Why Many Driver Education Programs Do Not Teach About Insurance
Finding a source of affordable car insurance is one of the most important parts of learning how to drive, but each year, many teen drivers buy inadequate or excessively expensive insurance policies simply because they are unaware of their options. Most school driver's education courses do not teach drivers how to find affordable car insurance. For new drivers, this is perplexing, since driver's education courses are extensive and require months of on-the-road training.
The main reason that driving instructors do not introduce insurance programs into their curriculum is that they cannot endorse a particular insurance product over another. Many driver's education courses will give drivers a brief overview of state insurance laws and explain the types of insurance that drivers legally need to carry, but will not tell drivers how to save money on insurance. Driver's education courses have a tremendous amount of material to cover in a relatively short amount of time, so unfortunately they cannot spend time giving drivers general money-saving tips. While exact curriculum varies from state to state, most driver's education courses encourage drivers to shop around for insurance but are careful to avoid any actual endorsements of specific insurance companies or products.
New drivers should learn about insurance options by talking to other drivers and by shopping online. Many insurance comparison websites have special car insurance glossaries, which are great for getting coverage type definitions and other basic information. Insurance agents are another great resource. Agents can provide coverage advice and let new drivers know exactly how much comprehensive, collision and liability insurance to buy before driving alone for the first time. Insurance agents can also explain how vehicle insurance works for drivers-in-training. However, new drivers should make sure to work with impartial agents who can provide an objective analysis of car insurance terms. Agents who only work for a single insurance company might not always provide unbiased information.
Finally, new drivers should compare insurance rates carefully before hitting the road. Experience is one of the major factors that car insurance companies use when setting rates, so new drivers pay more than experienced drivers. Teen drivers often get the highest rates, but the fastest way to make premiums manageable is to go online and compare a few different insurance policies. New drivers should also contact a few insurance providers before setting up a policy to ask about insurance discounts, since most insurance companies offer dozens of useful discounts. Any driver can take advantage of online resources to cut down on car insurance rates, and by learning the basics of car insurance coverage first, new drivers can keep their budgets under control when driving for the first time.
