Easy Steps to Adding Your New Teen Driver to Your Auto Insurance Policy

What if seeing your teenager driving could be far less stressful? 

There are many reasons parents dread their children learning to drive, including the fact that car insurance for these young drivers can be very expensive. Fortunately, adding a teen driver to insurance is easier than you might think, and it does not have to be as costly as everyone thinks. 

What do you need to know about car insurance for new drivers? What coverage is most important, and how can you keep your child safe without paying a small fortune in increased premiums? Keep reading to find out everything you need to know about teen driver insurance. 

The Milestone of Insuring a Teen Driver 

For most families, children getting their license is a major milestone. It is symbolic of how the kids have grown up and are now far less dependent on parental guidance. And they are now making their own way in the world, one mile at a time. 

Of course, this moment is a parental milestone for another reason. Now that the kiddos have their independence, the parents have to worry about teen auto insurance. Coverage is usually most expensive for young drivers, but this guide has practical tips for keeping the costs low even as you provide your children with the best possible protection. 

Laying the Foundation: When Your Teen Needs Insurance 

One of the most common questions about adding a teen driver to insurance is when parents are supposed to do so. After all, teenagers can usually drive at 15 with a permit but cannot get their license until they are 16. So, when, exactly, do you need to worry about adding teen driver insurance to your policy? 

The exact answer depends on where you live. Some states require drivers to be covered as soon as they have their permit and others do not require coverage until someone is fully licensed. Therefore, it is important to check on your own state requirements well before your child gets their permit. 

Understanding the Right Time to Insure Your Teen 

If you live in a state where teen auto insurance is required as soon as the youngster has their permit, then you have no choice but to get coverage as soon as they have earned the permit. If your state does not require coverage until the teenager has their license, you can afford to shop around for a longer period of time, allowing you to find the most affordable policy. 

Statutory Requirements vs. Parental Discretion 

As noted above, your state will determine when adding a teen driver to insurance is required, and the requirements may vary from state to state. In states where it is not required until the driver is fully licensed, parents may decide whether to get coverage earlier (as soon as the teenager is driving, for example) or wait until they have the full license in hand. 

The Financial Impact: Costs and Considerations 

By now, you are probably aware that adding a teen driver to insurance is going to drive up your rates. It is hard to know the exact amount that your policy will increase, but you should know that teens are the most expensive to cover when they are first driving. Your rates will start high, but they typically begin decreasing once the driver turns 19 – if they keep a clean driving record. 

So, the bad news is that car insurance for new drivers is going to be very expensive. The good news is that knowing what some of the expenses will be can help you better prepare to pay them. Furthermore, this guide will walk you through some discounts and other ways to save money. 

The Expenses Associated with Adding a Teen to Your Policy 

Knowing how to add a new driver to your insurance is not the same as knowing how much your premium will increase. While the exact price hike will vary, most parents can expect to pay an additional $250 per month to cover a 16-year-old driver. Prices may begin to decrease as they get older. In the meantime, you can use special discounts and other methods to keep these policy costs low. 

Keeping Premiums at Bay: Savings and Discounts 

You might think there is nothing you can do when your automobile premium is too high. That is not true though: actions such as raising your deductible, lowering your coverage limits, and eliminating insurance add-ons can instantly lower your rate. On top of that, there are special discounts you may qualify for that can further reduce how much you pay. 

Such discounts are also available for teen drivers. Below, you will learn more about how to take advantage of these auto insurance discounts to make your policy more affordable once you add your child to it.  

Good Student Discount 

Believe it or not, your child can get a discount on insurance by simply maintaining good grades. All you have to do is provide proof of their fulltime student status and academic success to your carrier. 

Defensive Driving Course 

Teens and drivers of all ages can complete an optional defensive driving course. These courses can often be taken online, and completing one will qualify the driver for a discount on their coverage. Plus, it is one of the best ways concerned parents can keep their teen driver safe. 

Safety Discount 

The car your child drives may come equipped with many safety features, and it is possible to add additional features that make the vehicle safer to drive and harder to steal. Those features may qualify the driver to receive a special safety discount. 

Multi-Vehicle Discount 

Once your kid starts driving, they need their own set of wheels. As long as you stick with the same carrier for all your vehicles, it is possible to get a special multi-vehicle discount. 

Good Driver Discount 

One of the reasons coverage is so expensive for teen drivers is that they have no driving history. But if your own teenager avoids getting tickets or filing claims for long enough, they may qualify for a good driver discount. 

Making Wise Choices: Vehicle and Policy Selection 

Knowing which car to buy your child and what kind of coverage they need is just as important as knowing how to add a new driver to your insurance. By making the right choices now, you can actually keep your premiums from skyrocketing once your kid starts driving. 

How can you know which cars to buy and which to skip? And how will you know what kind of policy your child needs? Below, you will find the information you need. 

The Best Cars for Teen Drivers: Safety Meets Savings 

Insurance policies are designed to repair or replace entire vehicles as needed. Because of that, it is best to get your teenage driver an affordable vehicle that is not too new or too sporty. Remember, you can always ask a carrier how expensive certain vehicles will be to insure before buying one, potentially saving you plenty of money in overpriced premiums down the line. 

To Add or Not to Add: Deciding on Separate Policies 

In many cases, you are best off putting your teen on your own policy to help you save money in the long run, especially because of factors like the multi-vehicle discount. 

Explore Auto Insurance Policies Perfect for Your Family 

Now you know the most important information about adding a teen driver to insurance. This includes how to find discounts, whether or not they need a separate policy, and when to purchase coverage. But do you know who can provide the most savings and the most competitive prices? 

At InsureOne, we are here to keep you and your children safe. Ready to stop paying too much and finally get the kind of service your family deserves? Once you are ready to start saving, come get a quote online. Of course, you can also pick up the phone and give us a quick call at 800-836-2240. Finally, feel free to find an InsureOne office near you.