What Are the Cheapest Cars to Insure for a Teenager?
Last Updated on December 15, 2025
Teenagers generally pay some of the highest auto insurance rates in the United States — mostly because they’re new drivers, not because they’re “bad” drivers.
That said, the car you choose still matters. Vehicles that are cheaper to repair, less likely to be stolen, and packed with safety tech tend to cost less to insure.
Below are 15 teen-friendly models that are often among the cheapest to insure, plus the biggest factors that impact teen rates and how to lower your premium.
Key Takeaways
- Teen drivers usually pay the most for car insurance, but the vehicle you choose can still noticeably change your premium.
- The cheapest-to-insure teen cars are typically safe, practical models with lower repair costs and fewer theft claims (often crossovers and mainstream sedans).
- Staying on a parent’s policy is often far cheaper than buying a separate policy for a teen driver.
- Before buying any car, get quotes on the exact year/trim (or VIN) — two trims of the same model can price very differently.
Top 15 Cheapest Cars to Insure for Teenage Drivers
Insurance prices change constantly by state, ZIP code, driver, and coverage level. To keep this list apples-to-apples, the estimated premiums below reflect typical state-minimum (liability-only) pricing for an 18-year-old driver profile. If you need full coverage car insurance (because you have a loan/lease), expect higher premiums.
- MINI Cooper: ~$1,619/year
- Subaru Forester: ~$1,770/year
- Subaru Outback: ~$1,809/year
- Mazda CX-5: ~$1,834/year
- Honda Pilot: ~$1,867/year
- Honda Odyssey: ~$1,884/year
- Subaru Impreza: ~$1,922/year
- Subaru Legacy: ~$1,928/year
- Volkswagen Tiguan: ~$1,938/year
- Honda CR-V: ~$1,943/year
- Hyundai Kona: ~$1,987/year
- Kia Niro: ~$1,991/year
- Toyota RAV4: ~$2,003/year
- Honda Accord: ~$2,003/year
- Toyota Highlander: ~$2,019/year
Also worth pricing out: the Honda Civic. It’s one of the most common teen and college commuter cars, and it’s often competitively priced depending on trim, safety features, and where you live.
Factors that Impact the Price of Car Insurance for Teenagers
Certain factors are outside your control – like your age. Other factors, however, can be controlled – like your vehicle choice, coverage limits, and discounts.
Age: Teen drivers are expensive to insure because they have limited experience and higher crash rates than older drivers. Even within the teen years, premiums usually drop as you move from 16 to 19 and build a longer, claim-free history.
Years of Driving Experience: The longer you’ve been licensed without tickets or accidents, the better. A 19-year-old with three years of clean driving experience may pay less than a 19-year-old who just received a license.
State Insurance Laws: Some states have higher required coverage minimums and more expensive claim environments, which can raise rates. That’s why teen drivers in Florida and Michigan often pay far more than teen drivers in lower-cost states like Idaho and Maine.
Coverage Options: Do you want full coverage car insurance (liability + comprehensive + collision), or minimum liability insurance as required by state law? Full coverage typically costs much more — but minimum coverage can leave you dangerously under-protected after a serious accident.
Insured With Yourself or With Parents: Many teen drivers save money by getting car insurance through their parents. In most cases, adding a teen to a parent’s policy costs less than buying a separate policy for the teen.
Vehicle Make, Model, and Value: A vehicle’s cost to repair, crash performance, theft risk, and replacement value all affect insurance. It can cost more to insure a big SUV than a small car — but some family SUVs and minivans can still be surprisingly affordable because they’re driven more cautiously and have strong safety records.
Safety Rating and Driver-Assist Tech: Cars with strong crash-test performance and modern driver-assist features (like automatic emergency braking) can be cheaper to insure. If a vehicle has a poor safety rating, it may be riskier (and pricier) to insure.
Added Safety and Security Features: Anti-theft systems and driver-assist features can reduce risk and may qualify you for discounts. All new cars are required to have backup cameras, and many newer vehicles include additional features like blind-spot monitoring and lane-keeping assist.
Cost of Replacement Parts: Popular models are often cheaper to insure because they’re cheaper to repair. Vehicles with expensive sensors, rare parts, or specialty repairs can drive up claim costs — and premiums.
ZIP Code: Insurers rate by location. Densely populated areas typically have more accidents and theft claims, which can increase premiums even if your teen has a clean record.
Average Car Insurance Prices for Teen Drivers
Whether you’re 16, 17, 18, or 19, you’ll typically pay more for car insurance than older drivers — all else being equal.
However, the older you get and the more experience you build, the more affordable insurance tends to become — especially if you keep a clean record.
Minimum Liability Insurance
Most states require bodily injury and property damage liability coverage, collectively known as liability insurance. This insurance protects other people and property from damage you cause while driving, but it does not include protection for your own vehicle.
Liability-only coverage can be a budget-friendly option for an older car you own outright. Just make sure your limits are high enough to protect your family’s finances if your teen causes a serious crash.
Full Coverage Car Insurance
Full coverage car insurance includes liability insurance with collision coverage (to protect your own vehicle during an accident) and comprehensive coverage (to protect you from non-accident damages).
Because full coverage car insurance protects your vehicle, it costs much more than liability insurance.
If you, like many teen drivers, drive an older vehicle, full coverage may be unnecessary. Insurance only covers damage up to the value of your vehicle, after which it’s declared a total loss. If your car is worth only a few thousand dollars, even a moderate claim can “total” it — which is why many families choose liability-only on older cars.
How to Pick the Cheapest Car to Insure
Picking the right car can lower your teen’s insurance costs — but you’ll get the best results when you combine a smart vehicle choice with discounts and good coverage decisions.
- Choose a boring trim: Avoid turbo/sport trims and high-horsepower upgrades. Two cars with the same nameplate can price very differently (example: “base model” vs. “sport”).
- Prioritize safety and stability: Strong crash-test ratings and modern driver-assist tech can reduce claim severity and may help with pricing.
- Keep repair costs down: Cars with expensive sensors, luxury parts, or hard-to-source components can cost more to fix — and that often shows up in premiums.
- Buy used wisely: A newer used car can be a sweet spot: safer tech than an old beater, but lower replacement value than a new vehicle.
- Get quotes before you buy: Run the VIN (or exact year/trim) with your insurer. This is the fastest way to avoid surprises.
FAQs on the Cheapest Cars to Insure for Teens
Final Word on the Cheapest Cars for Teen Drivers
The cheapest cars to insure for a teenager tend to be practical, safe, and relatively inexpensive to repair — often small SUVs, family crossovers, and mainstream sedans.
As a teenager, you’ll almost always pay more for car insurance than older, more experienced drivers. But you can lower the damage by choosing the right vehicle, staying on a parent’s policy when possible, and stacking every discount you qualify for.
Use the list above as your starting point, then compare quotes on the exact year/trim you’re considering to find the true cheapest option in your area.
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