Car Insurance with Kids
- Adding young drivers typically increases premiums and can change the coverage you need
- Premiums depend on age, driving history, and vehicle type
- If you've got more than one car, you could qualify for a multi-policy discount
Why you can trust The Zebra
Ava joined The Zebra in 2016 as a licensed insurance agent and writer. She now serves as director of insurance content, leading coverage strategy and…
Credentials
- 9+ years of Experience in the Insurance Industry
Tara joined The Zebra in 2025, bringing 18 years of marketing and public relations experience with fintech and insurance brands. She specializes in c…
Credentials
- 18+ years of experience in the fintech & insurance industries
Beth joined The Zebra in 2022 as an Associate Content Strategist. A licensed insurance agent, she specializes in creating clear, accessible content t…
Credentials
- Licensed Insurance Agent — Property and Casualty
- Associate in Insurance (AINS)
- Professional Risk Consultant (PRC)
- Associate in Insurance Services (AIS)
Getting car insurance with kids
Deciding what to do with your insurance policy when you have kids seems simple but can get complicated. Let’s explore the ins and outs of car insurance with kids, including the best companies for kids.
Adding kids to your car insurance policy: is it required?
It depends on your state and your car insurance company. If your child has a driver's license and uses your vehicle, they should be added to the insurance policy. If they have a learner's permit, they may not need to be listed on the policy. Most states extend policy coverage to a young driver with a learner’s permit. This may vary based on the age of the driver and your location. Check your policy documentation for verification.
If your insurance company requires you to list your son or daughter on your policy but they won’t be using one of your vehicles, you can list them as an "excluded driver" within most car insurance policies. An excluded driver is someone in a household that isn’t allowed to use the insured vehicle. The benefit of designating a child as an excluded driver is the avoidance of the expensive premiums that come with insuring a young driver. See the table below for typical monthly and annual rates for young drivers aged 16 through 19.
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| Gender | Avg. Monthly Premium | Avg. Annual Premium |
|---|---|---|
| Male | $445 | $5,340 |
| Female | $395 | $4,738 |
Source: The Zebra
The Zebra’s Dynamic Insurance Rating Tool 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.
Car insurance companies strive to understand the risks they face. They want anyone with a driver's license to be listed on the policy, even if they won't drive the listed vehicle often.
If you want your child to use your vehicle and carry adequate coverage in the event they're involved in an accident, add them to your policy. Most car insurance companies require anyone who uses the vehicle more than 12 times a year — this may vary by insurance policy — to be added as a covered driver.
Car Insurance for Teen Drivers
Follow our guide to finding affordable auto insurance for teen drivers and how to get the best value for your policy.
Should your child have their own car insurance policy?
Getting car insurance for your teen driver will likely be expensive. Insurance companies see young drivers as risk-takers behind the wheel, assessing higher premiums to cover that perceived risk. If you’re worried about the price or having your teen driver’s claims on your insurance record, you might consider getting them their own policy. Unfortunately, affordable teen car insurance policies can be hard to come by.
Insurance companies don’t like to issue two policies to a single listed residence. The easiest way to go about securing two car insurance policies for one household is to speak with an insurance agent, as regulations will be company-specific.
Insurance made simple, savings made easy.
When should you remove your child from your car insurance policy?
There isn’t a set age at which a child must be removed from their parents' insurance policy. Purchasing car insurance is usually something that occurs alongside another life event. If your son or daughter moves out of the house and drives a vehicle at their new residence regularly, they should acquire their own car insurance policy.
What’s the cheapest insurance for teen drivers?
Because car insurance is priced on an individual level, this is a difficult question to answer. However, we created a profile and surveyed some top insurance companies to see which one was the cheapest for teenage drivers. See below for average rates from top companies for teen drivers to get an idea of where rates might fall.
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| Company | Avg. Annual Premium | Avg. Monthly Premium |
|---|---|---|
| USAA | $3,838 | $320 |
| State Farm | $4,726 | $394 |
| GEICO | $5,303 | $442 |
| Nationwide | $5,652 | $471 |
| Allstate | $6,834 | $569 |
| Farmers | $7,206 | $600 |
| Progressive | $7,842 | $654 |
Source: The Zebra
The above data reflects a general profile (methodology) and won’t necessarily fit you. Use it as a jumping-off point and begin your search with USAA or GEICO, but don’t end it there. Comparing real car insurance quotes based on your unique driving profile every six months is the best way to make sure you find a cheap rate.
Compare quotes and save!
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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 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.
