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Help, I'm a new driver and insurance costs are giving me a heart attack

138 messages,  Last post on Apr 11, 2013 at 5:31 PM

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What is this discussion about? Buying Insurance

    

Messages Page 14 of 15

#127 of 138 Re: Best cars and year for insurance [michaell] by maxx4me

Jun 14, 2012 (4:05 pm)

Replying to: michaell (Jun 14, 2012 2:48 pm)
thank you so much michaell. That does help. Yes, it is a teenager. Anyone else have some thoughts? Your comment about 2 doors is funny. I'm considering the 2 door yaris because it moves the B pilar back considerably, allowing excellent side view of cars on one's left. I am also looking at the 2 door because my teenager is not allowed to have passengers (especially teenage ones), thus there is no need for 4 doors. Once again, the insurance companies do not take these issues into consideration.

#128 of 138 Good Solid Grades by billy3554

Jun 15, 2012 (4:19 am)

I have had three teenage girls added to my insurance over the past ten years, GEICO. I have provided each a car, Civic Coupe, Scion TC. In all cases, the added insurance for the new vehicle, with child as the primary driver, was $600 - $700 a year. I believe the key factor was all three girls were 4.0 students, in HS and college. Good grades make a huge difference.

#129 of 138 Re: Good Solid Grades [billy3554] by michaell

Jun 15, 2012 (6:33 am)

Replying to: billy3554 (Jun 15, 2012 4:19 am)
I believe the key factor was all three girls were 4.0 students, in HS and college. Good grades make a huge difference.
 
Good point. We also were able to get a discount based on grades. In addition, attending a driving school may also reduce the premiums - check with your agent about the guidelines for your state.

#130 of 138 Re: Best cars and year for insurance [maxx4me] by Kirstie@Edmunds HOST

Jun 15, 2012 (8:34 am)

Replying to: maxx4me (Jun 14, 2012 4:05 pm)
My daughter just swapped a Chevy Cobalt (coupe) for a 4-door, 4-cyl Passat and it is saving me a TON of money. I forget what they told me, but it was significant.
 
I'll mention this conversation to our editorial staff. Might be kind of cool if they had a "top 10" or "top 20" list of vehicles for lower insurance rates for teenagers (not beaters, newer ones).

#131 of 138 Re: Best cars and year for insurance [kirstie_h] by maxx4me

Jun 15, 2012 (2:12 pm)

Replying to: Kirstie@Edmunds (Jun 15, 2012 8:34 am)
kirstie/michaell/billy: thanks very much. I think a top 10 list would be great. Your experience kirstie seems to point to what USAA was saying: midsized cars over economy cars for lower insurance. From my perspective, I have steered out of so many accidents in the last 40 years because I drive small cars. It seems like the insurance companies want us to drive reinforced tanks to keep personal injury claims down. I'll stick with my econo boxes and avoid bad drivers as I have done for decades. I'll keep cars like the 2012 Yaris with 9 airbags on my short list until insurance costs beat me into submission

#132 of 138 Re: Best cars and year for insurance [maxx4me] by Kirstie@Edmunds HOST

Jun 15, 2012 (2:29 pm)

Replying to: maxx4me (Jun 15, 2012 2:12 pm)
While not specifically about insurance, there's a new article called Best Cars for Teen Drivers on our site. One of the factors in True Cost to Own (which was one of the rating criteria) is insurance costs. Might be worth reading about what's recommended and why.

#133 of 138 Re: Best cars and year for insurance [kirstie_h] by fushigi

Jun 17, 2012 (7:23 am)

Replying to: Kirstie@Edmunds (Jun 15, 2012 2:29 pm)
Along the lines of what the article mentions:
 
- Get a base engine with AT. Base engine = less chance/ability to do burnouts & other "dumb teenage driver" tricks. AT = easier for the novice driver.
- Avoid any model or trim that is "sporty" or performance-oriented. Coupes are often perceived as sporty so that might be where the "avoid coupes" advice is coming from.
- Add available optional safety features. Note that some won't impact your insurance rates; others might. It will depend on your insurance carrier.
- Find a model that's cheap to repair.
 
On the insurance side of the equation:
 
- Shop around on your insurance carrier.
- We have a combined policy with both cars & our home. Getting home owners insurance bundled knocked like $70 off the 6-month premium on the auto side. The home insurance is still paid by mortgage escrow so that's not messed up.
- Look for payment discounts. Lots of insurers offer monthly or quarterly options, but there can be added fees. Paying 6 months at a time avoids that for us.
 
If your agent is any good, they won't mind spending a little time on the phone with you going over 3 or 4 options. Good agents are interested in building long-term relationships and realize that looking out for their customers can earn a higher repeat customer rate.

#135 of 138 Gen Y press request by Stever@Edmunds HOST

Jul 19, 2012 (12:45 pm)

A reporter is looking for Midwestern/Southern US residents between the ages of 17 and 30 who do not plan to purchase a vehicle and who frequently use public transportation. If you fit this description, and you are willing to share your story, please send your daytime contact information to predmunds.com no later than 10 a.m. Pacific on Friday, July 20, 2012.

Messages Page 14 of 15

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