What are the best cheap cars for teens to insure?
The best cheap cars for teens are Mazda MX-5 Miata, Subaru Outback, and Volkswagen Golf GTI. Teen car insurance is expensive because younger drivers are at a higher risk of filing a claim.
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Jeffrey Johnson
Insurance Lawyer
Jeffrey Johnson is a legal writer with a focus on personal injury. He has worked on personal injury and sovereign immunity litigation in addition to experience in family, estate, and criminal law. He earned a J.D. from the University of Baltimore and has worked in legal offices and non-profits in Maryland, Texas, and North Carolina. He has also earned an MFA in screenwriting from Chapman Univer...
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UPDATED: Mar 28, 2022
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Advertiser Disclosure: We strive to help you make confident auto insurance decisions. Comparison shopping should be easy. We are not affiliated with any one auto insurance provider and cannot guarantee quotes from any single provider. Our partnerships don’t influence our content. Our opinions are our own. To compare quotes from many different companies please enter your ZIP code on this page to use the free quote tool. The more quotes you compare, the more chances to save.
Editorial Guidelines: We are a free online resource for anyone interested in learning more about auto insurance. Our goal is to be an objective, third-party resource for everything auto insurance related. We update our site regularly, and all content is reviewed by auto insurance experts.
UPDATED: Mar 28, 2022
It’s all about you. We want to help you make the right coverage choices.
Advertiser Disclosure: We strive to help you make confident auto insurance decisions. Comparison shopping should be easy. We are not affiliated with any one auto insurance provider and cannot guarantee quotes from any single provider. Our partnerships don’t influence our content. Our opinions are our own. To compare quotes from many different companies please enter your ZIP code on this page to use the free quote tool. The more quotes you compare, the more chances to save.
On This Page
- Smart Fortwo has the cheapest manufacturer’s suggested retail price
- Mazda MX-5 Miata has the most affordable car insurance rates for teens
- Teen drivers can save up to 53% by switching to liability-only coverage
Are you searching for cheap cars for teens? More affordable vehicles tend to produce cheaper insurance rates. But good first cars for teens may still generate more expensive rates.
So how do you get cheap insurance quotes for teen drivers? Don’t worry – we will show you which cars have affordable monthly estimates for teen drivers.
Our article has everything you need to know about the cheapest vehicle for insurance and how to get cheap car insurance for teens.
Read on to learn more about the cheapest cars for teens. If you want to compare insurance quotes in your area, enter your ZIP code in the free online quote tool above.
What are the best cheap cars for teens to insure?
The best and most affordable vehicles for teens to insure may vary. Your car’s value and your age determine the cost of the insurance policy’s monthly payment.
However, our research found several vehicles that can provide cheap full coverage insurance for teen drivers. Check out the list below to see the top 20 most affordable cars for teens.
| Car Names | Manufacturer's Suggested Retail Price (MSRP) | Average Monthly Car Insurance Rates |
|---|---|---|
| Mazda MX-5 Miata | $23,720 | $220 |
| Subaru Outback | $23,495 | $228 |
| Volkswagen Golf GTI | $25,385 | $228 |
| Mini Countryman | $19,950 | $231 |
| Volkswagen Routan | $28,375 | $231 |
| Smart Fortwo | $13,270 | $231 |
| Fiat 500L | $19,195 | $232 |
| Honda Odyssey | $28,825 | $232 |
| Subaru Legacy | $20,295 | $233 |
| Mini Paceman | $23,300 | $234 |
| Toyota Sienna | $26,920 | $234 |
| Ford Mustang | $22,510 | $235 |
| Fiat 500 | $16,845 | $235 |
| Volkswagen Beetle Hatchback | $18,995 | $236 |
| Buick Encore | $24,160 | $236 |
| Subaru Forester | $21,995 | $236 |
| Subaru XV Crosstrek | $21,995 | $237 |
| Volkswagen Jetta | $15,695 | $238 |
| Volkswagen Beetle Convertible | $25,595 | $238 |
| Dodge Grand Caravan | $20,895 | $239 |
The Mazda MX-5 Miata has the cheapest insurance rates per month. Meanwhile, the Smart Fortwo has the lowest manufacturer’s suggested retail price (MSRP). But the most expensive vehicle on the top 20 list is the Dodge Grand Caravan.
You could save a few extra dollars if you buy an older model year. Some of the best cars for teens are used vehicles, and it’s an excellent way to cut costs and an ideal step for young drivers who want to learn how to invest in cars.
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What are the most expensive cars for teens to insure?
The best first cars aren’t always cheap. Sometimes, the first car for a teen driver is expensive, and more costly vehicles mean higher insurance rates.
Let’s examine the top ten most expensive cars to insure for teens in America.
| Car Names | Manufacturer's Suggested Retail Price (MSRP) | Average Monthly Car Insurance Rates |
|---|---|---|
| Kia Forte | $15,900 | $274 |
| Mini Cooper Hardtop | $23,162 | $274 |
| Mitsubishi i-MiEV | $22,995 | $274 |
| Scion tC | $19,210 | $272 |
| Kia Rio | $13,900 | $268 |
| Hyundai Accent | $14,645 | $267 |
| Mitsubishi Lancer | $17,195 | $263 |
| Ford F-150 | $25,025 | $262 |
| Honda Civic | $18,190 | $262 |
| Hyundai Elantra | $17,200 | $260 |
The Kia Forte, Mini Cooper, and Mitsubishi i-MiEV are the most expensive cars to insure, but the Kia Rio has the lowest MSRP in the top ten list. The Ford F-150 is the most expensive by MSRP. Also, the Ford F-150 is the most popular and one of the most accident-prone vehicles in the United States.
Can you get car insurance on your own?
Yes, you can. You can get an insurance policy without your parents or legal guardians, but your car insurance rates will be two to five times more than average.
Teen drivers are considered high-risk drivers because they’re less experienced drivers. Insurance companies correlate teen driving with an exceptionally high risk of filing a claim, so monthly rates are more expensive.
Which states have the most affordable auto insurance rates for teens?
Car insurance companies in each state have the same approach when it comes to insuring teen drivers. Young drivers will likely face costly rates.
However, there’s a way to cut your monthly rates down. Consider liability-only coverage if you’re a teen driver looking to save money on an insurance policy. You could pay between 53 to 66% less for car insurance on average.
Let’s look at the average car insurance rates for teen drivers across the nation.
| State | Average Monthly Full Coverage Car Insurance Rates | Average Monthly Liability Car Insurance Rates |
|---|---|---|
| Alabama | $607 | $235 |
| Alaska | $453 | $145 |
| Arizona | $530 | $272 |
| Arkansas | $868 | $346 |
| California | $515 | $179 |
| Colorado | $641 | $220 |
| Connecticut | $848 | $419 |
| Delaware | $704 | $375 |
| Florida | $717 | $193 |
| Georgia | $642 | $292 |
| Hawaii | $90 | $29 |
| Idaho | $346 | $138 |
| Illinois | $511 | $215 |
| Indiana | $389 | $153 |
| Iowa | $328 | $99 |
| Kansas | $445 | $158 |
| Kentucky | $883 | $389 |
| Louisiana | $1,117 | $454 |
| Maine | $354 | $150 |
| Maryland | $621 | $288 |
| Massachusetts | $415 | $168 |
| Michigan | $869 | $436 |
| Minnesota | $360 | $163 |
| Mississippi | $555 | $206 |
| Missouri | $683 | $258 |
| Montana | $582 | $173 |
| Nebraska | $394 | $136 |
| Nevada | $763 | $402 |
| New Hampshire | $436 | $176 |
| New Jersey | $797 | $333 |
| New Mexico | $481 | $171 |
| New York | $659 | $349 |
| North Carolina | $264 | $111 |
| North Dakota | $402 | $138 |
| Ohio | $338 | $147 |
| Oklahoma | $581 | $190 |
| Oregon | $473 | $240 |
| Pennsylvania | $458 | $166 |
| Rhode Island | $996 | $534 |
| South Carolina | $533 | $246 |
| South Dakota | $413 | $111 |
| Tennessee | $446 | $165 |
| Texas | $851 | $335 |
| Utah | $558 | $258 |
| Vermont | $397 | $123 |
| Virginia | $497 | $212 |
| Washington | $426 | $187 |
| Washington, D.C. | $604 | $288 |
| West Virginia | $503 | $183 |
| Wisconsin | $393 | $147 |
| Wyoming | $374 | $115 |
| National Average* | $551 | $228 |
Full coverage insurance rates are more expensive in all states, but you get comprehensive coverage. However, liability insurance limits your coverage and lowers your payments by more than half.
Liability-only coverage is close to what parents and legal guardians pay for full coverage. We recommend that teen drivers and young adult drivers are initially added to their parent or legal guardian’s policy to avoid high insurance rates.
Does gender affect car insurance for teens?
The majority of states in America allow gender to be used when determining insurance rates. However, some states have outlawed gender-based auto insurance. And they are:
- California
- Hawaii
- Maine
- Massachusetts
- Montana
- Pennsylvania
- North Carolina
- Michigan (parts of the state)
When calculating insurance rates, your age, driving record, coverage level are still significant factors, but you can get more reasonable rates.
How do teens get cheaper insurance rates?
Teen drivers can get more affordable rates through car insurance discounts, such as student and driver course discounts. Some insurance companies provide usage-based insurance programs that offer deals to drivers with safe driving habits.
But if teen drivers want to save money, they should consider being added to a parent or legal guardian’s car insurance policy.
Enter your ZIP code below to view companies that have cheap auto insurance rates.
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Cheap Cars for Teens: The Bottom Line
Good cars for teens aren’t always cheap, and you may have to spend more money to ensure your teen is safe. Smaller vehicles are more affordable with insurance, but they might be less secure than heavier vehicles like trucks and compact SUVs.
Female teen drivers typically generate cheaper rates, but gender isn’t a factor in states like California. Therefore, we recommend that you rely on qualifying for discounts. If you want the cheapest full coverage auto insurance, consider being added to a parent or legal guardian’s policy.
If you’ve already bought a car, use our free comparison tool to compare multiple insurance companies near you.
Enter your ZIP code below to view companies that have cheap auto insurance rates.
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Jeffrey Johnson
Insurance Lawyer
Jeffrey Johnson is a legal writer with a focus on personal injury. He has worked on personal injury and sovereign immunity litigation in addition to experience in family, estate, and criminal law. He earned a J.D. from the University of Baltimore and has worked in legal offices and non-profits in Maryland, Texas, and North Carolina. He has also earned an MFA in screenwriting from Chapman Univer...
Insurance Lawyer
Editorial Guidelines: We are a free online resource for anyone interested in learning more about auto insurance. Our goal is to be an objective, third-party resource for everything auto insurance related. We update our site regularly, and all content is reviewed by auto insurance experts.