Auto insurance with teenage driver

[Pullersboy]

It's official, my kids are growing up way to fast. My oldest is working on his learner permit to start driving. I think we need to notify our insurance company that he will be driving, however my wife thinks since she or I will be in the car with him that we don't have to notify them. She thinks that we just need to add him as a drive when he gets his actual license and will be driving by himself. Also, how much did your insurance go up when you added a teen driver?

You wife is correct. We just went through this w/ my son. There was no need to add him to the policy until he received his driver's license, which he got yesterday.

I had been w/ USAA since I got my DL, 23 years ago until yesterday. The premiums for my truck, my wife's truck and my son's truck were $1,143 for every six months. I called yesterday to get my son added and it was going to increase my premiums by $140/mo, which was going to make my 6 month premium just shy of $2K. I had heard good things about GEICO, so I decided to give them a call to get a quote. We were able to actually increase my coverage by just a little bit AND add my son to the policy and my premiums actually went DOWN from what I had already been paying at USAA. For just me and my wife. My premium with GEICO every 6 mos. is $1,125! So, in short I learned that I've been paying way to much for my insurance, and was able to add my son for much cheaper than what I had previously though. I will spend $1,600 less per year than at USAA. Crazy.

[Rubi513]

You wife is correct. We just went through this w/ my son. There was no need to add him to the policy until he received his driver's license, which he got yesterday.

I had been w/ USAA since I got my DL, 23 years ago until yesterday. The premiums for my truck, my wife's truck and my son's truck were $1,143 for every six months. I called yesterday to get my son added and it was going to increase my premiums by $140/mo, which was going to make my 6 month premium just shy of $2K. I had heard good things about GEICO, so I decided to give them a call to get a quote. We were able to actually increase my coverage by just a little bit AND add my son to the policy and my premiums actually went DOWN from what I had already been paying at USAA. For just me and my wife. My premium with GEICO every 6 mos. is $1,125! So, in short I learned that I've been paying way to much for my insurance, and was able to add my son for much cheaper than what I had previously though. I will spend $1,600 less per year than at USAA. Crazy.

So now you are paying $2,250 a year with your son added?

[Specktackulure]

Sorry if this seems like an idiotic question, but why cant you just insure the said vehicle and not the teen? Then you let the teen drive the insured vehicle. If something happens the vehicle is insured and you had given them permission to drive. Hopefully this question makes sense.

[HuntinBilly]

$8k per year for my wife and I and two sons under 21 in college. 1 accident on each son, 1 at fault and no fault on the other. I think I'm about as close as possible to being dropped. Oldest one turns 21 in two months, I am hoping for some relief. Yes, I shopped it through several Brokers and direct insurance providers and this was the cheapest rate to be found. It really stinks.

[hntndawg]

Sorry if this seems like an idiotic question, but why cant you just insure the said vehicle and not the teen? Then you let the teen drive the insured vehicle. If something happens the vehicle is insured and you had given them permission to drive. Hopefully this question makes sense.

I was told that if you did not list a licenced driver that had use of the vehicles and was not on another insurance, that it would be grounds for them to deny your claim.

[bboswell]

You wife is correct. We just went through this w/ my son. There was no need to add him to the policy until he received his driver's license, which he got yesterday.



I had been w/ USAA since I got my DL, 23 years ago until yesterday. The premiums for my truck, my wife's truck and my son's truck were $1,143 for every six months. I called yesterday to get my son added and it was going to increase my premiums by $140/mo, which was going to make my 6 month premium just shy of $2K. I had heard good things about GEICO, so I decided to give them a call to get a quote. We were able to actually increase my coverage by just a little bit AND add my son to the policy and my premiums actually went DOWN from what I had already been paying at USAA. For just me and my wife. My premium with GEICO every 6 mos. is $1,125! So, in short I learned that I've been paying way to much for my insurance, and was able to add my son for much cheaper than what I had previously though. I will spend $1,600 less per year than at USAA. Crazy.

Time for me to do some shopping! 2 teen boys are killing me even with no wrecks.

[Pullersboy]

So now you are paying $2,250 a year with your son added?

Yes sir. $2,250/year w/ GEICO vs. The $3,968 if I had stayed w/ USAA.

[gvick]

Be sure to add him to the least expensive 2 wheel drive vehicle you own. It may be worth it to go buy one if you don't already own one. My son got his DL last September I added him to my 03, short wheel based, 5 speed, v-6, 2 wheel drive, paid for, F-150, and my insurance went up $1100 per year. If I would have added him to the other vehicle it would have went up to 1600. Also if they get a ticket, or are involved in an accident you can expect it to almost double again. Sports cars, 4 wheel drive and SUV's all make the price go up. I told my son he could drive my truck for free while saving his money OOOORRRRRRR walk. His choice.

[Keith]

I might not be able to afford for him to drive! Maybe a good bicycle is in order.

[Rubi513]

I might not be able to afford for him to drive! Maybe a good bicycle is in order.

Lol! My oldest girl just got her license last Friday and I am starting to think you may be right.

[mooney_ag]

My oldest started drivers ed Monday. I am in your boat and not looking forward to it. Looks like some good advice here. I was thinking of going the route of titling a vehicle in his name and his only insurance policy if for no other reason reducing all parties involved liability of co-insurer or co-owner if the worst were to happen.

[Charles]

Thanks for the information, it sounds like my wife was right. This is going to hurt my wallet.

This is peanuts compared to the cost of College...just saying!

I think our went up about $2,000 a year for my son.

Just an idea. If you plan on paying the premium for him let him know if he gets a ticket or has an accident that causes the premium to go up, he will be required to pay any future premiums. I did that with mine and he hasn't had any tickets or accidents.

[BrianL]

My son has had one wreck and one ticket in 12 years. Problem was it was a week after he go his license. It was $3600/year for liability on a 1970 truck.... Glad those days are over!

[glen]

My agent told me to buy a beater that all I needed to cover was liability or it would be very expensive

[alec73065]

I have had 3 new drivers in the last 2 years, I have insurance with State Farm the rates are below for reference.

18 Yr Old Daughter - $75/month - Liability Only - Honor role and drivers ed discount - 2005 Hyundai Santa Fe
18 Yr Old Son - $87/month - Liability only - Parent taught drivers ed - 2001 Chrysler PT Cruiser
16 Yr Old Daughter - $68/Month - Liability only - Honor role and drivers ed discount - 2003 Jeep Liberty

The insurance on my new truck and the wife's new car did not go up when any of them got their license and they are listed as drivers on all 5 vehicles we own. Hope this helps