How much is car insurance for a 22-year-old?

Quite a bit begins to change in a young adult’s life when they turn 22. They may be graduating or close to graduating college, starting their careers and perhaps considering using their own money for a first car.

All these things add up to creating a complete profile for you, says Jana Foster, owner of Nevada Insurance Agency Co., a full-service brokerage with offices in Carson City and Reno.

“Even if you don’t have a college degree, some carriers will offer you a discount just for having some courses under your belt,” Foster says.

Unless you have a poor driving record or a bad credit score, drivers who turn 22 can expect a reduction in their insurance premiums from how much they pay as a 21-year-old.

The average national car insurance rate for a 22-year-old driver with a full coverage policy is about $2,404 per year or $200 per month. This represents a $636 drop from what a driver would expect to pay at age 20 and less than half of what they would have paid at age 18.

Read on to learn more about car insurance for 22-year-olds.

Key Highlights

For a full coverage policy, a 22-year-old driver pays an average of $2,404 per year – or $200 monthly for car insurance.
Male drivers are still assessed at higher rates than females at this age, but the difference is getting smaller.
Males pay an average of $2,533 annually for a full coverage policy, while females pay $2,274 annually.

Written by:

Mel Duvall

Contributing Researcher

Mel Duvall is an award-winning senior business writer and communications professional. He served as Senior Media Manager for Husky Energy, a fully integrated energy company with operations in Canada, the United States, China and Indonesia. Mel also served a three-year term on the Mount Royal University Journalism Committee.

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Laura Longero

Executive Editor

Laura Longero is an insurance expert and Executive Editor at CarInsurance.com, where she specializes in helping consumers navigate the complexities of the financial and insurance industries. She has 15 years of experience educating people about finance and car insurance. Prior to joining CarInsurance.com, she worked as a reporter and editor at the USA Today Network. Her expertise provides readers with practical guidance, helping them make informed choices about their financial and insurance needs.

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Car insurance for young adults: What’s the average cost for a 22-year-old?

Average car insurance rates for 22-year-olds

The average annual car insurance rate for a 22-year-old who has their own policy:

State minimum liability coverage: $720
Liability coverage with limits of 50/100/50: $875
100/300/100 liability with a $500 comprehensive and collision deductible: $2,404

Your exact rate varies depending on many factors, including the insurance company you choose, where you live, the coverage limits you want, and the deductible you select.

The table below shows the cost of car insurance for males vs. females at various coverage levels in each state.

Annual average car insurance rates for 22-year-olds
State	State Minimum Female	State Minimum Male	Liability Only Female	Liability Only Male	Full Coverage Female	Full Coverage Male
Alaska	$481	$516	$567	$598	$1,892	$2,160
Alabama	$559	$601	$731	$771	$2,001	$2,234
Arkansas	$510	$556	$602	$650	$1,976	$2,259
Arizona	$728	$797	$974	$1,041	$2,280	$2,550
California	$842	$842	$1,233	$1,233	$3,070	$3,070
Colorado	$661	$703	$950	$994	$2,443	$2,689
Connecticut	$1,161	$1,267	$1,287	$1,408	$2,655	$3,017
Washington, D.C.	$786	$913	$901	$1,046	$2,493	$3,125
Delaware	$1,231	$1,249	$1,485	$1,494	$3,051	$3,279
Florida	$1,261	$1,282	$2,156	$2,185	$3,600	$3,840
Georgia	$849	$931	$1,008	$1,097	$2,436	$2,763
Hawaii	$389	$389	$519	$519	$1,306	$1,306
Iowa	$389	$414	$463	$489	$1,808	$1,992
Idaho	$437	$473	$514	$552	$1,537	$1,737
Illinois	$668	$743	$743	$825	$2,140	$2,501
Indiana	$515	$539	$584	$607	$1,676	$1,809
Kansas	$557	$570	$589	$604	$2,076	$2,301
Kentucky	$889	$901	$1,106	$1,121	$2,729	$2,990
Louisiana	$1,064	$1,176	$1,741	$1,857	$3,750	$4,233
Massachusetts	$663	$663	$817	$817	$1,977	$1,977
Maryland	$894	$1,011	$953	$1,076	$2,299	$2,760
Maine	$490	$526	$496	$533	$1,625	$1,852
Michigan	$1,010	$1,010	$1,060	$1,060	$3,298	$3,298
Minnesota	$671	$696	$721	$751	$2,030	$2,355
Missouri	$713	$778	$796	$870	$2,818	$3,212
Mississippi	$623	$676	$791	$846	$2,175	$2,431
Montana	$496	$496	$654	$654	$2,670	$2,670
North Carolina	$449	$449	$493	$493	$1,549	$1,549
North Dakota	$464	$483	$484	$505	$1,758	$2,013
Nebraska	$471	$512	$517	$562	$2,567	$2,903
New Hampshire	$630	$686	$692	$752	$2,085	$2,379
New Jersey	$1,275	$1,321	$1,484	$1,558	$2,647	$3,001
New Mexico	$591	$625	$814	$849	$2,160	$2,355
Nevada	$1,090	$1,166	$1,524	$1,601	$3,032	$3,311
New York	$1,218	$1,337	$1,342	$1,483	$2,812	$3,273
Ohio	$433	$466	$509	$542	$1,466	$1,618
Oklahoma	$500	$584	$722	$807	$2,384	$2,777
Oregon	$779	$785	$843	$853	$1,812	$1,910
Pennsylvania	$491	$491	$624	$624	$2,188	$2,188
Rhode Island	$925	$985	$1,098	$1,159	$2,621	$2,957
South Carolina	$984	$1,048	$1,215	$1,279	$2,775	$3,034
South Dakota	$388	$427	$415	$456	$2,042	$2,407
Tennessee	$472	$519	$568	$618	$1,846	$2,126
Texas	$779	$871	$948	$1,039	$2,660	$3,041
Utah	$728	$777	$872	$925	$2,020	$2,260
Virginia	$690	$751	$687	$755	$1,847	$2,115
Vermont	$419	$457	$471	$514	$1,612	$1,826
Washington	$741	$794	$924	$977	$1,812	$1,997
Wisconsin	$471	$515	$530	$582	$1,893	$2,167
West Virginia	$641	$699	$726	$791	$2,388	$2,780
Wyoming	$376	$450	$426	$508	$2,200	$2,796

Note:

State Minimum: State Minimum Liability Only
Liability Only: 50/100/50 Liability Only
Full Coverage: 100/300/100 is liability with comp/collision and $500 deductible.

How much is car insurance for a 22-year-old each month?

The table below shows how much car insurance costs for a 22-year-old per month, on average.

Monthly cost of car insurance for 22-year-olds
22-year-old policy	National average cost per month
Liability-only coverage	$60
50/100/50 coverage	$73
Full 100/300/100 coverage	$200

How much is car insurance for a 22-year-old male?

At 22, drivers – particularly males – are still in the higher risk category. The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety reports that 20 to 24-year-old males were involved in 2,038 fatal accidents in 2020 or a rate of about 18.5 per 100,000 male drivers.

That’s even more than the fatal accident rate of 14.8 for 16 to 19-year-old male drivers.

But at this stage, carriers are beginning to recognize that drivers are becoming more stable, and with each step towards full adulthood – a home, a career, and perhaps marriage – the profile looks less risky.

The average national full coverage insurance policy cost for a 22-year-old male with a $500 comprehensive/collision deductible is $2,533. That’s a savings of $257 from the $2,790 they would have paid at age 21. Carriers may assess males differently at this age, so it pays to shop around.

Average annual insurance rates for a 22-year-old males
Coverage level	Average annual rate for a 22-year-old male
Liability-only coverage	$743
50/100/50 coverage	$901
Full 100/300/100 coverage	$2,533

How much is car insurance for a 22-year-old female?

Females are still deemed higher risk at 22, but most carriers recognize they are increasingly becoming less risky. The amount their premiums decline will depend highly on their driving record and credit score. Yes, credit score.

“It’s not immediately clear why having a good credit rating leads to lower rates, but it is a big factor,” says Kevin Lynch, an assistant professor of insurance at The American College of Financial Services in Bryn Mawr, Penn.

“Carriers have been able to show, to the satisfaction of various courts, that a person’s credit rating is indicative of their driving tendencies.”

So having a good credit rating will lead to lower insurance costs, for both females and males. Remember that some states don’t allow credit scores in rate development.

The average national cost of a full coverage insurance policy for a 22-year-old female with a $500 comprehensive/collision deductible is $2,274, a savings of about $186 from what they would have paid at age 21.

Average annual insurance rates for a 22-year-old females
Coverage level	Average annual rate 22-year-old female
Liability-only coverage	$697
50/100/50 coverage	$850
Full 100/300/100 coverage	$2,274

What’s the best car insurance for 22-year-old drivers?

Start with liability car insurance, which pays for others’ injuries and damage you cause to their property in an accident. Typically, the state minimum coverage isn’t enough – medical costs can quickly escalate if significant injuries follow an accident and property damages.

If you’re financing a vehicle, your lender might require comprehensive and collision coverage. If you paid off your car, you decide if you want these coverages, which cover your car following a crash and for damage due to fire, hail, vandalism and animal strikes.

If you opt for comprehensive insurance and collision coverage, consider higher deductibles to lower your rate. Remember that you’ll be responsible for the deductible.

Car insurance discounts for 22-year-olds

Lynch says the three biggest favors any young adult can do for themselves in terms of getting the lowest insurance rates: Be accident-free with a clean driving record and maintain a good credit score.

After that, there are several other good strategies to employ.

If still in school, some car insurance companies offer discounts to 22-year-olds with good grades in college, generally a 3.0 or better grade point average.

Other discounts also might be available, such as student-away discounts and special rates for students and alumni.

Even if you’re not attending school, see what other discounts the carrier might offer, such as a discount for paperless billing or paying your premium upfront. If you have rental insurance on an apartment or condo, you will likely get a discount if you bundle your rental and car insurance with the same carrier.

If you’re working in a trade, or have started a career at a new company, check to see if your trade association has a discount arranged with an insurance carrier or if your company has a partnership.

Foster notes that many professional associations, from doctors to lawyers, accountants, dentists and others, may be eligible for discounts from certain carriers.

Beyond discounts, be mindful of the type of car you buy. Perhaps, with your first substantial paychecks coming in, you’re considering splurging on a new set of wheels.

Be aware that a practical, safe and reliable car will carry a much lower insurance rate than a high-end European sports car.

An excellent resource for comparing rates on various car models is CarInsurance.com. This site provides guidance, including a rundown of the top teen and young adult-ready cars that cost less than $15,000 and have high safety ratings.

Guide: How to lower car insurance in 2023

Final thoughts on car insurance for 22-year-olds

As you gain more experience driving, your auto insurance rates should fall. The even better news is that they will continue to get cheaper as you approach age 30.

The average full coverage insurance rate for a 30-year-old is $1,673, about $731 less than you can expect to pay at 22.

Also, shop around and compare rates with several different insurers. This should help you get an excellent policy at the best price. You can easily do that with an online calculator.

Resources & Methodology

Sources

Insurance Institute for Highway Safety, Highway Loss Data Institute. “Fatality Facts 2020, Males and Females.” Accessed April 2023.

Methodology

Insurance Institute for Highway Safety, Highway Loss Data Institute. “Fatality Facts 2020, Males and Females.” Accessed April 2023.

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