Am I Required to Have Auto Insurance on a Teenager?
January 18th, 2010 | Filed under Insurance Help.
The teenage years are hard enough on a parent without having to worry about things like auto insurance.
But one of the greatest concerns for all parents is the idea of their teen behind the wheel of an automobile, along with the astronomical price of auto insurance.
That leaves many wondering, “Am I required to have auto insurance on a teenager?”
The short answer is no, you are not required to have auto insurance on a teenager.
Specifically, you are not required to pay for auto insurance for your teen to drive a vehicle if they are not actually going to drive! Of course, there are some details to discuss.
Most insurance policies require all members of a household above the age of 15 to be listed on the auto insurance policy, leaving you with two options.
Option 1:
Exclude your teenager from the auto insurance policy. This means your teen is listed on the policy as someone who lives in the home and will not drive the vehicle(s) covered under the policy.
But don’t take the exclusion lightly. Your insurance company will deny a claim if your excluded teen “borrows” the car and gets into an accident. You could be out a car and in court getting sued personally for the damages. Be sure to have that discussion with any excluded teen drivers.
Option 2:
Bite the bullet and list your teen as an eligible driver of the vehicle(s). Expect your insurance rates to increase when insuring a teen driver (How much is car insurance for a 16 year old?)…and for the car to be low on gas next time you get into it.
It’s never easy to watch your teen drive off in the car for the first or even hundredth time, but it may help calm your nerves knowing you’re covered if they cause an accident.
Shop online or visit your insurance agent to determine if you have the right coverage at the right price for your teen driver.
(photo: ice.bluess)
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