Cheapest Cars to Insure for Teens
Discover the top vehicles that will save your family money on teen car insurance in 2024. Drive safe and save!
If you are under twenty and looking to buy a new or used car, you should find out what the cheapest cars to insure for teens are beforehand. In recent years the cost of auto insurance has gone up over 25% and this has really impacted teenagers, who often struggle to make both car and insurance payments each month.
Choosing a car that is cheap to insure for teenagers can be the difference between being able to afford it or not. We examined the cheapest new and used cars to insure for young drivers. Also included are valuable tips that can save young drivers hundreds per year on auto insurance.
The Top 30 Best New Cars To Insure For Young Drivers
The following rates are based on a 19-year-old living in Dallas, TX with a clean driving record:
| Vehicle Make / Model | Liability | Full Coverage | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Honda Fit | $1,312 | $2,513 |
| 2 | Kia Rio | $1,355 | $2,542 |
| 3 | Hyundai Accent | $1,402 | $2,604 |
| 4 | Toyota Corolla | $1,437 | $2,659 |
| 5 | Honda Civic | $1,505 | $2,708 |
| 6 | Nissan Versa | $1,547 | $2,756 |
| 7 | Subaru Impreza | $1,604 | $2,795 |
| 8 | Volkswagen Jetta | $1,648 | $2,847 |
| 9 | Mazda3 | $1,696 | $2,889 |
| 10 | Toyota Prius | $1,740 | $2,921 |
| 11 | Ford Focus | $1,788 | $2,990 |
| 12 | Chevrolet Cruze | $1,827 | $3,050 |
| 13 | Honda Accord | $1,899 | $3,074 |
| 14 | Toyota Camry | $1,937 | $3,150 |
| 15 | Kia Forte | $1,990 | $3,189 |
| 16 | Hyundai Elantra | $2,052 | $3,195 |
| 17 | Nissan Sentra | $2,076 | $3,278 |
| 18 | Subaru Outback | $2,144 | $3,321 |
| 19 | Volkswagen Golf | $2,183 | $3,394 |
| 20 | Mazda6 | $2,250 | $3,426 |
| 21 | Ford Fusion | $2,279 | $3,485 |
| 22 | Chevrolet Malibu | $2,342 | $3,550 |
| 23 | Nissan Altima | $2,370 | $3,565 |
| 24 | Honda CR-V | $2,420 | $3,635 |
| 25 | Toyota RAV4 | $2,468 | $3,681 |
| 26 | Kia Sportage | $2,543 | $3,746 |
| 27 | Hyundai Tucson | $2,579 | $3,780 |
| 28 | Subaru Forester | $2,625 | $3,821 |
| 29 | Volkswagen Tiguan | $2,660 | $3,908 |
| 30 | Mazda CX-5 | $2,723 | $3,936 |
Please note that rates will vary by several factors including where a young driver lives, their driving record, age, and even credit score. These insurance premiums are approximate costs.
The Top 10 Most Expensive Cars To Insure For Young Drivers
| Vehicle Make & Model | Liability | Full Coverage | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | BMW M8 Competition | $6,621 | $12,323 |
| 2 | Mercedes-AMG G 63 | $6,315 | $11,610 |
| 3 | Dodge Challenger SRT Hellcat | $6,309 | $11,156 |
| 4 | Ford Mustang Shelby GT500 | $5,879 | $10,605 |
| 5 | Chevrolet Corvette Z06 | $5,716 | $10,080 |
| 6 | Audi R8 | $5,504 | $9,605 |
| 7 | Porsche 911 Turbo S | $5,307 | $9,112 |
| 8 | Nissan GT-R | $5,105 | $8,654 |
| 9 | Lamborghini Huracan | $4,895 | $8,102 |
| 10 | Tesla Model X Performance | $4,710 | $7,599 |
In general, high-performance sports cars like a Corvette and luxury cars like a new BMW will cost teenagers significantly more to insure. If you are a young driver and you want to get a sports car, you can save money by getting a high-deductible and taking advantage of all the available discounts.
Cheap Used Cars With Cheap Insurance For Teens
- Honda Civic (2012-2018 models)
Not only is the Honda Civic reliable, but it’s also fun to drive and has great safety ratings.
Annual Auto Insurance Costs:
- Liability Coverage – $1,695
- Full Coverage – $2,780
- Toyota Corolla (2012-2018 models)
The Toyota Corolla is a safe car that has great fuel economy and also has cheaper auto insurance rates for young drivers than most vehicles.
Annual Auto Insurance Costs:
- Liability Coverage – $1,755
- Full Coverage – $3,080
- Hyundai Elantra (2012-2018 models)
The Hyundai Elantra is a popular used car choice for many young drivers. It gets great gas mileage, is fun to drive, and has a spacious interior.
Annual Auto Insurance Costs:
- Liability Coverage – $1,823
- Full Coverage – $3,147
- Ford Focus (2012-2018 models)
The Ford Focus offers great safety features, is a comfortable ride, and gets great gas mileage.
Annual Auto Insurance Costs:
- Liability Coverage – $1,960
- Full Coverage – $3,320
- Kia Soul (2012-2018 models)
The Kia Soul is a popular used car for teens that has unique styling, offers a lot of interior room, and gets good gas mileage.
Annual Auto Insurance Costs:
- Liability Coverage – $1,990
- Full Coverage – $3,376
- Nissan Sentra (2012-2018 models)
The Nissan Sentra is a compact sedan that is popular with teens. It offers great gas mileage, a comfortable ride, and several safety features.
Annual Auto Insurance Costs:
- Liability Coverage – $2,083
- Full Coverage – $3,412
- Chevrolet Cruze (2012-2018 models)
The Chevrolet Cruze is a reliable car that gets good gas mileage, has a spacious interior, and cheaper insurance costs for teens than most used vehicles.
Annual Auto Insurance Costs:
- Liability Coverage – $2,138
- Full Coverage – $3,585
- Subaru Impreza (2012-2018 models)
The Subaru Impreza comes with all-wheel drive and is a reliable vehicle that is fun to drive.
Annual Auto Insurance Costs:
- Liability Coverage – $2,289
- Full Coverage – $3,894
- Volkswagen Jetta (2012-2018 models)
The Volkswagen Jetta is a compact sedan that has a well-appointed interior, good fuel efficiency, and impressive safety features. While insurance costs are often higher than similar used vehicles, its overall value and safety ratings make it a smart choice for teen drivers.
Annual Auto Insurance Costs:
- Liability Coverage – $2,338
- Full Coverage – $3,960
- Mazda3 (2012-2018 models)
The Mazda3 is a compact car that offers a sporty driving experience, has good fuel efficiency, and some impressive safety features. Insurance rates are a bit higher than similar cars, but its overall value and safety ratings make it a strong consideration for young drivers.
Annual Auto Insurance Costs:
- Liability Coverage – $2,410
- Full Coverage – $4,035
Cheapest Auto Insurance Companies For Young Drivers
Several carriers have good car insurance rates for young drivers. It’s important to compare several rates, preferably 10 or more, so you can see what insurer has the best rates for you. On average, these are the companies that offer the cheapest cars to insure for teens.
| Company | Average Annual Rate |
|---|---|
| Progressive | $1,781 |
| Travelers | $1,795 |
| Nationwide | $1,820 |
| Geico | $1,912 |
| Esurance | $2,127 |
How to Get The Cheapest Teen Car Insurance
The best way a teen can save on auto insurance is to:
- Choose a Vehicle That’s Cheap to Insure
- Get added to their parent’s policy. This will save about $1,400 per year.
- Go for a high deductible of $1,000 or higher
- Consider a liability-only policy if the vehicle is worth less than $8,000
- Compare quotes from at least 10 insurers
- Get all the discounts you can including a “good student discount” and complete a certified safe driving class.
Tips to Reduce Auto Insurance Rates for Teens
- Choose a safe and affordable vehicle: As mentioned earlier, the type of car you drive can significantly impact your insurance rates. Choose a vehicle with good safety ratings and a smaller engine, as these tend to have lower auto insurance costs.
- Maintain good grades: Many insurance companies offer discounts for students who maintain a certain grade point average (usually a B average or higher). This demonstrates responsibility and can help lower your rates.
- Take a defensive driving course: Completing a defensive driving course can make you a safer driver in the eyes of insurers, as well as qualify you for several discounts with many insurance companies.
- Consider bundling policies: If your parents have existing insurance policies (e.g., home, auto), inquire about bundling your car insurance with their policies. This can often lead to discounts for having multiple policies with the same provider.
- Increase your deductible: Before your insurance begins covering costs, the deductible is the amount you agree to pay out of pocket. If you raise your deductible, you can usually lower your monthly payments. Just be sure to set aside enough money to cover the higher deductible in case of an accident.
- Opt for a telematics program: Some insurance companies offer telematics programs that track your driving habits (e.g., speed, braking, mileage) and provide discounts for safe driving behavior.
- Consider usage-based insurance: If you don’t drive frequently, inquire about usage-based or pay-per-mile insurance options, which can be more cost-effective for low-mileage drivers.
- Look for discounts: Many insurance companies offer several discounts for reasons such as being a good student, having anti-theft devices, or completing a driver’s education course. Ask about available discounts and make sure to take advantage of them.
- Stay on your parent’s policy (if possible): Remaining on your parents’ insurance policy can be significantly cheaper than getting your own policy as a teen driver. Check with your parents’ insurance provider to see if this option is available and what the requirements are.
- Shop around and compare quotes: Insurance rates can vary significantly among providers, so be sure to shop around and compare quotes from multiple companies to find the best deal.
Choosing the right car and applying multiple cost-saving strategies can help make car insurance more affordable for teens and their families. Remember, safety should always be a top priority when selecting a vehicle, and responsible driving habits can go a long way in keeping insurance costs down in the long run.
Car Insurance For Young Female Drivers
On average female teen drivers pay about 14% less than their male counterparts. This is because male teenage drivers take more risks, drive recklessly more often and you guessed it, get in more accidents. Female teen drivers are not completely innocent in terms of dangerous driving. They often can’t put down their phone while driving, leading to a surge in distracted driving accidents in recent years.
One of the best ways for a young driver to learn about safe driving and also get a big discount on auto insurance is to complete a certified defensive driving class. You can even get certified by completing a defensive driving class online and it could also save your life.
10 Teen Car Insurance Discounts
Here are 10 common discounts that teens can take advantage of to get cheaper car insurance rates:
- Good Student Discount: Many insurers offer discounts to teen drivers who keep their GPA above a certain score, typically a B average or higher. This discount can range from 10% to 25% off the premium.
- Driver’s Education Discount: Completing a state-approved driver’s education course can qualify teens for a discount on their insurance rates, as it demonstrates their commitment to becoming a safer driver.
- Defensive Driving Course Discount: Taking a defensive driving course, either in-person or online, can help teens learn valuable skills for avoiding accidents and qualify them for a discount on their insurance premiums.
- Low Mileage Discount: If a teen doesn’t drive frequently or has a short commute, they may be eligible for a low mileage discount. Insurers often provide discounts for drivers who log fewer annual miles.
- Multi-Policy Discount: Bundling the teen’s auto insurance with their parents’ existing policies (such as home or life insurance) can lead to significant discounts from the insurer.
- Vehicle Safety Features Discount: Vehicles equipped with advanced safety features like anti-lock brakes, airbags, and anti-theft systems may qualify teens for discounts on their insurance rates.
- Telematics/Usage-Based Insurance Discount: Many insurers offer programs that monitor driving behavior through mobile apps or in-vehicle devices. Safe driving habits, like avoiding hard braking or speeding, can earn teens discounts on their premiums.
- Good Credit Score Discount: Some insurers offer discounts to policyholders with good credit scores, as they consider them lower-risk drivers.
- Early Quote/Renewal Discount: Shopping for insurance early or renewing a policy before it expires can sometimes qualify teens for a small discount from their insurer.
- Organization Membership Discounts: Discounts may be available for teens who belong to certain organizations, such as alumni associations, professional organizations, or even certain employers.
The Final Word On The Cheapest Cars To Insure For Teens
If you need the cheapest cars to insure for teens, then drive a boring used four-door car like a Toyota Camry or Ford Focus. Also, to get the lowest rates, teens should stay on their parent’s policy. When looking to buy auto insurance, compare at least ten quotes to see what provider has the cheapest rates.
Applying smart strategies can help you get the cheapest cars to insure for teens. Compare teen auto insurance rates online and save hundreds.