If you’ve got questions about your insurance coverage, claims or just pesky random scenarios that pop up — our experts have the answers. Welcome back to Ask an Agent, our advice column where we share questions we’ve gotten and the answers from The Zebra licensed insurance agents.
Today, we’re looking at questions related to teen drivers. If you've got a teen in your life and they are or are soon to be on your insurance policy, this one's for you! We've got questions about costs, filing claims and a few tips for saving money despite the high cost to insure the under-20 demographic.
Question 1: Can I save money if I only have my son drive a less expensive car?
I'm about to have to add my son to our car insurance policy, and I'm a little worried about the costs. If I add my teenager to my car insurance, does it matter if I add him as the primary driver to a V6 2005 Mustang or a V8 1999 F150 4x4? Can I save money if it's the cheaper vehicle, and if so which one would that be?
-Optimistic in Oklahoma
Question 2: Can my teen be on a separate policy?
My teen is about to get her license, and I'm already worried about the costs. Is it possible to have our teenager on a separate auto policy as my wife and I? Are there insurance companies that would allow our nearly 17-year-old son to be on a separate auto insurance policy driving only one car? Then my wife and I would be on another policy driving the other two cars only? Would it even save money?
-Apprehensive in Arizona
Question 3: Is my teen covered if he got into an accident before being added to our policy?
I'm sure you've heard this one before. My son got his license in late July and hit a parked car in early August. He used the car that one day only, and lives at his college campus. The car is deemed a total loss, and now the insurance is denying the claim, saying he was not covered on the specific date. But according to my research, the Registry of Motor Vehicles states that you have 60 days to notify your agent to add the new driver to your policy. Who's right, me or the insurance company?
-Mad in Massachusetts
Can my daughter stay on my car insurance policy after I transfer the title of the car to her?
My daughter is going to be a freshman in college next fall and will be taking her car with her. Can she stay on my policy if I transfer the title to her, if her place of residence is still listed as with us?
-Missing her in Missouri
However, if she is going to college but still living with you, she can stay on the policy as long as that's actually what she is doing. Just keep in mind if she's going to college away from your listed address with the vehicle and files a claim, you risk having the claim denied. For more information, see our additional articles here:
- Car Insurance Guide for Students
- Student Discount for Car Insurance
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