Car insurance for teens who are about to learn to drive is more expensive than for you, unless your driving record is particularly poor. This is why? Teens are more likely to be involved in accidents than adults, so car insurance for them is more expensive.
Higher Accident Rates
While both Canada and the United States allow teens to drive, statistics show that it may not be the most safe. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration in the United States reported that 13% of fatal car accidents involving teenagers occurred in 2007. This percentage is decreasing, but it was still dangerous. It was 9.1 percent higher in 2006. This statistic rises to 15% for all police-reported accidents that were not fatal. Similar statistics can be found in Canada. Statistics show that teens are four times more likely than adults to be in an accident with fatalities.
This is not to mention the fact that many teenagers drive drunk. According to MAADD of Canada, 40% of teens who die in car crashes are drunken. While teens are less likely to drive after drinking than adults, those who do so are more likely to be in an accident than adults. These facts indicate that teenager drivers will need to pay more for Canada’s insurance products.
There are many reasons to be concerned about the risk
Why is it that teens are more likely to be in a car accident than adults? Experts believe there are two main reasons. The first reason teens can be dangerous drivers is because they don’t always consider the consequences of their actions. Teens may drive too fast to get to school on schedule or become distracted by passengers in the car. Despite bans, they are more likely to text and talk on the phone while driving than adults.
Another factor is a lack of experience. Teenagers have less experience behind the wheel than adults, so the chances of them being in a crash are higher. Motor vehicle accidents are the leading cause for death in North American teens. Canada has around 11% of all fatalities due to teen drivers. Teen drivers also account for more than 20% of all passenger deaths. Insurance companies in Canada that specialize in car insurance recognize this fact and will charge higher rates.
What can be done?
A graduated licensing program has been tried successfully in Ontario. This allows teens to obtain their driver’s licenses after they have completed a series of steps. This allows teens to drive in less distracting situations and gives them more opportunities. Young teens can’t drive at night, and there are limits to the number of people they can carry in their cars. Teen car crashes can be reduced by up to 60%.
Good driving habits can be taught to teens by their parents. Your child should learn how to drive safely and avoid distractions such as cell phones or PDAs. You should also hold your teen responsible when driving the family car and ensure that you are aware of who is traveling with him.
Teens are much more dangerous than adults. Teens are four times as likely to be in fatal accidents as adult drivers. This is why auto insurance rates will be higher. Your teen doesn’t have to be a statistic. With enough practice and the right instruction, you can make sure they aren’t.
