Your car insurance options as a parent depend on the relationship you have with your son or daughter, and the type of car you want insured. Watching your son or daughter grow up into a fine young driver is a bittersweet experience. It’s a thrill to watch a baby grow into a responsible person who has respect for the laws of society.
On the other hand, it’s probably hard for you as a parent to let your child go, driving off to wherever he/she pleases. Let’s review some of the basics of parent car insurance for teens and twenty-year-olds.
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Is There an Age Limit?
First, understand that there really is no age limit for a son or daughter who is driving under a parent’s policy. As long as your child is driving your insured car (the car in your family name) and is included as a covered driver in the policy, he or she is legally insured. The only two exceptions to this rule are (1) if the young driver leaves the house, or (2) if the young driver buys a car of his/her own.
Some insurance companies will no longer wish to accept the young driver on the original policy, in case there is confusion as to which car is involved in an incident. Additionally, grown children may still legally drive a parent-insured car so as long as they don’t personally own the car. Some insurance companies may even allow a young driver who lives outside of the family house, but still drives the family car, coverage under the same policy. However, this situation usually changes if the young driver buys his own car.
Are There Exceptions to the Rule?
The fact that there is no age limit for this type of family discount insurance (even beyond the teen years) should be of comfort to families who are struggling financially. Are there any exceptions to the standard rule? Yes, there can be, and it will depend on your local insurance provider. For example, some companies may allow a child who lives away from home to drive the family car, even if he lives at home on a part-time basis. He can still be considered a secondary driver, provided he lives in the same general area as the parents do.
Some insurance companies may also require that a child be enrolled in some sort of educational institution in order to accept exceptions to the rule. Even if your child attends school out of state, many providers will extend a distant student policy. If this situation it is critical to talk with an agent to make certain liability limits are met in both locations.
The best reason to look into parent insurance options for your grown children is to save money. Teenage drivers must pay very high premiums due to their age, and all the more so, if they drive a new and expensive model car. With maturity, so statistics suggest, comes safer driving and better defensive driving. Indeed, a person who is forty years of age with decades of experience in operating a motor vehicle will probably react differently than a sixteen-year-old driver who is on top of the world.
Discounts on Teen Driving Insurance
If your family is struggling with finances, then consider asking about a family insurance policy that includes your son or daughter. Ask for discounts. Instead of letting your child buy his own car right away, convince him to stay on a family policy until he gains a few years of solid experience. By saving him money on insurance and on an expensive sports car, you will actually free up more of his finances!
Try to test your teen’s knowledge of driving. Go with him (or her) on the road and observe the manner of driving. Recommend tips so that the young driver learns safe procedures and takes a defensive stance behind the wheel. Explain the importance of not taking phone calls while driving, nor drinking alcohol or doing anything that compromising vehicle safety. You can also get a discount if your teen takes a driving class.
Take your driving responsibilities seriously as a parent and head of the household. If you maintain a good driving record, with few or no accidents or speeding tickets, your low risk profile may be “passed on” to your son or daughter in terms of premium rates.
You must research each company individually if you hope to take advantage of family discounts. Not all companies are negotiable, but in this age of financial uncertainty, rest assured that many are at least willing to talk.
Start searching right now by using our car insurance comparison tool online—compare and save!
