New Driver Insurance: Proceed With Caution

For any parent of an inexperienced driver there are several area to be concerned about. Most importantly is their safety. We know many serious accidents are caused by young drivers. You probably already know that.

What we do differently at J.M. Doherty Insurance Agency, Inc. is provide you with good information and then let you decide what works best for you.

Lets start with advanced driver training. Through IN Control you can participate in something more than the standard "drivers ed" course. You will be set up on an open driving course.  Cones are set up, the corners are tight, and the track conditions vary in order to give a realistic sense of true driving situations.  Hard braking, skids, distractions are all part of the educational process. This will help a new driver recognize adverse conditions quickly and more apt to react correctly when things are coming at them at 65 miles per hour. For more information please call 1-888-301-SAFE,  www.InControlADT.com  There is a credit on your insurance for taking participating. Please make sure you keep the certificate.

When you call us for insurance information on a new operator we will give you straight answers.  It's about the right protection for the right price. We won't strip down a policy just to gain a customer. You will be calling us first if there is an accident. That's the last time you want to find out that your coverage limits are low and you might not be insured adequately.

Should I insure the car in their name? How much coverage does my kid need? How can I save money and still do this right? All good questions. Questions that may need some time to figure out.

We generally recommend that all the vehicles in the household carry the same amount of liability insurance.  One car or the other, if there's an accident it's the same "assets" you are trying to protect.

One solid piece of advice we can offer and will help keep your premium down is buying an older model car that doesn't need to have "full collision and comprehensive".  When a new driver buys a car that needs financing, the bank will require "full collision and comp". That's the physical damage to the car, fire, theft, vandalism... The bank is going to make you insure their interest in the vehicle. The added cost for full physical damage can add $1000 or more to the bottom line.

I see customers trying to get creative with this issue. Please keep in mind that insuring new drivers is expensive for a reason. THEY HAVE ACCIDENTS!!  Insurance companies don't mind creativity as long as they are getting the premium due to them.

New Massachusetts Auto Insurance buyers, please call us first. We are here to help you make informed insurance decisions.

For more than "37" years J.M. Doherty Insurance Agency, Inc. "steering you in the right direction"  www.jmdins.com

Thank you!!