The Best Cheap Car Insurance and Average Costs for 30-Year-Olds

While a 30-year-old can get cheaper car insurance rates than a younger, new driver, there are still strategies available to help you save money. By the time a driver reaches 30, they should have more experience on the road and behind the wheel, making better and safer driving decisions. MoneyGeek collected data to compare the top insurance providers for 30-year-olds to help you find the best cheap car insurance companies for your needs.

When shopping and comparing car insurance quotes, cost is a big factor in deciding which car insurance company to go with. According to MoneyGeek’s data collection, the average 30-year-old can expect to pay roughly $1,267 in annual premiums. Each car insurance company has different coverage options available, so it’s a good idea to get multiple quotes to find out which car insurance company is the best for your budget and coverage needs.

When comparing car insurance quotes, you’ll notice that costs vary from company to company. This is because, while the companies use the same information, they use the data differently. When shopping for car insurance, be prepared to provide your:

• Age
• Gender
• Location
• Car information
• Driver’s license number
• Other household drivers

The car insurance companies will use this information to determine the best rates for your coverage needs. We found that for a 30-year-old driver, the cheapest car insurance company is GEICO, with a $1,019 average annual premium for comprehensive and collision coverage. The most expensive is Progressive, with a $1,464 average annual premium.

Whether you’re a teen driver or a 30-year-old driver with experience, the type of car you drive can affect your rates. The most expensive cars to insure regardless of age range are high-performance cars and vehicles with a high price tag. Sedans and affordable SUVs tend to be the cheapest to insure, like the:

• Honda CR-V
• Chrysler Pacifica
• Toyota Camry
• Chevrolet Impala

One way to get significant savings is to add a 30-year-old to a family car insurance policy. If your household has more than one car, a multi-car discount applies, and the family could be eligible for more discounts. Here are a few more strategies to get the best rate on car insurance.

Another strategy for cheap car insurance for a 30-year-old is to use an auto insurance quotes comparison with multiple companies. Comparing the same coverage across different companies can help you decide which is the best car insurance company to fit your budget. According to MoneyGeek data, comparison shopping can save you $445 in annual premiums or more. When it comes to car insurance, it pays to shop around.

While the impact isn’t as significant as with younger drivers, tickets and accidents can dramatically increase car insurance costs for a 30-year-old. To keep rates low, maintain a clean driving record by sticking with the speed limit, avoiding distractions and paying attention to your surroundings to avoid accidents and tickets.

The more discounts you qualify for, the better your chances of getting the best rates for cheap car insurance. As a 30-year-old, some insurance companies offer discounts for defensive driving courses, but this varies by state. This discount helps reduce accident rates by making you a safer driver, which can save families money over time.

Purchasing a new car with safety features like anti-lock brakes, airbags and an anti-theft system can also provide discounts on car insurance. These discounts can add up too. With GEICO, for example, you can save up to 50% on your car insurance rates by insuring a new car with safety features. These are just a few of the discounts car insurance companies offer, so make sure to ask about all available discounts to get the best auto coverage rates.

Another way to save on car insurance as a 30-year-old is to consider liability-only coverage if you own an inexpensive car. If you are thinking of going this route, consider it carefully, as not having comprehensive or collision coverage means there’s no coverage if you're at fault for damaging the car. If you can’t afford to fix or replace your cheap car, this might not be the best strategy for you.

You may like sports cars and expensive luxury cars, but you won’t find cheap car insurance rates for them. When comparing a Toyota Camry with a Ford Mustang for a 30-year-old added to a family plan, the cost is an estimated $733 more annually for the Ford (roughly $2,000) vs. the Camry (roughly $1,267).

If you’re car shopping, it’s a good idea to get quotes on the cars you’re interested in buying, so you know the costs before you buy. This can save you big, especially if you like more expensive cars.

Many factors go into determining car insurance rates, and this applies to all age ranges. The average 30-year-old should be aware of the criteria used by car insurance companies to find the best cheap rates:

• Age
• Gender
• Location
• Credit score
• Driving record
• Coverage amount
• Type of car

Companies also take into account accident, injury and fatality statistics to determine car insurance rates. Younger drivers, who are more likely to be involved in accidents, tend to have higher rates. Drivers in their 30s, 40s, and 50s, on the other hand, tend to have lower rates in comparison.

According to statistics from the AAA Foundation for Traffic Safety, there were 7,349 driver deaths in 2014–2015 in the 30- to 59-year-old age group — and the lowest rate of driver deaths per capita per 10,000 miles driven (3.9 deaths per capita) of all the age groups.

While the risk of accidents goes down for 30-year-olds compared to younger age groups, it’s still significant. So it’s important to stay alert, avoid distractions and drive within the speed limit to avoid being involved in an accident.

Keeping the two-second rule in mind can help you stay safe on the road: Whenever there’s a car in front of you, try to stay at least 2 seconds behind them to give you enough time to react in the event of unexpected braking. In inclement weather or if someone is driving erratically in front of you, you’ll want to allow even more time.