Summertime is when your teenagers get a break from the hustle and bustle of school. They may have jobs or internships during these warmer months, but without the pressure of school and extracurriculars, they have some freedom to drive around and hang out with their friends. Of course, with this comes the usual teenage shenanigans, so now is the time to set up some rules, lest they damage your luxury vehicles by driving dangerously or without permission.
Here are some tips for keeping your teens safe on the road, while also preventing catastrophes with the right insurance policies.
Setting Up Safety Rules
Whether you have expensive, collectible cars that are worth hundreds of thousands of dollars, or everyday luxury cars, like those made by Mercedes or Porsche, your teenagers will most likely want to drive them. This is where you run into problems like not having on the insurance for those particular cars, leading to very expensive mistakes on the part of your children. Some ground rules, like these, can help:
- No driving with more than one friend in the car to avoid distractions.
- The collectible cars are to be admired, not driven by you.
- You can drive standard luxury cars only during daylight hours.
How can you present your kids with these rules? It’s easy. Sit them down and have a family meeting where the rules are discussed. Writing them down and placing the rules in prominent places throughout the home can help remind them as well. In addition, you can even draft an agreement and have your teen drivers sign it to make sure that they understand the family vehicle rules and expectations.
Getting the Right Auto Coverage
Of course, your teenagers might be tempted to break the rules and drive your collectible or luxury cars without your permission. So, what happens when they end up getting into an accident? If they aren’t included on your policy, you could end up having to pay for repairs, damages, and more out of pocket. In order to avoid this, consider the following:
- List your teens on your policy – By including them as drivers your premiums may rise, but you’ll have all of the right protections.
- Make sure that you have the right insurance coverage – Collectible or customized cars may need special insurance riders, due to their uniqueness. Standard policies may not cover custom additions and other things.
- Check your coverage amounts – You may need to increase your coverage numbers in order to ensure that you have enough to cover damage to the vehicle, other vehicles, personal property, and more.
- Consider an umbrella insurance policy – Umbrella insurance is designed to provide coverage above what your standard general liability and auto policies offer. This additional protection can really help when you’re dealing with expensive vehicles.
Have Questions? Contact Charlotte Insurance
Want to learn more about insurance coverage for your luxury and collectible cars? Contact Charlotte Insurance. Our agents can explore and explain all available options and put together the insurance coverage plan you need.