Auto insurance policies for 17-year-olds are the most expensive in the United Kingdom and the United States, but there are reasons for that.
Read on to learn how a 17-year-old from the US or the UK can get the best deal on the market.
This creates a two-year gap, during which teen drivers cannot buy an auto insurance policy themselves but can only be added to their parent’s policy.
*for more info, see the table in the FAQ section
Car insurance policies for 17-year-olds are expensive because inexperienced drivers are riskier for insurance companies to cover. Lack of driving experience leads to poor risk assessment, speeding, not wearing seatbelts, using phones while driving, and ultimately results in traffic violations. The likelihood of a road accident with a 17-year-old is significantly higher than with an adult driver.
17-year-olds can be included in their parents’ policy. However, such inclusion may be up to 50% more expensive than purchasing a full-fledged comprehensive or collision coverage for an adult.
There are many factors that affect the price of an auto policy for a 17-year-old, including the type and amount of coverage, the model and make of the car, your driving record, history of claims, and even gender.
Speaking of which, an interesting fact is that California, Hawaii, Montana, Michigan, Massachusetts, North Carolina, and Pennsylvania do not allow insurance companies to factor gender into rates, whereas Massachusetts and Hawaii also forbid taking age into account. That said, auto insurance for female drivers is about 15% cheaper than for male drivers.
However, when talking about the price of car insurance for teens, you should always remember that teens under 18 cannot buy a policy. In fact, the cost of car insurance for a 17-year-old is determined by how much their parents’ premium will increase as a result of the inclusion.
The cheapest insurance policies for 17-year-olds are in North Carolina – about $100 per month – while the most expensive are in Florida – $400 per month.
The prices for car insurance for teens may be a bit overwhelming, but there are also many ways to save on your policy:
Last but not least, you can use the good old tricks most drivers use when they choose their car insurance:
All in all, the better you know the market, the more secure you will be with your policy.
Read State Farm’s full review.
There are plenty more fish in the sea, though. With more than 6,000 insurers in the United States, you can find dozens and hundreds of insurers offering discounts for teen drivers. But then again, make sure to take into account the full spectrum of factors, not just discounts, bonuses, and perks.
In the UK, there’s no gap between the minimum driving age and the minimum age for buying insurance. Unlike their American peers, 17-year-old Britons do not need to beg their parents to include them in their car insurance policy.
In the UK:
Although car insurance in the United Kingdom is cheaper than in the United States, the policies for 17-year-olds are still expensive. The quotes can vary significantly depending on the type and amount of coverage, the insurer, location, driving record, and other factors.
However, the average price for a comprehensive insurance policy for a 17-year-old in the United Kingdom would be around £2,000 per year. Unlike US policies, we’re talking about a full-fledged policy, not an inclusion in the parents’ policy.
When looking for the cheapest option for a teen driver in the United Kingdom, make sure to get quotes from multiple niche websites – for example, Confused, ComparetheMarket, and MoneySuperMarket – and factor in bonuses and other perks that rival insurers provide.
The two most common deals for young drivers in the UK are Churchill’s affordable DriveSure telematics and Bell’s ‘black box.’ For the best offer, though, it would be reasonable to research other renowned companies, including Admiral, Aviva, Age Co, CSIS, Direct Line, Dial Direct, and Hastings.
17 years |
18 years |
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Car insurance is mandatory in the United Kingdom.
Car insurance is mandatory in all states except for New Hampshire, where proof of financial responsibility is enough.
You have to be at least 18 years old to purchase car insurance in the United States. As an alternative, a 17-year-old can be included in their parents’ policy.
Inclusion of a teen driver in the policy will increase the premium, but it doesn’t mean you have to change the policy itself.
Car insurance for 17-year-olds is expensive because teen drivers pose a greater risk for insurance companies.
Students can save on car insurance by taking advantage of discounts, including a Good Student Discount, discounts for safe driving, and discounts for driving less than the required minimum.
Oleksandr is an expert in deep research. He covers various insurance topics across verticals, adopting to every local law.
