Car Insurance Tips for First-Time Drivers

Car Insurance Tips for First-Time Drivers

Getting a driver’s license can be exciting, but you must ensure that all the required documents are in place before you take your car out for a spin on the city streets or highways. One of these documents pertains to auto insurance. Auto insurance can be pretty expensive, especially for first-time drivers with a small income, but these tips for getting car insurance can help new drivers grab a discount:

Use your parents’ insurance
You can add your own vehicle under your parents’ auto insurance if you’re living with your parents, under a certain age, and attending college. However, the catch is that some auto insurance companies might want your car to be registered under your parents’ name in such cases.

Driver’s training classes
This is one of the most useful tips for new drivers for getting good car insurance deals. A prime reason auto insurance is expensive for first-time drivers is that they lack experience behind the wheel. Taking driver’s classes can help you show some experience, and it can also assure the insurer that you’re responsible enough to take driving lessons to be a safe driver. This can help you get a discount while getting auto insurance.

Pay in advance
Insurance experts suggest that a full payment toward the selected auto insurance can get you a discount, and you can also get a discount by making a one-time payment of 6 months’ premium. Advance insurance payments indicate that you’re committed to paying the premium on time. However, you’ll have to start saving some money to be able to make a lump sum payment to get discounts. After 6 months, you can look for a new insurance provider who offers auto insurance at competitive rates, and your record with the previous insurance provider might help you get a good bargain.

Steer clear from older cars
Having an older car attracts expensive auto insurance, as insurance providers believe that the older a car is, the lesser the safety. However, this doesn’t necessarily mean you will get a good deal on auto insurance for your new sports car. Insurance providers offer comparatively reasonable discounts on a simple four-door sedan or a hatchback that has safety features like airbags and Anti-lock Braking System (ABS) in place. Pro tip: most insurance providers suggest buying a second-hand car that has not been on the road for more than a couple of years and has all its safety features in place. This will help you save on buying both the car and its insurance.

Check out affordable insurance providers
This basic tip for new drivers can help them in getting a good deal on car insurance. Avoid getting auto insurance from popular insurance providers, and look for new insurance providers who are looking for new clients. Being new to the business, these insurers might be willing to offer discounts even to new drivers. Although insurance premiums might be higher than those for experienced drivers, you can compare quotes from different insurance providers to get better prices.