Having your teen pass their driver’s test is an exciting day for the whole family. But, as a parent, you’re a little freaked out about the idea of your child getting behind the wheel. One way to ease your worries is to make sure your teen has adequate car insurance. If you’ve never thought much about car insurance for teens, here are some things you need to consider.
When to Get Car Insurance for Your Teenager
Buying car insurance is complicated and it’s hard to know if you’re getting the right coverage for your teenager. The first thing to know is when to get insurance for teen drivers. The rules vary from state to state, so check with your local DMV or your insurance agent.
Many insurance companies don’t require car insurance for teens who have a learner’s permit. You may not need to get insurance for your teen until they get their driver’s license. However, some people choose to add their teen to their existing policy even though it’s not required. To be on the safe side, contact your insurance company when your child gets their learner’s permit
How Much Insurance Does Your Teen Need?
According to the Insurance Information Institute, inexperienced teen drivers are more likely to be involved in automobile accidents. Among teens between the ages of 16 and 19, the leading cause of death is traffic accidents. Furthermore, the death rate for male teen drivers is two times higher than for female teen drivers. As many as six teens lose their lives in vehicle crashes each day.
With those facts in mind, how much insurance is enough? In most cases, the minimum state liability limits aren’t always enough to cover the medical and physical damages caused by an accident. Due to the increased likelihood of an accident occurring with young, inexperienced drivers in your household, consider increasing the liability limits of your policy.
Why Is Car Insurance for Teens So Expensive?
Insurance companies rely on research and data to help them establish insurance rates for different groups of drivers. Their research shows that young drivers who lack driving experience are involved in more accidents than adults. This puts teen drivers into a higher risk category which means they will pay higher premiums for coverage.
How to Save on Car Insurance for Teens
While it may be tempting to opt for the cheaper insurance prices, remember, the cheaper coverage may be inadequate. Full coverage car insurance for a sixteen-year-old can cost an average of $4,368 to $6,613 annually for state-required minimum coverage. The older your teen is, the cheaper the insurance rates will be.
To help reduce the high premium, try these proven strategies:
- The premium can be reduced by up to 10% if your teen completes a defensive driving course.
- Discounts are available for vehicles with specific safety and security features.
- Make sure your teen never drives without insurance. The consequences can be much higher than you may expect, including legal repercussions, huge fines, and higher insurance premiums.
Here are some other ways to reduce the cost of insurance for teen drivers:
- Your teen should take an approved driver’s education course.
- Look for good student and safe driver discounts. You could save up to 25%.
- Having a safer car model will result in lower insurance rates.
- Increase the physical damage deductible on your policy.
- Talk to your insurance agency about bundling your insurance policies.
- Add your teen to your existing policy.
Also, make sure your teen understands that a single speeding ticket or a small accident can raise your insurance rates for many years. These risks can be reduced by installing mobile apps that turn off texting while your teen is driving. In addition to saving lives, this feature can also save you money.
Need Car Insurance for Your Teen? Contact Sandifer Insurance First
Providing your teen driver with the right insurance coverage is important not only for safety but for your peace of mind. At Sandifer Insurance, we understand your apprehension about letting your teenager drive. We can help make the transition easier by ensuring that your teen has the best auto insurance available.
At Sandifer Insurance, we focus primarily on our client’s needs. We also strive to uphold the highest standards in customer service and business practices. Our team has over 40 years of experience in helping families protect their assets and their loved ones with reliable auto, home, life, commercial, or farm insurance.
Contact Sandifer Insurance Agency before you buy teen driver insurance. We will compare quotes from major insurance companies to find the right coverage at the best price. Buying car insurance for teens can be easier with help from Sandifer Insurance. You can reach us by phone, email, or online to receive a free, no-obligation quote from one of our consultants.
Sources:
- nhtsa.gov/ – SaferCar App
- forbes.com/ – Are Vehicle Safety Features Actually Reducing Car Accidents?
- injuryfacts.nsc.org/ – Injury Facts: Overview
- cdc.gov/transportationsafety/ – Teen Drivers: Get the Facts