Best Cheap Car Insurance Companies for 18-Year-Olds

For 18-year-old drivers added to a family policy, GEICO offers the cheapest car insurance, with an average monthly rate of $203 and annual rate of $2,431. In contrast, the average car insurance premium for an individual policy costs $220 per month or $2,641 a year.

Eighteen-year-olds have slightly lower premium costs than younger drivers because they typically have slightly more driving experience, and companies see 18-year-old drivers as less risky to insure. However, premiums go significantly higher compared to older age groups because these teen drivers are still viewed as high risk due to the higher accident rates associated with their age group.

Discover the two most affordable car insurance providers for 18-year-olds:

• GEICO: $203 per month, $2,431 per year
• Nationwide: $206 per month, $2,476 per year

These rates represent the cost of adding an 18-year-old to a family insurance policy.

Adding an 18-year-old to a family policy is significantly less expensive than a standalone policy — with GEICO, it's $97 cheaper per month, while a policy with Nationwide saves you about $155 per month. Due to their inexperience, insurers consider teens high-risk drivers, leading to higher rates.

To help manage these costs, young drivers should explore all available student discounts for car insurance.

Connecticut is the cheapest state for 18-year-old drivers, with an annual premium of $510 through GEICO. Mississippi is the second cheapest, at $637 annually, from Progressive.

Car insurance costs for 18-year-olds can vary depending on the state. Some states have tough laws on what insurance must cover, and factors like the number of car crashes or thefts can also increase the cost of car insurance.

A low price in one state may not be the cheapest in another if there's more risk and you need better coverage. Parents should compare quotes and consider what's different in each state when they pick insurance for their young driver.

Due to increased accident risks, insurance rates for 18-year-old male drivers are generally higher than for females. GEICO offers the most affordable policies for both.

• For males: GEICO, $206 per month, $2,478 per year
• For females: GEICO, $165 per month, $1,977 per year

These rates reflect the cost of adding an 18-year-old to a current car insurance policy.

Male teen drivers often face higher insurance premiums than female teens because young males are in more accidents on average. Though price differences become less apparent with age, girls usually get cheaper rates at age 18.

For 18-year-old drivers, the Subaru Forester and Subaru Outback are the cheapest car models to insure.

• Subaru Forester: $227 per month, $2,724 per year
• Subaru Outback: $229 per month, $2,752 per year

To help manage costs, consider adding your young driver to your policy with the safest, least expensive car to insure. Typically, older cars with strong safety ratings are more affordable to insure.

This approach offers a balance between cost and safety, which is particularly important for high-risk young drivers. Don't overlook potential student discounts on car insurance that could offer additional savings.

GEICO offers the best car insurance for 18-year-olds added to a family policy, with a monthly premium of $203 and an annual premium of $2,431. Opting for the best provider like GEICO ensures dependable coverage and reliable customer service despite a potentially higher price point.

Teens and adults alike are looking for the best car insurance rates. However, an 18-year-old teen may have little to no experience behind the wheel, which means they have a limited driving history. Teens also have an above-average rate of at-fault accidents and moving violations, which are factors that result in higher rates to compensate for potential claims.

Rates vary from state to state, but nationally, car insurance for 18-year-olds costs an average of $2,641 per year when added to a family policy and $7,605 for an individual policy. Although expensive, adding an 18-year-old to a family policy can save an average of $4,964 a year.

Adding a teen to a family policy rather than purchasing an individual policy isn’t the only way to save money on insurance for an 18-year-old driver. Review other ways to save on car insurance.

Car insurance for 18-year-old drivers is expensive because insurance industry analytical data shows teen drivers with limited experience behind the wheel have higher rates of at-fault accidents and moving violations than drivers in other age groups. Being rated as a high-risk driver leads to the probability of filing more claims, which generates a higher cost of coverage.

Finding the best affordable car insurance for 18-year-olds can be daunting due to high-risk factors. Gain insights on securing the most economically viable car insurance for young drivers.