A recent Nationwide Insurance poll found that parents struggle to afford gas and increased auto insurance premiums. That could be forcing their teens to delay getting their driver’s licenses. The study, which took place in Texas, surveyed 326 parents of 15- to 19-year-olds.
The costs of teenage driving
It’s no secret that the younger drivers are, the less likely they are to find cheap auto insurance coverage. According to Nationwide’s study, adding a teenager to an auto insurance policy in Texas will increase a parent’s policy by an average of $1,100 yearly. The costs do not end there, however. Gas prices, inflation, and insurance combined mean most parents will pay more than $4,000 yearly to allow a teen to drive.
According to Nationwide’s study, the high cost of teen driving has decreased policies that include teen drivers. Such policies made up 5.8 percent of its policies in 2008 but dropped to 5.4 percent in 2011. About 60 percent of parents said they had to make financial cutbacks to afford the costs of letting their teens drive.
Teens and risk
Why is auto insurance for teens so expensive? Insurance costs are based on risk, and studies have shown that younger drivers are involved in more accidents and receive more moving violations than older, more experienced drivers. According to the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS), the crash rate for drivers between 16 and 19 years old is five times that of drivers older than 20. Death rates for teen drivers also are higher. IIHS reports that 35 percent of all deaths among 16- to 19-year-olds resulted from auto accidents.
Vehicle damage is significantly higher among teen drivers as well. A 2007 study from IIHS’ Highway Loss Data Institute found that collision losses for cars driving by teens were more than twice those of vehicles driven by adults.
Saving on insurance for teens
A few tips for saving on car insurance for your teen include:
Encouraging good grades: Many companies offer good student discounts for students with a B average or higher. Allstate, for example, offers up to 20 percent off for students under 25 who maintain good academic records. The rationale behind this is that students with better grades tend to be more responsible in all areas of life — including on the road.
Signing your teen up for driver’s education classes: An approved course will help show that your teen is a responsible driver worthy of a premium discount, according to the Insurance Information Institute.
Shopping around: Shop around for insurance quotes, as premiums can differ dramatically from company to company. It might not be easy to get car insurance first month free no deposit for teens, but at least a reasonable price for the right coverage for their needs.
