The vehicle model that needs insurance is a large consideration when trying to find the lowest-priced car insurance for drivers under 21. Vehicles with higher performance, a lack of safety features, or a history of substantial liability claims will cost quite a bit more to insure than safer models.
The next table ranks insurance premiums for the cheapest vehicles to insure.
| Insured Vehicle | Estimated Cost for Full Coverage |
|---|---|
| Honda CR-V EX 4WD | $2,814 |
| Honda Accord EX-L 4-Dr Sedan | $3,006 |
| Ford Escape Limited 4WD | $3,015 |
| Toyota Prius | $3,041 |
| Ford Explorer XLT 4WD | $3,105 |
| Ford F-150 STX Regular Cab 4WD | $3,112 |
| Volkswagen Jetta SE 2.5 Station Wagon | $3,236 |
| Ford Edge SEL 2WD | $3,263 |
| Toyota Camry LE | $3,298 |
| Toyota RAV4 Limited 4WD | $3,306 |
| Jeep Grand Cherokee Laredo 4WD | $3,298 |
| Dodge Grand Caravan Hero | $3,304 |
| Toyota Tacoma Double Cab TRD Off-Road Package 4WD | $3,333 |
| Chevrolet Malibu LT | $3,339 |
| Dodge Ram 3500 Crew Cab Laramie 2WD | $3,333 |
| Ford Focus SEL 4-Dr Sedan | $3,457 |
| Hyundai Elantra SE 4-Dr Sedan | $3,493 |
| Chevrolet Impala LTZ | $3,500 |
| Toyota Corolla S | $3,493 |
| Honda Odyssey EX-L W/Rear Entertainment | $3,500 |
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Cost estimates assume single male driver age 19, no speeding tickets, no at-fault accidents, $1,000 deductibles, and California minimum liability limits. Discounts applied include claim-free, and safe-driver. Prices do not factor in Irvine, CA location which can decrease or increase rates substantially.
Looking at the data, you can figure that vehicles like the Honda CR-V, Honda Accord, Ford Escape, Toyota Prius, and Ford Explorer are most likely to be a few of the most economical vehicles to insure for minors. The price for car insurance will tend to be more expensive anyway because of the fact that there is more claim exposure for drivers under 21, but generally speaking those particular vehicles will most likely have the cheapest auto insurance rates compared to other types of vehicles.
For minors, one of the more important considerations that are looked at to determine the cost of insurance is where you call home. Areas with more people or even just a higher incidence of claims are more likely to pay higher prices, whereas areas with lower crime rates and fewer weather claims receive better rates.
The table below rates the highest-priced areas in California for drivers under 21 in which to purchase auto insurance. Irvine makes the list at #21 with a yearly premium of $1,384 for the average policyholder, which is about $115 each month.
| Rank | City | Average Per Year |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Los Angeles | $2,146 |
| 2 | Glendale | $2,142 |
| 3 | San Francisco | $1,745 |
| 4 | Oakland | $1,704 |
| 5 | Sacramento | $1,703 |
| 6 | San Bernardino | $1,628 |
| 7 | Santa Clarita | $1,595 |
| 8 | Long Beach | $1,578 |
| 9 | Moreno Valley | $1,551 |
| 10 | Stockton | $1,541 |
| 11 | Fontana | $1,519 |
| 12 | Garden Grove | $1,508 |
| 13 | Fresno | $1,502 |
| 14 | Modesto | $1,502 |
| 15 | Riverside | $1,497 |
| 16 | Anaheim | $1,474 |
| 17 | Santa Ana | $1,453 |
| 18 | San Jose | $1,423 |
| 19 | Huntington Beach | $1,402 |
| 20 | Fremont | $1,389 |
| 21 | Irvine | $1,384 |
| 22 | Bakersfield | $1,381 |
| 23 | San Diego | $1,368 |
| 24 | Chula Vista | $1,311 |
| 25 | Oxnard | $1,304 |
| Find the Best Rates Go | ||
Table data uses comparative as specific Irvine zip code can increase or decrease premiums significantly.
Deciphering which insurers offer the most affordable auto insurance rates for drivers under 21 calls for a little more sweat in order to find coverage that fits your budget.
Each auto insurer has a unique approach for determining rates in each state, so let’s examine the auto insurance companies with the overall best prices in California.
Find Cheaper Auto Insurance for Minors
| Rank | Company | Cost Per Year |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | USAA | $1,143 |
| 2 | CSAA | $1,186 |
| 3 | Wawanesa | $1,192 |
| 4 | Century National | $1,214 |
| 5 | Nationwide | $1,250 |
| 6 | 21st Century | $1,338 |
| 7 | Grange | $1,433 |
| 8 | Mercury | $1,488 |
| 9 | Progressive | $1,512 |
| 10 | GEICO | $1,559 |
| 11 | Allstate | $1,559 |
| 12 | MetLife | $1,590 |
| 13 | The Hartford | $1,591 |
| 14 | Allied | $1,603 |
| 15 | Esurance | $1,688 |
| 16 | Unitrin | $1,699 |
| 17 | State Farm | $1,733 |
| 18 | Bristol West | $1,849 |
| 19 | Travelers | $1,860 |
| 20 | Farmers | $2,026 |
| View More Rates Go | ||
USAA may offer some of the lowest car insurance rates in Irvine at around $1,143 each year. CSAA, Wawanesa, Century National, and Nationwide also qualify as some of the more affordable Irvine, CA insurance companies.
As shown in the table above, if you currently have a policy with Century National and switched to CSAA, you might achieve an annual savings of upwards of $28. Policyholders with Nationwide might save as much as $64 a year, and 21st Century insureds might reduce rates by $152 a year.
To get a quick, customized rate comparison, click here to get a free quote or visit any of the low-priced companies below.
It’s important to note that these prices are averages across all drivers and vehicles in California and do not take into consideration a specific vehicle garaging location for drivers under 21. So the company that can offer you the best price may not even be in the list above. That is why you need to get car insurance quotes using your own driver data and vehicle information.
How to get discounts on Irvine car insurance rates
Insurance companies that provide policies for drivers under 21 may provide special discounts that could reduce prices by 30% or more if you qualify for them. Popular auto insurance companies and some of the discounts include:
- American Family includes discounts for early bird, Steer into Savings, multi-vehicle, bundled insurance, and mySafetyValet.
- Nationwide offers discounts for Farm Bureau membership, accident-free, business or organization, easy pay, and good student.
- MetLife has savings for accident-free, claim-free, good driver, multi-policy, defensive driver, good student
- 21st Century discounts include teen driver, driver training, air bags, early bird, theft prevention, homeowners, and anti-lock brakes.
- Farmers Insurance may offer discounts for good student, pay in full, mature driver, electronic funds transfer, and youthful driver.
- Allstate may include discounts for safe driver, senior citizen, 55 and retired, defensive driver, and anti-lock brakes.
The diagram below shows the difference between insurance costs with and without discounts applied to the policy rates. The data is based on a male driver, no tickets, no at-fault accidents, California state minimum liability limits, comprehensive and collision coverage, and $1,000 deductibles. The first bar for each age group shows insurance cost with no discounts. The second bar shows the rates with accident-free, anti-theft, multiple vehicle, safe-driver, defensive driving course, and vehicle safety discounts applied. When these discounts are applied to the policy premium, theaverage amount saved on auto insurance for drivers under 21 is 28% or $846.
Cost comparison with and without full coverage
Finding cheaper auto insurance is the goal of most vehicle owners, and one of the fastest ways to find cheap insurance for drivers under 21 is to buy only liability coverage. The information below compares auto insurance costs with full physical damage coverage compared to only buying liability only. The premiums are based on a clean driving record, no claims, $100 deductibles, single status, and no additional discounts are factored in.
If all age groups are averaged, physical damage coverage costs $2,812 per year more than just insuring for liability. That proposes the question when is it safe to stop buying full coverage. There isn’t a steadfast formula for eliminating full coverage, but there is a guideline you can consider. If the annual cost of your full coverage insurance is more than about 10% of the settlement you would receive from your company, the it may be a good time to stop paying for full coverage.
There are some cases where removing full coverage is not a good idea. If you still have a loan on your vehicle, you have to maintain full coverage to protect the lienholder’s interest. Also, if you don’t have enough money to buy a different vehicle in case of an accident, you should not opt for liability only.
If you aren’t sure which coverage you need and prefer to have a professional recommendation when buying car insurance for minors, the insurance agencies listed below can help you determine which auto insurance policy fits you best. To find an Irvine insurance agent near you, click the button below the list.
- John Luithly – State Farm Insurance Agent
16277 Laguna Canyon Rd F – Irvine, CA 92618 – (949) 727-4442 - Rich Stevens – State Farm Insurance Agent
4482 Barranca Pkwy #224 – Irvine, CA 92604 – (949) 552-6601 - USG Insurance Services-California
100 Pacifica Suite 340 – Irvine, CA 92618 – (800) 886-3897
View map of Irvine, CA insurance agents
Tips to find more affordable car insurance for drivers under 21
Below you’ll find a few money-saving suggestions that can help you find cheaper coverage.
- Be a safe driver
- Try to remain claim-free
- Safer vehicles generally have cheaper insurance rates
- Avoid preventable accidents
- Bundle car and home insurance and save money
- Ensure you have the best deal by shopping around regularly
The last idea is especially vital, as we discussed in the prior information. Prices charged by car insurance companies change constantly, so don’t be hesitant to switch carriers if a lower-cost policy is available.
Staying with the same company for years is fine, but it’s not a great idea if that loyalty results in overpaying a wad of cash every year. Spend a few minutes and compare rates and find cheaper insurance for drivers under 21 in Irvine.