Car Insurance Tips for Teen Drivers
Posted in Personal Finance on 03/01/2009 06:40 am by Tom MartensOne of the biggest days in a teen?s life is the day they earn their driver?s license. But with that little piece of plastic comes tremendous responsibility. It is important to make sure that, as a newly licensed driver, you have proper car insurance coverage.
Car insurance for teens is usually very expensive. That’s because teens, lacking driving experience, tend to get into many more crashes. They are considered high-risk. That fact should not stop any teen from getting a license, however, because with a little planning teens who drive can almost always find ways to lower their car insurance premiums.
The first step a teen driver should take is to get several quotes from licensed insurance providers. Different providers define risk in different ways, which means some providers might charge higher insurance premiums for teen drivers than other insurance providers. There is also much competition in the insurance business, and if an insurance provider knows you are talking to a competitor, they might be willing to offer you a better rate on your insurance premiums. But you have to ask and be willing to negotiate. The internet makes doing research and shopping for insurance much easier than it was in the past.
Also, if you have not already done so, look into taking basic driver ed or defensive driving. Passing these courses shows insurance companies that you are serious about safe driving, and allows them to lower you risk level when assessing your driving record for computing your insurance premium. Talk to a licensed agent about what courses are available that qualify you for an insurance discount.
Ask your agent if your company offers discounts to good students or students belonging to a club or organization. See if they extend a discount if your parents belong to a club or organization. Inquire about other possible discounts. This is where it’s helpful to check on the net before you see your agent.
Another way to get a great discount on your car insurance is bundling. If you parents have home or life coverage, sometimes their insurance providers will bundle all your policies and offer a discount. Sometimes this discount can be really substantial. And check whether the insurance company offers discounts to household that have multiple drivers or own multiple cars. This is another terrific way to lower your car insurance costs.
You should be fully informed about insurance (and, usually, fully insured) before you take your driving test. You authorized insurance agent can answer any questions you have and make you get all the coverage you need. You will have to take some time to do your research, but the money you will save on your premiums will make the effort worthwhile.