Steps For Getting Your Teen Driver Set Up
Once your teenager comes of age and is able to drive, there are a couple of things to do to make sure that your child will be safe on the road. Here are some considerations for ensuring that your teen driver is well equipped on the road.
Choosing a Car
The first thing that you will contend with is choosing the right vehicle for your teenager driver. There are a few resources that you can consult to find safety ratings on any vehicle you consider, such as the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety's website. Many parents choose to get a safe, used car to start out, since the insurance rates are lower and the vehicles have been vetted more thoroughly for safety concerns.
Getting Insurance
When you're looking for the perfect auto insurance plan for your teen driver, there are a few things to note. First, it may be wise to get your child some driving lessons first; this can lead to deep discounts on auto insurance. Another thing to think about is adding your teens to a group driving plan that includes the parents and children on a single policy. This way, you could list yourself as the primary driver on all vehicles and have the teens insured as occasional drivers.
The type of insurance coverage you get for your child will depend on how much risk you can afford to take. You could opt for a less comprehensive insurance plan and then take on the cost of minor collision repair out of pocket. A more comprehensive collision auto insurance package would include the cost for things like paintless dent repair and auto glass repair. You might want to observe your child to see how vigilant they are on the road when deciding whether it's worthwhile to upgrade your auto insurance coverage.
Setting Ground Rules
Now, your teen is ready to hit the road. But you may want to set up some ground rules before you let your teen driver out into the wild. For instance, make sure that they are aware that texting while in the car is not a good idea. Depending on your state, there may also be rules about listening to loud music or having headphones in both ears; at any rate, it's a good idea to set some rules about listening to music and changing stations while driving. You may also want to set driving curfews at first, since visibility goes down greatly at dusk and beyond.
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