How to Get the Best Car Insurance Rates for Teen Drivers

If you have a teen driver in your household, you know how expensive car insurance can be. According to the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety, teen drivers are nearly three times more likely to be involved in a fatal crash than drivers aged 20 and older. That’s why insurers charge higher rates for teen drivers, as they pose a higher risk of claims and losses.

However, that doesn’t mean you have to pay a fortune for car insurance for your teen driver. There are some ways to lower the cost and get the best car insurance rates for teen drivers. In this article, we will share with you some tips and tricks to help you save money on car insurance for your teen driver.

Tip #1: Compare quotes from different insurers

One of the best ways to get the best car insurance rates for teen drivers is to shop around and compare quotes from different insurers. Car insurance rates can vary widely depending on the company and the coverage options you choose. By comparing quotes from different insurers, you can find the best deal that suits your needs and budget.

There are many online tools and websites that can help you compare quotes easily and quickly. For example, you can use NerdWallet’s car insurance comparison tool to get personalized quotes from multiple insurers based on your location, vehicle, driving history, and more. You can also use Bankrate’s car insurance calculator to estimate how much car insurance will cost for your teen driver based on various factors.

When comparing quotes, make sure to consider some factors such as deductibles, limits, discounts, etc. Deductibles are the amount of money you have to pay out of pocket before your insurance kicks in. Limits are the maximum amount of money your insurance will pay for a claim. Discounts are the reductions in your premium that you can get for meeting certain criteria or having certain features. By adjusting these factors, you can lower or raise your car insurance rates accordingly.

For example, you can choose a higher deductible to lower your premium, but you will have to pay more in case of an accident. You can also choose a lower limit to lower your premium, but you will have less coverage in case of a large claim. You can also look for discounts that apply to you or your teen driver, such as safe driver discount, good student discount, multi-car discount, etc.

Tip #2: Choose a safe and reliable car

Another way to get the best car insurance rates for teen drivers is to choose a safe and reliable car for them. The type of car you drive affects your car insurance rates, as insurers consider the safety ratings, repair costs, theft risk, etc. of the car. Generally, safer and cheaper cars have lower insurance rates than riskier and more expensive cars.

Some examples of safe and reliable cars that are suitable for teen drivers and have lower insurance rates are Honda Civic, Toyota Corolla, Hyundai Elantra, Ford Focus, etc. These cars have good safety ratings from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) and the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS), as well as low repair costs and theft rates.

Some features to look for in a car that can help lower your car insurance rates are anti-lock brakes, airbags, anti-theft devices, etc. These features can reduce the chances of accidents or thefts, which can lower your risk and premium. Some insurers also offer discounts for having these features in your car.

For example, you can save up to 10% on your premium if your car has anti-lock brakes or airbags. You can also save up to 25% on your premium if your car has an anti-theft device or a tracking system.

Tip #3: Enroll in a driver education or defensive driving course

A third way to get the best car insurance rates for teen drivers is to enroll them in a driver education or defensive driving course. Taking a driver education or defensive driving course can help lower your car insurance rates, as insurers see it as a sign of responsibility and skill. By taking a course, you can learn how to drive safely and defensively, which can reduce your risk of accidents and violations.

Some examples of driver education or defensive driving courses that are available for teen drivers are DriversEd.com, Aceable.com, National Safety Council’s Defensive Driving Course Online (DDC-Online), etc. These courses can teach you the basics of driving laws and rules, as well as how to avoid common hazards and mistakes on the road. Depending on the course and the insurer, you can save up to 15% on your car insurance rates by taking a course.

Some benefits of taking a driver education or defensive driving course are improving your driving skills, avoiding accidents, reducing traffic violations, etc. These benefits can not only lower your car insurance rates but also protect you and others from harm.

For example, you can improve your driving skills by learning how to handle different road conditions, such as rain, snow, fog, etc. You can also avoid accidents by learning how to react to emergencies, such as brake failure, tire blowout, etc. You can also reduce traffic violations by learning how to follow the speed limit, signal properly, yield to pedestrians, etc.

Tip #4: Maintain a good driving record and a good academic record

A fourth way to get the best car insurance rates for teen drivers is to maintain a good driving record and a good academic record. Having a good driving record and a good academic record can help lower your car insurance rates, as insurers reward safe and responsible drivers with lower rates.

To maintain a good driving record, you should avoid speeding tickets, DUIs, accidents, etc., as these can increase your risk and premium. To maintain a good academic record, you should keep a GPA of 3.0 or higher, as this can show your dedication and discipline. Some insurers also require you to be a full-time student and under the age of 25 to qualify for a good student discount.

Some discounts that are available for teen drivers who have a good driving record and a good academic record are good driver discount, good student discount, etc. These discounts can vary by insurer and state, but they can typically save you up to 25% on your car insurance rates.

For example, you can get a good driver discount if you have no accidents or violations in the past three years. You can also get a good student discount if you have a GPA of 3.0 or higher and provide proof of your grades to your insurer.

Tip #5: Add the teen driver to the parents’ policy or bundle policies

A fifth way to get the best car insurance rates for teen drivers is to add them to the parents’ policy or bundle policies. Adding the teen driver to the parents’ policy or bundling policies can help lower your car insurance rates, as insurers offer discounts for multiple drivers or multiple policies under one account.

To add the teen driver to the parents’ policy, you should choose the same insurer as the parents and add the teen driver as an occasional driver, not a primary driver. This way, you can benefit from the parents’ lower rates and discounts, as well as avoid paying for a separate policy for the teen driver. However, you should also be aware that adding the teen driver to the parents’ policy can affect the parents’ rates if the teen driver gets into an accident or makes a claim.

To bundle policies, you should combine your car insurance with other types of insurance, such as home insurance, renters insurance, life insurance, etc. This way, you can get a multi-policy discount from your insurer, as well as simplify your payments and claims. However, you should also compare the cost and coverage of bundling policies versus buying them separately, as sometimes bundling policies can be more expensive or less comprehensive.

For example, you can save up to 20% on your premium if you bundle your car insurance with your home insurance or renters insurance. You can also save up to 10% on your premium if you bundle your car insurance with your life insurance. However, you should also check the coverage limits and exclusions of each policy and make sure they meet your needs.

Conclusion

Getting the best car insurance rates for teen drivers can be challenging, but not impossible. By following some tips and tricks, you can lower the cost and save money on car insurance for your teen driver. Some of these tips and tricks are:

• Compare quotes from different insurers
• Choose a safe and reliable car
• Enroll in a driver education or defensive driving course
• Maintain a good driving record and a good academic record
• Add the teen driver to the parents’ policy or bundle policies

By doing these things, you can get the best car insurance rates for teen drivers and ensure their safety and protection on the road. So what are you waiting for? Start saving on car insurance rates for your teen driver today!