Can I Lower the Cost of My Teens Auto Insurance?

Dec 3
07:45

2009

David Deffenbaugh

David Deffenbaugh

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Is it really possible to reduce the outrageous insurance rates on a teenage driver? Well, yes it is. One needs to be informed about how to go about doing so. This article introduces you to many of the important factors that go into deciding insurance premium rates for teens.

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It is very possible.  Several factors go into the cost of insurance rates.  The reason why auto insurance is so expensive for teens is that as a group teenage drivers have terrible statistics.  According to the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety,Can I Lower the Cost of My Teens Auto Insurance? Articles 16-year-olds have an accident rate that is nearly 6 times higher than drivers between the ages of 30 and 59.  That’s not likely to change soon.

Consequently, it is not unheard of for parents to find themselves with an insurance premium that is 50% to 100% higher once a teenage driver is added to their policy.  That is not to say there is no recourse. 

First of all, several factors are taken into consideration when setting insurance rates.  These include:
1. Age and sex of the driver
2. Driving record of driver and how long this person has been driving
3. City in which the driver lives
4. Type of vehicle being insured

Some of these you can’t or probably won’t change, obviously.  But there are some things that can be done and some possible discounts that you need to investigate.

From the above list, the factor over which you have most control is the type of vehicle being insured.  Check on things like air bags, anti lock brake systems, and anti-theft devices.  A vehicle’s crash safety test ratings also have an affect.  Don’t try to live vicariously through your teen and get for them the kind of car you wish you could have had.  Higher insurance cost is only one of the ways you will pay.

It is always wise to shop around for car insurance.  While insurance rates are pretty standard for older drivers across the industry, the same is not necessarily true for teen drivers.  Differences occur when insurance carriers assign specific drivers to specific cars under the policy or if they insure all drivers for all vehicles.  Be sure and ask how the specific insurance carrier handles that.

Another way to save money is to seek out discounts.  A variety of discounts may be available for things such as:
• good grades (a 3.0 average or better)
• having taken a driver’s education course
• enrolling in an insurance companies safe driver program
• community service (Girl Scouts or Eagle Scouts)
• multiple cars on a policy (add them to your policy, don’t take out a separate one)