I'm 18 with a permit and a car. I need insurance that won't throw my budget into the depths of hell. Does this even exist? Who is the provider?

Insurance depends on age and sex of driver, what kind of car, and the area you live in. Your best bet is to add the car (with you as the sole driver) to one of your parents policies.

Look for an underwriter.

Your age, sex, kind of car, living area, are a small factor in your insurability. Your biggest factor is that you're 18 years old. The younger you are, the more accidents you may have....that's just Insurance Economics 101. Hopefully you have had the forsight to have a $2,000.00 - $2,500.00 car that has no underlying loan. This will save you 50% by not carrying collision insurance. Secondly, if you are 18 and still a student, you can be added to your parents insurance for a savings of another 25% - 35%. If you get your own policy, and you have full coverage, then you're gonna pay through the nose...probably $200 - $300.00 per month depending on the value of your car.

My advise,....pay cash for a $1000.00 used car, drop collision, hope that mom & dad will let you on their policy, and drive carefully for the next 10 years. That way your insurance might stay below $100.00 per month.

All of my sons have been insured through Farmers. We added them to the family policy (many people recommend against this) when each started driving. None of their insurance ever was over $110 a month. The youngest is 19 now, and his is currently only $90 a month. We live in the Dallas area and rates are kind of high here, so I think Farmers is a good deal.