Car Insurance for 22-Year-Olds

Age is one of the major defining factors when it comes to rating auto drivers for insurance purposes. Young drivers have less experience driving and tend to be less mature. Thus, insurance companies expect them (based on statistics) to make poor decisions that result in accidents or tickets. This expectation is why getting insurance as a 16-year-old is very expensive, averaging over $4,000 per year. The rate decreases with each passing year and becomes less intimidating once a driver turns 22.

The average annual rate for the 22-year-old age group is $1,670 for full coverage, whereas someone older in their mid-30s will pay an average of $1,540 per year. This data suggests that 22 is the age that insurance companies start to see drivers as experienced and mature. Of course, getting the minimum required coverage can save a 22-year-old money, with the average being only $836 per year.

However, even though the rates start to level out, they are still well above the national averages of $1,047 for full coverage and $565 for minimum coverage. Factors like ZIP codes, sex and credit scores affect the cost of car insurance as well.

Every insurance company is different when it comes to price. There are a few companies that do better than others when it comes to rating 22-year-olds. The cheapest insurance companies for a 22-year-old are below.

The choice of a car dramatically affects the rate that a 22-year-old will pay for insurance. Each car type has its own rating based on average driver data that insurance companies have accumulated over the years.

A truck tends to be heavier than a sedan and is less likely to be damaged than a sedan in an accident, for example. This type of data lowers the rate for a truck. Here are the averages based on the vehicle type.

Not every 22-year-old’s driving record is equal. Some 22-year-olds will get better rates than others because of factors like driving history. Here’s what you can do for younger drivers looking to save on auto insurance:¹

1. Keep a good driving record: It doesn’t matter how old you are; a person with a good driving record will always pay less than someone with a bad driving record. Insurance companies insure risk and high risks are more expensive than low risks. Bad drivers are more likely to get into accidents that lead to losses, costing the insurance company money. Keep your driving record free of accidents and tickets to avoid inflated auto insurance rates.
2. Earn good grades: Many 22-year-olds are just wrapping up their college educations. Having a B average or better will help keep insurance costs down for those in school. Most insurance companies offer a good grade discount to college students.²

Comparing quotes is the way for 22-year-old drivers to get the best car insurance. Here’s how to get the best car insurance:

1. Get a baseline quote from an auto insurance company.
2. Make sure the quote has the coverage that you desire.
3. Shop that quote around with other carriers, matching the coverage.
4. Check insurance ratings such as  AM Best or Moody’s for each carrier, choosing to work with the highest-rated companies. These ratings measure the financial strength of the company; it’s best to work with the strongest. We also recommend looking at J.D. Power’s Auto Insurance Study, which measures customer satisfaction.

When a driver hits age 22, they start to see their insurance premiums get closer to the national average. Drivers can ensure that they get the best rates by shopping quotes among top carriers and keeping clean driving records.