How To Add New Driver Car Insurance Policy PDF Print E-mail
Written by Arkady Kats   
Wednesday, 30 June 2010 14:24
Can I Add a New Driver to a Car Insurance Policy without a huge increase in my rate? The answer to the above question really depends on the specifics of that driver. Most families add a new driver when a child comes of age. They are young, inexperienced, and likely have some amount of driver's education. Car insurance companies base their rates on many factors and one of the primary things they evaluate is the safety of the driver. Obviously a new driver is untried. An untarnished driving record is the clean slate your new driver begins with; it will be their job to keep it! To determine risk (and therefore, rate) insurance companies will start high and then offer discounts for certain indicators that show the driver is likely to maintain their clean record. Responsible people statistically take fewer unnecessary risks or bend laws than their slacker counterparts. Certain types are cars tend to involved in more claims and it stands to reason that there is a type of driver and behavior contributing to those claims.
by Arkadykats


Can I Add a New Driver to a Car Insurance Policy without a huge increase in my rate? The answer to the above question really depends on the specifics of that driver. Most families add a new driver when a child comes of age. They are young, inexperienced, and likely have some amount of driver's education. Car insurance companies base their rates on many factors and one of the primary things they evaluate is the safety of the driver. Obviously a new driver is untried. An untarnished driving record is the clean slate your new driver begins with; it will be their job to keep it! To determine risk (and therefore, rate) insurance companies will start high and then offer discounts for certain indicators that show the driver is likely to maintain their clean record. Responsible people statistically take fewer unnecessary risks or bend laws than their slacker counterparts. Certain types are cars tend to involved in more claims and it stands to reason that there is a type of driver and behavior contributing to those claims.

How can I help my teenage driver keep a safe driving record?

Can I add another driver to my policy without a huge increase in my rate? The answer to the above question really depends on the specifics of that driver. Most families add a new driver when a child comes of age. They are young, inexperienced, and likely have some amount of driver's education. Car insurance companies base their rates on many factors and one of the primary things they evaluate is the safety of the driver. Obviously a new driver is untried. An untarnished driving record is the clean slate your new driver begins with; it will be their job to keep it! To determine risk (and therefore, rate) insurance companies will start high and then offer discounts for certain indicators that show the driver is likely to maintain their clean record. Responsible people statistically take fewer unnecessary risks or bend laws than their slacker counterparts. Certain types are cars tend to involved in more claims and it stands to reason that there is a type of driver and behavior contributing to those claims.

Considerations to make sure you mention to your independent insurance agent:

* Share a car, rather than buying your child their own. Adding another driver is less than adding another car + driver. Have them share Mom and Dad's car until they can afford their own separate policy!

* Full time college students need to tell their agent if they will be out of state or "out of the underwriting area". Some companies will not be comfortable insuring cars to a long-distance repair and service area. If you're working with an independent agent, they can take this need into consideration and match you with the company that can accommodate a logistical factor such as this.

The more tools and the more education you can offer your child, the better equipped they will be to become a safe driver. Most states now require that all children under 18 take some form of driver education class. Even still, few can really appreciate the magnitude of responsibility that comes with driving. Take time to drive with your child and give them exposure to multiple traffic situations. There are additional classes to take and a wide range of situation-simulation videos available online to show them the affects of texting while driving or driving under the influence of drugs and alcohol. In fact, texting while driving slows driver response time by over 35%. That's worse than most drunk driving incidents. It's worth taking a few minutes together to watch the short, 3 minute film the UK produced on texting and driving. Go ahead and brace yourself: your insurance rates WILL rise when you add a new driver to your policy. It's just a fact that adding a young, new driver to your policy is going to substantially increase your rates. But when you speak with an insurance agent, disclose everything. You won't have sufficient coverage if you leave critical information off.

Learning to drive and getting that first license is an exciting time. It's so important to make sure your young driver really understands the magnitude of what driving means. They put their own life and the lives of others in jeopardy every time they speed, drive distracted, or under the influence. Teach them to be careful how many additional riders they include, how loud their radio should be, and where their phone should be (or not be) while they are driving.

When you're shopping for insurance be sure to comparison shop to get the best deal. The easiest way to do this is to work with an independent agent who can customize your policy to suit your needs. Working with the right insurance agent saves time, money, and headache. Illinois Insurance Center is one of the Midwest's fastest growing and most progressive insurance agencies. We are a full service agency, representing many different carriers, providing all lines of insurance for your personal and business needs. We do the comparisons for you! Speaking to our professionals can help you customize the best option for you. To get more information call 1 708 524 8757.

DISCLAIMER: This article is provided as information only and is not to be taken as financial advice.

The Illinois Insurance Center is one of the most progressive insurance agencies offering Chicago and Illinois insurance today. To save on car insurance visit your insurance agent or call 1-708-524-8757. Check here for free reprint licence: How To Add New Driver Car Insurance Policy.