4 Ways To Save When Your Kids Start Driving
By Shondell Varcianna
March 18, 2016
Lifestyle
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Once your teen turns 16 a big fear enters your life. The thought of our children behind the wheel can terrorize us. To add to that stress there is the additional costs associated with your son or daughter getting their driver’s license.
By adding your teen to your insurance policy you can see your premiums go through the roof. Fortunately, there are steps you can take to make this experience a less painful one financially.
Let’s look at 5 ways to save when your kids start driving:
1. Invest in a good driver’s training program
According to the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety the fatal crash rate per mile for teens 16 to 19 is three times that of drivers over the age of 20. Because of these rates, insurance companies see your teen as a big claim risk and boost your rates. If your teen gets a ticket or two or if they are involved in a fender bender those already high rates will go even higher.
You can keep your insurance premiums at an affordable rate by helping your teen driver avoid dangerous/risky behavior while behind the wheel. Getting your teen the best driver’s education program can help them prevent dangerous behavior and keep your premiums low.
2. Don’t purchase your teen their own car
Once your teen passes their drivers test it can be very tempting to run out and get them their own car, especially if borrowing yours will interfere with your busy schedule. However, when it comes to insurance having your teen listed as a secondary driver instead of a primary one, can keep your premiums much lower. Buying another car also means paying insurance for another vehicle.
3. If you do purchase your teen a car, be sure that their vehicle is cheaper to insure
If you find yourself in a situation where you feel you have no choice, but to purchase your teen a car it’s important that you are smart about the car that you purchase. There are cars out there that are safer and that makes them cheaper to insure. Do your research and find the safest car for your teen and the result will be lower premiums and your child being safer on the road.
4. Look for teen driver discounts
Insurance companies offer a lot of different discounts including discounts for new drivers. If your teen takes an approved safety course that will make them eligible for discounts. There is also a discount for teens that go away to school, but do not take their cars with them. The discounts are out there it just takes a little time and research to find them.
Picture by Shehzaad Maroof
By adding your teen to your insurance policy you can see your premiums go through the roof. Fortunately, there are steps you can take to make this experience a less painful one financially.
Let’s look at 5 ways to save when your kids start driving:
1. Invest in a good driver’s training program
According to the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety the fatal crash rate per mile for teens 16 to 19 is three times that of drivers over the age of 20. Because of these rates, insurance companies see your teen as a big claim risk and boost your rates. If your teen gets a ticket or two or if they are involved in a fender bender those already high rates will go even higher.
You can keep your insurance premiums at an affordable rate by helping your teen driver avoid dangerous/risky behavior while behind the wheel. Getting your teen the best driver’s education program can help them prevent dangerous behavior and keep your premiums low.
2. Don’t purchase your teen their own car
Once your teen passes their drivers test it can be very tempting to run out and get them their own car, especially if borrowing yours will interfere with your busy schedule. However, when it comes to insurance having your teen listed as a secondary driver instead of a primary one, can keep your premiums much lower. Buying another car also means paying insurance for another vehicle.
3. If you do purchase your teen a car, be sure that their vehicle is cheaper to insure
If you find yourself in a situation where you feel you have no choice, but to purchase your teen a car it’s important that you are smart about the car that you purchase. There are cars out there that are safer and that makes them cheaper to insure. Do your research and find the safest car for your teen and the result will be lower premiums and your child being safer on the road.
4. Look for teen driver discounts
Insurance companies offer a lot of different discounts including discounts for new drivers. If your teen takes an approved safety course that will make them eligible for discounts. There is also a discount for teens that go away to school, but do not take their cars with them. The discounts are out there it just takes a little time and research to find them.
Picture by Shehzaad Maroof