Oh, the much-coveted driver’s license, the one that every teenager anticipates as their sixteenth birthday approaches. As the parent of a teenager, you know how much he or she has been looking forward to the day they get their driver license. You can probably remember how you felt when you first got yours.
Unfortunately, with a driver license comes much responsibility and like everyone else, licensed teens cannot drive in South Carolina without valid auto insurance. The problem is, teens are at a high risk of causing an accident simply because they lack experience behind the wheel. This can translate to expensive insurance, especially if you happen to have a teenage boy, because statistically, males are far more likely to be risky drivers than girls.
South Carolina Law
Like many states, in South Carolina, if a teenager has their driving permit, they don’t have to have their own insurance policy as long as they are driving with licensed adult who is supervising them. But once they get their driver’s license and drive on their own without a parent, they are required by law to be insured. Since this can get expensive, it’s important for parents to be aware of and explore their options.
Your Teen’s Insurance Will Cost More Than Yours
Since teen drivers lack experience, it costs a lot to insure them. In fact, your teen’s insurance will most likely cost more than yours. Here are some ways to save money on your son or daughter’s auto insurance:
- Ask your insurance agent if you can save money by increasing your deductible.
- Shop out insurance policies and ask insurance companies if they offer discounts for A and B students, teens who complete driver’s education, and kids who take defensive driving courses.
- Whether you classify your teen as a “main” or “occasional” driver, it will affect how much you pay in insurance, so consider sharing the family’s vehicles.
- Say “no” to fast sport cars and compact cars. The type of vehicle your child drives will affect their safety and the cost of insurance. While compact cars may lead to cheaper rates, they’re just not safe. Conversely, sport cars are not only dangerous, but they can dramatically impact your teen’s insurance rates.
- Have your teenpractice a lot, but with you by their side. Teach them how to drive under a variety of conditions, such as in the dark, in the rain, in heavy traffic, and on freeways. This way, they’re not learning when they’re alone in the car.
We hope you found this information useful. If you need to file a car accident claim in Columbia, South Carolina, contact the Law Office of James R. Snell, Jr., LLC today.