When Do Car Insurance Rates Go Down?

  • Growing older, driving safely, and changing insurers can all lower your rate.
  • Compare quotes to see if switching companies will cause your premium to go down today!
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The Zebra partners with some of the companies we write about. However, our content is written and reviewed by an independent team of editors and licensed agents. Reference our data methodology and learn more about how we make money.

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Ava Lynch

Insurance Analyst

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

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  • 7+ years of Experience in the Insurance Industry
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Bill Mense

Partner, United Heartland Insurance

William Mense has amassed 45 years of insurance experience in a family-owned agency begun in 1914 by his grandfather. That agency is now in its 3rd g…

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Renata Balasco

Senior Content Strategist

Renata joined The Zebra in 2020 as a Customer Experience Agent. Since 2021, she has worked as licensed insurance professional and content strategist.…

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Common reasons why car insurance rates decrease

If you’re asking how long it takes for car insurance to go down, here’s what you need to know:

  • For teen drivers: The biggest decreases happen between ages 18 and 19 as insurers see more experience and lower risk.[1]
  • For males: Rates are higher in the teens and early 20s but drop significantly in the mid-20s when insurers see less risk.
  • If you've had a ticket or accidents: Rates usually go down 3-5 years after a violation if you keep a clean record.
  • If you have bad credit: Improving your credit from "poor" (300-579) to "very good" (740-799) can save you $100 per month on average.

Your premiums can also drop if you shop for better rates. Below, we’ll explain how these milestones work and what you can do to save faster.


At what age does car insurance go down?

Car insurance rates begin to drop as you age, with the most significant decreases happening in your late teens and early 20s. While these larger reductions happen early, rates continue to decline slightly until around age 50. Here’s what the data shows:

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Rates drop the most (over 20%) between ages 18 and 19 for both males and female.

What’s behind it? Younger drivers are considered high-risk due to inexperience. Insurers reassess their risk level as they gain driving experience, leading to lower premiums.

ID Card
By age 25, rates stabilize, with premiums about 65-70% lower than at age 16.

What’s behind it? Age 25 is a key milestone when insurers see drivers as significantly lower risk, leading to major rate reductions.

male driver in jail
Males often see higher drops than females as they age.

What’s behind it? Insurers initially charge higher rates for males due to greater accident risk. However, as both genders age, the difference in risk narrows, leading to more similar premiums for men and women over time.

Have a look at the following rates to get a sense of what drivers in younger age groups are likely to pay in premiums for their own insurance policy.

Average annual premium by age

Updating data...

Age Avg. Monthly Premium Rate Difference (Age)
16 $558
17 $470 $89
18 $422 $48
19 $330 $92
20 $300 $30
21 $241 $59
22 $221 $20
23 $207 $15
24 $195 $12
25 $169 $26

Source: The Zebra

The Zebra’s auto insurance data methodology

The Zebra’s Dynamic Insurance Rating Tool for home and auto insurance rates utilizes the latest ZIP code-level rate filings from across the U.S., sourced from Quadrant Information Services and S&P Global. These filings, typically updated annually or biennially by insurers, are verified through Quadrant’s QA process and then integrated into The Zebra’s estimator.

The displayed rates are based on a dynamic home and auto profile designed to reflect the content of the page. This profile is tailored to match specific factors such as age, location, and coverage level, which are adjusted based on the page content to show how these variables can impact premiums.

For a comprehensive understanding, see our detailed methodology.

Tips for lowering car insurance by age

Young drivers (16-25)

To help rates drop sooner, teens should stay on a parent’s policy if possible, ask about good student and driver safety discounts, and compare rates regularly.

Established drivers (25-50)

Save by maintaining a clean driving record, bundling home and auto policies, increasing deductibles, and checking for loyalty or low-mileage discounts.

Seniors (50+)

You can still save by reducing coverage (if you drive less, have an older car, or have a strong savings account) asking about senior discounts, and reassessing your policy needs.

Does car insurance go down at 25?

Yes—turning 25 can lower your car insurance rates, but it’s not the massive drop you may expect. The biggest price cuts happen in your late teens and early 20s, especially between 18 and 19. By 25, rates tend to take one of their last noticeable dips before leveling out, assuming you’ve kept a clean driving record.

However, as you'll learn below, your rate isn’t just about age. Factors like location, credit score, and past claims still play a big role.

Paying Too Much? You’re Not Alone.

Nearly 40% of 25-year-olds feel like they’re overpaying for car insurance.[2] If your rate hasn’t dropped as much as expected, shopping around could help. Here are some of the most affordable options for 25-year-olds:

  • USAA: $130/month
  • State Farm: $150/month
  • Progressive: $167/month

💡 Want to save more? Check out our Guide to Cheap Car Insurance for 25-Year-Olds for additional tips. Or, enter in your zip code below to let us help you compare quotes in minutes!

teen in first car

Finding Affordable Teen Car Insurance

Insuring a teen is pricy, but we’ve found the cheapest insurers for teens with top-rated service using The Zebra's data.

  • American Family ($343/mo)
  • USAA (if you qualify) ($394/mo)
  • Erie Insurance ($334/mo).

See our guide to the Best Companies for Teen Drivers for more options and money-saving tips.

Here at The Zebra we do the searching, you do the saving.

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When does insurance go down after a claim or ticket?

While minor tickets might only raise your premium slightly and affect your insurance for three years, more serious infractions can result in years of higher costs. A lot depends upon the severity of the infraction and the state you live in. Here’s a general breakdown of how long some common different violations may impact your rates:

How long will claims and violations affect my insurance?
Violation Typical Length of Time Rates are Impacted
Speeding Ticket (1st Offense) ~3 years
At-Fault Accident ~3-5 years
DUI or Reckless Driving 5+ years (varies by state)

Below are more details on even more citations and their projected three-year impacts on car insurance premiums, along with the accompanying insurer-specific estimates. Bear in mind these figures are estimates, dependent on state- and insurance company-specific regulations.

Violation Increases (National Averages)

Updating data...

Accident/Violation Avg. Monthly Premium
None $184
One Med/PIP claim $185
Not-at-fault accident $192
Two Med/PIP claims $193
One comp claim $194
Two comp claims $204
Failure to wear a seat belt $213
Failure to show documents $214
Driving without lights $215
Child safety restraint $216
Driving with expired registration $221
Speeding 6 - 10 MPH over limit $224
Driving too slowly $224
Failure to yield $225
Illegal turn $225
Cell phone violation $225
Texting while driving $225
Following too closely $226
Speeding in school zone $227
Failure to stop at a red light $227
Speeding 11 - 15 MPH over limit $227
Improper passing $228
Wrong way/wrong lane $229
Speeding 16 - 20 MPH over limit $230
At-fault accident - less than $1000 $231
Passing school bus $235
Speeding 21 - 25 MPH over limit $238
In 65 MPH zone $238
Operating a vehicle without permission $252
Open container $261
At-fault accident - $1000-$2000 $263
At-fault accident - greater than $2000 $275
Driving with a suspended license $332
Reckless driving $334
Racing $345
Refusal to submit to a chemical test $351
DUI $356
Leaving scene of an accident/hit and run $358

Source: The Zebra

Car insurance rate increases after at-fault accident
Year Average Annual Premium Average Annual Increase
None $1,470 --
First-Year Increase $2,087 $617
Second-Year Increase $2,963 $876
Third-Year Increase $4,207 $1,244
Company-by-company insurance increases after an accident
Company Average premium after accident Total cost over three years
GEICO $1,997 $5,991
Nationwide $2,174 $6,522
USAA $1,288 $3,864
State Farm $1,617 $4,851
Allstate $3,017 $9,051
Liberty Mutual $2,358 $7,074
Farmers $2,226 $6,678
Progressive $2,772 $8,316
Car insurance premium increases after a DUI
Year Average Annual Premium Average Annual Increase
None $1,470 --
First-Year Increase $2,556 $1,086
Second-Year Increase $4,442 $1,886
Third-Year Increase $7,721 $3,279
Insurance premiums after a DUI by company
Company Average premium after DUI Total cost over three years
GEICO $2,647 $7,941
Nationwide $3,092 $9,276
USAA $1,753 $5,259
State Farm $1,975 $5,925
Allstate $3,634 $10,902
Liberty Mutual $2,635 $7,905
Farmers $2,632 $7,896
Progressive $2,004 $6,012
Insurance premiums after a DUI by company
Company Average premium after DUI Total cost over three years
GEICO $2,647 $7,941
Nationwide $3,092 $9,276
USAA $1,753 $5,259
State Farm $1,975 $5,925
Allstate $3,634 $10,902
Liberty Mutual $2,635 $7,905
Farmers $2,632 $7,896
Progressive $2,004 $6,012
Car insurance rate increases after at-fault accident
Year Average Annual Premium Average Annual Increase
None $1,470 --
First-Year Increase $2,087 $617
Second-Year Increase $2,963 $876
Third-Year Increase $4,207 $1,244
Insurance increases after an accident by company
Company Average premium after accident Total cost over three years
GEICO $1,997 $5,991
Nationwide $2,174 $6,522
USAA $1,288 $3,864
State Farm $1,617 $4,851
Allstate $3,017 $9,051
Liberty Mutual $2,358 $7,074
Farmers $2,226 $6,678
Progressive $2,772 $8,316

Not sure whether filing a claim is worth it? Try our claim calculator.


Tips for lowering car insurance if you have a record

After a Ticket or Minor Infractions

Shop around for insurers (some penalize tickets less), take a defensive driving course, and be extra careful to keep a clean record moving forward.

After a DUI or Other Major Infraction

Check if a state-approved DUI program can help lower your rates. Also, maintain continuous coverage, even without a license, which may require a non-standard policy and an SR-22.

After an At-Fault Accident

Check if your insurer offers accident forgiveness or lowers rates for taking a defensive driving course, and compare quotes as different insurers penalize accidents differently.

How to stay insured with a non-standard policy

If you’ve had multiple incidents or a major violation like a DUI, a non-standard car insurance policy can help you maintain coverage. Here’s how it works:

  • What it is: A non-standard policy is insurance designed for high-risk drivers who don’t qualify for traditional policies. These plans typically offer basic coverage with fewer perks but ensure you meet legal requirements.

  • Why choose a non-standard policy? It’s not usually a choice—it’s often the only option for drivers with major violations, multiple incidents, or poor credit. Non-standard insurance keeps you legally covered when standard providers decline coverage.

  • How to get it: Some major insurers offer non-standard policies, but smaller companies often specialize in them at lower rates. We recommend talking with one of The Zebra's licensed independent agents—they can help you quickly explore quotes from large and small insurers and answer all your questions!

Switching insurers: A fast way to lower rates

Car insurance rates don’t stay the same forever, and neither should your policy. If you're waiting for your rates to drop, shopping around now could help you find a better deal faster. Insurers assess risk and discounts differently, and what’s cheapest today might not be tomorrow.

🤫 Insider knowledge: According to one of The Zebra's licensed insurance agents, Jordan Lazare, insurance companies sometimes adjust pricing based on who they want to attract (e.g. certain age groups). If a carrier wasn’t competitive for you before, they may now offer lower rates based on shifts in their target customer profile.

Why use The Zebra?

When rates change, The Zebra makes it easy to check if you're overpaying. As an independent insurance advisor and comparison site, we help you:

✔ Compare multiple quotes at once—see top insurers side by side
✔ Find your lowest rate based on your driving profile
✔ Learn what coverage fits your needs—without the hassle
✔ Get expert help from in-house agents if you need it
✔ Feel confident knowing your personal information is protected

We take your privacy seriously—no spam, no data selling. Ready to start saving? Start the quote process online or speak with one of our friendly licensed in-house agents to lock in your best rate today.

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Save an average of $440 per year on car insurance when you let The Zebra do the shopping.

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Real help, right here.

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Amber Vigil

Sales Manager

Amber Vigil has three years of experience in the insurance industry and joined The Zebra in 2024. As manager, she leads a group of sales agents, ensu…

Credentials
  • Licensed Insurance Agent — Property and Casualty
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Johnny Hawkins

Sales Manager

Johnny’s insurance experience began when he joined The Zebra in 2020 as a Customer Experience Agent, supporting the sales team by servicing policies …

Credentials
  • Licensed Insurance Agent — Property and Casualty
  • 5 years experience in property & casualty insurance
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Erick Sosa

Sales Manager

Eric began his insurance career at The Zebra in 2020, starting in an unlicensed role assisting customers before earning his Property & Casualty l…

Credentials
  • Licensed Insurance Agent — Property and Casualty

FAQs: When do auto insurance rates go down?

Car insurance costs will decrease as you age because younger drivers are seen as riskier by insurers given they are inexperienced and statistically more likely to file claims. The biggest drop is typically from 18 to 19, when the average rate drops by around $1,595.

Both men and women see the steepest drop in car insurance costs between ages 18 and 19. Driving safely, only making a claim when necessary, and switching car insurance companies (after comparison shopping) can all help improve your insurance rate.

At least once a year, or after major life changes like turning 25, moving, buying a new car, or improving your credit score. At The Zebra, we recommend checking every six months—this is when many policies renew, and it’s also a good opportunity to find savings as insurers update rates and discounts.

Not necessarily. While your rate is reviewed at renewal—typically every six months—it won’t automatically decrease. In recent years, average rates have trended upward due to factors like inflation, rising repair costs, and more frequent claims from extreme weather.

However, your individual rate may go up or down depending on personal factors like tickets falling off your record, an improved credit score, or reaching a lower-risk age. That’s why comparing rates regularly can help you find savings, even when overall prices are rising.

Sources:
  1. Data Methodology. The Zebra’s Dynamic Insurance Rating Tool

  2. Anonymized User Surveys. The Zebra

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 editorial 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.