Keep Your Teen—And Your Pocketbook—Safe By Making A Smart Shopping Choice: Picking The Right Car Can Reduce Auto Insurance Costs

Teen Drivers Benefit From Larger, Heavier Vehicles Equipped With Electronic Stability Control

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NEW YORK, April 28, 2016—Buying a safe vehicle for your teenager provides peace of mind and may offset the higher premiums triggered by adding a young driver to the family’s auto insurance policy, according to the Insurance Information Institute (I.I.I.).

 

The best car for a teen driver is one that is easy to drive, offers the most protection for the vehicle’s occupants, and has earned a good rating in crashworthiness tests. And, of course, parents should also speak to their teens about establishing safe driving habits.

 

Immaturity and a lack of driving experience are the two main factors contributing to the high crash rate among teenagers. In fact, motor vehicle crashes are the leading cause of death for teens, according to the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) and Prevention.

 

“Auto insurers view favorably vehicles that have certain safety features and have performed well in crash tests,” said Michael Barry, vice president, media relations, I.I.I.  “The right car will not only keep a teen safer, it may save you money over time.”

 

If you’re shopping for a car for your teen, keep in mind three things:

 

  1. Avoid high horsepower vehicles—they may encourage reckless driving;
  2. Look for bigger, heavier vehicles that can best withstand a crash; and
  3. Purchase a vehicle equipped with electronic stability control (ESC) to lower the risk of rollover.

 

A good place to start is with recommendations from the IIHS, an independent organization dedicated to reducing the deaths, injuries and property damage caused by crashes on the nation’s roads.

 

In addition to a car’s safety record, insurers take into account numerous other factors when pricing an auto insurance policy. For instance, the price of the car itself, where it is parked and how much it is driven can all affect the cost of coverage. 

 

The I.I.I. offers a number of tips on how to lower the cost of insuring a teen driver.

 

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The I.I.I. has a full library of educational videos on its You Tube Channel. Information about I.I.I. mobile apps can be found here. THE I.I.I. IS A NONPROFIT, COMMUNICATIONS ORGANIZATION SUPPORTED BY THE INSURANCE INDUSTRY.

Insurance Information Institute, 110 William Street, New York, NY 10038; (212) 346-5500; www.iii.org

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