Tips For Getting Your Teenager A Car This Christmas

Insurance Blog

Learning to drive represents a huge milestone in a teenager's life, so it's little wonder that some parents are thinking of getting their teenagers a car this Christmas. That said, teenagers are in a particularly high risk group of drivers. In 2012, 60 percent of the deaths among passenger vehicle occupants nation-wide were teenagers between 16 and 19 years old. Parents thinking of buying their kids a car this Christmas should think of safety first. These tips will help you keep your child safe.

Pick a Car with a Good Safety Record

When choosing a car for your teenager, search for those cars that have excellent crash test safety ratings, as posted by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.

Newer cars are generally better than older cars for a variety of reasons. They're generally more road-worthy, and also have new safety features that older models don't have. For example, speed alerts and speed controls can either tell parents when their child goes over a certain speed, or can limit the top-speed that a car can achieve.

Establish Rules

Because teens are more at risk than other drivers on the road, it's a good idea to establish rules for your teen driver. Here are a few suggestions:

• No driving after a certain time at night. Night driving is naturally more difficult than daytime driving, and teenagers driving late at night are more likely to be fatigued, which can impact their ability to maintain control of the car.
• No driving with other teenagers in the car. Distracted driving is much more likely when other teenagers (especially friends) are in the car.
• No texting or calling while driving. Cell phones represent a huge distraction, even to adult drivers.
• Tell your parents where you'll be driving and when. Stay in touch with your teen driver and up to date with your teen's driving habits. The more involved you are in your teenager's life, the easier it will be to give your teen worthwhile advice and prevent accidents.

Update your Auto Insurance

Update your auto insurance to protect your child as well as the new car. While liability-only coverage may have been acceptable for you in the past, full coverage is a smart choice for younger and less experienced drivers. Speak with your insurance agent to get the best rates and the best coverage for your family.

Most of all, have a fun and safe holiday season. With a new car in your driveway, this year will be an exciting one!

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16 December 2014