Cheap auto insurance for teenagers in Maine

All drivers in the state of Maine must have the minimum mandatory auto liability insurance. This law includes your teenage driver. You must carry $50,000.00 for each individual injured or killed in an accident, $100,000.00 for all the people involved in the accident, and $25,000.00 to cover all property damages. They must also have uninsured/underinsured motorists bodily injury of $50,000.00/$100,000.00 as well as $2,000.00 to pay for medical payments. Since statistics show that the first year behind the wheel of a car is the prime time for teenage automobile accidents, your insurance company may recommend that you carry comprehensive and collision on your teen as well as raising the limits on your liability insurance and uninsured/underinsured to more than the state requirements.

As the parent, you are required by the state of Maine to take financial responsibility for your teenage driver. Your teen driver must carry their proof of insurance in the vehicle at all times. You must produce proof of insurance upon request by the authorities. In Maine, this is the insurance card the company sends you each time you renew your policy. Information supplied to the DMV by the insurance company will include the name of the insurance company, the dates of coverage, and the amount of liability coverage. It also needs to include the policy number, VIN number of the vehicles covered, the make and model of the vehicles as well as the name of the policy holder. The auto insurance needs to be authorized by a qualified auto insurance company. Even if the teen is not at fault for an accident, they must provide proof of insurance to the officer on the scene. They must also have proof of insurance for any regular traffic stop. This will result in fines and possibly the loss of their vehicle’s registration and their driver’s license. They will be charged $100.00 to $500.00 and the vehicle registration will be revoked along with the possibility of the driver’s license and the plates to the vehicle. To reinstate the registration and plates you or your teen will need to pay an additional $35.00 reinstatement fee and your teen’s licensed may be restricted for a set period of time.

Adding your teen to your policy will generally be less expensive than putting them on their own auto insurance policy. Even then, the cost of adding your teen to your insurance policy will raise your premiums from $1200.00 to $4900.00 per year. On average, the premium will raise approximately $2,171.00 per year.

For each successive year that your teen maintains a good driving record, the premiums will most likely go down. To maintain a good driving record, your teen cannot have any traffic violations or accidents on their driving record. They cannot be picked up for a DUI or talking on their cell phone. Safety devices such as anti-lock brakes side air bags, automatic seat belts and daytime running lights may also reduce your premiums.

In addition to a clean driving record, teens who maintain a “B” grade point average will also receive a discount on insurance premiums. Another discount available for teens will be given when the teen has successfully completed a state approved safe driving course. The type of car your teen drives will also affect your insurance premiums. Don’t put your teen in a luxury car or sports car. It may also help lower your premiums if you avoid the top 10 stolen cares in the state of Maine. These cars include:

1. 1999 Jeep Cherokee/Grand Cherokee
2. 1986 Chevrolet C/K 1500 Pickup (full size)
3. 1993 Ford Escort
4. 1999 Chevrolet Cavalier
5. 1997 Ford F150
6. 1994GMC C/K 1500 Pickup (full size)
7. 1997 Ford Taurus
8. 1996 Dodge Caravan
9. 1995 Saturn SL
10. 1999 Bombardier Ski Doo (Snowmobile)

Following these guidelines will save you between 10 to 15% on your auto insurance premiums for your teenage driver.