Auto Insurance Quotes for Teenage Girls
Less than ten years ago, teenage girls used to pay substantially less for car insurance than boys of the same age. As new drivers, they used to be more careful in traffic, didn’t speed unnecessarily and, in general, caused fewer incidents. With the many distractions they get nowadays, the risks got higher and insurance rates are just about the same for all teenage kids.
Insurers have identified three major road distractions for teenage girls that may lead to serious accidents:
- Eating or drinking. If she woke up late and missed breakfast, she might have a snack in the car, on the way to school.
- Texting or talking on the phone. We all know how that text from the boyfriend “must” be answered the instant it was received and that a major catastrophe is about to happen otherwise. And she “cannot afford” not to tell her best friend about the party on Saturday night.
- Applying makeup. Self-explanatory, she can’t afford to be laughed at and called “un-cool” by the popular girls at school if she doesn’t wear makeup.
It’s a fact that insurers are increasing premium rates for teenage girls; however, insurers also understand that not all drivers fit the stereotypes of a certain category they are in. If your daughter is a good driver, she might get lower rates. The secret lies in the discounts she may be eligible for. In no particular order, here are some of the most common bonuses and rebates offered by all major insurance carriers.
- Good student bonus. If your daughter gets good grades in school or makes it to the honor roll, she may be eligible for a discount between 5 and 15%. Requirements vary from one insurer to another but, in general, a 3.0 GPA on the previous semester will do.
- Family plan insurance. If you add your daughter to the household auto policy, she will get a better rate because you will, technically, be vouching for her. Keep in mind, however, that such a practice may be a false economy – on one hand you would save money on her insurance, but on the other you may have all the other car premiums increased. Do the math and see which option pays better.
- Safety equipment. Most modern cars come with lots of safety gear, but you may want additional options installed. At a minimum, you should opt for ABS breaks, multiple airbags, motorized seatbelts and an anti-theft alarm system.
- Flawless record. It takes a much shorter time span for a teenager to get a good driver bonus than a grown-up. If your daughter doesn’t file any claims in the first year, you should already see insurance costs dropping.
- Driving school. A defensive driving course or driver’s training school should lower the insurance rates. Contact your local DMV and get a list of accredited partners that organize such classes.
Further Reading