It’s the day you have been waiting for. Your 16-year-old child is now eligible for a driver’s license. You will need to purchase a car for your child that he/she will then systematically destroy. Also, you must get car insurance. If the high-priced auto insurance quotes you have received are any indication, insurance companies also share your concern about the driver’s ability to safely navigate the roads. We’re here to help. This article will provide some tips on how to get car insurance for your teenager.
The ‘New’ Car
You may think that buying an old Archie Comics-style jalopy will help you save money. Wrong. In the long-term, you would lose a lot of money. An older car will require more repairs and maintenance. It will also be more expensive to insure. However, buying your little hoodlum an expensive, loud sports car is not the best option. The insurance company will charge a premium that will make your head spin. It is best to purchase a used car with a low mileage and good condition. You will find affordable auto insurance quotes because the chances of theft, collision damage, and cost of repairs are much lower with used cars.
Auto Insurance Coverage
According to the American-Automobile Association, teen drivers aged 15-17 cause $34 billion in damages, medical expenses and loss of life each year. While it might be tempting to opt for less comprehensive auto insurance and save money, this statistic may not be so bad. You could find yourself in an impossible situation if you don’t have adequate auto insurance.
To add or not
You might be wondering whether you should add your teenage driver as an insured to your policy. This is a debateable question. It’s up to you to determine which benefits are most beneficial for your situation and the insurance company.
Here are some pros and cons that will help you make the right decision.
- The pros: Your teen can be added to your policy and enjoy the same discounts and privileges as you. This might be cheaper than the premiums your teen would have to pay on their own.
- Cons: Teen drivers can increase your premiums. Any claims, misdemeanors, or accidents he/she makes on your auto insurance will be reflected in future premiums. If your teenager has a policy on their own and is a good driver, you will be building a driver’s record.
Affordable auto insurance
We have saved the best for final. You can get affordable car insurance for your teen without having to compromise on quality or coverage. Want to learn more? These are the top tips:
- Driver training credit – Some auto insurance companies offer discounts to drivers under 21 for taking a driver’s course. Your child will also learn how to be a safer driver. This will help them to avoid accidents, transgressions, and claims. It will also make it easier to get the best car insurance rates possible.
- Student discount: Need another reason for your child to want your intelligence? Here’s the deal. Auto insurance companies often offer discounts for students under 25 years old who have an average B+ or higher. This can be used to your advantage by promising your teen to give you the money/discount every time he is eligible for the good student discount on your car insurance. Win-win, right?
- Safety first. Who said insurance companies were soulless, uncaring businesses? Insurance companies that are trustworthy will help you stay alive and safe. Many auto insurance companies will offer a discount to your teenager for installing airbags and buying safe-car vehicles.
- You can protect what you own – An anti-theft device on your car will give you an additional discount. You can get auto insurance from some companies. Yours may be one of these. You might be interested in car insurance quotes from companies offering this service.
There is a lot to worry about when raising teenagers. There are many things to worry about, including their college education and their sexual orientation. Hopefully, this article has allayed your concerns and made it easier to focus on your teenager’s auto coverage.