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Insurance for Teenage Drivers
Teen drivers have the highest crash risk of any age group. Per mile traveled, they have the highest involvement rates in crashes from those involving only property damage to those that are fatal. The problem is worst among 16-year-olds who have the most limited driving experience and an immaturity that often results in unnecessary risk taking behind the wheel.
For a 16-year old driver, having more than three passengers in the car increases the risk of a fatal accident by 182%. Driving distractions, such as interaction with passengers, are responsible for an estimated 30% of all traffic accidents, according to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.
On average, 14% of traffic-related deaths occur when a teen driver is at the wheel. Auto accidents continue to be the number one cause of death among teenagers. With a 45% death rate, passengers are at greater risk than drivers. Teenagers have higher crash rates than any other age group except the very oldest, those over 85.
Tips for Parents of Teenage Drivers
As the parent of a teen driver, you don't need to be reminded of the expense and safety concerns of putting a new driver on the road. Here are some tips to help keep your teen safe:
1. Invest in extra hours of "active" drivers training, giving your teen more training time behind the wheel.
2. Give your teen as much driving experience, with you as a passenger, as possible.
3. Give your teen tips about road hazards as you drive, but don't yell, rant or nag. There is a clear difference between helpful instruction and "backseat driving".
4. Do not overreact while on the road with your teen driver. Emotionally charged conversation compromises driving performance, so if the driver makes errors that need to be discussed, talk about them when you arrive at home.
5. Choose a safe car for your teen.
6. Set rules about the number of companions your teen driver may have in the car.
7. Require your teen to share in the costs of driving, such as insurance and gas.
8. Insist on using safety belts. Safety belts save thousands of lives every year and help reduce the risk of air bag related injuries.
9. Require your teen to turn their cell phones off while driving in the car. Cell phones are great for an emergency, however they are one of the most dangerous distractions for teenage drivers today.
Reducing your Insurance Premiums with Teenage Drivers
There are a number of ways you can lower your insurance premiums by taking steps to prevent loss.
Good Student Discounts: Insurance companies have found that, in general, good students are more responsible drivers. Because they have fewer tickets and accidents, students with a GPA of 3.0 or better can receive a discount. This discount can be as much as 35%; it varies depending on the age of the driver.
For the first few years that your teen is licensed, it is best for your the teen to be a part-time driver of one of your vehicles. This is only possible if there are fewer vehicles than there are drivers in your household. Hold off on getting a car for your teen until he has a couple of years driving experience as a part-time driver.
One of the easiest ways to keep your insurance rates low is by avoiding speeding tickets and traffic violations. On some policies, multiple speeding tickets can raise your premium as much as 20%. One accident or other traffic violation can raise your rates an average of 35-45%; two can raise them 90-100%!
Give us a call at Schultheis Agency, Inc. (260)480-0208 and we would be glad to quote your family's auto and home insurance coverages.
Schultheis Agency, Inc.
Papermill Office Park
1610 St Joe Center Road Suite 11
Fort Wayne, IN 46825
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