Car insurance for new drivers
New drivers need car insurance before they hit the road — most states require liability coverage by law for all drivers. You can get a policy, or if you live with another driver, they may add you to their policy. Car insurance for first-time drivers might be more expensive until you build up a driving history. If you avoid accidents and tickets, your premium may decrease over time.
Explore Progressive Answers' auto editorial guidelines to find out why you can trust the car insurance information you find here.
How much is car insurance for a new driver?
Car insurance for first-time drivers might be more expensive than for someone with a long history of good driving. But if you're a new adult driver (rather than a teen getting car insurance), you have the advantage of age — adult drivers are generally safer and cheaper to insure than teens. Learn more about how age impacts insurance rates.
Many other factors impact your car insurance rate, so it won't all come down to your years behind the wheel. For instance, your location and the make and model of your vehicle can impact your rate.
Finding cheap car insurance for new drivers can be difficult, but there are ways to lower your car insurance premium:
Qualify for car insurance discounts
Increase your deductible
Reduce your coverage
Take a defensive driving course
When do I need to buy car insurance for the first time?
Many people buy car insurance for the first time when they buy their first car or when they're no longer on their parents' policy. If you're planning to buy or lease a car, you must meet your state's minimum car insurance requirements before you can legally hit the road.
How to get car insurance for the first time
Follow these steps to get car insurance as a first-time driver:
Determine which coverages you need
Selecting your coverages will depend on what your state requires, your preferences, and your budget. Most states require a minimum of liability car insurance, and if you have a car loan or lease, your lender likely also requires auto comprehensive coverage and auto collision coverage.
Explore all the car insurance coverages available and use our car insurance calculator to help determine which may be right for you.
Gather some personal information
Shopping for car insurance typically requires you to provide at least:
- Your driving history: As a new driver, you may not have accidents or tickets to report, which should work to your advantage. Find out how accidents impact your car insurance, and how tickets can affect your rate.
- Your car's make, model, year, and mileage: Your vehicle type, MSRP, age, safety features, and more can affect your insurance rate, especially if you get comprehensive or collision.
- Your location: State laws will determine the minimum coverage you need. Plus, depending on your coverages, your location may affect your rate since certain areas are more prone to car theft, car vandalism, and other harm.
Once you're ready to purchase a policy, you may also need to provide:
- Your car's VIN
- Your driver's license number
- Your Social Security number
- Other personal information like your address
Compare rates
To find the best car insurance for a first-time driver, compare car insurance rates for the coverages you want. Remember to compare apples to apples — you'll need to select the same coverages, limits, and deductibles to truly compare different insurers. Then you can play around with how changing those amounts increases or decreases your car insurance premium before you choose the right policy for you.
Ready to get car insurance as a new driver?
Get your car insurance quote today using one of these methods:
Call us
Talk to a licensed representative who will guide you through every step of the process.
Call 1-866-749-7436
Quote car insurance online or give us a call
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