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Auto
How do I insure my teenage driver?
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How do I insure my teenage driver?
As soon as your teenager begins to drive, notify your insurance agent that there will be an additional driver in the house. The full name, date of birth and driver’s license number will need to be provided. There will also be questions about how the new driver will be using the family vehicles. Statistically, teenagers have more accidents than other age groups. The accidents also tend to be more severe and involve more injuries. This is reflected in higher insurance rates. Boys statistically have more accidents than girls, and the rates reflect this.
Ways to keep the increased cost to a minimum:
- Insure your son or daughter on your own policy.
It is generally cheaper to add your teenagers to your insurance policy than for them to purchase their own. If they are going to be driving their own car, insure it with your company so you can get a multi-policy discount.
- Let your insurer know if your teenager is going away to school.
If your son or daughter lives away at school – at least 100 miles from home – you will get a discount for the time they are not around to drive the car. This, of course, assumes that they leave the car at home!
- Encourage them to get good grades.
Most companies will give discounts for getting at least a “B” average or being in the top 20% of the class if they are enrolled in school full-time.
- Encourage them to take Drivers’ Training and/or Behind the Wheel driving courses.
Most companies will give discounts for completion of one or both of these courses.
- Pick a safe car.
The type of car your teen will be driving will dramatically affect the price of insurance. They should have a car that is easy to drive and would offer protection in the event of a crash. You should avoid small cars and those with high-performance images that might encourage speed and recklessness. Trucks and SUVs should also be avoided, since they are more prone to rollovers.
- Talk to them about safe driving.
Driving safely will not only keep your son or daughter alive and healthy, it will also save money. As your teenager ages, insurance rates will drop – providing that they have a good driving record.
- Talk to them about the dangers of combining driving with alcohol, lack of sleep and distractions.
Accidents occur each year because a teen driver was using a cell phone, playing the radio or talking to friends in the backseat. Also, teens should be careful when they are passengers in their friends' cars. Recent studies indicate the effects of drowsiness on driving is similar to that of driving while intoxicated.
- Be a good role model.
New drivers learn by example, so if you drive recklessly or speed, your teenage driver may copy you. Always wear your seatbelt and never drink and drive.
- Institute your own version of a graduated drivers licensing program.
A number of states have reduced teen accidents by restricting the amount of time new drivers may be on the road without supervision. If your state doesn't have such a program, you may institute this same policy with your own children. Also, take an active role in helping your teenager learn to drive. Plan a series of practice drives in a wide variety of situations – nighttime, rain and snow. You also want to give them time to work up to challenges such as driving in heavy traffic or on freeways.
Information courtesy of the Independent Insurance Agents of America
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