Hi. We just got a new car here in Austin, Texas. My son has been pressuring us to let him drive. But we’re having second thoughts about it because when we asked for a quote from our auto insurance company, the rates were just too high. Would you know how I can save on teen driver insurance in the Austin area?

Rush

Austin, TX

Hi Rush. Sadly, getting a teen driver insurance or adding a teen driver to your policy will cost you more than you would expect. The good news is, there are several ways of bringing this rate down for you. So read on. First of all, the best way to get the best rate is to compare between several automotive insurance providers in Austin. Of course, I wouldn’t want you to waste your time going to different offices or making several phone calls. The easiest way to do this is to go online and look for those nifty new websites that give free car insurance quotes. If you have two or more cars, check which car they list your teenage driver under.

There are some companies that will include your teen driver on the policy for your most expensive car, thus giving you a higher premium than if they listed the teen with the cheaper vehicle. If you do this, make sure you don’t let your teen drive the more expensive one. Another way would be to have your teen take some Driver’s Education classes.

Some companies offer a discount to teens who read up on their offered courses. Another way could be to volunteer to pay for a higher deductible. This would cost you if your child ever does get into an accident but would save you on your premiums.

I am only 14 years old and I would like to know if I can have a relative teach me how to drive in Canton, Ohio?

Ethan

Canton, OH

No, you cannot begin driving at the age of 14 in Canton Ohio. According to the Ohio law that the minimum age to begin driving legally is when you are fifteen years and six months year of age. In Ohio you can get a temporary permit if you are at least 15 years and 6 months of age so at the age of 14 you would be too young to get your temporary permit and be able to operate a car legally with a supervising adult driver.

So while you may want to begin to learn to operate a vehicle at the early age of fourteen doing so could get yourself and the owner of the vehicle you are driving cited by law enforcement officer and severe penalties. When you are old enough to operate a vehicle and have your permit or license then your parents will need to notify their insurance provider to be certain that you are properly covered by their car insurance policy

How much will auto insurance go up if a teenager, 17 years old gets an MIP in Michigan?

Bill

Dearborn, MI

If you are a 17 year old that is cited for being a Minor in Possession (MIP) in Michigan it will likely your increase your car insurance rates. How much the auto insurance rate will go up depends on the factors your insurance provider uses. Auto insurance for drivers under the age of 25 or teenagers are already consider inexperience and therefore a higher risk. With a MIP offense the risk factor is likely to go up.

There is no specific insurance rate increase that can be generalized or stated for all insurance carriers. Each insurance carrier is required to file their car insurance rates and rules with your state regulatory body. So the best way to determine how much your auto insurance rates may rise is to talk to someone at your insurance carrier or contact the insurance regulator of your state to see what rates are filed with them for your insurance provider.

Can I insure my teen daughter on my car insurance policy if she does not live with me? She has her own house. We live in Maryland.

Calvin

Columbia, MD

The answer to that question depends on whether you want to insure your teen daughter to drive your vehicle or insure her vehicle on your insurance policy policy in Maryland. You can easily insure her as a driver on your car insurance policy by contacting your insurance carrier to find out their procedure and if there would be any additional premium due. If you want to insure her vehicle on your policy you will need to check with your insurance provider as some of them will not insure cars from more than one household on a single car insurance policy. This might not apply if she is a student and keeping her vehicle away at school.

Im 19 years old and I need an sr22 insurance certificate. If my parents has full coverage, do I still need it?

Paul

Thank you for asking Paul.

A Sr-22 is a proof that you have a certain type of insurance. It is a certificate that an insurance provider files with the state. This is a a certificate that shows proof to the Department of Motor Vehicles, stating that the individual is meeting the states requirement for auto liability insurance. In addition to that, sr22 certifies that a motorist has the ability to pay future claims up to the state required limit.

It looks like the state in which you are residing is requiring you to acquire a SR-22 due to a traffic offense, accident or failure to show proof of insurance previously. The reasons may vary from state to state

Even with your parent’s having full coverage, which typically means state minimum required liability, if the state requires you to obtain the SR-22 to reinstate your license or for any reason, you will need to do so in order to have driving privileges.

Goodluck!

MariCAR

Am I automatically required to carry an sr22 when I get convicted of DUI? The court never mentioned about me getting an sr22. Im 16 years old and Im planning to purchase a car. Thank you.

Karen

Thank you for asking Karen.

An sr-22 is a form which must be filed by the insurance provider stating that car liability insurance is in effect for a particular individual. It is required when auto insurance is provided to an individual who was in an accident or was convicted of a moving violation and was unable to show proof of financial responsibility at that time. In this case, you will need to show financial responsibility at the time you received your dui. If you fail to show any proof of financial responsibility, your state will probably require you to carry an sr-22 and its insurance. To verify if you will need this coverage, you will need to contact your state’s Department of Motor Vehicles.

Goodluck!

MariCAR