Teen Drivers Risky To Insure « Auto Insurance News

by Jeanny Hopper

United States annual statistics showed about 400,000 drivers age 20 and below figured in car accidents, which translates to $26 billion total damage costs of road mishap.

In fact, vehicular accidents ranked as No. 1 cause of death among teen Americans. The number of death for teen drivers is four times higher than drivers whose ages are between 25 to 69 years.

Statistics also showed that more teen male drivers get killed in car accidents than teen female drivers. About 19 get killed for every 100,000 male drivers, while 11 get killed for every 100,000 female drivers.

First time teen drivers are viewed as reckless as pose higher car crash rates. This is a concrete explanation why teenagers have the highest car insurance rate among the demographic group. In New York City alone, drivers 16 to 19 years old have a median six-month rate of $1484.13. It is 100 percent higher compared to drivers belonging to 60 to 74 group age, who have the lowest insurance rate.

Aside from alcohol and drugs, other factors why many teenagers often figure in vehicular accidents include being non-attentive on the road. Playing and using electronic gadgets, such as cell phones, PSP, iPods and others cause distraction while driving as well.

Simple violation of traffic rules – beating the red light, tailgating, speeding and ignoring seat belt policies – also cause accident.

High teen car insurance rates are not just based on reported statistics. Many insurance companies also base their rates on geographical location where a teenager frequently drives, like school. If the geographical situation in their school is less-congested, it means a lesser risk and low probability of accidents.

Driving fast vehicles, such as a sports car and a new car are not advisable for teenagers who are applying for insurance. It has a high risk of rollover danger.

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