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Teenager's Guide to Auto Insurance
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Auto Insurance Guide for Teenagers

Here is a printable PDF version: Teenager's Guide to Auto Insurance

Information from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) 

  • Teen drivers have the highest crash risk of any age group. Per mile traveled, teen drivers have the highest involvement rates in all types of crashes, from those involving only property damage to those that are fatal.
  • Due to the innate fact that teen drivers lack experience driving a car, mistakes will be made. After all, that is the nature of learning a new skill. However, the ramifications of a mistake behind the wheel of a 3,000 lb. vehicle are far more drastic than most other decisions you make on a daily basis. 
  • The NHTSA has gathered information on teen drivers nationally and has noted that: 
    • Teen drivers' fatal crashes are more likely to occur when other teenagers are in the car. The risk increases with every additional passenger. 
    • Night driving is a high-risk activity for beginners. Per mile driven, the nighttime fatal crash rate for teen drivers is about twice as high as during the day. 
    • Teenagers generally are less likely than adults to use safety belts. 
    • More of teen drivers' fatal crashes involve only the teen's vehicle. Typically these are high-speed crashes in which the driver lost control. 

There is a good chance that either you or a friend will be involved in a teen-related accident. Avoiding some of the issues presented above will reduce your risk of injury.

Why you need auto insurance 

  • It pays claims if you hurt someone else or damage another person's property (this is called liability insurance); 
  • It pays for your injuries and damage to your car if you are hit by someone who is not insured (this is called UM or uninsured motorists coverage); 
  • It pays you if you cause damage to your own car (if you buy collision coverage); 
  • It pays if your car is stolen (if you purchase comprehensive coverage); 
  • It pays for medical and funeral expenses for you and your passengers (if you buy medical expense coverage).
  • It satisfies the financial responsibility law requirements when the policy provides adequate liability coverage limits.

Frequently Asked Questions

  1. What if I don't have insurance?
    • Virginia law requires you to prove financial responsibility if you cause an auto accident that harms or damages others. To satisfy this law, you can buy an auto insurance policy with limits equal to or higher than the following:
      • $30,000 for injury or death of one person death of one person;
      • $60,000 for injury or death of two or more people; and 
      • $20,000 for property damage. 
    • You may lose your driving and vehicle registration privileges if you cannot prove to DMV that you are financially responsible.  To be reinstated, you may be required to pay a statutory fee, file a financial responsibility insurance certificate (SR-22) with DMV for three years and pay a reinstatement fee.
  2. How are premiums determined?
    • Insurance companies charge rates based on many factors such as:
      • Your driving record 
      • Age and type of vehicle (if you buy comprehensive and collision coverage) 
      • Your age 
      • Your sex
      • Where you live
  3. How can I lower my premium? 
    • Avoid getting tickets. 
    • Avoid having accidents. 
    • Don't drive a high performance car or a sports car. 
    • Maintain good grades to qualify for a "good student discount." 
    • Maintain good credit. 
    • Consider a higher deductible for your comprehensive and collision coverages but remember that this is the amount of money you will have to pay out of your pocket if you have a claim so be sure you can afford it.
  4. Can my company increase my premium due to my accidents and traffic tickets? 
    • Yes. Your insurance company can charge an additional premium for a ticket or for an accident that was even partially your fault. This extra charge can last three years.
  5. What if I don't pay my premium? 
    • If you don't pay your insurance premium on time, the company will cancel your policy. Getting a policy from another company may be difficult or may cost you more if you have let your policy run out and have gone without insurance. 
    • If you don't pay your renewal premium on time, the company is not required to renew your policy and is not required to send you a notice advising you that your policy terminated. 
    • If you pay your premium via the internet, be sure y ou have confirmation of the transaction. 
  6. How long will my policy last? 
    • Your policy will insure you for a specific period of time such as six months, or 12 months. This is called a policy term. At the end of the policy term, the company may continue your policy or refuse to renew your policy. 
  7. Can my company refuse to renew my policy if I only have one ticket or one accident that's my fault? 
    • Yes. In fact, your driving record can affect the insurance policies of other members of your household, too. Even if they are on a different policy, they can be non-renewed because of your driving record.
  8. Can I be refused coverage because of my age?
    • No. If you are applying for insurance or if you are being added to your parents' policy, the company cannot turn you down because of your age. 
  9. If I let my friend drive my car and he has an accident, will he be covered? 
    • Yes. Your friend will be covered if he is driving the car with the owner's permission. 
  10. Who can I call if I have other questions or wish to file a complaint?