The cheapest car insurance for 19-year-olds is $151 a month with GEICO for minimum coverage on a family policy, or $172 with Nationwide for full coverage. On a standalone individual policy, those same two rates rise to $186 and $282. Get a new quote if your rate is still priced for an 18-year-old. Nineteen-year-olds pay less on average, and an old renewal won't reflect that automatically. It's also worth getting a quote from State Farm specifically for a standalone policy. Its family and individual rates sit just $14 apart, the closest of any carrier here. That makes going independent a real option instead of a theoretical one.
Cheapest Car Insurance for 19-Year-Olds: Rates and How to Save
Updated: July 29, 2026
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Cheapest Car Insurance for 19-Year-Olds by Coverage Type
$151 | $186 | $181 | $219 | |
$167 | $281 | $172 | $282 | |
$172 | $186 | $196 | $211 | |
$171 | $211 | $192 | $235 | |
$178 | $220 | $194 | $242 | |
$215 | $266 | $237 | $290 | |
$224 | $267 | $260 | $305 |
FAMILY VS. INDIVIDUAL POLICY: WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW
A family policy means you're added to a parent's existing policy. It's almost always cheaper, since the cost gets shared across everyone on the policy, and your parents already have a long history with the insurer. An individual policy is in your name only. It costs more, but every mile you drive and every claim you file builds a record that follows only you, not your parents.
Most insurers require everyone on a family policy to live at the same address. Moving out usually means you need your own policy. There's one exception. A full-time college student who lives away from home but doesn't bring a car can often stay on the family policy, and may even qualify for a discount of 10% to 20% for being away.
Cheapest Car Insurance for 19-Year-Old Drivers by State
State makes a bigger difference than most 19-year-olds expect. Hawaii and Mississippi tie for cheapest, both at $57 a month for minimum coverage, GEICO in Hawaii and Progressive in Mississippi, but they get there in completely different ways. Hawaii's insurers are legally limited in how much they can charge based on age. A 19-year-old there doesn't carry the usual youth surcharge at all. Mississippi's low price has nothing to do with age. It comes from the state itself requiring very little coverage by law. That makes "minimum coverage" cheap for every driver regardless of age. Louisiana sits at the opposite end, $251 a month with State Farm, more than four times Hawaii's rate. That gap comes from lawsuits, hurricane damage, and heavy traffic, the same reasons Louisiana is expensive for a 40-year-old too.
| Alabama | GEICO | $114 |
| Alaska | GEICO | $131 |
| Arizona | Travelers | $116 |
| Arkansas | Allstate | $128 |
| California | GEICO | $157 |
| Colorado | GEICO | $123 |
| Connecticut | GEICO | $104 |
| Delaware | Travelers | $141 |
| District of Columbia | GEICO | $113 |
| Florida | GEICO | $186 |
| Georgia | Allstate | $111 |
| Hawaii | GEICO | $57 |
| Idaho | State Farm | $74 |
| Illinois | Allstate | $131 |
| Indiana | GEICO | $95 |
| Iowa | Allstate | $107 |
| Kansas | Nationwide | $104 |
| Kentucky | Allstate | $128 |
| Louisiana | State Farm | $251 |
| Maine | Travelers | $95 |
| Maryland | Progressive | $141 |
| Massachusetts | State Farm | $61 |
| Michigan | GEICO | $153 |
| Minnesota | State Farm | $148 |
| Mississippi | Progressive | $57 |
| Missouri | GEICO | $91 |
| Montana | Progressive | $96 |
| Nebraska | Allstate | $138 |
| Nevada | State Farm | $167 |
| New Hampshire | Allstate | $111 |
| New Jersey | GEICO | $154 |
| New Mexico | State Farm | $126 |
| New York | Progressive | $160 |
| North Carolina | Progressive | $80 |
| North Dakota | Nationwide | $116 |
| Ohio | Nationwide | $99 |
| Oklahoma | Allstate | $130 |
| Oregon | State Farm | $107 |
| Pennsylvania | Travelers | $84 |
| Rhode Island | Travelers | $132 |
| South Carolina | Travelers | $162 |
| South Dakota | Allstate | $98 |
| Tennessee | State Farm | $117 |
| Texas | State Farm | $138 |
| Utah | Nationwide | $133 |
| Vermont | State Farm | $86 |
| Virginia | Nationwide | $112 |
| Washington | GEICO | $134 |
| West Virginia | GEICO | $129 |
| Wisconsin | GEICO | $93 |
| Wyoming | Allstate | $127 |
Cheapest Car Insurance for 19-Year-Olds by Gender
Male 19-year-olds pay more than female drivers of the same age across every carrier we analyzed, though the gap has narrowed from earlier teen years. On minimum coverage the difference averages $13 per month on a family policy. On full coverage it widens to $15 per month. As at 18, State Farm shows the smallest spread between family and individual rates across both genders, while Nationwide carries the largest individual-policy premium for males on full coverage. California, Hawaii, Massachusetts, Michigan, North Carolina and Pennsylvania do not allow gender as a pricing factor.
Best Cheap Car Insurance Companies for 19-Year-Olds
We combined our rate analysis for 19-year-olds with our MoneyGeek scoring system to identify the two best companies for this age group. At 19 the choice increasingly depends on whether you’re staying on a family policy or going independent, and those two scenarios point to different carriers.
GEICO
4.7/5 MoneyGeek Score
GEICO is the cheapest carrier for 19-year-olds on a family policy for minimum coverage at $151 per month, and it’s also the best individual policy option for full coverage at $219 per month. Its fully digital experience suits 19-year-olds managing their own policy for the first time, and it carries an A++ AM Best rating for financial stability. The tradeoff is claims service: GEICO scores 697 out of 1,000 on J.D. Power, slightly below the industry average. For drivers focused on rate and comfortable managing their policy digitally, GEICO is the right starting point.
State Farm
4.4/5 MoneyGeek Score
State Farm is the standout carrier for 19-year-olds weighing a standalone policy for the first time. Its family-to-individual gap is the narrowest of any carrier we analyzed at just $14 per month on minimum coverage and $16 on full coverage, which means the financial case for going independent is strongest here. State Farm’s J.D. Power Claims Satisfaction score of 716 is above the industry average, and its agent network provides personal support that matters more if you’re managing your own policy without a parent involved. Steer Clear (up to 20% savings) and Drive Safe & Save (up to 30%) stack for some of the largest combined discounts available at this age.
How We Rate Auto Insurers
Our MoneyGeek Score weights affordability at 60%, based on our quote data across hundreds of 19-year-old driver profiles. Coverage options account for 20%, with carriers offering more options relative to the market scoring higher. The remaining 20% reflects customer service quality based on J.D. Power ratings.
WHEN DO CAR INSURANCE RATES GO DOWN FOR 19-YEAR-OLDS?
Rates dropped roughly 11% from 18 to 19 in our data. The next meaningful reduction for most drivers comes at 21, when many insurers move young drivers from high-risk to moderate-risk classification. The largest single drop for most drivers still comes at 25. Maintaining a clean record between now and those milestones is the single most effective thing a 19-year-old can do to keep rates falling. See our full guide to when car insurance rates go down.
How 19-Year-Olds Can Get Cheap Car Insurance
Rates are dropping at 19 and the strategies that move the needle are starting to shift. You have more negotiating power than you did at 16 or 17, and more of the decisions are yours to make independently.
- 1Reassess the family policy vs. standalone decision
This is your biggest money-saver. Family policies include multi-car discounts and benefit from your parents' established insurance history. Going solo costs 50% to 100% more.
- 2Compare quotes from at least three carriers
The gap between cheapest and most expensive national carrier for a 19-year-old still exceeds $1,000 per year for full coverage on an individual policy. Comparison shopping has more impact at this age than most 19-year-olds expect, particularly if your situation has changed since the last renewal.
- 3Stack discounts while you still qualify
Good student discounts save 10% to 25% for drivers maintaining a 3.0 GPA or higher — one of the last ages where this discount applies for most carriers. State Farm’s Steer Clear program is available until age 25. Stacking it with Drive Safe & Save produces some of the largest combined savings at this age. GEICO’s DriveEasy and Progressive’s Snapshot are strong alternatives.
- 4Bundle auto with renters insurance if you’re moving out
If you’re moving into your own place, bundling auto with renters insurance with the same carrier saves 10% to 15% on both policies. Most 19-year-olds moving out need renters insurance anyway, so bundling is one of the easiest savings available at this life stage.
- 5Match coverage to your vehicle’s value
If you’re driving an older car worth less than $4,000 to $5,000, dropping comprehensive and collision coverage saves money without leaving you significantly exposed. For newer or financed vehicles, raising your deductible from $500 to $1,000 cuts premiums 15% to 20% while maintaining full protection.
- 6Enroll in a usage-based program
Usage-based programs from GEICO (DriveEasy), Progressive (Snapshot) and State Farm (Drive Safe & Save) reward safe driving with discounts of 10% to 30%. At 19 you likely have enough driving history to score well, and a full policy period of clean telematics data can produce a meaningful rate reduction at renewal.
KEY CONSIDERATIONS WHEN SHOPPING: EXPERT TIP
Ensure the company you choose has optional coverages that are helpful for a teen driver or any driver to have on their policy. They include roadside assistance and rental car coverage.
— Mark Friedlander, Director, Corporate Communications, Insurance Information Institute
19-Year-Old Car Insurance: Bottom Line
Nationwide leads on full coverage at $172 per month on a family policy and GEICO leads on minimum coverage at $151 per month. The family-vs-individual decision is worth revisiting at this age — State Farm's gap between the two is just $14 per month, the narrowest of any carrier we analyzed. Compare quotes from at least three carriers before renewing.
Car Insurance for 19-Year-Olds: FAQ
Finding the best affordable car insurance for 19-year-olds can be challenging due to the risk factors that drive up premiums for this age group. We've answered some of the most frequently asked questions to help you:
For most carriers yes, but the gap is smaller than at 18. State Farm’s family-to-individual difference is just $14 per month on minimum coverage at 19. If you’re living independently or heading to college, get both quotes before renewing. The standalone policy may now be competitive enough to justify the switch.
Yes. A violation or at-fault accident on a 19-year-old’s record raises the entire family policy premium, not just the 19-year-old’s portion. If your teen has had a recent incident, removing them from the family policy and getting a standalone quote is worth running the numbers on.
Good student discounts (10% to 25% for a 3.0 GPA or higher), usage-based driving programs (10% to 30%), and defensive driving course discounts (5% to 15%) are all available at 19. State Farm’s Steer Clear program applies through age 25. If you’re moving out, bundling auto and renters insurance saves 10% to 15% on both.
Moving out permanently means you typically need your own policy, as most insurers require a shared address for a driver to remain on a family policy. Your new rate will depend on your new ZIP code. Urban areas generally cost more than suburban or rural ones. Get quotes before and after the move to understand the full cost impact.
Affordable Car Insurance for 19-Year-Olds: Our Methodology
MoneyGeek analyzed 54,284 quotes from six major insurance companies across 1,000 ZIP codes nationwide using data from Quadrant Information Services and state insurance departments. Learn more about MoneyGeek’s full methodology.
Our Baseline Profile
Our baseline driver is a 19-year-old operating a 2012 Toyota Camry LE with a clean record, 12,000 miles driven annually and no established credit score. From that starting point we adjusted for gender, state, driving record and coverage level to show how each factor affects what 19-year-olds actually pay. All family policy rates reflect adding a 19-year-old to a parent’s policy. Individual policy rates reflect a standalone policy in the 19-year-old’s name.
Coverage Levels
Minimum coverage rates use each state’s required liability limits only. Full coverage rates use 100/300/100 liability limits with a $1,000 deductible, meaning $100,000 bodily injury per person, $300,000 per accident and $100,000 property damage.
Quality Scoring
Our MoneyGeek Score weights affordability at 60% based on our quote data, coverage options at 20% and customer service at 20% based on J.D. Power ratings. Service quality matters alongside rate for a driver profile still carrying above-average claim risk.
About Mark Fitzpatrick
Mark Fitzpatrick, a licensed Property and Casualty (P&C) Insurance Producer in Connecticut, is MoneyGeek's resident expert in insurance and economics. He has spent nearly a decade covering the market, first at LendingTree and now at MoneyGeek, where he analyzes hundreds of carriers and millions of rates across auto, home, renters, health and life insurance.
His work has appeared in The Washington Post, The New York Times and NPR. He draws on independent cost and consumer experience data, and no insurance company partnerships influence his recommendations.
Mark studied at Boston College before earning a master's in economics and international relations from Johns Hopkins University. Before MoneyGeek, he worked in financial risk management at State Street. He's also a five-time “Jeopardy!” champion.