How Much Are Average Car Insurance Rates for a 22-Year-Old?
Last Updated on February 8, 2023
A 22-year-old driver may have had a few years to prove himself or herself driving, but that does not mean that their insurance rates are necessarily going to go down anytime soon. Most individuals under the age of 25 still face steep rates. Young age and lack of driving history make them a risk for many insurance providers.
What, then, should a 22-year-old expect to pay for his or her car insurance? How much more than a 25-year-old or their 50-year-old parents? And, how much is too much for a 22-year-old’s car insurance?
The Average 22-Year-Old Pays $2,500 Per Year for Car Insurance
A 22-year-old pays some of the highest premiums for car insurance in the United States. Their rates are not quite as bad as younger drivers such as 16-year-olds or 19-year-olds, but they are steep nonetheless.
The average 22-year-old will pay around $2,500 per year for car insurance. That rate is significantly higher than the national average which sits at around $1500 annually.
22-year-old drivers, though older than rookie drivers, are still risky for insurance providers. Their driving record may not yet be 100% clear, and they may still be inexperienced in driving under certain circumstances. Plus, 22-year-olds are just legal to drink, which provides additional risk for insurance providers.
Although the average 22-year-old will pay around $2,500 annually for car insurance, the actual numbers will vary between states, providers, and individuals. Even between genders, the average rates vary by $300. Females can expect to pay an average of $2,300, while males can expect to pay $2,600.
The average car insurance rates for 22-year-olds in each state are:
| State | Average Annual Premiums |
|---|---|
| Alabama | $2,361 |
| Alaska | $2,344 |
| Arizona | $2,479 |
| Arkansas | $2,437 |
| California | $3,200 |
| Colorado | $2,604 |
| Connecticut | $2,935 |
| Delaware | $2,829 |
| Florida | $3,030 |
| Georgia | $2,786 |
| Hawaii | $1,589 |
| Idaho | $1,897 |
| Illinois | $2,176 |
| Indiana | $1,880 |
| Iowa | $1,805 |
| Kansas | $2,273 |
| Kentucky | $3,506 |
| Louisiana | $3,775 |
| Maine | $1,640 |
| Maryland | $2,792 |
| Massachusetts | $1,810 |
| Michigan | $4,694 |
| Minnesota | $2,316 |
| Mississippi | $2,445 |
| Missouri | $2,442 |
| Montana | $2,933 |
| Nebraska | $2,004 |
| Nevada | $3,535 |
| New Hampshire | $1,650 |
| New Jersey | $2,837 |
| New Mexico | $2,336 |
| New York | $2,844 |
| North Carolina | $1,690 |
| North Dakota | $2,206 |
| Ohio | $1,749 |
| Oklahoma | $2,489 |
| Oregon | $2,154 |
| Pennsylvania | $2,505 |
| Rhode Island | $3,113 |
| South Carolina | $2,339 |
| South Dakota | $2,260 |
| Tennessee | $2,169 |
| Texas | $2,635 |
| Utah | $2,089 |
| Vermont | $2,017 |
| Virginia | $1,805 |
| Washington | $2,325 |
| Washington, D.C. | $3,178 |
| West Virginia | $2,481 |
| Wisconsin | $1,916 |
| Wyoming | $2,650 |
| * Data provided by CarInsurance.com. | |
There are a variety of reasons these numbers fluctuate so much. Certain states are known to have more hazardous roadways. Some states experience more extreme weather. Others have more stringent insurance requirements.
Fortunately for the average 22-year-old, there are more affordable car insurance providers and discounts available.
Best Car Insurance Companies for 22-Year-Old Drivers
Average rates vary between insurance providers as well. Companies such as Allstate charge their average 22-year-old customer over $6,000! Other companies such as USAA offer significantly lower rates. At USAA, the average 22-year-old will only pay $1900 for car insurance annually.
Some of the cheapest car insurance companies for 22-year-old drivers include:
How Much More Do 22-Year-Old Drivers Pay for Car Insurance?
With each passing year on your driving record, the rates are likely to go down. This assumes, of course, that you have maintained a clean driving and criminal record over that year. And the car you drive remains in good condition.
The average 22-year-old driver will pay more than the average 23 and 24-year-old but less than the average 18-19-20-year-old driver.
| Age | Average Annual Insurance Rates |
|---|---|
| 16 | $7,279 |
| 17 | $6,119 |
| 18 | $5,399 |
| 19 | $3,873 |
| 20 | $3,454 |
| 21 | $2,737 |
| 22 | $2,503 |
| 23 | $2,321 |
| 24 | $2,179 |
| 25 | $1,957 |
| National Average | $1,500 |
| * Data provided by CarInsurance.com. | |
Car Insurance Discounts for 22-Year-Old Drivers
Fortunately, 22-year-old drivers can qualify for numerous discounts to make their car insurance premiums more affordable!
Different insurance providers will offer different discounts. But if you do your shopping right, you can end up with big-time savings. Common discounts for 22-year-old drivers include:
Good student discounts: 22-year-olds may be eligible for good student discounts. Most providers allow eligibility for individuals younger than 25. They consider the quality of your academic performance and offer reduced rates if you meet certain criteria.
Pass a defensive driving course: Some providers will allow you to pass an approved defensive driving course to lower your auto insurance rates.
Good credit score: A good credit score is indicative of good habits. Maintaining a strong credit score is a smart thing to do, and it can lead to some impressive savings.
Clean driving record: Keeping a clean driving record from ages 16 to 22 is one of the best ways to reduce your rates. Although many providers will still jack up their rates for 22-year-olds, they will consider a clean driving record and likely offer a certain discount.
Consider Using a Parent’s Insurance Policy
Sometimes remaining on your parents’ insurance policy can actually lead to savings as well. While remaining on your parent’s insurance, you can take advantage of their good credit and clean driving record. Plus, adding multiple family members to the same plan can lead to ‘bundled’ discounts as well.
In most cases, you can remain on your parent’s car insurance as long as you are living at home. Others allow you to do so until a certain age. While shopping for your rates, you should at least check what the rates would be before jumping into your own policy. 22-year-old drivers can save more than $1000 annually just by staying on their parent’s car insurance policy.
Final Word on Insurance for 22-Year-Olds
Shopping for car insurance for a 22-year-old can be intimidating. At 22, most individuals are still in school or working low-paying jobs. Seeing car insurance rates near $2,500 can seem steep and out of your price range. Unfortunately, in America, we all need auto insurance in order to drive.
Shopping around at multiple providers will be worth your time. Ask about discounts such as the clean driving record discount or the good student discount. It might also be wise to look at our list of the best auto insurance discounts available to see which ones you qualify for. These can combine for some big savings on your car insurance premium.
