Hello! My dad recently bought me a used Honda Civic. I am still a freshman in college and was wondering how I can reduce the high cost of auto insurance since I’ll be the one paying for it.

Richard

Miami , FL

Cheap car insurance for young drivers is still possible to find these days. The first step is to go to an online car insurance comparison website. Fill up the form with your personal and vehicle information and once you done that, submit it and a list of car insurance company will show you their on going rate. Just take note of the most inexpensive rate because it still doesn’t end there. The insurance quote you got is just an idea on how low your insurance rate can be. You can still lower that quote by doing the following:

• Save money on a savings account so you can increase your deductible. A higher deductible means lower insurance premiums and you’ll be confident in an event of an accident because you know you can cover the high deductible amount that you choose.
• If you learn how to drive from a relative or a friend, learn and get a defensive driving certificate to lower your premiums.
• Cheap car insurance for young drivers means sticking to a low profile car. Don’t think you can have a fast and powerful car and at the same time asking for a cheap car insurance.
• If you still live with your parents, register the vehicle under their name and get a discount for being in their insurance policy.

Cheap car insurance for young drivers is achievable but you need to allocate your time and you should be ready to work for it.

I am going to get my driver’s license here in Wisconsin very soon. I know I will be added to my dad’s policy since I am a licensed driver now. Is there any way I can soften the blow to the auto insurance premiums he’s going to be paying?

Harold

Milwaukee, WI

You are right. Your inclusion in your dad’s auto insurance policy will raise his auto insurance premium. When a teenager is added to somebody’s auto insurance policy, and I assume that’s what you are, that somebody’s risk factor is affected negatively. Teenagers are statistically known to be reckless and inexperienced–not a very good combination. Your willingness to minimize the effect of your inclusion to your dad’s auto insurance, however, is commendable and a good sign.

There may be some things a teenager can do to minimize this negative impact on your father’s auto insurance premium rate. Of course, you’ll have to check this with your father’s auto insurance company in Wisconsin. You may enroll in a driving school that is acknowledged by your dad’s auto insurance company. Usually, auto insurance companies extend discounts to those drivers with defensive driving backgrounds. Having good grades at school can also help your dad. I’m not talking about your dad’s peace of mind about your academic performance, but auto insurance recognizes the link between diligent students and good driving habits. They believe that students who do well in school, those maintaining a B average or higher, will be very responsible on the road.

Although adding you to your dad’s insurance will raise the auto insurance premium, it is usually cheaper than having your own auto insurance coverage. And you can tell your dad that.

My name is Errol and I’m from Anaheim, CA. My dad has a Mustang (baby!) but he uses his hybrid to and from work. I am going to get my license three months from now, and I plan to use that mustang (baby!) every chance I get. Is my dad going to pay more if he adds me to his insurance policy? Can you help me get a lower rate quote or at least tell me where to go to get the cheapest insurance I can possibly get for this car…and my age.

Errol

Anaheim, CA

Errol, Errol, Errol, according to statistics, and insurance companies believe in them with uncommon fierceness, teenagers are a reckless lot. They were the ones who coined the phrase “pedal to the metal,” and they are not known to be experienced drivers. Your dad will pay more because of these statistical data. He will pay more because the risk factor just got colorful. I assume that you are already driving the Mustang (Baby!) every once in a while but with a “chaperone.” When you get your license three months from now, the cost of insurance will increase even more (not to mention your dad’s blood pressure) because you will then be able to drive the mustang (baby!) by yourself most of the time. teenage drivers, premium will increase; teenager with a license, more increase. Again, this is about the colorful risk factor and statistics that I told you about. As disheartening as it sounds, the price will not be as high as getting your own policy.

All in all, your dad’s insurance will increase but it will not be as expensive as getting you your teen car insurance. Drive around Anaheim and enjoy your Mustang (baby!) but please don’t make your dad get a drunk driver insurance.

I recently got my learner’s permit in Bethlehem Pennsylvania PA but I can never use the car without my father on my wheels! It’s so uncool! How can I shake my father off?

Jeff

Bethlehem PA

Jeff, let me explain where I am coming from: I am also a father. And I can tell you that there are many reasons why your father wants to be beside you when you drive the car. Of course, the very first obvious reason is your safety. Since you have just earned your learner’s permit, it is presumed that you are not yet as experienced on the road as your father and naturally he doesn’t want anything bad to happen to you. Second is that a learner’s permit has some restrictions, one of which is that you should only drive when you have an authorized driver beside you.

The next reason has got something to do with auto insurance. You see, insurance companies in Bethlehem Pennsylvania PA require that you declare any significant changes in your life that may affect your auto insurance policy. One of this will be authorized drivers of the vehicle. If it so happened that you got into an accident while you are driving it on your own with your learner’s permit, not only will your license be revoked, but also, your father will not be able to claim anything from his auto insurance company.

Many insurance companies in Bethlehem Pennsylvania PA require that your father (authorized driver) be with you all the time when you drive the insured car. So you see for now, you have to enjoy your father’s company while you drive the car. I am sure that your father will include you as an authorized driver once you get your proper driver’s license, in which case you can now drive the car on your own. This would entail costs, however and you might want to help your dad hasten the process by getting online quotes from sites like these. You see that little space on this page, Jeff? That’s where you enter your zip code to get free quotes. Just answer the questions and make sure to add yourself as a driver to get relevant quotes. I wish you a wonderful first-time driving experience, Jeff!