Young Drivers...are they really as bad as the media say they are?
By RiujinZero
@RiujinZero (58)
United States
December 30, 2008 10:05pm CST
I came to start thinking about this recently while shopping around for car insurance. I am a young driver (I'm 19) so I fall into the "young/new driver" category. The reason I am even shopping for new car insurance is because my current provider just decided for no reason to up my car insurance to a little under $5,000 for 6 months of coverage. That's 10 grand a year!!!!! The cheapest I seem to be able to get is right in the upper 6 grand a year area no matter which company I go with. This got me thinking. Why do I have to pay so much when my parents only pay a little over 1 grand each? My grandfather pays like $600 a year. All their cars are worth twice as much as mine. I did some digging and the main reason for the price is because young drivers are considered "high risk." My question is are we really that high risk? Or is it just the insurance companies twisting the media hype in order to make a quick buck?
I think they are.
2 responses
@zackyo7 (301)
• United States
31 Dec 08
I think it's both. A lot of young drivers think that speeding means that you are a good driver. And a lot of them drink and drive after parties and stuff. But now insurance companies are going a little overboard with it to take advantage of drivers. Both parties are wrong.
@RiujinZero (58)
• United States
31 Dec 08
They also make it seem like EVERY young driver drinks, speeds, texts, etc while driving. I'd say less than 1 out of every 100 teens drink and drive. And I've seen FAR MORE soccer moms talking on the cell phone while driving and almost running small cars over with their giant SUV's than I've seen young drivers doing the same thing. Also, there are a hell of a lot more drivers over the age of 21 than their are under. Don't believe me? look around next time you go driving.
@LovingLife139 (1504)
• United States
13 Jul 09
Some young drivers drive like their car is a new toy. They want to test it to its limits. I'm 20 years old, but I'm a married female which means age is not a factor (although where I live age would still be a factor for a male whether married or not, go figure). I drive at the speed limit or below at all times...I call myself a grandma driver. :) People get ticked off when they end up behind me, but I go the speed limit for two reasons: I don't want to pay a ticket, and I want to save money on gas.
I think the insurance rates for people my age are beyond ridiculous. Sure, make them higher because they are on higher risk...but like you said, ten THOUSAND dollars a year? There is no WAY you cost that much! I pay $690 a year. I would suggest looking around at rates on a consistent basis just to make sure you can't get a better deal even if you have insurance.
I also think insurance rates need to be able to decrease if you have nothing on your record. I have no speeding tickets, no wrecks where I was at fault (although I've had three different people hit me), no traffic violations whatsoever...but that didn't matter before I married. Rates never went down. Then I was married in March this year and got off the family plan insurance and actually had a cheaper rate because I was now a married woman. It doesn't quite make sense. Insurance providers need to reward people for driving safe just like their rates go up ridiculously high if they don't drive safely. Make it equal on both sides.
