Beating the High Cost of Car Insurance for Young Drivers

2007-03-08 10:33:40

( Automobiles )



Plight of Being a Youthful Driver

Society often perceives the youth as assets in terms of aesthetic standards, but also as liabilities when it comes to life skills.

In particular, young drivers are generally assumed to lack sufficient experience in most driving skills, such as accident prevention, troubleshooting, or compliance with driving regulations. Even worse, young drivers are also presumed to be immature and irresponsible when dealing with the daily risks and rigors of driving.

These perceptions are not unfounded, as most accident statistics have been attributed to youthful drivers. Consequently, almost all car insurers charge hefty premium and rigid conditions when it comes to car insurance for young drivers.
Tips for Better Premiums

You can bring down the cost to a slightly lower level by opting for a higher voluntary excess or copayment. Although this may result in paying larger amounts in the event of a claim, you can try to ride on the hope that you will not need to file claims for at least a year. You can enjoy discounts if you have at least a year of No Claims. You need patience to shop for car insurance for young drivers. There are insurers who actually offer good packages for this age group, so you might want to check if you can qualify.

A good way to lower the premium is to take a Pass Plus course which trains you in driving under unusual circumstances such as motorways, dark streets or poor weather conditions. Then take and pass the test, which will result in a lower premium.

The type of car you insure also matters, since motorcycles and flashy sports cars are perceived as unsafe. Go for an older car with reliable safety features including anti-theft devices. Avoid the temptation to modify the car as this will raise your premium. Or if your car has a low resale value, get only a third-party liability type of insurance cover. Another helpful hint is to keep the car well-maintained to avoid the likelihood of malfunctions which may lead to road breakdowns and mishaps.

If you are the parent of a young driver, don't try to cover up for him by naming yourself as the driver of the vehicle just to get a lower premium. If the insurer finds out about your deception, your coverage could be cancelled. Sooner or later, your teen would have to build up his own No Claims period anyway, so it's best to get started now.

Talk to your teenager about safe and responsible driving habits, and remind him about the No Claims period which will eventually liberate him from the high cost of car insurance for young people.

You do have to realize that premiums of auto insurance for teens will always be higher than that of an average adult driver. Be encouraged by the fact that it is only a temporary situation and, like age, will pass sooner than you think.


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