We found that car insurance for 16-year-olds costs an average of $342 per month ($4,105 per year) if you add a 16-year-old to an existing full-coverage policy, or $565 per month ($6,779 per year) for standalone coverage.
Car insurance costs 16-year-olds much more than most older drivers, and costs male drivers who join an existing policy $49 per month more than female drivers. But 16-year-olds of any gender (and their parents) can find cheaper car insurance by shopping around and getting quotes from multiple companies.
Best cheap car insurance for 16-year-olds: GEICO and COUNTRY
The two best car insurance companies for a 16-year-old driver are GEICO and COUNTRY. Both have cheap rates, along with great customer service, useful add-ons for customizing your coverage, and discounts for younger drivers.
GEICO is the best car insurance for families with a newly licensed 16-year-old in the house. GEICO isn’t the absolute cheapest company when it comes to adding a teenage driver, but it’s the most affordable company that’s also available in every state.
We found that it costs drivers about $231 per month ($2,773 per year) to add a 16-year-old to a GEICO policy. That’s $111 cheaper per month than average — a drop of about 32%.
GEICO also offers 16-year-olds a few ways to save on car insurance, including discounts for maintaining a “B” grade-point average or higher, joining an honor society, and being active in student organizations.
COUNTRY has the lowest car insurance rates for 16-year-old drivers who don’t join an existing policy and opt to get their own coverage instead. We found that a full-coverage policy from COUNTRY costs $262 per month. While that’s expensive, it’s actually 54% less than average for that age.
COUNTRY also offers discounts that are specifically targeted at teenage drivers, including:
Simply Drive discount: For 16- and 17-year-olds with clean driving records who complete COUNTRY’s eight question online test.
Good student discount: For young drivers who maintain at least a B average in school. You can receive another discount after graduating college, too.
Driver training discount: For drivers who have completed an accredited defensive driving course.
Cost of car insurance for 16-year-olds by company
We found that the average cost of car insurance for a 16-year-old driver who joins an existing policy can vary by as much as $6,447 per year depending on the company. If you’re adding a newly licensed 16-year-old to a policy, the overall cheapest company is NJM, a regional insurance company only available in five states.
But 16-year-old drivers who get their own car insurance policies will pay more than families who add a teen to an existing policy, and the gap between the cheapest and most expensive company for standalone 16-year-old car insurance is much larger, up to $12,682 per year depending on the company.
COUNTRY and Erie are the cheapest car insurance companies for 16-year-olds — both cost $252 per month on average.
Depending on whether they want to get their own insurance or join an existing policy, 16-olds can also find low rates with larger companies like GEICO and State Farm.
Average insurance cost for a 16-year-old vs. other teen drivers
Adding a 16-year-old to an existing insurance policy costs $4,105 per year on average. That makes 16-year-olds the most expensive age group to add to a car insurance policy. But as drivers get older and gain experience behind the wheel, their insurance gets cheaper over time.
While adding a teen to your car insurance is pricey, it’s even more expensive for a newly licensed teen to get their own policy. Standalone car insurance for 16-year-olds costs $185 more per month than average for a driver younger than 25 years old — and $5,127 more per year than average for most drivers.
Sixteen-year-olds pay more for car insurance because of their lack of driving experience. They’re more likely to get into crashes and file claims than older drivers. [1] As the following table shows, rates for older drivers and seniors are far cheaper than for teens.
Source: Cost of full-coverage insurance for 16-year-olds, from Policygenius analysis of public rate data (via Quadrant Information Services).
Cost of car insurance for 16-year-old male and female drivers
On average, car insurance costs more for a 16-year-old male driver than a female driver of the same age. We found that car insurance for a 16-year-old boy is $49 more per month (or $588 more per year) than for a 16-year-old girl who joins their parents’ policy.
However, seven states have made it illegal for insurance companies to use gender or sex to determine car insurance costs.
Policy | Add a male driver | Add a female driver | Difference |
---|---|---|---|
Monthly cost | $364 | $315 | $49 |
Annual cost | $4,364 | $3,776 | $588 |
Source: Cost of full-coverage insurance for 16-year-olds, from Policygenius analysis of public rate data (via Quadrant Information Services).
What is the cheapest car insurance for a 16-year-old in every state?
The company with the cheapest rates for 16-year-olds varies by state. The national average cost of car insurance for 16-year-olds is $342 each month, but the cheapest company in your state could cost half that, depending on where you live.
USAA or GEICO are the cheapest companies for 16-year-olds in the most states.
State | Company | Monthly cost |
---|---|---|
USAA | $159 | |
USAA | $193 | |
GEICO | $146 | |
Farm Bureau | $183 | |
Wawanesa | $179 | |
National General | $146 | |
General Electric | $132 | |
USAA | $253 | |
GEICO | $216 | |
USAA | $281 | |
USAA | $186 | |
USAA | $85 | |
State Farm | $136 | |
Pekin | $132 | |
Allstate | $151 | |
IMT | $123 | |
USAA | $168 | |
GEICO | $219 | |
Farm Bureau | $239 | |
Auto-Owners | $121 | |
USAA | $157 | |
USAA | $230 | |
Farm Bureau | $110 | |
Farm Bureau | $102 | |
USAA | $181 | |
USAA | $129 | |
USAA | $166 | |
Farm Bureau | $163 | |
GEICO | $232 | |
MMG | $156 | |
GEICO | $135 | |
USAA | $159 | |
Progressive | $216 | |
State Farm | $145 | |
North Star | $146 | |
GEICO | $154 | |
American Famers and Ranchers | $157 | |
COUNTRY | $195 | |
Nationwide | $170 | |
GEICO | $302 | |
State Auto | $127 | |
Farm Bureau | $213 | |
USAA | $191 | |
Redpoint | $113 | |
Farm Bureau | $177 | |
Auto-Owners | $142 | |
USAA | $172 | |
PEMCO | $178 | |
GEICO | $205 | |
GEICO | $126 | |
USAA | $201 |
Source: Cost of full-coverage insurance for 16-year-olds, from Policygenius analysis of public rate data (via Quadrant Information Services).
Average cost of car insurance for 16-year-olds by state
The average cost of adding a 16-year-old driver to your car insurance is $331 per month, which is $2,805 less per year than the cost of getting standalone insurance for a newly licensed driver.
We compared the average cost to add a driver with the cost of independent car insurance for a 16-year-old and found that older Louisianians can save the most from adding a teen to their car insurance.
If your state’s average rates for 16-year-olds are high, you can still find cheaper rates by comparing quotes from different companies.
State | Monthly cost | Annual cost |
---|---|---|
Alaska | $346 | $4,151 |
Alabama | $423 | $5,074 |
Arkansas | $343 | $4,116 |
Arizona | $367 | $4,405 |
California | $363 | $4,361 |
Colorado | $349 | $4,184 |
Connecticut | $374 | $4,491 |
District of Columbia | $428 | $5,130 |
Delaware | $447 | $5,364 |
Florida | $514 | $6,171 |
Georgia | $383 | $4,593 |
Hawaii | $144 | $1,726 |
Iowa | $202 | $2,426 |
Idaho | $234 | $2,810 |
Illinois | $317 | $3,808 |
Indiana | $244 | $2,924 |
Kansas | $273 | $3,275 |
Kentucky | $481 | $5,775 |
Louisiana | $548 | $6,575 |
Massachusetts | $373 | $4,482 |
Maryland | $375 | $4,495 |
Maine | $270 | $3,244 |
Michigan | $404 | $4,847 |
Minnesota | $256 | $3,067 |
Missouri | $335 | $4,020 |
Mississippi | $363 | $4,359 |
Montana | $368 | $4,421 |
North Carolina | $227 | $2,726 |
North Dakota | $264 | $3,164 |
Nebraska | $280 | $3,361 |
New Hampshire | $266 | $3,186 |
New Jersey | $436 | $5,228 |
New Mexico | $282 | $3,388 |
Nevada | $481 | $5,776 |
New York | $452 | $5,419 |
Ohio | $215 | $2,576 |
Oklahoma | $355 | $4,256 |
Oregon | $279 | $3,344 |
Pennsylvania | $370 | $4,435 |
Rhode Island | $456 | $5,470 |
South Carolina | $362 | $4,342 |
South Dakota | $263 | $3,153 |
Tennessee | $319 | $3,831 |
Texas | $348 | $4,172 |
Utah | $372 | $4,464 |
Virginia | $362 | $4,340 |
Vermont | $243 | $2,912 |
Washington | $413 | $4,951 |
Wisconsin | $221 | $2,652 |
West Virginia | $401 | $4,813 |
Wyoming | $327 | $3,922 |
Source: Cost of full-coverage insurance for 16-year-olds, from Policygenius analysis of public rate data (via Quadrant Information Services).
What is the cost of standalone 16-year-old car insurance?
On average, Hawaii has the cheapest car insurance for 16-year-old drivers who want their own policy. That’s because companies in Hawaii can’t use your age to determine what you’ll pay, which keeps rates lower for younger drivers.
Louisiana, on the other hand, has the most expensive insurance for 16-year-olds. The average cost of car insurance for newly licensed drivers in Louisiana is $13,666 per year. Luckily, insurance for many 16-year-olds in the Bayou State will cost much less.
State | Monthly cost | Annual cost |
---|---|---|
Alabama | $634 | $7,606 |
Alaska | $427 | $5,128 |
Arizona | $597 | $7,158 |
Arkansas | $599 | $7,182 |
California | $461 | $5,530 |
Colorado | $612 | $7,345 |
Connecticut | $810 | $9,721 |
Delaware | $854 | $10,247 |
District of Columbia | $668 | $8,021 |
Florida | $880 | $10,564 |
Georgia | $597 | $7,168 |
Hawaii | $123 | $1,472 |
Idaho | $437 | $5,241 |
Illinois | $517 | $6,202 |
Indiana | $376 | $4,512 |
Iowa | $355 | $4,265 |
Kansas | $480 | $5,756 |
Kentucky | $745 | $8,937 |
Louisiana | $1,139 | $13,666 |
Maine | $369 | $4,431 |
Maryland | $605 | $7,255 |
Massachusetts | $571 | $6,855 |
Michigan | $692 | $8,300 |
Minnesota | $400 | $4,794 |
Mississippi | $563 | $6,759 |
Missouri | $531 | $6,376 |
Montana | $657 | $7,878 |
Nebraska | $505 | $6,063 |
Nevada | $765 | $9,174 |
New Hampshire | $437 | $5,245 |
New Jersey | $929 | $11,148 |
New Mexico | $483 | $5,795 |
New York | $560 | $6,723 |
North Carolina | $265 | $3,185 |
North Dakota | $535 | $6,415 |
Ohio | $370 | $4,434 |
Oklahoma | $652 | $7,819 |
Oregon | $498 | $5,973 |
Pennsylvania | $596 | $7,154 |
Rhode Island | $877 | $10,524 |
South Carolina | $586 | $7,031 |
South Dakota | $464 | $5,567 |
Tennessee | $515 | $6,178 |
Texas | $614 | $7,371 |
Utah | $649 | $7,789 |
Vermont | $353 | $4,231 |
Virginia | $479 | $5,742 |
Washington | $575 | $6,899 |
West Virginia | $574 | $6,889 |
Wisconsin | $426 | $5,108 |
Wyoming | $471 | $5,649 |
Source: Cost of full-coverage insurance for 16-year-olds, from Policygenius analysis of public rate data (via Quadrant Information Services).
Can a 16-year-old get their own car insurance?
A 16-year-old can get their own car insurance policy, but it’s usually easier and cheaper to add them to your policy once they’re licensed.
Insurance companies already require you to include every driver in your household on your policy. You can exclude your 16-year-old from your policy to avoid the rate increase by filing a form with your insurance company, but then they won’t be able to drive your car.
If they’re not yet licensed, a 16-year-old may not need to get their own insurance or join yours. Companies sometimes cover student drivers if they’re not fully licensed. Just contact your provider when your 16-year-old gets their permit to make sure you follow the rules of your insurance agreement — and be sure to officially add them to your policy once they’re licensed.
How to get car insurance for a 16-year-old
Getting covered as a 16-year-old is more difficult than it is for an adult driver. This is because minors aren’t legally allowed to enter into an insurance agreement by themselves.
Before a 16-year-old gets their own car insurance, they will have to get approval from a guardian. But, once they have permission, a 16-year-old’s car insurance works the same as it would for an adult driver.
How to get cheaper car insurance for 16-year-olds
While the average 16-year-old’s car insurance rates can be thousands of dollars more expensive per year than an older driver, there are still ways that teens can get affordable coverage.
One of the best ways to keep the cost of car insurance for 16-year-olds low is by adding your teen driver to your family policy. It will make your own car insurance more expensive, but thousands of dollars cheaper per year than buying separate coverage.
You can also lower the cost of insurance for a 16-year-old by:
Search for driver-specific discounts: Most companies, including Erie and COUNTRY, offer discounts catered to young drivers, like savings for keeping grades high, completing driving classes, and, sometimes, for being a part of certain clubs.
Sign up for usage-based insurance programs: Most major car insurance companies offer discounts for using their usage-based or telematics programs. After monitoring your 16-year-old’s driving habits, the company may lower your rates (assuming they drive safely).
Consider a pay-per-mile policy: You can pay by the mile for your car insurance with Root, Allstate, Nationwide, and Liberty Mutual. These policies may be cheaper for 16-year-olds who don’t drive frequently and own their own cars.
Increase your deductible amounts: Some types of coverage, like comprehensive and collision, require a per-claim deductible that you set when you buy your policy. A higher deductible means a cheaper premium, but it means you’ll pay more out of pocket when you file a claim.
Drop coverage for an older car: You should keep as much liability insurance as you can afford, but if your teen drives an older car that isn’t worth much, you can pay less for car insurance by dropping comprehensive and collision coverage for that vehicle.
Since a 16-year-old driver’s average car insurance rates depend heavily on location and vary by company, the easiest way to find the cheapest car insurance for a 16-year-old is to compare the cost of coverage from multiple providers in your area.
Methodology
Policygenius found the cost of car insurance for adding a 16-year-olds driver to an existing policy using rates provided by Quadrant Information Services. Our rates were from every ZIP code in all 50 states plus Washington, D.C., and were for a 2017 Toyota Camry LE driven 10,000 miles per year.
Our sample fully covered our vehicle with these coverage limits:
Bodily injury liability: 50/100
Property damage liability: $50,000
Uninsured/underinsured motorist: 50/100
Comprehensive: $500 deductible
Collision: $500 deductible
Some carriers may be represented by affiliates or subsidiaries. Rates provided are a sample of costs. Your actual quotes may differ.