Can I get my own car insurance at 16?

Many parents shudder at the thought of their teenager driving! Sadly, the day will come when everyone’s child must get behind the wheel and become a responsible driver.

There are things that parents can do to ensure that their child is both happy and safe on the road.

If you are looking for the best auto insurance rates for your teenager, start comparison shopping today by entering your ZIP code above!

Vehicle Safety Tips for Parents With Teens

Discourage Your Teen From Texting and Driving

One of the most concerning trends in the past decade has been the number of accident-related fatalities caused by those who were texting while driving. There have been reports that texting while driving is even more dangerous than driving after consuming alcohol!

How can you keep your teen from texting while driving? The answer may be as simple as communication.

If your teenager is a good listener, then an open dialogue may be all that is needed to dissuade them from texting and driving. Educating your teens about this dangerous practice may be one of the most important things you do as a parent!

Parents can also install apps on their children’s phones that disable calling and texting features while driving. This app requires you to have full access to your teen’s cell phone, but they can be lifesaving.

Enroll Your Teen in Driver’s Education Courses

Many states require driver’s education courses for teens, but there are states where this is not required.

Regardless of your state’s laws, driver’s education can help your teen develop the necessary skills to be a defensive driver.

For rebellious teens, a driving course can help to learn these skills from someone other than their parents.

Tracking Your Teens Driving Habits

Technology is making it much easier for parents to monitor their children’s driving habits.

While GPS devices that allow parents to track their children have been around for quite some time, phone applications have now become the primary way that parents are keeping tabs on their teens.

Most insurance companies have devices that can be installed in vehicles, which monitor driving habits for discount purposes. These devices can also be used to track driving habits.

Some of these devices are paired with smartphone applications, which the teen will be required to have installed on their phone.

Most of these devices also require that the phone’s Bluetooth feature be active, so parents will need to monitor whether their teen is abiding by these guidelines.

Characteristics of a Good Car

Another way you can ensure that your teen is safe on the road is to provide a top notch vehicle for them to drive. There are a few characteristics that give some vehicles an edge over others.

Reliability

You want your teen to drive a car that isn’t going to break down frequently.

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Being stuck on the side of the road can be dangerous for inexperienced drivers.

The chance of being struck by oncoming traffic or meeting an ill-intentioned stranger are higher for teens who drive an unreliable vehicle.

Safety

All vehicles must pass certain safety standards in the United States. The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) tests each vehicle on the market and rates them based on crash tests that they perform.

While many safety features, such as air bags and seatbelts, are standard on all vehicles today, some vehicles offer advanced safety features, like blind spot monitoring and lane assist.

Can teenagers purchase their own insurance?

In most states, teens can own property and purchase their own insurance policies. This right to ownership varies by state, and some states require that parents co-sign/co-own property with their teens and require that they are also listed on the insurance policy. (For more information, read our “Does a co-signer have to be on the car insurance policy?”)

For those parents who are considering allowing their teenager to purchase their own policy, there are some things to consider.

Teens typically get the best rates when they are added to their parents’ insurance policy.

Insurance for new drivers is very expensive, as they have no prior driving history for insurance underwriters to review. Teens can utilize their parents’ insurance history to lower their rates.

Read more:

• How to Afford Car Insurance for a Teenage Driver
• Does my teenager have to have insurance to drive my car?

Comparing Insurance Policies

Teen drivers should consider the discounts offered by each auto insurer that applies specifically to young drivers. Many companies offer discounts for students who maintain good grades.

Many also offer devices that monitor driving habits and reward those who are safe drivers. Some companies also offer discounts to teen drivers who maintain an accident and violation free driving record.

For many teens, convenience is also important. The best advice for all teens and parents is to compare as much as possible! The more aware you are of your options, the more likely you are to make an informed decision.

Start comparison shopping today for the best auto insurance rates! Enter your ZIP code below! Enter your ZIP code below!

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