Reader’s Question:

My teenage son will be getting his Arizona learner’s permit. Is it necessary to get him separate auto insurance coverage?

Timothy

Phoenix, AZ

A lot of things need to be addressed first before you let your son take control of the car. Firstly, he should be at least 15 years and 6 months old to qualify for a learner’s permit. He has to provide the Arizona Department of Motor Vehicles with an application for a learner’s permit signed by you. In this way, you, the parent, will be held responsible if anything untoward happens while your son is behind the wheel. Secondly, your son needs to pass the written exam. He also has to complete 10 hours of nighttime driving and 20 hours of daytime driving with a licensed adult aged 21 supervising.

After all this is completed, the permit is given. You need to remind your son that this does not entitle him to drive a motorcycle since that will need a separate permit. Your son should have a clean record until he is able to obtain his full valid driver’s license at the age of 18. You also have the prerogative to request for his permit to be cancelled at any time before he turns 18.

Regarding your insurance concern, he needs to have coverage as soon as possible as he will be driving really soon. The first option is to purchase separate auto insurance for him. However, this may prove to be very costly than just adding him to your current policy. Although it may cause your premiums to rise to 100% for adding a teenage son to the policy, it is still way cheaper than getting him separate auto insurance coverage. You must remember that insurers will be assessing a high premium for adding teenagers, especially a teenage son, to a policy since they tend to be involved in more accidents because of limited driving experience.

Tags: auto insurance coverage, auto insurance premium, DMV, teen, teen insurance