Why do the average rates of car insurance differ so much by age? It's all about risk, essentially. In 2017, 6.5% of the population aged 15-19 years constituted 6.5%, but they accounted for 8% of the overall cost of injury lesions, according to Centers for Control and Prevention of Diseases (CDC). Among brand new drivers, the risk of an accident is also greatest. The younger 16 is 50% more likely to crash than the younger 18 and 19.
It is the insurance provider that cuts the check when an insured driver comes into an accident. This is why high-risk drivers would be charged more by insurance firms. You may be 16 years old's most careful driver, but because of your age you're always going to have high rates.
In general, when you receive your license, car insurance rates start to be high. You are going down to the 20s and down in the 40s. The average car insurance rate begins to recover a little when you retire. Tariffs for drivers in their 1980's are again costly, but not as costly as new drivers' prices.
Below is a chart comparing annual average car insurance rates by age with accident info. The rate data are obtained from the AAA Traffic Safety Foundation and are responsible for every accident reported to the police. The Zebra's State of Car Insurance Report gives the average premium data. The prices are for plans of 50/100/50, and for comprehensive and collision coverage with a deductible of $500.
Age Group | Crashes per 100 Million Miles Driven | Fatal Crashes | Average Yearly Premium |
16–17 | 1,432 | 3.75 | $6,100 |
18–19 | 730 | 2.47 | $4,334 |
20–24 | 572 | 2.15 | $2,350 |
25–29 | 526 | 1.99 | $1,608 |
30–39 | 328 | 1.20 | $1,449 |
40–49 | 314 | 1.12 | $1,396 |
50–59 | 315 | 1.25 | $1,296 |
60–69 | 241 | 1.04 | $1,325 |
70–79 | 301 | 1.79 | $1,556 |
80+ | 432 | 3.85 | $2,847 |
People aged 30 to 65 usually have the highest overall car insurance rates. As people grow older, vision and cognitive ability issues begin to occur, which are essential to drive abilities. According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, men aged 85 are 40% older than men aged 75.
Looking at the table above, you can see that the crash rate for a certain age group is directly related to the overall premium for that age group. The fatal accident rate for drivers over 80 years can also be seen to be about the same as in 16 and 17.
| Discounts for Teens/New Drivers | Discounts for Students | Senior Discount | Defensive Driver Discount For Seniors | CompareInsurance Rating |
Geico Auto Insurance | Varies | 15% | - | 10% | 4.5 |
State Farm Auto Insurance | 15% | 25% | - | 8% | 4.5 |
Liberty Mutual Auto Insurance | 30% | - | - | 5% | 4.0 |
AAA Car Insurance | 7% | 14% | - | 10% | 4.0 |
The Hartford Auto insurance* | Varies | Varies | - | 10% | 4.0 |
Nationwide Car Insurance | - | - | Varies | 5% | 4.0 |
Farmers Auto Insurance | - | - | Varies | 10% | 4.0 |
Travelers Auto Insurance | 8% | - | - | 10% | 4.0 |
American Family Auto Insurance | - | - | - | 10% | 4.0 |
Auto-Owners Car Insurance | - | 20% | - | - | 4.0 |
Erie Auto Insurance | 20% | - | - | - | 4.0 |
Esurance Auto Insurance | - | 10% | 10% | 5% | 4.0 |
*The Hartford is only available to members of the American Association of Retired Persons (AARP), however, policyholders can add young drivers to their policies and get discounts.
This table compares available discounts for students and seniors from a few major car insurance providers. However, you might find better rates through another company that doesn’t have a specific student or senior discount. You could also find a good rate through a local provider in your area. When shopping locally, see if you can find customer reviews from a source besides the company website.
Here are the top 10 most expensive and least expensive states for car insurance, according to the Insurance Information Institute:
Most Expensive | Cost | Least Expensive | Cost |
New Jersey | $1,309.29 | Idaho | $599.77 |
Louisiana | $1,302.11 | Iowa | $628.10 |
New York | $1,301.64 | North Dakota | $639.10 |
Michigan | $1,270.70 | South Dakota | $648.01 |
Florida | $1,259.55 | Maine | $650.38 |
Washington D.C. | $1,246.80 | Wyoming | $677.53 |
Rhode Island | $1,193.58 | Wisconsin | $688.32 |
Delaware | $1,159.86 | Vermont | $691.56 |
Massachusetts | $1,096.53 | Indiana | $692.29 |
Connecticut | $1,086.17 | North Carolina | $699.91 |
Average national car insurance rates differ considerably, as you can see. For automobile insurance, Idahoans pay the least while New Jerseyans take out big bucks. These are just averages, remember. You probably have a premium above the average state if you live in downtown Des Moines. On the other hand, the scheme would potentially cost less than the state average if you live in New York City.
Both States have financial liability legislation requiring drivers to have minimum coverage for car insurance. In only two states (Virginia and New Hampshire), you can forgo coverage, except for damages, you remain financially liable. Other countries may authorize you to buy a bond or deposit money in an account with the DMV, but in those situations reimbursement for other drivers is eventually released from your wallet.
The insurance agent covers accident and damages costs while you carry a policy. Although the premium will seem to be costly, it's much cheaper to pay for insurance than to pay off-pocket for $40,000 or $60,000.
It is also important to note that in case of a catastrophic accident, state minimum compensation would probably not protect you. Many countries, for instance, need a 25/50/25 coverage insurance. It gives compensation of $25,000 per person for bodily injury and $50,000 for accident and $25,000 for damage to property.
Body damage not only covers hospital costs, but also loss of income. Perhaps $25,000 would not cut you if you cause an accident that injures someone seriously. A driver without sufficient coverage will financially destroy just one bad accident. You are recommended to cover 100/300/100 by the Insurance Information Institute.
Often, no state provides accident or full car insurance. It is a good idea to transport them in order to protect your car from harm. Approximately 70 percent of drivers chose to add and cover these choices.
Some states have insurance schemes without default. In a scheme without blame, drivers sue their own insurance companies for medical benefits regardless of the cause of the accident. No fault states require drivers to pay medical costs to be entitled to personal injury insurance (PIP). A no fault system can drive insurance premiums in some circumstances.
For example, until 1991, Georgia had a system without default. The state had a minimum PIP coverage of just $2,500. It also allowed individuals to sue each other if damages exceed $500. In this case, several incidents took place before a court of small claims and cost up for everyone. No-fault countries are, however, not necessarily costly. Below is a list of countries without default ranked between the most costly and the least:
Looking at the average rates of insurance by age and state, what else will affect rates? The response is that for many reasons car insurance rates can adjust. Claims are the most frequent reason for an increase in rates. In the next three years, a faulty accident will increase your rate to 50%. If you have been arrested or hit and run, the rates are much higher.
However, to experience increased rates, you don't have to be in an accident. Car insurance generally appears to get more costly over time. This can be done for a number of reasons in your case. Remember, the money will go to a fund when you buy insurance to make up for the claims of other drivers. If the overall cost of lawsuits in your region rises, the premium also increases, whether the claim has been filed or not. Smart cars with advanced safety and technological features cost more to fix and local prices will rise by the flow of these vehicles. Often, in the event of a natural catastrophe, prices will increase to cover the rise in global car claims.
Since premiums can be expensive, you may think that car insurers get rich with what drivers charge. However, from 2008 to 2015 car insurance losses and costs actually surpassed written industry premiums.
You cannot regulate your age, and it is likely that you won't switch states just to save on car insurance. Fortunately, you might be able to capitalize on a host of other deals right now. Some of them are here:
It's a smart idea to contact the insurance provider while looking for a quote and see if there are additional discounts. Often online quote forms can not take your particular situation into account. You can get your quotation online prior to calling and discuss it with an agent if you want to keep this call short. An agent should also ensure that any discount is applied to make the best deal for you.