP code below to start shopping for quotes from top companies.
New and seasoned drivers alike can compare car quotes and find an affordable policy
Who is considered a new driver?
In general, car insurance companies will consider "new drivers" to be those without prior driving experience. In addition to teens just getting their license for the first time, any adults with no previous driving history as often counted as new drivers regardless of age.
Newly-immigrated individuals are also considered to be new drivers. Since these populations have no insurance history in this country or are thought to have never driven before, insurance providers consider them a higher risk. As such, rates will reflect this. Still, new drivers will be granted insurance and can take advantage of discounts, coverage options, and comparison sites like The Zebra to help find the best possible rate.
How long are you considered a new driver?
Most insurance companies consider a driver as "new" until they have three years of driving experience in the United States. This can vary from one company to another, but the longer you are able to establish a safe driving history, the lower you can expect your rates to be.Â
Cheap car insurance companies for first-time drivers
In auto insurance terms, a "new driver" is someone with no driving history or insurance record. This can include newly licensed teenagers, young adults or people who obtained their driver's license later in life, or drivers new to the U.S. Each of these first-time drivers faces a similar challenge when it comes to finding cheap car insurance.
To generate estimated auto insurance prices for new drivers, The Zebra's research team used two driver profiles (methodology). One driver is a teenager on their parents' policy and another is a 30-year-old driver, previously uninsured. See below typical car insurance rates for a first-time driver with zero driving history. Keep in mind that most 16-year-olds are likely to stay on their parents' policy.
| Car Insurance Company | Average 12-Month Premium | |
|---|---|---|
| Allstate | $3,840 | |
| Farmers | $3,480 | |
| GEICO | $3,090 | |
| Liberty Mutual | $3,038 | |
| Nationwide | $2,284 | |
| Progressive | $3,294 | |
| State Farm | $2,904 | |
| USAA | $2,210 |
In short, if you're looking for the cheapest car insurance for a new teen driver, begin your search with USAA, Nationwide and State Farm. It is very expensive to insure a 16-year-old driver on a separate policy: plus, it's illegal for anyone under the age of 18 to purchase a policy on their own. Premium costs decrease significantly after young drivers turn 20, they still pay nearly 100% more than do the average driver in the U.S. Young drivers' lack of driving experience and tendency to make poor decisions behind the wheel — like speeding, texting while driving and a higher accident rate — means car insurance companies charge these drivers higher premiums to protect themselves against the probability of claims.
The second category of new drivers — older drivers who obtained their driver's licenses much later in life — shows a similar pattern.
| Car Insurance Provider | Average 12-Month Premium |
|---|---|
| Allstate | $2,262 |
| Farmers | $1,846 |
| GEICO | $1,266 |
| Liberty Mutual | $2,236 |
| Nationwide | $1,322 |
| Progressive | $1,376 |
| State Farm | $1,292 |
| USAA | $1,328 |
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How new drivers can save money on car insurance
Now that we have outlined the top insurance providers and the cost of insuring a new driver, let's explore some other ways to save.
Zebra Tip: Newer drivers should seek out a cheaper vehicle
While a new car might feel more glamorous, getting a cheaper car can save you loads on your insurance costs. If you're not sure how much car you can afford, check out The Zebra's free calculator to get an idea.
Common car insurance discounts for new drivers
Multi-policy discount
Combining multiple policies with one insurance provider, like home-and-auto or renters-and-auto, can qualify you for a multi-policy discount, often applied to both policies. Bundling homeowners and auto policies save an average $66 more in savings compared to bundling homeowners and renters. This is mainly because homeowners insurance brings in higher revenue for insurance companies than renters insurance.
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Multi-car discount
Similar to a multi-policy discount, a multi-car discount refers to insuring more than one car with a single company. The discount is automatically added either at policy inception — if two cars were insured from the start — or upon the addition of a second vehicle to the policy.
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Defensive driving discount
This discount entails taking a defensive driving course and presenting your insurance company with proof in the form of a receipt or transcript. The logic behind this discount is clear: defensive driving classes make you a safer driver, which makes you less risky, i.e., cheaper, to insure.
We've partnered with iDriveSafely as an affordable option for online defensive driving courses. Available in nearly every state, taking a course can help you maintain a good driving record and save money on car insurance in the long run. Learn more about iDriveSafely's defensive driving classes.
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Equipment discount
While usually smaller than a multi-policy or defensive driver bonus, your insurer may offer a discount if your car comes with an anti-theft device — or if you utilize a service like Lojack. Anti-theft devices are commonly built into modern vehicles. Just be sure any security devices are taken into account when your quote is generated.
Good driver discount
This discount is available if you have a clean driving record — meaning no at-fault accidents or citations. Safe drivers can expect this valuable discount to be added to your policy when your Motor Vehicle Report (MVR) is pulled at the inception of your policy. If you're convinced that you practice safe driving habits and are not receiving a discount, contact your insurance company and inquire about a good driver discount.
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Profession/occupation discount
This discount goes by several names, but the idea is simple. Some insurance companies will give you a discount based on your occupation. Statistically, occupations such as teachers, physicians, or police officers are less likely to file a claim. An insurer will typically require proof of profession — a photocopy of your degree is a common request.
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Good student discount
If you're younger than 25 and have good grades — typically a B average (3.0 GPA) or better — speak with your insurance company about a good student discount. Normally, they’ll ask for a transcript every six to 12 months as proof of your continued good standing.
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When to add a new driver
New drivers should be added to your policy if they have regular access to your vehicle, have their drivers license, and share the same residence. This means that a domestic partner, new roommate, or new teen driver should be added to your policy to ensure that you are fully covered.Â
Teens can often be added to your insurance before they even get their license. State laws and insurer guidelines may vary, but some insurance companies may even allow teens with a learner's permit to be included on the policy at no extra charge during this time. Regardless, don't wait until your teen is fully licensed and driving before adding them to your insurance coverage.
If you are uncertain, you can always speak with an agent before your teen is licensed to find out more about when to add a new teen driver to your policy.
What is permissive use?
Permissive use is a feature of most car insurance policies that allows others to borrow your vehicle so long as it is not on a regular basis. For instance, a friend borrowing your truck for an afternoon to move would not need to be added to your policy (as long as they don't meet the aforementioned criteria). Don't assume that your policy includes permissive use. Always check beforehand to ensure you are covered.
FAQs
Find answers to some of the most common questions for new drivers below.
How to pick the best car insurance company as a new driver
At the end of the day, all the discounts in the world won’t matter if you choose the wrong company. Some auto insurance companies will see your age and driving background as too great a liability and apply exorbitant premiums. Shopping around every six months can help ensure you’re getting the best rate for your driving profile. Enter your ZIP below to get car insurance quotes from a number of top insurance companies to get started.
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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.