Car Insurance For Young Drivers

It's been said that driving is the dream of young teens everywhere. Indeed, it seems to be true. Nothing screams independence like a teenager's first time on the road on their own, without a care in the world. Young drivers, though, have plenty to worry about. There's the cost of your first car, gas, driver's education, and finally, the biggest surprise, the mammoth cost of insurance. While adults and seasoned drivers often pay less than a grand annually for car insurance, young drivers pay annual premiums typically over two thousand dollars, which can leave a sizable dent in the largest of piggy banks.

Car insurance works similarly to any other form of insurance. Car insurance can cover the driver, the car, and various third parties, or any combination of. While in years past auto insurance was sometimes an option, today it is considered pretty much a necessity. Most states have laws mandating a driver be insured, though enforcement and penalty varies in severity. Even in states not mandating coverage, it is a bad idea to skip it, as the medical and repair costs of a serious accident are almost certainly more than what a young driver can afford!

One of the reasons for such a high cost is that young drivers simply lack the experience of older drivers. Younger drivers are also far more likely to take risks, both inside and outside of the driver's seat. Young drivers typically experience a sense of independence and responsibility when first obtaining their license, but all too often this feeling translates into problematic risk taking and dangerous driving. Over the years, insurance companies have recognized this and have responded by making it very expensive for young individuals to drive.

Typically, young males pay higher rates than young females. There are two reasons for this. The first is that young males typically are bigger risk takers; they drive faster, and are more likely to ignore traffic laws. The second, and more mundane reason, is that young males simply drive much more than young females. It should be noted, however, that even young females pay what many consider to be incredibly high insurance rates.

To make matters worse, young drivers can face even higher premiums should they find themselves in a accident or if they receive a speeding ticket. While older drivers will see rates increase too, young drivers will be hit especially hard, as insurance companies fear an emerging pattern of reckless driving. This, in turn, makes it important for young drivers to drive especially safely. If faced with a traffic violation, it may make sense to fight the charge, even if it means employing a lawyer and going to court. If this fails, often attending a safe driving program can prevent insurance rates from skyrocketing. The best bet is to check with your insurance company and to understand the potential consequences of a ticket.

Young drivers also face many of the insurance issues older drivers face. Usually a sports car will cost more to insure than a regular sedan. Drivers in more urban areas will face hirer premiums than in more rural areas.

There are few solutions to the problem of high insurance premiums for young drivers. One potential solution is for the young driver to be added to their parents' insurance. This will bring the cost down some, though the total will still be significantly more than what an older driver would face. The alternative, of course, is to simply drive cautiously and mindfully for three years, when insurance premiums drop.

This, obviously, is easier said than done. Typically, driver's education and various programs can result in lower rates, though this varies by insurance companies. Married drivers have lower rates than unmarried ones, though this seems like a drastic step to take, especially for teenagers! Lastly, many insurers offer a good grades discount. The theory behind this is that young drivers who do well in school are much more likely to be responsible. Since responsible teens make responsible drivers, and since responsible drivers are safe drivers, the insurance company is taking less of a risk to insure them.

Considering the options presented above should give the young drive some agency when it comes to the high cost of car insurance. Unfortunately there is only so much that can be done, and in between school and a social life, there are only so many ways to make enough money to afford insurance. Though it's not the most recommended solution, often the best way to get the cost of insurance down is to have parents willing to pay!