When your teenager reaches driving age, it is essential to make sure they know how to handle themselves behind the wheel of the family car. Looking for a teenager’s car insurance can be a little overwhelming, but you must do it before letting your son or daughter take off driving down the street. Talk your options over with your insurance agent to ensure you get the best coverage possible for your teenage driver.
Here are some tips to get affordable car insurance for 16-year-old drivers.
Make Sure to Add Your Teenager to Your Policy
Many parents are under the impression that the policy held by the owner of the car will cover a teenage driver. This is not always the case. If you have a teenager who is getting ready to take their driving test, add them to your policy before they sit for the test. They must be fully covered before they get behind the wheel of any car. In the worst-case scenarios, knowingly concealing your teenaged driver from people listed in your insurance policy may result in your insurance carrier not renewing your insurance policy or excluding the said driver from coverage.
Teenagers Pay More
The cost of insuring a teenage driver can be quite expensive. Part of the reason for this is their lack of experience behind the wheel. As teenagers, they are also limited in predicting what other drivers will do and tend not to comprehend potentially dangerous driving situations fully. Their attention span is shorter, and they are often easily preoccupied with school or other activities. As they get older, they will be better able to maintain focus for more extended periods.
Ways to Save Money
While the price of insuring a teenager is costly, there are a few ways you can save money. Instead of giving them a car of their own, have them share one with the family as a secondary driver, at least for the first few months. Adding them to your policy is another good way to cut your costs. Enroll them in a defensive driving course so they can learn the rules of the road. If your teenager is a scholar, they may qualify for a Good Student discount. Maintaining a high GPA shows responsibility, and students will be rewarded for it.
Limit Distractions
As parents, it’s up to you to set limits on your child’s driving. Please limit the number of passengers they can carry at any given time. Teach your teenage driver to use the hands-free feature on your vehicle. This reduces the instances of them getting caught with their phones in their hands. Enforce a “no texting/no phone” rule while they are driving. This reduces the risk of accidents and will keep the roads safer for everyone.
Please spend some time with your teenager and teach them the rules of the road. Talk to them about what you expect from them while they are in charge of the family vehicle. When you are ready to add them to your auto insurance policy, take them with you so they can meet your insurance agents. Discuss with your agent thoroughly before getting car insurance for your teenager. At Phocus Insurance Services, our agents have the appropriate training and experience needed to ensure your auto insurance policy protects your entire family.
