Insurance Companies Woo Young Drivers
Some Companies Offer Good Grade Discounts
POSTED: 5:46 pm EDT March 28,
2008
UPDATED: 6:34 pm EDT March 28,
2008
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DEDHAM, Mass. --
New car insurance rules are set to go into effect in Massachusetts next week. Some insurers are pursuing a group of drivers that they have traditionally tried to avoid: teenagers.
Insurers Woo Young DriversNewsCenter 5's Jorge Quiroga reported young drivers pay the highest insurance rates, regardless their driving record."More than I want to pay," said Neelima Prabhala, 16. "About a thousand dollars."But starting April 1, insurance companies are targeting young, responsible drivers with lower rates."I think it allows us to recognize good behavior by parents and the kids," said Timothy Hegarty Jr., of Norfolk and Dedham Insurance.Adding a teen driver to a family policy will generally spike premiums 50 to 90 percent. That's why under managed competition, many insurance companies are offering discounts for inexperienced drivers and their parents.Families can get discounts if young drivers complete behind-the-wheel advanced driver training."I learned a lot of stuff from it. I thought it was very helpful," one young driver said.Discounts are also available for students who maintain a B average in school."There seems to be a statistical connection between student achievement in school and their driving record, and we are giving them a 5 percent discount on most of our coverages for that," Hegarty said."I'll take that deal, and I might kick in some bucks for just getting a B average, you know what I mean?" said Chip McCarthy.Insurance companies said the new incentives under managed competition are commonplace elsewhere in the country.
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Insurers Woo Young DriversNewsCenter 5's Jorge Quiroga reported young drivers pay the highest insurance rates, regardless their driving record."More than I want to pay," said Neelima Prabhala, 16. "About a thousand dollars."But starting April 1, insurance companies are targeting young, responsible drivers with lower rates."I think it allows us to recognize good behavior by parents and the kids," said Timothy Hegarty Jr., of Norfolk and Dedham Insurance.Adding a teen driver to a family policy will generally spike premiums 50 to 90 percent. That's why under managed competition, many insurance companies are offering discounts for inexperienced drivers and their parents.Families can get discounts if young drivers complete behind-the-wheel advanced driver training."I learned a lot of stuff from it. I thought it was very helpful," one young driver said.Discounts are also available for students who maintain a B average in school."There seems to be a statistical connection between student achievement in school and their driving record, and we are giving them a 5 percent discount on most of our coverages for that," Hegarty said."I'll take that deal, and I might kick in some bucks for just getting a B average, you know what I mean?" said Chip McCarthy.Insurance companies said the new incentives under managed competition are commonplace elsewhere in the country. Copyright 2008 by TheBostonChannel.com. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.
