Let’s explore the factors that affect teen car insurance rates, strategies to reduce teen car insurance costs, as well as the best car insurance for teenagers to help you make an informed choice while keeping your young driver and your finances protected.
Before that, as a parent, watching your teenager take their first steps towards independence by getting their driver’s license is a momentous occasion.
However, with newfound freedom comes added responsibility, especially when it comes to securing the best car insurance for teenagers.
This is because teen drivers often face higher insurance premiums due to their lack of experience and perceived risk. Let’s dive in!
Overview of Teen Car Insurance
Young adult drivers are those between the ages of 20 and 25, while teen drivers are those between the ages of 16 and 19.
16-year-olds are the most expensive age group to insure. Every year a young driver gains driving experience, their premiums typically go down.
If you’re a parent, you’ll need to decide whether to get your teenager their own car insurance policy or to add them to your existing policy once they turn 18.
However, there are specific circumstances, such as if the teen has a poor driving record, where it might be preferable for them to be on their own insurance plan.
Putting the teen on a separate policy wouldn’t be cheaper, and it would keep that history from dragging down the parents’ rate.
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Factors that Affect Teen Car Insurance Rates
Before delving into finding the best insurance for your teenager, it’s important to grasp the factors that influence car insurance rates for young drivers:
Age: Teenagers are considered high-risk drivers due to their limited knowledge of road driving.
Gender: Statistically, teenage boys are more likely to be affected by accidents than teenage girls, leading to higher premiums for male teenagers.
Location: Where you reside can affect your insurance rates. Urban areas with additional traffic may result in higher premiums.
Type of Car: The make and model of the car your teenager drives can impact premiums. Sportier or high-performance cars often arrive at higher rates.
Driving Record: A clean driving record is important for keeping premiums low. Any accidents or traffic offenses can lead to increased rates.
Grades: Many insurance companies offer discounts for teens with good grades. Encouraging your kid to excel academically can result in lower premiums.
Strategies to Reduce Teen Car Insurance Costs
While teenage car insurance rates tend to be increased, there are strategies to help reduce these costs. Such strategies include the following:
Comparing Quotes: Shop around and get quotes from multiple insurance companies to find the best rates for your teenager.
Bundling Policies: Consider bundling your teenager’s car insurance with your own to obtain discounts.
Driver Education: Enroll your teenager in a certified driver education plan to qualify for discounts.
Good Student Discounts: Encourage your teenager to keep good grades to take advantage of discounts.
Choosing the Right Car: Opt for a safe and reliable car with a good safety record to lower premiums.
Increase in Deductibles: A higher deductible can lower premiums, but be sure your teenager can afford it in case of a mishap.
Best Car Insurance for Teenagers
Now that we’ve covered the key factors, it’s time to explore the best car insurance for your teenager in no particular order.
Geico
For the same reason that Geico topped our other best lists, it made this one as well. Young drivers can get affordable rates from the carrier nationwide; a 16-year-old’s average annual added premium for full coverage is $2,168.
Additionally, Geico receives few complaints, as reported by the NAIC (National Association of Insurance Commissioners), and receives high marks from J.D. Power Surveys for customer satisfaction.
Geico is a fantastic choice if you need to lower your premium because of its substantial discounts targeted specifically at young drivers.
For example, young adults with B averages or higher are eligible for a “good student” discount (savings of up to 15%), as well as discounts for new cars, multiple vehicles, and safe drivers (savings of up to 22%).
These are sizable discounts, and one thing we appreciate about Geico is how transparent it is about the amount you can save. While other insurers may claim to offer discounts, they never disclose how much you can save.
USAA
The United Services Automobile Association doesn’t offer insurance to the majority of people, but if you have a veteran or member of the armed forces in your family, your teen driver might be able to obtain coverage from this company.
According to J.D. Power, USAA has earned a spot on our list of the best insurance companies because of its excellent customer service.
In terms of overall customer satisfaction and satisfaction with auto claims, the carrier received scores of 884 and 909, respectively. The national averages are 834 and 909, respectively, in comparison.
Additionally, when compared to other insurers, USAA offers competitive pricing for those who qualify, and rates are made even more affordable by utilizing discounts.
For good students and drivers who complete driver training courses, it provides the same discounts that many of its rivals do.
Teenagers who move from a family policy to their own auto insurance could be eligible for up to a 10% legacy discount.
State Farm
Another company with widespread availability in the US and a wide range of discounts for young drivers is State Farm. Your driving habits are tracked by their Drive Safe & Save app, which could help you save up to 30%.
Additionally, State Farm offers a program called Steer Clear for teenagers and young adults that enables you to benefit from savings while instructing your child how to drive safely.
Additionally, drivers under 25 who have been fault-free for three years and have not engaged in any moving violations or accidents may save up to 15%, making them eligible for this discount much faster than with Geico.
Additionally, you are eligible for a “student away at school” discount if you have a college student who only drives when they are home for holidays or vacations.
State Farm offers some sizable discounts for young drivers compared to the other insurers on this list, which is fantastic given that, according to our research, the average annual added premium for full coverage for a 16-year-old is $2,077.
Progressive
Do you know that Flo from Progressive also has a Twitter account with more than 71,000 followers? Everyone is familiar with her from Progressive.
That’s more than twice as many Twitter users as the unnamed gecko from Geico. In addition to Flo’s notoriety, Progressive boasts a low national complaint rate.
Progressive received an NAIC index score of 1.45 out of 1.00 (a higher score indicates more complaints).
Additionally, a 16-year-old’s average annual added premium for full coverage is $3,305, which is significantly less than the national average ($4,055).
Families with multiple vehicles, teen drivers, college students, and families with multiple vehicles are all eligible for discounts from Progressive.
Those under the age of 18 who have been insured for at least a year may be eligible for a “teen driver discount.”
Progressive also offers price reductions for students who leave their cars at home while attending school more than 100 miles away as well as for those who rarely drive, in addition to the standard “good student” discount.
Amica
Amica’s high customer satisfaction ratings helped it rank highly on our list of the best car insurance companies, which is one of the reasons it is included on this list as well.
Amica has more than a century of experience in the industry under its belt and is the oldest mutual auto insurer in the US (meaning it is owned by its policyholders). Additionally, this carrier serves every state besides Hawaii.
Amica offers a special way to save in addition to the usual discounts for young drivers, such as “good student” discounts, “student away at school” discounts, and defensive driving course discounts: a legacy discount.
Young drivers under 30 whose parents have a car policy with Amica for at least five years are eligible for this discount.
Additionally, like State Farm, young drivers may be eligible for a discount if they haven’t had an accident in three years, which means they could be as young as 19 years old.
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Take Away
Finding the best car insurance for teenagers requires careful consideration of various factors, including your teenager’s driving habits, the type of coverage needed, and your budget.
By researching, comparing quotes, and exploring discounts, you can secure the right insurance policy to protect your young driver and your finances.
Remember to prioritize safety and open communication with your teenager to ensure responsible and informed driving practices.
With the right approach, you can navigate the process of insuring your teenager and provide them with the protection they need as they embark on their driving journey.
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