Insuring One of the Things We Love Most

With so much joy in the air this month, it’s easy to think happily on the things we love, like our kids. We can forget about the Legos (and the sore feet caused by stepping on one barefoot) and toys left underfoot over the years, the times we were forced to discipline them when we really just want to hug them, and now we just smile at the wonderful people our children are becoming.

I was a kid and a teenager once too, so I am thankful that mine didn’t turn out the way I did. I’m only kidding, but one thing I have done is continue to do my best to protect them, and that includes when they’re behind the wheel. To make sure your teen and vehicle are properly covered you need to make sure that your teens are added to your insurance policy.

Adding a teenage driver to your car insurance policy will raise your rates — and your stress will skyrocket. However, there are a few things you can do to lower your insurance rates such as putting them behind the wheel of a Camry rather than a Corvette, encourage them to bring home good report cards with straight A's, and urging them to keep their driving records clean can all have a major impact on rates.

Below are a few things to keep in mind when insuring your teen driver:

  • There is a reason teenagers cost more to insure — New drivers are among the most dangerous on the road, racking up tickets and accidents at rates several times that of the average driver. Your teenager does not have to drive. Bicycles and bus passes are cheaper, if you live in a place where that's feasible.
  • Our agency requires that all licensed family members in a household be included on your policy — whether they drive your cars or not. You should let our agency know when your child gets his or her learners permit, but typically the teen isn't listed (or your policy charged) until he or she is licensed.
  • It is almost always cheaper to add teenagers to an existing policy than it is to buy an additional car and then insure it — If your household has several cars, it can help to have your new driver assigned to a specific one -- the one that's cheapest to insure. Those vehicles with lower auto insurance losses will typically have lower rates. For new drivers, the recommended cars are four-door sedans and crossover vehicles.
  • Pay attention to insurance discounts — If your teen can't get by without wheels, check with us to see what types of discounts they may qualify for. We offer good-student discounts and a discount if your teen completes a driver's education course. Bundling multiple insurance policies, like auto, homeowners and life insurance, will also cut costs.
  • Ready to insure your teen driver or have questions about how your teen will affect your Auto Insurance policy? Call our office TODAY!

     

    Published with permission from BGI Systems. Source.