Does My Teen Son Need His Own Car Insurance Policy?
Reader’s Question:
Does my son need to have his own 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 car insurance.
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
Teen Driver Non Owner Auto Insurance Policy?
Reader’s Question:
Should I get my daughter a non owners policy since she does not own a vehicle? She just got her driver’s license.
Linda
Good Question, Linda.
Generally, it is actually much cheaper if you add her to your insurance policy rather than getting a separate insurance for her. You may be able to get a discount from your insurance company for multi-policy if she will be driving her own car.
As soon as your teenager begins to operate a vehicle, you will need to notify your insurance company that you will add her as an additional driver in the household. Since teenagers are inexperienced in driving, you will notice a higher premium on your insurance, since according to statistics, they tend to get involve in an accident.
You may expect your insurance rate to go up as much as 50% if you add a teenager in you policy. A son however will increase a premiums for as much as 100%. You may consider increasing your liability limits for additional protection.
Please note that some non owners policies do not cover vehicles that are owned by a member of the same household.
Goodluck!
MariCAR
Teen Driver With Learners Permit Insurance Rate Quote
Reader question:
My son just turned fifteen and is studying to get his learner permit. Do I have to add him to my policy when he gets it? Isn’t a teen driver insurance rate so much higher?
Gabby
Thanks for asking, Gabby.
Yes, you do have to add him, and yes, a teen driver insurance rate will be higher than the one you currently have. You gotta do what you gotta do, though, and if you do it right, then your teen driver insurance rate does not have to be exorbitant. Here are a few steps to follow when insuring your teen driver.
- Keep it in the family.
A teenager should not have his own car insurance policy, even if they have a job to pay the premium. While adding a teen driver insurance rate to your own policy may seem undesirable, it will come out cheaper than two separate policies. Your teen being on your policy will lower his risk rate, and give him cheaper rates. Not so great for you, but since you’ll probably be helping out with the payments, it’s best to have a lower total than one lower and one very high.
- Keep the grades up.
When your son starts driving, he can get a good teen driver insurance rate if he makes good grades in school. Make an ultimatum. Good grades, you drive; bad grades, you walk. You’re killing two birds with one stone, there.
- Keep looking.
Anytime you’re about to make a major change in your policy, you need to look at what other companies have to offer. Your teen driver insurance rate from one company may be much better than the teen driver insurance rate you have with the company you already own a policy with, because at your current company teens might file more claims.
- Keep it crash worthy.
If you buy the right car, not only can you get a discount on your teen driver insurance rate, but you can also be sure that your teen is more protected while on the road.
- Keep it safe.
Don’t just buy your teen the car and let him loose. Make sure that he understands driving safety, and enroll him in a driving course or two to enforce that understanding. Keep on top of his driving habits and correct him when he is out of line. If he ever wants to get a cheap teen driver insurance rate, then he needs to start his good driving record ASAP.
- Keep it real.
You can’t just tell your son to drive safe, you have to lead by example. Drive well, follow the laws, and try to drive a safe car to show him what should be done. Point out how you drive to him, and use it as a conversation starter on driving safety.
- Keep it innovative.
Many states have adopted a graduated driver’s license program which restricts teen’s driving priveleges while they are younger, and as they get older allows them more freedom, until they reach the age of eighteen. Even if your state does not have this law, you can ensure driver safety by creating a system of your own just for you and your son.
Cheers,
Fashun Guadarrama.
What Student Driver Auto Insurance Discounts Are Available?
Reader question:
What kind of discounts can a student get on her teen driver insurance?
Ruth
Thanks for asking, Ruth.
Being a full time student and having to pay the much higher teen driver insurance prices would be difficult for everyone, but if you take advantage of all of the teen driver insurance discounts that are available to you, you could get your rates down to something lower even than your parents. All you need to do is pick the right company that has the highest discount percentages, the best service, and the best quotes.
- Are you a good student?
Most teen driver insurance companies will offer a discount for those students who make good grades in school. The requirements differ, but what is more often than not required is that the teen be a full time student and be able to provide either a transcript or a report card proving the good grades.
Then there are the requirements that vary depending on the teen driver insurance company. Some will require that you have been driving for at least a year and a half; others that be over sixteen but under the age of twenty five if unmarried, twenty one if married. The grade requirement is usually a B average, and between a 3.0 and 3.5 grade point average.
Some companies give better discounts than others. Farmers insurance, for example, has more restrictions, but the teen driver insurance discount for good students is 25%, whereas the same discount with GEICO is only ten to fifteen percent.
- Do you need a car anyway?
If you have teen driver insurance on your parent’s policy, then it might be good for both them and you if you leave your car at home when you go away to college. This depends on where you’re going, of course. Most companies only give out this teen driver insurance discount if you will be going to school one hundred or more miles away.
You’ll still be insured when you’re at home, and while you’re at school it’s a lot easier to get by without a car if you’re living on campus. It can also save you guys a good chunk of change on your teen driver insurance premium.
Loading ...