Affordable Auto Insurance for Teens Does Exist!

It’s no secret that the words “teen driver” strike fear into the hearts of parents near and far. And with stats that show car accidents as the number one cause of death in teens in the U.S., it’s no wonder why.

We talked briefly about teen driving in another post, but the fact of the matter is that 50% of all teenswill be involved in a car accident before getting their high school diploma. It’s facts and figures like these that also make insuring teens expensive, but that doesn’t mean there aren’t affordable options for teen drivers. There are several things you can do as a parent to lower your rates, cover your teens, and calm your worries about them getting behind the wheel. (For more information, read our “How to Get Cheap Car Insurance for Teens and Their Parents“).

How Teens Can Get Cheap Car Insurance

1. Get good grades. Save money.

This incentive works double-duty—by giving your kids more motivation to maintain a high GPA and by saving you money on their premium. By associating good grades with responsibility and privilege, you can also teach your kids a lesson while you’re at it. Companies that offer this discount include Allstate, Nationwide, Liberty Mutual, USAA, Esurance, Geico, State Farm, and Progressive.

2. Pick top rated cars for safety

You don’t have to go out and buy a new car (or get your teen their own car at all), but by driving a top-rated safety vehicle, you can help lower your teen’s auto insurance rates. Driving an older car will also automatically lower your rates since they’re generally cheaper to insure. However, if you are looking to buy a new, top rated vehicle for safety, some of the 2015 IIHS Top Safety Picks+ are:

• Small SUV: 2015 Subaru Forrester / 2015Honda CRV
• Small Cars: 2015 Toyota Prius / 2015 Mazda 3
• Mid-size SUVs: 2015 Toyota Highlander / 2015 Nissan Pathfinder
• Minivans: 2015 Toyota Sienna

3. Take a defensive driving course

Teens most often get in accidents because they are inexperienced at judging speed, distance, and other factors. That’s why demonstrating that your teen is ready to hit the road can definitely help lower your rates. Sign them up for a defensive driving course where they’ll learn how to be on the lookout for distracted drivers among other facts and they won’t just help lower their premiums, but also glean valuable lessons about how they can stay safe and accident free. To figure out how you can get involved with safe teen driving and educate your kids, learn more about Teen Safe Driving Coalitions.

4. Get accident forgiveness 

Accident forgiveness is an insurance plan option that many auto insurance agencies support. The reason why it’s so popular among customers is because if you get in one accident (your first or an accident after a long period of months or years), your insurance rates won’t go up. If you have teen drivers on your plan, this is a safety net that will save you money if they get into a fender bender or more serious accident when they start driving.

5. Raise your deductible

Some plans allow you to save on your monthly premiums if you raise your deductible. This isn’t an option for everyone since big out-of-pocket expenses can be a shock if you ever get in an accident, but if you’re looking for a quick fix for monthly rates, this can help.

Enter your zip code below to view companies that have cheap insurance rates.

Auto Home Health Life Business Motorcycle Medicare Rental

 Secured with SHA-256 Encryption

Best Car Insurance for Teen Drivers

Price shouldn’t be the only concern you should have when looking at car insurance for your teen. Ultimately, you need to know which company will provide not only affordable options, but the best coverage to keep your teen driver safe.  We’ve named the six best companies in 2016 to help you find the one the best fits your needs. (For more information, read our “The Best Auto Insurance Companies For Teen Drivers“).