How to Get Car Insurance for a 17-Year-Old Driver

What you pay for a 17-year-old driver depends on the car, the coverage you choose, and which company insures them

A 17-year-old can be insured on a parent's policy, added to an existing policy, or insured separately — each costs different amounts. Most insurers charge more for drivers under 25, and the cost varies widely by company, by state, and by the type of car. The cheapest option is usually adding the teen to a parent's existing policy rather than buying a separate one. Before you shop, you need to decide what coverage to buy, because that choice affects the price more than almost anything else.

The state of South Carolina requires all drivers to carry liability insurance — this covers damage or injury the teen causes to someone else. You also need to decide whether to buy collision coverage (pays for damage to the teen's own car in a crash) and comprehensive coverage (pays for theft, weather, vandalism). If the car is financed or leased, the lender will require both. If the teen owns the car outright, these are optional but protect against large repair bills.

Key Takeaways

• Adding a teen to a parent's policy usually costs less than a separate policy, and the parent's driving record matters more than the teen's.
• South Carolina requires liability insurance; collision and comprehensive are optional unless the car is financed or leased.
• The type of car, the coverage limits you choose, and the deductible all change the monthly cost significantly.
• Most insurers offer discounts for good grades, driver training courses, and bundling home and auto policies.
• Getting quotes from multiple companies takes 15 minutes and can reveal price differences of hundreds of dollars per year.

Adding a teen to a parent's policy versus buying separate coverage

If a parent already has car insurance, adding the teen to that policy is almost always cheaper than buying a separate one. The parent's driving record, age, and claims history determine most of the cost, not the teen's. The insurer charges an additional amount for the teen — usually $100 to $300 per month depending on the car and coverage — but this is less than a standalone policy would cost.

A separate policy makes sense only if the teen will be the sole driver of the car and the parent has no existing policy. Even then, the cost is high because the teen has no driving history. Some families use a separate policy temporarily while the teen builds a record, then switch to adding them to the parent's policy later.

To add a teen to an existing policy, call the insurer or log into the online account and request the change. You will need the teen's driver's license number and the vehicle identification number (VIN) of the car they will drive. The insurer will quote a new monthly premium and explain what changes. The change usually takes effect within a few days.

What coverage to buy and how it affects cost

Liability coverage is required by law in South Carolina. It has two parts: bodily injury liability (covers medical bills and lost wages for people the teen injures) and property damage liability (covers damage to someone else's car or property). Most people buy $25,000 per person and $50,000 per accident for bodily injury, and $25,000 for property damage — these are called 25/50/25 limits. You can buy higher limits for a small increase in cost, and higher limits protect you if the teen causes a serious accident.

Collision coverage pays to repair or replace the teen's car if they hit another vehicle or object. It comes with a deductible — usually $500 or $1,000 — meaning you pay that amount out of pocket and the insurance pays the rest. A higher deductible lowers the monthly cost. If the car is worth less than $5,000, collision coverage may cost more than the car is worth, so some families skip it.

Comprehensive coverage pays for theft, weather damage, vandalism, and hitting an animal. It also has a deductible. If the car is parked in a safe place and the teen drives only short distances, the risk is lower and you might skip it. If the car is parked on the street or the teen drives on highways, comprehensive is worth the cost.

The deductible you choose changes the monthly cost significantly. Raising the deductible from $500 to $1,000 can lower the monthly premium by $15 to $30. Choose a deductible you could actually pay if the teen had an accident — if you cannot afford $1,000 out of pocket, a $500 deductible is the right choice even if it costs more per month.

How the car itself affects the insurance cost

Insurers charge more to insure cars that are expensive to repair, have high theft rates, or perform poorly in crash tests. A used Honda Civic or Toyota Corolla typically costs less to insure than a sports car, a luxury sedan, or a truck. Before buying a car for the teen, get an insurance quote on it — the difference between two cars can be $50 to $100 per month.

The age and condition of the car matter less than the make and model. A 10-year-old Honda Accord may cost less to insure than a 3-year-old Dodge Charger. Check the insurer's website or call for a quote using the car's VIN before you buy.

Discounts that lower the monthly cost

Most insurers offer a good student discount if the teen maintains a B average or higher in school. This usually saves $10 to $25 per month and requires proof of grades once or twice per year. Some insurers offer a driver training discount if the teen completes an approved defensive driving course — this can save $50 to $100 in the first year. Ask the insurer which courses they recognize.

Bundling — insuring the car and the home with the same company — often saves 10 to 15 percent on the car insurance. Paying the premium in full rather than monthly sometimes saves a small amount. Some insurers offer discounts for low mileage, for cars with safety features like automatic emergency braking, or for using their mobile app to monitor driving. Ask what discounts the company offers before you buy.

Getting quotes and comparing prices

Call or visit the websites of at least three insurers to compare quotes. You will need the teen's driver's license number, the car's VIN, and information about the coverage you want. Most websites let you get a quote in 5 to 10 minutes without talking to anyone. Write down the monthly cost, the deductible, and the coverage limits for each quote so you can compare them side by side.

The same coverage can cost $80 per month with one company and $150 with another — the difference adds up to hundreds of dollars per year. Major insurers in South Carolina include State Farm, Geico, Allstate, Progressive, and Nationwide, but smaller regional companies sometimes offer lower rates. Do not assume the cheapest quote is the best — check the company's customer service ratings and claims handling reputation before you buy.

Once you choose an insurer, you can usually start coverage the same day or the next day. The insurer will send a proof of insurance document by email or mail, and the teen should carry a copy in the car at all times. South Carolina law requires you to show proof of insurance if you are stopped by police.

What happens if the teen gets a ticket or has an accident

A traffic ticket or minor accident will likely raise the insurance cost when the policy renews. The increase depends on the severity — a speeding ticket costs less than a reckless driving conviction, and a minor fender-bender costs less than a serious crash. Some insurers offer accident forgiveness, meaning the first accident does not raise the rate, but this usually costs extra per month.

If the teen causes an accident, report it to the insurer right away, even if it seems minor. The insurer will investigate, handle communication with the other driver's insurance company, and pay for repairs or injuries covered by the policy. Do not admit fault or agree to pay the other driver directly — let the insurer handle it.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can a 17-year-old get their own car insurance policy?

Yes, but it will cost significantly more than being added to a parent's policy. Most insurers will insure a 17-year-old alone, but the monthly cost is usually $200 to $400 because the teen has no driving history. Adding them to a parent's policy typically costs $100 to $300 per month, making it the cheaper choice in almost all cases.

What if the teen lives with only one parent but both parents own the car?

The car should be insured on the policy of the parent who owns it or the parent with whom the teen lives. If both parents own the car, insure it on one policy and list the teen as a driver. The insurer needs to know who owns the car and who will drive it to calculate the cost correctly.

Does the teen's age matter if they are added to a parent's policy?

Yes. A 16-year-old typically costs more to insure than a 17-year-old, and both cost more than an 18-year-old. The cost decreases gradually as the teen gets older. At 25, the cost drops significantly because insurers consider drivers 25 and older to be lower risk.

What if the teen only drives occasionally?

Tell the insurer how often the teen will drive and what the car will be used for. If the teen drives only on weekends or only to school, some insurers offer lower rates. If the teen will be the main driver of the car, the cost will be higher regardless of how often they actually drive.

Can the teen be removed from the policy if they do not drive anymore?

Yes. Call the insurer and request to remove the teen as a driver. The monthly premium will decrease. If the teen will drive again later, you can add them back, but the cost may be higher if they have had tickets or accidents in the meantime.