? about adding kids to your car insurance policy

[Tiggeroo]

I have twin sons who just turned 16. Neither has saved the amount that I think they will need for car insurance. But they are now eligible for their permits. They are working on saving some bucks. Do I need to add them on to my policy when they just have their permits. My brother has a son the same age, and he claims his insurance company said no, you don't add them until they have their license. When they are driving on their permit they fall under the coverage of the responsible adult they are driving with. It will be a full year until they are eligible for their licenses. I would like to know how much it will cost me to add them to my policy. But some people have told me that if I just call my company to get prices, and tell them I have sons who are at driving age, they will bump my price whether they have their licenses or not. I live in NJ, the state with the highest insurance rates in the county. Anybody done this, or know what to do?

 

[MICKEY88]

in Pennsylvania, you don't add them until they get their license,

 

[Carole]

Tiggeroo,

Ouch, my 16 year old son just got his license. Having two at the same time must really be scary.

I'm sure each insurance company has their own guidelines. I would call and ask without identifying myself. My insurance company wanted to know as soon as he got his learner's permit. In Maryland, they can get their license four months after the learner's.

Our insurance company offers a discount if the teenage driver comes in and watches a video. But since we had a windshield replaced, they will not allow the discount until a year has passed since the replacement! The insurance company did not tell us about this discount - friends did - so ask!

Good luck!!

 

[dbond]

In Texas, we didn't need to add our DD until she received a valid driver's license. What you said about the responsible adult's insurance during the permit period is also what we were told by our insurance co. I'll warn you though, twins and boys at that, you are going to get a double whammy. When our DD was added to our policy, it doubled. So 1 DD cost as much as DH & I combined doubling our annual expense, about 1K a year for her alone. That cost includes liability & comprehensive. Depending on what they are driving, if they have their own car, you may want to consider foregoing the comprehensive and if they wreck it they walk. DS turns 16 next month, eeek! I've heard from other parents with boys to hang on to your pocketbook cause it's gonna cost you big! I'll let you know.

 

[Tiggeroo]

My sons will have to split the cost of insurance with me. They will also be sharing a car, once they get their license. But I am assuming it will be big $$$. Yikes.

 

[Jenn]

Here in Massachusetts, you don't have to add them to your policy until they get their license. While using a learner's permit, they are covered under your policy. My nephew is at work at Target right now earning his insurance $$. His quote - $1,500 per year - and that is for a 1991 beat up car.

 

[SplshMtn99]

I'm a Cust Serv Rep in a MA insurance agency. In MA, you add them when they are licensed.

My biggest concern with your question is the fact that you are asking US. You should be asking your agent!! If you want to be covered in the event of an accident, you ask/notify your agent....and TAKE THEIR ADVICE! Not the advice of unlicensed people who do not even work in insurance.

Your agent cannot help you if there's a claim if they didn't know of the exposure because you withheld info OR if you were trying to avoid paying premium.

Insurance agents are there to help you --- we are NOT evil people! LOL Telling you what you SHOULD have done AFTER the accident won't help you.

 

[krazyboutWDW]

In our state it is not one set rule for all insurance companies. Our insurance company made you add teenagers as soon as they got their permit. I had friends who did not have to add their DS or DD until they actually got their license. I would ask your agent what your company's policy is.

 

[FOJMO]

Either I'm with the wrong insurance company, or Florida has very high rates for teens, or DD has the "wrong" kind of car, but her insurance for JUST HERE is $2,400/year!!! That's an average of $200/month, $10 more than her monthly car payment!!!

She is 17 right now and has had insurance since she got her actual license one year ago. She did not need insurance when she just had her learner's permit.

It's enough for her to keep up with her studies and work part time to make a car payment, let alone expect her to give us anything for the insurance. We'll make it, but I couldn't begin to guess what it's going to cost for twin teenaged boys!

Good luck!

 

[Mad4Mickey]

My DD is on our insurance and it is not as bad as I thought it would be . I have State Farm and I have had them for 19 years. I spoke to them about 2 weeks ago when my DS turned 15 they told me that when I add him it will be almost 2 times the amount it was for my DD I am scared now and I told him he may have to get skates instead of a car LOL We have 3 cars now and are looking for 1 for my DS already . ( I guess I will have to keep working !)


Wishing everyone a Tagged day

 

[Kermit]

It depends on your insurance company, but part of how much your insurance costs could depend on the cars that are in the family, not just the one your teenager is driving. I know that when I got my license, my parents' insurance company would only insure me on the most expensive car, not on the one that I was driving. I think that with almost all companies you don't have to insure your teens until they actually get their licenses (although you may lose your discount for no drivers under 21 in the household), but once you do, just owning a car that's expensive to insure will make your insurance bill increase more than you would expect it to.

 

[mrsstats]

I work in the insurance field in NY. Our companies advise us to add when they have their license, not permit. However, I would strongly suggest that you consider them having their own car and insurance. This way you can protect your assets. Or make sure you have at least a $1,000,000. umbrella policy in place. I would do that now before you add them to your auto. Once you do that, the company may not want to issue the umbrella policy