how much is car insurance for 17 year olds

[DeJonathan]

Car insurance for a 17-year-old is significantly more expensive than for older, experienced drivers. On average, a 17-year-old can expect to pay between $3,000 and $7,000 per year for a full-coverage policy. The final cost is highly individual, depending on your state's minimum coverage requirements, the vehicle you drive, your gender, and, most importantly, your driving record. The primary reason for the high cost is that insurers view teen drivers as high-risk due to their lack of experience and higher statistical likelihood of being involved in accidents.

The single most effective way to lower this cost is to maintain a clean driving record. Even a single ticket or at-fault accident can cause your premium to skyrocket. Another major factor is the car itself. Insuring a new sports car will be vastly more expensive than a used, safe, and modest sedan or SUV. The table below illustrates average annual premiums for a 17-year-old with a full-coverage policy in different states, showing the significant geographic variation.

State	Average Annual Premium for 17-Year-Old (Full Coverage)
Michigan	$6,700 - $8,200
Florida	$5,100 - $6,500
California	$3,800 - $4,900
Texas	$4,500 - $5,800
Ohio	$2,900 - $3,800
Iowa	$2,600 - $3,400

Beyond the car and location, always ask your parent's insurance provider about every available discount. Good Student discounts, where maintaining a B average or higher can save you 10-15%, are common. Completing a state-approved driver's education course is another essential discount. The safest and most affordable route is usually to be added as a driver on your parents' policy rather than getting your own separate policy. This allows you to benefit from their multi-car and multi-policy discounts.

[StEdward]

It's a lot. My parents nearly had a heart attack when they got the quote after I got my license. We found out it's way cheaper to just add me to their existing policy instead of me getting my own. The agent said my grades mattered, so I keep my GPA up for the "good student" discount. It still costs more than their other two cars combined, but it's manageable. The biggest thing they told me was to not get any tickets—that would make it impossible.

[VonIris]

From an insurance standpoint, a 17-year-old represents the highest risk category. The premium reflects the statistical probability of a claim. Key rating factors include the vehicle's safety rating, horsepower, and repair costs. A 2015 Honda CR-V will be rated far more favorably than a 2022 Ford Mustang. We also heavily weigh driver training and academic performance. The most significant savings come from bundling with a parent's policy, leveraging their established claims history and eligibility for multi-line discounts.

[Scarlett]

Be prepared for a serious financial conversation with your parents. The bill is high because the risk is high for new drivers. The car you pick is everything—avoid anything flashy or fast. Go for a safe, boring, used car. Get every discount you can: take a driver's ed course, keep your grades up, and see if your parents' insurer has a "telematic" app that tracks your driving for a potential discount. Drive like your bank account depends on it, because it does.

[MasonAnn]

We shopped around for months. The quotes were all over the place, so don't just take the first one. Getting my son on our policy was the game-changer. The difference between a separate policy and being a listed driver was thousands of dollars a year. We also made sure he took the defensive driving course, which knocked a decent chunk off the bill. It's a tough pill to swallow, but it's the cost of them gaining independence. You just have to factor it in as a major household expense.