Auto insurance for teens

[Shadow Conception]

So I've read around a bit on auto insurance, but I still haven't found the cold hard facts I'm looking for. I've got a few questions.

1) How much is auto insurance for teens? I've heard $600 every 6 months, I've heard $1600 monthly, and I don't know who to believe. What's a general range? I'd probably get a good student discount, so that can be factored in as well.

2) If I drove my parents' cars alone with their permission (probably not gonna happen), would it be required for me to be registered under their insurance plan? What would be the consequences of me not being insured and driving their car?

3) When they say a driving course can reduce your auto insurance costs, does this mean Drivers Ed? I've already taken and passed Drivers Ed, which is required to get a license. Completion of a state-approved behind the wheel program (equivalent to a commercial driving school/road and range at HS) is also required for teens to get a license, which I'm working on right now. Is that the type of driving course the insurance companies mean? Or are there other courses in addition that I can take?

As a side note, I'm 16 and I'm due to get my license in May. Probably won't have my own car 'til college, though.

 

[xanis]

1) It varies. No matter what though, you're probably going to take it up the ass.

2) Yes. Every driver needs insurance.

3) In my case, I did some thing sponsored by my insurance company (State Farm). There was this thing where I had to watch a short video, answer a few questions, and keep a log with my parents for a few months. It was pretty easy and well worth the discount. Also, you should get a "good student" discount. As long as your grades are good you get some money off of your bill.

 

[PepePeru]

1. price dependent on the company, type of car & your location and type of insurance (full coverage vs liability).
2. if your parents allow you to drive their cars, they should add you to the insurance.
3. i don't think driver's ed counts. I think it refers to like a defensive driving course (usually what you can do to get out of minor traffic violations).

my SO took a DD course to save a little money on her insurance. it wasn't enough of a discount for me to give up most of a saturday.
plus, she was the only person in the entire course there by choice, the others were there b/c of tickets, etc.

 

[ggnl]

It varies a lot depending on the value of the car and your driving record.

 

[Alone]

Originally posted by: G Wizard
3. i don't think driver's ed counts.

Not sure how it works in the U.S., but here in Canada driver's ed does count.

 

[OCGuy]

$412.42/mo no matter what.

 

[PepePeru]

and consequences of taking the car & driving w/o insurance? despite the potential legal (it's against the law to drive w/o at least liability insurance) & civil repercussions?

if you were my kid or if you had my parents:

your ass wouldn't be behind the wheel until you're 18 and i kick your ass out of my house & you pay for your own insurance, wreck or not.

 

[ViviTheMage]

waaaaaaaaaaay too many factors involved...just get 10+ quotes and go with the lowest...

 

[Aikouka]

When I was on my parent's insurance, I had a discount for taking Driver's Ed Roadwork. The in class course (usually just called "Driver's Ed") didn't count, but it was a pre-req for being able to take Roadwork.

 

[nakedfrog]

I was paying close to $200/month for full coverage on a 91 Prizm sedan in 97... now I pay a little over a hundred per month for full coverage on one vehicle and liability on three others.

 

[frostedflakes]

Originally posted by: Xanis
1) It varies. No matter what though, you're probably going to take it up the ass.

2) Yes. Every driver needs insurance.

3) In my case, I did some thing sponsored by my insurance company (State Farm). There was this thing where I had to watch a short video, answer a few questions, and keep a log with my parents for a few months. It was pretty easy and well worth the discount. Also, you should get a "good student" discount. As long as your grades are good you get some money off of your bill.

Yup, we have State Farm and I did #3 as well. Was a nice little discount, but what really helped was the good student discount. But even with discounts, until you turn 25 car insurance is going to be pretty insane.

 

[nanette1985]

1. It varies, but $1600 a month would be outrageously high.

2. Your parents need to list everyone in the household with a drivers license in their insurance plan. Whether they drive or not.

3. Dotto on the good grades discount, usually better than the driver's ed one. Varies between insurance companies.

 

[nonameo]

get an old used car and liability only.

 

[SunnyD]

Originally posted by: ViviTheMage
waaaaaaaaaaay too many factors involved...just get 10+ quotes and go with the lowest...

Just remember, every single quote you get usually shows up on your credit report!

 

[amdhunter]

probably over $9000

 

[wiredspider]

1. depends
2. don't do it
3. defensive driving course

 

[Brainonska511]

When I was in my senior year of HS, I remember paying $750 for 6 months for liability and uninsured motorist coverage on a '97 Ford Taurus that was officially under my dad's name and his overall insurance policy. Insurance from State Farm in lower NY.

 

[oiprocs]

Originally posted by: Shadow Conception
2) If I drove my parents' cars alone with their permission (probably not gonna happen), would it be required for me to be registered under their insurance plan? What would be the consequences of me not being insured and driving their car?

No. I was registered under my parents insurance until my dad found out that he didn't have to register me. His agent said since my dad had complete coverage on the vehicle, I would be covered on it, without having him pay monthly for my name. (State Farm.)

 

[nineball9]

Originally posted by: nonameo
get an old used car and liability only.

This.

 

[knawlejj]

I paid around $375 every 6 months, used State Farm and had the "good grades" discount. Drove a 2001 Mercury Cougar