How to Find Cheap Car Insurance for 17-Year-Olds

While it is feasible to obtain cheap car insurance for 17-year-olds, you will need to look about and compare prices if this is your driver's first time purchasing insurance. You may also need to transfer their insurer if they currently have a policy. Many factors influence 17-year-old insurance costs, including the fact that younger drivers are more likely to be involved in accidents. Find out how to acquire affordable vehicle insurance for 17-year-olds and which companies offer the lowest costs.

Factors influencing cost

The cost of car insurance for teens depends on a variety of factors. Here are some of the things that insurance companies often look at when calculating teen driver rates.

Location

Your car insurance rate will be determined by your state, city, and ZIP code. Accident rates, the amount of uninsured drivers, population density, weather risks, and car theft rates are all factors that can influence your teen's tailored premium.

Gender

In most states, car insurance companies utilize gender as a rating component. Males typically pay greater rates for car insurance than females." If you're shopping for car insurance for your 17-year-old boy, the premiums may be slightly more than for a female with the same profile and car.

Age

Car insurance companies utilize age as a rating element for both teenagers and adults. However, because young drivers are newly licensed and have minimal driving experience, insurers typically charge 17-year-olds higher rates. However, a driver's rates tend to fall with age.

Driving Record

The insurance provider will evaluate your teen's driving record as part of the application procedure for auto insurance. If your 17-year-old has been in an accident or received a speeding ticket, it may raise their vehicle insurance price.

Vehicle Type

If your teen has their own vehicle, the brand and model will most likely influence the cost of their policy. Premiums can be affected by factors including the cost of car maintenance, the car's safety, and the chance of theft.

Claim History

Young drivers who have made prior claims, such as an at-fault accident, may face higher auto insurance costs in the future.

Coverage Types

All teen drivers are required to carry a minimum amount of car insurance, per state laws. If you wish your child to have more coverage than is required (for example, collision insurance, comprehensive insurance, roadside assistance, or accident forgiveness), their price will increase.

Coverage Limits

Similar to coverage types, your teen's coverage limits will influence their rate. For example, if you obtain more liability coverage than is legally necessary, the price will rise. You may often change coverage limitations, so you may be able to minimize a teen driver's cost.

Discounts

Most car insurance providers offer discounts to assist your youngster achieve a reduced cost. Some insurers provide discounts to teenagers who achieve good grades in school. You can also get discounts for insuring multiple vehicles (such as your car and your teen's car) under the same policy.

How to Find Cheap Car Insurance for a 17-Year-Old

Car insurance for teens is typically quite pricey. But if you're wondering how to acquire cheap insurance for 17-year-olds, there are a few steps you may do. 

Research Insurance Companies

Before you begin obtaining rate quotes for your kid, spend some time researching insurance companies. Check out the coverage choices, savings, third-party ratings, and customer reviews. Check to see if any insurers in your area provide specific discounts or programs for teen drivers, as well as additional perks that your current insurance does not provide.

Apply for Quotes

Once you've located a few insurance firms that match your teen's criteria, request rate quotations. You will need to supply information on your teen and their vehicle (if they own one). Get quotations for the same types and quantities of coverage to ensure consistency. You should also request a price from your current insurance company.

Compare rates.

Take the rates you received and compare them side by side. Determine which provider can offer your teen the best rate for the coverage they require. 

Consider Switching Insurers

If your current insurance provider does not deliver the best rate quote, it may be beneficial to transfer companies. However, you should verify with your insurance carrier to see if there are any fines for canceling in the midst of the policy period.

Add Your Teen to Your Policy

If your current insurer can offer the best pricing, include your kid as a driver on your existing insurance. If you want to switch insurers, first tell your existing insurer of your intention to switch, then purchase your new policy. To avoid a coverage gap, put the end date of your old policy a day or two after the start date of the new policy.

Cheap Car Insurance Quotes for 17-Year-Olds

Getting cheap car insurance for teenagers frequently requires browsing around and comparing quotes from several different companies. Here are some quotes from reputable car insurance companies:

Company

Annual Premium

State Farm

$5,293 

Geico 

$6,617 

Progressive 

$5,072 

Farmers 

$8,392 

Nationwide 

$6,218 

 

To obtain these rate quotations, we used the sample profile of a 17-year-old female driver living in Tulsa, Oklahoma, who drives a 2016 Toyota Camry LE 12,000 miles each year. The sample driver is a full-time high school student who has not had any recent accidents or violations. Rates include the following coverage categories and limits:

  • $25,000 for bodily injury liability insurance per person
  • $50,000 for bodily injury liability insurance per accident
  • $25,000 for property damage liability insurance per accident
  • $25,000 for uninsured motorist bodily injury liability insurance per person
  • $50,000 for uninsured motorist bodily injury liability insurance per accident
  • Collision insurance with a $500 deductible
  • Comprehensive insurance with a $500 deductible

Comparing vehicle insurance rates for 17-year-olds is critical because premiums vary between insurers, even for the identical policy types and levels. To obtain the best coverage for your needs, you may need to compare rates from many insurers.

However, don't focus just on the cost. Choose an insurance company that charges a low cost while simultaneously providing the coverage you require, good discounts, and strong third-party ratings. 

How to Save Money on Car Insurance for 17-year-olds

Comparing rate quotes is a good strategy to discover affordable car insurance for 17-year-olds. However, there are other methods for saving money. Here are some tips for finding the cheapest car insurance rates for 17-year-old drivers.

Look for Student Discounts

Many car insurance companies provide discounts to high school kids who perform well in school. These discounts could also apply to college students. You may also be able to save money if your teen attends school far from home and does not have a car.

Enroll in a Safe Driver Rewards Program

Some of the largest auto insurance companies, such as State Farm and Progressive, provide safe driver rewards programs. These solutions employ a smartphone app or plug-in device to monitor your teen's driving patterns, such as acceleration and braking. If they routinely drive carefully, they can be eligible for a discount. 

Get a Mileage-Based Policy

If your kid rarely drives, a mileage-based insurance policy may be a more cost-effective option. With a pay-per-mile policy, you only pay for the miles you drive each month. Most insurance has a set rate plus a minor price per mile driven.Â