How Can a Maryland Teenager Find Cheap Auto Insurance?
Inexpensive auto insurance is often difficult to find for Maryland teenagers because younger motorists are statistically more at risk of being involved in an accident while behind the wheel. Despite this information, young residents are encouraged to shop around and compare quotes from as many sources as possible. Individual insurers rate motorists differently, and extensively comparing prices can usually amount to more adequately priced coverage.
Teenagers can effectively compare car insurance in Maryland by using online tools. Contacting companies individually for estimates can take much time, but an online search can usually produce dozens of quotes in minutes. This information can be used to determine which insurers can offer the lowest rates.
Individual companies may also provide an assortment of discounts that younger drivers can take advantage of. In many situations, drivers can get reduced premiums for keeping a clean driving record or for maintaining a 3.0 grade point average while in school. Before choosing an insurer, it’s often advantageous to check if these or similar savings are available.
A common way to obtain car insurance for teens in the Old Line State is to join the policy of a parent or guardian. If a younger motorist primarily uses a vehicle that is owned by a parent or guardian, this is generally the required alternative to having the younger driver purchase their own policy. Motorists should note, however, that the premiums of all vehicles on the parent’s plan are likely to increase unless the teenager is explicitly exempt from driving specific vehicles.
Why Maryland Teenagers Pay More for Auto Insurance
The primary reason why teenagers typically encounter steeper coverage costs is young and inexperienced drivers are generally considered high-risk motorists. Insurance costs are largely based on a driver’s likelihood of filing a claim, and motorists under the age of 25 are statistically more likely to take unnecessary risks, drive without safety restraints, drink and drive, speed, and react poorly in emergency situations.
In the Old Line State in 2008, an average of 30 people were injured each day in automobile accidents involving a young driver. And although motorists between the ages of 16 and 20 represent a relatively small portion of the driving population in MD, they represent a disproportionately large percentage of driver fatalities in comparison with other age groups, according to the Maryland Automated Accident Reporting System.
Insurers generally take these statistics into consideration when setting rates and charge teenage drivers more to counter the risk of insuring them. Maintaining a clean driving record and extensively shopping around for an affordable policy, however, can usually lead a consumer to adequately priced automobile insurance.