Should I add my teenager to my policy?
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Daniel Walker
Licensed Auto Insurance Agent
Daniel Walker graduated with a BS in Administrative Management in 2005 and has run his family’s insurance agency, FCI Agency, for over 15 years (BBB A+). He is licensed as an insurance agent to write property and casualty insurance, including home, life, auto, umbrella, and dwelling fire insurance. He’s also been featured on sites like Reviews.com and Safeco. To ensure our content is accura...
Licensed Auto Insurance Agent
UPDATED: Oct 18, 2023
It’s all about you. We want to help you make the right coverage choices.
Advertiser Disclosure: We strive to help you make confident auto insurance decisions. Comparison shopping should be easy. We are not affiliated with any one auto insurance provider and cannot guarantee quotes from any single provider. Our partnerships don’t influence our content. Our opinions are our own. To compare quotes from many different companies please enter your ZIP code on this page to use the free quote tool. The more quotes you compare, the more chances to save.
Editorial Guidelines: We are a free online resource for anyone interested in learning more about auto insurance. Our goal is to be an objective, third-party resource for everything auto insurance related. We update our site regularly, and all content is reviewed by auto insurance experts.
UPDATED: Oct 18, 2023
It’s all about you. We want to help you make the right coverage choices.
Advertiser Disclosure: We strive to help you make confident auto insurance decisions. Comparison shopping should be easy. We are not affiliated with any one auto insurance provider and cannot guarantee quotes from any single provider. Our partnerships don’t influence our content. Our opinions are our own. To compare quotes from many different companies please enter your ZIP code on this page to use the free quote tool. The more quotes you compare, the more chances to save.
On This Page
- The first thing to remember is, even though it’s going to cause your rates to go up, adding a teenage driver to your policy is still going to cost less than getting him a separate policy
- Make sure you check with your insurance carrier to see if they offer any sort of discounts for teen driver safety and student drivers i.e. good grades
- If you do decide to buy your teenager her own car, make sure it’s not one that is on your area’s frequently stolen cars list, one of the factors that affect insurance rates
- Don’t feel bound to stay with your insurance company if they won’t give you a good rate to add your teenager to your policy
It’s finally here. The day you’ve dreaded for 16 years. Your teenager wants to get a driver’s license. Worse, he wants to drive your car.
Actually, he’d prefer it if you bought him his own car. Red. Coupe. Something small and sporty, maybe a convertible or something with T-tops. You know, something the chicks will dig.
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Well, you know what it means. And you know you won’t be able to keep him off the road forever. Sure, you may be able to get him his own car. No, not that one.
The used one that only passes inspection because it came out the year after the Transportation Safety Board started mandating seat belts be standard equipment in every car.The big question is this:
Do you really want to add a teenager to your auto insurance policy?
There’s another day you’ve seen coming for quite a while, but it’s one you were looking forward to. A birthday. Your birthday.
The one that would finally cause your insurance rate to drop because your insurance company decided that at that age, you had finally outgrown your reckless driving days.
What they don’t know about that rental car in Vegas won’t hurt them.
But you barely even got to enjoy that brief respite for your budget before your teenager started making noise about driving.
The thing is, you know very well how age affects auto insurance rates, and that a 16-year-old is considered a high risk, especially if that 16-year-old is male. That’s going to be more money out of your pocket than even before YOUR birthday!
There’s nothing you can do about your kid’s age. He’s going to have to wait for that milestone birthday just like you did. But there are some things you can do to take the sting out of adding a young, high-risk driver to your auto policy:
- The first thing to remember is, even though it’s going to cause your rates to go up, adding a teenage driver to your policy is still going to cost less than getting him a separate policy. Your age and driving experience still come into play in keeping rates low.
- Make sure your kid is doing his best in school. This is a good idea anyway so he can get into a good college, which you’ll also have to pay for. But let’s not even go there. For now, some auto insurance companies offer a discount, some as high as 25 percent, to students who have at least a B average.
- Does your teenager’s high school offer driver’s education? If so, she needs to take the class. If not, you’ll want to take her to a driving school. Many insurance companies offer cheaper auto insurance to students who have taken a formal driving course. It may only be 10 percent, but every little bit helps.
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Safety Features and Teen Drivers
All joking aside if you do decide to buy your teenager her own car, make sure it’s not one that is on your area’s >frequently stolen cars list, one of the factors that affect insurance rates.
Also, try to get a vehicle with as many safety features as possible.
Safety features like air bags and anti-lock brakes usually come with auto insurance discounts, and they’re a good idea for a new driver, anyway.
Don’t feel bound to stay with your insurance company if they won’t give you a good rate to add your teenager to your policy. In most cases, they’ll work with you. They may even offer the same discount you get for bundling insurance policies with them.
But if your insurance company charges outrageous rates for teenage drivers, don’t be afraid to shop around to find a better deal, even if you’ve been with your company for a while. The goal here is to acquire good coverage that is cost effective.
Driving Responsibly and Teen Drivers
Finally, have a good talk with your kid before she gets behind the wheel. Try to impress upon her the serious responsibility that comes with driving a car, and the consequences that can result from reckless behavior, just one of those consequences being higher insurance rates.
Make sure she knows if she causes an increase, she’s the one who will be paying for it. And you both know she’d much rather be saving that money for that little red coupe she has her eye on.
Save Money on Your Auto Insurance
Take advantage of the opportunity to check your insurance rates BEFORE she gets her license.
Enter your ZIP code in on this page to get started comparing free auto insurance rates and see if you can save some money!
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Frequently Asked Questions
Should I add my teenager to my policy?
Adding your teenager to your auto insurance policy is generally necessary when they start driving. However, it can significantly increase your insurance rates, especially for high-risk drivers like teenagers. There are ways to minimize the impact, such as choosing the right car and discussing responsible driving habits with your teenager. Additionally, comparing quotes from different insurance providers may help you find a more cost-effective option.
How does age affect auto insurance rates for teenagers?
Teenagers, especially 16-year-olds, are considered high-risk drivers by insurance companies. This is primarily due to their lack of driving experience and higher likelihood of engaging in risky behaviors on the road. As a result, adding a teenager to your policy can lead to increased premiums.
Are there any discounts available for insuring a teenager?
Some insurance companies offer discounts for safety features in the teenager’s car, such as airbags and anti-lock brakes. Additionally, if you bundle your insurance policies with the same company, you may be eligible for discounts. It’s important to shop around and compare rates to find the best coverage at a cost-effective price.
What can I do to encourage responsible driving for my teenager?
Before your teenager starts driving, have an open and honest conversation with them about the responsibilities and potential consequences of driving. Emphasize the importance of safe driving practices, such as following traffic laws, avoiding distractions, and never driving under the influence. Make it clear that any increase in insurance rates caused by their actions will be their responsibility.
Can I switch insurance companies if mine charges high rates for teenage drivers?
Yes, you have the option to switch insurance companies if your current provider charges exorbitant rates for adding a teenage driver to your policy. It’s advisable to explore other insurance providers and obtain quotes from them. Comparing rates from multiple companies can help you find a better deal and acquire cost-effective coverage.
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Enter your ZIP code below to view companies that have cheap auto insurance rates.
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Daniel Walker
Licensed Auto Insurance Agent
Daniel Walker graduated with a BS in Administrative Management in 2005 and has run his family’s insurance agency, FCI Agency, for over 15 years (BBB A+). He is licensed as an insurance agent to write property and casualty insurance, including home, life, auto, umbrella, and dwelling fire insurance. He’s also been featured on sites like Reviews.com and Safeco. To ensure our content is accura...
Licensed Auto Insurance Agent
Editorial Guidelines: We are a free online resource for anyone interested in learning more about auto insurance. Our goal is to be an objective, third-party resource for everything auto insurance related. We update our site regularly, and all content is reviewed by auto insurance experts.