One of the big days in a teenager’s life is the day they get their driver’s license. But with that passport to adulthood comes tremendous responsibilities. Every newly licensed driver?in fact, anyone seeking to become a licensed driver?must arrange for adequate auto insurance coverage.
Auto coverage for teenagers is very expensive. Teens are considered high-risk drivers because they are less experienced and have more accidents. You should not let that stop you from earning your diver’s license, however. With a little planning, teens who drive can find ways to save money on their auto insurance premiums.
The first thing a teen driver needs to do is to get several quotes. These quotes should come from licensed insurance providers. Different companies define teenage risk in different ways, which means one company may charge you a lot while another company may only charge you a little. There is a lot of competition in the insurance trade, and an insurer who knows you are talking to a competitor, might, just might, be willing and able to offer you a lower premium. But you have to ask, and you have to be willing to negotiate. Fortunately, the Internet makes doing insurance research and shopping for premiums a lot easier than it used to be.
Also, if you have not already done so, look into taking basic driver ed or defensive driving. Passing these courses shows insurance companies that you are serious about safe driving, and allows them to lower you risk level when assessing your driving record for computing your insurance premium. Talk to a licensed agent about what courses are available that qualify you for an insurance discount.
Check with your insurance provider to see if they offer discounts for good students or belonging to a club or organization. Also, see if they will extend to you a discount if your parents belong to an eligible club or organization. Ask the insurance provider what other discounts are available to you. And here is where the internet comes in handy again. Do research to see if there are any discounts that you qualify for and are not aware of.
Another way to get a great discount on your car insurance is bundling. If you parents have home or life coverage, sometimes their insurance providers will bundle all your policies and offer a discount. Sometimes this discount can be really substantial. And check whether the insurance company offers discounts to household that have multiple drivers or own multiple cars. This is another terrific way to lower your car insurance costs.
If you are a newly licensed teen driver or will earn your driver?s license soon, contact a qualified insurance provider. They can answer whatever questions you may have about car insurance, examine your specific situation closely and make insurance recommendations so that you are properly insured and protected behind the wheel. It will take some time, effort and research, but you could end up saving a lot of money on your insurance premiums, which makes the investment worth it.
Tom Martens is the content syndication coordinator for Carinsurancesa.co.za. South Arica?s leading car insurance portal.
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