So, you have a Teenage Driver?
Shopping for teenage driver insurance? You knew this day would come, but who knew it would come so soon? It seems like yesterday you were putting your baby in the car seat, pushing them in a stroller, and teaching them how to ride a bike. Now they’re 16 and ready to drive! You blinked, and it’s here!
Let’s be candid, parenting a teenager these days is serious business, (social media, smart phones, texting, etc.) and preparing them for the road can be absolutely terrifying!
So, in order to help make your teen wiser behind the wheel, and to help stop your hand from shaking as you hand over the keys, here are 5 guidelines for dealing with your new teenage driver:
1. Demonstrate good driving behavior yourself
They started mimicking you when they were toddlers. Remember how they repeated that one word you wish they hadn’t?! So, it’s no surprise that kids copy your behavior behind the wheel also. If you want your new driver to keep off the phone, stay calm, and focus on the road, remember to do that kind of stuff yourself. You are a road role model for your kid whether you like it or not!
2. Drivers Education May Result In Teenage Driver Insurance Discounts
Leave driving instruction to the professionals. You’ve been teaching them about things their whole lives (how to walk, tie their shoes, throw a baseball, etc.) so it makes sense that you want to teach them to drive too. But the reality is this is a hard time in both your lives. You want them to be the safest drivers on the planet and they just want to grow up and be independent! That’s why hiring a professional driving instructor or signing them up for a driver’s education course is a smart idea.
It may be unsettling, but they’ll get the right training and information. This way it won’t affect your relationship or their maturity. Plus, it may even earn them an auto insurance discount!
3. Talk to them about the risks of driving…not just drinking and driving
You’ve probably been talking to your kids about drinking and driving for a while now because up until now. That’s been the parents’ biggest concern. But now we’re in a world of Smartphones, tablets, satellite radio, etc., and who knows what other technology is on the horizon! That means countless new distractions for drivers of all ages. So spell them out for your teen and help them understand the dangers of distracted driving just as much as the dangers of drinking and driving.
4. Share Driving Responsibilities
As new drivers, it’s a good idea to give your teenager chances to practice. Send them to the grocery store or have them pick up their little sister from soccer practice. It may take a little getting used to, but sharing the household driving responsibilities not only helps you out, but it will also expand your teen’s skills (and confidence) while getting them ready for the boring realities of driving in the real world.
5. Set Realistic Boundaries For Your Teenage Driver
It may not feel like it, but kids want rules and boundaries (even if they break them occasionally). So talk to your kids early and often about their boundaries as new drivers. Maybe you don’t want them going more than 20 miles from home, driving with a bunch of friends in the car, or riding around after dark.
Whatever rules you think are best, lay them down well in advance and you’ll avoid those big fights when your teen starts driving. It may even help to draw up a contract and make them sign it. Give them rewards or more responsibilities as they gain experience and prove they’re worthy of the huge privilege of driving.
Your teenager may very well appreciate being involved with learning about safe driving habits, and teenage drive insurance. We hope the simple insurance tips can take a lot of anxiety and stress out of this important step in your teenager’s life!
Discuss Teenage Driver Insurance At One Of Our 3 Insurance Offices.
Any one of us can sit down and evaluate your individual situation with teenage driver insurance. We have local insurance offices in Centerville (Dayton) Ohio, West Chester (Cincinnati) Ohio, and Northwood (Toledo) Ohio.
