Last Updated on December 10, 2025

There is no doubt that car insurance can be expensive—especially for high school students. Young drivers pay some of the highest premiums in the country because insurers see them as higher risk. The good news? There are many ways for high school students to lower their costs, especially when they remain on a parent’s policy.

Below, we’ll explore why insurance is expensive for teens, how to meaningfully reduce premiums, and what kinds of vehicles, tools, and discounts can help high school drivers save the most.

Key Takeaways

1. High school students face high insurance rates because insurers consider teens high-risk due to inexperience and higher accident likelihood.
2. Telematics driving apps and safe-driving programs can significantly lower premiums by rewarding good driving behavior.
3. Staying on a parent’s policy is usually the single best way to reduce insurance costs for teens.
4. Choosing an inexpensive, safe, easy-to-insure vehicle and comparing quotes from multiple insurers can lead to major savings.

Why Is Car Insurance So Expensive for High School Students?

High school students almost always pay more for car insurance than adults. This is because car insurance rates are based on risk. Insurers evaluate how likely you are to be involved in an accident and file a claim. The higher the perceived risk, the higher your insurance premiums.

Teen drivers—especially those in high school—are statistically much more likely to be involved in an accident. Even the safest teen drivers face increased risk because of inexperience and exposure to other bad drivers. This combination of inexperience and higher accident rates leads to significantly higher premiums.

Using Driving Apps (Telematics) to Lower Rates

One of the best ways high school students can save on car insurance is by enrolling in a telematics or safe-driving app offered by most major insurers. These apps track real-world driving habits, such as:

• Speed and acceleration patterns
• Hard braking
• Time of day you drive
• Phone use while driving
• Total mileage

For high school students, telematics programs can be especially powerful. Good driving behavior shown through the app helps offset the higher premiums caused by age and inexperience. Many insurers now offer discounts of 10% to 40% depending on your driving score.

Discounts for High School Students

There are several discounts available specifically for young drivers and students. Taking advantage of these can dramatically lower your premiums:

• Multi-car / Family policy discounts – If you remain on your parents’ policy, you’ll typically qualify for cheaper rates than buying your own separate policy.
• Good Student Discount – Most insurers give a discount when students maintain at least a B average. This can save 5% to 20% depending on the company.
• Driver’s Ed / Defensive Driving Discount – Taking a driver’s education course or a state-approved defensive driving class can lead to significant savings. Insurers reward teens who complete safe-driving programs because it reduces risk.

Stacking multiple discounts together is often the best route to making insurance affordable for high school drivers.

Choosing the Right Vehicle

The car you drive plays a major role in determining your insurance premium. When high school students shop for their first car, they should keep several factors in mind.

You will typically pay more if you drive:

• A sports car, Jeep, or premium/luxury vehicle
• A car with a high theft rate
• A vehicle that is expensive to repair or replace

It’s often recommended that teen drivers choose a reliable, modestly priced four-door sedan—generally one of the cheapest vehicle types to insure.

Although the myth persists that car color impacts insurance, insurers do not actually raise rates for red or black cars. However, darker colors are harder to see at night, and high-visibility colors (white, silver, light blue, etc.) may help reduce accident risk in the real world.

Staying on Your Parent’s Policy

One of the easiest ways to get cheap car insurance as a high school student is to stay on your parents’ policy for as long as possible.

Most car insurance companies allow teens and young adults to remain on a parent’s policy as long as they live in the same household. This offers major savings because:

• Your parents’ good driving history helps lower overall premiums
• Parents often qualify for discounts like homeowner, multi-policy, and loyalty incentives
• Rates for young drivers are significantly cheaper when bundled under an experienced driver’s policy

Buying your own standalone policy as a high school student is almost always more expensive.

FAQs on Insurance for High School Students

Shopping Around for the Best Rates

One of the most effective ways to get cheap car insurance for high school students is to shop around. Car insurance prices vary widely from one company to another, and the “cheapest” insurer for your parents might not be the cheapest for you as a teen driver.

Using the internet to compare quotes is quick and easy. Even if your parents have been loyal to the same insurer for years, it’s still smart to compare rates—especially when adding a high-risk teen driver to the policy.

Shopping around helps you see all available discounts, safe-driving programs, and teen-friendly pricing options.

Final Word

Finding cheap car insurance for high school students isn’t always easy, but it’s definitely possible when you use the right strategies. Staying on a parent’s policy, choosing the right vehicle, taking advantage of discounts, and enrolling in safe-driving apps can significantly lower premiums. High school drivers may face higher rates due to inexperience, but with smart choices and a little comparison shopping, you can keep costs manageable while building a solid foundation for responsible driving and future insurance savings.