Last reviewed: September 16, 2026.
Teen drivers pay more for coverage than almost any other age group, since inexperience behind the wheel translates directly into higher risk in an insurer's eyes. The good news: several discounts exist specifically to reward the behavior that lowers that risk, and stacking them can meaningfully offset the age-related premium.
Most insurers will discount a policy for a full-time student who maintains a set GPA, typically around a B average. Ask your insurer directly what threshold and proof they require — a report card or transcript is usually enough.
Completing a state-accredited driver's ed or defensive driving course often qualifies a teen for a discount, on top of teaching genuinely useful skills. Ask your insurer or your state DMV for a list of accredited providers.
Adding a teen to a parent's existing policy is almost always cheaper than a standalone policy for the teen alone, since the family's overall driving history offsets some of the teen's inexperience.
The car a teen drives affects the premium as much as their age does. An older, lower-powered, safety-rated sedan is reliably cheaper to insure than a sports car or a brand-new model — worth factoring in before a teen's first car is chosen.
A single at-fault accident or moving violation can undo a meaningful share of the discounts above, and a DUI conviction is especially costly — it typically comes with a large premium increase and, in many states, an SR-22 filing requirement that stays on record for years. A clean record is the single biggest lever a teen driver has on their own rate.
Ask your insurer directly which of these discounts they offer and what's required to qualify — not every carrier offers every discount, and requirements vary.
Valkins editorial team.