Helping your teen become a responsible and confident driver is crucial to ensuring their safety and that of the other drivers with whom they share the road.

So, what can you do to support your teenage driver (while keeping your auto insurance rates in check)? The following nine insights are a good place to start.

1. New drivers don’t need to be added to your policy while operating under a learner’s permit.

With a learner’s permit, your child can practice driving in your car, under your supervision, and under your insurance policy. However, if your teen has sole ownership of the car they’re learning in, they’ll need to have their own policy.

Upon earning a license, your teen must either have their own auto policy or be added as a driver on each household member’s policy. In Massachusetts, that policy must include four different types of auto coverage:

• Bodily Injury to Others
• Personal Injury Protection (PIP)
• Bodily Injury Caused by an Uninsured Auto
• Damage to Someone Else’s Property

Massachusetts sets its minimum coverage levels, but we recommend limits of $100K/$300K for “Bodily Injury to Others” and $100K for “Property Damage.” Adding certain optional coverages is also a good idea. Collision, comprehensive (for non-collision-based incidents, like a tree that falls on your car), towing, and labor are some common examples. Ask your Massachusetts auto insurance agent to spell these options out for you, and price your policy at different coverage levels.

2. You have to list your teen as a household driver, even if he has his own insurance policy.

Some parents choose to purchase a separate auto insurance policy for their teen drivers, even though this arrangement typically costs more. One advantage to keeping separate policies is if your teen gets into an accident, your rate won’t be affected. Again, ask your insurance agent to price out both options and explain the pros and cons.

Keep in mind though, that even if your child has their own policy, they still need to be listed as a driver on your policy. Failure to list a household member as a driver can result in the denial of a claim.

But how much does it cost to add a teen driver to your insurance? While the exact cost will depend on several factors like their age, driving history, where you live, and the type of car you (or your teen driver) have, adding a teenage driver to your policy can be expensive. That said, the cost will go down as your teens get older — especially if they keep a clean driving record.

3. You can offset a higher insurance rate by raising your deductible.

If you’re concerned about the increase in your teen auto insurance costs, raising your deductible can help manage expenses. While this means you’ll pay more out of pocket for minor dings and scrapes, it could lower your monthly premium — helping you save money in the long run.

Since car insurance for teenage drivers tends to be more costly, this strategy can be a smart way to offset the added expense. Before making any changes, consider how much you’re comfortable paying out of pocket in the event of an accident and weigh the potential savings on your premium.

By choosing the right deductible, you can find a balance between affordability and protection, helping you manage the cost of auto insurance for teenage drivers without compromising coverage.

4. A safer car could mean a lower rate, even for a teen driver.

The type of car your teen drives could make a significant difference in their insurance rate. Generally, the cars you’ll pay the least to insure have the fewest claims associated with them or are the easiest or least expensive to repair. If you’re in the market for a new or used car, it’s worthwhile to compare insurance costs for different makes and models. To help you start your research, check out this list of some of the least and most expensive cars to insure.

5. Some teen drivers are eligible for discounts.

There are several car insurance discounts for teenage drivers that can help lower costs. Some of the most common options include:

• Good student discounts: Many insurers offer discounts for teens who maintain a high GPA, typically a B average or better.

• Driver training discounts: Completing a driver’s education or defensive driving course can qualify teens for a discount. Qualifying programs will differ by insurer.

• Safe driving discounts: Teen drivers who remain accident- and ticket-free for a set period may be eligible for a lower rate. Some insurers also offer programs that track driving habits through mobile apps or telematics devices.

• Student away at school discounts: For teens who are away at college and don’t take a car with them, some insurers may reduce their premiums since they won’t drive regularly.

• Multi-car or family policy discounts: Adding a teen driver to a family insurance policy is often cheaper than getting them a separate policy. Many insurers also offer multi-car discounts when covering more than one vehicle.

• Bundling discounts: Parents who bundle their home and auto insurance policies may qualify for additional savings, which can help offset the cost of auto insurance for teenage drivers.

6. Your insurance company needs to know if your teen is headed to college.

Speaking of student away-at-school discounts, if your teen driver is heading to college more than 100 miles away without a car, be sure to notify your insurance provider. Many companies offer lower rates if this is the case, as your teenager’s car insurance costs are based partly on how often they drive. Even when taking advantage of this lower rate, your teen will remain covered when they come home for weekends or school breaks.

7. Tickets matter. Encourage your teen to avoid them.

It’s not just collisions that affect auto insurance rates. Your entire driving record is open to scrutiny — and that includes tickets. In Massachusetts, every moving violation — speeding, running a red light, etc. — adds a “surchargeable incident” to your teen’s record, which then affects your insurance bill. On the upside, a clean driving record eventually results in reduced insurance costs and (potentially) eligibility for accident forgiveness.

8. Car accidents are still the number one cause of death among teenagers.

Teen auto insurance rates are higher for a reason — new drivers are at a higher risk of auto accidents due to inexperience and distraction. According to the Centers for Disease Control (CDC), drivers between the ages of 16–19 are more likely to be involved in a motor vehicle accident than any other age group.

As a parent, you can’t always be in the passenger seat, but you can take steps to promote safe driving habits. Setting clear expectations and enforcing your own family road rules can help prevent risky behaviors like texting while driving or speeding. Establishing guidelines around curfews, passenger limits, and driving in poor weather conditions can further reduce risks.

One great resource to consider is AAA’s free Parent-Teen Driving Agreement, which families can download and review before handing over the keys. This agreement helps outline responsibilities, ensuring your teen understands the importance of safe driving.

9. You don’t have to wait in line at the registry, when processing plates for your teen…

On top of everything else that comes with insuring new drivers, losing half your day at the DMV is never fun. That’s why we’re proud to provide in-house registry services for new license plate issuances, plate transfers, and more.

So when your teen is ready to roll, please reach out to C&S for personalized advice and auto insurance quotes. We’ve been covering Massachusetts families (and their teenage drivers) since 1959.