Best Car Insurance for Children of Divorced Parents in 2024 (Top 10 Companies Ranked)

Allstate, Travelers, and Progressive have the best car insurance for children of divorced parents, especially for teens who regularly practice safe driving habits.

Allstate takes our top spot because it offers excellent coverage options and teen driver education programs. However, Travelers and Progressive are affordable options if you need to compare teen driver car insurance rates for the cheapest coverage.

Our Top 10 Company Picks: Best Car Insurance for Children of Divorced Parents

Whether you need joint custody car insurance options or policies for a single teen driver, you can find the best coverage options below. Then, enter your ZIP code into our free comparison tool to find the best prices for you.

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#1 – Allstate: Top Pick Overall

Pros

• UBI Program: Get the best car insurance for a child of divorced parents with Allstate’s two usage-based insurance (UBI) program. Choose between a discount of 40% with Drivewise or pay-per-mile coverage with Milewise.
• Generous Discounts: Get the cheapest car insurance for divorced parents and their kids by using any of Allstate’s 13 discounts.
• Full Coverage Options: Allstate has one of the best selections of add-ons for car insurance, including new car replacement and accident forgiveness. Explore all your coverage options in our Allstate car insurance review.

Cons

• Mixed Reviews: Although Allstate is one of the most popular choices for car insurance, it doesn’t always impress its customers. Many policyholders complain about the speed of Allstate’s claims resolution.
• Higher Rates: Whether you’re a teen or senior citizen, Allstate is likely one of your most expensive insurance options.

#2 – Travelers: Best for Bundling Policies

Pros

• Bundling Discounts: Travelers offers a variety of ways to save, but drivers looking to bundle their home and auto policies will be pleased with the bundling discount.
• Low Complaints: With fewer complaints than expected, Travelers is an excellent option for car insurance for separated couples and their teen drivers.
• Responsible Driver Plan: This feature bundles accident and minor traffic violation forgiveness. You can also upgrade to the premier plan, which adds a decreasing deductible and a deductible waiver if you total your car.

Cons

• No SR-22 Insurance: Some high-risk drivers have to turn in SR-22 forms to the state to continue driving. If that applies to you, Travelers does not offer an option to turn the forms in for you.
• Lacking Rideshare Insurance Availability: Travelers sells rideshare insurance in a few states, but most drivers won’t be able to purchase it. See where other Travelers coverage options are available in our review of Travelers car insurance.

#3 – Progressive: Best for Teens on a Budget

Pros

• Snapshot: Teens can agree to let Progressive track their driving habits to save up to 30% on their insurance with Snapshot. Drivers should be aware that Snapshot can increase your rates if you don’t drive safely enough.
• Name Your Price Tool: Progressive makes it easy to find coverage that matches your budget. Simply enter your monthly budget into the Name Your Price tool to see policy options that don’t go over.
• Teen Discounts: Among Progressive’s 13 discounts are savings specifically for teens. You can save just by having a driver under 18 listed on your policy.

Cons

• Mixed Reviews: It may offer low rates, but Progressive struggles with its customer loyalty ratings. See what customers have to say in our Progressive car insurance review.
• Unexpected Rate Hikes: Progressive customers often complain that their rates increased unexpectedly, even when nothing had changed about their policies.

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#4 – Liberty Mutual: Best Selection of Add-ons

Pros

• RightTrack: Liberty Mutual offers savings of up to 30% with its telematics program, RightTrack. See if you could save with RightTrack in our Liberty Mutual car insurance review.
• TeenSMART Discount: Earn a discount on car insurance for minors with Liberty Mutual’s TeenSMART driving program. As a bonus, teen drivers also learn how to stay safe on the road and avoid accidents better.
• Diverse Coverage Options: Liberty Mutual offers plenty of add-ons to help you customize your policy. Popular choices include original parts replacement and roadside assistance.

Cons

• Below Average Claims Satisfaction: Despite its popularity, Liberty Mutual has lower customer service and claims satisfaction ratings than expected.
• Higher Premiums: While it has lower rates for young drivers, older adults looking for car insurance after divorce will probably find better rates at another company.

#5 – AAA: Best for Roadside Assistance

Pros

• Membership Perks: You need a membership to purchase AAA auto insurance. Membership comes with a few perks, like discounts on shopping, travel, and hotels.
• Roadside Assistance Plans: AAA offers three roadside assistance plans with different levels of coverage, which is particularly helpful for teen car insurance plans.
• Customizable Policies: AAA offers a variety of ways to get the best car insurance during divorce or after everything is settled. Read our AAA car insurance review to see all your coverage options.

Cons

• Regional Availability Varies: AAA is split into regional clubs, where coverage and discount availability vary. If you’re unsure of what’s available in your area, an AAA representative can help.
• Membership Fees: Although it only costs between $50 and $130 per year, AAA’s membership fees add to the overall cost of coverage.

#6 – Erie: Best for Customer Service

Pros

• Excellent Customer Service: Erie consistently receives excellent reviews for its customer service experience. With its focus on its customers, Erie has a higher percentage of happy drivers than many other providers.
• YourTurn: Erie offers safe drivers an additional opportunity to save by enrolling in its UBI program, YourTurn. See if YourTurn is right for you in our Erie car insurance review.
• Teen Driving Discounts: Save on your insurance after divorce no matter what policy a teen ends up on with Erie’s youthful driver discount.

Cons

• Limited Availability: Erie sells car insurance in just 12 states, mostly in the Midwest.
• No Online Quotes: Erie doesn’t have the most modernized take on car insurance. You’ll need to speak with a representative to get a car insurance quote.

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#7 – Farmers: Best Selection of Car Insurance Discounts

Pros

• Signal App: Farmers’ UBI program is an easy-to-use mobile app called Signal. You can earn savings of up to 30% by maintaining safe driving habits.
• Tons of Discounts: Farmers offers 23 ways to save on car insurance for divorced people and their children. See how many you qualify for in our Farmers car insurance review.
• Huge Network of Agents: Farmers maintains an extensive network of local agents, which means you shouldn’t struggle to find personalized help if you have questions about car insurance and divorce.

Cons

• Limited Online Options: Although most insurance companies are focusing more on a digital insurance experience, Farmers remains focused on selling insurance in the traditional way.
• No New Policies in Florida: Farmers is one of many companies leaving the Sunshine State. It no longer writes new car or home insurance policies in Florida.

#8 – Nationwide: Best Usage-Based Insurance Savings

Pros

• Vanishing Deductible: Select this add-on to have your deductible reduced by $100 for every year you spend claims-free, up to a maximum of $500.
• SmartRide: SmartRide is Nationwide’s UBI program that can help safe teens keep their rates low. You get a 10% discount just for signing up, and your maximum potential savings is 40%. You may be able to save even more by combining other Nationwide car insurance discounts with SmartRide.
• Additional Coverage: Customize your policy with Nationwide’s coverage options, including car key replacement coverage and pet insurance.

Cons

• Limited Availability: Nationwide hasn’t made its way into every U.S. state yet. Currently, you can only buy coverage from Nationwide in 47 states.
• High Rates for High-Risk Drivers: Getting cheap car insurance for young drivers on a parent’s policy is already difficult, but it’s harder if you have speeding tickets or accidents. If your driving record is less than perfect, Nationwide probably isn’t your cheapest option.

#9 – Geico: Best for Affordable Teen Rates

Pros

• DriveEasy: Geico helps safe drivers save an additional 25% on their insurance if they sign up for the DriveEasy UBI program.
• Generous Discounts: Geico has 16 discounts to help drivers save. One of its most unique is the government employee discount, which can help you find the best auto insurance for children of divorced parents.
• Low Rates: Geico is typically one of the cheapest options for car insurance, especially if you need teenager car insurance. See how Geico keeps its rates so low in our Geico car insurance review.

Cons

• Higher Rates for DUIs: Not only can getting a DUI complicate co-parenting and car insurance, but you’ll also see much higher rates at Geico.
• Limited Coverage Options: Whether you need 50/50 custody insurance or a solo teen policy, you might be surprised by how few add-ons Geico offers, especially compared with its competitors.

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#10 – State Farm: Best for Good Student Discounts

Pros

• Drive Safe & Save: State Farm’s usage-based insurance program offers savings of up to 30%, which can help safe-driving teens save on their coverage.
• Good Student Discounts: Students who maintain an average GPA of 3.0 or higher can save up to 25% on their State Farm policy. Learn more about State Farm’s 13 discounts in our State Farm car insurance review.
• Steer Clear Program: State Farm participates in the Steer Clear Program, which helps teen drivers improve their skills behind the wheel with personalized feedback. Complete the program to earn up to 15% off.

Cons

• Limited Coverage: State Farm may be one of the largest insurance providers in the country, but it lacks popular add-on options like gap insurance and accident forgiveness.
• Less Competitive Online Tools: Many State Farm reviews mention being disappointed with State Farm’s website and mobile app.

How to Determine Which Policy to Add a Teen Driver

Wondering if you can add relatives to your car insurance policy? Most insurance companies require that all drivers who live in the household be added to a family policy as secondary drivers, including young drivers between 15-20 years old. But if you are divorced or getting divorced and have a teen driver, who’s responsible for car insurance?

The answer depends on what the car insurance company requires and what the divorce decree says about which parent is financially responsible for child-related expenses.

Insurance Company Rules for Teen Drivers and Divorced Parents

Which divorced parent covers a teen driver may depend on the insurance company. Your car insurance provider may have rules that say the parent who has primary residential custody is responsible for securing coverage for the child, especially if the teen’s primary vehicle is at that residence. You’ll also need information about where the teen will be staying when you get an insurance quote.

But what about auto insurance for divorced parents with shared custody? Understanding your car insurance policy rules can be tricky, but both parents may need to add coverage. If parents have joint custody or equal parenting time and the teen has access to vehicles at both residences, both parents may be required to add the child to their respective policies.

Which Parent Should Pay for a Teen Driver’s Insurance

The question of which ex-spouse is required to obtain car insurance for a child is different from the question of which parent is financially responsible for paying for that coverage. The answer to who pays depends on several things, including income, assets, and expenses. 

Remember that factors other than parental income can impact who pays for their teen’s car insurance costs. For example, suppose your ex bought your child a car without your consent. In that case, the court may say your ex is financially responsible for your teen’s car insurance and costs relating to gas, vehicle maintenance, and driving classes. However, if you’re divorced parents buying a car for a child together, you may need to split all the costs.

It’s important to work with your ex-spouse to see if you can agree on who is financially responsible for what. You may need to work together to compare multiple free car insurance quotes online to find the best rates.

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Teen Driver Car Insurance Rates

It can be expensive to insure teen drivers. Teen coverage rates are often high because they have less experience driving and engage in high-risk behavior, like texting while driving and not wearing seatbelts. But, don’t worry. You and your ex can find the best car insurance by age with a little online research.

Check below to see car insurance rates for minimum and full coverage from our top companies.

Car Insurance Monthly Rates for Children of Divorced Parents by Coverage Level & Provider

Also, there are a variety of discounts and programs that can help lower the cost of car insurance for teenagers. Most auto insurance companies have student driver discounts for people under 25 who are enrolled full-time in high school or college and maintain a certain minimum grade point average. Many insurance companies also offer discounts for drivers who enroll in a defensive driving course or safe driver training programs.

There may even be discounts for membership in a fraternity or sorority, the military, professional associations, and alumni associations. These programs and discounts can add up to significant savings on teen car insurance, sometimes as much as 15% for eligible teen drivers. Check below to see what discounts can help you find cheap car insurance for kids at our top companies.

Finally, don’t forget to let your adjuster know if your teen goes off to college and leaves the car at home. Rates should decrease if the teen’s car usage goes down significantly. 

Parent or Guardian’s Liability for Teen Drivers

Parents can always be liable for the acts of minors through a legal theory called “vicarious liability.” What makes a parent vicariously liable for their child’s actions depends on state law. Nonetheless, parents should be aware they potentially could be held responsible for what their minor-aged motorist does behind the wheel.

That’s why it’s so important to get auto insurance for your teen driver. You want to make sure you and your child are covered against personal liability if your teen causes a car accident. Plus, finding cheap car insurance after an at-fault accident or speeding ticket can be difficult, so it’s best to protect yourself.

Teen Drivers and Named Exclusions

A named exclusion is a written endorsement that you may be able to give to your car insurance provider that says you will not permit your teen to drive any of your cars at any time. Some parents feel that a named exclusion is a good way to save because you won’t have to pay for auto coverage for your teen. 

Named exclusions, however, present a risk if your child somehow gets access to the car and gets into an accident while driving.

If you have a named exclusion for your teen attached to your policy, your insurance provider has the contractual right to deny an accident claim. In that case, you would be on the hook for personal injury and property damages.

It’s important to note that some carriers have restrictions for named exclusions. For example, some providers require that the keys to all vehicles be locked away or kept at least 100 miles away from the teen’s primary residence. Otherwise, you’ll have to add them to your policy as you need car insurance to drive someone else’s car, and your teen might have access to your vehicle to do so.

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How to Help Teen Drivers Stay Safe

Divorced or not, parents should be concerned about their young driver behind the wheel. The best thing you and your ex-spouse can do to help your teen be a better driver is to be upfront about teen drivers’ facts and car accident statistics and enforce consistent driving rules for both households.

The stats on teen driving can be scary. According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, teen drivers have a high rate of fatal car accidents.

In addition, more than 200,000 young drivers are injured in car accidents in a typical year.

The leading causes of teen-related auto wrecks are lack of experience, distracted driving, and alcohol use. Statistics also show that in approximately 25% of teen car accidents, alcohol was involved. Most concerning is that almost half of all teen motorists in accidents were not wearing seatbelts.

These statistics are troubling, but there are things you and your teen can do to improve their safe driving habits.

It’s National Teen Driver Safety Week: talk to your #teendriver about how to be safer on the road. Get our tips. https://t.co/oqK6r5Id8Q #ThinkSafe pic.twitter.com/XfFCmtqRVN

— Travelers (@Travelers) October 23, 2018

First, you and your ex-spouse must set up consistent rules about driving. Rules shouldn’t be more lax at one parent’s house. Here are some basic teen driving rules that divorced parents can agree on:

• Everyone must wear seat belts
• No texting while driving
• No blasting music
• Limit the number of passengers
• No drinking and driving

Divorced parents should also look into smart apps that are designed to monitor what their kids are doing behind the wheel and help them drive better. Here are some examples of how and what safe driving apps can offer new motorists:

• Text disabling
• Location tracking
• Email notifications when the car exceeds a certain speed
• Telematics, which monitors driving habits using GPS and onboard diagnostics to record real-time driving data on things like stopping, cornering, and speeding

Ask your auto insurance company if it offers safe driving apps. Not only will they help your child’s driving, but using these apps may help lower your rates.

Find the Best Car Insurance for Children of Divorced Parents Today

When it comes to your child’s safety behind the wheel, divorced parents have no better incentive to work together. Try to reach agreements on who will add the teen to their policy and how the costs of insurance and other car-related expenses will be handled.

Next, both parents should ask their carriers about teen driver discounts and use a car insurance calculator to find the best coverage at the lowest rates. Finally, divorced parents must establish consistent rules and talk with their teen drivers about driving responsibly. Once you’re ready to find affordable coverage, enter your ZIP code into our comparison tool below to get started.

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