It is an exciting time for a teenager when they legally sit behind the wheel of a car by themselves for the first time. It is sort of like a right of passing, a time in which adulthood seems a little more within reach, or even a time in which they realize they are getting a little more freedom. Whatever the thoughts of the teenager at that very moment, mom and dad have something else to contend with and that is the car insurance premium. By this point the car insurance should already be taken care of, but now there are many payments to come. Aside from making the teenager get a job, the premium has to be paid somehow and oftentimes it is not what many would call "pretty." That is why it is a great idea to find out what ways can reduce a teenager's auto insurance policy so that mom and dad has one less worry on their plate when it comes to having a teenager behind the wheel of the car.
Fortunately, there are ways to reduce the cost of auto insurance for teenagers, which is certainly good news for parents. Since teenagers are considered inexperienced, that puts them on the list of high risk drivers, which is why their premiums are so high. So here are some ways, and some with the teenager's cooperation, that can reduce the cost of the auto insurance policy for a teenager: Raise the deductible: If the deductible is $500, then raise it to $2,000 or an amount that results in a comfortable payment. Just keep in mind that if an accident should occur, it is important that the deductible is one that can be paid. Good student discount: When students carry a certain grade in school, the insurance company will apply a good student discount. This does require bringing the teenager's report card to the insurance company each time it is received to ensure the discount can stay.
Make the teenager the primary driver on an older vehicle, which is usually the cheapest vehicle. Insurance tends to be more expensive if the teenager is the primary driver on the most expensive car. Take a defensive driving course: If the student takes a driving course and provides proof that to the insurance company that they passed it, then the insurance company will apply a discount since that makes the teenager less of a risk behind the wheel. Buy the teenager a cheaper car: Sometimes it is feasible to buy a cheaper car for the teenager to use until they turn 18 or the age in which insurance premium will go down.
Buy a car with a high safety rating: Safety rating has a lot to do with how much the premium is on a car. The lower the safety rating the higher the insurance. A car with a great safety rating will be cheaper. Be sure to shop around: Some companies are cheaper than others, so it is good to get insurance quotes from at least three insurance companies to see which one offers the best rates for teenagers.
Although teenagers tend to be more reckless behind the wheel of a car, that doesn't mean the insurance premiums have to reflect it. Also, not all teenagers are in car accidents, but the premiums are based on the probability due to inexperience. Needless to say, by implementing the above steps, a lower insurance premium can definitely be achieved and mom and dad can at least feel relieved about one aspect of the experience.
Teenagers are expensive, and auto insurance is no exception. Follow these tips to save money on auto insurance for your teenager.
