Reasonable Rates for Teen Drivers
Parents may dread the day their teenager begins driving for more than one reason. Their sons or daughters safety is an overwhelming factor, but another one is the expense the family takes on when carrying auto insurance for a teenage driver.
Why is Auto Insurance for Teens so Expensive?
Teenagers are new drivers and new drivers are inexperienced. Even though they may be careful drivers, teenagers don’t have the experience to know what to do if another driver does something wrong.
In addition to that, it’s a fact that teenagers are more likely to exceed the speed limit, try to pass when a more experienced driver would wait, race yellow lights, change lanes and make turns carelessly and drive too close to other cars. Teenagers are more likely to be on their cell phones while they’re driving and more likely to be texting, which is even more distracting and dangerous than talking on the phone. Teenagers are the ones with their music blasting, which can interfere with their hearing what’s going on around them.
And the more teenagers there are in the teen driver’s car, the more speeding and distraction are factors. Not only that, but teen drivers may engage in dangerous behaviors to show off for their friends or on a dare. Teens are also more likely to drive when they are emotionally upset and their normal alertness is impaired.
For all of these reasons, teens may frequently have or cause accidents and the auto insurance companies know that.
How Can You and Your Teen Get Cheaper Insurance?
It is possible to get cheaper insurance, even with teen drivers.
Some companies give discounts for good grades. They assume that students with good grades are more focused and responsible, as well as more likely to spend less time on the road and more time studying or at a job.
You can get a safer car. This has the double advantage of giving you peace of mind about your son or daughter’s safety and getting you better rates with the insurance company. You can check the safety ratings on different cars online.
Have your teen take a driver safety program. There are driver safety courses and DVDs. Or they can read a book and take a driver safety test. This will lower their insurance rates.
If your teen goes away to college and doesn’t take the car, let your insurance company know that they will only be driving the car during school breaks and summers. This can lower your rates, too.
Consider companies that offer multiple car discounts. Some companies also offer discounts when you have both your homeowners and auto insurance policies with them.
Last but not least, you can shop around for companies who offer the best rates for adding teen drivers. Rates for car insurance can vary widely, as you can tell from all of the television commercials on the subject. But you will want to weigh the advantages and disadvantages of making a change from the company that has been providing your car insurance. If you are getting a discount from them because you also have your homeowner’s insurance with them, that’s one thing to consider. Also, you will want to make sure that the company you consider changing to is reputable and not one that can offer cheap rates because it never pays its claims.
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