David Foster
Starting to drive is one of the most anticipated times of any young person. For me, the feel of the steering wheel in my hands after finally passing the driving test was quite a moment. I was free to drive to wherever I wanted at any time. And being a lover of music, I had already installed the best car speakers that gave me the kind of in-car entertainment I needed. However, there was a cost for everything I planned to do or have as I started driving. Some of the costs, such as insurance did not cross my mind at first.
Having car insurance is a legal requirement for all licensed drivers in the US as well as any other part of the world. In case of an accident, an insurance cover caters for expenses for injuries to the people or/and damages to any car involved in the accident. As I prepared to acquire my insurance cover, something really took me by surprise – insurance for young
drivers is relatively more expensive than for older guys. I did not understand why this would so until an insurance broker explained everything to me. I also understood why I really needed an insurance cover for my car before I started driving it.
Reasons why young drivers need car insurance
i). Young drivers are more likely than older drivers to cause an accident
Studies have revealed that young drivers are more prone to accidents due to the following reasons:
– Risk-taking: I have seen some of my peers taking risks like not wearing a seatbelt, speeding to impress, cutting in and out of traffic and performing some other kinds of dangerous maneuvers while driving. This risk-taking behavior of young drivers increases their chances of causing an accident.
– Driving at night: Research also shows that young drivers drive at night more frequently than older drivers. Any driver is more likely to crash at night because vision is decreased, hazards are not as obvious as during the day, and there’s the element of hurrying to get home. In addition, young drivers are less experienced driving at night.
– Drink driving: It is unfortunate that the majority of those who get seriously injured or die in drink driving accidents are young people. According to the National Center for Health Statistics, in 2012, a third of the people who were killed or sustained serious injuries in such accidents were aged between 16 and 24 years. Drink driving impairs judgment, reduces coordination, and slows down reactions.
ii). Driving and parking in risky areas
Most young drivers are found in the cities because that’s where the majority of universities, colleges and employment opportunities usually are. Insurers consider these as high-risk areas especially because of their higher crime rates compared to rural areas. And it’s true – I could comfortably park my car in an unsecured parking lot at the university without thinking about what could happen if the car was vandalized or stolen. For this reason, car insurance is vital for any young driver so that any loss, in case it happens, can be compensated by the insurance company.
iii). Fines for driving without car insurance
Every state has its own driving laws and penalties for driving without insurance differ from one state to the other. Penalties for driving without insurance generally include:
– Receiving a traffic ticket: If a police officer summons you to pull over and finds out that you don’t have insurance, you can receive a no insurance violation ticket in addition to the ticket you get for the main reason you were asked to pull over. Sometimes, the ticket can be dismissed when you show proof of insurance, but you must do this within a specified period of time.
-Meeting SR-22 requirements: In some states, this is imposed for simply driving without insurance but in other states it’s imposed if you have caused an accident.
– Driving license can be suspended
– Your vehicle registration can be suspended
– Your future insurance premiums could increase
My insurance broker also gave me a few tips to help to avoid problems related car insurance.
- Paying insurance premiums annually: Paying annually keeps me without any worry about late monthly payments which can cost me a penalty.
- Automatic payment methods: Some insurance providers allow payment by debit/credit cards, and Electronic Funds Transfers (EFTs). Paying through these means eliminates the possibility of forgetting to make insurance premium payments.
- Car modifications affect insurance premiums: Some modifications done on the car can significantly change the car’s original specification. If the insurer is not informed about such changes, the insurance policy can be invalidated. To avoid driving around with an invalid policy (it is a crime), it’s best to ask the insurer what effect a specific modification has on the insurance policy. For instance, before installing after-market speaker I had selected to upgrade my car’s stereo, I was advised to phone my insurer and ask if there was a clause in the policy stating that modifying stereos would affect my premiums.
As I learned from the insurance expert, passing the driving test was just an official approval that I was qualified to take to the roads. The next important step is getting car insurance. Although car insurance for young drivers is generally more expensive than for older drivers, don’t get discouraged. You can get the best car insurance for young drivers here so that you can get confidently on the roads as soon as you possibly can.
