Once your child reaches the permissible age of driving, your concern is going to be how to obtain auto insurance for him/her without burning a hole in your pocket. Fortunately for you, it is possible to get discounts on car insurance for teenagers. Adhering to the guidelines set by the insurance company and qualifying for auto insurance discounts can help you save money.
Significance of good driving habits in teenagers
Statistically, this highest number of accidents on road is caused by teenage drivers. Drivers aged 25 and below are four times more prone to die in an accident or car crash as compared to older people as mentioned by National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.
The responsibility of teaching driving now rests on the shoulders of the parents o f children because the budget set of driving programs in high school have been taken off. In certain states, children aged 16 should undergo a certified driving program to qualify for auto insurance or wait till they turn 18.
There are two benefits of undertaking these courses. Firstly, they impart good driving habits to your child and secondly, this will help you knock off close to 15% on teen insurance costs.
Legal “on road” requirements for young drivers
State governments have brought in new laws that clearly list out the guidelines of safety for young drivers and also help in lowering the ever rise statistics of teenagers being involved in accidents.
Graduated drivers’ licensing laws are enforced in certain states and can vary across states. Some points that are included are:
- Completion of mandatory driver education
- Requirements for intermediate license or specific permit for learners
- Minimal driving hours needed under adult supervision
- Need of additional training in case of a speeding ticket or accident
- Temporary abatement of driving privileges in case of an accident
- Limits on driving at night
- Passenger limit
- Strict penalties for drunk driving
- Adherence to laws for all drivers which include seat belts, avoiding cell phone conversations and others.
Certain auto insurance companies offer parents the privilege of providing their teen with their own set of laws to abide by in order to qualify for driving. It is wise to ensure passenger limit and cell phone restrictions even if they are not legal requirements since statistics show that conversing on the phone while driving has resulted in teen accidents. Restricting weekend driving, night driving and imposing a strict curfew will also safeguard your teenager from driving during high risk hours.
Good rates for great grades
In addition to helping with college studies, good grades in school will also help your teenager qualify for discounts on auto insurance premium. You can get up to 20% off on the premium if you can show good grades.
The more successful your teenager is in maintaining clean driving records, the lower will be the costs for his/her insurance. A good driving record will qualify for lower either the premiums or deductibles each year from certain insurance providers.
Choose the car wisely
The type of your car (model and make) is one of the critical factors in deciding the cost of insurance premiums.
Opting for a car with better safety options as compared to the sports or fast car will not only make you feel safe when your child uses it, but also reduces the premiums significantly. A certified used car will prove to be a better choice as compared to a brand new one right from the showroom.
Spend some time shopping around and getting free auto insurance quotes from multiple auto insurance companies to get the best coverage at affordable rates.
You can consider a multi user policy if you have a spotless driving history; however, if you drive a luxury car or don’t have a good driving record, going in for a separate policy for your teenager will work out better.