What Are the Cheapest Cars to Insure for a Teenager?

Last Updated on October 7, 2026

By James Shaffer Reviewed by Thomas Rockford, insurance industry executive and financial analyst, on October 4, 2026 How we fact-check

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.

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.

Table Of Contents

Top 15 Cheapest Cars to Insure for Teenage Drivers
Factors that Impact the Price of Car Insurance for Teenagers
Average Car Insurance Prices for Teen Drivers
How to Pick the Cheapest Car to Insure
FAQs on the Cheapest Cars to Insure for Teens
Final Word on the Cheapest Cars for Teen Drivers
Sources

Top 15 Cheapest Cars to Insure for Teenage Drivers

Nobody official publishes car insurance prices by make and model, so a list like this has to come from a rate study. These figures are MoneyGeek’s, updated October 1, 2026, drawn from what it describes as “MoneyGeek’s data of 50,000 driver matches.” They are state-minimum (liability-only) premiums averaged across the teen years, 16 through 19. MoneyGeek does not say which state or states they cover, so treat them as a ranking rather than a quote. If you need full coverage car insurance (because you have a loan or lease), expect to pay considerably more.

One thing the study makes clear that most lists like this leave out: cheap to insure and good first car are different questions. MoneyGeek’s own ten cheapest cars for an 18-year-old include a Chevrolet Corvette at $1,644, a Chevrolet Camaro ZL1 at $1,885 and a Mercedes C-Class at $1,851. They are off this list on purpose. MoneyGeek says the same thing in its own words: its “data covers insurance costs only, so compare quotes before choosing a vehicle based on this ranking alone.”

MINI Cooper: $1,730/year
Subaru Forester: $1,891/year
Subaru Outback: $1,929/year
Mazda CX-5: $1,957/year
Honda Pilot: $1,996/year
Honda Odyssey: $2,006/year
Subaru Impreza: $2,046/year
Subaru Legacy: $2,058/year
Volkswagen Tiguan: $2,068/year
Honda CR-V: $2,073/year
Hyundai Kona: $2,110/year
Kia Niro: $2,120/year
Toyota RAV4: $2,130/year
Honda Accord: $2,130/year
Toyota Highlander: $2,149/year

At 18 specifically, the same study puts the cheapest of these lower: MINI Cooper $1,619, Subaru Forester $1,770, Subaru Outback $1,809, Mazda CX-5 $1,834, Honda Pilot $1,867 and Honda Odyssey $1,884. That is the pattern worth remembering, since rates keep dropping as a teen builds a record.

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 crash far more often. The IIHS puts it in hard numbers: the fatal crash rate per mile driven for 16 to 19 year olds is “just over 3 times the rate for drivers ages 20 and over.” Even within the teen years, premiums 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. The gap is big. Average full-coverage rates run $3,964 a year in Michigan and $3,916 in Florida against $1,901 in Idaho and $1,808 in Maine, on Insure.com’s September 2026 figures for a 40-year-old driver in a Honda Accord. That study doesn’t price teens, so read it as the cost of the state rather than the cost of being 17 there. It’s the reason 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. A big SUV often costs more than a small car, but not always. In the same MoneyGeek teen ranking the Honda Pilot ($1,996) and the Honda Odyssey ($2,006) both come in under the Toyota RAV4 and the Honda Accord, which are $2,130 each, because what drives the price is repair cost and claim history rather than size.

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: NHTSA says that “as of May 2018” it requires them “on all new vehicles.” Many newer vehicles add blind-spot monitoring and lane-keeping assist on top.

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

What age is car insurance the cheapest?

Rates fall steadily through your twenties and thirties and are lowest in middle age, for drivers with clean records, a stable coverage history and few claims. They can rise again later in life as risk factors change. Nobody publishes a single national “cheapest age,” so treat any exact number you see as an estimate.

Do teen boys or girls pay more for auto insurance?

In many states and with many insurers, teen boys are often priced higher than teen girls, because insurers associate them with higher claim risk. The gap varies by state and carrier, and some states bar the factor outright. Hawaii is the clearest example: its statute says “no insurer shall base any standard or rating plan … upon a person’s race, creed, ethnic extraction, age, sex, length of driving experience, credit bureau rating, marital status, or physical handicap.” Note that it rules out age and length of driving experience too, so a Hawaii insurer cannot charge a teen more for being a teen.

What company has the cheapest insurance for teens?

It depends on your state, discounts, and whether the teen is on a parent’s policy. For many families, the lowest-priced major insurers often include USAA (if eligible), State Farm, and GEICO — but you should still compare multiple quotes because pricing can swing by thousands per year.

What is a good price for a car for a teenager?

A “good” budget is one that balances safety, reliability, and a manageable insurance cost. Many families aim for a dependable used vehicle with modern safety features rather than a brand-new car — and then choose coverage that makes sense for the car’s value and whether there’s a loan.

What are some cheap cars teens can buy that are still affordable to insure?

Practical mainstream models are usually the best mix of purchase price and insurance cost, but check the insurance side before you assume. In MoneyGeek’s October 2026 teen figures the Honda Accord comes in at $2,130 a year, while the Toyota Prius is $2,141, the Kia Soul $2,200, the Mazda3 $2,217 and the Nissan Sentra $2,385 — all above every car on the list above, and the Sentra by a good margin. The Hyundai Accent and Honda Fit don’t appear in the study at all. The cheapest option for you still depends on the year and trim, local theft rates and your insurer’s pricing.

How can you lower your car insurance rates as a teen?

The biggest savings usually come from staying on a parent’s policy, choosing a safe and inexpensive-to-repair car, and stacking discounts. Several of those are published with numbers: State Farm advertises “save up to 25% if your teen driver gets good grades,” and American Family’s MilesMyWay offers “up to 25%” if you drive under 8,000 miles a year. Raising deductibles and avoiding sporty trims can help too. Just keep the liability limits high enough to protect your family financially.

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.

My advice is to pick two or three cars you’d actually buy, then run all of them past your own insurer in one phone call before you shop for the car. The ranking tells you where to look; only your own quote tells you the price.

Sources

Checked October 4, 2026

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