If you’re the parent of a teen who’s about to get their license, you’ve probably got some mixed emotions. One thing on your mind (other than worrying about your teen’s safety) is probably how much car insurance for your teenager will cost. Odds are you’ve heard the rumors that teen car insurance is expensive.
Well, unfortunately, the rumors hold some truth.
Auto insurance for teen drivers is expensive because they’re at a high risk of having an accident. Teens aren’t experienced drivers yet (which is why it’s important to make sure that they get lots of practice) and they tend to take a lot of risks. Anyways, the good news is that you can get cheap car insurance for your teenager, and we’ll explain how.
Check out the following tips for getting teen driver insurance.
1. Look for discounts.
Discounts are a prime way to save on auto insurance. Because insurance for young drivers is so expensive, there are many discounts available for teenagers and students – insurance companies want to make the pricing more manageable.
Here are some common discounts offered for young drivers:
- Good student discount: If your student has a 3.0 or higher GPA or has made the Dean’s List or Honor Roll, they might be eligible for a Good Student Discount. (This discount exists because students with good grades are seen as being less of a risk.)
- Driving school: Has your teen done driver’s ed? They could qualify for a discount.
- Discounts for being away: Is your teen attending college far away? There may be a discount for that, and it allows you to keep your teen on your policy so they can drive while they’re home on breaks.
2. Add your teen to your policy.
Chances are it will be less expensive to add your child to your policy instead of getting them their own, particularly if you have a good record and a safe reliable car for them to drive. Just make sure to clarify which car your teen will be driving if you have multiple vehicles.
3. Choose a safe, reliable car.
If you already have a vehicle that you’re planning on letting your kid drive, that’s great. If you need to buy a car for them, you may want to consider getting a safe, used car for them. However, newer cars have advanced safety features. At any rate, choose a practical vehicle that’s good and sturdy; you can do some research about various cars and how much the insurance could be. Yes, the sports car is way cool. But the small, sensible SUV could be less money to insure.
4. Send your kid to driving school.
As we mentioned before, you could get a discount if your teenager goes to driving school. Ask your insurer which driver’s ed courses they will approve for you to get a discount on teen car insurance and get their recommendations.
But discounts aren’t the only reason for driver’s ed.
It also gives your teen more practice, which will help them stay safe behind the wheel. And having no accidents keeps teen car insurance rates down.
5. Consider your deductible.
Your deductible is the amount you agree to pay if you have a claim. If you raise your deductible, you might get lower premiums. However, you don’t want to raise your deductible so high that it’s impossible to pay if you have a claim, but if you think about your finances and realize that you could raise your deductible a bit, you could save money on your premium.
6. Pay for minor damage out of pocket.
Let’s face it:
Your teen may accidentally bump into a few things as they’re gaining experience driving. Mailboxes, poles, curbs…the possibilities are endless. If your teen has a little mishap, pay for the damage out of pocket rather than filing a claim. Claims can make your rates go up if you file too many of them, and you have to consider your deductible and the amount you’re paying anyway.
7. Emphasize the importance of safe driving.
Driving safe is, of course, a crucial thing. Not only are you trying to keep your child from getting into an accident so they don’t get hurt, which is the priority, but it can also help them keep their auto insurance rates down. (As we mentioned before, accidents and tickets can make teen car insurance rates go up.)
How can you teach your kid to drive safe?
Start by being a good role model and being a safe driver. Wear your seatbelt. Don’t speed. Don’t text or talk on the phone. Don’t lose your temper or be aggressive on the road. Remember – your teen is watching and learning from your example.
8. Set some rules.
You may have to set some ground rules for the car to let your teen know about your expectations. You can start by enforcing Georgia laws for newly licensed drivers.
- Curfew for drivers under age 18 is midnight to 5 a.m.
- The graduated licensing system only allows for a certain amount of passengers at a time (For the first six months after getting their license, they can’t drive with any passenger who is not immediately related)
- Seatbelts are a must.
- Texting while driving is illegal no matter how old you are.
9. Talk about distracted driving.
This is so important.
Distracted driving is the cause of thousands of accidents every year. Make sure your teen knows not to text and drive. It’s essential – they may think they can multitask, but no one can text and drive safely. It’s impossible.
10. Shop around.
Of course, shopping around can also help you save money on car insurance. It’s important to consider different coverage options and compare prices when you’re getting insurance for your teenager.
And we can help you with that. Our agents are professionals at helping people save money on auto insurance. We’ll help you get a great rate for teen car insurance and make sure they have the coverage they need. All you have to do to get quotes for teen auto insurance is fill out our quote form or give us a call today.