Insurance experts are stepping up efforts to remind young American motorists of their insurance policies, especially with the next school year about to start. Statistically speaking, inexperienced and young drivers are more likely to figure in accidents. Because of this, insurers often charge college students and motorists under the age of 25 higher insurance premiums.
Despite this fact, auto insurance analysts say that college freshmen can actually find cheaper insurance using several methods. By simply sticking to these suggestions, they point out, younger drivers can slash hundreds of dollars off their insurance premiums.
Parents also have to do their part by teaching their college-bound children the importance of driving safely and maintaining clean driving records. Most drivers whose driving records are tainted at an early age would often suffer from expensive premiums for several years. Traffic citations and moving violations remain on a motorist’s record for several years. Because insurance providers place special importance on their policyholders’ driving records, any grave violations can automatically mean costly insurance.
To further drive the point home, parents can also require their college students to pay for a portion of the insurance costs. This can give them an idea of how it is to shell out hard earned money for insurance. Experts say that the best way for young drivers to understand the value of responsible driving, parents need to guide them while they are still learning how to drive. Parents should also be present in the car during the first few months to give their children useful advice on how to be responsible drivers.
College students should also avoid flashy and expensive cars because they generally cost more to insure. A luxury vehicle can be more costly to insure because they can require special repair services and their replacement parts can be prohibitive. This means that any damage to the car can mean thousands of dollars in expenses of the insurers. To make up for this, insurance companies would pass on the costs to their policyholders in the form of higher insurance rates.
Also, college freshmen can hone their driving skills by enrolling in defensive driving programs. Most insurers have accredited driving schools where policyholders can enroll in. Insurers consider young motorists who take part in these classes as responsible drivers, resulting in lower premiums. Students who perform well in college can also qualify for cheaper insurance using “good student” discounts. Basically, insurers consider academic achievers as responsible drivers.
