Why Are Auto Insurance Rates For Teen Boys So High?

 

November 3, 2007 by · Leave a Comment
Filed under: Cheaper Cars To Insure 

Reader’s Question:

What are some of the lowest car insurance rates 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

Why Are Teen Auto Insurance Rates So High?

 

November 3, 2007 by · Leave a Comment
Filed under: Insurance Questions 

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

Teen Driver Non Owner Auto Insurance Policy?

 

November 3, 2007 by · Leave a Comment
Filed under: Non Owner Insurance 

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

 

October 29, 2007 by · Leave a Comment
Filed under: Learners Permits 

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.