As your teen starts to drive, one of the biggest decisions you’ll have to make is what car to get them.
It can be tough trying to choose the right one – after all, you want them to be safe on the road, but you also want them to be happy with their car. Here are a few things to keep in mind when making your decision.
Get Them a Separate Older Car, If Possible
There’s no doubt that every teen wants to drive a stylish car. However, when it comes to choosing a car for a teen, an older model is usually the best option.
For one thing, you won’t need to take out a loan to purchase an older car. This means that you can save on insurance costs by only carrying liability coverage on the vehicle. Having comprehensive and collision insurance, which is required by car loans, can be very expensive for a teen driver.
Additionally, if something happens to the car, the rest of the family will still be able to get around. A separate car for your teen can give everyone peace of mind that the family cars will still be available for work and errands.
So, while your teen may not be thrilled about driving an older model car, it’s usually the best – and cheapest – option for families.
Have Them Drive a Family Car That’s Paid Off
The second option is to have your teen use one of the family cars that doesn’t have a loan. Again, this will save you significant money when it comes to insurance because you won’t need comprehensive and collision coverage.
You can also set up an agreement that your teen will help pay part of the insurance costs of the car they drive. This can help teach them responsibility and lessen the financial impact on your budget. Looking for affordable car insurance for young drivers? Freeway Car Insurance has a good reputation for helping people compare policies and find the right car insurance, even for young or higher-risk drivers.
Getting Your Teen a New Car?
If you’re considering getting your teen a new car, there are a few things you need to take into account. First, of course, is the cost.
You’ll want to consider the monthly payment and the need for comprehensive and collision coverage. You might want to consider a car that can be shared among multiple teens in your household – that way, everyone can pitch in and help with the cost.
Another thing to keep in mind is safety. Make sure you choose a car with good safety features so you can have peace of mind. A practical sedan may be safer than a sporty coupe.
With the right vehicle, you can rest assured that your teen is in a cost-effective, safe car.
Help Your Teen Be Safe on the Road
Having a driving teen is exciting. After all, your teen is now able to drive themselves around, freeing you up. And, with the right boundaries in place, you can help them stay safe on the road.
Safe travels!