Minimum Age to Get Car Insurance (Can Teens Buy Their Own Policy?)
Last Updated on February 5, 2026
Most teens can get a driver’s license around age 16. But when it comes to buying car insurance, the real issue usually isn’t your age—it’s whether you can legally sign the contract and whether the car is titled/registered in your name.
Here’s how old you typically need to be to get car insurance, what changes if you’re under 18, and the cheapest ways for young drivers to get covered.
- There’s usually no special “minimum age” to be covered by car insurance—you can be insured as soon as you’re licensed (or permitted) and added to a policy correctly.
- To buy your own policy without an adult, you typically need to be 18 because car insurance is a legal contract.
- Most teens save money by being added to a parent’s policy instead of purchasing a separate policy, which is often dramatically more expensive.
- Cheapest strategy: get properly listed on the right policy, use teen discounts (good student/driver training/telematics), drive a modest car, and shop quotes at renewal.
- Quick Answer: How Old Do You Have to Be to Get Car Insurance?
- Can a 16- or 17-Year-Old Buy Car Insurance?
- The Most Common Setup: Teens on a Parent’s Policy
- Do You Need to Own the Car to Be Insured?
- How Long Can You Stay on Your Parents’ Car Insurance?
- Common “Young Driver” Mistakes That Can Cause Coverage Problems
- How to Get Cheaper Car Insurance as a Teen or Young Adult
- FAQs: How Old Do You Have to Be to Get Car Insurance?
- Final Word: What Age Do You Have to Be to Buy Auto Insurance?
Quick Answer: How Old Do You Have to Be to Get Car Insurance?
In most cases, you can be any age and still be covered by car insurance—as long as you’re a licensed driver (or permitted driver) and a policyholder adds you properly. However, to buy your own policy without an adult, you usually need to be 18 because an insurance policy is a legal contract.
| Age / status | Can you be covered by car insurance? | Can you buy/sign your own policy? | Most common setup |
|---|---|---|---|
| Learner’s permit | Usually yes (varies by insurer) | No | Added/listed on a parent/guardian policy |
| 16–17 (licensed) | Yes | Usually no (needs adult policyholder/co-signer) | Teen listed as driver on a parent/guardian policy |
| 18+ | Yes | Yes (in most cases) | Either stay on parents’ policy or buy your own |
| 21–25 | Yes | Yes | Shop around—rates often improve with age + clean record |
Can a 16- or 17-Year-Old Buy Car Insurance?
Sometimes, yes—but it’s rarely as simple as “sign up online.” If you’re under 18, many insurers will require a parent or guardian to be the policyholder or co-sign the policy (more here: can teens get car insurance without their parents’ permission?).
Even if a company allows the policy to be written, the teen is often listed as the primary driver while an adult remains the named insured until the teen turns 18.
If you’re under 18: The easiest path is usually having a parent/guardian be the named insured, then listing you correctly as a driver (and listing the right car/garaging address). Before you buy anything, confirm: (1) who will be the policyholder, (2) whose name is on the title/registration, and (3) whether your insurer wants permit drivers and newly licensed drivers listed right away.
The Most Common Setup: Teens on a Parent’s Policy
For most families, the cheapest and easiest option is to add the teen to an existing policy. Insurers often require parents to add newly licensed household drivers quickly (guide: adding your teens or children to your car insurance policy).
Why? Teen drivers are usually much more expensive to insure on their own because insurers treat brand-new drivers as higher risk. In many cases, being added to a parent’s policy is significantly cheaper than a teen buying a separate standalone policy—but the gap varies a lot by state, vehicle, coverage level, and driving record.
| Option | Who is the policyholder? | When it works best | Typical outcome |
|---|---|---|---|
| Teen added to parent’s policy | Parent/guardian | Teen lives in the household (or qualifies as away-at-school) | Often the best mix of price + simplicity |
| Teen buys their own policy | Teen (usually 18+) | Teen owns/garages the car separately or is fully independent | Often higher cost for new drivers, but sometimes necessary |
| Co-signed / adult-named policy | Adult (teen listed as primary driver) | Teen is under 18 but needs coverage set up | Common workaround when insurers won’t contract with minors |
If you’re comparing costs by age, these pages can help: average rates for 17-year-olds and average rates for 18-year-olds.
Do You Need to Own the Car to Be Insured?
No—drivers don’t have to own a vehicle to be insured. You can be listed as a driver on a parent’s policy even if the car is titled to your parent.
Where it gets tricky is when a minor tries to title/register a car in their own name. Some states have special rules for minors that affect the title vs. registration, and that can force a parent to be involved with paperwork and insurance.
If the Car Is Titled/Registered in a Teen’s Name: Common Scenarios
| Scenario | What often happens | What to do |
|---|---|---|
| Teen is under 18 and wants the car in their name | State/DMV rules may require an adult to be involved | Call the DMV (or check your state rules) and confirm how minors can title/register a vehicle |
| Parent owns the car, teen is the main driver | Usually straightforward | List the teen as a driver and make sure the correct vehicle and garaging address are on the policy |
| Teen is 18+ and owns/garages the car separately | Often needs their own policy | Shop quotes and match the policyholder/address to the real owner and garaging location |
Also, many states require proof of insurance to complete registration (details: do you need car insurance to register a car?).
How Long Can You Stay on Your Parents’ Car Insurance?
Most insurers allow you to stay on a parent’s policy as long as you still qualify as part of the household—often meaning you live at the same address (more: how long can a child stay on their parents’ policy?).
Many companies also make exceptions for students who are away at school. If you’re living away from home at college, read this: best way to get car insurance if I have a car at college.
Common “Young Driver” Mistakes That Can Cause Coverage Problems
- Not listing a newly licensed teen: many insurers require all licensed household members to be disclosed—sometimes even if they rarely drive (related: do I have to add non-driving family members?).
- Assuming a permit driver is automatically covered: some companies cover permitted drivers automatically, others want them listed—ask your insurer.
- Buying the wrong car: sporty models, expensive vehicles, and high theft-rate cars can raise premiums fast for teens.
- Letting tickets pile up: rates are strongly affected by your record—especially at younger ages (see: how driving history affects insurance rates).
How to Get Cheaper Car Insurance as a Teen or Young Adult
Getting added to a parent’s policy is often the biggest money-saver, but there are other smart moves:
| Discount / strategy | Typical requirement | Why it helps |
|---|---|---|
| Good student | Usually a GPA threshold or proof of academic performance | Rewards lower-risk indicators for teen drivers |
| Driver training | Approved course completion | Shows formal education and may reduce risk |
| Telematics / safe-driving app | Enroll + drive with tracking | Can reward safer habits (braking, speed, time of day) |
| Choose a “boring” car | Safer, lower-value, lower-theft models | Often lowers collision/comprehensive costs |
| Higher deductibles (carefully) | Ability to pay the deductible if there’s a claim | Lower premium in exchange for higher out-of-pocket risk |
| Shop quotes at renewal | Compare multiple carriers | Young drivers are priced very differently by insurer |
Quick win: If you’re newly licensed, the biggest pricing swings usually come from (1) being on the correct policy (and listed correctly), and (2) comparing quotes from multiple insurers—especially at renewal.
If you’re ready to compare options, start with a list of strong insurers: the best auto insurance companies in America.
FAQs: How Old Do You Have to Be to Get Car Insurance?
Final Word: What Age Do You Have to Be to Buy Auto Insurance?
You can be covered by car insurance at virtually any age if you’re a licensed (or permitted) driver and you’re added correctly to a policy. But if you want to buy and sign your own policy without an adult, you’ll usually need to be 18.
If you’re under 18 or still tied to a parent’s household, the best combination of price and simplicity is usually getting listed on a parent or guardian’s policy—then shopping your own policy once you’re older, independent, and have a cleaner driving record.
