Updated: December 29, 2025
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GEICO offers the cheapest minimum coverage for 17-year-olds at $237 monthly. State Farm follows at $238, while other major insurers' premiums range from $407 to $522.
State Farm provides the cheapest full coverage car insurance for 17-year-olds with monthly rates averaging $468 monthly, with up to 25% teen discounts.
Staying on parents' policy can save 17-year-olds an average of $2,000 to $4,200 yearly compared to buying independent coverage.
GEICO offers the cheapest minimum coverage at $237 per month. State Farm costs $238 monthly and includes local agent support if your teen needs help filing a claim.
The price gap widens rapidly compared to other national insurers. Allstate charges $407 per month, while Progressive costs $522 monthly. Your family saves $285 per month by choosing GEICO over Progressive—that's $3,420 annually that could go toward college savings or a safer vehicle.
| GEICO | $237 | $2,844 |
| State Farm | $238 | $2,858 |
| Allstate | $407 | $4,884 |
| Nationwide | $424 | $5,086 |
| Progressive | $522 | $6,259 |
*Rates are based on a family policy for male and female drivers with clean records and good credit, insuring a 2012 Toyota Camry.
State Farm offers the cheapest full coverage for new drivers at $468 per month. GEICO costs $502 monthly, while Allstate and Nationwide both charge $755. Progressive costs $1,069 per month—that's $601 more than State Farm. Choosing State Farm over Progressive saves your family $7,212 annually, enough to cover car maintenance, gas and emergency repairs for years.
| State Farm | $468 | $5,622 |
| GEICO | $502 | $6,020 |
| Allstate | $755 | $9,058 |
| Nationwide | $755 | $9,065 |
| Progressive | $1,069 | $12,828 |
*Rates are based on a family policy for male and female drivers with clean records and good credit, insuring a 2012 Toyota Camry.
Teen car insurance costs vary by state. Adding a 17-year-old to your family policy costs $57 to $348 monthly. GEICO has the lowest rates in 15 states, while Allstate wins in 14 states. Smaller regional companies, such as Concord Group, offer more affordable premiums in certain areas. See below which company offers the best deal in your state.
| Alabama | GEICO | $95 |
| Alaska | GEICO | $141 |
| Arizona | Travelers | $126 |
| Arkansas | Allstate | $117 |
| California | State Farm | $219 |
| Colorado | Kemper | $88 |
| Connecticut | GEICO | $59 |
| Delaware | GEICO | $142 |
| Florida | Nationwide | $272 |
| Georgia | Allstate | $126 |
| Hawaii | 21st Century | $57 |
| Idaho | State Farm | $96 |
| Illinois | Travelers | $103 |
| Indiana | GEICO | $83 |
| Iowa | Allstate | $83 |
| Kansas | Nationwide | $89 |
| Kentucky | Allstate | $143 |
| Louisiana | State Farm | $348 |
| Maine | Concord Group | $78 |
| Maryland | Progressive | $117 |
| Massachusetts | Progressive | $78 |
| Michigan | GEICO | $163 |
| Minnesota | Allstate | $139 |
| Mississippi | Progressive | $75 |
| Missouri | GEICO | $89 |
| Montana | Progressive | $98 |
| Nebraska | Allstate | $99 |
| Nevada | Nationwide | $194 |
| New Hampshire | Concord Group | $82 |
| New Jersey | GEICO | $172 |
| New Mexico | Allstate | $134 |
| New York | Kemper | $108 |
| North Carolina | State Farm | $97 |
| North Dakota | Allstate | $77 |
| Ohio | Nationwide | $87 |
| Oklahoma | Allstate | $140 |
| Oregon | GEICO | $115 |
| Pennsylvania | Nationwide | $95 |
| Rhode Island | Travelers | $148 |
| South Carolina | Auto-Owners Insurance Co | $167 |
| South Dakota | Allstate | $60 |
| Tennessee | Farmers | $116 |
| Texas | State Farm | $171 |
| Utah | Nationwide | $116 |
| Vermont | Concord Group | $101 |
| Virginia | Nationwide | $104 |
| Washington | Capital Insurance Group | $121 |
| Washington, D.C. | GEICO | $111 |
| West Virginia | Allstate | $130 |
| Wisconsin | Allstate | $68 |
| Wyoming | Allstate | $107 |
Most states require parental consent for insurance contracts until individuals reach the age of 18. Alabama and Nebraska allow 17-year-olds to have some independence, though the requirements differ. In California, independent coverage is permitted, but parents remain financially responsible. Texas also offers this option, but it may require court approval.
Car insurance for 17-year-olds costs $2,112 annually for minimum coverage, but families can cut these costs substantially. Keep your teen on your existing policy, compare rates across insurers, stack discounts and choose affordable vehicles. These strategies save hundreds or thousands of dollars annually on your premium when combined.
Adding your teen to your existing policy costs $2,000 to $4,200 less per year than buying separate coverage. You'll also keep multi-car discounts and your established insurance history working in your favor.
Shopping around saves up to 30%, with some regional insurers charging less than national brands. State Farm charges $468 monthly for full coverage, while Progressive costs $1,069—that's a $7,212 annual difference. Compare quotes from at least three insurers before making a purchase.
Seventeen-year-olds can stack multiple discounts. Good student discounts save up to 25%, driver education courses save 10% to 15% and telematics programs save up to 30%. Combined, you can cut premiums by 40%.
A Subaru Forester at $3,037 yearly saves over $1,700 annually versus luxury vehicles. Safe, older models with solid safety records cut insurance costs while providing reliable transportation.
If your teen drives an older car worth less than $3,000, dropping comprehensive and collision coverage saves money. Just keep high liability limits to protect your family's assets. For newer vehicles, raise your deductible from $500 to $1,000 to cut premiums by 15% to 20%.
Get minimum coverage, though you'll need to evaluate your financial risk carefully. Liability-only insurance works if you can pay out of pocket for car replacement. Full coverage with higher deductibles lowers premiums while maintaining protection.
Seventeen-year-olds pay about $2,112 annually for minimum coverage and $4,200 for full coverage. These average car insurance costs assume clean driving records and good credit; your rates might differ. The table below breaks down average and cheapest insurance costs for adding 17-year-olds to your policy, split by gender and coverage level.
| State Minimum - Liability Only | $187 | $165 |
| State Minimum - $500 Deductible | $362 | $319 |
| State Minimum - $1,500 Deductible | $314 | $277 |
| State Minimum - $1,000 Deductible | $327 | $289 |
| 300/500/300 - Liability Only | $274 | $242 |
| 300/500/300 - $500 Deductible | $445 | $392 |
| 300/500/300 - $1,500 Deductible | $396 | $350 |
| 300/500/300 - $1,000 Deductible | $157 | $140 |
| 100/300/100 - Liability Only | $233 | $206 |
| 100/300/100 - $500 Deductible | $394 | $372 |
| 100/300/100 - $1,500 Deductible | $396 | $350 |
| 100/300/100 - $1,000 Deductible | $371 | $327 |
Liability limits like 100/300/100 mean $100,000 for bodily injury per person, $300,000 for bodily injury per accident and $100,000 for property damage per accident. The numbers that follow are your deductibles for collision and comprehensive coverage.
National averages are $60 monthly for family minimum coverage and $104 for individual minimum coverage. Monthly premiums range from $19 to $622 for family policies and $22 to $990 for individual policies. Population density, local regulations and weather patterns affect costs across regions.
| Alabama | $57 | $239 | $103 | $431 |
| Alaska | $59 | $250 | $87 | $357 |
| Arizona | $62 | $244 | $106 | $410 |
| Arkansas | $48 | $204 | $92 | $398 |
| California | $69 | $313 | $77 | $347 |
| Colorado | $66 | $252 | $130 | $491 |
| Connecticut | $61 | $214 | $130 | $459 |
| Delaware | $75 | $264 | $178 | $632 |
| Florida | $106 | $469 | $176 | $788 |
| Georgia | $61 | $236 | $115 | $447 |
| Hawaii | $19 | $83 | $22 | $98 |
| Idaho | $36 | $136 | $74 | $274 |
| Illinois | $45 | $186 | $73 | $298 |
| Indiana | $43 | $168 | $76 | $286 |
| Iowa | $34 | $157 | $59 | $264 |
| Kansas | $46 | $207 | $82 | $365 |
| Kentucky | $66 | $255 | $116 | $447 |
| Louisiana | $119 | $622 | $187 | $990 |
| Maine | $44 | $165 | $68 | $256 |
| Maryland | $70 | $237 | $135 | $449 |
| Massachusetts | $52 | $203 | $78 | $306 |
| Michigan | $107 | $420 | $146 | $574 |
| Minnesota | $48 | $203 | $77 | $314 |
| Mississippi | $53 | $221 | $96 | $408 |
| Missouri | $69 | $294 | $121 | $506 |
| Montana | $47 | $225 | $79 | $376 |
| Nebraska | $49 | $240 | $89 | $412 |
| Nevada | $98 | $369 | $177 | $656 |
| New Hampshire | $44 | $157 | $79 | $279 |
| New Jersey | $100 | $382 | $150 | $578 |
| New Mexico | $48 | $205 | $86 | $364 |
| New York | $86 | $291 | $132 | $454 |
| North Carolina | $60 | $217 | $61 | $221 |
| North Dakota | $32 | $149 | $70 | $313 |
| Ohio | $81 | $274 | $120 | $410 |
| Oklahoma | $48 | $208 | $113 | $480 |
| Oregon | $50 | $185 | $111 | $397 |
| Pennsylvania | $46 | $212 | $75 | $330 |
| Rhode Island | $76 | $267 | $171 | $587 |
| South Carolina | $88 | $312 | $125 | $450 |
| South Dakota | $37 | $188 | $70 | $348 |
| Tennessee | $44 | $192 | $91 | $390 |
| Texas | $72 | $296 | $121 | $501 |
| Utah | $81 | $295 | $142 | $512 |
| Vermont | $30 | $145 | $52 | $240 |
| Virginia | $74 | $272 | $104 | $378 |
| Washington | $70 | $236 | $119 | $393 |
| Washington, D.C. | $66 | $250 | $144 | $542 |
| West Virginia | $54 | $217 | $97 | $386 |
| Wisconsin | $46 | $193 | $87 | $366 |
| Wyoming | $30 | $194 | $47 | $280 |
*Teens under 18 can't legally purchase auto insurance without a parent or guardian as co-signer in most cases. Individual rates shown reflect theoretical pricing for comparison purposes only.
Insurance companies offer specialized safety programs for teen drivers that reduce premiums by 10% to 30% while promoting safer driving habits. These programs combine technology, education and rewards to help 17-year-olds develop responsible driving skills. Determine whether your 17-year-old qualifies for teen safety programs. Depending on their driving pattern, consider usage-based plans. Below are common insurance discounts for 17-year-old drivers. Availability may vary by insurer.
Defensive driving courses provide 5% to 15% discounts at most major insurers, making them one of the easiest ways to reduce premiums immediately. Courses must be state-approved, with options including online programs and in-person workshops that often pay for themselves within months
Many car insurance companies offer 10% to 25% savings for teens maintaining a 3.0 GPA or B average, rewarding academic responsibility with financial benefits. Required documentation includes report cards or transcripts, and grades must be maintained throughout the policy period to continue receiving discounts.
This can be cost-effective for teen drivers, especially those who drive infrequently or have restricted driving privileges from parents. Pay-per-mile programs combine a base rate with charges based on the miles driven, often making them a good fit for students logging fewer than 7,500 miles per year.
Behavior-based pricing models assess driving habits over a short period, typically two to three weeks, and adjust rates accordingly based on actual performance rather than age-based assumptions. These programs reward safe driving and may offer worthwhile savings for teens who drive responsibly, often outperforming traditional discount programs.
Major insurers offer specialized teen monitoring programs that combine safety technology with substantial discounts. These programs can reduce premiums by 16% to 40% while helping young drivers develop safer habits. State Farm's Drive Safe & Save excels for tech-savvy families wanting oversight, while Nationwide's SmartRide offers the highest discount potential at up to 40%.
Company | Program | Potential Savings | How It Works | Key Teen Benefits | Best For |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
State Farm | Drive Safe & Save | Up to 30% | Smartphone app monitors driving habits including speed, braking and phone usage | Personalized feedback and coaching, safe driving rewards, parent dashboard for monitoring, no penalty for poor driving (discount-only program) | Teens comfortable with technology monitoring and parents wanting oversight |
Allstate | Drivewise + teenSMART | Up to 25% | Combines telematics monitoring with educational content | Real-time driving feedback, safe driving challenges, parent-teen communication tools, emergency crash detection, teenSMART educational modules, parent coaching guidance, graduated rewards system | Families seeking comprehensive education and communication tools |
GEICO | DriveEasy Program | Up to 25% | Mobile app tracks driving behavior and provides instant feedback | Trip-by-trip scoring, safe driving streaks, emergency roadside assistance, no rate increases for poor scores | Price-conscious families wanting simple monitoring without penalties |
Progressive | Snapshot Program | Average 16%, up to 30% for excellent drivers | Plug-in device or mobile app monitors driving patterns | Detailed driving reports, immediate discount during monitoring period, option to continue or stop after trial, discount applied immediately | Teens wanting immediate benefits and flexibility |
Nationwide | SmartRide Program | Up to 40% (highest potential) | Mobile app tracks speed, acceleration, braking and phone usage | Highest discount potential, detailed performance analytics, family sharing features | Motivated teens willing to meet stricter monitoring requirements for maximum savings |
Vehicle selection impacts insurance costs for teen drivers. The right car choice saves families over $1,700 annually compared to high-risk vehicles. The cheapest vehicles to insure have strong safety ratings and lower repair costs lead to reduced premiums. Check the table below to find the most affordable models by vehicle type to insure for 17-year-old drivers by coverage level.
| Honda Passport | SUV | State Farm | $1,258 |
| Subaru Forester | Compact SUV | State Farm | $1,259 |
| Volvo XC40 | Luxury SUV | State Farm | $1,262 |
| Chevrolet Corvette | Sports Car | Travelers | $1,295 |
| Subaru Outback | Sedan | State Farm | $1,316 |
| Nissan Frontier | Pickup Truck | State Farm | $1,322 |
| BMW X3 | Luxury Compact SUV | State Farm | $1,328 |
| MINI Cooper | Compact | State Farm | $1,378 |
| Mercedes C-Class | Luxury Sedan | State Farm | $1,379 |
| Honda Odyssey | Minivan | State Farm | $1,382 |
| Tesla Model X | Luxury Electric | State Farm | $1,385 |
| Nissan LEAF | Electric | State Farm | $1,438 |
| Audi R8 | Luxury Sports Car | State Farm | $1,438 |
| BMW 1 Series | Luxury Compact | State Farm | $1,441 |
*Rates are for drivers with clean driving records and good credit.
Choosing the cheapest car to insure reduces costs. For instance, selecting a Subaru Forester over a BMW 3 Series saves teen drivers $1,122 annually in full coverage insurance costs. Your teen can use this money to fund driver education, emergency funds or college savings.
Finding affordable car insurance for 17-year-olds requires strategic shopping and smart decisions. Teens pay $2,112 annually for minimum coverage, but families can cut these costs.
The most effective strategies include staying on parents' policies to save $2,000 to $4,200 annually, targeting affordable insurers like Allied at $185 monthly and State Farm at $217 monthly, and maximizing teen discounts that reach 40% off base rates. Vehicle selection matters too. Safe models like the Subaru Forester cost $1,700 less annually to insure than luxury alternatives.
We've answered frequently asked questions about finding the most affordable car insurance for 17-year-olds to assist you:
Car insurance for 17-year-olds costs more because they are considered high-risk drivers with significantly higher accident rates. Drivers aged 16 to 19 crash and get violations more often, with fatal crashes happening nearly three times more than those of older drivers. Nighttime driving, speeding and distractions increase risk, especially for male drivers who pay the highest premiums.
Compact sedans like the Honda Civic and Toyota Corolla, and small SUVs like the Mazda CX-5, are the cheapest to insure for 17-year-olds. Avoid sports cars and luxury vehicles, which can double premiums.
Adding teens to parents' insurance is much cheaper, saving $2,000 to $4,200 annually compared to independent coverage. Family policies offer multi-car discounts, established history benefits and bundle opportunities.
You must add any licensed 17-year-old who lives in your home to your car insurance policy. If you don't, your provider can deny claims, cancel your policy or accuse you of fraud.
Seventeen-year-olds driving without insurance face fines ($25 to $5,000), license suspension, vehicle impoundment and personal liability for all accident damages. Future insurance becomes more expensive and difficult to obtain.
Due to higher accident rates, male 17-year-olds pay 15% to 20% more than females. However, six states prohibit gender-based pricing: California, Hawaii, Massachusetts, Michigan, North Carolina and Pennsylvania.
Male drivers generally face higher insurance costs due to their greater statistical risk of accidents.
MoneyGeek used a sample driver profile to determine national and state averages for vehicle insurance for 17-year-old drivers. Using this information, we assist readers in identifying the cheapest policy options and selecting the best policy at the lowest price possible.
Data Sources and Depth
We collected data from each state's insurance department and Quadrant Information Services. The data comprises 4,284 price estimates from 100 ZIP codes and six auto insurance providers.
Sample Driver Profile
MoneyGeek calculates yearly car insurance policy estimates based on a policyholder with the following characteristics:
MoneyGeek compared rates for 17-year-old drivers across different states to determine which companies provide the most affordable policies. We adjusted this profile to reflect the differences in age, location and driving behavior.
Coverage Levels and Deductibles Explained
A deductible is the money you must pay out of your pocket before your insurance company pays for your claim. Most drivers benefit from full vehicle insurance covering collision and comprehensive damage.
For minimum coverage, we used state-required limits to identify the cheapest rates and determine the most affordable provider. For full coverage, we used 100/300/100 liability limits with a $1,000 deductible for comprehensive and collision coverage when researching the most affordable and cheapest providers.
Liability limits of 100/300/100 stand for:
Learn more about MoneyGeek's car insurance methodology.
About Mark Fitzpatrick
Mark Fitzpatrick, a Licensed Property and Casualty Insurance Producer, is MoneyGeek's resident Personal Finance Expert. He has analyzed the insurance market for over five years, conducting original research for insurance shoppers. His insights have been featured in CNBC, NBC News and Mashable.
Fitzpatrick holds a master’s degree in economics and international relations from Johns Hopkins University and a bachelor’s degree from Boston College. He's also a five-time Jeopardy champion!
He writes about economics and insurance, breaking down complex topics so people know what they're buying.
