Save On Insurance For Teen Drivers In California?

Answer 1

Insurance for teenage drivers in California is somewhat expensive to purchase. Younger drivers are automatically placed in a higher risk category than those with more road experience. Adding a teen driver to a parent's policy is more affordable than taking out a separate coverage package. At the same time there is the risk of an accident that results in an increase in the policy carried by the parent. Those with an existing policy who are adding a teenage driver should first consult with their current provider to see what the rate increase will be.

Insurance Requirements For Teenage Drivers

California law mandates liability insurance for all drivers. The minimum coverage amounts are the same for a teenage driver as for an adult. Rates will be less expensive if the teen will be driving the same vehicle as the parent. If the car has a full insurance package that includes liability, collision and comprehensive coverage, uninsured motorist protection and personal injury protection, adding a teen driver will not increase rates significantly. If the parents have a clean driving record and the car has advanced safety features the cost increase for adding a teen driver will be minimal.

If collision insurance is required on a vehicle driven by a teenager the price may increase slightly because teenagers are more likely to cause an accident. Comprehensive insurance rates should not be affected to any great degree. If a teenager owns a car the insurance rates will be much higher. Some parents choose to buy insurance themselves for their teen's car or put the car in their name.

Defensive Driving Course Lowers Rates For Teens

Teenage drivers will cost less to insure in California if they complete an approved defensive driving course. Certain courses are approved by the state government and insurance providers will often give a small discount to parents who include the teen on the current policy. These courses are offered in schools as well as online. The cost for the course is far less than the price of a single month of insurance coverage.

Insuring More Than One Teenager

Most insurance providers will cover two or more teen drivers at a discounted rate. This is especially true if they have already been covered as a student driver. Each teenager will cost less to insure and in most cases the collision insurance rates will increase only for the first teen added to the policy.

Shopping online for insurance that covers the addition of teenage drivers is always a good idea. The current insurance provider will of course want to cover the additional drivers but may not be offering the best rates.