The Best Car Insurance for Young Drivers

“What is the best car insurance for young drivers?” It's a common question with a lot of different answers. For some parents or guardians, finding the cheapest insurance for a young driver is the top priority. For others, it's about finding the most complete coverage that will come to the rescue in almost any situation.

No matter where you fall on that spectrum, it's helpful to know what options are out there when looking into car insurance for young drivers. That's where we come in! Follow along, and we'll walk you through our top tips for getting the right car insurance for young drivers.

How to Get the Right Teen Car Insurance at the Right Price

1. Drive a Safe, Older Model Vehicle

Although auto insurance rates are typically higher for newer and less experienced drivers, there are many ways to make auto insurance for young drivers more affordable, starting with the type of vehicle they drive. When selecting a vehicle, young drivers should look for safety features like automatic seatbelts, traction control, airbags and anti-lock brakes since these features could help lower insurance rates. Sports cars and other high-performance vehicles usually cost more to insure.

2. Qualify for Teen Driver Discounts

Ask if your auto insurance company offers any “good student” discounts that your young driver might qualify for, especially if you're exploring car insurance for teens attending school. Young drivers are likely to qualify for a good student discount, if they're a full-time student in high school, college, or a vocational/technical school; are an honor student, on the Dean's List, have a "B" average or better, or rank in the upper 20% of their class. There's a chance a young driver could also qualify for (or work towards qualifying for) a safe driver discount.

3. Avoid Tickets & Trouble

Car insurance rates often decrease as a young driver builds a good driving record by avoiding accidents, tickets, and penalties. For new drivers, completing driver's education and the state's Graduated Driver Licensing Program are two of the best ways to develop safe driving skills. Every state has a three-stage Graduated Driver Licensing (GDL) program that allows young drivers to gain driving skills in a safe, supervised way. Since GDL programs have been shown to reduce risk, they could also lead to lower rates on car insurance for teens.

4. Get the Right Coverage for Young Drivers

Teen drivers have the highest crash risk per mile traveled, reports the IIHS, so anything you can do to help prepare for the worst could help save money in the future. Talk to an agent about Comprehensive and Collision, two coverages that could help repair or replace the vehicle after an accident or run-in with something other than a car, like a light post or pothole. Then again, if the car is old and has very high mileage, liability-only may be a better option. It depends! Either way, an agent can help you choose the right coverage for saving money on a teen auto policy.

5. Check Coverage for College Students

Each state has different laws regarding insurance coverage. Students who attend a school outside of their home state should double-check that A) their car insurance company offers coverage in their new state and B) their car insurance coverage aligns with the state's insurance requirements. For instance, some states require drivers to carry Personal Injury Protection, while others don't. Depending on where you live, you could save more on car insurance in college by adjusting coverage.

You could also see your car insurance rates go down in college if you move from an urban area to a rural area. Drivers in big cities and urban areas tend to pay more for car insurance than those in rural areas for two reasons. One, theft and vandalism rates are often higher in big cities, and two, auto repair and labor costs can be higher, too. Parking your car in a secure, covered garage can help lower your insurance rate if you're a city-dweller, as well as investing in a car with the latest anti-theft technology.

6. Compare Teen Car Insurance Companies!

When it comes to finding cheap car insurance for young drivers and teens, look for a provider like Direct Auto Insurance that can deliver both high quality service and coverage at low prices. Compare insurance coverage options, customizable payment plans, claims processes, and customer service experiences to choose the right auto insurance provider for you and your young driver. Call 1-877-GO-DIRECT or visit a Direct Auto Insurance location near you to learn more about cheap car insurance for young drivers today!