Getting first time drivers the coverage they need is crucial. Having coverage is not only a requirement by law, but there are certain types of coverage you may need to have for first time drivers.
If you’re the parent of a first time driver, here’s a breakdown of the different types of car insurance available
Liability
This is the most basic form of insurance and is the most common acceptable insurance to fulfill the state requirements. Liability coverage pays another party’s medical expenses, vehicle repairs, and property damage if you were responsible for the accident. However, it doesn’t pay anything for your vehicle. This often is not enough even for insured drivers.
Collision
Collision coverage helps pay to repair or replace your vehicle if it collides with another vehicle or object. This is the coverage that pays for your vehicle in case of an accident, but there is usually other expenses associated with accidents that are not covered.
Medical Payments
Wrecks can also, unfortunately, also involve medical treatment. When it comes to car insurance, having medical coverage helps to pay medical and funeral expenses if an insured person is injured or killed in an accident. For those with families, this can be incredibly important, especially if there is no life insurance.
Comprehensive
Comprehensive insurance, as the name suggests, helps pay to repair or replace your vehicle through several situations if it’s damaged by something besides a collision. This can include theft, fire, vandalism, or hitting an animal, among other scenarios.
Uninsured Motor Vehicle
Unfortunately, while you may find it important to maintain coverage for your vehicle, many others skirt state and federal law by letting their coverage lapse or never obtaining it in the first place. Uninsured motorist coverage helps pay for medical expenses if you’re injured in an accident caused by someone who doesn’t have liability insurance.
Underinsured Motor Vehicle
Unlike the many people that don’t have coverage, there’s many people who don’t have enough coverage to cover all of the expenses in case of an accident. Most of the time, it’s simply because they don’t know or realize that they don’t have enough. Underinsured motorist insurance can help to cover the gap in this scenario.
Emergency Road Service
Breaking down is never fun, but emergency road service can help you get moving again by covering things from jump starts, tire changes, gas, and other roadside repairs including the cost of towing the vehicle. For those who don’t know how to do these things or don’t have the tools or ability, this is a great way to ensure safety and getting quickly back on the road.
Car Rental and Travel Expenses
Rental car reimbursement pays the cost of renting a replacement vehicle while your car is in the shop. Travel expense coverage helps pays for meals, lodging, and transportation if you’re in an accident more than 50 miles from home. For someone who frequently travels with their vehicle this can be a great way to make sure that you are safe and have somewhere to stay if something were to happen. However, for many first time drivers who are close to home, this coverage is usually not necessary.
Insurance tends to cost more for new drivers they turn 25. There’s some ways to minimize the cost to families to have full coverage. Many discounts are offered to students based on their choice of how they get their license, their good grades, how safely they choose to drive, and choosing a safer car to drive. Students who maintain a high GPA, drive safely, complete drivers’ ed courses, and choose a safer car, might be eligible for discount.
All the insurance terminology can be confusing. The best way to decide what kind of coverage your family needs is to talk with your local neighborhood agent Ed Underwood with State Farm. Based on your needs, he can make suggestions on the level of coverage that your new driver may need for the best possible price.
Click here to get a quote or call 615-771-0700 to get information on adding your teen to your insurance plan and like Ed Underwood on Facebook!
