So, your teenager is now learning how to drive and you’re wondering how much your auto insurance policy will increase. According to Coverage.com, adding a 16 to 19 year-old driver can increase your insurance premium by as much as 92%.
“Insurance companies raise rates for teens because of their lack of driving and insurance experience. It can also go up due to their high rate of serious crashes, especially within the age range of 16 to 19 years-old,” says Blue Line Insurance Agency Licensed Customer Service Representative Maryellen Favreau. “Research has shown that this age group, due in large part because of their inexperience behind the wheel, has a 400% higher accident rate than any other age group.”
These rate increases won’t last forever. Every year a teen driver spends behind the wheel and stays ticket and accident-free, the quicker their car insurance rate decreases.
“After three years of clean driving experience, with no claims, you should begin to see your premium go down,” adds Maryellen. “Insurance companies like to be able to track the driving record, payment history and claims history of the driver. This applies to all drivers too.”
So, when should you begin adding your teenage driver to your insurance policy? Well, that depends on the company who’s insuring you.
Maryellen says some carriers will require the teen driver be added as soon as they get their learner’s permit. Others, when they have their license. In either case, she encourages parents to contact their insurance provider and begin the process sooner, rather than later, when your child begins thinking about getting their permit.
This is also a good time to ask your agent what you may be able to expect if your teen is involved in an automobile accident or gets a ticket.
Some parents may even consider putting their teen on their own policy. But Maryellen points out this is almost always more expensive. This is because you, as the parent, have discounts your teen doesn’t. It’s better to wait until your teen moves away from home and changes their residence address permanently.
“Quite often the teen reaps the rewards of the parents’ excellent insurance (credit) score, preferred insurance company tiering and multi-car and multi-policy discounts.”
Although adding a teenage driver to your insurance policy can be quite costly, there are discounts and incentives that companies offer young drivers. More times than not, there will be discounts to teens who keep their grade point averages (GPA) above a B. Discounts are also offered for young drivers who participate in a New York State authorized safe driving course.
Maryellen also notes that premiums may also reduce for using monitoring devices and for college students living away from home.
“Be sure to ask your insurance provider about these discounts, even if they haven’t mentioned them before,” remarks Maryellen. “Also, growing a credit score and maintaining good credit will help when they’re ready to move on to their own policy.”
Questions about adding your teen to your auto policy? Contact one of our experts at Blue Line Insurance Agency. As an independent agency, we have the resources and network to provide you a wide range of auto Insurance products at a fair price. Visit https://bluelineagency.com/personal-insurance/car-insurance or call 518-523-4321.