Saving on Car Insurance as a New or Young Driver

It is true. Being a teenager, under age 25, or a new driver means that insurers will often charge you a higher rate. Of the three groups, teenagers will see the highest, followed by young adults (under age 25), and new drivers (age 25 or older). In other words, as you get older and more experienced, rates typically come down.

However, if you are a teen driver or a parent of one, keep in mind that just turning 25 does not in and of itself lower rates. Most who see their rates decrease at this age have been driving since around age 16. It really takes about ten years of driving experience, especially with continuous insurance coverage, to see rates fall. So, a 25-year-old who just started driving only a couple of years ago will likely not see dramatically lower rates at this age.

Rates continue to change as you get older. Presuming your driving record and experience keeps pace, you should be entitled to some of the best rates by the time you reach your 40s, and especially into your 50s. Those in their 70s, however, start to see the opposite. The likelihood of accidents tends to be higher for older seniors, meaning they are more costly for insurers to cover, and are therefore charged higher rates.

The first way to save is by shopping around and comparing quotes. Keep in mind that many insurance carriers do not specialize in covering teen, young, or new drivers. Cheapest-Auto-Insurance.com has the direct relationships and the technology to really help you save. After answering a few questions, our system will find you the insurance companies looking for and offering the lowest prices to new, young, and teen drivers.

If you need to insure a teen driver, are a young adult (under age 25), or a new driver, here are some more ways to save money on auto insurance:

• Get good grades: Many insurance companies offer a discount to drivers who are in school and earn good grades. To obtain this discount, the student may be asked to have their school fill out a form, or to provide a copy of his or her report card.
• Get on a parent’s policy: Most auto insurance companies offer multi-policy discounts, so it can be cheaper to put your teen driver on your own policy if you are a parent. Similarly, older but new drivers can benefit by being on the policy of their more-experienced partner.
• Drive a safe or inexpensive car: A brand new sports car for your teen driver is going to be incredibly expensive to insure. Driving an inexpensive car, with a good safety record and features (even if it is an older model), can qualify a new or young driver for cheaper car insurance rates.
• Maintain a good driving record: Young and new drivers should be extra careful and avoid getting tickets and accidents. If possible, do not report minor fender benders as legally permitted.
• Get a higher deductible: A deductible is the fixed fee that you pay out-of-pocket when using your insurance. For example, if you file a claim for an accident that had $10,000 in damages and your policy has a $1,000 deductible, you would pay the $1,000 while the insurer would pay the remaining $9,000. Insurance carriers offer various deductible amounts, ranging from $250 to a few thousand dollars, though most common are $500 to $1,500. Insurers will offset their costs by charging you a higher premium if you want a low deductible. If you want a low monthly rate, consider increasing your deductible.
• Take a driver safety class: Many auto insurance carriers will offer a discount if a new or young driver has taken a driver’s education or driver’s safety course. It shows an eagerness to be a good driver, one that can be rewarded.

For those teen drivers who go on their parent’s or those older new drivers who go on their partner’s policy, pay close attention to which vehicle your insurer assigns to them. For instance, some insurance carriers will assign the teen driver of a household to the most expensive car on the multi-vehicle policy. The insurers do this as a precaution, in the event a teen driver decides to leave their sedan at home and instead take, and unfortunately end up being involved in an accident with their parent’s new coupe.

It is typically less expensive to go with a carrier that allows you to assign your teen or a new driver to only the least expensive and safest car on the policy. Just be sure to that such drivers only get behind of the wheel of the vehicle assigned to. Failing to do so can be extremely costly in the event of an accident. Never let a driver in your household get behind the wheel of a car they are excluded from on your policy -- no exceptions.

Just because you are or need to insure an inexperienced driver, does not mean you have to overpay. Cheapest-Auto-Insurance.com will find you the top insurance companies that specialize in covering -- and offering great rates to -- new, young, or teen drivers. To start comparing and saving, enter your zip code and answer a few questions to help our system secure the cheapest rates for your needs!