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Auto Insurance and the Teenage Driver

How i find cheap rates online

When you are old enough to drive, you also have to be willing to take on the responsibility of following the rules of the road. Not only does your driving record reflect on how responsible you are, but it can also cause your insurance rates to increase whether you have your own policy or share one with your parents.

In the event you are on your parents' policy, your driving record will have a detrimental effect on the rates your parents pay. In some cases, your driving record may even cause the insurance company to refuse to provide insurance to your parents unless you are forbidden to drive. Putting the insurance company in a position to issue such an ultimatum can put a cramp in your social life and force your parents to drive you to work or school. At the same time, it can teach you the importance of driving responsibly.

The Bad Teenage Reputation

Many people think it is a fact of life that teenagers are bad drivers. But, that is not something that has to be true of every teenager. It is, however, the reason that rates are higher for teenage boys than teenage girls—statistically, insurance companies have proven that boys tend to be more irresponsible on the road. Boys, for the most part, drive faster, take more chances, drive recklessly, and have more of a tendency to show off in front of the opposite sex than girls. As an individual driver, you have to show that you are beyond that and can drive responsibly and it will be reflected in the rates that you or your parents have to pay for your auto insurance.

Not only does taking chances on the road put you into a position where you could lose your driver's license, you could also have an accident and seriously injure someone. This includes anyone who may be riding with you—friend, sister, brother, and even a young niece, nephew, or cousin. Surely you do not want the responsibility of knowing that you caused the death of a loved one by your reckless behavior. Not only that, but a teenage driver who causes a fatal accident stands to lose his or her license until the age of 18 or even 21 depending on the charges.

The Attitude of Insurance Companies Toward Teens

Insurance companies are very tough on teenage drivers, and they follow their driving records more than they do adults. You must also remember that every time the policy renews, the insurance company has the option to recheck the driving record for any additional points or violations.

Each time you get a ticket, it puts points on your driving record, and that has the potential to raise or lower insurance rates that you or your parents pay. The points will stay on your record for three years and too many points can cause your license to be suspended, another factor that may cause the insurance company to refuse to provide coverage to your parents with you as a driver.

Since every state has a requirement for auto insurance, it's important to keep in mind that the automobile insurance company is holding the ball. They do not have to insure you just because you have a driver's license—at least not on a standard policy. Most states have a risk pool of insurers who must by law insure high-risk drivers, but these policies are very high priced.

Certainly, when you leave home you will not have a choice unless you are fortunate enough to find a company that has friendly rates for young drivers. But, while you are with your parents, especially if you are under 18, an insurance company does not have to insure you unless you have a car registered in your own name. Even then, there is no guarantee.