Cheap car insurance for 22-year-olds: Nationwide

Based on Insurance.com rate analysis, Nationwide has the cheapest car insurance rates at about $2,312 per year for 22-year-olds. USAA offers cheaper rates at $2,048 per year, but is available only for military members, veterans and their family members.

Travelers is the third cheapest on our list with an average annual rate of $2,375 a year and Auto-Owners comes in fourth at an average annual insurance cost of $2,450 for a 22-year-old driver.

Below is a list of insurance companies and the average premium they charge 22-year-old drivers.

Cheapest car insurance companies for 22-year-old drivers
CompanyAverage annual premium
USAA*$2,048
Nationwide$2,312
Travelers$2,375
Auto-Owners$2,450
Geico$2,508
Progressive$3,109
State Farm$3,111
Farmers$3,418
Allstate$3,604

*USAA auto insurance is available only to military members, veterans, and family members.

Data refreshed as of Apr 2024
Read our full methodology

Cheapest car insurance for 22-year-old: male vs female

When it comes to car insurance, 22-year-olds face higher insurance rates than adult drivers. Also, there's a difference between what male and female drivers pay.

Nationwide has the cheapest car insurance rates for both female and male 22-year-old drivers. It costs $2,216 per year for a 22-year-old female driver and $2,407 per year for a 22-year-old male driver.

USAA has the cheapest rates but offers services only to military members, veterans and their family members. The insurance rate for a 22-year-old is $2,006 a year for female drivers, but male drivers pay $2,089 per year on average for the same coverage.

Some states forbid car insurance companies to use gender to calculate insurance rates. However, young male drivers across the country still end up paying slightly higher insurance premiums than females.

The table below shows a list of companies that offer cheap auto insurance rates to 22-year-old males and females.

Cheapest car insurance for 22-year-olds by gender
Company22-year-old female22-year-old male
USAA*$2,006$2,089
Nationwide$2,216$2,407
Travelers$2,275$2,476
Geico$2,450$2,567
Auto-Owners$2,325$2,574
Progressive$3,009$3,209
State Farm$2,907$3,316
Farmers$3,310$3,529
Allstate$3,477$3,731

*USAA auto insurance is available only to military members, veterans, and family members.

Data refreshed as of Apr 2024
Read our full methodology

Cheapest car insurance for 22-year-old drivers by state: Hawaii

When it comes to car insurance rates, there is no one-size-fits-all. Depending on your state, the average rates for car insurance can vary greatly.

Insurance.com found that Hawaii has the cheapest average rates for 22-year-old drivers at $1,517 per year. On the other hand, Louisiana has the most expensive average rates for 22-year-olds at $4,277 annually.

The differences in car insurance rates across states can be attributed to several factors, including state laws, weather conditions, average accident rate, etc.

The table below shows the average annual car insurance rates for 22-year-olds by state:

Car insurance rates by state for 22-year-old drivers
State Average annual premium
Hawaii$1,517
North Carolina$1,998
New Hampshire$2,006
Maine$2,038
Ohio$2,193
Virginia$2,234
Idaho$2,247
Vermont$2,256
Massachusetts$2,268
Washington$2,329
Indiana$2,349
Illinois$2,362
Oregon$2,430
Iowa$2,507
North Dakota$2,515
Wisconsin$2,544
Alaska$2,557
Tennessee$2,583
Alabama$2,672
Utah$2,682
Wyoming$2,742
Arizona$2,743
New York$2,763
Kansas$2,800
Connecticut$2,824
Nebraska$2,844
Maryland$2,887
Arkansas$2,915
New Mexico$2,948
Minnesota$2,971
New Jersey$2,971
Texas$2,984
Missouri$2,995
Pennsylvania$3,004
South Carolina$3,026
West Virginia$3,046
Mississippi$3,117
Nevada$3,134
South Dakota$3,213
Georgia$3,231
Washington, D.C.$3,258
Delaware$3,262
Oklahoma$3,275
Colorado$3,356
Montana$3,371
Rhode Island$3,409
Kentucky$3,493
California$3,507
Michigan$3,710
Florida$4,007
Louisiana$4,277

How much is car insurance for 22-year-olds?

A 22-year-old driver pays about $2,858 per year for a full coverage car insurance policy, based on the profile of a 22-year-old male driver. Whereas liability-only coverage costs $934 a year for a 22-year-old male driver, according to Insurance.com research.

However, rates can vary significantly depending on where you live, your driving record, the type of car you drive, and your coverage level. Therefore, it's important to compare rates from multiple insurers to make sure you're getting the best deal possible.

Why do 22-year-olds pay so much for car insurance?

You can expect your car insurance rates to go down as you get older and gain more experience behind the wheel. However, 22-year-olds are still considered relatively inexperienced or rookie drivers, so they tend to pay more for coverage than older drivers.

But if you're looking to save money on your car insurance, you can do a few things, such as taking a defensive driving course or bundling your policy with other types of insurance.

How to save money on car insurance as a 22-year-old?

Many insurance companies are now offering discounts to young drivers who maintain good grades and have no accidents or moving violations on their records. However, there are a few other things that 22-year-olds can do to get even cheaper rates:

  • Shop around: The best way to save money on car insurance is by shopping around and comparing rates from different companies.
  • Enroll in a driving course: Young drivers can lower their car insurance rates by taking a defensive driving course.
  • Take advantage of any discounts: Most car insurance companies offer discounts to students who get good grades.
  • Keep your driving record clean: Avoiding traffic tickets or accidents and keeping your driving record clean in your 20s is an easy way to get lower insurance rates and save on your policy.
  • Drive a safe and reliable vehicle:Young drivers are inexperienced and should avoid driving fancy sports cars. It costs more to insure a high-end car, such as a Mercedes or BMW, than it does to cover an average sedan.

Final thoughts: car insurance for 22-year-olds

It's not easy to find car insurance for a 22-year-old. After all, most young drivers might be still in college or working low-paying jobs. Seeing rates near $2,858 annually can be jarring.

Shopping around can help 22-year-old drivers find affordable insurance for their cars. Nationwide provides the cheapest car insurance rates for male and female drivers. However, depending on your location, car's make and model, driver profile, and other factors, it may not always be the cheapest option. That's why comparison shopping is necessary.

Methodology

Insurance.com collected data from Quadrant Information Services for multiple insurance companies across the U.S. We used full coverage rates based on the sample profile of a 22-year-old driver who drives a 2023 Honda Accord LX with a good insurance score, and a clean driving record for the coverage limit of 100/300/100, which represents $100,000 for bodily injury per person, $300,000 for bodily injury per accident and $100,000 for personal property damage.

We analyzed insurance quotes from 170 insurance companies. You can use these averages to compare companies based on price, but your insurance rates may vary.

Insurance.com has prepared in-depth car insurance guides for drivers of different ages. You will learn how much you expect to pay for insurance based on your age and how you can save on premiums each year. Check out the guides below: