Driving Tips and Car Insurance for Teens

If you have a family, your children may be reaching an age where getting their license in Illinois is just on the horizon. Though this milestone often comes with pride and excitement, you may feel anxious about your teens on the road. Driving for teens can be a huge step toward independence, but it also may carry big risks. That’s why it can be crucial to understand safe driving habits and what car insurance may be helpful for your teen drivers.  

Encourage gradual learning 

When your teens acquire a learner’s permit, they still may need a lot of training before they’re comfortable on busier roads. This is why it may be important to take learning how to drive slowly. You may want to encourage your teens to spend plenty of time practicing behind the wheel before they venture into heavy traffic areas. 

Driving on quiet neighborhood streets or through an empty parking lot can be great places to begin learning. As confidence grows, you can encourage your teens to introduce new elements like highways or higher traffic areas. It may also be crucial to practice driving in rainy conditions, light snow, or after dark, which can help your teens prepare for more challenging scenarios.  

The importance of focused driving 

According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, young drivers are more likely to be involved in crashes than adult drivers.  That’s why it can be crucial to stress the importance of staying focused and limiting distractions while your teens are driving. You may want to encourage your teens to avoid common distractions while driving like: 

• Using a cellphone  
• Eating or drinking  
• Changing the radio station or queueing up music 
• Plugging in a GPS route 

You may also want to introduce your child to defensive driving practices which may help prevent accidents. Defensive driving can include maintaining a good following distance between cars, keeping an eye on your surroundings, or scanning the road farther ahead for potential risks.  

By teaching your kid defensive driving practices and encouraging them to avoid distractions, you can help them develop cautious and attentive skills while operating a vehicle.  

Understanding the role of car insurance for teens 

Though your teens may have excellent driving habits, accidents may still occur. That’s why car insurance for teens can be beneficial to help mitigate financial losses. At Illinois Vehicle Insurance Agency, LLC (Illinois Vehicle), we work with 20+ insurance providers which can help families find coverage that fits their needs and budgets. 

If you’re interested in coverage for your teen driver, you may want to look into: 

• Illinois’s mandated minimum liability insurance, which is required for all Illinois drivers to operate a vehicle lawfully 
• Insurance that can help pay for repairs to your teens’ vehicle after an accident, like collision or comprehensive coverage 
• Student and good driver discounts, since good grades and maintaining a clean driving record may lower insurance premiums 

It can also be a good idea to sit down with your teen and walk them through their policy. Breaking down what insurance they have, like liability, collision, and comprehensive, may help your child understand how each coverage works and what they may cover. Many providers also offer roadside assistance, which can be crucial if your child gets a flat tire or dead battery while driving. 

Get affordable car insurance for young drivers 

If you’re shopping for Illinois car insurance coverage for your teen, you may worried about how expensive the insurance may be. At Illinois Vehicle, we specialize in helping families find affordable car insurance that aligns with their budgets. Whether you’re looking for flexible payment options or discounts your teen may be eligible for, our Spanish-bilingual team can help you tailor a policy that works for you and your family.  

Looking for affordable car insurance for young drivers today? Call Illinois Vehicle at 1-630-581-4805, visit one of our Chicagoland locations, or get a free personalized quote online! 

Disclaimer:   

This material is for general informational purposes only. Products, services, and discounts referenced herein are not available in all states or in all companies. All statements are subject to the terms, exclusions, and conditions of the applicable policy. In all instances, current policy contract language prevails. Coverage is subject to individual policyholders meeting the insurer's underwriting qualifications and state availability. Other terms, conditions and exclusions may apply.