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.
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.
Loading ...