In most countries, drivers as young as 16 years old are able to get licenses and drive a car. But things are not so easy when in comes to purchasing car insurance for a teenager. It has always been difficult to insure young drivers. They have little experience behind the wheel and are risky and reckless on the road. They are more likely to be rattled while driving and tend to make rash decisions.
Teenagers also have a tendency to drive faster than mature drivers. Also because of the young lifestyle, teens are likelier to drive at night which increases the risk of accidents due to low visibility. Statistics show that drivers under the age of 20 are more likely to be involved in traffic incidents than mature drivers. Young drivers that live in the city have the highest risk of getting into traffic accidents and are therefore the ones that get the most expensive insurance policy.
Drivers under the age of 20 could usually a guardian or a parent. But in recent years, insurance companies have prohibited this action. It is now considered as insurance fronting or illegally using insurance of another person. Because of this, teenagers have no choice but to purchase their own insurance and parents are now looking to spend more on their children’s insurance because of their age and inexperience.
There are a few things you can do to reduce the insurance rating of a young driver. Make sure your driver has a clean record on his license and a clean record on anything that may reflect on him as irresponsible and reckless. Insurance companies look at every driver’s record and having high grades and no criminal record can lessen your insurance rates. It can also help to take certified driving lessons from an advanced and certified driving teacher.
Take any course you think can look good on your record as well as help with your driving skills. Having that under your record can lessen you insurance rating by 15 percent. It also helps to have a car that is equipped with safety features such as seatbelts and airbags. Having crash bumpers and crumple body cars can also reduce costs in insurance. Insurance companies also look at your car’s make and model. The bigger the engine, the higher the insurance costs, especially if it is owned by a young driver. Having a young driver behind the wheel of a car with a fast sports car can scare insurance carriers and increase insurance rates.
