Reader’s Question:

Will my car insurance rate be high since I am a new teen driver, 23 years old and female?

Kelly

Baton Rouge, LA

Insurance providers in most states are permitted to have their own rating system. These providers usually look at many factors when determining a car insurance rate, experience of the motorist can be once such factor. Age is also a factor when determining car insurance premium.

If you are a newly licensed teen motorist at age 23 then your rates will be higher than others that have been driving for almost ten years already however it may not be as high as a newly licensed driver at 16, since you may be thought of by insurance companies as more mature. Maturity to an insurers means less likely to operate a vehicle in a reckless manner. The insurance premium will likely though still be higher than another 23 year old female that has been driving for a few years because this individual has a driving record for the insurance provider to check.

What you can do as a new teen driver is to shop around for insurance rates since, different insurers have different rating standards.

Reader’s Question:

Why are some insurance companies offer good student discounts?

Michelle

Denver, CO

Good student discounts are offered by insurance companies as a way to help alleviate the high cost of car insurance for more responsible teens or young drivers by allowing this type of reduction in their car insurance rates.

Assording to statistics, students with higher grade point averages (GPA) tend to be more responsible when driving a motor vehicle. A discount is therefore offered to encourage responsibility in those teens or young drivers under the age of 25 who may be eligible.

To get more information if you would be eligible for a good student discount, you may contact your insurance broker and find out if they offer this discount and if so what their requirements are to acquire.

Reader’s Question:

How much should I be expecting to pay if I add a new teenager driver on my policy?

Beth

Miami, FL

Since teenagers that are newly licensed have such high rates of accidents they cost more to insure than an experienced driver who is more prone to avoid an accident than cause it.

The costs of adding a new teenager driver will depend upon your current car insurance rates, your geographical location and your teen to name a few. For example, if you live in a congested area where your teen is more likely to be involved in an accident compared to a more rural or suburban area the rate to insure your teenager will likely be more.

As for the teenager themselves, insurance rates may vary due to if they have taken formal driving lessons or driver’s education and if you are able to get any type of discount for their grades. If you have a teen that maintains a higher GPA this may allow you to cut costs for car insurance.

Reader’s Question:

I want to know what will happen if I get pulled over and I have no insurance? I’m under the age of 18 and I live in KY.

Jane

Newark, NJ

The State of Kentucky requires all drivers to carry liability coverage in the amounts of 25/50/10. The penalties for operating a vehicle without Kentucky auto insurance can be rather severe. First offense that you are caught, you will need to go to court and can be fined between $500 to $1000 or be imprisoned for not more than 90 days or both.

Your KY auto registration and license plates can be suspended for one year or until proof of auto insurance is provided. It is also possible that you will lose your license for up to a year. The penalties will increase for each subsequent infraction of not having proper proof of auto insurance.

If you do not yet have your full Kentucky license because of the graduated licensing system and being under 18, there may be other penalties.

Reader’s Question:

Hi Im 18years old. I just want to know how long should a new driver covered under their parents insurance policy after they get their license?

Gene

Thank you for asking Gene.

A new driver actually may not be automatically covered under their parent’s policy once they get their license.

A new driver may first have to be listed on their parents policy declaration’s page. Your parent need to contact their insurance agency first and you will have to be added or endorsed to their policy. Once you have obtained your driver’s license you should be added to the policy although some policies cover those driver’s with restricted license.

If you are listed on your parent’s or guardian’s policy, you should be covered on that policy until you are removed from the policy. I would suggest that you contact your parent’s insurance company to verify if you are include in their policy and what procedures you need to do to remove yourself from the policy. It is likely that you should stay on the policy if you live in the household.

Goodluck!

MariCAR

Reader’s Question:

what are the low insurance rate cars for a 17 year old boy?

Nathan

Good question Nathan.

Insurance rates for teenagers are usually high especially for young boys since statistically speaking they likely get into accidents. This means that this is considered as high risk drivers and would cost higher premiums.

Insurance companies rate cars differently. To be able to get a lower insurance premium rate, you might want to purchase a medium sized car, 4 cylinder sedan, 4 doors with safety features. The cheapest car is usually the cheapest to insure.

Some insurance companies give discount on cars with safety features. Some of the safety features that that these insurance companies want to see are air bags, anti lock brakes and electronic stability control.

There are some few cars that are said to be the safest for teens. Theses cars are Hyundai Elantra, Honda Accord coupe or Toyota Corolla. You should avoid cars that are very small for teens and does not have safety features. It is said that teens may tend to overact and might roll the vehicle. You should have safety features in your car if you are a young driver because you might get discounts on your insurance premiums.You may contact your insurance company or agent to know what cars can give you lower insurance rate.

Goodluck!

MariCAR

Reader’s Question:

Will my 17-year old boy be covered in case of accident if I have a full policy coverage on my car insurance?

Yolanda

Thank you for asking.

If you have the liability and physical damage liability, you son may be covered. I would suggest that you speak with your insurance company and make sure you review the terms and exclusions on your policy as well as the details about having a teenager included in the coverage.

If a seventeen year old boy is included in the household for instance, it is your responsibility to inform your insurance company that the teenager is licensed and must be added to the policy as a driver so that proper coverage will be on that person.

If on the other hand the teen is not a member of the household, you will need to speak to your insurance agent to make sure that he will be covered. You may also read through the terms on your policy because some policies may have exclusions for drivers under certain age . Other exclusions also limits the coverage on those that borrows your vehicle.

If you found out that your son is not covered and will be needing to get car insurance, you may speak with your current insurance agent to find out how you can extend the policy to your son.

Goodluck!

MariCAR

Reader’s Question:

Im a minor and I got a ticket for speeding, what will happen next? I live in Ohio.

Athena

Thank you for asking Athena.

A ticket for exceeding the speed limit by more than 5 mph, when the limit is 55mph will typically result in receiving two points on Your Ohio driver’s record. If you received a written warning with no fines, this might be placed on your driving record.

A fine or court appearance for a written warning are not required in some states. It just sometimes serves as a warning. While other states placed this on your record and file this as a warning. You may verify this information with the Ohio Bureau of Motor Vehicles to find out what Ohio state does with written warnings.

A a probationary driver license holder under the age of 17 years, convicted with traffic violations during the first six months of having driver’s license, he must be accompanied by a licensed adult or a guardian whenever operating a vehicle during the six month period commencing on the date on which the person is convicted of or pleads guilty to the violation until that person attains the age of 17.

Your insurance company will see the violation if the speeding offense was recorded by the state patrol, when they next check your MVR, which is usually done if you make any changes on your policy.

Goodluck!

MariCAR

Reader’s Question:

Why are teenager’s car insurance rates high?

Therese

Good Question Therese.

Insurance rates are usually based on statistics. According to statistics, teens more likely get involved in an accident. Teenagers have a very high rates of fatal and nonfatal crashes compared to adult drivers. Whether the rates are based on total number of teenagers or miles driven, teens have more crashes in cars. When the crash involvement is based on the number of licensed drivers instead of the total population, the fatality rate of the teenagers are more extreme compared to drivers age 20 or older.

Here are some tips that may be able to help you lower insurance rate for teens.

1. If you stay on your parents policy, you could save money. This would increase your parents premiums, but it is much cheaper compared from you starting anew policy. Discounts may be available if you have driving experience.

2. Discounts from some insurance companies like getting good grades or taking driving class may be available for you. But this does not mean that you will get lower insurance premiums than an adult with more driving experience already.

3. Your rates will drop as you get older. You will notice a drop as much as 28% at the age of 19. An additional 31% may drop at the age of 21 in your insurance premiums.

Lastly, try to maintain a good credit history and a clean driving record so you can be eligible for more discounts in the future.

Goodluck!

MariCAR

Reader’s Question:

Does my son needs to have car insurance before he can drive my car? I live in CT.

Carl

Good Question, Carl.

Normally, the state law would require a parent to add a new licensed driver to their car insurance policy but instead the insurance company’s guidelines would require you to add your teen in your insurance policy.

All licensed insurance drivers in your household are required by most insurance companies so they can be properly covered. You will need to contact your insurance company if your son just obtained his permit and verify if you may add him or you will have to wait until he is fully licensed before adding him in your policy.

It is possible that may deny a claim in case of accident if you failed to inform the insurance company the status of your teen or if he was not added to your policy and uses your car. Some companies may also cover the claim but will charge you of the premiums that should have been paid for the teenager to be in the policy.

You may contact CT Insurance Department if you need more information on CT car insurance.

Goodluck!

MariCAR