Best Cheap Car Insurance Companies for 17-Year-Olds

For 17-year-olds, Nationwide emerges as the cheapest car insurance provider when adding the driver to a family policy, with average monthly rates of $224 and yearly rates of around $2,685. In contrast, the average car insurance premium for a family plan for a 17-year-old driver is $252 monthly, amounting to about $3,027 annually.

Car insurance for 17-year-old drivers is typically more expensive because younger drivers are statistically more likely to get into accidents. Their lack of driving experience means insurance companies take on more risk insuring them, resulting in higher premiums.

The two cheapest car insurance providers for 17-year-olds are:

• Nationwide: $224 per month, around $2,685 per year
• GEICO: $239 per month, around $2,863 per year

These rates reflect the cost of adding a 17-year-old as a secondary driver to a family car insurance policy. Adding a teen to a family policy is considerably less expensive than obtaining an individual policy; for instance, Nationwide's average monthly rate for an individual policy is $389.

17-year-old drivers are considered "high-risk drivers," which typically leads to higher car insurance rates. To help reduce these costs, consider taking advantage of student discounts on car insurance.

The cheapest state for 17-year-old drivers to get car insurance is Connecticut, with an annual premium of $553 from GEICO. The second cheapest is Hawaii, with a $640 premium from GEICO.

Car insurance for 17-year-olds can be expensive, and prices vary from state to state. Every state has different rules for insurance coverage. Some states require more coverage, which can cost more. A state's accident rates or the number of stolen cars can also impact premiums.

Parents can explore car insurance quotes and consider state-specific factors to find the best insurance for their teen driver. It goes beyond just seeking the cheapest option — it's about the perfect match for your needs.

On average, 17-year-old male drivers usually pay more for car insurance than female drivers. GEICO and Nationwide offer the most affordable rates for these young drivers.

• For male 17-year-old drivers: Nationwide, $231 per month, around $2,768 per year
• For female 17-year-old drivers: GEICO, $189 per month, around $2,263 per year

Note that these rates reflect the cost of adding a 17-year-old to an existing car insurance policy.

Young male drivers typically face higher insurance premiums due to their statistically greater likelihood of being involved in accidents. Although insurance costs for female drivers are generally lower, the price difference becomes less pronounced with age.

The most affordable cars to insure for 17-year-old drivers are the Subaru Forester and Subaru Outback.

• Subaru Forester: $253 per month, around $3037 per year
• Subaru Outback: $256 per month, around $3068 per year

To help reduce costs, consider adding your teen driver to your existing policy with the safest and most affordable car you have. Opt for older models known for their reliability. These cars tend to be among the cheapest cars to insure and can save you money while keeping your young driver protected.

GEICO offers the best car insurance for 17-year-olds, with an average monthly premium of $239 and an annual premium of around $2,863 for a family policy. Opting for the best overall provider means you can expect better customer service and financial stability from your insurer.

The easiest way to save money on car insurance for 17-year-olds is to add them to a parent’s existing policy rather than trying to get them a policy of their own. For example, if you add a teen to your car insurance, you’ll pay an average of $3,047 annually. If you bought your teen their own policy, you would pay $8,843 on average, or $5,816 more.

Many factors affect what you pay for car insurance. However, the fact that it’s more expensive to get a separate policy for a teen will be true across different providers. It's worth noting that most 17-year-olds are not legally allowed to purchase their own car insurance policy without the consent of a parent or guardian.

Car insurance for 17-year-olds is typically more expensive due to their limited driving experience. At this age, drivers may react more slowly in traffic or interpret other drivers' intentions less effectively than more experienced motorists. Proficiency in driving demands considerable practice, yet most driver's education programs provide limited real-world driving experience before 17-year-olds qualify for their driving exams.

This combination of reduced maturity and a tendency toward overconfidence in teen drivers contributes to a heightened risk of accidents. Insurance companies recognize this increased risk and factor it into the cost of premiums for drivers in this age group.

The most impactful way to save money on teen insurance is to add the teen driver to a family insurance policy rather than attempting to insure them on a separate policy.

Car insurance companies base their rates on customers' driving history, among many other rating factors. Teens don't have an extensive driving history, and the data demonstrates that teen drivers have a higher rate of accidents and reckless driving than adult drivers. However, there are some additional money-saving actions you can take.

Securing budget-friendly car insurance for 17-year-olds might seem challenging due to their perceived risk. We answered some of your common questions about finding the best cheap car insurance to help you in your search.