I called my insurance company today to check on adding my son to our insurance plan. I almost died when they said it would cost $865 every six months to add him to my cars policy.
They recommended that it would be cheaper to add a car onto our policy for him, and just purchase liability coverage for him. It would then be $600 every six months.
I knew insurance coverage for a teen would be high, but I had no idea it would be that much.
We’re insured with Allstate. Does anyone have any experience with this? Is this the cheapest I’m going to find insurance for my 17 year old? Is it generally cheaper to get a separate policy for him, or should we stick to adding him to ours.
When I told my son how much it was going to cost, he asked me how in the world all the kids at school were driving if insurance was that high. That’s a good question. I’d like to know the answer to that myself!
We spent the afternoon picking up job applications.
Posted by Farmgirl (Member # 5567) on :
I had two teenage sons at the same time. Yeah. it really really hurts.
I shopped around and got a better deal with GEICO (but different companies have different rates in different states -- so just shop around.)
Also - sometimes it helps to have an old clunker car with only liability insurance, and put the teen as "primary driver" on THAT car, rather than as a driver on a full-coverage car. (on a multi-car policy, of course) (oh - I see you said this already. And yes, that did make it cheaper for us)
Posted by Lyrhawn (Member # 7039) on :
My mom's best friend used to do our insurance for us. We have four cars in my family (dad, mom, brother and me) and they said it was cheapest to put the youngest drive with the oldest car, so that's how we have it, regardless of who actually drives what car.
quote:We spent the afternoon picking up job applications.
Good move.
My parents never had a problem helping me pay for car insurance so long as I was willing to foot my part of the bill. I think if you can afford it, it's a good deal.
Posted by Artemisia Tridentata (Member # 8746) on :
Go ahead and add the older car. It will cost a a lot now. But, in my experience, my kids made the money back when they went out on their own, as adults, and purchased their own insurance. Allstate gave them longivity credit back to my first insured date. They are now paying significantly less for their insurance. (they all have good driving records to back up the consideration)
Posted by Glenn Arnold (Member # 3192) on :
Yeah, when I added my daughter to our policy, they automatically put her as primary driver on the most expensive car we have to insure ~ $1500 per six months. And left me off as primary driver on any of our cars, since they said they had to put the inexperienced drivers on as primaries because they were the most likely to cause accidents. She bought her own car and the price came down to about $600, because it's older and doesn't have collision.
But yeah, it's definitely cheaper to have the kids on a multi-car policy. The only problem is that later on when they get their own policy, their rates will be more expensive because you get a discount for having continuous coverage for (I think) three years.
Posted by cassv746 (Member # 11173) on :
I'm 18 and my insurance is $105 a month, so $630 for a half. It just recently went down from $128 a month or $768 a half. It's due to go down $2 in April also. I've never had any speeding tickets or any accidents or anything of that nature. But for some reason my insurance agent told my mom that it's cheaper for me to be insured on their three cars in addition to mine for some reason. But my car's a '99 Pontiac. So I guess considering it all it's not too bad. Just a lot of money for a college kid. Oh well, life goes on. Posted by Artemisia Tridentata (Member # 8746) on :
quote:But yeah, it's definitely cheaper to have the kids on a multi-car policy. The only problem is that later on when they get their own policy, their rates will be more expensive because you get a discount for having continuous coverage for (I think) three years. --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
It was mentioned that Tammy had Allstate insurance. Allstate will give your kid the discount for continous coverage when they move from your inssurance to their own. My kids all got credit for 30+ years of continous coverage when they bought their own policies.
Posted by Valentine014 (Member # 5981) on :
$600 is close to what I paid in high school (1996-1998). It was my responsibility to pay my parents monthly, which wasn't difficult with my part-time job. Getting good grades, taking a driver education course, and staying accident-free lowered it.
Posted by Shanna (Member # 7900) on :
My family pretty much avoided this problem because even though I took driver's ed at 16, I didn't drive on my own until I was 18, almost 19. My brother was the same way and just got his license at the age of 20.
But I second looking into all the discount programs. I do a take-home driver's safety course every year on top of my good-student and original driver's ed discounts.
Posted by Elmer's Glue (Member # 9313) on :
Teen insurance prices are completely ridiculous. Especially since I'm never going to get in an accident. We are just throwing money away... except the insurance company gets to use it.
Posted by mr_porteiro_head (Member # 4644) on :
quote:Especially since I'm never going to get in an accident.
What, do you have a crystal ball?
Posted by Elmer's Glue (Member # 9313) on :
Fine, ask me in five years if I was in an accident.
Posted by adfectio (Member # 11070) on :
quote:Originally posted by mr_porteiro_head:
quote:Especially since I'm never going to get in an accident.
What, do you have a crystal ball?
You mean you didn't have a crystal ball? They give them out once you turn 13. but then once you turn 20, and are no longer a teenager, they take them away. Because it's only teenagers that know everything.
Posted by rivka (Member # 4859) on :
quote:Originally posted by mr_porteiro_head:
quote:Especially since I'm never going to get in an accident.
What, do you have a crystal ball?
Probably the same one that tells him he's never going to get into a crash on his bike.
Posted by Elmer's Glue (Member # 9313) on :
I rode my bike daily for five years and never got hurt. I have a car now, so I'm not going to ride a bike anymore. So yeah, I'm never going to get into a crash on my bike. Why would I crash my car? I'm a safe driver. Like I said before, ask me in the future.
Posted by adfectio (Member # 11070) on :
quote: 80% of respondents rated themselves in the top 30% of all drivers
Posted by rivka (Member # 4859) on :
quote:Originally posted by Elmer's Glue: Why would I crash my car? I'm a safe driver. Like I said before, ask me in the future.
And of course, crashes never occur that are the other driver's fault, either. Posted by fugu13 (Member # 2859) on :
There are accidents you cannot avoid, no matter how skillful a driver you are.
My family was in one. There was a long construction zone, narrowing the highway to one lane. They alternated which side they were allowing through. We were the first going through on our side after they switched. As we approached the other side, a station wagon pulled out of the line waiting (being a long construction zone, he probably got tired of waiting), and accelerated very rapidly, ramming us. There was a steep embankment on the other side, so swerving out of the way was not an option.
Posted by mr_porteiro_head (Member # 4644) on :
quote:Originally posted by Elmer's Glue: So yeah, I'm never going to get into a crash on my bike. Why would I crash my car? I'm a safe driver.
What's amazing is that even though most teens consider themselves excellent drivers, they somehow manage to have more automobile accidents than anybody else.
I myself was an excellent driver who was in two auto accidents within two months of getting my license.
Posted by Shanna (Member # 7900) on :
The world is full of stupid people who will speed in the rain causing them to hydroplane and knock the closest cars into a ditch filled with water.
And let us not forget all the 18-wheelers with large tires that occasionally blow out causing everything from a shattered windshield to a massive pile-up.
The scenarios go on forever. But I'm sure you have world-class evasive skills and a car with magical wings or something.
Posted by Elmer's Glue (Member # 9313) on :
quote: What's amazing is that even though most teens consider themselves excellent drivers, they somehow manage to have more automobile accidents than anybody else.
I myself was an excellent driver who was in two auto accidents within two months of getting my license.
So because bad drivers call themselves excellent drivers, I can't be a good driver? I wasn't defending other teens. I know they can be terrible. I really wish I could have a better defense than being able to prove it years from now.
Posted by mr_porteiro_head (Member # 4644) on :
Why should I (or you) believe that you're that much different form the majority of teens who also think that they're that much different from the majority of teens?
Personally, the fact that you're so convinced that you're not going to get in an accident in the next five years increases the odds that I'd give of you having an accident.
Posted by Jhai (Member # 5633) on :
When I was a teenager, it cost $50 a month for me to be added onto my father's insurance with State Farm. I'm a girl, and I got the good grades discount, but I was also living in San Jose, CA, which is one of the more expensive areas in the country to insure a car. I think it helped that my primary car was a 13 year old Ford, and we only went with liability insurance. And, yeah, I had to pay for insurance out of my part-time job.
Posted by Damien.m (Member # 8462) on :
$600???
Id love that! Im 18 and here in Ireland its about $4000 dollars a year for me to be insured. Now thats tough
Posted by Shigosei (Member # 3831) on :
Elmer's Glue, the point is that even the best driver in the world can get into accidents. It's ridiculous to assume you'll never be in a collision because you're a good driver.
Posted by lobo (Member # 1761) on :
That is 'cause the Irish are terrible drivers...
Posted by mackillian (Member # 586) on :
I have to second getting a rate check with Geico. When I was first on my own, Allstate told me my insurance would cost me $3000 a year (this is with a safe driver discount, being a girl, and a college grad). I called Geico and it dropped by $2000. >_<
Posted by brojack17 (Member # 9189) on :
I had to get my own as a kid. I paid $185/month for liability only. I now pay $206/month for two vehicles full coverage AND my house.
It's sad really.
Posted by Goody Scrivener (Member # 6742) on :
This thread has convinced me.... the Goodlet is not getting a driver's license until she can afford ALL of her own transportation costs. Posted by Artemisia Tridentata (Member # 8746) on :
quote:Originally posted by Goody Scrivener: This thread has convinced me.... the Goodlet is not getting a driver's license until she can afford ALL of her own transportation costs.
Now if we can just prevail on Congress to reinstitute a military draft for all persons thirteen to twenty-one years of age, we can all live happily ever after.
Posted by brojack17 (Member # 9189) on :
quote:Originally posted by Goody Scrivener: This thread has convinced me.... the Goodlet is not getting a driver's license until she can afford ALL of her own transportation costs.
That's how it was for me.
Car: $400 One month of insurance: $185 Gas: $15 (in 1992) Freedom: Priceless
Posted by Tammy (Member # 4119) on :
It's funny, my son can only think in terms of driving when it comes to thinking of freedom. He's not yet experienced the financial ties that bind.
Thanks for the input guys! I've got some figuring to do.
My dad gave him two Chitty-Chitty Bang-Bangs. He sold one to buy parts for the other. The one my dad's fixing for him is an older model Diamante. The body is in beautiful shape, the insides have really been through a lot, it has a ton of mileage. It doesn't really matter how old or damaged it is, they're still going to charge $600 every six months, right.
I hate to say it, but this child will most likely be in an automobile accident, or five in his lifetime. He's crashed more bikes, skateboards, lawn mowers and whatever else he drove/pushed that was crashable.
I'm feeling like this initial cost will just be the tip of the iceberg.
My dad took me to get my license the minute I turned 16. I'd been driving with him for a while by that time. I lived in Tucson then. He took me out on those straight as an arrow roads in the dessert. I did have to avoid the occasional Road Runner or Horny Toad.
I'm definitely dragging my feet on this one. He turned 17 last week. I feel like the longer I keep him off the road, the longer I keep him a bit safer.
He was more than happy to look for a job. We turned in the applications yesterday. I'm just worried about how that will affect his grades. He has a struggle as it is. How do I gently put the brakes on, keep them on, without completely frustrating him more.
Sounds like this isn't just a money issue. Although that is a huge decision making factor on when he'll get his license. (Talking this out with myself as I go.) It's certainly helped my "dragging out the whole deal for as long as I can" case.
He's not the oldest, so this isn't a case of first child issues. I have another son that will be 20 this year, that's been driving for awhile. He also has been working for awhile. He's also crashed a four-wheeler, and bike or two in his lifetime.
What to do, what to do?
Elmer's Glue, you scare me sweetie!
edited to add - I'm glad I don't live in Ireland. Posted by brojack17 (Member # 9189) on :
For me, the freedom came with the car because I lived on the outskirts of town and my closest friend was six miles away. I could ride my bike there, but it took awhile. Plus, we could not get cable where I lived and satalite was too expensive back then. A car got me back into social cirles. I did have to work a lot to pay for it though.
Posted by Farmgirl (Member # 5567) on :
quote:Originally posted by Elmer's Glue: I really wish I could have a better defense than being able to prove it years from now.
Or, you could be a Scorpio....
(Yeah, I once saw an auto insurance industry newsletter where someone with too much free time on their hands classified all their drivers by Zodiac sign; and found that Scorpios had the best driving records/fewest accidents. Unlike my sign... ) Not that they would ever recognize just plain "fun" data like that.
FG
(however, this link says the opposite )
Posted by Tammy (Member # 4119) on :
Darn! I was reading your post wrong brojack17!
I realize a car brings about a certain kind of freedom.
We also live on the outskirts of town. Winston Salem is quite a drive from our house. We do get cable and pizza delivery, so we're not as far out in the outer limits as you were.
What kind of job did you get to support your freedom habit?
Posted by Tammy (Member # 4119) on :
Arik's an Aquarius.
I'd like to hear, even though I think it's a bunch of fluff, that Aquarius drivers are among the top drivers in the Zodiac world.
I know that a Pisces like myself should maybe be to dreamy, or in La-La Land to stay on the road, but I represent my sign quite well in the driving kingdom.
Posted by lobo (Member # 1761) on :
Why don't you make him get straight A's and B's to be able to drive. They have a law here in Texas called "Don't pass, don't play". It means that if a kid has a failing grade, in any subject, they cannot participate in school sports until the next grading period (if they bring up the grades).
Posted by The Rabbit (Member # 671) on :
quote:I rode my bike daily for five years and never got hurt. I have a car now, so I'm not going to ride a bike anymore. So yeah, I'm never going to get into a crash on my bike.
I road my bike daily to commute for 15 years and never got hurt. Then I hit a patch of ice one day on my way to work, split open my helmet and gave myself a mild concussion. I hate to think what would have happened if I hadn't been wearing my helmet.
The big problem with being a teenager is that your think 5 years is a really long time.
Posted by Tammy (Member # 4119) on :
quote:Originally posted by lobo: Why don't you make him get straight A's and B's to be able to drive. They have a law here in Texas called "Don't pass, don't play". It means that if a kid has a failing grade, in any subject, they cannot participate in school sports until the next grading period (if they bring up the grades).
I'm working that angle as well. He's always had a hard time taking tests. He can do every bit of his homework and class work, then completely screw it up, because of nerves on a test day. I try not to put more pressure than necessary on this particular child, due to the nerve/test issue. He does okay, just needs extra help.
This is definitely being considered. Good advice!
Posted by Tammy (Member # 4119) on :
quote:Originally posted by The Rabbit: The big problem with being a teenager is that your think 5 years is a really long time.
Exactly!
Posted by mackillian (Member # 586) on :
From the site Farmgirl gave:
quote:Taurus drivers (born April 20 to May 20) are stubborn and have been known to charge at red lights
HAHAHAHA
(you know...taurus... bull... matador... red cape...)
Posted by Tammy (Member # 4119) on :
quote:Originally posted by mackillian: From the site Farmgirl gave:
quote:Taurus drivers (born April 20 to May 20) are stubborn and have been known to charge at red lights
HAHAHAHA
(you know...taurus... bull... matador... red cape...)
No wonder your insurance was so high! They must have been using that site as a guideline when they figured out your premium! Geico must have missed it. Posted by Farmgirl (Member # 5567) on :
Well, it's a fun site, to be sure -- but not very accurate
It says of me
quote: Aries drivers (born March 21 to April 19) have a "me first" child-like nature that drives them into trouble.
However, I have a clean driving record and have been in very few accidents in my lifetime.
I have two children who are Leo's, however (top of that particular list) and one has already wrecked two cars, and she's only 18 Posted by Tammy (Member # 4119) on :
My husband's an Aries, he'd most likely agree that he does drive in a "me first" manner.
Farmgirl, how much did her insurance coverage go up after each wreck? ((((Farmgirl)))) Ouch, two wrecks before 19!
Posted by brojack17 (Member # 9189) on :
quote:Originally posted by Tammy: Darn! I was reading your post wrong brojack17!
I realize a car brings about a certain kind of freedom.
We also live on the outskirts of town. Winston Salem is quite a drive from our house. We do get cable and pizza delivery, so we're not as far out in the outer limits as you were.
What kind of job did you get to support your freedom habit?
I worked as a janitor at my dad's construction job and I also worked at a fast food place. It was worth it to get my own wheels.
Posted by Farmgirl (Member # 5567) on :
quote:Originally posted by Tammy: Farmgirl, how much did her insurance coverage go up after each wreck? ((((Farmgirl)))) Ouch, two wrecks before 19!
Umm.. .none
Because we live in a very rural area; they were one-car accidents with no injuries -- so we just tow it home and don't say anything to anyone
(in other words, never reported)
Posted by brojack17 (Member # 9189) on :
I did that too.
Posted by rivka (Member # 4859) on :
quote:Originally posted by Tammy: My husband's an Aries, he'd most likely agree that he does drive in a "me first" manner.
And I'm an Aries, and certainly don't.
Linking birth sign to driving tendencies is even more ridiculous than most astrological nonsense.
Posted by mr_porteiro_head (Member # 4644) on :
quote:Linking birth sign to driving tendencies is even more ridiculous than most astrological nonsense.
I disagree. I think it's pretty much the same amount of ridiculous.
Posted by rivka (Member # 4859) on :
You make a good point.
Posted by Tammy (Member # 4119) on :
*agrees* with mph and rivka. I of course think it's ridiculous as well. I was just having fun with it. My husband is a very safe driver, he just gets a touch of private road rage. Private meaning he doesn't share it with the other drivers, he just gets po'd and grumbles to himself the entire time he's driving. I do that as well. People are crazy out there on the open roads.
Oh well, so much for the fluff. I swear sometimes you folks around here are a bit to touchy.
Farmgirl - If my kids were in a one car accident in a very rural area, I'd of done the very same thing. Who in the world would call in that type of situation?
brojack - very honorable first jobs! I'm hoping that Arik finds a good one as well!
*sigh*
Posted by rivka (Member # 4859) on :
I know entirely too many people -- otherwise intelligent people -- who believe in astrology or similar to take it as being a joke. *shrug*
Posted by Tammy (Member # 4119) on :
quote:Originally posted by Tammy: Arik's an Aquarius.
I'd like to hear, even though I think it's a bunch of fluff, that Aquarius drivers are among the top drivers in the Zodiac world.
I'll just quote myself here. Notice, I said even though I think it's a bunch of fluff.
I realize people believe in astrology. I'm not one of them. I was just having fun with the link.
Posted by BlueWizard (Member # 9389) on :
Regarding grades, if your son is getting good grades and does so consistently, that might get him a discount with the insurance company. Also, if he is willing to take a defensive driving course, that's worth a discount.
Also, shop around, it really pays. Also, it depends on what city you live in. I move from Minneapolis to a small rural town, my insurance for full coverage including renters insurance is less that basic liability was in Minneapolis.
Also, rates tend to rise the longer you stay with an insurance agent. The more you pay the more he makes. That actually seems counter intuitive. You would think that the longer you stay with one agent and one insurance company, and don't have accidents, you rates would go down. But that's not how it works. There are some people who change insurance companies every four or five years just to keep their rates down.
You can be penalized if you are dropped by your insurance company, but to my knowledge, there is no penalty if you drop them.
I personally don't like either State Farm or Allstate. American Family and Farmers Insurance Group seem to have excellent rates.
Steve/bluewizard
Posted by ketchupqueen (Member # 6877) on :
Heh, Farmer's is one of the highest rates we got. YMMV.
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But my car's a '99 Pontiac. So I guess considering it all it's not too bad. Just a lot of money for a college kid. Oh well, life goes on. ![[Wink]](wink.gif)
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