I cannot begin to tell you the dread in parents voices as their teenager is appraoching driving age. There are ways to soften the blow and it just takes exploring options with your independent insurance agent to figure out what to do. I have some suggestions, they are:

- Make sure your teen maintains a 3.0 or better grade point average. This can translate to up to a 40% discount on the base rate.

- Some companies rate all drivers on all cars, some rate each driver on a car, this can be a huge difference. All drivers can drive all the cars, but it can make for a more favorable rate if a teen is placed on a car.

- Some insurance companies offer a safe driving course, on line, and if the teen completes the course there can be up to a 30% discount on the premium.

- I cannot stress enough a clean driving record. I have seen rates double with 1 speeding ticket. There are companies that won't write a youthful driver with an at fault accident.

- There are companies that will place the teen in the most favorable tier of rates as long as the parents have the insurance score and clean driving record as well as the teen. This can save up to 50% in rates.

- If teh teen can be rated on a "Liability Only" vehicle, that is the most favorable rating.

Youthful drivers have become a challange for insurance companies and there are companies that give the youthful driver the benefit of the doubt, up front. Talk to you Independent Insurance Agent about the company that fits best with your situation.