Average Car Insurance Cost

Car insurance is likely to cost more than $5,500 annually for a new driver who is 17 years old to get a stand-alone policy. On the other hand, auto insurance will cost about $2,750 extra per year when adding a 17-year-old new driver to a parent's policy. But insurance costs for new drivers vary widely.

Age is a major factor in how much insurance costs for a new driver. Not everyone gets their first license at 16 or 17 years old. A new driver could be 25 or 40 or even 60 years old. Insurance companies set different prices for insuring a newly licensed teenager and someone getting their driver's license later in life. They also factor in gender, state of residence and coverage amounts. Insuring any new driver, however, is more expensive than covering an experienced driver with good driving and insurance records.

Statistics show that new drivers tend to be high-risk drivers who are more likely to get into accidents and file claims. That's why insurance companies charge more to insure them. You can't fight statistics, but sometimes, you can make them work for you in order to get the best possible price. A look at car insurance statistics yields the following findings.

• Adding a teen to a parent's policy is cheaper. If you are a teen driver living at home or in a dorm, ask your parents to add you to their policy. It will be about half as costly as having your own policy.

• Luxury cars are expensive to repair, and sports cars are likely to be driven too fast. Driving a cheaper, practical car with good safety and anti-theft features will lower your rates.

• Students with good grades are better drivers. Insurance companies give discounts to students with a B average or better.

• Driving courses improve drivers' skills. Many insurance companies offer discounts for attending driver's ed or online defensive driving schools.

• Teachers, physicians, police officers, and other well-educated professionals file fewer claims. Some insurance companies offer discounts based on occupation.

If you are a new driver of any age, it's worthwhile to comparison shop rates and discounts carefully. The cheapest way to do this is by getting free online quotes from multiple auto insurance companies.

SR-22 insurance costs $2,336 per year, on average, nationwide. Because an SR-22 flags you as a high-risk driver, your insurance company will charge you a higher premium than the average driver. But the cost of SR-22 insurance changes dramatically based on where you live.

Michigan drivers pay the most for SR-22 insurance, with rates averaging $7,472 annually. On the other hand, Maine has the cheapest SR-22 insurance, with drivers only paying an average of $1,051 per year. How much coverage you buy also makes a difference in cost. If you only buy the minimum amount of insurance required by your state, you can fulfill your SR-22 requirements while keeping your rates as low as possible under the circumstances.

It should be noted that the SR-22 form itself doesn't cause your rates to go up. In fact, your insurance company will only charge you a one-time filing fee of around $25. Instead, your premium will go up based on the infraction that caused you to need an SR-22 in the first place. SR-22s are usually required after serious traffic offenses like DUI, reckless driving, or driving with a suspended license. So, even if your state didn't require you to have an SR-22, your insurance company would still charge you a higher rate based on your risk as a driver.

Since you only need to have an SR-22 for 3-5 years, your premium will eventually go back down. In the meantime, switching to an insurer with lower rates is the best way to save money on SR-22 insurance. As long as your coverage doesn't lapse, it won't affect how long you need the SR-22.

Car insurance in California costs $70 per month, on average, or $844 per year. The average cost of car insurance in California is 17% higher than the national average auto insurance premium, and California ranks 38 out of 50 for the most affordable car insurance rates in the U.S.

Average Cost of Car Insurance in California by Category 

• Clean driving record: $833 per year
• After an at-fault accident: $1,369 per year
• Teen driver: $2,339 per year
• After a DUI: $2,006 per year

There are several factors that affect how much you'll pay for car insurance in California, including your driving record, age, location, the amount of coverage that you purchase, and the insurance company you buy it from. On average, the cheapest insurance companies in California are Geico, AAA, and Grange Insurance. But every insurer has their own way of calculating premiums, so it's a good idea to get quotes from at least three different companies to make sure you find the best deal.

Finally, it's worth noting that car insurance premiums in California are high, compared to the cost of coverage in neighboring states like Oregon and Texas. You can find more details in the table below. 

Cost of Car Insurance in California vs. Neighboring States

Car insurance for a 16-year-old costs $3,343 per year, on average, or $278 per month. Sixteen-year-old drivers pay more for car insurance than older, more experienced drivers because insurers consider them to be high-risk, meaning they're more likely to file a claim.

Because the cost of coverage for 16-year-olds is so high, it's important to shop around for multiple quotes before buying a policy. Some of the best car insurance companies for 16-year-old drivers are Travelers, USAA and Progressive.

Cost of Car Insurance for a 16-Year-Old by Company 

The exact cost of car insurance for a 16-year-old depends on a few factors, including their driving record, gender, and vehicle type. Additionally, whether a 16-year-old is buying their own policy or being added to their parents' policy makes a difference.

Adding a 16-year-old to an existing policy will raise the premium by an average of 140% to 160%. But even with the added cost, it's still a more cost-effective option than having the driver purchase their own policy.

To learn more, check out WalletHub's guide to the best car insurance for teens and young drivers.

The average cost of car insurance for a 21-year-old is $1,250 per year, or about $104 per month. Twenty-one-year-old drivers pay more for car insurance than older, more experienced drivers because insurers consider them to be high-risk, meaning they're more likely to file a claim 

Because the cost of coverage for 21-year-olds is so high, it's important to shop around for multiple quotes before buying a policy. Some of the best car insurance companies for 21-year-old drivers are USAA, Travelers and Geico.

Cost of Car Insurance for a 21-Year-Old by Company 

The exact cost of car insurance for a 21-year-old depends on a few factors, including their driving record, gender, and vehicle type. Additionally, whether a 21-year-old is buying their own policy or being added to their parents' policy makes a difference.

Adding a 21-year-old to an existing policy will raise the premium by an average of 140% to 160%. But even with the added cost, it's still a more cost-effective option than having the driver purchase their own policy.

To learn more, check out WalletHub's guide to the best car insurance for teens and young drivers.

Car insurance for an 18-year-old costs $2,415 per year, on average, or $201 per month. Eighteen-year-old drivers pay more for car insurance than older, more experienced drivers because insurers consider them to be high-risk, meaning they're more likely to file a claim.

Because the cost of coverage for 18-year-olds is so high, it's important to shop around for multiple quotes before buying a policy. Some of the best car insurance companies for 18-year-old drivers are Travelers, USAA and Mercury.

Cost of Car Insurance for an 18-Year-Old by Company 

The exact cost of car insurance for an 18-year-old depends on a few factors, including their driving record, gender, and vehicle type. Additionally, whether an 18-year-old is buying their own policy or being added to their parents' policy makes a difference.

Adding an 18-year-old to an existing policy will raise the premium by an average of 140% to 160%. But even with the added cost, it's still a more cost-effective option than having the driver purchase their own policy.

To learn more, check out WalletHub's guide to the best car insurance for teens and young drivers.

Car insurance in Colorado costs $60 per month, on average, or $725 per year. The average cost of car insurance in Colorado is the same as the national average auto insurance premium, and Colorado ranks 31 out of 50 for the most affordable car insurance rates in the U.S.

Average Cost of Car Insurance in Colorado by Category 

• Clean driving record: $784 per year
• After an at-fault accident: $1,116 per year
• Driver with poor credit: $1,309 per year
• Teen driver: $3,074 per year
• After a DUI: $1,485 per year

There are several factors that affect how much you'll pay for car insurance in Colorado, including your driving record, age, location, the amount of coverage that you purchase, and the insurance company you buy it from. On average, the cheapest insurance companies in Colorado are American National, Geico, and USAA. But every insurer has their own way of calculating premiums, so it's a good idea to get quotes from at least three different companies to make sure you find the best deal.

Finally, it's worth noting that car insurance premiums in Colorado are high, compared to the cost of coverage in neighboring states like Nebraska and Wyoming. You can find more details in the table below. 

Cost of Car Insurance in Colorado vs. Neighboring States

Car insurance in Ohio costs $35 per month, on average, or $414 per year. The average cost of car insurance in Ohio is 43% lower than the national average auto insurance premium, and Ohio ranks 7 out of 50 for the most affordable car insurance rates in the U.S.

Average Cost of Car Insurance in Ohio by Category 

• Clean driving record: $429 per year
• After an at-fault accident: $659 per year
• Driver with poor credit: $750 per year
• Teen driver: $1,744 per year
• After a DUI: $821 per year

There are several factors that affect how much you'll pay for car insurance in Ohio, including your driving record, age, location, the amount of coverage that you purchase, and the insurance company you buy it from. On average, the cheapest insurance companies in Ohio are Geico, USAA, and Ohio Mutual.. But every insurer has their own way of calculating premiums, so it's a good idea to get quotes from at least three different companies to make sure you find the best deal.

Finally, it's worth noting that car insurance premiums in Ohio are low, compared to the cost of coverage in neighboring states like Kentucky and Michigan. You can find more details in the table below. 

Cost of Car Insurance in Ohio vs. Neighboring States

Car insurance in Alaska costs $45 per month, on average, or $543 per year. The average cost of car insurance in Alaska is 25% lower than  the national average auto insurance premium, and Alaska ranks 18 out of 50 for the most affordable car insurance rates in the U.S.

Average Cost of Car Insurance in Alaska by Category 

• Clean driving record: $582 per year
• After an at-fault accident: $816 per year
• Driver with poor credit: $935 per year
• Teen driver: $1,836 per year
• After a DUI: $817 per year

There are several factors that affect how much you'll pay for car insurance in Alaska, including your driving record, age, location, the amount of coverage that you purchase, and the insurance company you buy it from. On average, the cheapest insurance companies in Alaska are USAA, State Farm, and Allstate. But every insurer has their own way of calculating premiums, so it's a good idea to get quotes from at least three different companies to make sure you find the best deal.

Finally, it's worth noting that car insurance premiums in Alaska are average , compared to the cost of coverage in neighboring states like Washington and Hawaii. You can find more details in the table below. 

Cost of Car Insurance in Alaska vs. Neighboring States

Car insurance in Florida costs $68 per month, on average, or $814 per year. The average cost of car insurance in Florida is 13% higher than the national average auto insurance premium, and Florida ranks 36 out of 50 for the most affordable car insurance rates in the U.S.

Average Cost of Car Insurance in Florida by Category 

• Clean driving record: $920 per year
• After an at-fault accident: $1,359 per year
• Driver with poor credit: $1,746 per year
• Teen driver: $2,907 per year
• After a DUI: $1,419 per year

There are several factors that affect how much you'll pay for car insurance in Florida, including your driving record, age, location, the amount of coverage that you purchase, and the insurance company you buy it from. On average, the cheapest insurance companies in Florida are USAA, Geico, and Liberty Mutual. But every insurer has their own way of calculating premiums, so it's a good idea to get quotes from at least three different companies to make sure you find the best deal.

Finally, it's worth noting that car insurance premiums in Florida are average, compared to the cost of coverage in neighboring states like South Carolina and Georgia. You can find more details in the table below. 

Cost of Car Insurance in Florida vs. Neighboring States