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Do I Get Discounts on Insurance Rates If My Child Attends Driver Ed?

Do I Get Discounts on Insurance Rates If My Child Attends Driver Ed?

Some car insurance companies give discounts to teens for completion of California driver ed courses. Teens also save for being good students or for taking an insurance-approved defensive driving course.

Teens are involved in more accidents than any other age group on the road. In California, young drivers can take the wheel with an adult at 15 ½ years old. It’s a big responsibility for someone still growing and developing and without a lot of experience. Those first years of insurance premiums will probably be high, but there are ways to save on monthly payments.

Auto Insurance Discounts for California Driver Education Courses

Some car insurance companies offer multiple ways for parents (or their teens) to save on car insurance costs. When it comes to securing insurance, teens can sign up with the family or go it alone. Teens are allowed to sign up for their own policy, but it’s almost always cheaper for children to be added to the policy held by their parents.

But no matter what method you decide on, the more teen drivers show a commitment to safe driving, the more money they’ll keep in their wallets. These are critical savings because drivers can be penalized by auto insurers for being young until they are at least 25 years old.

Several insurance companies offer discounts for safe driving course completion. Some companies may also give discounts for a defensive driving school certificate.

Check with your insurance agent, because in each state and in different regions, drivers get very different discounts and different conditions can apply. A place notorious for accidents like Los Angeles may have very different rates and conditions than Fresno for teen and adult motorists.

State Farm is one insurance firm that offers a bargain when drivers complete approved driver ed courses. Liberty Mutual has a defensive driving course right on its website that may earn all of the drivers in your family a percentage off.

California has strict driver education requirements for teens who are seeking their Learner’s Permit. Families might as well take advantage of these mandated certified courses if they can. To find out more about California’s Driver Ed prerequisites, check out Maison Law’s Ultimate Teen Driver Ed Guide.

Good Student Discounts for California Teen Drivers

Teens looking for more ways to save can study their school books a little more. Many car insurance companies offer discounts for good grades at the high school or college levels.

Several major car insurance carriers ask for proof of a GPA of a “B” or higher. If a current grade card that’s signed by school administrator is submitted, a reduced price may show up on your monthly bill.

State Farm offers up to 25% in some regions. Nationwide is another provider that rewards smart kids. For teen drivers who are homeschooled, Nationwide accepts results from a standardized test such as a PSAT, a SAT, or the ACT. Participants must be between 16 and 24 and be full-time students. Geico offers up to 15% to participants.

Unfortunately, living in a state with a lot of traffic issues does have its drawbacks. Progressive’s website says it offers a 10% discount to good students but then adds the disclaimer that the deal is not available in California. It’s a good reminder that California insurance policyholders need to call their agents to find out what is and isn’t available.

Other Discounts Available to California Teen Drivers

There are some other tips for California parents and new drivers who seek to save a few hundred dollars a year on auto coverage.

These are just a few things your family can try:

  • Off-to-School Discounts – If your student moves away to attend school and doesn’t bring a car, you may get a cheaper rate. This rate is for students who only drive when they visit or are home on breaks.
  • Safe driving discounts – Young drivers going three years or more without an accident may see a reduction in payments. But beware, some insurance companies exclude California residents from these programs.
  • Avoid accidents — It seems like an obvious thing, but an accident usually disqualifies teen drivers from any discounts.
  • Don’t buy a new car or let your teen buy a new car — New drivers usually don’t benefit from having a new car. Pay for a safe used car, because the car insurance premiums on a new car or a sports car will be enormous for teenagers.

Speak with a California Car Accident Lawyer

No matter how long teen drivers study traffic codes and practice their defensive driving, accidents will happen. And it’s no secret that teen drivers aren’t actually to blame for every accident. Yet, some car insurance companies are happy to shift blame to a young driver just to save on the insurance settlement money they pay out. Your own car insurance company could allow false accusations to stand simply to jack up your rates.

Don’t stand for unfair treatment and don’t let your teen go through something so negative, especially after being hurt in a car crash. Schedule a free consultation with a California Car Accident Lawyer at Maison Law. It’s a no-risk way to find out what your car accident injury is worth and how to make sure the at-fault motorist can’t shift blame to an innocent party.

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