Why Do Teenagers Pay More for Auto Insurance in Nebraska?


Nebraska state flagNebraska teens typically pay more for auto insurance than other age groups in the Cornhusker State because premiums are largely based on a person’s driving history and risk of filing a claim in the future. Statistically, younger motorists between the ages of 16 and 20 are involved in more accidents, are less likely to wear seat belts, more likely to speed and prone to taking unnecessary risks while behind the wheel. Luckily there are ways for youthful drivers to find more affordable rates, which usually involves shopping around for the cheapest policies and taking advantage of multiple discounts.

The NE Office of Highway Safety estimates that in 2010 teenagers between the ages of 16 and 19 represented only 6.3 percent of licensed drivers within the state, but were involved in 22 percent of all reported crashes. Generally this means that insurers are likely to charge younger motorists more for a Nebraska auto insurance policy due to the increased risk of youths being involved in accidents and filing claims.

Because teenagers are often placed in the non-standard market and charged more for vehicle coverage, many teens choose to join the policy of a parent or guardian to save money. Although the policyholder’s rates are likely to increase as a result, often this increase costs less than teenagers purchasing their own policies. If this is not an option, youthful drivers can usually find affordable coverage by comparing Nebraska car insurance and taking advantage of potential savings that may be available.

Teenage boy holding a toy carA thorough comparison of quotes and insurers will give young drivers a wider range of price options. Many different insurers offer motorists of all ages different discounts for various reasons. After shopping around and comparing rates, it is beneficial to contact several companies to inquire about potential offers that could help reduce rates. Teenagers who are still in school, for example, may be able to decrease the price of their policy by maintaining an exceptional grade point average, typically 3.0 GPA or higher.

In NE it is estimated that a crash occurs every 16 minutes, amounting to 46 people injured each day and one person killed every 46 hours. By striving to avoid collisions and drive safely, drivers may find additional savings. Many insurers offer motorists good driver discounts for keeping clean driving records for over three years. For teenage motorists, positive driving habits often lead to cheap auto insurance in the future.