Posts Tagged ‘car insurance for teens’

How Can I Get Auto Insurance for a Teen with a Poor Driving Record

Saturday, February 11th, 2012

Buying auto insurance for young drivers is an expensive proposition for any parent or guardian and if a teen already has a poor driving record, it becomes even more pricey. There are options available to try to keep coverage costs down, though.

A parent can shop around and consider changing insurance providers to get a better price, have the teen driver in enroll in an approved drivers education program, or exclude the teen driver from his or her insurance policy. Consider the available options before making a decision about how to arrange coverage for a young person in this situation.

Auto Insurance Rates for Teen Drivers

Auto insurance rates for teens are high because young people who have recently been licensed are more likely to be involved in accidents than drivers who have been licensed for some time. Teens and young adults are also more likely to engage in risky behaviors, which also increases the likelihood of the insurance company having to pay out on claims for damages caused by drivers in this age group.

Change Auto Insurance Providers

One option available to the parent of a teen driver who has already established a poor driving record is to change insurance companies. Since each one sets rates independently, it maybe possible to get a lower rate from a different provider.

The insurance company will ask a number of questions before providing a quote for coverage. Along with gathering basic information about the make and model of the vehicle, how long the primary driver has been licensed, and where he or she lives, the insurer will ask about the driving record of all licensed drivers in the household – including the teen.

It is not a good idea to try to hide this information from the insurance company. It will pull the driving records of all drivers in the household as a matter of course before issuing a policy. If the company discovers that the driver was less than truthful on the application, it may cancel the coverage.

Enroll in a Driver’s Education Program

Some auto insurance providers offer preferred rates to drivers who have completed an approved driver’s education program. Learning from a trained instructor can help the young driver learn how to operate a vehicle safely and correct any habits which have contributed to causing accidents or accumulating moving violations.

Another benefit to taking a driver’s education course is that it may help a teen driver qualify for a better rate on his or her coverage. Some companies offer a discount in this instance, and it’s a good idea to ask whether the ones under consideration will provide this type of price break to policyholders.

Exclude the Teen Driver from Coverage

If the cost of including the teen driver on a parent’s auto insurance policy is too high, the parent can choose to exclude him or her from the policy. In this situation, the teen is not named on the policy as even an occasional driver and has no coverage if he or she operates the vehicle. This may be considered an extreme solution, but one which can be used to keep costs down when a teen has a poor driving record.

Tags: , , , , , , ,
Posted in General Car Insurance |

How Do I Deal with Auto Insurance if I’m Attending College

Thursday, October 20th, 2011

It’s common for people to wonder about auto insurance for college students who will be going away to school for part of the year. The car is insured under the rules of the state where it is registered and this is the place where the person lives permanently. A college student who is living in a different state while going to school doesn’t fit this profile.

Car Insurance for College Students

Teens and young adults are charged some of the highest rates from auto insurance companies for their coverage. The insurers are well aware that drivers fitting this profile are more likely to be involved in auto accidents than people who can demonstrate a clean driving record over a number of years.

One way for college students who still live at home to get lower rates for their auto insurance coverage is to have their name added to a parent’s policy. This approach is more economical than buying a separate policy for a brand new driver who will be rated as a higher risk than a more mature individual.

Doing well in school is something that all college students should be striving toward as a goal and it can help to keep auto insurance coverage costs down, too. A number of car insurance companies offer discounts to student who are able to maintain a “B” average or higher. A parent who is interested in adding a new driver to his or her coverage should be sure to ask about a good student discount.

Another way to keep costs down for young drivers is to successfully complete an approved driver’s education course. The skills taught in this type of program will help to reduce the risk of a driver being involved in an accident and lowers the risk that he or she presents for auto insurance purposes.

Auto Insurance Coverage When Studying Away from Home

In a situation where the college student is covered under a parent’s auto insurance plan and will be going away to school for a good part of the year (and will not have access to a vehicle during that time), the parent should advise the insurance company about the situation. The parent may qualify for a discount in this situation.

Shop Around for Best Rates on Auto Insurance for Young Drivers

To get the best rates on coverage for young drivers, it pays to shop around. Auto insurance rates can vary tremendously between providers, and taking the time to get quotes from several companies can lead to savings since each provider determines how much risk it is willing to assume on behalf of its policyholders.

A change in circumstances, such as a teen member of the household obtaining a driver’s license, is a good time to get quotes from different insurance companies. Finding the best pricing for the right type and level of coverage that college students and their parents need should be the goal for all savvy auto insurance buyers.

Tags: , , , , ,
Posted in General Car Insurance |

How to Get the Best Rates on Indiana Car Insurance for Teens

Thursday, July 7th, 2011

Teen drivers pay some of the highest rates for their Indiana car insurance coverage. Providers know that new drivers lack experience behind the wheel and that they are more likely to be involved in car accidents than drivers who have been licensed for a few years. With a bit of planning, teen drivers and their parents can avoid paying more than they have to for car insurance.

Rather than buying a new policy with the teen driver as the primary driver, a much better and more economical choice is to add the young person to an existing policy. A parent, grandparent or other adult member of the household who is presently covered can add another person to his or her policy and the cost for coverage will be lower than if the teen bought a new policy for him or herself.

Young drivers can also save on their coverage costs by completing an approved driver’s education course. Before signing up for one, ask the insurance company for a list of approved programs and confirm that a discount will be offered after completion. People who are already licensed may want to consider signing up for a defensive driver course.

Some insurance companies also offer discounts to good students. Young people in high school or college who maintain a “B” average (or higher) can qualify for a price break on their Indiana car insurance.

Tags: , , , , , , ,
Posted in Indiana, USA |

Alaska Car Insurance for Teens

Sunday, March 27th, 2011

Teen drivers in Alaska are required to have car insurance coverage in place, but people in this age group will be charged the highest rates for this necessary protection. Insurance providers know that drivers in their teens and early twenties are the segment of the population that is most likely to be involved in accidents and to make claims against a policy. As a result, they are charged the highest rates for their coverage.

To get a newly-licensed driver the coverage he or she needs at an affordable price, don’t buy a separate policy. A much better choice is to add the teen driver to an existing one. A parent, grandparent or other adult in the household can do so, and the young person can remain on another adult’s policy until he or she moves away from home.

To find the best rates on Alaska car insurance for teens, shop around for coverage from a number of different providers. Rates can vary significantly between companies. Parents who are presently insured should make a point of reviewing their coverage at least once a year and a change in circumstances like having a new driver in the household is a great time to do so.

Start by getting a quote for coverage from the current car insurance provider for a policy that includes the teen. Then get quotes from other companies for a similar policy before deciding whether to buy coverage.

Tags: , , , , , , , , ,
Posted in Alaska, USA |

« Older Entries