When Your Teen Starts Driving, It’s Time for an Insurance Checkup

Getting a driver’s license is a pretty big deal.

For a teenager, it means a little more freedom and independence—and maybe not having to ask Mom or Dad for a ride every time they want to go somewhere. For parents, it can mean a whole new list of things to think about. And somewhere on that list is insurance.

Most parents know their auto insurance will probably go up when they add a young driver. But there’s more to think about than just the premium. A new driver can change your family’s overall insurance needs, from which vehicle your teenager drives to how much liability coverage you should carry. It may even be the right time to think about an umbrella policy. That’s why it’s a good idea to give your insurance agent a call before—or at least around the time—your teenager gets the keys.

Why Does Insurance Cost More for Young Drivers?

There’s a simple reason young drivers cost more to insure: they don’t have much experience yet. No matter how responsible your son or daughter is, there are some things you can only learn by spending time behind the wheel. Recognizing a potential hazard, judging how much room you have to stop, merging onto the highway, or reacting when another driver does something unexpected all get easier with experience.

Here in New Hampshire, there’s plenty more for a new driver to learn. We have snow and ice, dark winter afternoons, winding back roads, wildlife, dirt roads, and weather that can change pretty quickly. A teenager’s first year behind the wheel can include just about every kind of driving condition. That extra risk is one of the reasons insurance companies charge more for younger drivers.

Give Us a Call Before They Get Their License

You don’t have to wait until your teenager passes their road test to start thinking about insurance. In fact, earlier is better. Give us a call and we can walk you through when your new driver needs to be added to your policy, what it could do to your premium, and whether there are changes you should consider. We can also look for ways to save. Depending on your insurance company, there may be discounts available for good students, driver education programs, college students living away from home, and other situations.

Because Pittsfield Insurance works with multiple insurance companies, we can also take another look at which carrier makes the most sense for your family. The company that was a great fit when it was just Mom and Dad driving may not necessarily be the best option once there’s a 16- or 17-year-old behind the wheel.

It’s Not Just About the Cost of the Insurance

When parents call about adding a teenage driver, the first question is often, “How much is this going to cost?” We understand. Adding a young driver can make a noticeable difference in your insurance bill. But there’s another question that’s just as important:

Do you have enough liability coverage?

Think about what could happen if your teenager caused a serious accident. Maybe it involves more than one vehicle. Maybe someone is badly injured. The costs could go far beyond repairing a couple of cars. There could be medical bills, lost wages, legal expenses, and a lawsuit. That’s when the liability limits on your auto policy become very important. Adding a young driver to the household is a good time to sit down and make sure those limits still provide the level of protection you’re comfortable with.

It Might Be Time to Talk About an Umbrella Policy

This is also a good time to ask us about umbrella insurance.

An umbrella policy provides additional personal liability protection above the limits of policies such as your auto and homeowners insurance. For example, if someone in your household causes a serious accident and the damages exceed the liability limit on your auto policy, an umbrella policy may provide additional protection, depending on the terms and limits of your coverage. If you own a home, have savings, are putting money away for retirement, or simply want another layer of protection for your family, umbrella insurance is worth a conversation. And when you put a brand-new driver behind the wheel, it becomes an especially good time to have that conversation.

Before You Hand Over the Keys, Give Pittsfield Insurance a Call

Watching your kids grow up comes with plenty of milestones. Getting a driver’s license is one of the big ones. We can’t make handing over the keys any easier, but we can help make sure you understand how having a new driver affects your insurance. At Pittsfield Insurance, we’ll take a look at your current auto coverage, check for available discounts, review your liability limits, and help you decide whether an umbrella policy makes sense for your family. That’s one of the advantages of having a local independent insurance agent. When something changes in your life, you have someone you can call, ask questions, and make sure your coverage changes along with it.

So if there’s a new driver coming up in your household, give us a call. We’d be happy to help you get ready before they hit the road.