Most parents dread adding their teen driver to their insurance policy because of the high cost but there are several ways that you can save money.

Ask About Discounts

There are all kinds of discounts that insurance companies offer. Teen drivers might qualify for a good student discount if their grade point average is 3.0 or above. Insurance companies have found that teens with good grades usually show a sense of personal responsibility and tend not to be reckless with their vehicles.

If you haven't gotten your teen a car yet, consider an older model. The older a car is, the cheaper it is to insure. However, make sure that it has safety features such as anti-lock brakes and passive restraints. If it has anti-theft devices, it's a better risk for the insurer. These safety and theft features will probably qualify your teen for a discount.

Teach Your Children Well

Putting your teen through an accredited driving course and a defensive driving course will reduce the amount you pay to insure them. Defensive driving courses are often offered at little or no charge by the AA and other driving clubs.

By spending time in the car with your teen, you can be sure that they are learning the proper way to drive. Your presence won't influence your insurance rates but your instruction and advice can make a big difference in the way your teen drives.

Setting a curfew also won't directly affect your premiums but it can save your teen's life as well as prevent a costly accident. By requiring your teen to have the car home by 10PM, he or she will avoid the 9PM-6AM period when most teen accidents happen. It's doubtful that this curfew will be greeted with enthusiasm, but once you point out the facts and how much rates increase with an accident they will undoubtedly be more accepting.

Teach your teen to pay attention! That call coming in on the cell phone can wait, and so can text messages. Let them know that talking or texting can cost them big money and perhaps even their life. One accident, no matter how minor, can nearly double the price they pay for insurance!

Let Your Fingers Do the Walking

You can use your computer to shop around for the best insurance rates when adding your teen to your policy or getting them their own coverage. Rates and restrictions vary a lot between companies so be sure to take advantage of online quotes. You'll be able to see the difference a certain type of car makes, what discounts your teen might qualify for and compare plans side by side. With online quotes you don't have to sit through a sales pitch but can think of what you and your teen need.

Once you find a plan that suits your budget and protects your teen, you can then contact the company or an agent. Shopping around for the best rates and discounts is probably the best thing you can do to save money on your teen's insurance premiums.

One of the best ways of shopping for low insurance rates is to first get 2-3 quotes online. Once you
have them check with a local insurance agent and ask him to quote you the same. You'll save time and money.