Are You a Young Driver? Do You Need Insurance?
When applying for insurance, "young driver" may not be a label with which you are thrilled. After all, it is one of the three biggest reasons, along with excessive speeding tickets and DUI charges, that many people find insurance too expensive. Due to this fact, many teenagers are not allowed to drive when they first get their license, choose to drive without insurance, which is an illegal practice, or get only the minimum coverage required by law.
Fortunately, however, there are some things you can do to reduce the high cost of driver's insurance. In the next few paragraphs, you will get a quick introduction of how to reduce insurance costs, things to avoid, and advice on where to get insurance quotes. Please keep in mind, though, that, regardless of the expense, driving without insurance is a serious offense that can cost you your license. It is by far better to suspend your young driver's privileges until they are older or can pay their own insurance premiums than to let them drive without it!
Advice on Insurance for Young Drivers
There is tons of advice on insurance for young drivers out there, but you have to know where to look. Nevertheless, there are some things you can do to reduce the cost of your young driver's insurance. For example, many insurance companies offer "good student" discounts for drivers who have at least a 3.0, or B, average. Most insurance companies also offer reduced fees to those who have taken or are taking driver's education in their high school or who attend the state certified traffic school for young drivers.
Of course, any driver, especially young drivers, should also strive to avoid speeding tickets, car accidents, and DUI charges. Each speeding ticket (unless you attend state traffic school) causes your insurance premiums to rise. Additionally, it generally takes considerably few speeding tickets for a driver under the age of 18 to have their license revoked than it takes for an older, more experienced driver. Also, car accidents, specifically those deemed your fault, raise insurance premiums considerably. Finally, not only do DUI charges make it difficult to find insurance and make premiums sky-rocket, but, if you are under 21, you can also get in trouble for being intoxicated underage. Therefore, if you are determined to drink underage, make absolutely certain that there is a designated driver if you will be traveling.
Finally, there is no one "best place" to get insurance for the young driver. Many parents prefer to put their teenagers on their existing plan, while others use companies that are specifically tailored towards young drivers' needs. The most important thing is that you shop around and get several quotes to make sure you are not being overcharged. Additionally, many parents require that their teenagers pay their own insurance premiums and/or purchase their own car if they want driving privileges, so this is an excellent way to get your child into the work force for the first time.
As always, be a smart consumer and don't feel obligated to go with the first insurance company you speak to. With only a little time and research, you can soon feel confident that your new driver is as safe and protected on the roadways as possible. Happy driving!
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