How much is car insurance for 17-year-old drivers?
Male drivers who are 17 years old spend about $6,275 each year on insurance, while female drivers the same age pay around $5,633. Driving history and where you live also strongly influence premiums. Young drivers usually face higher costs because they lack experience, but rates decrease as they get older and build a safe record.
Age is one of the biggest factors in setting car insurance rates, but most states also allow insurers to consider gender. On average, men pay more than women since data shows they take greater risks and are involved in more accidents.
In California, Hawaii, Massachusetts, Michigan, North Carolina, and Pennsylvania, auto insurers are not allowed to factor gender into car insurance pricing.
| Gender | Average annual premium | Average monthly premium |
|---|---|---|
| Male | $6,275 | $523 |
| Female | $5,633 | $469 |
Average car insurance for 17-year-old drivers by company
Travelers provides the lowest annual premiumThe payment required for an insurance policy to remain in force. Auto insurance premiums are quoted for either 6-month or annual policy periods. for a 17-year-old driver at $5,117. The insurance company you pick has a significant impact on overall costs.
For 17-year-olds, the most affordable options are:
- Male drivers: Travelers with an annual rate of $5,451
- Female drivers: Travelers with yearly costs of $4,784
| Company | Average premium | Annual premium for male | Annual premium for female |
|---|---|---|---|
| Travelers | $5,117 | $5,451 | $4,784 |
| GEICO | $5,431 | $5,750 | $5,111 |
| Nationwide | $5,664 | $6,089 | $5,238 |
| State Farm | $5,667 | $6,164 | $5,170 |
| Progressive | $7,966 | $8,290 | $7,641 |
| Allstate | $8,041 | $8,319 | $7,763 |
| Farmers | $9,030 | $9,363 | $8,694 |
| USAA | $4,494 | $4,573 | $4,414 |
Best car insurance for 17-year-old driver
We reviewed leading car insurance providers to identify the best policies for 17-year-old drivers.
Our findings show:
- Auto-Owners ranks first, offering average yearly premiums of $4,006.
- Erie Insurance stands out as the second-strongest option.
| Company name | AM Best | NAIC | Survey score | Average annual premium | Insurance.com score |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Auto-Owners | A+ | 0.54 | 4.42 | $4,006 | 4.65 |
| Erie Insurance | A+ | 0.89 | 4.47 | $3,989 | 4.62 |
| Travelers | A++ | 0.52 | 4.41 | $5,117 | 4.56 |
| GEICO | A++ | 0.69 | 4.43 | $5,431 | 4.49 |
| State Farm | A++ | 0.79 | 4.52 | $5,667 | 4.48 |
| Nationwide | A | 0.63 | 4.52 | $5,664 | 4.33 |
| American Family | A | 0.34 | 3.99 | $4,759 | 4.31 |
| Amica | A+ | 0.75 | 4.68 | $7,348 | 4.2 |
| Progressive | A+ | 0.71 | 4.4 | $7,966 | 3.99 |
| Allstate | A+ | 1.1 | 4.36 | $8,041 | 3.91 |
| Farmers | A | 0.86 | 4.41 | $9,030 | 3.72 |
| USAA | A++ | 1.18 | 4.71 | $4,494 | 4.68 |
Average car insurance for 17-year-olds by state
States require different levels of car insurance, which affects the cost of coverage. As a result, 17-year-old rates can vary significantly by location.
For 17-year-old male drivers:
- Hawaii is the cheapest state, offering coverage at $1,636 annually.
- Louisiana is the most expensive state, where rates average $9,727 per year.
For 17-year-old female drivers:
- Hawaii provides the lowest average yearly premium at $1,636 yearly.
- Louisiana has the highest annual cost, averaging $8,536 a year.
Check the table below to see average car insurance rates for 17-year-olds in your state.
| State | Average annual male premium | Average annual female premium |
|---|---|---|
| Alaska | $5,957 | $5,119 |
| Alabama | $7,086 | $6,233 |
| Arkansas | $7,388 | $6,517 |
| Arizona | $8,325 | $7,219 |
| California | $6,648 | $6,647 |
| Colorado | $6,026 | $5,526 |
| Connecticut | $7,701 | $6,944 |
| Washington, D.C. | $6,681 | $4,982 |
| Delaware | $7,923 | $7,458 |
| Florida | $8,286 | $7,018 |
| Georgia | $7,232 | $6,541 |
| Hawaii | $1,636 | $1,636 |
| Iowa | $4,616 | $4,038 |
| Idaho | $5,467 | $4,642 |
| Illinois | $5,094 | $4,511 |
| Indiana | $5,226 | $4,462 |
| Kansas | $6,866 | $5,799 |
| Kentucky | $7,965 | $6,523 |
| Louisiana | $9,727 | $8,536 |
| Massachusetts | $5,470 | $5,329 |
| Maryland | $5,970 | $5,158 |
| Maine | $4,699 | $4,055 |
| Michigan | $7,003 | $7,003 |
| Minnesota | $5,992 | $4,916 |
| Missouri | $6,614 | $5,767 |
| Mississippi | $7,023 | $6,527 |
| Montana | $7,325 | $7,118 |
| North Carolina | $4,228 | $4,228 |
| North Dakota | $6,479 | $5,442 |
| Nebraska | $6,327 | $5,338 |
| New Hampshire | $4,738 | $4,248 |
| New Jersey | $7,461 | $6,362 |
| New Mexico | $6,999 | $6,239 |
| Nevada | $8,518 | $7,429 |
| New York | $6,232 | $5,486 |
| Ohio | $5,264 | $4,754 |
| Oklahoma | $7,775 | $6,716 |
| Oregon | $6,234 | $5,929 |
| Pennsylvania | $5,964 | $5,960 |
| Rhode Island | $7,932 | $7,244 |
| South Carolina | $6,914 | $6,061 |
| South Dakota | $7,290 | $6,183 |
| Tennessee | $6,400 | $5,310 |
| Texas | $4,801 | $4,250 |
| Utah | $7,293 | $6,367 |
| Virginia | $5,146 | $4,534 |
| Vermont | $5,153 | $4,383 |
| Washington | $5,974 | $5,358 |
| Wisconsin | $6,624 | $5,939 |
| West Virginia | $7,415 | $6,513 |
| Wyoming | $6,115 | $4,566 |
Average car insurance for a 17-year-old driver added on a parent's policy
The cheapest company for adding a 17-year-old male driver to a parent's policy is Nationwide, with rates of $2,578 a year. For female drivers, the cheapest option is Nationwide at $2,431 annually.
Adding a teen to a parent's policy is the most effective way to lower car insurance costs for young drivers. Parents generally pay lower rates and qualify for better discounts, especially when they bundle multiple policies and maintain a good driving record.
These lower rates and valuable discounts can lower the cost of coverage, making car insurance more affordable for 17-year-olds.
The table below compares the average car insurance rates for 17-year-old drivers added to a parent's policy with the average rates for individual coverage.
| Company | Parent policy | Adding male teen | Adding female teen |
|---|---|---|---|
| Nationwide | $1,538 | $2,578 | $2,431 |
| GEICO | $1,264 | $2,739 | $2,571 |
| State Farm | $1,671 | $3,273 | $2,964 |
| Travelers | $1,806 | $4,043 | $3,622 |
| Progressive | $1,913 | $4,274 | $4,012 |
| Allstate | $2,310 | $4,299 | $3,981 |
| Farmers | $2,939 | $4,972 | $4,863 |
| USAA | $1,101 | $2,604 | $2,455 |
Methodology
Rates are fielded in partnership with Quadrant Information Services across all 50 states and Washington, D.C.
Unless otherwise indicated, averages are based on our full coverage data set. This data set is based on:
- Bodily injury liability of $100,000 per person and $300,000 per incident
- Property damage liability of $100,000 per incident
- Comprehensive and collision deductibles of $500
- Honda Accord LX
- Good credit
- A clean driving record
- 12-mile commute, 10,000 annual mileage
Data is further filtered to reflect:
- Specific driver age
- Rates for a driver added as a third driver on an existing policy with two parents
Learn more about our data and methodology.
Auto insurance FAQs
What's the cheapest way to insure a 17-year-old?
The cheapest way to insure a 17-year-old driver is to add them to a parent's policy and use the available discounts.
Can a 17-year-old get their own policy?
Yes, but it usually costs much more than joining a parent's plan.
What car insurance discounts are there for 17-year-olds?
17-year-old drivers can qualify for many car insurance discounts, including good driver, claims-free, paperless billing, bundling and usage-based discounts.
Helpful auto insurance tools and calculators
