Tips for Adding a Teen Driver to Your Car Insurance Policy

Having a teen driver in the house is a nerve-wracking experience. Not only does adding a teen driver to your car insurance policy cause stress and anxiety, it can also be a significant drain on your wallet.

Reducing Insurance Premiums

Insurance companies charge significantly higher premiums for young drivers under age 25 due to the increased risk of an at-fault accident, which is influenced by age, gender, and driving habits. However, there are ways to score discounts and minimize the impact on your auto insurance rates.

Driver Training Courses

One way to decrease premiums is by enrolling teen drivers in safe or defensive driving courses. Most auto insurance carriers offer a discount on driver training courses completed through certified instructors. It may require some upfront expenses, but the resulting certification can lead to reduced rates for years to come.

Good Student Discount

Another way to save on auto insurance premiums is to ask for a good student discount. Teen drivers who bring home solid report cards may be eligible for discounts. A good student discount usually applies to high school through college students too, and can even last beyond graduation.

Low Mileage and Distant Student Discounts

Teenage drivers with low mileage commutes to school and back may be eligible for low mileage or distant student discounts as well. For college students who live on campus but keep their cars at their permanent address, there are many other discounted rates available.

Car Insurance Telematics

To get even deeper discounts, parents can opt into car insurance telematics to allow insurers to track their teen's driving habits. By installing an app or device, parents can ensure that their teen drivers behave safely behind the wheel. However, parents must also know that the tracking data could be used to increase rates if teens don’t drive safely.

Shopping Around

Another way to reduce premiums is to shop around before adding a teen driver to an insurance policy. It's worth asking an insurance agent about other discounts and carrier options. When looking for a new car, it's also important to research insurance quotes for each make and model before purchasing one for a teen driver.

Family Auto Insurance Policy

Finally, the most cost-effective option is to add teen drivers to the family auto insurance policy rather than having them purchase their own. It's typically three times cheaper for a teen driver to be added to the family policy, and most major car insurance companies require young drivers to be 18 or older before allowing them to purchase insurance. As long as young drivers live at the same address as their parents, they can remain on the family insurance policy.

Conclusion

Adding a teen driver to your car insurance policy can be a stressful and costly endeavor, but there are options to decrease premiums and ensure safety on the road. By taking advantage of discounts and being conscientious about driving behavior, parents can rest a little easier knowing their teen drivers are covered.

Save on Home Insurance Premiums with a Security System | Family Union Insurance

Home Insurance and Security Systems

Home insurance is an important aspect of homeownership, not only because it provides financial protection in the event of loss or damage to one's property, but also because having a policy in place is often required by mortgage lenders.

Save on Home Insurance Premiums

Many homeowners may be unaware that there are ways to save on their home insurance premiums by taking proactive measures to protect their property. One such measure is installing a security system, which can potentially provide discounts on home insurance policies.

Discounts for Security Systems

Insurance companies may offer discounts to policyholders who have specific safety devices installed in their homes, including security systems. These systems come in all shapes and sizes and can include video surveillance cameras, door and window sensors, and motion detectors. The goal is not only to deter potential burglars but also to alert homeowners of an intrusion. By offering discounts for these types of systems, insurers are incentivizing homeowners to take proactive measures to protect their properties, which can ultimately save them money.

Additional Safety Devices

In addition to security systems, insurance discounts may also be available for safety and anti-theft devices such as smoke detectors, fire alarms, and sprinkler systems. Homeowners who have these devices installed and monitored may also be eligible for insurance savings. It's worth noting that these discounts will vary by insurer, and it's important to speak with your insurance agent to understand the specific discounts available to you.

The Value of a Security System

While the financial benefits of a security system discount can be enticing, the true value of having a security system lies in the potential loss it could prevent. Burglaries and other property crimes can be devastating financially and emotionally, and the average loss from a single burglary is over $2,000. By investing in a security system, homeowners can have peace of mind knowing that they've taken proactive measures to protect their homes and potentially avoid the trauma and loss associated with a break-in.

Additional Benefits of Security Systems

Beyond protecting against property crime, security systems can also offer additional benefits such as fire and smoke protection. Monitored smoke detectors and fire alarms can help alert homeowners and emergency services to potential fires, allowing for faster response times and hopefully preventing further damage. Some security systems can also include water sensors that detect leaks or warn of malfunctioning HVAC systems, providing an added layer of protection against water damage.

Take Steps to Protect Your Property

It's important for homeowners to take steps to protect their properties, not only to potentially save money on insurance premiums but also to safeguard against potential losses. Investing in a security system or other safety devices is one way to do this and can provide peace of mind knowing that proactive measures have been taken to protect one's home. Speaking with an insurance agent is a great way to understand what discounts may be available for specific devices and to ensure that your home insurance policy is providing adequate coverage.

Contact Us for More Information

If you’re a current client or interested in saving some money on your home insurance policy, reach out to us for a security system referral or to see what discounts are available to you!

Tips to Save Money on Auto Insurance Premiums

If you are like most people, you are always looking for ways to save money. One area where you may be able to save some money is on your auto insurance premiums. Here are some tips that may help decrease your auto insurance costs while still maintaining adequate coverage.

Drive Safely

The first and most important thing you can do to lower your auto insurance premiums is to drive safely. Nothing affects your auto insurance rates more than your driving record. Every time you are responsible for an accident or receive a moving traffic violation, you risk having your premium raised or your policy cancelled.

While you can't change your past driving history, you can make a commitment to drive responsibly going forward. Keep your speed down, always wear your seatbelt, and never drive under the influence of drugs or alcohol. Not only will these actions help keep you safe, but they may also help lower your insurance costs.

Increase Deductibles

Your auto insurance rates will decrease as you raise the deductible amounts on your policy. A deductible is the amount of any loss you must pay before the insurance company will cover damages. For example, if you have a deductible of $500 on your auto policy and have $2,000 worth of damage, you pay the first $500 and the insurance company pays $1,500. Deductibles are not available on liability only coverage.

Credit Scores

Most insurance companies use your credit history along with accidents, violations, age, and location to determine your premiums. Obtain a copy of your credit report and verify that the information is accurate. Bankruptcies, judgments, liens, late pays, and credit inquiries will cause your "credit score" to decrease and your premiums to increase.

Take Advantage of Special Discounts

Some companies offer "good student" discounts to young drivers with good academic records. Generally, a B average is required to qualify. Others offer discounts for insuring two or more cars, buying both auto and homeowners coverage, or special features that lower accident risk, like a security system or Ring doorbell.

Shop Around

Another way to lower your auto insurance premiums is to shop around for the best rates. You can increase your odds of getting the best insurance "deal" by getting information about rates, coverage, and service from a number of companies.

There are several websites that can provide instant quotes for auto insurance. However, be wary of buying auto insurance directly over the Internet without an agent to compare carriers and make sure you’re getting the best rate. To simplify, call Family Union Insurance and we can shop for you, compare carriers, and make sure you’re getting the best rates for you.

Conclusion

Lower your auto insurance premiums in Kansas City, Missouri may seem overwhelming, but following these tips may help make it easier. Remember to drive safely, consider increasing deductibles, check your credit score, take advantage of special discounts and most importantly, have an agent shop for you!