By: Emily Ferreira, Managing EditorYoung drivers are considered to be more of an accident risk than older drivers. However, many insurance companies offer insurance especially designed with younger drivers in mind.
If you are just getting your license, buying insurance can be an intimidating experience. Not knowing what kind of coverage you need, or where to purchase a policy, can make insurance shopping a difficult experience.
Knowing What Is Available
Before purchasing a car insurance policy, it is important to know as much about it as possible. Knowing the laws of your area before you buy a policy can save you quite a bit of trouble down the road.
All but five states in America require that their drivers have liability insurance. While New Hampshire, South Carolina, Tennessee, Virginia, and Wisconsin may not require you to carry liability insurance, they do require you to have coverage in the event you are in an accident and in other certain circumstances.
There are particular amounts of this type of car insurance coverage that each state requires their drivers to maintain. Maine requires more coverage than any other state in the nation. Louisiana requires the least.
Insurance sales representatives recommend that drivers purchase 100/300/50 worth of liability coverage, which is actually the minimum requirement for drivers in Maine. These policies provide $100,000 for bodily injury per person, with a total available for injuries in the amount of $300,000. Up to $50,000 is available to pay for property damage.
Maine is the only state that requires the same coverage amounts that are recommended by an auto insurance company agent. Louisiana only requires that their drivers have 10/20/10, which is typically not enough coverage to handle all of the expenses of a serious auto accident. Given that most new cars cost between $15 and $50,000, it should be clear that $10,000 coverage on property damage really is not enough coverage for the average driver.
Many people choose to purchase more coverage than is required by law for the additional security of knowing that they can survive an accident without going into debt. Many drivers also purchase uninsured motorist coverage, in case they are in an accident caused by someone without insurance.
Young drivers typically have two options for cheap car insurance. They can be added to their parents pre-existing policy at a lower rate, or they can purchase a policy on their own and take advantage of any discounts that might be available to them.
Young Driver Car Insurance Rates
Young drivers are statistically more of a risk on the road, than more experienced, older drivers. This statistic makes them more of a financial risk for an auto insurance company.
Because young drivers are considered to be high-risk drivers, insurance companies charge them higher rates. Cheaper auto insurance comes with more driving experience. Once a person reaches the age of 25, they may start qualifying for a lower car insurance rate.
Only in recent years, have insurance companies begun to offer special policies designed to save new drivers money. Some companies offer young driver car insurance policies that deliver prime coverage at discounted rates.
Some companies also offer student rates, in addition to young driver auto insurance. These policies provide students with a special discount, even if they have no driving experience. This provides many people with an affordable car insurance rate that they can afford.
For someone interested in young driver car insurance, speaking with a trained agent at an auto insurance company can provide a wealth of knowledge about car insurance quotes and rates. Speaking with an insurance agent can also provide a new driver with the confidence they need to make responsible decisions about their auto insurance coverage and policies
Planning Ahead
Many new drivers are so excited to get behind the wheel of their car, that they do not take the time to adequately research the best ways to approach their new responsibility. Guidance towards the right avenues of information can provide valuable insight to young drivers and their parents.
The expenses of a driver’s license might not be immediately apparent to many new drivers. With a little research, young drivers can learn many ways to save money on their auto insurance premiums.
Most insurance companies offer discounts to drivers who have taken a driver’s education class. Taking a driving class can also provide new drivers with enough confidence to make the right decisions on the road, making them less likely to drive inappropriately.
Defensive driving classes can also be used to obtain additional savings against regular auto insurance rates.
Some insurance companies have even gone as far as to offer additional discounts for good grades in school.
The car of a young driver has can also affect their car insurance rates. The general rule is the older and slower a car is, the cheaper the insurance for it will be. Older cars are usually cheaper to replace or repair than newer models. Additionally, slower cars are more likely to be used just for transportation, instead of fast entertainment.
Conclusion
Car insurance is very important for all drivers. For new drivers, insurance is even more important than it is for experienced drivers. New drivers are statistically more likely to be in an accident than mature drivers.
Making sure you have the right policy for your driving level can provide you with enough financial security to prepare for the consequences of an accident. As a young person is gearing up for college, the last thing they would want to do is be involved in an accident that will deplete their college fund, in order to pay for any damages incurred in an accident.
When put in this context, young driver car insurance is one of the best investments a young person or his or her parents can make in the protection of their future.