Insurance.Com's RateWatch Finds Average Teen Auto Insurance

While average auto insurance rates across the United States continue tocome down from their record highs of last fall, there's still oneguaranteed way to increase your insurance bill -- add a teen driver.According to Insurance.com's RateWatch for car insurance, adding a teendriver to your policy can increase the annual rate anywhere from $1,200to $4,900 a year - or an average of $2,171 a year.

April's RateWatch data found that on average, autoinsurance rates last month had returned to their year-ago pricepoint of $1872, continuing a downward trend in rates that began at thefirst of the year. While this is a welcome break for cash-strappedconsumers, those who are considering adding a teen driver to the familyplan still need to do some budgeting -- and homework -- to get the bestplan for their young drivers.

"Parents of teen drivers may be in for some sticker shock when theybegin getting quotes to add a teen to their policy," said Sam Belden,Vice President at Insurance.com. "Given the increased number of claimsassociated with drivers aged 16-19, those insurance premiums have alwaysbeen high. But as rates overall begin to level off, now is a great timeto shop for a new policy. By taking advantage of multi-car discounts andother savings features, you may be able to save money and keep your teensafely insured."

Insurance.com offers these tips for parents of teen drivers:

Car Choice & Safety features are good for the pocketbook, too

Your teen may have his eye on a used Mustang, but insuring a Honda Civicwill be easier on the budget. Rates can be almost $200 higher to insurea teen on a Mustang. Safety features can also help manage your insurancecosts. Many carriers offer "Safe Car" discounts for air bags, antilockbrakes, and antitheft devices such as alarms in the car. In some cases,these discounts can save 5% off your premium.

Look for "good student" discounts

Some auto insurance companies offer discounts to policies with teendrivers if they have a B or better grade average at school. Of course,proof of those good grades is required, but good students can sometimeshelp parents save as much as a 10-15% on car insurance.

Know the laws for teens and enforce them

Graduated drivers licensinglaws are designed to help new drivers gain experience under lowerrisk conditions. It's common for states to impose curfews and limit thenumber of teen passengers until a driver is 18. A car full of teens lateat night is a recipe for disaster.

New technology helps parents track teen driving - and save money

Video cameras and GPS are new tools that can help parents monitor theirteen's driving. Some insurers will offer discounts to policyholders whouse these devices.

According to RateWatch, the most affordable states to insure teendrivers are Indiana, Wisconsin and Ohio, where rates were $2600, $2700and $2900, respectively. The most expensive states to insure teendrivers? Connecticut ($5400); New Jersey ($6200) and Louisiana ($7900).

The RateWatch report data is based on the lowest car insurance ratesquoted to consumers in each state, from more than a dozen of thenation's leading auto insurers. The complete report is available at www.insurance.com/ratewatch.

ABOUT INSURANCE.COM

Insurance.comis the leading independent online auto insurance agency in theUnited States. Our innovative technology allows consumers to linkdirectly to the rating systems of more than a dozen top insurancecompanies. We streamline the shopping process for consumers, empoweringthem to instantly compare rates, make the smartest decisions for theirinsurance needs and buy a policy online or by phone. Headquartered inSolon, Ohio, Insurance.comalso offers information for life,healthand homeinsurance.