Car Insurance for Teenagers Washington WA

Reader’s Question:

I’m thinking of buying my teenage son a car here in Washington, but I’m worried about the high premiums of car insurance for teenagers. Why is that? And how can I save some money on his insurance policy?

Harrison

Tacoma, WA

Most parents in the U.S. worry about their children starting to be independent, like driving on their own. But sadly, as testosterone levels go up, responsibility and carefulness plummet down. And because of this fact, you as parents have the responsibility of looking out for your kids and one way of doing that is by making sure that they are secured and protected through a car insurance policy.

You can add your teenage son to your own car insurance policy or you can get him his own car insurance, but one thing is for sure, car insurance for teenagers is almost always more expensive. One clear reason behind this fact is the lack of driving experience of your son. Some companies in Washington require drivers to have at least three or four years of driving experience to be offered lower car insurance quotes.

There are companies who will consider your son’s age as a factor in assessing his car insurance rates. Higher premium rates are often offered to young drivers who are below the age of twenty-five. This is due to the high-risk rating of males in this age group, as well as the high number of car accidents involving teens ranging from sixteen to twenty-four.

If you really want to save up on your son’s car insurance policy, talk to him about safety and carefulness when driving on his own. Teach him to be focused and responsible to avoid any car accident that may result in injury or damage to property. Help your son understand that a single speeding ticket or traffic violation can make your car insurance premium rates to go way up. Remember that having a clean driving history means lower premium rates.

Accompany your son in buying his first car to make sure that he gets the safest car possible. Try to persuade him not to choose the faster and cooler sports car, but instead explain to him the benefits of driving a simpler car with a lot of safety features in it. Don’t trade airbags and seat belts for speed and style. A sports car may be hipper, but accidents involving these type of cars are also higher, which translates to very expensive car insurance rates for you. However, a simple sedan with side airbags and an anti-theft alarm does not only mean safety and security, it can also mean lower premiums for your pocket!

Tags: auto insurance policy, car insurance quotes, teen, teen insurance

First Time Driver Insurance Washington WA

Reader’s Question:

I just bought my teenage daughter her first car. How can I get cheap auto insurance for her here in Washington since she is just a first time driver?

Elle

Bellevue, WA

Elle, the first thing that I have to tell you is that auto insurance for first-time drivers are higher than the standard auto insurance policies. The reason behind this is that it is typically considered by auto insurance companies that first-time drivers are high-risk drivers. It has been proven through statistics that teenage drivers get into more vehicular accidents than the number of all vehicular accidents involving other age brackets combined.

Now, in order for you to reduce the amount that you are going to be paying for auto insurance, you must consider taking some deliberate steps that are sure to lower your expenses.

First, if you already have an existing auto insurance policy, it would cost a lot less if you just include her in your auto insurance policy rather than purchasing a separate one for her. Multidriver policies with an auto insurance company always generate more discounts and lower prices.

Next, you may also want to think of having your teenage daughter enrolled in basic driving course there in Washington. Contact the school of your daughter and ask them if they offer basic driving courses. If not, you should seek out a private institution where you could enroll your daughter. Having your daughter take basic driving course is like some form of assurance to the auto insurance companies that your daughter is going to be a responsible driver, making her a less risky driver when on the road. The same logic applies if your daughter has good grades in school.

Tags: auto insurance, auto insurance premium, teen insurance

Auto Insurance Policy Seattle Washington WA

Reader’s Question:

Here in Seattle, WA, I noticed that most car insurance companies only write six month policies. Why is that? Is that regular practice? Is this the same in other states, as well?

Kurt

Seattle, WA

A six month insurance policy is a regular practice among car insurance companies. Car insurance companies change their rates according to their appraisal of your risk factor. Insurance is about the company having your back when something happens to you, your car, the other car or the driver of the other car. Now, before they gave you a car insurance quote when you first applied for coverage there in Seattle, WA, they checked out your risk factor. They presented a quotation after checking several things out. A six month insurance policy allows insurance companies to recheck or revisit the status of your risk factor and make changes accordingly. They would check if your lifestyle has changed: has it mellowed down or have you taken up drag racing as a hobby. Knowing this, your premium may increase or decrease depending on the outcome of their appraisal. So basically, this can be beneficial for the policy holder, too.

Although, this gives the insurance company a chance to raise premium, this is also an opportunity for the policy holder to lower it. Long term policies are not welcomed by insurance companies as this can effectively immobilize them when the risk factor of a policy holder has increased in the middle of the policy term. If the lifestyle of a policy holder has not or does not change dramatically, then there is no cause for alarm over this six month insurance policy.

Tags: auto insurance, auto insurance premium, Car Insurance Company

Tenn Driver Auto Insurance Graham-Thrift Washington WA

Reader’s Question:

I recently got my learner’s permit in Graham-Thrift Washington WA but my mom never lets me out without a chaperone and it is usually my older brother who is such a dork! What should I do to get rid of him?

Jesse

Graham-Thrift, WA

Well, am not sure that is such a good idea, Jesse. You see, you probably need him more than he needs you. I assume he is already a licensed driver and this is probably why he is tasked to chaperone you all the time. Drivers with learner’s permit are required to be accompanied by an authorized driver all the time. This is imposed in the other states and certainly it is imposed in Graham-Thrift Washington WA. Next, because you are not yet an authorized driver of the vehicle, (and your brother is) if anything happens to your car while you are behind the wheel, you will not be able to claim anything from the insurance company. I am sure that you wouldn’t want to pay for the damages, right? Rather than concentrate on how to escape your brother, you should focus on honing your skills and knowledge on driving and make sure that you know the relevant traffic rules in Graham-Thrift Washington WA. Once you are a fully licensed driver, given your improved skills, your mom will definitely include you as an authorized driver of the vehicle. It may not be that soon because it has some costs that go with the change. Do your part by researching how much it would cost your mom to add you as additional driver. help her by getting free quotes online which you can do by entering your zip code below.

 

Tags: auto insurance, Car Insurance Company, teen insurance, Young driver car insurance

Teen Vehicle Insurance Everett, Washington WA

Reader’s Question:

We live in Everett, Washington and my son is 16 years old with a driver’s license. I currently have him on my car insurance but car insurance rates have been increasing, even though my son has no tickets or accident. Because of my limited income, I am no longer able to pay my son’s auto insurance so I told him that he will not be able to drive until my income goes up. I told my insurance carrier that I have to take my son off of my car insurance policy for at least 6 months. They told me that they cannot do that unless I show them proof that my son has turned in his license. Is this true?

Rick

Everett, WA

To be able to drive in Everett or any part of WA a driver needs to be insured in Washington State. This is the reason why when taking the driving test for a driver’s license proof of insurance is required. Most insurance carriers will require that all licensed motorists in your household be added and placed on your auto insurance policy since they are likely to drive your cars.

The reason an insurance company is so concerned about your teenage son either staying on the car insurance policy, turning in his license or even providing proof that your son now has his own insurance policy is because they may still be responsible for damages if the motorist is living in the household and is driving the vehicle without having an insurance policy on him to drive it.

For information on what the Washington State insurance laws with regards to this situation verify with the WA Office of the Insurance Commissioner. If you find out that it is only this particular insurance carrier’s guidelines that require you to keep car insurance on your teenage son and would like to find an insurer that may permit you to exclude him from your auto insurance policy, you may be able to get a quote in this website that you can see above this page.

 

Tags: auto insurance, quote, teen insurance, Young driver car insurance

Washington auto insurance teen

Reader’s Question:

My son has a WA license but he is going to college in MA. He is planning to purchase a car and will be staying in MA for a few months before deciding whether to live there or state in WA. I’m planning to give her a policy, should it be in WA or MA?

Marit

Thank you for asking Marit.

If your son is going to purchase a car, register it and drive it in Massachusetts then she should get a MA insurance policy to cover the motor vehicle. If after 5 months he moves to a different state then he can register and insure the car in her new state of residency.

Your son can get information on how to register a car in Massachusetts by contacting the MA Registry of Motor Vehicles. He may also need to get information from the RMV if he will need to exchange her Washington State license for a Massachusetts driver’s license after she graduates from college since he may then be considered a resident of MA.

Goodluck!

MariCAR

WA car insurance

Reader’s Question:

I received a written warning for a traffic violation in the state of Washington Will this increase my rate? by how much?

James

Thank you for asking James.

It depends if the warning tickets that you received were warnings that were recorded to your driving record or were real citations that were placed on your Washington driving record. Some warnings are a type of citation that provides information on how to obey.

Your insurance provider may be able to check your motor vehicle record (MVR) by contacting the Washington Department of Licensing. If the 3 warnings or citations are placed on your driving record then they will likely affect your car insurance rates.

Insurance providers rating systems can different so to verify if these warnings or citations will increase your rates, and by how much if so, you will need to contact your insurance company. You may also contact WA Insurance Commissioner to find out about rates.

Goodluck!

MariCAR

WA auto insurance

Reader’s Question:

What is the car insurance with full coverage in Washington state?

Harry

Thank you for asking Harry.

A full coverage requirement is usually set not by the state but by your lien holder or finance company. According to the The Washington Insurance Commissioner site, collision and comprehensive may be required by your lender until you have the car completely paid off.

When you operate a vehicle in Washington state, you are required to have car insurance. If you operate a a car that is registered in Washington, or is required to be under the Revised Code of Washington (RCW), you must have auto insurance policy with limits of at least:

* $25,000 of bodily injury or death of one person in any one accident
* $50,000 of bodily injury or death of two or more persons in any one accident
* $10,000 of injury to or destruction of property of others in any accident (property damage)

Goodluck!

MariCAR

auto insurance in Washington

Reader’s Question:

I received a speeding ticket in Maine. Will this show up on my record in Washington state where I am licensed in?

Gina

Thank you for asking Gina.

Maine, where you received your ticket and and Washington, your home state are both members of the Drivers License Compact (DLC). As part of this compact members forward information to other member states when one of their licensed drivers is ticketed for a traffic violation.

Section 46.21.010 of the Revised Code of Washington (RCW) gives information on Washington’s participation with the DLC. In Article III of this section it states:

The licensing authority of a party state shall report each conviction of a person from another party state occurring within its jurisdiction to the licensing authority of the home state of the licensee. Such report shall clearly identify the person convicted; describe the violation specifying the section of the statute, code or ordinance violated; identify the court in which action was taken; indicate whether a plea of guilty or not guilty was entered, or the conviction was a result of the forfeiture of bail, bond or other security; and shall include any special findings made in connection therewith.

You may check with the Washington DOL to make sure if this out of state speeding ticket will be recorded on your driving record and if there are any other penalties you will face in state for getting ticketed for speeding out of state.

Goodluck!

MariCAR

Auto insurance in Washington state

Reader’s Question:

I just want to know if my car insurance rate will go up in Washington state if I receive a ticket. Thanks.

Jasmine

Thank you for asking Jasmine.

The individual insurance providers in Washington state determine their own rates based on their own rating system. Insurance carrier must provide and submit their rate requests to the WA Insurance Commissioner for review. If this State agency is satisfied with the rate information, they will approve the request of the insurance companies.

Insurance providers base car insurance rates on different factors. The base rate is adjusted based on different factors like your age,marital status, driving history,sex, claims history, location, credit history, and the make, model and year of your vehicle etc. When you shop for car insurance, make sure that each company uses these factors differently.

To get more information about the rating system of your insurance company you may contact your insurance agent or the Washington State Office of the Insurance Commissioner with whom they must file their rates with. They will be able to give you information if the violation will increase your premium.

Goodluck!

MariCAR