If it’s time for your teen to take to the road, you’ll need to make sure they’re covered under an insurance policy. We want to help you find the policy that’s right for your teen, and right for your budget.
Inevitably, car insurance premiums cost more for teen drivers than they do for experienced adult drivers. According to incharge.org, the average cost per year for teens ages 16-19 is $2,999 for an individual insurance plan (where the teen is the only individual insured). Rate increases for one, two and three-car families are significant as well, increasing total premiums by up to 62 percent!
These rates can be a burden to your family when added to your monthly expenses, but there are ways to avoid paying the highest rates for your adolescent driver.
Here are four steps on how to avoid high insurance rates:
Step 1: Help Your Teen Choose The Right Car
Choose a car that makes sense for a teen driver. Luxury brands automatically come with higher insurance rates, partly due to the fact that luxury car parts cost more than those of non-luxury cars.
Step 2: Consider Adding Your Teen to Your Own Insurance
Typically, the least expensive option will be to add your teen to your existing policy. While this will increase your premium, it will still remain cheaper than if they were to buy insurance on their own.
Step 3: Take Measures To Help Reduce Rates
Your teen can take proactive steps toward reducing insurance rates. Depending on your insurance company, these options may include:
Step 4: Teach Your Teen To Avoid Accidents
Although accidents are inevitable and unpredictable, your teen should avoid doing things that are likely to cause them.
Action your teen should avoid doing while driving:
Instead, teach your teen to take the following preventive actions:
Insuring your teen doesn’t have to break the bank. Following these tips will help you to insure your teen now and keep your costs down in the next few years. Conduct thorough research when choosing which car your teen will drive and which insurance policy and extra coverage plans your teen should have.
As always, we’re happy to help. Contact an NYCM Insurance agent to learn more about insuring your teen driver.
Step 2: Consider Adding Your Teen to Your Own Insurance
Typically, the least expensive option will be to add your teen to your existing policy. While this will increase your premium, it will still remain cheaper than if they were to buy insurance on their own.
Step 3: Take Measures To Help Reduce Rates
Your teen can take proactive steps toward reducing insurance rates. Depending on your insurance company, these options may include:
- Maintaining good grades
- Taking defensive driving classes (some places offer online courses)
- Taking a driver’s education class
- Avoiding unnecessary add-ons (no need for a comprehensive package if you have an older car)
- Listing teen as an “occasional” driver, rather than primary (if true)
- Choosing to pay a higher deductible to decrease rate payments
Although accidents are inevitable and unpredictable, your teen should avoid doing things that are likely to cause them.
Action your teen should avoid doing while driving:
- Texting
- Talking on the phone
- Accessing social media accounts
- Video chatting
- Speeding
- Failing to stop for traffic signs
- Not looking both ways before turning right on red
Instead, teach your teen to take the following preventive actions:
- Drive with both hands to maintain full control
- Be aware of their surroundings at all times
- Drive slow in school zones
- Go the speed limit
- Watch for pedestrians
- Be mindful of cars on the left and right when crossing intersections
- Put cell phones on “Drive Mode” to avoid distractions
Insuring your teen doesn’t have to break the bank. Following these tips will help you to insure your teen now and keep your costs down in the next few years. Conduct thorough research when choosing which car your teen will drive and which insurance policy and extra coverage plans your teen should have.
As always, we’re happy to help. Contact an NYCM Insurance agent to learn more about insuring your teen driver.
