Car Insurance
Inexperience behind the wheel usually drives insurance rates up, but some companies still offer great rates. Just like any other driver, finding the best car insurance for new drivers means doing the research and comparing prices from several providers.
Who is considered a new driver?
Each state sets its own minimum auto insurance requirements, and auto insurance for new drivers will look like any other policy for drivers. While the lack of driving experience does not change the amount of insurance you need, it will affect the price. Here are some examples of people who could be considered new drivers:
- Teen bikers
- Elderly people without a driving record
- People immigrating to the United States
There is also no specific car insurance policy for new drivers. You will be expected to purchase at least the minimum coverage required in your state, which usually includes bodily injury and property damage liability insurance. Some states also require uninsured/uninsured motorist coverage and personal injury protection.
What affects the price of insurance?
Car insurance companies review a number of factors when giving coverage estimates. Some center around the auto policy itself, but many others have to do with driver demographics and driving history. Age and driving experience are two factors that insurers heavily influence, as they are key indicators of how likely a driver is to have an accident.
Here are some of the main factors that affect auto insurance quotes:
- Omar
- Gender
- Social status
- Location
- Car make, model and mileage
- Balance level
- Driving history
- Coverage limits
Car insurance rates by age and their credit rating
Building up good credit before you start driving is a good way to get cheaper car insurance as a new driver. On the other hand, a bad result can raise your price. Here’s how car insurance rates compare between two different age groups and across three credit ratings based on our cost estimates.
Car insurance for teens
It can be exciting for a teen to start driving alone for the first time, but the cost of car insurance for new drivers likely won’t make any smile. As mentioned, age is one of the main things insurance companies look at when putting rates together.
Part of the reason insurance companies raise rates for younger drivers is to increase the likelihood of an accident. Car accidents are the second leading cause of death for teens in the United States, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Additional reports from the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety show that nearly two out of three teens killed in crashes in 2019 were male.
Usually, the best way for young drivers to get cheap car insurance is to stick to their parents’ policies. Car insurance companies typically offer many discounts for families to save money on coverage, including:
Safe Driving Discounts
Good student discounts (must have grade point averages of B or higher)
Discounts for college students and out-of-school students
Discounts on defensive driving course
Remember that young drivers can only buy their own documents if they no longer have the same permanent address as their parents and also own their own cars. Also keep in mind that drivers under the age of 25 usually pay much higher prices. Adding a young driver to an insurance policy will significantly increase your premiums, but the amount will depend on the insurance company, the vehicle and where you live.
Car insurance for first time drivers
Teens aren’t the only ones driving their cars for the first time. A person of any age who lived in a large city and relied primarily on public transportation or did not have the means to purchase a car could also be considered a new driver.
As we mentioned above on the Home Media Reviews team, things like the vehicle you choose, your age, location, and credit score will all affect the car insurance price for new drivers. Although you may not have experience on the road, if you are over 25 years old, you may see lower rates from new teen drivers.
Obtain car insurance after moving to the United States
Immigrants and foreign nationals can be classified as new drivers when they first enter the United States because car insurance companies usually check local driving records, so you can have a clean driving record in another country and still be considered an inexperienced driver after moving to states.
Being an immigrant can make it difficult to purchase car insurance. Many auto insurance companies reject applicants who do not have a valid driver’s license. If you do not have the appropriate government paperwork, you may still be able to obtain a license depending on where you live.