Cheap Car Insurance For Young Drivers
Cheap car insurance for young drivers is unlikely. Why? To put it simply, the more experienced a driver is and the less likely he/she is to have an accident – the cheaper the insurance rates will be.
Teenage drivers unfortunately represent the highest risk to insurance companies and cost them a lot of money each year. They are involved in more accidents and more fatal accidents than any other group on the road. Because of this, insurance companies charge far more to insure them in an effort to cover their expenses.
A teen driver may have taken driver’s education courses and that is a great thing. It does help but, experience is the true teacher. Nothing in that class is going to prepare them for the deer that runs directly out into their path or the blow out that requires their immediate and accurate response. With experience comes wisdom – something only time can do.
The worst thing we ever did for our teenage drivers was to invent the cell phone and text messaging! Every teen driver should read the “Car Accident Cell Phone Statistics” before getting behind the wheel! In our infinite wisdom and quest for technology, we have severely jeopardized the safety of not just the young but every driver on the road today with this marvelous gadget! It is a fatal distraction. Each year, 21% of fatal car crashes involving teenagers between the ages of 16 and 19 were the result of cell phone usage.
So, until your teenage driver has logged more than a few hours behind the wheel and proven him or herself to be a responsible driver, the cost of their policy will remain high. There are, however, a few things that will help to lower the cost a bit.
How To Get Cheap (er) Car Insurance For Young Drivers:
Choose a practical vehicle. While every teen would love to have a cool Mustang or a Camaro, these cars are known to encourage reckless, aggressive behavior. Insurance companies recognize this and charge more to cover them. If you opt for a sensible, safety equipped vehicle like the Toyota Camry or a Honda Civic and you will see cheaper rates.
It’s very likely that your insurance rates will be reduced if your car has added safety features. Automatic seat belts, front and side air bags, anti-theft devices and anti-lock breaks can all help to get you the best deal possible.
You car doesn’t have to be “brand new” either – a good, reliable, used model will save you some money as older vehicles are generally cheaper to insure.
Know the market value of your vehicle. The coverage you need will vary depending on the value of the car. There is no sense in having comprehensive and collision coverage on a vehicle that is low in value because any claim you make probably won’t exceed the cost of the insurance and the deductible amount. An older model car with liability only will save you a lot of money every month compared to a newer car that has comprehensive and collision coverages.
If you must have comprehensive and collision coverage, opt for the highest deductible that you can afford. Higher deductibles equal lower rates too!
Add your teen driver to your policy. Your policy price will definitely increase but not as much as purchasing an individual policy. Multiple drivers and multiple vehicles on a family policy can save you money.
Encourage you teenager to do well in school. By maintaining an A – B average, they can save you money on their car insurance.
Send your teen to defensive driver’s education courses.
In order to find cheap car insurance for young drivers you will still need to shop around. Quotes can vary wildly from one company to the next. Do your homework before you buy!
