Save on Teen Auto Insurance
Your son or daughter has reached driving age and you may be worried about how much it will cost for young driver insurance. The good news is there are ways to save on your young driver insurance policy by qualifying for discounts and following guidelines insurance companies offer to keep your premiums at a minimum. Let’s go over the basics of teen driving to help you get a better feel for obtaining insurance for young drivers.
Teenage Drivers – Learning Good Driving Habits
Statistics show that young drivers have the highest accident rate of any other driver on the road. Many drivers education programs have been cut from high school budgets, which leaves the responsibility of teaching teenagers to drive in the hands of the parents. But some states require young drivers to take a certified driver’s education course in order to get a drivers license at age 16, or the teen will have to wait until they are 18.
These courses are important for two reasons: they provide your teenage driver with a solid foundation of good driving habits and can help to reduce insurance for young drivers by as much as 15 percent.
Young Drivers – The Laws of the Road
Some states enforce what’s called graduated drivers licensing laws, which vary from state to state, but may include things like mandatory driver education completion, limited nighttime driving, and minimum number of hours of adult supervision while driving. Check out your state laws before your child starts the licensing process to get a better feel for what’s required.
Some insurance companies also encourage you to present your teenage driver with your own set of laws in order to have the privilege of driving. Studies have shown that distractions such as friends talking, using cell phones and listening music have contributed to teen auto accidents. Establishing a curfew, while also restricting their driving on weekend nights will keep them off the road during high-risk times.
Good Grades, Good Driving Record Equals Good Rates for Young Driver Insurance
Not only will a good grade point average help with your teen’s college plans, it can save you money on your young driver insurance premium. Most insurance companies offer a young driver insurance discount for students with good grades, which can lower insurance rates by as much as 10 to 20 percent.
The longer your teenager keeps a spotless driving record, the more chances you have for keeping their car insurance costs down. Some insurance providers will consistently lower the cost of the premium and/or deductible each year your teen drives safe and free from traffic incidents.
Car Buying – Choose Wisely
As with other types of auto insurance policies, the rate for your young driver insurance will be factored by the make and model of their car.
Choosing a practical car with a high safety rating over a sports car will give your teen a reliable mode of transportation and contributes to more affordable insurance rates. Buying a certified used vehicle versus a model straight off the showroom floor will also help.
It’s smart to shop around for a teen driver auto policy to find the best rate and car insurance program that fits your needs. If you or your family’s driving record is clean, it could be a good time to shop for a policy for all the drivers in the house. If your driving record is less than spotless or you drive a luxury car with higher premiums, you may want to opt for a separate policy when getting insurance for young drivers.
