Jessica Fox Last Updated On: June 27, 2023

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Your Guide to Getting Car Insurance For 19 Year Old

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Whether you want a car to commute to work or you’re ready to explore where the blacktop ends, you’ll need car insurance to protect you on your journey. Unfortunately, car insurance for 19-year-olds costs high. That’s the bad news.

The good news is there are insurance options that won’t break the bank, so don’t give up your dream of exploring the open roads. Instead, just spend some time looking into your options before you hit the road!

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Factors That Influence Your 19 Year Old Car Insurance Rates

When you contact insurance companies for car insurance quotes, insurers will determine how much your premiums are based on these factors:
  • Age
  • Gender
  • Location and zip code
  • If you’re insured under your parents or on your own
Due to a 19-year-olds lack of driving experience, 19-year-olds aren’t eligible for traditional car insurance savings like marriage discounts, good credit, good driving history, or employment. However, just because you can’t capitalize on conventional money-saving discounts doesn’t mean there aren’t alternative ways to save money on car insurance as a young adult.

Average Premium Cost For A 19-Year-Old

Insuring a 19-year-old is high risk, and with high risk comes big premiums. IIHS (Insurance Institute for Highway Safety) claims that teenage drivers are 400x more likely to be involved in an accident when compared to older, more experienced drivers. Further, males will pay higher rates than women as they are even more likely to cause an accident. The average monthly cost of car insurance for a 19-year-old is:
  • For Males, Your Monthly Premium Is: $200-$800 
  • For Females, Your Monthly Premium Is: $200-$500
These figures ultimately depend on the car insurance company you choose as well as various other factors such as driving history.

Cost of Premiums For 19 Year Old By State

There is yet another thing to consider when shopping around for car insurance when you’re 19, and that’s where you live. Nationwide, all drivers are required to meet minimum car insurance requirements to drive. However, premium amounts differ across the states. 

For instance, if you live in a state like Michigan, where premiums are high, you can expect to pay more than a state like Hawaii that offers much more affordable rates.

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How To Save Money On Car Insurance For 19 Year

When you’re exploring car insurance options, don’t just base your decision on which insurer offers the best premiums; ask about these discounts as they can further drive down the cost of your monthly premiums.
  • Drive The Right Car: As tempting as it may be to insure a new, high-performance or expensive car, if you want a decent rate, your best bet is driving an older model or low MSRP-priced vehicle. Why? Because lower-priced vehicles are more affordable to replace or repair should you get into an accident.
  • Compare Rates: As with any insurance product, never settle on the first coverage option (even if it has the best rate); always shop around.
  • Good Student Discounts: If you have a B average or a GPA of 3.0+, you may be eligible for a good student discount. All you’ll need is proof of your grades with a copy of your transcript to qualify.
  • Defensive Driver Discounts: For further savings, some insurance companies will reduce your premiums if you’ve completed a professional driving course or defensive driving class.
  • Away From Home Discounts: If you’re a college student living away from home (100 miles away from home) and seldom drive, you’re eligible for this discount if it’s available with your insurance provider.
  • Good Driving: Although this isn’t a good driver’s discount, if you avoid risky driving practices like driving under the influence or stunt driving, then you’ll avoid costly premium hikes. If you get caught committing either of these offenses, your premiums could go up by 40%!
  • Telematics: If you’re open to driving with an in-car system that monitors and tracks your driving habits, this could lead to more significant discounts.
  • Stay Insured With Your Parents: Although you may want to be independent of your parents if you live at home, it’s more cost-effective to remain on your parent’s policy when it comes to saving money. If you’re a student and drive infrequently and stay on your parent’s policy, they’re eligible for cost savings.

Getting Car Insurance When You’re 19

When it comes to finding car insurance when you’re 19, it can be challenging to find a policy that fits your coverage needs while coming in under budget; but, it’s possible. The most important thing for young adults is to arm themselves with information on state car insurance laws and which insurers accommodate young drivers. If you’re eager to get behind the wheel, you’ll need the right car insurance policy to come along for the ride!

Jessica Fox Jessica Fox has been a freelance writer for five years, with a specialty in health, wellness, and insurance. During this time, she’s written for some of the biggest B2B and B2C brands from around the world. Jessica is also the mother of two young daughters and loves coffee, writing, and working out.


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