Best Cheap Car Insurance Companies for 22-Year-Olds


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Updated: May 20, 2024

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For 22-year-old drivers seeking affordable car insurance, GEICO offers the cheapest average yearly rate of $1,850, outperforming the average premium of $3,535 significantly.

Compared to other age groups, 22-year-olds pay less than younger drivers due to more driving experience, but their rates are still higher than those of older drivers because insurers still consider them at higher risk for accidents and claims. This balance results in premiums that reflect a moderate level of driving experience while accounting for the potential risk young drivers pose.

Key Takeaways

GEICO offers the best coverage for only $154 per month; it is the most affordable and reliable option.

Insuring an inexpensive sedan typically costs far less than a high-performance car for a 22-year-old driver.

Shopping around for the best rate and having a clean driving record are other ways for a 22-year-old to save on insurance rates.

Why Trust MoneyGeek? MoneyGeek's auto insurance quotes are based on research conducted with information gathered from several sources, including state insurance authorities and Quadrant Information Services. The cost of insurance varies from person to person based on several criteria. One's age, gender, driving record, credit history and the kind of coverage required may all play a role in determining premiums.

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These rates reflect the average cost of car insurance for 22-year-old drivers as of 2024.

1,904Quotes Analyzed
 
6Companies Compared
 
100ZIP Codes

Cheapest Car Insurance Companies for 22-Year-Old Drivers

When determining costs for 22-year-old drivers, each car insurance company uses similar data but weighs individual rating factors differently based on their underwriting criteria.

Here are the 2 cheapest car insurance providers for 22-year-olds:

  • GEICO: $154 per month, $1,850 per year
  • State Farm: $172 per month, $2,061 per year

These quotes represent the cost of individual policies. The 22-year-old drivers often secure individual policies because, though still considered high-risk drivers, their growing independence and driving experience means they may prefer individual over family plans.

To help mitigate expenses, they should look into all the available student discounts on car insurance.

Data filtered by:Results filtered by:
Coverage:
Coverage:100/300/100 w/ $1000 Deductible
GEICOAnnual Premium$1,850Monthly Premium$154
State FarmAnnual Premium$2,061Monthly Premium$172
AllstateAnnual Premium$2,099Monthly Premium$175
TravelersAnnual Premium$2,113Monthly Premium$176
NationwideAnnual Premium$2,183Monthly Premium$182
ProgressiveAnnual Premium$2,398Monthly Premium$200
FarmersAnnual Premium$2,412Monthly Premium$201
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    Drivers in their early 20s pay more for car insurance

    But you can save by comparing multiple quotes.

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    Find a plan for you or your family

    Young drivers tend to pay less if they're added to their parents' plan, even in their 20s.

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Cheapest Car Insurance for 22-Year-Olds by State

The cheapest state for 22-year-old drivers to get car insurance is Massachusetts, with an annual premium of $332 from State Farm. The second cheapest is Idaho, offering an annual premium of $565, also from State Farm.

For 22-year-old drivers, car insurance costs can be different in each state. Some states have tough rules for what insurance has to cover. Places with more crashes or car thefts may have higher insurance costs. This means that while one state might have a really affordable plan, it might not be enough in another state with more risks and where full insurance is a must. Comparing different quotes and thinking about the specifics of each state is a smart move.

AlabamaCompanyGEICOAnnual Premium$1,055Monthly Premium$88
AlaskaCompanyGEICOAnnual Premium$789Monthly Premium$66
ArizonaCompanyGEICOAnnual Premium$1,009Monthly Premium$84
ArkansasCompanyFarmersAnnual Premium$968Monthly Premium$81
CaliforniaCompanyGEICOAnnual Premium$964Monthly Premium$80
ColoradoCompanyGEICOAnnual Premium$840Monthly Premium$70
ConnecticutCompanyGEICOAnnual Premium$971Monthly Premium$81
DelawareCompanyTravelersAnnual Premium$1,189Monthly Premium$99

Cheapest Car Insurance for 22-Year-Olds by Gender

GEICO is the cheapest car insurance provider for both men and women 22-year-old drivers.

  • For men: GEICO, $143 per month, $1,721 per year
  • For women: GEICO, $135 per month, $1,614 per year

The cost of car insurance for a 22-year-old man is higher than for a woman. This is often because men are seen as at a higher risk for accidents.

Annual Car Insurance Rates for Males and Females

female
22-Year-Old Female

Annual Premium

$1,614
male
22-Year-Old Male

Annual Premium

$1,721
Rates for males are:$107 more

This is 7% more expensive.

Data filtered by:Results filtered by:
Gender:
Gender:Male
GEICOAnnual Premium$1,721Monthly Premium$143
State FarmAnnual Premium$1,940Monthly Premium$162
AllstateAnnual Premium$1,950Monthly Premium$162
TravelersAnnual Premium$1,994Monthly Premium$166
NationwideAnnual Premium$2,075Monthly Premium$173
ProgressiveAnnual Premium$2,274Monthly Premium$190
FarmersAnnual Premium$2,431Monthly Premium$203

Cheapest Cars to Insure for 22-Year-Olds

Here are the top two cheapest cars to insure for 22-year-old drivers:

  • Subaru Forester: $126 per month, $1,507 per year
  • Subaru Outback: $130 per month, $1,563 per year

To save money, choose a safe and affordable car. Cars that are older but reliable and have good safety scores can cost less to insure. This means young drivers can spend less but still have cars with important safety features.

Subaru ForesterCategoryCompact SUVCompanyGEICOAnnual Premium$1,507
Subaru OutbackCategorySedanCompanyNationwideAnnual Premium$1,563
Acura MDXCategoryLuxury SUVCompanyTravelersAnnual Premium$1,641
Toyota TacomaCategoryPickup TruckCompanyGEICOAnnual Premium$1,658
Honda PassportCategorySUVCompanyGEICOAnnual Premium$1,755
MINI ElectricCategoryCompactCompanyNationwideAnnual Premium$1,761
Nissan LEAFCategoryElectricCompanyTravelersAnnual Premium$1,792
Ford Mustang Mach ECategorySports CarCompanyGEICOAnnual Premium$1,816

Best Car Insurance for 22-Year-Old Drivers

GEICO is the best car insurance for 22-year-olds, with a monthly premium of $154 and an annual premium of $1,850. Opting for the best provider is crucial despite a higher price point, as reliability and customer satisfaction are key for long-term security and peace of mind.

Company logo for GEICO
Best OverallGEICO
MoneyGeek Score:
85/ of 100

Overview

GEICO ranks high for customer satisfaction. This is important for a 22-year-old driver looking for reliable support in case of accidents or issues. A good experience with insurance claims and customer service can ease the stress for young drivers new to handling insurance matters on their own. GEICO offers:

  • Good student discount for full-time students with good academic records
  • Driver's education discount for completing a driver's education course
  • Multiple car discount for insuring more than one car

It is a great fit for 22-year-olds because it offers a mix of essential and advanced coverages and discounts catering to younger drivers. Young drivers often benefit from comprehensive support and various discount options to make insurance more affordable while ensuring they have the protection they need on the road.

How Much Does Car Insurance Cost for a 22-Year-Old?

The average cost of car insurance for an average 22-year-old driver is estimated at $3,535 annually for full coverage. Costs differ from company to company, so it’s important to get multiple quotes from the best insurance companies to find the most affordable price for the coverage you need.

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AVERAGE ANNUAL CAR INSURANCE PREMIUM FOR A 22-YEAR-OLD

For the average 22-year-old driver, the annual premium is around $3,535 for full coverage.

How to Save on Car Insurance for 22-Year-Olds

One way to achieve significant savings for a 22-year-old is to add them to a family car insurance policy instead of getting their own policy. In order to be added, the family residence must be their primary address; if they have their own apartment or home, they will have to purchase their own policy. If the young driver doesn’t have their own car yet and lives with their parents, they can be listed as a household driver, which can reduce car insurance costs.

Here are a few more ways to save money on car insurance without sacrificing coverage.

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    Compare Quotes for the Best Policy

    To know you’re getting the best rate possible, always shop and compare car insurance quotes from multiple companies. MoneyGeek’s research has shown that comparison shopping can save as much as $558 per year for this age group.

    For example, if you want full coverage with roadside assistance and rental car coverage, two add-on coverages that are very beneficial to any driver, the cost can vary from one insurer to another; you don't want to sacrifice having these coverages because the cost is too high.

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    Ensure a Clean Driving Record

    At-fault accidents and tickets can increase car insurance costs for a 22-year-old or younger driver. To get and keep cheap car insurance rates, it’s best to maintain a clean driving record. This means avoiding distractions in the car, staying off your phone, minding the speed limit and staying alert when around other drivers to avoid potential accidents.

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    Find Companies That Offer Discounts

    When shopping for car insurance, the best companies offer discounts to first-time or new drivers, including 22-year-olds. For college students, the good-student discount is an easy way to save. For example, GEICO and other car insurance companies offer a discount for any student with a “B” or above grade point average (some will accept part-time attendance while others require full-time attendance). Students who are away at school without a car may also qualify for a discount if their primary residence is the family home.

    Some states and car insurance companies offer defensive driving course discounts, which can help reduce accident rates, saving families money over time. Being a good driver can also get you a discount with some companies if you stay accident-free for a length of time, usually 3 to 5 years. Belonging to certain fraternities, sororities or alumni associations can also provide an affiliation discount.

    Certain car insurance companies, such as State Farm and Allstate, have telematics-based safe driver programs that young drivers can complete to score a discount on their car insurance, too.

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    Lower the Coverage Amount

    Another option to save on car insurance costs is to reduce coverage amounts. If you own an inexpensive car, you may want to consider liability-only car insurance.

    While this will save you money, not having full coverage with comprehensive and collision coverage might not be the best idea if you can’t afford to replace your car if it’s totaled. If you’re thinking of going this route, weigh the pros and cons first to make sure it’s right for you.

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    Choose a Sedan Over a Sports Car

    When insuring a 22-year-old driver, sports cars and expensive luxury cars may be much more expensive than a small sedan or other inexpensive models. In comparing the average cost of car insurance for a 22-year-old when added to a family policy, the average annual premium for a Toyota Camry is $1,818. For a Ford Mustang, it’s $2,953. The difference of $1,135 is substantial and worth considering when car shopping and comparing rates.

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What Does a Car Insurance Policy Include?

When collecting quotes, the standard coverages a full coverage auto policy will include are bodily injury and property damage liability, collision coverage and comprehensive coverage. Collision coverage pays for the repair or replacement of your vehicle in an at-fault accident, and comprehensive pays for non-collision damage, such as hail, fire or a tree falling on your car.

You may also need personal injury protection (PIP), medical benefits and/or uninsured/underinsured motorist (UM/UIM) coverage, depending on your state's requirements, even if you choose to get a liability-only policy instead of full coverage. A liability-only policy does not include comprehensive and collision — it only has financial protection for damages caused to others and property and not for your vehicle.

Comprehensive and collision are optional unless you finance or lease your vehicle. Medical coverage or PIP and UM/UIM may also be added to your policy, even if they are not required. Insurance professionals highly recommend including UM/UIM on full coverage or liability-only policy because it offers protection if a driver hits you who is uninsured or does not have enough coverage to pay for the repairs to your vehicle.

Why Is Car Insurance So Expensive for a 22-Year-Old?

One of the main factors in high car insurance rates for 22-year-olds is analytical data showing that this age group has higher-than-average accident rates and moving violations compared to older drivers. Tickets and at-fault accidents begin to decrease as a driver gains more experience behind the wheel. However, one ticket or at-fault accident could cause rates to increase dramatically.

When collecting quotes from car insurance companies and weighing your coverage options, ask whether accident forgiveness is available as an add-on coverage or earnable by maintaining a clean motor vehicle record. With accident forgiveness coverage, you will not see a premium increase after your first at-fault accident, which can mean substantial savings for years.

FAQ: Best Cheap Car Insurance Companies for 22-Year-Olds

Finding affordable car insurance for 22-year-olds can be challenging due to their limited driving experience. Obtain insights on securing cost-effective car insurance for young drivers.

What is the cheapest car insurance for a 22-year-old?
What is the best insurance company for a 22-year-old?
Why is car insurance expensive for 22-year-old drivers?
Is car insurance more expensive for 22-year-old males?

About Mandy Sleight


Mandy Sleight headshot

Mandy Sleight is a writer for MoneyGeek and has been an insurance agent since 2005. As a freelance writer, she uses her vast knowledge of the insurance industry to create informative, engaging and easy-to-understand content for consumers. Her work has been featured in Market Watch, Kiplinger and other major publications.


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