Young / New Drivers

There’s a good reason auto insurance premiums are higher for young and new drivers: Their lack of significant driving experience automatically elevates their risk for having an accident.  After all, how can you really know how to handle difficult driving situations like heavy traffic on a fast-moving freeway until you’ve done it regularly?  As a general rule, auto insurance premiums for young and new drivers remain significantly elevated for the first three years of driving experience. This doesn’t necessarily mean insurance premiums for young drivers have to be outrageously expensive.  Read on for tips on how to keep insurance costs manageable for new and young drivers.

Avoid Citations and Accidents (Encourage Them to Drive Safely!)

Teenagers are encouraged to drive extra defensively.  Not only does their lack of experience put them at risk, but an accident, speeding or DWI citation can run the risk of doubling or even tripling their auto insurance premiums.  The more legally minded of the sub-20 set might call this discrimination against otherwise perfectly responsible young drivers, but insurance actuaries call teens’ elevated accident risk a cut-and-dried mathematical fact.  It’s a very simple equation: Young drivers as a group generate more claims and payouts per capita than their more seasoned elders.

New Driver Safety - Choose A Modest Vehicle

New driver safety is very important. A teenager has their whole life ahead of them for a midlife crisis, so try to avoid that convertible or high-performance sports car.  Faster, more-expensive vehicles can send insurance premiums into the stratosphere for young drivers.  Selecting a modest, non-SUV vehicle can save a teenager 50 % or more on premium costs.

Study Hard

Most insurance companies offer a premium discount for students maintaining a B average or better.  Additionally, teens can sometimes find approved traffic safety education courses, which can shave several percentage points off premium costs.  If you’re interested in finding a course of this nature, the National Safety Council website is an excellent source of information about state-certified programs geared toward auto insurance discounts and supplementary driver’s training.

Safety-Proof a New Driver’s Vehicle

Since accidents do happen—and they’re more likely to happen to new drivers—adding additional safety features like automatic seat belts and side airbags can often lead to an insurance premium reduction.  As your insurance representative for safety enhancements recommendations and discounts.

Want to learn more about which auto insurance companies offer the most teen-friendly policies?  Visit our quotes page to get started.