Tips to Keep Teen Drivers Safe and Save Money

If you’re a parent of a teen driver or soon-to-be driver, you may be both thrilled and petrified to give up some of the carpool responsibilities. Parents inevitably face a range of new challenges when their kids start driving. Statistics on teens and accidents can cause you to hit the brakes. The good news is, aside from ensuring they know the proper rules of the road, there are ways to help keep them safer and in check while still giving them the freedom they crave.

Here are some tips for parents of new drivers to consider:

Apps

Many insurance companies now offer smartphone apps, such as COUNTRY Financial DriverIQ, to help their customers understand their driving behavior and drive more safely. With COUNTRY Financial DriverIQ, family members can also share scoring and reporting with one another – a valuable training tool for families with teen drivers. At enrollment, clients receive a 10% discount for each vehicle of which a teen is listed as the driver on the policy. Driving behavior, tracked and displayed through the COUNTRY Financial DriverIQ dashboard, will lead to a new discount between 1% and 25% at each six-month policy renewal. Data monitored by the app’s smartphone sensors, privately shared between client and COUNTRY Financial, includes acceleration, braking, cornering, phone distraction while driving and speeding. The detailed trip feedback also includes weekly summaries with gamification features (leaderboards, trends, streaks, etc.) that help drive engagement with the program, resulting in driving behavior improvement.

Teen driver discounts

Adding a teen driver to your auto insurance policy is expensive. However, teens who take a safe driving course or maintain a good driving record with no accidents or traffic tickets may qualify for a good driver discount with their insurance company. Additionally, students who maintain a certain grade point average, such as a B or higher, can qualify for a good student discount of up to 25% with some insurance companies. These incentives are great ways to manage your teen’s driving privileges.

The car

A dependable car with good visibility goes a long way in keeping new drivers safe on the road. So does the size and weight of the vehicle. If you are buying a car for your teen, consider a heavier car with high safety ratings or an older sedan. Larger, heavier vehicles typically offer more protection and older cars that are paid in full give you the option to drop collision and comprehensive insurance, carrying only liability protection and keeping your insurance bill down.

Set your own rules of the road

You can help your teen eliminate distractions and potential hazards while they’re on the road by setting some family rules or guidelines when it comes to driving. For example, some families set guidelines with their teens when driving with peers or loud music, at certain times of day or in certain weather conditions. Driving is a privilege, and we want new drivers to gain experience with a positive outcome.

Every family has a unique situation. Sitting down with your teen to discuss your family’s expectations and the importance of safe driving can help put your mind at ease before you hand over the car keys. Your insurance agent can also be a great resource offering additional strategies to help you navigate this significant milestone for you and your family.

Auto insurance policies issued by COUNTRY Mutual Insurance Company®, COUNTRY Preferred Insurance Company® and COUNTRY Casualty Insurance Company®, Bloomington, Illinois.

About the Author: Jake R. Hankins is a financial representative in Shelbyville, Illinois.

See more: What is Behavioral Finance?