Finance Tips

When it comes to getting auto insurance quotes for a teen driver most people will definitely be displeased by the fact that cheap and teen auto insurance quotes are considered as antonyms in the car insurance industry. Drivers younger than 25 years old tend to get the highest auto insurance quotes possible and often end up paying twice the amount a typical 40-year-old would pay for his car. Why is that so? And what can be done to give a young driver an opportunity to get affordable auto insurance that wouldn’t be a burden to his or his parents’ budget?

First of all, let’s look at the causes behind such an apparent injustice that makes young drivers pay the highest insurance rates possible. Car insurance providers base the calculation of their auto insurance quotes on a precise assessment of how it is likely for the driver to end up in an accident and file a claim. From this point of view teen drivers are the most risky group because they tend to produce more claims than any other age group and have the most serious accidents because of their risk taking behavior. The statistics prove it and show that teens produce more accidents with more damage in all states. That’s why insurance companies give teens the highest rates possible. Of course, not all teens are bad drivers. But since there are more inexperienced car owners that produce crashes in this group everyone making part of it ends up paying more for insuring their vehicle.

Now, what can you do to avoid having higher auto insurance quotes when you are a teen? There are several strategies that can help you reduce your insurance costs and you can actually combine them in order to raise the chance of getting an affordable policy. Consider the following options:

Ask your parents to include you into their policy

Being a written driver with your parents, who usually have lower premiums will reduce your insurance rates as well. Sure it will raise their premiums a bit but it will still be more affordable than having separate policies. The downside of this option is that you won’t be able to accumulate your own no-claims discount while being a written driver. And if you are a good driver with no insurance claims that sure is disappointing.

Be a good student at school or college

If you have the potential of getting good grades at school or college now you have another reason for doing it. Most insurance providers offer substantial discounts to students with an average of B and higher. You will be required to provide a copy of your grade report periodically but this paperwork will give you lower auto insurance quotes, so it’s really worth it.

Shop around

Shopping around is the easiest thing you can do with all those sites letting you compare auto insurance quotes online. It takes only a couple of minutes and you will get all the information you need to buy the right policy from the right provider. Just make sure you know exactly what coverage types you want to get before shopping around. Define your needs first and then get busy comparing auto insurance quotes.

Comparing the cost of auto insurance in the past was a very difficult and time consuming job, as drivers were forced to contact insurance providers and firms individually because there was no other way of getting quotes from different insurers. They also had to deal with pushy sales staff when sourcing affordable auto insurance, with sales employees at different insurance firms trying to convince them that their cover was the most suitable and affordable.

However, these days comparing auto insurance has become a fast and easy task that can be done at any time of the day or night and without the need to interact with pushy sales people. The Internet has provided drivers with a very effective tool to help them to find low cost cover that is perfectly suited with their needs. By using the internet to compare auto insurance deals you stand a far better chance of finding cover that is not only well suited to your needs but is also competitively priced.

Some of the reasons for taking the time to compare auto insurance from a range of different providers include:

• The cost of the cover can vary considerably from one provider to another for the same levels of cover, so by comparing your will be able to find the most competitively priced deals and keep your motoring costs down. You will find that you can save a considerable amount of money simply by comparing auto insurance, so it is well worth taking the time to do this
• The level of protection can vary from one plan to another. Depending on the level of cover you decide to take the amount of protection that you get will vary, which is another reason why you should compare different insurance plans.
• The exclusions and restrictions on different plans and providers will vary. These are often hidden in the small print but can make a big difference in terms of what you can and cannot claim for under your insurance plan. It is therefore important to compare this aspect of the cover
• The benefits that you get with your insurance cover will differ. Some plans offer more benefits that others, so you could benefit hugely by taking the time to see what is and what is not included as part of your plan.
• The overall value for money that you get based on the level of coverage compared to the price of the cover will vary from one provider to another. Again, this is a very important reason to compare the variety of auto insurance plans from a range of providers in order to get the best deal at the right price

Short of forbidding their teenage child to get their driver’s license, many parents feel there’s little they can do to avoid the high cost of auto insurance for their son or daughter. Granted, an automobile insurance policy that covers a new driver is likely to be expensive, there are things that can be done to help soften the financial blow. Parents need to be aware of what to look for before they start gathering quotes for auto insurance for their teen.

A safe driver is really the most important qualification of getting a great rate. This is why enrolling the child in a driving course is a great idea. Not only does it help lower the teen’s insurance rates but it also provides some peace of mind to the parent. If the child learns how to drive from a professional, they are much more likely to continue obeying the rules of the road which will ultimately result in lower rates.

Even though all kids dream of getting a brand new sports car for their sixteenth birthday, this isn’t going to help in the quest to find affordable auto insurance for the teen. New cars simply cost more to insure. A parent is much better off buying a used car and investing the money so when the child is old enough to qualify for a low auto insurance rate they can buy the car they really want.

Many teenagers have after school jobs and there should be an agreement in place that states that they foot part of the insurance costs. This not only makes it more affordable for the parent but it teaches the child about financial responsibility as well. With this approach the child will be well prepared to pay their own auto insurance costs when they venture out on their own.