Written by: VehiclesInformation Editorial Team · Fact-checked against: state insurance department rules and 2026 rate data (our methodology) · Last reviewed: October 2026
Car insurance costs the most at 16, about $540 a month for full coverage, and the least in your 50s and early 60s, about $166 to $170 a month. Rates drop fast every year from 16 to 25, stay low through middle age, and rise again after about 70.
Check your own price by age with our car insurance calculator.
Average car insurance cost at every age
| Age | Full coverage (monthly) | Full coverage (yearly) | Liability (monthly) |
|---|---|---|---|
| 16 | $540 | $6,480 | $300 |
| 17 | $480 | $5,760 | $268 |
| 18 | $430 | $5,160 | $240 |
| 19 | $380 | $4,560 | $212 |
| 20 | $330 | $3,960 | $184 |
| 21 | $300 | $3,600 | $167 |
| 22–24 | $250–$280 | $3,000–$3,360 | $140–$156 |
| 25 | $200 | $2,400 | $112 |
| 30 | $180 | $2,160 | $101 |
| 40 | $175 | $2,100 | $98 |
| 50 | $170 | $2,040 | $95 |
| 60 | $166 | $1,995 | $93 |
| 70 | $185 | $2,220 | $104 |
| 75+ | $200 | $2,400 | $112 |
Estimates for a driver with a clean record and a mid-size sedan, U.S. average. Your state can move these numbers up or down a lot.
Parents of new drivers: see how much car insurance costs for a 16-year-old and how to cut it.
Why young drivers pay so much
Drivers aged 16 to 19 crash far more often per mile than any other group. Insurers price that risk in. Male teens usually pay more than female teens in states that allow gender rating. Several states, including California, Hawaii, Maine, Massachusetts, Michigan, Montana, North Carolina and Pennsylvania, do not allow gender to be used.
When does car insurance go down?
- Every birthday from 16 to 25: small drops each year.
- At 25: one of the biggest single drops, often 10% to 20%.
- After 3 years of clean driving: tickets and accidents fall off.
- When you marry: married drivers often pay a little less.
Insurers do not always lower your rate automatically. Shop around on or after your 25th birthday.
Why rates rise after 70
Slower reaction times and more serious injuries in crashes raise claim costs for older drivers. The increase is modest, and a mature driver course can earn a discount in many states.
How to save at every age
- Teens: join a parent’s policy instead of buying your own. It is usually much cheaper.
- Students: a B average or better can earn a good student discount of up to about 15%.
- Students away at school: ask about a discount if you leave the car at home.
- Under 25: a telematics app rewards safe driving now.
- All ages: compare at least three insurers each year.
- Seniors: take an approved mature driver course and report lower mileage.
Car insurance by age and gender
In most states, young men pay more than young women, usually 10% to 20% more at 16 to 20. The gap shrinks to almost nothing by the mid-20s, and older women sometimes pay slightly more than older men. States that ban gender-based pricing use the same rate for everyone.
Car insurance by age and marital status
Married drivers often pay a few percent less than single drivers of the same age, mostly because they file fewer claims on average. Some states limit the use of marital status in pricing.
Teen on a parent’s policy vs. own policy
| Age | Own policy (monthly) | Added to parent policy (extra per month) |
|---|---|---|
| 16 | $540 | about $250 |
| 17 | $480 | about $225 |
| 18 | $430 | about $205 |
| 19 | $380 | about $185 |
Try our teen driver insurance calculator.
Age plus record: what a ticket costs at each age
| Age | Clean record | After 1 speeding ticket | After 1 at-fault accident |
|---|---|---|---|
| 18 | $430 | $525 | $625 |
| 25 | $200 | $244 | $290 |
| 40 | $175 | $214 | $254 |
| 65 | $185 | $226 | $268 |
Estimated monthly full coverage. The same 22% or 45% increase costs young drivers far more in dollars.
Frequently asked questions
At what age is car insurance cheapest?
Usually between 50 and 65.
Does car insurance go down at 25?
Yes, usually by 10% to 20% if your record is clean.
How much is car insurance for an 18-year-old?
About $430 a month for full coverage on their own policy, much less when added to a parent’s policy.
Does car insurance go up when you turn 70?
It often rises slightly from about 70 onward.
About our numbers
Prices on this page are estimates for U.S. drivers, built from 2025–2026 published rate studies (including Insurify, CarInsurance.com, The Zebra and state insurance department rules) and our own pricing model. Percentages for age, tickets, accidents, DUI, credit and vehicle type are our model estimates, not quotes. Your insurer, ZIP code and history will change your price. Read how we estimate car insurance costs.
This is general information, not insurance or legal advice.
VehiclesInformation Editorial Team
The VehiclesInformation Editorial Team researches and writes our car and car insurance guides for U.S. drivers. Insurance figures are checked against state insurance department rules and published 2026 rate studies, and pages are updated when laws or rates change. Read how we estimate car insurance costs.
