I was doing some more research this weekend on getting car insurance for teenagers since mine is gonna be there soon and I ran across an interesting article out there from Tampa Bays 10. I know that my son will be getting a permit before long so I’ve got to be informed as much as possible to save where I can as I know it’s gonna be expensive due to where we live. Plus with the rising costs of everything these days we gotta be smart as consumers.
I don’t want to do anything that is going to dampen his spirits in getting his learner’s permit as it’s such an exciting time and right of passage in a teens life. But this story really shocked me and is something that I’m going to be definitely following up on with my insurance company when getting car insurance for my teenager. Seems that another parent was surprised to find out that their insurance company just added their teenager to their policy simply because she turned 16, big surprise is she won’t even get her license to drive until next year. This is going to add $1,100 to their policy for just six months coverage.
Seems that insurance companies can just add car insurance for teenagers on policies whenever they see fit. Why? Well, seems that there is no statute set forth by our governing bodies regulating insurance companies as to when they can add a teen driver to a family policy. What does that mean. Simple, they can do it when they want to basically, not when you are ready.
The story then goes on to say that it simply depends on the insurance company. They viewed some of the largest carriers and found that they really have different views on the matter. Allstate will add your teen on your policy for car insurance when they get their learners permit. Progressive will add them in when they turn 16. Nationwide will also add your teen for teen insurance when they get their permit. State Farm looks to be the most logical as they won’t add them in until they actually get their license, when one would need car insurance for teenagers, according to the report.
This is definitely a new development for me and something that I’m going to check out with my insurance carrier, I’d suggest that you do the same with yours so you don’t get any friendly “surprises” in the mail about your insurance policy and your teenager.