David Bell | Jul 08 2021 00:00

Should You Add Your Teenage Driver to Your Car Insurance Policy?

Protecting your teenager by getting them insured when they are old enough to get their driver's license might be tricky. You can decide to either get them a separate auto insurance policy or simply add them to your own policy. Adding your teenage driver to your car insurance policy might seem like the better choice since getting them a separate one can be very costly; however, this choice has both its advantages and disadvantages.

Pros and Cons of Adding Your Teenager to Your Policy

There are several benefits you can enjoy, saving you financially, when you add your teenager to your car insurance policy, and they include:
  • Multi-Policy Savings: Many insurance companies offer discounts for multiple packages, i.e., when you insure multiple drivers and vehicles in one policy, you may get discounts which will save you more money than getting a separate policy.
  • Student Discounts: Discounts may be offered by your insurer depending on your teenager's grade and driving habits. You can also get a student discount when your teenager is away at college.
  • Better Policy Management: A nother benefit of adding your teenager to your car insurance policy is that you'll be able to manage both your coverage and that of your teenager better since they'll all be in the same place.
  Just as there are advantages of adding your teenage driver to your car insurance policy, there are also certain cons.
  • Rates Based on Age: This is one thing, apart from gender, that is often considered in setting your car insurance rates. Since teenagers are more susceptible to being involved in accidents that result in a claim, they have higher insurance rates than adults.
  • High-Value Vehicles: It might be cheaper to add your teenager to your insurance policy, but it isn't so if you drive a luxurious car and your teenager drives a less expensive car.

Is Insurance Necessary for Teenagers?

Since most states require auto insurance for every driver, some might necessitate insurance for your teenager as soon as they get their driver's license. Your teenager can also be covered by your own policy if there's a licensed adult present in your car with them while they're driving. However, just because it might not be a requirement for them to drive with a permit doesn't mean they shouldn't be insured when they have their license. Basically, your teenager should get car insurance once they have their license, and they can be added to your existing policy for as long as they live with you or have the same address, regardless of whether they have their own car or not. For the right auto insurance policy that fits your unique needs, contact Bell Black Insurance today! We serve all insurance needs for those in Idaho Falls, Island Park, Driggs, Victor, Swan Valley, Ashton, and the neighboring communities in Idaho, as well as Jackson and Star Valley in Wyoming.