Having a teenager is a major challenge and when he or she is ready to drive, feeling anxious is perfectly understandable. Even for experienced motorists, driving is a dangerous activity. Yet another challenge is finding auto insurance for your teen that's affordable. Insurance companies often consider teens to be a high risk because of their lack of road experience and you may be faced with higher premiums accordingly. However, there are ways to keep these rates as low as possible.
Enroll Your Teen in a Defensive Driving Course
Many insurance companies provide discounts for teens who have taken a defensive driving course beyond the basic driver's education course. In addition to the insurance discount, it helps make your teen a better and safer driver. The standard driver's education course and the road practice required for getting a license is only the beginning of what it takes to be a safe driver. A good defensive driving course will give your teen a head start.
Inform Your Insurer about Your Teen's Good Grades
Good grades indicate responsibility and maturity. These two qualities make people better and safer drivers. Because of this, most insurers will offer a discount for students with at least a B average (you will need to show proof). This is yet another good reason to encourage your kids to study hard.
Raise the Deductible
The deductible is the amount of money you have to pay in the event of an accident. Damages above the deductible are paid by the insurer. Substantial monthly savings are possible by raising the deductible (the more risk you assume following an accident, the less you pay per month), but it is done at risk. You are betting that your teen will not get into an accident. If you have the deductible amount already saved away, this option could be for you.
Buy a Used Car with a Good Safety Record
Expensive high-end cars and high performance "muscle" cars cost more to insure. Buy a car that's a few years old with an excellent safety rating. Make sure that it isn't a popular car for thieves. It should also include anti-lock brakes, stability control, airbags and an anti-theft device. These features help to reduce premium rates.
Talk to Your Independent Insurance Agent
Your insurance agent can tell you more about the above tips and offer more suggestions. The more information the agent knows about your situation, the better he or she can find the right policy for your teen.
How much can you save? Call Insurance Planning Service at (734) 421-9900 for more information on Michigan auto insurance.