Cheap Car Insurance For Young Driver in College
Reader’s Question:
I’m getting into college next year, and my parents are finally going to get me a car to mark my achievements! Any tips on how to get cheap car insurance for young drivers?
Millie,
Austin, TX
It’s pretty hard to get cheap car insurance for young drivers, especially if you’re just learning to drive. Your car insurance agent will argue that young, inexperienced drivers are at a higher risk of getting into accidents than older drivers. However, there are ways for you to get cheaper car insurance rates:
• Prove your driving ability
Bring proof to your car insurance agent that you know how to drive safely. Completing advanced driving lessons and taking defensive driving classes are just some ways to earn a few certificates showcasing your capability to drive a car safely and responsibly.
• Get a cheaper car
It’ll definitely cost much less to repair a second-hand beetle than a top-of-the-line Ferrari. The cheaper your car, the less payment in car damage your insurance company will have to cover if you get into an accident. Let them know this, and you can argue for a lower insurance premium.
• Make your car safer
The safer your car is, the less chances you have of getting some major injuries. And if you don’t get any major injuries, you won’t have to pay as much in hospitalization bills. Install a couple of airbags, early warning devices and other safety mechanisms to lower the risk of bodily harm to you or your passengers
High Risk Car Insurance For Young Driver
Reader’s Question:
I’ve saved and scrimped enough money to buy myself a beat-up, second hand car. It’s not the prettiest sight around, but it’ll get me around town when I need to. I expected the insurance to be cheaper, since I’m going to get a cheap car, but my agent offered me a premium that’s higher than what I expected. He said something about risks in car insurance for young drivers. What does that mean?
Mikey
Cheyenne, WY
Car insurance for young drivers has a higher premium exactly because the driver is young. Research concerning this has shows that there is a correlation between age and the risk of getting in an accident. Though the exact reasons why are not established by research, there is a relationship between age and risk.
All this techno-babble simply means that younger drivers tend to get into accidents more than older ones. Whether it’s inexperience in driving, aggressiveness in driving, or the simple horsing around that frat-boys love to do, younger drivers are more prone to accidents. That’s why car insurance for young drivers is a bit more expensive than car insurance for older drivers.
If you want solid proof about all this talk on research, then feel free to ask your insurance agent how exactly your insurance quote was computed. The researches that cover the topic of risk-assessment for young drivers are usually locked up in libraries or the private records of insurance companies, so you’ll have to dig a little deep to find them.
Commercial Car Insurance Policy in California
Reader’s Question:
My sister and I have put up a travel agency here in California. I sometimes use my car to drive around clients. If I get into an accident with my clients onboard, will my car insurance pay for the damages?
Shelly
San Diego, CA
Since you are obviously using your car to transport passengers that pay you with a certain fee, then your car is considered to be used for business purposes. Whether this transporting of clients is done occasionally or on a daily basis, your car can be under the category of livery use. It means that the car is used to transport or carry passengers in exchange for a fee. It can also mean using the car to deliver packages like pizza or newspapers in exchange for a payment or tip. This type of vehicle use is definitely excluded from your personal passenger car insurance policy. In your case, you will have to purchase a commercial car insurance policy. Although it may cost more than your regular car insurance coverage, it will be a very sound business investment. You would not want to end up in a road accident with injured clients and no financial assistance for necessary medical care, would you?
Talk to a local car insurance agent in California about this matter. You can also check the websites of car insurance companies licensed to do business in California and do some comparison shopping. This way you know all your options and have a higher chance of getting competitive rates.
Teen Insurance For Car With Learners Permit?
Reader’s Question:
My son received his learner’s permit already but he does not have a drivers license yet. Am I obligated to include him in my insurance policy even though he does not own a car yet?
Jerry
Good Question. Jerry.
A teen must go to the Secretary of State to get their level 1 license. A parent or a guardian must accompany him because they will have to sign in his application at the same time otherwise, he will not be issued of the Level 1 license. This will indicate your approval of the application of the minor.
The parent or the guardian must also contact their insurance company to verify if they cover minors with level 1 license. If for instance your son is about to receive his level 2 license, you may ask your insurance agent if you can add him already to your policy or after if gets his full license. Some insurance companies may allow him to be covered without adding him as a driver yet till he gets his full license, and some insurance companies will allow him to be added with his learners permit.
With a level 1 license, a minor may be able to drive a vehicle if they are accompanied by a parent or a guardian, licensed driver , 21 years of age and above. It is a responsibility of a parent or guardian to complete the supervised driving with a licensed adult driver. A level 1 license is a learners license. It has restrictions for teen drivers during the time that she is still beginning to master driving skills that is necessary to become a responsible driver.
Goodluck!
MariCAR
Will My Teen Driver Be Covered on My Auto Insurance
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
How Much Will Teen Auto Insurance Cost To Add To My Policy?
Reader’s Question:
Can you give me a range on how much will my car insurance go if I add a new teenager driver?
Rachel
Good Question Rachel.
Adding a teen driver on the policy will definitely cost you more since they have a high rates of accidents since they are newly licensed compared to experiences drivers who is more prone to avoid accidents than cause it.
It will actually depends on what your insurance rates already if you want to know the cost of adding a teenager on your policy. Other factor that may also affect your ate is the geographical location. For instance, it will cost you more on your premiums if you live in the congested area that your teen is more likely to get involved in an accident than in a rural area.
If a teenager has taken a formal driving lessons or a driver’s education, he may be able to get discount, If you also have a teen that maintains a higher GPA, this may cut the cost for auto insurance.
Generally, adding a teenager may cost $1200 up to $2500 a year. a minor may expect to pay 2.5 times the base rate of their insurance. Depending on the state where you reside, studies show that if you add a teenager on your insurance policy, your rates may go up 50-200%.
You may speak with your insurance agent about what your new premiums would be if you add a teenager in your policy. You may shop around to check which insurance company can give you a lower rate if you add a teenager.
Goodluck!
MariCAR
Teen Motorcycle Driver With a Learners Permit?
Reader’s Question:
Im a minor. Do I need to have full coverage insurance if I only have a motorcycle permit? I live in Minnesota.
Molly
Nice Question, Molly.
This would actually depend on the state law if you will need to obtain an insurance at this point or wait till you are fully licensed for the motorcycle.
The Office of Traffic Safety in Minnesota notes that all motorcyclists must do the following:
1. needs to have a motorcycle instruction permit or an endorsement
2. register the motorcycle and display the valid license plate
3. carry the liability insurance on their motorcycle and proof of insurance when riding.
4. wear eye protection
So if you are under 18 years of age you must:
1. complete an approved motorcycle rider training course
2. wear a DOT approved helmet
If you are a teen, you will need to contact an insurance agent to know more about when you can be added in your parent’s policy. Some insurance company allow teens to be added the same day she receives the learner’s permit. Other companies require the addition once the teen obtains full or unrestricted license.
You may contact the Department of Motor Vehicle to find out what requires you to have an insurance with a motorcycle permit.
Goodluck!
MariCAR
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