Summer brings longer days, more free time, and—for many teens—their first real taste of driving freedom. While it’s an exciting milestone, it can also cause some stress for parents. As your teen hits the road this summer, it's a good time to review your insurance coverage and set up safe driving habits that protect both your teen and your wallet.

Here are a few essential tips to help your family navigate this season with confidence:

1. Add Your Teen to Your Policy—Don’t Skip This Step

It might be tempting to avoid reporting a new driver to your insurer, but doing so can backfire. Failing to list your teen can lead to denied claims if they’re behind the wheel during an accident. The good news? Adding a teen to your policy is often more cost-effective than having them start a separate policy.

2. Ask About Good Student Discounts

One of the best ways to reduce the cost of insuring a teen is through a good student discount. Most insurers offer reduced rates if your teen maintains a GPA of 3.0 or higher. Be sure to submit their most recent report card to keep the savings active.

3. Consider a Safe Driver Monitoring App or Device 

Many companies now offer technology that tracks driving behavior—things like hard braking, speeding, and phone usage while driving. Not only can these tools reinforce safe habits, but they may also qualify your teen for lower premiums through usage-based insurance discounts.

4. Choose the Right Vehicle

The type of car your teen drives affects your insurance rate. Generally, older, modestly valued cars with good safety ratings are the most affordable to insure. Avoid high-performance or luxury vehicles for new drivers—they tend to come with much higher premiums. Check out our partner, Payne Chevrolet, for some great used vehicle options.

5. Teach and Model Safe Driving Habits

Your insurance rate is tied to your teen’s driving record. Encourage defensive driving, discourage distracted driving (especially texting), and limit nighttime driving or passengers until your teen has more experience. If you haven’t already, enroll them in a driver’s education course—many insurers reward this with discounts, too.

6. Raise Your Deductible

If your budget allows, increasing your deductible can reduce your monthly premium. Just be sure you have enough set aside in savings to cover it if needed.

7. Bundle and Save

Bundling your auto insurance with your home or renters insurance may qualify you for multi-policy discounts. It’s also a great time to review your entire insurance plan to ensure you're getting the best value.

Let’s Make This a Safe and Smart Summer

At Mark Reid Insurance, we’re proud to serve families in Robertson and Sumner counties with personalized insurance plans and trusted advice. Whether you’re insuring a first-time driver or just want a fresh look at your coverage, we’re here to help.

Let’s talk! Call or stop by for a free, no-obligation policy review. We’ll help you uncover savings, ensure your teen is properly covered, and bring peace of mind to your whole family this summer.

Visit us at:  411 Hwy 76, White House, on our website, or give us a cal

Cover photo courtesy of Jennifer Marion.