Adding a Teen Driver – A Parent’s Awakening
We’re frequently called upon to advise (and console) our parent clients who reluctantly come to know, all too quickly, about the suffering that accompanies adding a Teen Driver to their auto insurance policy. If you haven’t experienced this yet, the premium usually doubles and then some. The reasons are quite simple. NHTSA (National Highway Traffic Safety Administration) reports:
- Motor vehicle crashes continue to be the leading cause of death among 15-24 year olds
- Drivers between the ages of 16 and 20 are four times more likely to crash
- While making up only 10% of the driving population, teen drivers account for more than 12% of all traffic fatalities each year
These statistics worsen 3 fold when alcohol comes into the picture. Don’t think your teen drinks? We pray not. But, don’t be completely naive. Remember a little thing called “Peer Pressure”?
Traffic safety begins at home with teaching young drivers that having a license is a “Privilege” not a “Right”. Did you know Tennessee is a “Graduated Licensing” state? This Program is a multi-tiered program designed to ease young novice drivers into full driving privileges as they become more mature and develop their driving skills. By requiring more supervised practice, the State of Tennessee hopes to save lives and prevent tragic injuries. If you don’t find your teen is maturing as a safe driver under your supervision, nothing prohibits you from keeping them restricted to Permit privileges only. Might as well save that premium increase and perhaps you’ll help them avoid becoming another tragic statistic.
While the Graduated Licensing law is real, we want to emphasize the impact of parental influence or “Monkey see, Monkey do” vs. “Do as I say, not as I do”. Your child has been riding with you for a little more than a decade and a half. Which do you think they’re going to remember; what they’ve seen you do or what they’ve heard you say? That’s right! If you’re texting while driving, talking on the cell while driving, driving over the posted limit, neglecting to buckle up, following too closely, raging behind the wheel, blowing through school zones, drinking while driving, rolling through stop signs & lights, etc., your teen will likely do many of the very same things when they get into that driver’s seat.
So, our point here is, don’t drive perilously and you might just reduce the odds of your teen doing the same or worse, becoming among the aforementioned statistics. Regardless of what you decide, secure the highest limits of Liability, Uninsured Motorist and Umbrella coverage you can. Yes, the premiums will be painful for a while and we pray you never have to use the coverage. But, chances are, you just might. Please call or come by if we can help you be protected, not surprised and/or get more than you’re already paying for.
Luis Roque is a local Independent Agent who strives to help you to “Be Protected, Not Surprised. Get More Than You’re Already Paying For.”Roque Agency Insurance is located at… 150 Uptown Square, Suite C
Murfreesboro, TN 37129.
Roque Agency Insurance 
Leave a Reply