If your teenager has just passed their driver's test, you may dread the thought of having to put them on your car insurance. Because of their lack of experience and age, you may believe that your premiums will automatically skyrocket. However, there are a couple of things you may be able to do to lower the premiums that you need to pay when you add your new teenage driver to your insurance policy.
1. Enroll Your Teen in a Driving Course Approved by the Insurance Company
One reason why insurance companies tend to charge more for new drivers is that teenagers lack experience behind the wheel. This, in turn, makes them more vulnerable to accidents because they may not know how to react in certain situations.
One thing you may be able to do to counter this issue is to enroll your teenager in a driver safety course. These courses help to introduce drivers to potentially hazardous conditions and circumstances while teaching them how to react in the safest way possible.
Before you fill out the enrollment papers, however, make sure that you talk with your agent. The insurance company may have a list of driving courses that they accept in exchange for a discount on your teenager's premium. They can also inform you of any paperwork that you may need from the course instructor once your child passes.
2. Encourage Your Child to Keep Their Grades Up in School
Another possible way to help decrease the amount you have to pay for your teenager's premium is to encourage them to keep their grades up in school. While good grades are not necessarily a measure of intelligence, they can show that your child is committed and responsible enough to make the effort. This, in turn, improves the view of your child as a responsible driver.
When you contact your insurance company, ask them if they offer discounts that reward good grades. Inquire what minimum grades are required for the discount as well as how many report cards you need to provide as proof.
Depending on the company, ensuring your teenager makes good grades and enrolling them in a safe driver course could help to save you money on your premiums. Contact an auto insurance agent near you to inquire about other programs and options that could help to lower the amount of money you have to pay on your premiums when adding your new teenage driver.
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