How to Get Cheap Car Insurance for New Drivers - 5 Simple Tips

If you are a new driver, you may be shocked by how much car insurance can cost. According to a study by The Zebra, the average annual car insurance premium for a 16-year-old driver in the US is $6,559. That’s more than four times the average premium for a 40-year-old driver ($1,502).

Why is car insurance so expensive for new drivers? The main reason is that new drivers are considered high-risk by insurers. They have less driving experience, less knowledge of traffic rules and regulations, and less ability to handle challenging situations on the road. As a result, they are more likely to cause or be involved in accidents and violations than experienced drivers.

However, this does not mean that new drivers have to pay exorbitant rates for their car insurance. There are some simple tips and tricks that can help them get cheap car insurance without compromising their coverage or protection. In this article, we will show you how to get cheap car insurance for new drivers by following these five steps:

• Compare quotes from different insurers
• Choose a safe and reliable car
• Take a driver’s education course
• Maintain a good driving record
• Ask for discounts and other ways to save money

Let’s dive into each of these steps in detail.

Tip #1: Compare quotes from different insurers

One of the best ways to get cheap car insurance for new drivers is to shop around and compare quotes from different insurers. This is because different insurers may offer different discounts, coverage options, and rates for new drivers, depending on their own criteria and algorithms. By comparing quotes from different insurers, you can find the best deal that suits your needs and budget.

There are many online tools and websites that can help you compare quotes from different insurers easily and quickly. For example, you can use The Zebra, Insurify, or NerdWallet to get personalized quotes from multiple insurers in minutes. All you need to do is enter some basic information about yourself, your car, and your driving history, and you will get a list of quotes from various insurers that you can compare side by side.

When comparing quotes, make sure to consider not only the price but also the quality of the coverage and the service. Some factors to consider are:

• Deductibles: The amount of money you have to pay out of pocket before your insurance kicks in. A higher deductible means a lower premium, but also more financial risk in case of a claim.
• Coverage limits: The maximum amount of money your insurance will pay for a claim. A lower coverage limit means a lower premium, but also less protection in case of a major accident or lawsuit.
• Customer service: The quality of the support and assistance you get from your insurer or agent. A good customer service means a smooth and hassle-free claim process, as well as helpful advice and guidance.
• Reviews and ratings: The feedback and opinions of other customers who have used the insurer or agent. A good review and rating means a high level of satisfaction and trust.

Tip #2: Choose a safe and reliable car

Another way to get cheap car insurance for new drivers is to choose a safe and reliable car. This is because the type of car you drive can affect your car insurance rates significantly. Some cars are more expensive to repair, more likely to be stolen, or more prone to accidents than others. These cars will have higher insurance costs than cars that are cheaper to repair, less likely to be stolen, or safer to drive.

Some examples of safe and reliable cars that are suitable for new drivers and have lower insurance costs are:

• Honda Civic
• Toyota Corolla
• Hyundai Elantra
• Ford Focus
• Nissan Sentra

These cars are popular among new drivers because they are affordable, fuel-efficient, easy to maintain, and have good safety ratings. They also have low theft rates and low repair costs, which means lower insurance premiums.

Some features to look for in a car that can lower your insurance rates are:

• Anti-theft devices: These are devices that can prevent or deter thieves from stealing your car, such as alarms, immobilizers, or tracking systems. These devices can reduce the risk of theft and vandalism, which means lower insurance premiums.
• Airbags: These are devices that can inflate automatically in case of a collision and protect you and your passengers from injuries. These devices can reduce the severity of injuries and medical costs, which means lower insurance premiums.
• Anti-lock brakes: These are devices that can prevent your wheels from locking up when you brake hard and help you maintain control of your car. These devices can reduce the risk of skidding and crashing, which means lower insurance premiums.

Tip #3: Take a driver’s education course

Another way to get cheap car insurance for new drivers is to take a driver’s education course. This is because taking a driver’s education course can help you improve your driving skills, knowledge, and confidence, and reduce your risk of accidents and violations. By taking a driver’s education course, you can show your insurer that you are serious about becoming a safe and responsible driver.

There are many driver’s education courses that are available for new drivers, such as:

• Online courses: These are courses that you can take online at your own pace and convenience. They usually consist of videos, quizzes, and interactive modules that cover topics such as traffic laws, road signs, driving techniques, etc.
• Classroom courses: These are courses that you can take in person at a local driving school or community center. They usually consist of lectures, discussions, and tests that cover topics such as traffic laws, road signs, driving techniques, etc.
• Behind-the-wheel training: These are courses that you can take with a certified instructor who will teach you how to drive on the road in real-life situations. They usually consist of several hours of driving practice in different scenarios such as highways, intersections, parking lots, etc.

By completing a driver’s education course, you can qualify for discounts from some insurers who offer them for new drivers. The amount of discount may vary depending on the insurer and the type of course you take. However, it can range from 5% to 15% off your premium.

Tip #4: Maintain a good driving record

Another way to get cheap car insurance for new drivers is to maintain a good driving record. This is because having a good driving record can help you lower your car insurance rates significantly. Insurers consider drivers with fewer accidents and violations as safer and more responsible than drivers with more accidents and violations. As a result, they charge them lower rates than drivers with poor driving records.

Some tips on how to maintain a good driving record are:

• Follow traffic rules: This means obeying the speed limit, signaling before turning or changing lanes, stopping at red lights and stop signs, yielding to pedestrians and other vehicles, etc. By following traffic rules, you can avoid getting tickets and fines that can increase your insurance costs.
• Avoid distractions: This means avoiding anything that can take your attention away from the road, such as texting, talking on the phone, eating, drinking, adjusting the radio, etc. By avoiding distractions, you can prevent accidents and injuries that can increase your insurance costs.
• Drive defensively: This means anticipating and avoiding potential hazards and conflicts on the road, such as aggressive drivers, bad weather, road construction, etc. By driving defensively, you can protect yourself and others from harm and reduce your insurance costs.

It may take some time for your driving record to affect your car insurance rates. Depending on your state and insurer, it may take anywhere from six months to five years for accidents and violations to drop off your record. However, it is worth it to keep your record clean and avoid them in the future.

Tip #5: Ask for discounts and other ways to save money

Another way to get cheap car insurance for new drivers is to ask for discounts and other ways to save money. This is because insurers may offer various incentives and programs for eligible drivers that can help them reduce their car insurance costs. By asking for discounts and other ways to save money, you can take advantage of these opportunities and lower your premium.

Some examples of discounts and other ways to save money that are available for new drivers are:

• Low-mileage discounts: These are discounts that you can get if you drive less than a certain number of miles per year. This can reduce your exposure to risk and lower your insurance costs.
• Good student discounts: These are discounts that you can get if you are a student who maintains a certain grade point average (usually a B or higher). This can show your insurer that you are responsible and diligent and lower your insurance costs.
• Bundling discounts: These are discounts that you can get if you buy more than one type of insurance from the same insurer (such as car insurance and home insurance). This can show your insurer that you are loyal and trustworthy and lower your insurance costs.
• Pay-per-mile programs: These are programs that you can join if you want to pay for your car insurance based on how much you drive. This can give you more control over your insurance costs and lower them if you drive less.

To find out about discounts and other ways to save money from your insurer or agent, you should ask them directly or check their website. They may have some requirements or conditions that you need to meet or follow to qualify for them. You should also compare the savings from different discounts and programs and choose the ones that offer the most value for you.

Conclusion

Getting cheap car insurance for new drivers may seem like a daunting task, but it is not impossible. By following these five simple tips and tricks, you can get cheap car insurance without compromising your coverage or protection:

• Compare quotes from different insurers
• Choose a safe and reliable car
• Take a driver’s education course
• Maintain a good driving record
• Ask for discounts and other ways to save money

By doing so, you can save hundreds or even thousands of dollars on your car insurance every year. So what are you waiting for? Start saving money on your car insurance today!