Though teenage drivers may be the first group to come to mind when thinking of new drivers, there are several types of drivers who are getting their licenses for the first time. Here are some examples of people who could be considered new drivers:
- Teens
- Older individuals without a driving record
- People who immigrate to the U.S.
Because car insurance costs vary from person to person, there are tips for new drivers that are specific to each of these groups. In the sections below we’ll look at some of the specifics of getting car insurance for each group.
How To Get Cheap Car Insurance for Young Drivers
It can be exciting for a teen to start driving on their own for the first time, but the cost of car insurance for new drivers is typically high. As mentioned, age is one of the main factors insurance companies consider when calculating prices.
Usually, the best way for young drivers to get cheap car insurance is to stay on their parents’ policies. Car insurance companies typically offer families several discounts to save money on insurance coverage, including:
- Safe driving discounts
- Good student discounts (must have B average grades or higher)
- College student and student-away-at-school discounts
- Defensive driving course discounts
Young drivers can’t purchase their own policies unless they own their own cars and no longer have the same permanent address as their parents. Keep in mind that drivers under the age of 25 usually pay much higher rates. Adding a young driver to an insurance policy will still increase your premiums substantially, but the amount will depend on your insurance company, the vehicle and where you live.
How To Get Car Insurance for New Drivers Who Are Older
Teenagers aren’t the only ones driving for the first time. A person of any age who has lived in a large city and primarily relied on public transportation or who hasn’t had the means to purchase a car could also be considered a new driver. Luckily, even though you may not have experience on the road, if you’re over 25, you may see lower rates than a teen driver.
If you are an older first-time driver and live in an area that has public transit or you don’t plan on driving much, there are alternatives to traditional insurance, like usage-based insurance (which we already discussed above).
Car Insurance for New Immigrants
Immigrants and foreign nationals can be classified as new drivers when they first enter the U.S. This is because auto insurance companies usually check domestic driving records, so you can have a clean driving record in another country and still be considered an inexperienced driver after moving to the States.
Being an immigrant can make it harder to purchase car insurance. Many car insurance companies will reject applicants who don’t have valid driver’s licenses. Depending on where you live, you may still be able to get a license if you don’t have the proper government paperwork.
According to the National Conference of State Legislatures, the District of Columbia and the 16 states below allow undocumented immigrants to obtain a driver’s licenses if they can produce items like a foreign birth certificate, valid foreign passport or proof of residency in the state.
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