Auto insurance policies can be complicated. With hundreds of terms and conditions to follow, so many laws that are specific to your state, and the ever-changing pricing based on dozens of complex factors, choosing the right auto insurance is not a child’s play. But when it comes to choosing your child’s first car insurance, things get even more difficult. The stress that mounts on you already of giving your child a car to drive added to the stress of choosing the right policy can make things difficult.
But no matter how stressful things get, you need to make sure that you get the right auto insurance policy for your kid. The roads are not a safe place, and auto insurance is a way of ensuring the safety of both the vehicle and the driver. So here are some of the best tips to follow while choosing the right car insurance policy for your child.
Get a Better Coverage at Better Price
Auto insurance policies are not cheap, and that’s not a shocker. But here’s a shocker; it’s not that difficult to get a great car insurance policy at affordable rates. All you have to do is refine your search and look at the right places.
Getting car insurance for teens is much more expensive because the insurance companies know these hormone-fueled daredevils aren’t the ones who would take traffic rules and speed limits that seriously. Most road accidents involve teens and younger people. This is why auto insurance for teens and younger people are very expensive.
But if you compare different auto insurance policies, get special discounts (such as good student discounts or something similar), and do an online state-specific search, you could find some great affordable rates. For example, if you live in Texas, search for low-cost car insurance in Texas but with great coverage. Why great coverage? Let’s segue to the next tip.
Get Proper Coverage
Just looking for cheap coverage isn’t going to cut it. Since you are getting an auto insurance policy (that involves the financial, legal, and health safety of your child), you must get insurance coverage with more than enough coverage limit and with all the necessary coverage.
Firstly, the limit should not be barely enough to meet the state’s minimum coverage limit. It is rarely enough to cover the costs of an accident. It is recommended that you get car insurance coverage for your child with a minimum coverage limit twice that of what’s mandated by the state, especially liability coverage.
The same goes for collision coverage. But if you want to save some money and the care your child’s going to be driving is old (over 10 years old), then you can skip collision and comprehensive coverage. You are better off fixing the car than paying regular premiums and deductibles in case of an accident.
Do Not Skip Personal Injury Protection and Uninsured Motorist Coverage
If you live in any of the 12 “No-Fault” states, then getting personal injury protection coverage will be mandatory. But if you do not live in any other state, getting PIP coverage would be smart and logical.
Personal injury protection coverage pays for the medical treatments required due to an accident. So no matter whose fault the accident is, it is better to be safe knowing that your child can get medical treatments without any compromise. Even if the other driver at fault has liability coverage, your child’s injury protection can kick in if the other driver’s policy coverage limit is not enough, which is the case with many road accidents.
Another important coverage to have is uninsured motorist coverage. If your child gets in a car accident and the driver at fault either does not have liability coverage or has one but with an inadequate coverage limit, uninsured/underinsured motorist coverage will cover the cost of repairs and medical treatments.
Get Auto Insurance with Accident Forgiveness
Did you know that making an auto insurance claim (except claiming someone else’s liability coverage) will increase your auto insurance rates from the subsequent year? Even if you switch your auto insurance company, insurance claims stick to your record and will always result in inflated insurance rates.
This is why you should choose an auto insurance company that offers accidental forgiveness plans. This plan works as an add-on. Get it for a few dollars and even if you make an insurance claim, the rates won’t go up, sort of like the insurance company “forgives” the car accident. How many accidents can be forgiven? That depends on the insurance company’s terms and conditions.
But since your kid is not well-versed with all the horsepower they’ll have, road accidents are very likely. So with this surety of making an insurance claim, why not pay just a tad-bit extra and make sure you don’t have to keep paying extra, even after your kid learns to rein the horses.
Get Defensive Driving Discounts
Insurance companies will not believe that your kid is a great driver. They need proof, at least some of the companies accept this proof for a discount. Many auto insurance companies offer great discounts if your kid has taken a defensive driving course, or something similar.
You could save as much as 25-30% off auto insurance. But before you get your kid enrolled in one of these classes, make sure that the insurance company offers such discounts and for what kind of driving course. Many insurance companies have their specific driving course for discounts. So ask before you do anything regarding this.
And that are all the important tips you need to follow before getting your child’s first car insurance policy. Follow them and get great auto insurance coverage at a great price.
