TEEN CAR INSURANCE

Due to lack of driving experience and risk-taking behaviors, young drivers’ car insurance premiums are among the highest insurance rates. Teenagers are also the most likely to be involved in accidents, with 16-year-old drivers over 2.5 times more likely to be in a crash than 20- to 24-year-old. Racking up tickets or accidents can quickly drive up your teen’s insurance costs with higher rates, classifying them in a high risk auto insurance group.
Your teen driver can lower his car insurance rate by:

• Maintaining good grades for a Good Student discount
• Completing a driver’s education course
• Paying a higher deductible
• Driving a sensible vehicle (a sedan vs. a sports car)

Steps you can take to lower your teen driver’s car insurance rate:

• Ask about multiple vehicle auto insurance discounts
• Check into multiple policy insurance discounts if you have the same home and auto carrier
• Ask if you can include your teen driver on your policy as an “occasional” or “pleasure-use only” driver

Graduated Driver Licensing (GDL)To lower the teen drivers’ death rate, all states have enacted Graduated Driver Licensing (GDL) laws that phase-in driving privileges upon successful completion of specific Graduated Driver Licensing program requirements. GDL programs allow teen drivers to safely gain driving capability before earning full driving privileges. A complete chart of requirements for all states can be found here.
In California, persons under age 18 must be accompanied by a parent/guardian or other person specified by law when:

• Driving between the hours of 11:00 PM and 5:00 AM for the first twelve months
• Transporting passengers under 20 years of age, at any time for the first twelve months.

How to apply for a provisional permitTo apply for a provisional permit, you must be at least 15 ½, but under 18 years of age.
Here are what you need to apply for the permit:
Driver Education and Driver Training Form RequirementsIf you are 15 ½ to 17 ½ years of age, you must provide a:

• Certificate of Completion of Driver Education OR
• Certificate of Completion of Driver Education and Driver Training OR
• Certificate of Enrollment In An Integrated (Classroom) Driver Education And Driver Training Program.

If you are over 17 ½ but under 18 years of age, you may get your permit without the driver education and driver training certificates however, you will not be able to take the driving test until you turn 18.
A parent, guardian, spouse or adult 25 years of age or older, who has a valid California driver license, must be with you when you drive. He or she must sit in a position close enough to take control of the vehicle, if necessary. It is illegal for you to drive alone at any time.
Before being eligible to take your driving test you must:

• Be 16 years old AND
• Have held your permit for a minimum of six months AND
• Have completed driver education AND
• Have completed 6 hours of professional driver training AND
• Have completed 50 hours of practice with an adult 25 years or older. The adult must have a valid California driver license and certify to the 50 hours of practice. At least 10 of the 50 hours must have been done at night

Do I need to add my teen driver with a learners permit to my insurance policy?That depends on your state’s insurance requirements, but in most cases, your policy will cover your teen driver until he or she is licensed.
While many states don’t require liability insurance coverage for teens who have a learners permit, all states, with the exception of New Hampshire, require various types of auto insurance coverage for licensed drivers—and it’s a good idea to adequately protect yourself with full coverage insurance.

Contact us today for a free car insurance quote, we'll show you all your options and how you can save.