Parents: Consider These Tips Before Giving Your Teen a Car and Automobile Insurance
The teen driver. The most feared driver on the road. Help make the roads safer for everyone – your teen included – by being smart about putting him behind the wheel of a car. Many automobile insurance companies offer the following tips to parents who call for an auto insurance estimate that covers their teen driver.
Put your teen in a safe car – It seems like a no-brainer, but some parents give in to the pleading teen who wants the cute, but not safe, convertible just like her friend has. There are plenty of resources available online that will tell you which cars do the best in crash tests, and if you are purchasing a new car it will include standard safety features such as air bags and anti-lock brakes. It’s actually not a bad idea to talk with your insurance agent before buying a new car, so that the car insurance quote you receive won’t be a pricey surprise.
Send your teen back to driving school – Many automobile insurance companies offer teen driving programs. Not only do they teach your teen more about safe driving, they also often result in a discount on your auto insurance policy. Ask your insurance agent when you call for your updated auto insurance estimate.
Don’t allow for total access right away – Many states have a graduated licensing program in place. These programs phase in driving privileges for teen drivers over time. For example, a newly licensed teen is not allowed to drive at night in certain states. Or, the newly licensed teen cannot drive alone until he racks up a certain amount of road time. Programs such as this make for safer roads and lead to lower automobile insurance rates for all.
Set rules and have consequences – Let the teen know that driving is a privilege, one that can be taken away if she does not follow the rules. These rules – such as being home on time, following the speed limit at all times, and always refraining from texting while driving – should be discussed before you call for a car insurance quote for your teen, as an accident can lead to a consequence that affects the entire family: higher automobile insurance premiums. Don’t hesitate to take away the car keys if the teen breaks your rules.
Hand your teen the automobile insurance bill – Nothing drives home the importance of being a safe driver like attaching a dollar amount. If your teen contributes to the family’s automobile insurance costs, she not only will learn financial responsibility, but she will think twice about running that yellow light.
When requesting an updated auto insurance estimate that includes your teen, be sure to shop around and choose the policy that best covers your entire family. If an auto insurance company does not offer teen driver programs and discounts, think about getting a car insurance quote from ones that do.