Watching your teen drive off on their own can bring up all kinds of worries for parents. You may wonder if your teen is obeying the rules of the road or keeping their phone on silent while driving. Another worry that parents may have after their teenager gets their license is adding them to their Auto Insurance policy. California Car Insurance rates are partly determined by how long a driver has been licensed. In other words, driving experience matters and teens don’t have much since they’re just starting off. This can make finding affordable Car Insurance for your teen driver seem like an impossible task.
However, it is necessary for you to add your teen driver to your policy. Otherwise, they will not be covered if they get into an accident which could cost you even more. Typically, adding your teen to your own Auto Insurance policy is more affordable than getting them their own. Below are a few things to keep in mind while shopping for teen driver Car Insurance rates.
When to Get Car Insurance for a Teen Driver
In California, teens can get their learner’s permit at age 15 1/2 if they meet certain requirements. However, they can’t get a driver’s license until they are at least 16 or have had their permit for 6 months. Most insurance companies will cover a permitted driver under the insurance of the supervising driver. Even so, it’s a good idea to notify your Auto Insurance company to make sure your teen is covered.
Once a teen gets their driver’s license, they are no longer automatically covered under their parents’ insurance. They must be added to a policy or buy an entirely separate one. Because teen accident and violation rates are about three times higher than the overall rate, teens are considered higher-risk drivers. Unfortunately, that means insuring a teen driver can be expensive and may significantly increase your Auto Insurance rate when you add them to your policy.
Teen Driver Car Insurance Discounts
Some parents may choose to have teens get their own Car Insurance policy so that their own rates don’t increase. However, it’s rare that a stand-alone teen Auto Insurance policy is less expensive. In fact, it’s usually more expensive than adding your teen to your own policy. Luckily, there are a few things parents can do to make adding a teen driver more affordable.
Good student discount. Some students may qualify for a good student discount, which is a great way to save some money. Most insurance companies require a B+ average or higher.
Higher deductible or lower coverage limits. The limits on your existing policy may be higher than they need to be. Or, you may be able to increase your deductible. Adjusting these things accordingly can result in a lower Auto Insurance rate. Just make sure you carry adequate coverage for your needs in the event of an accident.
Switch Car Insurance companies. Rates vary widely among carriers, so you may be able find a lower rate by switching. AIS Insurance compares the rates of multiple top companies to find you the best coverage at the right price. Speak with one of our Insurance Specialists at (855) 919-4247 to get a free quote today. You could even end up saving money!
The information in this article is obtained from various sources. This content is offered for educational purposes only and does not represent contractual agreements. It should not replace the advice of a qualified professional. The definitions, terms and coverage in a given policy may be different than those suggested here. Such policy will be governed by the language contained therein, and no warranty or appropriateness for a specific purpose is expressed or implied.
