How to Get Cheap Car Insurance for Teenagers

As your teenagers reach the age where it is time for to start driving, it can be quite an anxious time for parents. It's hard enough just trying to let go, and realize that your little one is moving so rapidly toward adulthood, but finding a reasonable car insurance rate for your new teen driver can be a real, honest to goodness nightmare.

There really is no such thing as cheap car insurance for teenagers. There is outrageously expensive car insurance, and not quite so unbearably expensive car insurance. The best you can ever really hope for is to find the lowest rate available. Some of the factors that influence the rate on your teen's policy are the driving record of your teen, and the type of car he or she will be driving. It's also likely that you will need to pay a higher deductible. In order to get the best rate possible on your auto insurance policy, here are a few tips that you can follow.

Drive safely. Your teen needs to keep a clean driving record. Teens aren't nearly as experienced at driving, and are much more accident prone, so your teen should always be alert, and observe the posted speed limits, as well as practicing defensive driving. Every step must be taken to avoid the liklihood of an accident.

It's important for you to really emphasize that the rules of the road must be followed at all times. When you're not there, your teenager isn't going to be thinking of your insurance premium. You can bet that your teen is bouncing to the blaring stereo, and giggling with friends. You can bet, however that there is only one way to get a decent rate on car insurance for your teen and that is for your teenager to have a clean driving record. Without a clean record, your insurance premium will go through the roof.

Drive an inexpensive and reliable car. The type of car that your teen will be driving can go a long way toward reducing your rate. Car insurance companies factor the value of the car, as well as other risk factors into assessing the premium. A less expensive car will cost less to fix or replace is anything does happen, so it will cost less to insure. Some cars are also considered higher risks. I don't know about you, but whenever I see a teenager driving a sprts car, I get a little scared, and so do the insurance companies. The key here should be functionality, not status. A safe, reliable sedan should be much easier on the monthly premium than something expensive or racy.

Raise your deductible. By paying a higher deductible, you reduce the liability of the insurance company by taking on more of the burden yourself. As a result, you will be able to keep your premiums lower, even though with a teen driver, you will most certainly be looked upon as a higher risk customer than you were before insuring your teen. You will most likely have to pay small time accidents and fender benders out of pocket, but I am all for that method anyway. It's how my father kept me on the straight and narrow, and it will work for this generation as well.

Look for other discounts. Many companies offer good student discounts for students that maintain a B average or better. There are also discounts for those who have taken drivers education courses. This goes right on back to the beginning, your teen needs to have a clean driving record to allow you to get a good rate on car insurance.

You can find great information on car insurance for young drivers and more at my Car Insurance Blog.